The Darnal Award and symposium are made possible by hundreds of people and organizations from across Nepal and around the world who are united by determination to end caste-based discrimination. In this struggle, we believe that people of all backgrounds have a role to play.
With the funds Sarita Pariyar received following the legal case of her husband Suvash Darnal’s accidental death near Washington, D.C., the Sarita Pariyar Trust Fund (SPTF) was established. The SPTF underwrites the biennial Darnal Award for Social Justice, which is Sarita’s tribute to Suvash’s memory and their shared passion for social justice, especially for Nepali Dalits.
Gaura Nepali is the Founder President and General Secretary of Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN), a National Human Rights based NGO, dedicated to empower Dalit and marginalized women for their rights, empowerment, eliminating caste-based discrimination, gender based violence and Advocacy.
Ashok K. Gurung is Associate Professor at the Julien J. Studley Graduate Program of International Affairs at The New School in New York City.
Sumitra Manandhar Gurung is the Chief Executive Officer of newly established Mahila Sahayatra Micro Finance Bittiya Sastha, the first national level microfinance institution owned by 100 percent individual women promoters.
Rem Bahadur BK Tomata is the President of Jagaran Media Center and Collective Campaign for Peace.
Sarita Pariyar holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and English literature, both from the Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu.
Archana Thapa is a writer, independent scholar and publisher.
Amina Singh holds PhD degree from University of Technology at Sydney. She is the Assistant Professor at Kathmandu University School of Education.
Bhakta Bishwokarma is the former President of Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organization (NNDSWO )
Dr. Chandra Kanta Gyawali is a senior advocate and holds PhD in Constitutional Law. He has written and published several books on constitution, federal system of government and electoral system.
Dhana Kumari Sunar is a former member at National Women Commission. She is an activist.
Dipendra Jha is a chief attorney of province 2 and author of the book ‘Federal Nepal: Trials and Tribulations’.
Ganesh B.K is a General Secretary of Nepal Udpidit Jatiya Mukti Samaj and Director of Rastriya Dalit Network (RDN) Nepal.
Indira Rana is a social worker and founder of Prisoner’s Assistance (PA) Nepal.
Dr. Kedar Bhakta Mathema is former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University and is former ambassador to Japan. He is an advisor to different organizations and has been members of different task force committees related to health and foreign policy.
Mallika Shakya is Assistant Professor at Department of Sociology, South Asian University. She has recently published a book titled ‘Death of an Industry: The Cultural Politics of Garment Manufacturing during the Maoist Revolution in Nepal’.
Puspa Badi is a former vice-chairperson of Badi Samudaya Uththan Bikas Samiti (Committee for Upliftment of Badi Community) and member of former CPN-Maoist Center.
Rajendra Maharjan is a writer, columnist and editor
Ramlal Bishwokarma is the former chairperson of National Dalit Commission Nepal and member of Communist Party of Nepal.
Seema Khan is a writer. She is also a Chairperson of Nepal Muslim Women Welfare Society and Interfaith Alliance for Peace.
Sukanya Waiba is a writer. She is also a teacher and manages Amrit Secondary Boarding School.
Tula Narayan Shah is the Executive Director of Nepal Madhesh Foundation. He has recently joined Federal Socialist Forum party.
Dr. Yam Bahadur Kisan is a writer and advocate. He holds a PhD in political science and expert in the inclusion issue.
Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, Tribhuvan University
Rem Bahadur BK Tomata, President of Jagaran Media Center
Dr. Saroj Dhital, Retired Surgeon
Ashok K. Gurung, Senior director of India China Institute at The New School, and trustee of the Sarita Pariyar Trust Fund (SPTF)
Dr. Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, Board member of Samata Foundation and President of Mahila Sahayatra Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha
Pradip Pariyar, President of SAMATA Foundation
Sarita Pariyar, Law student, Trustee of SPTF, Board member of SAMATA Foundation
Padam Sundas, Ambassador to Bahrain & former President of SAMATA Foundation
Raksha Ram Chamar Harijan, Winner of 2016 Darnal Award for Social Justice
Teku Nepali, Former Constituent Assembly Member
Mohana Ansari, Member of National Human Rights Commission, Nepal
The Darnal Award for Social Justice was established in 2013 by Sarita Pariyar, activist and partner of the late Suvash Darnal. Sarita managed the 2016 and 2018 award ceremonies and symposiums in partnership with Jagaran Media Center (JMC), which seeks to ensure the rights of Dalits through its work in journalism and policy advocacy. The 2022 award and future ceremonies will be co-convened by Sarita Pariyar and the Samata Foundation, a leading think tank for social justice and caste equality in South Asia.
NED, OSF, NASO, Stanford University, CDDRL, Gautam & Megha Pradhan, Mathew Handley, David Haynes, Laurie Vasily, Thomas Mathew and Deepak Nepali including friends, family, and well-wishers of Suvash Darnal.
We would also like to thank Erisha Suwal, Jemima Sherpa, Pasang Yangjee Sherpa,
Shradha Ghale, Rajendra Maharjan, RV media, Mr. Shiva Hari Gyawali, Mr. Shivaji Gayak, Mr. Ashok Darnal, Ms. Parmila Pariyar, Mr. Ravi Govada, Leah Everist, Sudeshna, Shiva Gywali, Rajendra Maharjan, Luna Ranjit, Ashmina Ranjit.
How does the DASJ story intersect with your own? The movement toward caste equality is a mosaic of ordinary people who have reached out and put their time and energy into pushing this cause forward. If you have an idea for how you can help, we want to hear from you.
