Call to ensure rights of Dalit community

Ensuring the fundamental rights of dalit and excluded communities can be an effective means of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) as they are an integral part of society.

Collaborative efforts of all government and non-government entities concerned have become indispensable to building an equal society by eliminating all forms of discrimination against them on the basis of equality, dignity, prosperity and security

The observation came at a consultation meeting styled “Boisamya Bilop Ain-2022; Expectation of Dalit Community” by political leaders and rights group activists in the district on Wednesday afternoon.

Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) organised the consultation at Hotel Dalash International in association with other like-minded development organisations.

Convener of Ethnic Minority Affairs Parliamentary Caucus Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, addressed the meeting as chief guest, while BDP Rajshahi Divisional President Liton Rabidas was in the chair.

Senior Journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Ward Councilors of Rajshahi City Corporation Matiur Rahman and Ayesha Khatun and local unit president of Hindu Buddhists Christian Oikya Parishad Shyamal Kumar Ghosh also spoke on the occasion.

BDP Rajshahi Divisional unit general secretary Niranjan Rabidas welcomed the participants.

During his keynote presentation, Ripon Rabidas, Organising Secretary of BDP, gave an overview of the present living and livelihood condition of Dalit and excluded communities.

In his remarks, lawmaker Badsha said the present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working for improving the living and livelihood conditions of the underprivileged population.

He added that the government has been implementing various programmes for educating disadvantaged and underprivileged children besides achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Public and private sector development entities and other stakeholders have been engaged in the SDGs implementation process to this end, he added.

He also stressed the need to build awareness amongst Dalits and excluded communities of their socio-economic, cultural and political rights.

Building public awareness against discrimination based on work and descent has also become crucial in this regard.

Fazley Hossain Badsha underscored the need for ensuring access of Dalit and excluded communities to development, basic services and benefits.

All the policy makers both government and non-government organisations concerned should be sensitive and responsible to ensure their rights and needs of them for improving their living and livelihood conditions.

Besides, the capacity of Dalit run organisations should be strengthened to establish unity and harmony so that they can play a catalytic role in communication amongst Dalit groups, he added.