A group of pro-Left and tribal organisations today demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss the issues concerning Dalits like untouchability, caste discrimination and atrocities.
The organisations, which have formed a national level platform, 'Dalit Soshan Mukti Manch (DSMM)' have also decided to hold a national convention on November 27 here to fight against untouchability, social oppression, attacks on Dalits and caste discrimination.
"DSMM has demanded the Central government to call a special session of Parliament to discuss the issues concerning the Dalits," CPI(M) Politburo member K Varadarajan told reporters here.
The DSMM said it has formed a National Platform of Action against Caste Discrimination and for Social Justice.
The DSMM will fight against untouchability, social oppression, caste discrimination and attacks on Dalits in various states and for economic uplift of socially oppressed sections," it said in a statement.
Apart from this, it would also fight for safeguarding MGNREGA which it alleged was being "diluted" by the government.
"Now the Government has decided to dilute it (MGNREGA) which is inimical to the interests of Dalits. We need to protect MGNREGA and strive to ensure that the Act is further strengthened," DSMM said.
It would join hands with other groups of socially oppressed people and sought support of all the democratic minded people to strengthen and galvanise the movement for social justice.
It would deal with issues like inequity and issues of land, wage and employment, implementation of civil rights, issues of reservation, recruitment, non-implementation of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan among others.
Commenting on atrocities on Dalit Women, the DSMM said, "the Dalit women face the worst forms of attacks and caste violence. Gang rapes and rapes on Dalit women were increasing. They face the triple oppression based on caste, class and gender. This should end.
