Call to ensure equal rights for Harijan community

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RANGPUR, July 20, 2017 (BSS) – The Harijan community at a human chain cum rally here today demanded for ensuring their equal rights, dignity and opportunities in every sector of the society like all other citizens.

They also submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Wahiduzzaman at his office demanding for taking necessary steps to end their social deprivation and neglect.

Earlier, the Harijan people took part in the programme arranged by ‘Sohay’, a rights-based organisation of the Harijan community at Katchari Bazar zero point in the city.

With President of ‘Sohay’ Raza Basfor in the chair, its General Secretary Sazu Basfor, Harijan community leaders Suresh Basfor and Jiban Basfor, among others, addressed the programme.

Expressing solidarity with demands of the Harijan community, General Secretary of district unit of the CPB Comrade Shahin Rahman, District Coordinator of BSD (Marxist) Comrade Abdul Kuddus, President of Begum Rokeya University unit of Samajtantrik Chhatra Front Jugesh Tripura, also spoke.

The Harijan people demanded equal rights to sit in the hotels and restaurants, stopping misbehave with them in hospitals, hats, bazaars and shops and ensure their rights to inclusive education and admission to all mainstream educational institutions.

Raza Basfor called upon the government for ensuring equal job opportunities, proper implementation of their fixed service quota and stopping attitude of showing disrespect and disparity toward them for their profession, caste or creed.

He strongly demanded for strict implementation of the government decisions to ensure equal rights of the Harijan people to social safety net and dignity, inclusive education, land properties and houses, health services and safe motherhood.

Sazu Basfor thanked the present government for taking decisions of keeping admission quota in educational institutions, service quota for educated Harijan and Dalit people and their access to social safety-net programmes.

After receiving memorandum, the Deputy Commissioner assured the Harijan community of taking necessary steps to ensure their equal rights like other citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religion or profession.