Bangladesh Dalit Parishad (BDP) yesterday urged the government to immediately implement the proposed anti-discrimination law to protect their rights.

Rajshahi divisional unit of BDP in association with Parittran, an NGO assisted by the European Union, held a press conference at Rajshahi Press Club to press home their demands.

Raghunath Das, president of the divisional unit, said, “We cannot force people to love us, but the law will shield us from their hatred.”

The Law Commission and National Human Rights Commission have already drafted the law, he informed

The Dalits are being deprived of their fundamental rights and people do not even let them enter social places like hotels and restaurants, he shared.

Parittran Coordinator Shefali Sarker said the Dalits are being oppressed by the society even though nowadays they are educating themselves.

They even have to conceal their identity in fear of disparities when they go for higher education, she said, adding that the condition of their women and children is even worse.