Briefing by Vincent Manohara from National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) on overall Dalit situation in India, and the approaches and activities of NCDHR. There are 180 miilion Dalits in India, which is more than 16 percent of the Indian population.
Saffai Karmachari Andolan or Sweeper Employee Movement is a national level movement in India to ban dry toilets in India. Benzawarda Wilson, National Conveynor of the Andolan briefing on the issue and the movement. There are 1.3 million Dalits employed as sweepers in India.
The Director of Indian Social Institute (ISI), Jimmy Dhabi briefing the Nepali delegation on Dalit issues in India and their work. ISI undertakes research and training activities on Dalit issues in India. It is known as one of the leading ‘think tanks’ on social issues in India, established in 1951.
***
(26 August 2008, New Delhi)
Surinder Singh Jodkha, Director of Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) says research is needed for policy development. Necessary to have sectarian identity of Dalits!
Member of National Human Rights Commisssion of India, N.S. Kalha talked about the four sector safegurad for Dalits provided in the Constitution of India. He higlighted on the various fundamental rights and directive principles contained in the Constituion of India to safeguard the Dalits.
Sukradev Thorat who established the IIDS (see above) is a leading scholar on Dalit issues in India. He has written several books on Dalit issues in India. He is currently the Chairperson of University Grant Commission (UGC) in India. He discussed with the delegation what specific points to be taken into account while making the New Constitution of Nepal with reference to empowerment and upliftment of Dalits.
more to come from New Delhi, Lucknow, Mumbai and Chennai…
