Academics and rights activists at a discussion on Friday demanded recognition for the professions of different marginal communities including the Harijans and Dalits in the coming census.
Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad with the help of Manusher Jonno arranged the discussion on ‘Way to eliminate poverty of the Horijan community’ at the Public Library auditorium in Dhaka.
The speakers alleged that no one had done anything to improve the lifestyle of the community and that they were
yet to be included in the government’s social
safety net though they live in the most vulnerable condition.
They, however, said
the government should introduce discrimination elimination law and
consider practice of untouchability a crime and added that each of the ministries should have a special cell for the Harijans and other marginal communities.
They emphasised the education of the Harijan children and availability of jobs for the community men and gave a call to the government to ensure entry of the community children in the schools and a separate allocation in the national budget for their development.
The speakers also demanded special quota in higher education and in jobs for the underprivileged Harijan community.
The social welfare minister, Enamul Haque Mostafa Shaheed, who attended the meeting as chief guest, said the government was determined to develop the lifestyle of the Harijans and would ensure jobs for the Harijan community.
Chaired by the Harijan Oikya Parishad president Krishna Lal, the meeting was also addressed by Bangladesh Arthaniti Samity president Abul Barakat, Sonali Bank director Satyendra Chandra Bhakto, Dhaka City Corporation chief conservancy officer Captain Bipon Kumar Saha and Oikya Parishad secretary general Nirmal Chandra Das.
