Convention against Growing Attack on Dalits
An All India convention was held against the growing attack on Dalits in Delhi on 5 November 2022 by the joint forum of left organizations working in the area of agricultural-rural workers’ and Dalit rights. The convention had delegates from AIARLA, AIAWU, AIDRM, BKMU, and DSMM. More than 650 delegates from 20 states participated and a resolution was passed to unitedly resist the fascist Manuwadi politics that has increased the attacks on Dalit rights. The speakers emphasised the need to expand united actions to counter the communal, neoliberal offensive on the people.
The convention was inaugurated by Bezwada Wilson of Safai Karamchari Andolan. Subhashini Ali, Vice president of DSMM placed the resolution. Sri Ram Chaudhary, President AIARLA, B Venkat General Secretary AIAWU, Ram Murthi and AIDRM, Devi Singh, Secretary BKMU presided the convention. A large number of speakers including Radha Krishnan, Kerala minister and President DSMM, Chittyam Gopa Kumar, Deputy speaker Kerala legislative assembly, Ramchandra Dom from DSMM, Manoj Manzil, President RYA and MLA from Agiaon, Bihar, Bhagwant Samaon, AIARLA, Ali Anwar from All India Pasmanda Muslim, Malyapali Lakshmayya from Centre for Dalit Studies, Delhi University Professor Rattan Lal, VS Nirmal, General secretary AIDRM, Arun Khote, People’s Media Advocacy, Vikram Singh joint secretary AIAWU, GS Goria, General Secretary BKMU addressed the convention.
A call for protest at state headquarters on 28 February 2023 was given on the demands adopted by convention.
The resolutions passed recognized the role played by BJP in increasing discrimination and violation since its arrival to power at the Centre because of its pro-corporate and communal policies. The rise in atrocities and crimes against Dalits have risen, the work conditions of dalit workers have worsened and mobility restricted even while social indignities and lynch mobs have been targeting the dalits. Women and girls' conditions deteriorated in terms of safety, health indicators and work conditions have become poor. Education opportunities are restricted, reservations unfulfilled, allocations to SC/ST sub plans reduced. Poverty, decline in nutritional level, rising prices, hunger has impacted dalits the worst as their asset holdings are lowest. Dilution of welfare schemes by the Modi government have kept the community vulnerable.
The charter of demands includes strengthening of PoA Act, regularising contract and temporary workers, introducing in private sector jobs, extending reservations for Dalit Muslims and Christians, restoring the SC/ST Sub Plan, scrapping of the NEP, enacting a law against Institutional Murder and land to the dalits.
