Protest against caste discrimination in Chuknagar

Press Release in Bengali

15-11-2011 Chuknagar (Khulna)

Organised by the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad, a protest rally was brought out in Chuknagar to protest the caste  discrimination suffered by Anando Das whose cremation was refused by so called High caste Hindus. Anando, a Dalit (Rishi, by caste), was refused the last rites in the cremation ground used by non-Dalits in the village of Bhalukghar  Kesobpur, Jessore) on October the 20, 2011 because of hs supposed unworthiness. A huge numebr of Dalits converges  on Chuknagar from nearby villages and vented their anger against caste discrimination.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Untouchability at the cremation ground.

A dalit leader spearheading the protest against untouchability at the cremation ground is arrested.

On October 22 last, Ujjol Das, chairman of the Kesobpur branch of the Bangladesh Dalit Parishad, is arrested by Police in the first hours of the morning. Together with Ujjol also his father Kumar Das and grandfather Onil Das are arrested and sent to the thana jail. It is apparent that this sudden arrest has got to do with the protests being organised against the discrimination suffered by a Rishi person at the cremation ground. The Bangladesh Dalit Parishad is about to start a case against this discrimination and their perpetrators.

Press Release in Bengali

Human chain & protest against untouchability at Keshobpur

On 20-10-2011 in the village of Bhalukghar, Kesobpur upazila in the
district of Jessore, the corpse of Anondo Das, a dalit belonging to the
Rishi caste, was turned back from the cremation ground by so called high caste Hindu because of Anondo low status. The Rishi are the traditional coblers and leather workers of south west Bangladesh. Because of their so called low occupation they are to this day despised and scorned. Being turned away from the cremation ground, Anondo’s dead body was cremated by his relatives and mourners along a river bank, outside of the established encloser. The villagers protesting this act of caste discrimination brought out a procession forming a human chain in protest.

Press Release in Bengali

 

Dalits being beaten up mercilessly

The people's protest, Tala 9-7-11

In the morning of 8 July, in the village of Sujonsaha, in the union of Islamkati (Satkhira district),
Monoronjon Mondol and his son Bijoy while and because they were tending their pigs got mercilessly beaten up by two local Muslim youngsters. Both Monoronjon and Bijoy were later on admitted to the
local Sadar hospital of the Tala upazila by local compassionate people.
Monoronjon and his son belong to the Kaora or Kaeputro caste, a former untouchable group traditionally linked to raising pigs. To protest this injustice, the Bangladesh Dalit Parisad on July the 9, at 4 o’clocl pm, in Tala upazila organized a protest meeting participated by a fair number of Dalits and local influential people.

Press Release in Bengali

International day for the elimination of racial discrimination (21 March)

Press Release in Bengali

On 16 March 2011, on the occasion of the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination (21 March),
dalit people in Joypurhat district under Rajshahi Division have been drawing the attention of all to their plight. During the human chain and procession Dalits have demanded to enact an anti-discrimination. Dalits in Joypurhat are tired of being marginalized due to their hereditary professions. They farther demanded greater access to Governmental resources and services. We are sufferings at every sphere of our life.
500 and more dalit people (Cobblers, Shoe maker, Robidas, Jaladas, Cleaner) demonstrated on the main road and then submitted a memorandum with 12 demand to the District Commissioner of Joypurhat. On behalf of The Bangladesh Dalit Parishad, the convenner of Joypurhat Dalit Parishad Ad. Babul Robidas, the General Secretary Mr. Ashok Das, the Coordinator Bikash Das, Dalit leaders Monu Robidas, Balailal Robidas, Bordi Robidas,
Basonti Robidas, Monu Horijon spoke at the gathering. Besides, acting district commissioner Mr. Monjurul Islam, Principle Khaja Samsul Alam, Co-convener, Bangladesh Awami League, Mr. Mamunur Roshid, General
Secretary of District Ganoforum, Dewan Bodiujjaman, General Secretary of district Communist Party, Mr. Abdul Ajij Molla, Mayor of Joypurhat municipal showed their solidarity towards the legal demand of dalits.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

ANTIDISCRIMINATION DAY 2011

Project proposal

February 2001. The Bangladesh Dalit Parishad is going to celebrate the international antidiscrimination day (March 21, 2011) with a programme which will involve the 7 divisions of Bangladesh, over a period of a
whole month (March).

The programme aims at raising awareness in both the Dalit population and the general public alike on dalits’ situation and plight.

Farther details of the programme are to be found in the file (Project proposal) linked below. Everybody is invited to participate and make the programme a success.

If somebody wishes to contribute to the expenditure and donate something, he/she may contact Paritran at the e-mail given on this website.