Dalit human chains to press for rights

2 September 2009, 17:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Over 200 students belonging to families of a low caste community formed human chains in front of Khulna Collectorate building and Khulna University to press for their rights in the society. The community formed the human chains under the banner of Dalit, a non-government and voluntary organisation working in Khulna, Bagerhat, Jessore, Satkhira and Joypurhat districts for rights of the people of low caste communities such as sweeper, dome, cobbler, blacksmith and scavengers. They submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner and another to the Vice Chancellor of Khulna University demanding special quotas for them in colleges, public universities, engineering universities and medical colleges, education facilities and jobs in government services. Executive Director of Dalit Swapan Kumar Das, Principal Zafar Imam, ex-treasurer of Khulna University Mazharul Hannan and coordinator of education affairs of Dalit Sreemati Dharadebi Das were, among others, present when the memorandums were submitted.