Frame law to abolish discrimination against Harijan, Dalit people

Speakers at a discussion urged the government to formulate a law on 'elimination of discrimination' before the upcoming general election and fulfil the demand of the country's Harijan and Dalit people, reports UNB.

They came up with the call at a discussion organised by Bangladesh Harijan Yokkha Parishad (BHYP), in the city on Wednesday marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

"When the draft was finalised by the Bangladesh Law Commission, law minister had assured us that the draft would be passed in Parliament within three months. But that three months never ended," former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission in Bangladesh Dr Mizanur Rahman said.

Questioning the delay in the law formulation, he said the government cannot keep on deceiving the ill-fated people only by giving assurance of ensuring their rights.

Mentioning that equality, social justice and human dignity are the three moral basics of the Liberation War, Mizanur Rahman claimed the state has failed to ensure the three criteria for the Harijan and Dalit people.

MP Shirin Akhter, executive director of Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB) Meghna Guhathakurta, General Secretary of BHYP Nirmal Chandra Das also spoke on the occasion.

Mentioning that such a law is essential, Shirin Akhter said the delay in formulation of the law is unacceptable.