Rising Voices from the Margins
In Chitwan, a region known for its political dynamics, two young candidates are making waves not through traditional political connections or organizational support, but through their lived experiences of marginalization and injustice. Arjun Chepang, 29, and Bikash Kami, 25, are challenging the status quo in Chitwan-1, representing communities that have long been sidelined in Nepal’s social, political, and economic systems.
Arjun Chepang: A Voice for the Chepang Community
Arjun Chepang, a member of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, is the only candidate from the Chepang indigenous community in the district. The Chepang people, one of Nepal’s most marginalized groups, face systemic discrimination that affects every aspect of their lives. For Chepang, politics is not just a career path—it is a means to address the deep-seated issues that have plagued his community for generations.
Growing up in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-5, Chepang recalls a childhood marked by fear and suspicion. Security forces frequently raided his village, searching for rhino poachers and often arresting residents without clear evidence. This treatment left a lasting impact on him and his family.
One of the most painful memories for Chepang was the arrest of his elder brother, Dip Bahadur Chepang, on charges related to rhino poaching. Despite serving a previous sentence, he was detained again and remains in prison. Another relative, Dal Bahadur Chepang, spent nearly nine years in jail before being acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Chepang says these incidents were not isolated but reflected broader structural discrimination against the Chepang community, which numbers over 84,000 people nationwide. Despite constitutional recognition, the community continues to face severe deprivation in education, health care, employment, and political representation.
Education became a way out for Chepang, but even that came with challenges. He walked long distances to attend school and lacked access to essential resources. However, he remained determined, believing that education could offer a path to change.
His activism began during his student years, where he advocated for indigenous rights and social justice. He later took up vegetable farming to sustain himself while continuing his activism. Chepang believes that economic independence strengthens political voice and credibility.
“I did not enter politics to gain power,” he said. “I entered to ensure that communities like mine are no longer invisible.”
Bikash Kami: Confronting Caste Discrimination
Bikash Kami, contesting under the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, comes from a Dalit family and has faced caste-based discrimination from an early age. One of his earliest memories involves a fire at a neighbor’s house, where he rushed in to help extinguish it. Instead of appreciation, he was scolded and insulted for entering a “higher caste” space.
Another incident occurred when he brought roasted maize to class and offered it to a teacher. After learning that the maize came from a Dalit student, the teacher spat it out. These experiences shaped Kami’s understanding of the deep-rooted nature of caste discrimination.
Kami pursued education with determination, eventually traveling abroad for further studies before returning to Nepal. He realized that social transformation required political engagement at home. His involvement in student movements and social campaigns led him to believe that political participation was essential to challenge systemic inequality.
“I realised that unless people like us enter politics, our voices will never be heard,” he said.
Kami argues that political representation is about more than winning elections—it is about reshaping social attitudes. When marginalized communities see someone like themselves in leadership, it gives them confidence.
A New Era in Nepali Politics
Both Chepang and Kami emphasize that their campaigns are grounded in lived experience rather than abstract ideology. Their priorities include improving education access, addressing economic inequality, and ensuring dignity for marginalized communities.
Chitwan-1, where they are contesting, has 149,621 registered voters. A total of 18 candidates are competing for the seat, including representatives from major political parties. Despite limited resources and organizational strength compared to larger parties, both candidates say their candidacies represent something larger than electoral victory.
“Our campaign is about awareness,” Chepang said. “Even if we do not win, we want people to understand the realities faced by marginalised communities.”
Kami echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the symbolic importance of participation. “If citizens no longer face discrimination because of caste or identity, that itself will be the greatest success,” he said.
Observers note that their candidacies reflect a broader shift in Nepal’s political landscape, where individuals from historically excluded communities are increasingly asserting their right to representation.
Nepal’s constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination based on caste, ethnicity, and identity. However, implementation remains uneven, and social hierarchies continue to influence access to opportunities and justice.
For Chepang and Kami, the election represents an opportunity not only to seek office but to challenge entrenched inequality and inspire others. Their journeys—from villages marked by suspicion and discrimination to the political arena—highlight the continuing struggle for dignity and inclusion in Nepal’s evolving democracy.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, their candidacies serve as reminders that democracy is not only about political competition but also about expanding participation and ensuring that every voice, including those long silenced, is heard.
