Ministry urges Dalit rights activists on sit-in at Maitighar to come for dialogue

The Ministry of Women, Children, Senior Citizens, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security has urged Dalit rights activists staging a sit-in at Maitighar Mandala to end their protest and come for dialogue.

The activists have been sitting in protest raising various demands related to the rights of the Dalit community. In a press statement, the ministry said the government is serious and sensitive toward the demands raised.

The statement said the government is positive about amending the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068, to make it more time-appropriate. The ministry also expressed commitment to legal initiatives that would effectively address incidents of untouchability and caste-based discrimination.

According to the ministry, a draft bill on the protection and development of the rights of the Dalit community has already been prepared. The ministry said work on announcing reform-oriented programs and on defining and listing Dalits is also moving forward.

The statement said the ministry remains committed to protecting constitutional rights, ending untouchability and building an equitable society.