The Dalit people at programmes marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination yesterday reiterated the demand for ensuring basic human rights for the backward community. 
Chapainawabganj unit of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights movement formed a human chain and held a rally in front of Chapainawabganj Press Club in the town yesterday, reports our correspondent.
Speakers at the rally demanded formulation of a law and a national policy immediately to eliminate social discrimination against the Dalit people, also known as Harijans, and ensure their civic rights including proper access to educational facilities and government jobs.
Speakers also demanded regularisation of jobs of Dalit people in city corporations, municipalities, non-government and private organisations and reserving 80 percent of the posts of sweepers in every sector for the Harijan community.
Brahmmanath Thakur, president of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement, Chapainawabganj district unit, its secretary Abhinath Das, social activists Sajeman Ali and Shahjahan Ali spoke, among others.
In Naogaon district, Harijan Rights Movement formed a human chain and held a rally at Muktir More in Naogaon town.
Bhanu Bansfore, president of Harijan Rights Movement, Naogaon district unit, its secretary Sabab Chandra, Abdul Malek Sheikh, councillor of ward No 4 of Naogaon municipality, spoke, among others.  
Our Thakurgaon Correspondent reports: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was observed in the district with the theme "Learning from historical tragedies to combat racial discrimination today". 
On the occasion, Premdip Project of Eco-Social Development Organisation organised a colourful procession that started from Thakurgaon Press Club premises and ended there after parading different streets in the town.