Left-affiliated group to hold protests against atrocities on Dalits

A Left-affiliated rights group has decided to hold nation-wide protests against alleged atrocities being committed against Dalits in the country.

Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) will organise a protest march in Delhi tomorrow to highlight the demands raised by Dalits all across the country.

In a statement released today, DSMM vice president and CPI (M) politburo member Subhashini Ali said the organisation (DSMM) would launch a country-wide campaign around the demands which would be raised in the rally.

"We want the government to fill all vacancies in government jobs and implement reservation in jobs, including in the private sector. We also want the government to allocate Budget funds for SC/ST welfare schemes in accordance with the proportion of their population," Ali said in the statement.

Alleging that even the government figures established a "tremendous rise" in atrocities against Dalits, especially women and girls, the body said the community was targeted because it tried to access its rights.

"Many barbaric atrocities are committed when Dalit men and women try to access their rights to education, jobs and even the observance of social customs. Those protesting against these attacks are targeted by lynch-mobs, upper caste goondas and the police and administration," the statement says.

The DSMM demanded the implementation of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act to ensure speedy justice and urged the government to arrest those responsible for violence against Dalits in the Bhima-Koregaon attack in Maharashtra.

It also called for the release of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar, Shiv Kumar (sarpanch of Shabbirpur in UP) and Sonu, who had been "wrongfully confined under the National Security Act".