Public hearing reveals horrors Dalits live
A public hearing yesterday revealed various forms of oppression against the Dalit community by perpetrators who took advantage of a practice of social discrimination just because they belonged to the lower tiers of Hinduism's caste system.
Let alone getting justice over the rape and murder of her 12-year-old daughter, one Pirojpur woman described how she, despite owning a house, was having to constantly change residence amidst threats by the perpetrators to withdraw the case.
A Gaibandha cobbler narrated the threats he had been facing to withdraw a case against a local who is yet to be arrested even after his family and neighbours caught the youth raping his 16-year-old daughter.
Police had filed a false case centring keeping alcohol after unwanted advances were protested, stated a Pirojpur widow, now passing her days in fear and uncertainty.
Men of Jessore and Gaibandha told how restaurateurs were unwilling to allow them access as the locals avoided eateries which served Dalits.
Srimongol's tea plantation workers described how land they have been using for over 100 years were being grabbed while they had been paid as little as Tk 69 a day in the pretext that they had been using the land for free.
Following the “Mass hearing to resolve existing discrimination and suppression on Dalit” in the capital's Cirdap auditorium, Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University said neglect Dalits face was a social taboo and tool to deprive them of their rights.
The jurists at the event, organised by Nagorik Uddyog, and Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement, decided contacting local administrations and police to expedite hearings and asking government high ups to ensure justice.
Moreover, Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director (honorary) of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), said victims also can take support from BLAST's local offices.
Guests said Dalits need to unite and raise voice to protest injustice they face and make public their opinions on ways to protect their rights.
Dalits' only target should be to seek justice and continue the fight till the end, said Supreme Court lawyer Khondoker Shariar Shakir, adding that Bangladesh's spirit dies when discrimination prevails.
“You should not lose courage,” said Nirupa Dewan, National Human Rights Commission honorary member, as chief guest, adding that relevant, effective laws were not implemented for a lack of sincerity and interest.
Retired senior district judge Shamsun Nahar Begum and Chittagong lawyer Narayan Chandra Charmokar said Dalits should not think they were helpless and alone. The latter urged changing society's mindset through leaders created at local levels through forming organisations.
“Bangladesh is still not in a position where one will carry out tortures and others will watch it silently,” said Narayan. Nagorik Uddyog Chief Executive Zakir Hossain moderated the programme.
Comments