Dalit-Minority International Conference address social discrimination of dalits and problems of minority

NEW DELHI: Inaugurating the Dalit-Minority International Conference here on Wednesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said it was necessary to make a distinction between the problems faced by Dalits and those by minorities. Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said she hoped the two-day Dalit-Minority International Conference here would provide an effective platform for discussion on issues concerning social justice and economic empowerment of these sections in society. Stating that these issues were both of national interest and close to her heart, Ms. Gandhi said the conference was important, as it would raise awareness on these issues and encourage a closer involvement of society as a whole in dealing with the problem of inequality and oppression faced by the most vulnerable sections. "India cannot truly prosper and progress unless these issues are addressed," Ms. Gandhi said in her message to the conference. She expressed regret that she would not be able to attend it due to prior commitments. "Dalits have faced a unique discrimination in our society that is fundamentally different from the problems of minority groups in general. Untouchability is not just social discrimination. It is a blot on humanity," Dr. Singh said. Dr. Singh pointed out that even after 60 years of Constitutional and legal protection and State support, Dalits still faced social discrimination. He called for a continued political, social, cultural and intellectual battle against the practice. The Government would take all necessary steps to help in the social, educational and economic empowerment of Dalits. He said: "In fact, our Government has taken several steps in the past two years to empower the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes both through affirmative action and by reinforcing our Constitutional commitment to reservation and empowerment through education. "The principle that explicit measures should be taken to protect the interests of minorities is an idea embedded in our political discourse and in our Constitutional provisions." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, garland a portrait of B.R. Ambedkar at the `Dalit-Minority International Conference' in New Delhi on Wednesday. Source: Compiled from News Untouchability is a blot on humanity, says Manmohan (The Hindu) Dalit-minority meet important: Sonia (The Hindu)

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