THE Delhi-NCR state committee of the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM) submitted a 13-point demand charter to the Delhi government on October 3, as part of DSMM’s call for observing national protest day. A DSMM delegation including president Brahmjeet Singh, general secretary Nathu Prasad, vice-presidents Ram Kanwar and Daleep and secretary Bharat Danger met the deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia and submitted the demand charter. Manish Sisodia assured that his government will explore all possibilities to look into all the demands. DSMM will be vigilant and build popular pressure through ground level initiative to ensure that government can be held accountable on its promises.

The demands included:

1. To strengthen SC/ST Atrocities Act to make it more effective.

2. Effectively implement SC/ST Sub Plan in the budget of the Delhi government.

3. Stringent action against culprits booked in cases of attacks against dalits.

4. Ban anti-social vigilante Gaurakshak groups.

5. Put an end to manual scavenging. Provide alternate jobs. End contract labour and regularise jobs.

6. Distribute land to all landless with priority for landless dalit households.

7. Implement Rohith Act to end caste discrimination in educational institutions.

8. Stop commercialisation and communalisation of education.

9. Ensure equal opportunity for education from primary school to university, free of cost.

10. More incentives to promote inter-caste marriage.

11. Take measures to eliminate caste in the society.

12. Clear backlog in recruitment under reserved category and ensure reservation in private sector.

13. To put an end to casteist, communal and divisive RSS agenda of cultural nationalism.