Nuakhai Bhetghat - 2015 was organised by the Scheduled Caste (Dom /Gana) Welfare Society of Nuapada district at Boden on Sunday.
The Bhetghat was traditional in the sense that it brought an opportunity for the people of Dom/Gana community to meet and talk about themselves, their families and their lives to strengthen the bonds between families and relatives.
The celebration was also a little bit radical because it offered the people a forum to discuss about the existing status of Dalits in the State. The speakers on the occasion were Satish Gajvye, former MP Mohan Jena, Koraput MlA Krushna Chandra Sagaria, Zilla Parishad president Pushpanjali Pande and State secretary of Dom/Gana Samaj, Chhatishgarh Bhagabana Naik.
The speakers told how they have struggled in their life to achieve their destinations in spite of discriminations in the existing caste ridden society.
“Discriminations exist at different layers in different forms in the society, which deprive the Dalit people of their basic rights. We have to be educated if we want to achieve our rights,” opined the speakers.
Bhagabana Naik, who is a popular Dalit leader in Chhatishgarh shared how he is being pampered by different political parties in the State for vote. “My father pulled rickshaw in Raipur for long 30 years, but he remained a non-entity all over his life. I am an advocate and the leader of our community in the State; so I am valued,” said Naik.
Gajviye, who was the chief guest of the Bhetghat, also spoke about his life and struggle and said that education will only bring the required change in the lives of Dalits. Mohan Jena told that the provisions of the constitution are not implemented properly due to the laxity of the administration. The Koraput MlA told how the funds under the SC and ST sub-plans are diverted for other purposes. He also added that more than seven caste groups have been included in the SC list, but the reservation share for the SC has not changed.
The meeting was presided over by president of Nuapada district SC welfare society Fakira Jagat and coordinated by Nimai Tandi.