The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a reception yesterday called for ensuring fundamental rights to the Dalit population in the country.

Some 10 per cent Dalit population are living in the country at present. But they have no basic right for their survival, they said at the reception ceremony to freedom fighters of the Dalit community and seminar on 'Dalit Society, Dream of Liberation War: Bangladesh Perspective' was held at BIAM Conference Room yesterday organised by Research and Development Collective (RDC).

Speaking on the occasion Justice Golam Rabbani said, "People's government has not yet been established in the country as per the Articles 59, 60 of the Constitution. We have to establish the people's government for the sake of general people and also for the minority communities."

Mukta Dutta Tomar, Deputy High Commissioner of Indian High Commission, said, "Dalit class has been left out from mainstream society. We would have to integrate them into mainstream society. If the state can perform its duty properly, equal rights will be established in the society for the welfare of all communities," she addressed.

Ferdousi Priyobhashini, freedom fighter and sculptor, who chaired the function, demanded punishment for war criminals.

Speakers said a huge number of Dalits changed their religion from many years ago. But most of them could not come out from their community due to social pressure. They blamed the interference of higher class for this.

All religions are affected by fundamentalism, which is one of the main barriers for the development of the society. But in reality, Bangladesh is still facing communal problems. The two terms 'majority' and 'minority' are still widely using in Bangladesh at present, they said.

Mukul Ranjan Sikder, Convener of Bangladesh Horijon Rights Movement, presented keynote paper, while Mesbah Kamal, General Secretary of RDC, among others, spoke at the seminar.

Six Dalit freedom fighters were awarded in the reception. Of them, four freedom fighters Kalipada Mondal, Monimohan Biswas, Mahabir Robidas and Shambhupada Biswas were present, while Dulal Chandra Das and Md Abdul Khaleque were not present due to physical condition.