In an effort to raise awareness about the rights and entitlements of marginalized communities and advocate for peaceful struggle to secure those rights, Swabhiman Samiti, in collaboration with the Dalit Adhikar Manch, organized a Hak Adhikar Pad Yatra (Rights March) on 19th November 2007. The event was aimed at highlighting the issues faced by the communities in the region and ensuring that their demands were heard by the local authorities.

  1. Objective:

The Hak Adhikar Pad Yatra aimed to:

  • Raise awareness among local communities about their rights and entitlements.
  • Mobilize people to demand their rights through peaceful struggle and non-violent protest.
  • To highlight the issues faced by the marginalized communities, especially in flood-affected areas, and advocate for solutions to improve their living conditions.
  • Demand government action on specific issues, including BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards, river erosion prevention, and employment under NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act).
  1. Event Details:

The pad yatra began at Uska Bazar and covered a distance of 12 kilometers to the district headquarters of Siddharthnagar. This was a peaceful march in which around 8000 people from various communities participated, walking together to raise their voices for their demands. During the march, the participants made their issues and challenges known to the local officials.

2.1 Key Demands:

Some of the key demands presented by the participants during the march included:

  • Priority issuance of BPL cards for all eligible individuals in flood-affected villages.
  • Measures to stop river erosion in vulnerable areas.
  • Ensuring employment for all families under the NREGA scheme.

2.2 Memorandum Submission:

At the district headquarters, a delegation from Swabhiman Samiti and Dalit Adhikar Manch presented an 11-point memorandum of demands to the local authorities. Since the District Magistrate was unavailable at the time, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Naugarh, Mr. Rajkeshwar, accepted the memorandum on behalf of the district administration.

2.3 Media Involvement:

The march also attracted significant media attention. During the event, Mr. Vinod Prajapati, the Secretary of Swabhiman Samiti, addressed the media at the district headquarters, providing information about the community’s issues and demands. This helped further publicize the concerns of the marginalized people in the region and drew attention to the pressing need for action.

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  1. Follow-up Action:

Following the submission of the 11-point memorandum, an official meeting was scheduled on 21st November 2007. The District Magistrate, Dr. Ramakant Shukla, along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mr. Rajkeshwar, met with the representatives of Swabhiman Samiti and Dalit Adhikar Manch to discuss the issues raised in the memorandum.

  • Discussion of Issues: In the meeting, the issues such as river erosion, BPL card distribution, and NREGA employment were discussed in detail. The District Magistrate assured the representatives that the administration would address these issues promptly and provide solutions where possible.
  • Action Plan: Dr. Shukla directed the SDM of Naugarh to provide positive support and take proactive steps to resolve the issues presented in the meeting.

3.1 Participants of the Meeting:

The meeting, held on 21st November, saw the participation of 14 representatives from Swabhiman Samiti and Dalit Adhikar Manch, as well as key government officials, including:

  • Dr. Ramakant Shukla (District Magistrate)
  • Mr. Rajkeshwar (Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Naugarh)

The meeting provided a platform for both parties to discuss the community’s concerns and work towards sustainable solutions.

  1. Impact of the Event:

The Hak Adhikar Pad Yatra was a successful initiative that:

  • Raised significant awareness about the rights and entitlements of marginalized communities.
  • Brought public attention to critical issues, such as BPL card issuance, river erosion, and NREGA employment, which affect large sections of the population.
  • Strengthened the community’s voice, empowering them to advocate for their rights in a peaceful, organized manner.
  • Facilitated direct engagement with local officials, resulting in a commitment from the district administration to address the raised concerns.
  1. Conclusion:

The Hak Adhikar Pad Yatra organized by Swabhiman Samiti and Dalit Adhikar Manch marked a significant step towards social justice and empowerment of marginalized communities. The event helped mobilize people, raise their awareness about their rights, and create a direct channel of communication between the community and government officials.

Moving forward, Swabhiman Samiti plans to continue its advocacy efforts, ensuring that the rights of marginalized groups are not only recognized but actively supported through government schemes and policy initiatives.