The Mulanibasi Samata Parishad, Odisha on Wednesday strongly opposed the ‘in-principle’ discrimination being meted out to people belonging to the minority communities.
“While the Constitution has given equal rights to all citizens, minority communities are being neglected in the State. Non-establishment of Minority Commission in Odisha, non-implementation of the Prime Minister’s 15 point prorgamems for minorities and non-conferment of SC status to the Christians and Muslims are some examples of negligence,” said the Parishad.
The Parishad also lamented that while Hindu Dalits, Sikhs and Buddhists have been given SC status, Dalit Christian and Muslim communities are not being included in the category.
The Dalit body also opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act saying it is discriminating some communities on religion ground.
It demanded that Minority Commisison be formed, PM’s 15-point programmes implemented, monitoring cell set up in all districts for safety of Dalits, Minority Development and Financial Corporation made active and the CAA be scrapped forthwith.
The Parishad made these demands at a dharna held here on the occasion of International Minorities Rights Day. Among others, State coordinator Abhiram Mallick, Sayed Barkatalli Tanwir, Jugal Kishore Ranjit and Abdul Kalam Azad coordinated the programme. Bahujan Buddhijibi Forum members Bandhu Sethi, Sangram Mallick, Mamata Behera, Rabi Sethi, Babaji Jena, Ram Nayak, Gajendra Mallick and Bijay Turuju graced as guests. Later a six-member team submitted a memorandum to the Governor in favouf of their
demands.