Harijans demand basic rights
People of Harijan Community form a human chain in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Chapainawabganj town yesterday demanding formulation of a law to eliminate social discrimination against them and to ensure their basic rights.`Photo: STAR
People of Harijan community in Chapainawabganj and Natore districts yesterday formed human chains and held rallies demanding basic human rights. In Chapainawabganj, they formed a human chain, held a rally and submitted a memorandum to prime minister through the deputy commissioner calling to meet their five-point demand. Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad, Chapainawabganj unit formed arranged the programme in front of DC office marking the World Respect Day, reports our correspondent. Speakers at the rally said, people in the country consider them as untouchables. They demanded formulation of a law to eliminate the social discrimination against them and to ensure their civic rights. The Harijans are worst victims of discrimination in getting government jobs too, they alleged. We are living an inhuman life with no citizens' rights. There are little educational facilities for our children. Even if some of them get education, they do not get jobs, as they are Harijans, said a speaker. He urged the government to formulate a national policy immediately in this regard. The Harijan leaders also demanded regularisation of their jobs in city corporations, municipalities, non-government and private organisations and reserving 80 percent posts of sweepers in every sector for the community members. Brahmma Thakur, president of the Parishad, district unit, its vice president Dilip Kumar, general secretary Deb Sagar Thakur, spoke at the rally, among others. Harijans in Natore also formed human chain and brought out a procession near the press club in the town at noon. Around 200 Harijan people of the Natore unit joined the human chain programme and made similar demands. Addressing a rally at the venue, Natore district unit president of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad Dipu Mondol said that the government and non-government organisations are hiring people from other sects as cleaners and sweepers. He also demanded wage hike of Harijans and urged the government to ensure 80 percent job quota for them. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner.
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