'Formulate policy for welfare of Dalits'

Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) President Babulal Sardar speaks at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the city yesterday.Photo: STAR

Leaders of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement (BDERM) yesterday demanded formation of a commission to formulate policies for their welfare.
Addressing a press conference in the capital, they also demanded quota system for them in educational institutions and government jobs.
“Our children are not getting government and other jobs even if they are highly educated. So we demand of the government to allocate quota in educational institutions and government jobs for our children,” said BDERM President Babulal Sardar.
“We are the citizens of this country but we are deprived in all stages. We want the deprivation to go. We want to live like all other citizens, ” he added.
“We were deprived of voting rights during the past governments as we were not registered as voters by the then Election Commission,” said Babulal while talking to The Daily Star.
In a written speech Milan Das, general secretary of BDERM, said the government should expand residential facilities for Dalit and excluded community.
He urged the government to ensure pure drinking water and proper sanitation in their colonies.
Dalit and excluded community comprises lower class people including sweepers, cobblers and barbers.