04-06-2009, 06:38 AM
Quota for Dalits in public sector services demanded
KARACHI: Civil rights activists have demanded the restoration of a federal government ordinance passed in 1956 that ensures a six percent quota in public sector services and higher education institutions for the scheduled caste of Hindu minorities.
The lower castes Hindus have been denied access to the said quotes since its abolition in 1998. During a one-day consultation on âIssues of Dalits and Strategies for Solutionâ organised by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) and Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), the attendees unanimously demanded that these quotas be revived. The consultation participants said that discrimination on the basis of caste, occupation and status exists very much in the society. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and people belonging to other religions equally fall victim to these discriminatory practices. However, the situation of the scheduled caste Hindus such as Kolhi, Bheel, Menghwar, Oad, Bagri and Bakmaki is the worst as they are facing social bashing in their respective areas.
On the occasion, Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network (PDSN) was formally launched to fight back caste and descent based discrimination in the society. The network with an 11-member steering committee and an advisory committee will particularly focus on the protection and promotion of the rights of scheduled caste Hindus and other marginalised sections of the society.
The steering committee comprises of Pushpa Kumari, Advocate Arjundas, Advocate Bhoromal, Pirbhulal, Tahira Ali, Advocate Noornaz Agha, Mirza Maqsood, Moazam Ali, Zain Daudpoto, Rameshjaipal, and Aquila Naz while the advisory committee includes Karamat Ali, Dr Sono Khanghrani, Krishanchand, Gianchand, Kathumal, Peter Jacob, Iqbal Detho, Harris Khalique and Zulfiqar Shah.
The consultation participants regretted that the attitude of Pakistan towards the scheduled caste Hindus has long been a case of double standards and denial. They said that the low caste Hindus were hit by dual discrimination as they are non-Muslims in a Muslim state and are Dalits in minorities, however, the second discrimination is not recognised and there is no legislation against it. Impunity has resulted in widespread violence against the people of the scheduled caste that includes forced labour and rape.
Zulfiqar Shah, author of a recent study on the status of scheduled castes in Pakistan titled âLong Behind Scheduleâ said that the socio economic indicators of scheduled caste populations in Pakistan are very low. âMore than 90 percent of the scheduled caste population lives below the poverty line, the illiteracy ratio of Dalits is as high as 74 percent and 83 percent of the scheduled caste Hindus both in Sindh and Punjab are landless. Their nominal wages and lower social status makes them vulnerable to bondage,â he revealed.
TRDP CEO and renowned activist Dr Khanghrani highlighted the efforts of national and international organisations in portraying the issues of Dalits. He said, âConcerns on the status of Dalits are being expressed at the international level as well and it is high time that the government of Pakistan pays special attention and takes special measures to improve the conditions of the scheduled castes.â
PILER Executive Director and a trade union activist Karamat Ali pointed out the lack of political representation of scheduled castes and marginalised sections of the society at decision-making levels adding, âThe current legislative bodies do not represent the Pakistani society. Major sections of the society such as labour, fishermen and scheduled castes have no representation in the national, provincial assemblies and in the senate.â
The consultation also passed a resolution condemning the flogging of a woman in Swat by religious fundamentalist and urged the government to take stern action against the culprits. It also asked the government to include the castes in census forms and land distribution among scheduled castes, representation of scheduled castes in legislative and other state bodies, special job quota and scholarships.
Advocate Arjundas, Pirbhulal, Dr Aly Ercelawn, Kirshan Chand, Mumutaz Odhand, Pirbhulal, Karamat Ali, Iqbal Detho, Zulfiqar Shah and others also spoke on the occasion. staff report
KARACHI: Civil rights activists have demanded the restoration of a federal government ordinance passed in 1956 that ensures a six percent quota in public sector services and higher education institutions for the scheduled caste of Hindu minorities.
The lower castes Hindus have been denied access to the said quotes since its abolition in 1998. During a one-day consultation on âIssues of Dalits and Strategies for Solutionâ organised by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) and Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), the attendees unanimously demanded that these quotas be revived. The consultation participants said that discrimination on the basis of caste, occupation and status exists very much in the society. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and people belonging to other religions equally fall victim to these discriminatory practices. However, the situation of the scheduled caste Hindus such as Kolhi, Bheel, Menghwar, Oad, Bagri and Bakmaki is the worst as they are facing social bashing in their respective areas.
On the occasion, Pakistan Dalit Solidarity Network (PDSN) was formally launched to fight back caste and descent based discrimination in the society. The network with an 11-member steering committee and an advisory committee will particularly focus on the protection and promotion of the rights of scheduled caste Hindus and other marginalised sections of the society.
The steering committee comprises of Pushpa Kumari, Advocate Arjundas, Advocate Bhoromal, Pirbhulal, Tahira Ali, Advocate Noornaz Agha, Mirza Maqsood, Moazam Ali, Zain Daudpoto, Rameshjaipal, and Aquila Naz while the advisory committee includes Karamat Ali, Dr Sono Khanghrani, Krishanchand, Gianchand, Kathumal, Peter Jacob, Iqbal Detho, Harris Khalique and Zulfiqar Shah.
The consultation participants regretted that the attitude of Pakistan towards the scheduled caste Hindus has long been a case of double standards and denial. They said that the low caste Hindus were hit by dual discrimination as they are non-Muslims in a Muslim state and are Dalits in minorities, however, the second discrimination is not recognised and there is no legislation against it. Impunity has resulted in widespread violence against the people of the scheduled caste that includes forced labour and rape.
Zulfiqar Shah, author of a recent study on the status of scheduled castes in Pakistan titled âLong Behind Scheduleâ said that the socio economic indicators of scheduled caste populations in Pakistan are very low. âMore than 90 percent of the scheduled caste population lives below the poverty line, the illiteracy ratio of Dalits is as high as 74 percent and 83 percent of the scheduled caste Hindus both in Sindh and Punjab are landless. Their nominal wages and lower social status makes them vulnerable to bondage,â he revealed.
TRDP CEO and renowned activist Dr Khanghrani highlighted the efforts of national and international organisations in portraying the issues of Dalits. He said, âConcerns on the status of Dalits are being expressed at the international level as well and it is high time that the government of Pakistan pays special attention and takes special measures to improve the conditions of the scheduled castes.â
PILER Executive Director and a trade union activist Karamat Ali pointed out the lack of political representation of scheduled castes and marginalised sections of the society at decision-making levels adding, âThe current legislative bodies do not represent the Pakistani society. Major sections of the society such as labour, fishermen and scheduled castes have no representation in the national, provincial assemblies and in the senate.â
The consultation also passed a resolution condemning the flogging of a woman in Swat by religious fundamentalist and urged the government to take stern action against the culprits. It also asked the government to include the castes in census forms and land distribution among scheduled castes, representation of scheduled castes in legislative and other state bodies, special job quota and scholarships.
Advocate Arjundas, Pirbhulal, Dr Aly Ercelawn, Kirshan Chand, Mumutaz Odhand, Pirbhulal, Karamat Ali, Iqbal Detho, Zulfiqar Shah and others also spoke on the occasion. staff report