Jean Lambert, Patron of the Dalit Solidarity Network and Green Party MEP for London, will be speaking at a protest at the Indian High Commission on Thursday 5th March at 4pm to call for dignified work and decent wages for Dalits.
The protest marks International Women’s Day, since the majority of the 1.3 million people of ‘untouchable’ caste status in India are women, and are forced to earn their living by doing dangerous and degrading work in appalling conditions. Many have no choice but to earn a living by collecting human faeces, using only their bare hands and simple tools.
The protest will call on the Indian Government to release a substantial pot of money that has been set-aside for providing these ‘manual scavengers’ with education, healthcare and decent jobs.
Jean Lambert MEP, who is a member of the European Parliament’s South Asia delegation and frequently highlights the situation of the Dalits, said:
"We must show much more support to the struggle against such discrimination. This requires action at all political levels, both across the EU and in the countries concerned.
"I reject the idea that some human beings are considered "impure" or "polluted" just because they were born into a certain caste. Everyone is entitled to basic human rights. In the 21st century, no human being should be considered "untouchable"."
Notes to Editors
For more information about the event please contact the Dalit Solidarity Network UK at dalitsnuk@yahoo.co.uk or 020 7501 8323.