To mark Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary, the Odisha Dalit Adhikar Manch (ODAM) is organising a two-day conference for Dalit community leaders here beginning from Friday.
About 500 Dalits and tribals living in various districts of the State along with the ODAM members held a procession from the Ambedkar's statue near the AG Square to the Institution of Engineers.
Attending as chief guest, former Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said, "A Dalit movement should be held in Odisha and what is written in the Constitution for them should be implemented." Dalits should get employment opportunities, he stated.
He also said several legislations have been enacted for protection of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and yet violence and discrimination against them continues.
Congress leader Jayadev Jena said Dalits are also neglected in the political arena. They are not getting suitable positions in politics, he added.
CPI(M) leader Santosh Das discussed about the land rights for tribals, dalits in the State. Dalits are yet to get land rights, he said. ODAM chairperson Manas Jena presided over the meeting.
CPI(Ml) liberation's Yudhisthir Mohapatra, Prof Manoranjan Mohanty and Prof B Ramachandra CST Voltaire were present, among others. They urged the participants to evolve a caste-free society, to fight against social evils and to foster the feeling of brotherhood and unity.