Jammu, December 25 (KNO) : A day-long convention of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Munch Unit J&K was held which was presided over by its State President Sewa Ram. CPI (M) leader, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami was the chief guest on the occasion.
The convention deliberated upon various issues and problems confronting Dalits, minorities, reservations in promotions, reservations in private sector, special recruitment drives to fill backlog posts, ban on contract system, allotment of land to landless, free and equal education, reservation in armed forces.
While addressing the convention, Tarigami as per a statement issued to KNO said that there has been a spurt in atrocities against Dalits and minorities throughout the country. “The attacks on minorities and the atmosphere of hatred and violence fostered to divide the people. Instead of addressing the peoples’ issues, the government policies had only deepened people’s misery and tried to divert their attention into issues aimed at sharpening communal polarization,” he said.
He said the Dalits have been deprived of even human status by their caste system since centuries. “Dalits continue to be victims of gross discrimination. Atrocities on dalits and other weaker sections have increased even since the BJP Govt led headed by Narinder Modi come to power,” he added.
Tarigami said the NCRB data compiled confirms that the crimes against SC,s ST,s in BJP ruled states have increased manifolds. “Dalits are denied of their share in resources and are being dispossessed of even their meager land holdings. It is under the garb of cultural nationalism that Manusmriti is sought to be introduced the aim is to replace Indian constitution and discrimination based on caste and gender are being perpetrated,” he added.
He stressed the necessity of unity of all oppressed sections to resist cultural nationalism and caste system. “Attacks by vigilant groups in the name of “Gowrakshak" on Muslims and Dalits are continuing,” he said. Referring to the anti-encroachment drive in Jammu area, he said that administration under the garb of anti-encroachment drive is targeting only the poor and downtrodden classes while leaving the big sharks untouched.
“The drive against encroachments will have credibility only if it is applied uniformly and no particular group is targeted throughout the state. It is a welcome step but at the same time we demand that the administration should begin with the land sharks and then come to small holders. Targeting particular group and downtrodden people is creating an impression of victimization and vendetta against them. There should be no unilateral or selective targeting of people,” he added.
Sewa Ram in its address said that high levels of unemployment being a cause of serious concern have not been addressed seriously by the successive governments thereby putting our youth in a state of despair and worrisome. “Widespread under-employment of dalits is also gaining momentum as highly qualified and skilful youth are doing low end and unskilled jobs.
The government has not taken measures to maximize employment opportunities,” Sewa Ram added. Tarsem Khullar, President Ambedkar Sena, Bodh Raj Rao, Tara Chand Bhagat said that “we always stand by the S/ST/OBC and downtrodden classes of the society and will always support the cause of Dalits.”(KNO)