RU to build more houses for Harijan staff members

RAJSHAHI, May 20: More accommodation facilities would be constructed at the 'Harijan Palli' on the east side of the Rajshahu University (RU) campus.

In this connection university Pro-VC Prof Chowdhury Mohammed Zakaria said "We have no right to ignore the contributions of the Harijan people as they clean the campus regularly."

The pro-VC said, "This will help facilitate housing amenities for the community people soon."

Sources said, the Harijan community on the Rajshahi University (RU) campus has been facing several problems for long. This community peoples have been deprived of civic facilities for decades.

Sources further said, most of the member of the Harijan community on the campus want regular upgradation, scheduled vacations, healthy staff quarters and social appreciation.

As their profession status is not well recognised, these people want a better life for their children. They want to enjoy basic human rights like the other mainstream community people.

Some people of the community said they are living a miserable life. There have only 13 latrines and five tube-wells for 52 families.

"Our only dream as our children get higher education from the university level and become worthy citizens as the government is committed to ensuring welfare and human rights of all", Delip Harijan said.

The members appealed to the university administration to preserve quotas for the Harijan children for admission intake like others staff members of the university.

Sources said a total of 52 Harijan families are living at the 'Harijan Palli' on the east side of the campus. They are usually engaged in cleaning purposes at different academic building, dormitories and quarters of the university.

"We clean up all sorts of dirt to keep the environment healthy and clean, but the society does not recognise us as human being", said Manik Lal and Mithun Harijan.

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