End discrimination against Dalits
Leaders ask govt
Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad Secretary General Nirmal Chandra Das speaks at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday. On his right are Sadhan Chandra Kesh and Osit Chandra Das.Photo: STAR
Leaders of Dalit and Harijan communities yesterday urged the government to formulate a law to eliminate racial discrimination against them and protect their human rights. They also called for action against those who look upon the people in these communities as untouchables. They put forward their 10-point demand regarding implementation of humanity at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in the city. The communities will also hold human chain programmes in 54 districts of the country today marking the World Respect Day 2011. Though the incumbent government pledged to protect the rights of minority communities in its electoral manifesto, its representatives often show discrimination towards the Dalit and Harijan people, said Secretary General Nirmal Chandra Das of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad. He urged the government to fulfill their pledge through formulating a national development policy with the participation of the community's people. “To ensure the representation of Dalit and Harijan communities at every government institution including the national parliament, reserve seats should be introduced for them," he said adding that, the communities should also be included in the government's safety net programme. A quota system in the education and employment sectors should be strictly maintained for the community's people, he added. The government allocated Tk 10 crore for the communities in the last fiscal, but it could not be put to use due to lack of policy. “We are urging the government to formulate a policy immediately”, said Nirmal. Vice-President of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad Sadhan Chandra Kesh and General Secretary of Bangladesh Dalit Parishad Oshok Das were also present.
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