India Foundation
Centre for Dalit Studies
New Delhi
1stDalit Thinkers Roundtable
PRESS RELEASE
Centre for Dalit Studies, India Foundation organised aroundtable with Dalit thinkers on 07th August, 2018 at NMML, NewDelhi.
More than 50 bureaucrats, social thinkers, activists and academics of Dalit community from all over India were invited for a day-long deliberation. The day witnessed a robust exchange of ideas between Dalit thinkers and leadership of government and the party.
The opening session witnessed the participation of ShriRam Madhav, (National GeneralSecretary, BJP&Member, Board of Governors, India Foundation), Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (President ICCR & Member, Board of Governors, India Foundation), Shri V. Bhagaiah (National Joint General Secretary, RSS),Shri Arjun Meghwal (Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River development & ParlAffairs, GOI), Shri UditRaj (MPLS), Shri Vinod Sonkar (MP-LS & BJP SC Morcha President) and Dr. Sanjay Paswan (Professor and MLC).
Among the group, few dalit entrepreneurs put forward their views on developing business as an alternative mode of empowerment. Senior Academics mentioned about ensuring diversity and adequate representation of Dalits in both bar and bench of judiciary.
Seniorofficialsspoke about discriminatory practices within bureaucracy which is deep seated and needs to be dealt with. Example of schemes like post metric scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship etc were cited and how these schemes can be updated with contemporary social needs. Among other things SC sub plan was also comprehensively discussed. Clarion call for a National Legislation to stop diversion of SC and ST Sub Plan was also given.
The lunch for the thinkers was hosted by the Union Minister of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh at his residence. The concluding session summarised all the deliberations. ShriV. Bhagaiah, National Joint-General Secretary, RSS spoke about empowering Dalit woman by creative positive policy intervention for land allotment. Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Minister for Home Affairs assured the group that he has taken a note of deliberative suggestion and he will share it with the Prime Minister.
