People of Dalit and other excluded communities yesterday held programmes at different places, including Gaibandha and Chapainawabganj, marking Global Human Dignity Day.

Demanding steps to end all discriminations against them in social and professional activities, hundreds of people from Dalit communities formed a human chain along DB Road in Gaibandha town, reports our correspondent.

Abalambon, Jono Udyog, Bangladesh Dalit and Banchito Jonogosthi Adhiker Andolan, Bangladesh Rabidas Forum, Bangladesh Rabidas Unnayon Parishad and Harijan Oikya Parishad jointly organised the programme in observance of Global Human Dignity Day.

The speakers at the programme pointed out that the Dalit communities are facing serious discriminations in educational institutions, workplaces, social activities  and cultural affairs.

They are even denied normal access to public places, hotels and restaurants.

As citizens of the country, Dalit people want to live with dignity like other communities, the speakers said.

They demanded enactment of a law to wipe out disparity in professional and other affairs, as recommended by the Law Commission in 2014.

Probir Chakravarti of Jano Udyog, Kitton Basfore, president of Harijan Oikya Parishad, Dadhiya Rabidas, president of Haridas Unnayon Parishad, Khilon Rabidas, secretary of Bangladesh Rabidas Forum, Shefali Rani and Shamoli Rabidas spoke at the programme.

Our Chapainawabganj correspondent adds: People of different Dalit and excluded communities joined a human chain and rally in front of the deputy commissioner's office in Chapainawabganj town demanding implementation of anti-discrimination act.

Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement, Chapainawabganj, unit arranged the programme.

Dalit people are deprived of human rights and forced to live a dejected and isolated life as people in general consider them untouchable, speakers said at the rally.

They demanded formulation of a law to eliminate social and job discriminations against the Dalit people and ensure their civic rights.

Deb Sagor Thakur, vice president of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement's Chapainawabganj district unit, its general secretary Dilip Kumar Pal, Popy Karmokar, advocate Saiful Islam Reza and advocate Mizanur Rahman spoke, among others.