Nepali caste organisations - wrong end of the stick

Sorry guys and gals, it's been over a month I've been meaning to get blogging again, I've had some busy busy times lately, the usual life stuff, job, family, events, life again, etc. (though not busy enough to pay someone to write this blog for me), though I think the worse of it is over now so I can finally get started....Wa-hoo!

So what's been on my mind lately. Well, what I'm about to discuss is a complex subject, one I wish people would just stop and discuss more intelligently, providing pragmatic solutions and set some examples. Anyway here goes. 

Anyone interested in politics (wait..read on...) may have watched David Cameron's speech on multiculturalism [1] [2] recently on which I have to admit he hits the nail on head on a number of issues related to immigration, identity, terrorism, failure of multiculturalism and lots of others (am I conservative voter?...I dunno, I'll wait until next general election in 2015 : - ), but it got me thinking about my own identity in the UK, the identities of Nepali's in the UK, and what I think UK Nepali's (whatever level of lousiness) experience of multiculturalism is. Coincidently also, I've had a few Brit-Nepali's come up to me lately, and say, "You know mate, I'm going to Nepali functions or parties and feeling less and less Nepali everyday." or as I would say, "I'm becoming a lousier and lousier Nepali everyday."  And therefore for a lot of us born or resided in the UK for some time, we've started to examine our cultural identity. No doubt this is an issue done to death on Internet forums and in the media and will come up again and again in the future, but what's different this time is these issues are out in the open from all angles as British PM David Cameron demonstrated (but provided no solutions..typical). So I'm going to begin to talk about it freely too and hope you will join me in this debate : - )


Looking at our community, despite arrivals (new and old) from Nepal making the UK their new home for whatever reason, work opportunities, to study, family reasons - for some, perhaps fed up of institutional caste-ism that exists in Nepal, and therefore lack of opportunities, why is it every now and again I hear yet another UK Nepali caste-orientated organisation has formed in an attempt to foster good relations with fellow ethnic Nepali's? Like I said this is a complex issue  with many questions and answers, but already lots of questions spring to mind, simple questions like, why is this phenomena occurring? Does the community really need to setup caste groups? Why can't we just have an umbrella group to support all communities?
Has the community fallen into the multiculturalism that David Cameron describes - where different communities just live side by side passively? mmm...Let's examine this further.

For those that have been here in the UK a long time, know that one time (and I suspect there still is) an organisation called the Yeti Nepalese Association that has been operating since 1960's. I remember my Dad getting regular periodicals, featuring event news and elections etc. and irrespective of your background, you were encouraged to join. Nowadays, we have Nepali caste groups, and you can join that group if you belong to that particular caste. Does something feel wrong already? My Dad certainly did when last year he was asked to join a certain caste group, he instantly wondered why there isn't just a general Nepali social organisation that he could join. Beats me.

The Yeti isn't a myth is it?

However, at the core of it, I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong having a Nepali caste social group, I think it's great that people from a particular group can continue to keep alive their traditions, and exercise that freedom with their family members and fellow members. In addition, as well as for social purposes, I can understand why setting up a caste group (for certain castes) can be empowering when coming from a country like Nepal where many castes have had a history of been oppressed and suffered discrimination by generations of rulers. The opportunity for people to take a lead and air their a voice can only be a positive one. This is what makes the UK great for allowing people to be confident of who they are and allow people to aspire to do whatever they want to do in life, an example to the rest of world. However, caste groups are not without their issues, and if they're really going to be the way Nepali social groups become I think a few things need to change and looked at closely for a more positive community spirit and a working-together attitude. They are as follows:

1) Too inclusive: If the intention of these caste groups is to develop and share their culture and keep traditions alive amongst themselves and the younger generation, surely it's beneficial for anyone to be encouraged to come along to the caste group so that different cultures are better understood by other people. For example, Mrs. Gurung has a friend named Mr Shrestha, can't Miss Gurung just invite Mr Shrestha to find out about her friends samaj. What happens when Mr Shrestha marries Miss Gurung, intercaste marriages are not uncommon, now you can't join any group...hahaha. Fail. So it's better to be more open about who can join, after all we all live in the same country. Is that illegal to exclude someone based on race? Maybe, maybe not.

2) Location issues: What happens when Mr Shah is living and working in Edinburgh but there is a single Thakuri Samaj say in the South East of England, however there is say a Tamu Dhee Society in Edinburgh, and given the way caste societies usually operate, how does one address the social and cultural needs of Mr. Shah. Wouldn't just an umbrella organisation like Yeti, operating a branch in Edinburgh and the South East of England with an open door policy solve this problem and cater for all Nepali communities?

3) Too seriously organised: Does anyone care about the constitution? Why the heck is there one in the first place. It's just a social group with a common interest. Elect a few leaders that want to lead and put on a good show for the community.

4) Lack focus. - I think caste groups should be educating everyone else about their caste, I think alot of people would be interested, and would benefit everyone if this is the way Nepali social groups are going to be. Otherwise, all these groups are just the same, eating food, football matches, etc. Just an idea.

Interesting, my fingers have 5 fingers, how many does yours have?

Maybe as a result of growing up as a liberal Brit-Nepali there are some facts and points of view I need to be enlightened on regarding caste-based organisations, so I would encourage any healthy debate. But I hope most people reading this blog will agree with me that there are advantages and disadvantages for an umbrella organisation and a caste group to cater for needs of a major ethnic group. I don't know what the complete and correct answer is yet, but I think ultimately both can work together for Nepali's to understand each other and work together, to better integrate into UK society and set an example for Nepali's around the world.


Thanks for reading.


Constructive comments only, no hating please : - )


[1] David Cameron's Munich speech on multiculturalism - Part 1
[2] David Cameron's Munich speech on multiculturalism - Part 2