Kathmandu, April 24 -- A poultry farmer from Arghakhanchi had to shut down his farm and leave Nepal for work abroad because villagers did not buy chicken from him due to his caste.

Dalits still cannot sell fresh meat in many villages because people will not buy from them due to caste stigma. Dalits have no choice but to sell their poultry to outside suppliers for lower profits.

A Dalit hotelier in Bhairawa started losing business when customers found out he was from a 'lower' caste. The hotel was close to a medical school and had earned a good reputation among hospital visitors. Rivals used his caste to push him out.

As 'higher' caste customers stopped coming, he moved his hotel to the East-West highway, where customers, in a rush, do ...