Nepal, July 22 -- On July 15, 2025, the final round of a caste-based beauty pageant called "Mr and Miss Bishwakarma" took place in Kathmandu. It was the fourth annual event organised by a company of the members of the same caste, Bibros Entertainment-yet it caused quite a controversy within the Dalit community this time. The controversy principally focused on the ongoing but confounding debate surrounding the question of whether the Dalit movement should embrace identity politics, like Janajatis, or whether they should stick to the pursuit of equal rights, inclusion and individual freedom.

I support the latter position. Dalits must not venture into identity politics as it does more harm than good to the campaign for social justice and eq...