85 years old Mithai Devi Biswokarma is a courageous Dalit rights activist. Together with her husband Late T.R. Biswokarma who was a pioneering Dalit activist, Mithai Devi has made invaluable contribution to the Dalit rights movement. She was one of the leaders of the historic Pashupatinath Temple Entry movement of 1954, a series of events that forced the government and “upper” caste locals to remove the signboard that read ‘Untouchables are Prohibited' and allowed Dalits to enter the temple. Mithai Devi also led a women’s association named Pariganith Nari Sangh (Association for Scheduled Caste Women) who participated into everyday organising as part of the movement. For her activism and leadership Mithai Devi has received several prestigious awards including Dr. Ambedkar International Award from All-India Dalit Sahitya Sammelan and Bhagat Sarbajit Manab Maryada Rastriya Award.

This episode with Mithai Devi Biswokarma was recorded on 6 August 2022 via zoom by Aji’s Podcast host Lorina Sthapit.

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