Raj polls: Dalit groups issue charter of demands for political parties

Dalit organisations and nomadic community groups here issued a joint charter of demands on Thursday for political parties ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly polls.

"Dalit, tribal and nomadic community groups have jointly prepared the charter of demands and we are demanding that the parties incorporate our demands in their election manifestos," state coordinator of All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch, Suman Devthia told reporters here.

Effective implementation of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, welfare schemes and programmes in tribal areas, abolition of manual scavenging, necessary efforts for empowerment of women and girls from the communities, better education for Dalit children and efforts to protect Dalits' land rights are some of the demands raised in the charter, she said.

The director of Rajasthan Dalit Adivasi and Ghumantu Adhikar Abhiyan, Bhanwar Meghwanshi said 18 organisations and groups worked together to prepare the charter.

Polling in Rajasthan will be held on December 7 and counting of votes will be held on December 11.