The world will mark social justice day on the 20th of February. It’s a day to recognise the intricacies of social justice, promote its practice and advocate for creating a platform of transparency for all.

Society is a social structure created by social beings to bring together unique agencies to move forward. It is a social organisation founded on unity in diversity and solidarity.

 

A prevalent conception is that society is unique to mankind, that is not true. The process of socialising began far before we became homo erectus. Ant colonies have a social structure. Bees have an intricate system of the hive.

 

Dolphins have tiers in their group system known as pods. One of the most distinct identifiers of a social organisation is a hierarchy. Gorillas live in a structure we identify as troops. They are non-territorial and have stronger Silverback’s lead the march. Their society is bizarrely similar to humans, with roles assigned through gender and location through social rank. The same can be seen in most apes.

 

I grew up in Kathmandu. Macaca mulatta is the scientific name of what we call temple monkeys. The current concentration of these free-ranging monkeys is around Svayambhu, Teku and Pashupati. In the Newar culture of Patan, there is a famous saying, “ If you see a monkey come to town, then know it is here because it fell from a tree. It is a disgrace in their community to fall from a tree. They are banished from their group. Thus they come here to visit the temples to gain back their respect.” This simple saying presents so many facets. Emile Durkheim famously said, “Social banishment is the greatest punishment.” In the case of Macaca Mulatta, banishment was justice done for society. But let me ask you, was it justice done for the individual monkey?

 

What is justice at the core? In simpleton, people should receive what they deserve. The provision of justice in society has evolved from objective analysis to subjective. Laws and regulations are distinct markers of social development.

 

Various ancient communities centred their laws around the concept of offending god. The modern legal system is based on a constitution created by the people.

 

Up until the 8th of July 1920 AD, Satti was seen as an act of pure devotion. It was a law, abided by all none questioned its principles. Prime Minister Chandra Sumsher ended the horrid practice. In 2011 Nepal’s legislature passed the Bill on Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability to end discrimination against the lower caste. It was only from that point in history: misconduct, banishment and unjust acts conducted to them could be taken to court.

 

In both cases, firstly, where was justice for a widow before 1920 AD? Where is social justice for members of the minor castes? They were marginalised based on a system created roughly 1800 years ago,  a so-called holy text by the upper class to subjugate the lower class. It used, I would not refrain, to say abused god to legitimate the rank of their clans and houses for generations to come and completely bar anyone under them to climb the social ladder by ascribing their status.

 

Emphasis on education is vital to enhancing social justice in Nepal. Revision and re-education of society are also crucial. Prime Minister Chandra Sumsher realised the evil that was SattiIt through education. Social change directly co-relates with the level of education of the collective. The second crucial aspect is communication. Frenchmen revolted against their king, seen as a representation of a god. The third aspect is reception. Mouths need to utter, and ears need to listen.

 

Let’s be frank here, Nepal has a constitution. We have criminal codes to punish most offences. So what’s wrong here? 67.91 % of adults in Nepal are literate. 78.59 % of adult men and 59.72 % of women are literate as per 2018 data. Literacy isn’t the key. What are they taught not just in school but at home makes the difference? Nepal features 42.85 million mobile connections, 148% of the total population. As per NTA, 91% of Nepal’s population has access to the internet. Nepal is a secular state as per the constitution of 2015.

 

The final aspect is realignment and re-education. Modern education must align with the acceptance of its values. Justice should be made transparent, based on laws rather than predispositions. Fairness should be the mantra for the executive branches of all sectors. The legislature must work on inclusion and constantly reiterate itself.

 

If you can demand an update from your technical providers, let it be your mobile devices, laptops and watches. Why can’t you, as a citizen, request an update on the laws, regulations, education system and executive practices?