Dalits demand law to protect their rights
Dalit and other excluded communities in Barishal yesterday demanded an end to discrimination against them.
Marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, they formed a human chain in front of the city's Ashwini Kumar Hall.
They also sought formulation of anti-discrimination laws.
Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) in cooperation with Nagorik Udyog organised the programme.
Lalit Das, district president of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement, presided over the event.
It was addressed, among others, by Uttam Kumar Vakto, its central organising secretary; and adviser Ranajit Dutta.
The speakers said there are around 5.5 to 7 million dalits and excluded community members in the country with only 5 percent literacy, 10 percent schooling and 95 percent dropout rates.
They said although the constitution declared that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race and caste, the dalits and other excluded community members face disparity and social exclusion in many cases.
It is the state's responsibility to protect rights, dignity and uniqueness of the dalit communities, they said.
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