Scores of SC/ST employees assembled at Jantar Mantar here today to raise several issues related to Dalits, including the demand for reservation in private sector and promotions, equal education to all and abolition of contract system of safai karamchari.
The rally attended by many SC/ST employees, student organisations and women groups, was organised by noted Dalit activist Udit Raj.
The protesters demanded filling up of backlog posts by special drive, land to landless, enactment of Reservation Act, caste certificate of one state should be valid in other states and hike in scholarship amount based on price rise.
BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, who was also present at the rally to make his party's stand clear on Dalit rights, expressed his solidarity with the community.
"BJP has a wrong image among the masses on Dalit rights. People think we have not done enough for the community but I assure them that BJP has incorporated the issue of Dalit empowerment in our national agenda," he said.
The rally aimed at bringing to fore the issue of poverty and lack of employment opportunities among the Dalit youth.
The organisers had invited representatives from all major political parties.
Addressing the Rally, Udit Raj, National Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations said that maximum jobs today are being created in the private sector and the Dalits are entitled to the same for a better livelihood.
"Reservation in government jobs has come to a halt and the increased work load is being outsourced which clearly dilutes reservation. More jobs are being created in the private sector but SC/ST people are kept out of it.
"We urge the government to make a legislation to bring reservation in the private sector so that the deprived sections of the society are entitled to a better livelihood," he said.
Raj also hit out at Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal for not talking about alleged corruption in the civil society and the problems faced by Dalits.
"Why does not Arvind Kejriwal talk about civil society's corruption? In his 18 point programmes addressed to Congress and BJP, Aam Aadmi party has not mentioned about reservation and Dalits feel betrayed," he said.
Venkat Swami, a Dalit activist from Karnataka said that the government should earmark funds for the SC/ST community.
He also labelled the defeat of the Congress in the recent assembly elections as a result of ignoring the Dalit voices.
Crime against Dalit women was another issue discussed at the event.
