PRESS RELEASE
The recent appointment of a second-ranked candidate to the position of Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population highlights the persistent systemic discrimination against Madhesis and women. Despite Dr. Sangeeta Kaushal Mishra being ranked first based on merit in the Public Service Commission’s selection process, the government chose to appoint a candidate from the dominant ethnic group, connected to the Health and Population Minister. This blatant disregard for merit exposes the racial and gender biases deeply embedded in Nepal’s political system.
This act is a clear reflection of the long-standing racial bias within Nepal’s state mechanisms. When Madhesis demand reservation as compensation for centuries of systemic exclusion, the ruling elites use “meritocracy” as an excuse. Yet, when a Madhesi candidate like Dr. Mishra excels based on merit, the system is manipulated to benefit those in power.
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the government discriminated against a highly qualified woman, revealing the deep-seated intersectional biases that persist. Dr. Mishra’s identity as a Madhesi woman makes her discrimination almost invisible to the power circles in Kathmandu, exposing the hypocrisy of so-called progressive elites who prioritize ethnic and class privilege over true equality.
ANTA strongly condemns this act of discrimination and calls on the Government of Nepal to take immediate corrective action. We urge national and international stakeholders to address the ongoing systemic biases against Madhesis and women in Nepal’s governance.
Regards,
Sushmita Mishra, Spokesperson
Prabhat K Jha, General Secretary
Tauleshwar P Chaudhary, President
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