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Swadhikar NCDHR ANNUAL REPORT 2017-’18 Swadhikar NCDHR ANNUAL REPORT 2017-’184 5

CONTENTSMESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK 5

DALIT WOMEN’S RIGHTS 7

Message from the General Secretary’s Desk…. 8

HIGHLIGHTS OF AIDMAM’S 2016 ACTIVITIES 9

SURVIVOR SUPPORT 10

PUBIC HEARING 11

ENGAGEMENT WITH ADVOCATE GROUPS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS 11

FACT FINDING INVESTIGATIONS 11

PRESS CONFERENCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST DALIT WOMEN IN RAJASTHAN 11

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF DALIT WOMEN 12

SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL SECURITY TRAINING 13

TRAINING ON WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISM FOR DALIT WOMEN LEADERS IN JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN 14

TRAINING ON SC/ST, POA ACT 15

TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR CSOs, DALIT WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND ACTIVISTS 15

DISTRICT LEVEL TRAININGS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN HARYANA AND MADHYA PRADESH 15

TRAINING ON RTI 15

GRASSROOT ACTIVISM 15

CONDUCTED SURVEY IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS IN BIHAR 16

DALIT MAHILA SWABHIMAN YATRA IN RAJASTHAN 16


CONSULTATION ON THE CHALLENGES IN THE MOVEMENT ON SOCIAL EQUITY 17

FELICITATION AND INTERACTION WITH NEWLY ELECTED DALIT WOMEN PANCHAYATI RAJ REPRESENTATIVES, DALIT WOMEN PRESIDENTS AND DISTRICT COUNCILOR 17

REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMS 17

AIDMAM IN AWID FORUM, BRAZIL 17

ECONOMIC RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS 18


Plan and Non Plan Merger 20

NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCACY 20

I. Engagement with Members of Parliament (MPs) and Nodal Ministries 20

II. Engagement with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister 21

III. Engagement with the Ministry of Finance- Pre Budget Consultation 21

IV. ADVOCACY ON HIGHER EDUCATION 22

V. ROUND TABLE WITH MPS 22

VI. APPEAL IN THE PARLIAMENT ON BUDGET CUTS 23

PRESS CONFERENCE 23

CONSULTATION WITH PARLIAMENTARIANS ON SDGS 23

RESEARCH AND BUDGET ANALYSIS 23

ANALYSIS OF SCSP/TSP AT THE UNION AND STATE LEVEL: 2017-18 23

DALIT ADIVASI BUDGET WATCH 2015-17 24

EMPOWERING DALIT WOMEN TO ACCESS PUBLIC ENTITLEMENTS 24


CONTENTSDALIT BUDGET RESOURCE CENTRES (DBRC) FOR ENSURING ACCESS

TO SCSP AND TSP SCHEMES 24

NDA SECOND YEAR REVIEW 25

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING 25

NATIONAL TRAINING ON UNDERSTANDING BUDGET POLICY AND ADVOCACY: SCHEDULED CASTE SUB PLAN /TRIBAL SUB PLAN AND GENDER BUDGETS 25

REGIONAL BUDGET TRAINING 26

SUPPORTING FELLOWSHIP HOLDERS 26

HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN 26

STUDENT GROUP MEETINGS 26

REACHING OUT TO CSOS/CLOS 27

FILING OF APPLICATIONS TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION 27

COMPILING OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF STUDENTS 27

FILING OF RTIs 27

SUBMISSION OF COMPLAINTS AND MEMORANDUM 27

CHATRA SAMVADIYA- narratives of discrimination and exclusion from muffasil margins 28

COALITION MEETING 29

ACCESS TO JUSTICE 30


PROMOTING DALIT AND ADIVASI HUMAN RIGHTS 33

CAPACITATION OF ACTIVISTS, NGOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY OF RGANIZATIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS 33

PARALEGAL TRAININGS ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO DALIT AND ADIVASI WOMEN 34


FILING OF RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) AND PREPARATION OF FACT SHEETS 36

ENGAGEMENT WITH CONCERNED COMMISSIONS AND INSTITUTIONS 36

LEGAL SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS: LEGAL RESOURCE CENTRES (LRC) / LEGAL CLINICS 36

REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS: 36

ADVOCATES CONSULTATIONS AND WORKING TOWARDS FORMATIONS OF FORUMS 37

MONITORING OF SPECIAL COURTS AND APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTORS (SPP) TO ASSISTS SURVIVORS 38

SPECIFIC ISSUES: 38

INTERVENTIONS THROUGH TAMIL NADU HIGH COURT AND NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES 38

INTERVENTIONS THROUGH HIGH COURT OF TAMIL NADU 38

INTERVENTION THROUGH DELHI HIGH COURT 38

WRIT PETITION FOR PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF SC/ST POA, ACT 1989 38

ATROCITY TRACKING MONITORING SYSTEM (ATM) 39

North & South Regional Follow up Trainings on ATM 39

Training of Trainers on ATM usage 39

CAMPAIGN BUILDING TOWARDS A ZERO DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL EDUCATION 39

DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND INTERVENTION 40

SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR have been tracking cases of discrimination in higher institutions: 40

Intervention in 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of United Nation Commission for Human rights (UNCHR) 40


Policy exchange visit and interaction 41

European Union – NGO Forum, Brussels 41

Campaign for Judiciary Accountability and Judicial Reforms (CJAR) 41

INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING, TEAM CAPACITATION AND EXPOSURE VISIT 41

i. Organizational Development (OD) Process 41

ii. Group Relations Conference (GRC) - The Brahmin in the Mind! : 41

Exposure Visit for North Region DHRDs and Community Visit in Tamil Nadu 42

iii. Cadre Building and Visibility Campaign - Atrocity Tracking Monitoring System (ATM) 42

Workshop on Evaluation 42

Conflict Assessment Workshop 42

NDMJ and DALSA - Legal Training 42

Capacitation of Interns @ NDMJ 42

CHALLENGES 42

NATIONAL DALIT WATCH 44

Facilitating Dalit Communities to claim their Rights and Entitlements in Major Disasters 46

KEY ACTIONS AND OUTCOMES 46

PROMOTION OF INCLUSION IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, POLICY AND GUIDELINES 47

ENGAGEMENT WITH VARIOUS HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES, ACTORS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTE ON INCLUSIVE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 48

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ADVOCACY 48


Advocacy at National Level 49

GLOBAL ADVOCACY 49

Interventions 49

1. ADRF Core Committee Meeting, Kathmandu, Nepal 49

5. Pre Asia Ministerial Conference on Disaster risk Reduction (AMCDRR) event on Inclusion in Disaster, November 2016, New Delhi 49

10. Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development, UN ESCAP, 29-31 March 2017, Bangkok, Thailand 49


DALIT WOMEN’S RIGHTS80 Fact Findings conducted of AtrocitiesApproximately 6 Crores compensation received by survivors


Revolutionary Jai Bhim !

We are pleased to present a snap shot of the major activities of All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch through this Annual report.

The Dalit Women’s movement has made major strides in the past year. Needless to say, the path has not been easy for Dalit women leaders who have strived to claim their agency, rights and entitlements.

AIDMAM, has spearheaded the articulations and demands of women from the community from village to international levels. Our work has increased both in scope and intensity. The young leader’s team has grown leaps and bounds and carries with it the torch of the social justice movement.

The year gone by, also signifies the in-depth review and strategy planning for the future. We have begun the work for laying the path for the future strategic direction, structure and programme framework for AIDMAM. This exercise brings new hope and vigour to the movement to end caste based gender discrimi-nation and violence.

We want to thank all our supporters and friends who have stood with us in solidarity. Ranging from donors to volunteers and well-wishers who have offered their resources of time, money and energy, we are grateful to you all. Without your continued support we would be unable to move ahead with great confidence and strength.

Despite the personal and work related challenges, Dalit women are committed to the fight towards free dom and dignity for all. We re-affirm our commit ment and passion to build a more robust movement that will build a world that brings healing, hope, hap piness and justice.

In gratitude and solidarity,

Asha Kowtal

Message from the General Secretary’s Desk


Following the vision given by our respectable Baba Saheb,

All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM)’s journey has been in the direction of reclaiming freedom that are denied to Dalit women to reclaim their rights and dignity. AIDMAM is a platform for women from Dalit communi-ties in India to escalate their voic-es for justice. It is a forum of Dalit Women committed to challenging the nexus of patriarchy, caste, culture and class oppression, ex-ploitation and marginalization of Dalit Women.

To address severe vulnerabili-ty faced by the 80 million Dalit women and girls; AIDMAM cul tivate Dalit women activists, who are the leaders of a movement for their self-respect and digni-ty. AIDMAM’s work spans four major areas: survivor support, grassroots activism, leadership development and international

advocacy. It aims to built a criti-cal mass movement lead by Dalit Women Leaders; working to cre ate community-based movements that have specific frameworks in place to effectively challenge, tackle, and solve caste-based vio-lence and discrimination; and the culture of impunity.

The year 2016-17 with gener ous support from the communi ties, funders and many solidarity groups led to significant achieve ments on various fronts. AID MAM team worked for asserting Dalit women’s rights and entitle-ments, challenging the existing structural inequalities and dis-crimination based on caste. The team had been untiringly bringing together Dalit women, capacitat ing them, sharing their experienc es and reframing feminist articu lations from the perspective of the Dalit women. AIDMAM worked intensively in seven states, name-

ly; Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

HIGHLIGHTS OF AIDMAM’S 2016 ACTIVITIES

AIDMAM has been able to carry out many activities in its four the-matic areas of Leadership Devel-opment, Survival Support, Grass-roots Activism and International Advocacy.

SURVIVOR SUPPORT

Most of the survivors are living with extremely limited financial resources. Incidents of violence often put them in dire econom ic situations, where the threat of losing financial stability predeter-mines the families’ decision-mak ing process. The need for legal fees, travel costs and medical care is high. Our advocacy efforts are aimed at ensuring justice and compensation from the govern

“Ours is a battle not for wealth; nor for power, ours battle is for freedom; for reclamation of human personality”.

Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar

Swadhikar NCDHR ANNUAL REPORT 2017-’18 12


ment while providing much-needed eco-nomic and psychological services for fam-ilies.

In view of the situation, AIDMAM team have been determinedly conducted fact findings, monitored the cases of discrimina tion and made efforts to ensure that justice is rendered to Dalit community particular-ly Dalit women. However, the situation is grim and most of the cases do not get to see the light of justice. Hence to expose the cul-ture of impunity enjoyed by the perpetra-tors and to prepare a roadmap on how Dalit women can access justice smoothly, in the month of August, 2016 a Public Hearing was organized in Patna, Bihar.

PUBIC HEARING

Public hearing was organized with the ob jective to ensure justice to cases of atrocities to Dalit women with efficient implementa-tion of SC/ST (POA) Act with speedy trail and ensuring charge sheets are filed for the cases within a month and victim receives the compensation and other relief.

■ 21 cases of atrocity were deposed in the public hearing in front of

jury members. More than 80% of the cases were of sexual violence on Dalit women

Some of the major recommendations are;

■ Although the amendment to the SC/ST PoA Act was implement ed in January 2016, even until now more than half of the police stations do not know about it. Legal educa tion needs to be done

■ There is a need to spread knowl edge of legal rights espe c i a l l y among the young Dalit wom en leaders, pushing for new amend ments is not enough.

■ Apart from legal battles, there has to be collective community re sponse to increasing atrocities

■ A lawyer collective needs to be formed for rapid response in cases of atrocities

■ Cases which were not registered under SC/ST, POA Act to be regis tered under correct sections.

■ In cases applicable, apply to spe

Swadhikar NCDHR ANNUAL REPORT 2017-’1813


cial court for protection of victims Under SC/ST PoA Act

After the public hearing survivors along with some jury members and AIDMAM team members met IG, Bihar (Weaker Section) and they submitted a mem orandum based on the recommendations of the jury members. The recommendation of the jury members were also presented to the officer in-charge.

ENGAGEMENT WITH ADVOCATE GROUPS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

A lot of the major focus of AIDMAM’s intervention has been to ensure Dalit women’s access to legal ser vices and justice. One major step in this regard has been in associating with lawyers committed to fight-ing for the rights of Dalit women. One of the major interventions of the last year was towards identify-ing Dalit and non-Dalit advocates , networking and, forming advocate groups to ensure that Dalit women have unbiased and smooth access to justice in cases of atrocities. Many such groups have been formed in Haryana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh etc. AIDMAM’s state coordinators had regular meetings with advo cates to discuss status of pending cases, follow the progress of the cases, and addressing the challenges posing as barriers in accessing justice.

In some important cases memorandum were also sub mitted to the concerned officials for them to intervene wherever necessary. One such consultation that was held in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh, between Dalit Women Right Defenders and Lawyers, UP state coordinator, Shobhna shared details of some of the pending cases and discussed way forward in the legal intervention.

Similarly in Madhya Pradesh, National Legal Coor-dinator, Savita along with the state coordinators of MP held meetings with the advocates in Sagar and Bhopal districts to work out future collaboration strategy. In future, AIDMAM will see that advocate groups especially Dalit advocate groups are formed in Madhya Pradesh as well.

Savita visited Odisha in the month of September 2016 to review and discuss the issues relating to the cases in Odisha and devised a possible strategy for intervention to ensure justice for the victims.

In March 2016, an advocate meeting was organised

by Rajeshwar and Sushma, state coordinators from Bihar office to discuss the pending atrocity cases and also to discuss about formation of a committee of ad vocates.

In addition, the field team at regular intervals carried out meeting with the community leaders, and PRI representatives. During these meetings and issues pertaining to the community were discussed, chal lenges and concerns These discussions form the basis for the plan of action within the community to ensure access to rights, e.g. access to water, other resources, FIR, compensation etc.

FACT FINDING INVESTIGATIONS

AIDMAM this year has conducted about 80 fact find-ing investigations which include physical assault, verbal abuse, sexual harassment and assault, rape, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, kidnapping and abduction, forced incarceration and medical neg ligence, child sexual abuse and domestic violence. We have found that 80% of these reported cases are related to sexual violence, which highlight the battle that is fought on the body of Dalit women. AIDMAM team is closely monitoring the cases.

With AIDMAM team effort, survivors have been able to get more than 6 crore rupees of compensation in the year 2016.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST DALIT WOMEN IN RAJASTHAN

To highlight the issue of violence against Dalit wom en in Rajasthan in the month of January press con ference was organized in Jaipur. During the press conference a study on atrocities on Dalit, specifically women which was collected by National Crime Re cords Bureau and Rajasthan Police was shared and deliberated upon. As per report, crime rate against Dalits is increasing at a rate of 23% and indicates that the officials responsible for stopping these crimes on Dalit women have been insensitive, do not respond on time to the plea of victims, as a result of which the dominant caste perpetrators have been continuing in committing crimes.

The question in front of us is - How do we respond to this impunity? How do we make access to justice possible for Dalit women in this situation? Where



do we go where the justice system has constantly failed us? These are the critical questions raised by AIDMAM.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF DALIT WOMEN

One of AIDMAM’s focus areas is capacitation of Dalit women leaders. One of the ways of capaci-tation is by providing training whereby they can learn legal knowledge to handle cases and oth-er important international mechanisms and also skills on monitoring and evaluation of cases, etc. To achieve this objective, AIDMAM has devel oped training modules on legal inputs, documen tation, monitoring and fact finding, social media and digital security training, human rights mecha nisms training etc. The highlights of our capacita tion programmes are narrated below:

SOCIAL MEDIA & DIGITAL SECURITY TRAINING

In the current political situation where media is controlled by a few, and the voices of the margin alized are hardly visible, it is only important that as Dalit women explore other mediums where we can raise our issues and voices, our articulations and demands heard. Social media platforms are now seen as a medium where issues and voices,

mostly repressed by the mainstream media are visibilised and often used to make voices heard. These platforms are now used extensively to push for issues otherwise ignored and often put pressure on the authorities to act and ensure that justice be given to such individuals or groups as such.

In the month of July, 2016 training on social me-dia and digital security was organized wherein 20 Dalit women activists were trained in Delhi. The training was facilitated by Mukti Labs, the first Dalit Bahujan women’s technology collective set up to provide skills and resources for internet based advocacy. AIDMAM has promoted #dalit womenfight on social media, which is perhaps the first Dalit women’s Hashtag on the internet and now has more than 5000 followers on twitter.

This training helped the Dalit women leaders to understand the scope of social media and find ways to use it effectively to highlight the issues re lating to violence, discrimination and untouchabil ity. The team also used this opportunity to conduct a twitter toofan, which is a 3 hour session of live tweeting and hash tagging as a group.

The training also includes information sharing on the overview of the security issues in India today, how to protect data, how to secure computer and



mobile while downloading and sharing files, how to browse the internet anonymously and bypass censorship, how to set up anonymous social me-dia accounts and You Tube accounts, how to set up security apps on android and smart phones, how to use social networking platforms and mobile phones more safely, how to use encrypted emails/messages for secure sharing of data and informa tion, use digital security soft-wares and services and how to keep your online communications pri vate etc.

This training was very important looking into the precarious political situation where dissent and assertions of the marginalized sections especially the Dalit are repressed and stifled at every level. Even web based advocacy and assertion is not se cure anymore. We live in times where voices are muffled before they are heard, surveillance on as sertions are rampant and hence important to pro tect ourselves from unnecessary surveillance and secure our web based advocacy and assertions.

In January 2017 another round of training on so cial media was organized which had participation of 20 Dalit women from seven states. It was a three day training/workshop where the participants learn by doing it themselves. How to use various fea tures of facebook, twitter, blogs, watsapp, hashtag, news browser, instagram, emails, youtube, news letter, google groups etc were learnt during this workshop.

TRAINING ON WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISM FOR DALIT WOMEN LEAD-ERS IN JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN

Two days training on International Human Rights Mechanisms was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan in June, 2016.

The brief history of UN, Universal declaration of human Rights, different organs of the United Na-tions and its mandate and most importantly Human Rights Council of the UN was discussed in detail. The Facilitator also recounted her experiences of



working with these mechanisms and also how to work with these mechanisms. Treaty bodies and par ticularly CEDAW was discussed in detail and also on how AIDMAM made use of these mechanisms to visibilise the issue of Dalit women internationally and also the challenges that comes with it, especially the Indian State. The training was very interactive and practice ses sions were used to simplify the complicated content. The participants expressed that they were able to un derstand the mechanisms and how to make use of it. TRAINING ON SC/ST, PoA ACTTraining on SC/ST, (PoA), Amendment Act, 2015 along with inputs on fact finding, case monitoring was conducted in Gaya, Aurangabad and Shahershar. The training in Gaya was conducted on 20th, Octo ber and was attended by 20 Dalit leaders and Dalit women leaders and activists. One in Aurangabad was conducted on 19thOctober and had 23 participants. Training in Shahershar was conducted on 26th Au gust, 2016, attended by 24 Dalit leaders and activist. TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR CSOs, DALIT WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND ACTIVISTSThe training for CSOs, Dalit Women Human Rights Defenders and Activist focused on imparting human rights perspective building, legal knowledge and le gal intervention while intervening in cases of caste based atrocities on the Dalit and Adivasi communi ties. A training programme was organized in July, 2016, at Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh and in New Delhi. The training in Sagar was attended by 18 Dalit women leaders and in New Delhi it was attended by 22 Dalit women and 3 Dalit men from Haryana, Ra jasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.Intensive four days training was conducted in July 2016 by AIDMAM in collaboration with NDMJ for 25 young Dalit women volunteers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of the train-ing was to strengthen the ground level monitoring and advocacy campaigns and to motivate young Dalit and Adivasi women activists to become Human Rights Defender. Training helped in imparting knowledge on National and International Human Rights mech anisms and developing their skills on human rights monitoring, lobbying, advocating including report

writing, petition writing and FIR writing; Network building, Coordination and Communication among the human rights institutions, government agencies and civil society organizations.DISTRICT LEVEL TRAININGS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN HARYANA AND MADHYA PRADESHDistrict level training was conducted in Panipat district of Haryana and in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh in December, 2016. This was a follow up training of the state level trainings that were conduct-ed in both the states earlier. An assessment was done as to how the trainings they have attended supported them in their engagement in the field. A plan for each participant was outlined as an outcome of the training. There were 29 partici pants in MP training and 45 in Haryana. TRAINING ON RTIAt national level a training programme on Right to Information (RTI) Act were conducted.The second national level training on Right to Infor mation (RTI) was conducted on 28th April, 2016 at Tarumitra, Patna, Bihar. The main focus was on how to file RTI and how to use other complaints mecha-nisms. 17 representatives from 8 states participated in the training. Mr. Sanjay Bharti from DAAA-NC-DHR was invited as resource person for the training. This training was important and helpful because this tool is frequently used by field level activists to seek information from government authority and use it as evidence based advocacy.GRASSROOT ACTIVISM AIDMAM aims to mobilize communities towards larger structural change. For this, local efforts for ad-vocacy supporting community concerns like access to water and housing, amongst others, is essential and timely intervention in any disaster incidents. CONDUCTED SURVEY IN FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS IN BIHAR AIDMAM in partnership with National Dal-it Watch (NDW) conducted survey in the flood af fected areas in Bihar from 13th to 18th August. Our state coordinators Rajeshwar and Gauri visited the flood affected areas of Kishanganj and conducted



a survey to assess the situation of Dalits es-pecially Dalit women and children and other marginalized. The survey was done to assess the government’s disaster response in the af-fected area, particularly to assess the chal lenges in accessing relief by Dalit women, chil dren and minorities.DALIT MAHILA SWABHIMAN YATRA IN RAJASTHAN Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra is an initiative of AIDMAM, led by young Dalit leaders, in challenging centuries of exploitation. It is per haps one of the largest set of coordinated ac-tion against caste-based sexual violence in Indi-an History. Initiated in 2012, called initially as Dalit Mahila Garima Yatra, and was changed to Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra in 2014.This September, the Yatra has travelled for 10 days in Rajasthan, after having travelled in past to Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The yatra is aimed towards building our communities in addressing mul tiple levels of violence faced by Dalit women. The Yatra engaged in understanding the issue

of our communities at local level to identify the perpetrating forces that violate the rights of Dal it communities, specifically women from these communities. Through this process, Dalit Ma hila Swabhiman Yatra aims at identifying and nurturing the women leaders of our communi-ties and strengthening their leadership.The broader goal of this process is to confront perpetrators, and stage mass public meetings as well as expose the culture of impunity perpetu-ated by individuals and social institutions. In Rajasthan, the Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra, travelled to 60 villages of 11 districts and Yatra be gan from Trimohi, village, Barmer which is also the village of Delta, who was the victim of insti-tutional murder and a case which highlights the total apathy of the government to address vio-lence and the culture of impunity against Dalit women. The Yatra team met with the communi-ties in atrocity prone districts and villages, met with Dalit men and women leaders. The culmination of the event was orga-nized in Jaipur, the state capital which was attended by many Dalit women



leaders and youths, chairperson of the wom en Commission of Rajasthan with representation of other women organizations. Experience sharing of the dynamic Dalit women leaders of the yatra team was the main highlight. A memorandum was submit ted to Chief Minister’s office, Women Commissions, State Human Rights Commissions, DGP etc. high-lighting findings from the cases collected and put up demands for the same. In this important journey, we organize our communi ty to fight the battle of reclamation of self-respect and dignity, freedom and justice for the Dalit community. For we believe that our freedoms are all interconnect ed and unless Dalit women are free, no one is free in the absolute sense. AIDMAM in partnership with Bundelkhand Dalit Adhikar Manch(BDAM) organized Dalit Swabhiman Sangharsh Yatra in Uttar Pradesh to reclaim justice to Dalit victims, rights and entitlements, development rights and dignity to live as any citizens of India. The Yatra began on birth anniversary of Birsa Munda at Jalaun, Bundelkhand in November, 2016, travelled to many villages ended with a press conference in Lucknow the state capital. Many issues were raised during the Yatra from violence, drought, land, wom-en’s rights, manual scavenging and other rights and entitlements of the Dalits in Uttar Pradesh. Press conferences were also conducted in Unnao, Jalaun, Kanpur and Lucknow. Dalit manifesto and memorandum was submitted to the state and district authorities. CONSULTATION ON THE CHALLENGES IN THE MOVEMENT ON SOCIAL EQUITYOne day consultation was held in AIDMAM’s of fice, Jaipur, Rajasthan to discuss the challenges in the movement on social equity particularly the place ment of Dalit women within the movement. The ini tial discussion was on the challenges within the larger feminist movement and why the question of the Dal-it women are ignored within the larger movement. Many questions related to absence of Dalit women’s leadership in the history of the movement in larger purview of caste. There has always been reinforce-ment of caste biases and prejudices to keep the Dal it women suppressed. But historically Dalit women have been resisting such repression and have fought their way to secure a place of respect and dignity in

the larger society. But challenges are existing and the need was felt to initiate a campaign to expose exist ing issues of patriarchy, caste, class and Manuwadi regime. 30 Dalit women and men participated in the consultation to fight for equity and for respect and dignity of Dalit women and decided to launch a cam paign to claim the same.

FELICITATION AND INTERACTION WITH NEWLY ELECTED DALIT WOMEN PANCHA YATI RAJ REPRESENTATIVES, DALIT WOM EN PRESIDENTS AND DISTRICT COUNCIL OR AIDMAM organized a felicitation programme for the newly elected PRI representatives and district councilors belonging to Dalit community in June 2016. This event was organized to acknowledge the roles played by Dalit women in local governance and to discuss future collaboration. Collective actions are necessary to fight for elimination of rising inequali-ties, discrimination and atrocities against Dalit com munity, particularly Dalit women. REPRESENTATION IN INTERNATIONAL FORUMSAIDMAM IN AWID FORUM, BRAZILDuring 13th Association for Women’s Rights in De velopment (AWID) forum in September held in Bra zil, Asha Kowtal from AIDMAM made a representa tion. AWID is one of the largest feminist gathering in which AIDMAM was selected as panel member. A panel highlighting how crime prevention and jus tice system have failed the case of Dalit women was organized by AIDMAM on 9th September, 2016 at Gardenia, Brazil. The pertinent question raised was, ‘who/where do we go to?’ when these apparatuses designed to dispense justice have failed us. There is a very strong caste bias and prejudices also propelled by weak economic condition which acts as barriers in access and dispensation of justice for Dalit women. There is a need for formation of strong solidarity with women from similar experiences and reframing of feminist articulations based on inclusion and most importantly from the experiences/articulations of the most marginalized.



ECONOMIC RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

4343 students received PMS Scholarships

464 families received 42 acres of land under the Grameen Basti Yojana in Haryana


ECONOMIC RIGHTS AND ENTITLEMENTS

On one of my recent visits to Jharkhand, I met with Maya who was recently elected by the community to oversee the mango plantations that several fam ilies got through the entrepreneurship program in Jharkhand. It was great to see her confidence and with her head held high she narrated to me how this program has empowered not only her but her entire community and this has also helped in curbing mi gration. It was powerful to see this change and the work that our teams have done at the ground level. It’s stories like this that drive us to do what we do.

Over the last few years I have watched DAAA grow in leaps and bounds, we have faced several challenges in raising resources, retaining human resources, external pressures, however the unit has continuously raised the bar towards excellence. We have now entered into the 10th year of our ex istence and as I look back at the last year, despite the high incidences of violence, the community continued in resilience sometimes facing adverse situations but moving on with hope and some ray of light streaming through the dark alleyways that we sometimes are forced to tread on.

We have invested in our partnerships and their commitment has only enhanced and strengthened our work. Some of the key milestones this year has been the campaign on access to scholarships, about 9000 application forms were filed, land allotment to community members, access to schemes on en trepreneurship with special focus on Dalit and Ad ivasi women and girls. I also see a lot of hope in

the sustainable development goals but the key is to ensure participation of the community in imple mentation of these goals. As we move ahead to the year 2018, I am extremely proud of what DAAA has been able to achieve but also aware of the chal lenges ahead and the unfinished work but I believe in the community’s strength and vibrancy to take the work forward!

As we move forward ensuring Economic rights are within the reach of the community and paramount to empowering and enabling the community to wards a poverty free life our demand to legislate the Scheduled Caste Component and Scheduled Tribe Component will continue.

I am humbled to see the work and the immense contribution we are making but this would not have been possible without the ardent support of co-travellers; belief of the donors in our work and capacity to make a change; the team for their tire less work; the committee members who contribute their time and expertise. All this support is crucial to making a transformation and working towards a discrimination free world!

Jai Bhim

N Paul Divakar

General Secretary



Dalit Arthik Adhikar Andolan (DAAA) is one of the movements of Swadhikar/NCDHR, which looks into the economic rights of Dalits and Adivasis with spe cific focus on public entitlements towards discrimi nation free access to education and entrepreneurship related schemes and entitlements. It works on inclu-sion and promotion of the Dalits and Adivasis in the economy of the country.

DAAA works towards securing and strengthening rights of Dalits and Adivasis through the Constitu-tional provisions of budgetary allocation. It makes strategic intervention in budgeting, planning, alloca-tion and implementation via advocacy and research, through a thorough monitoring of funds allocated under special component plan for SC/ST. The gov ernment has initiated the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan, as an integral part of the SC/ST welfare fund.

The Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) were formulated as a mechanism for allocating plan fund towards the development of SCs and STs across Central Ministry and all depart-ments in the state in proportion to SC/ST population. However the review of the allocations under special component plan for the last three decades shows that its implementation has been deficit both at the centre and at the state level. It was this denial that DAAA responded with respect to economic, housing and ed-ucational rights and entitlements of the community. DAAA’s key emphasis is on budget tracking and en-abling Dalit & Adivasi communities towards utilisa-tion of allocated funds towards their developments. DAAA have initiated its work in 16 states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Telangana, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.

Plan and Non Plan Merger

In the budget speech delivered by Finance Minister in February 2016, a clear indication was made towards merging the plan and non-plan components of the budget. Based on the proposed merger, DAAA-NC-DHR headed a study to propose the parameters of such a merger from the point of view of Dalit and Ad-ivasi budgetary allocations. The research on policy

guidelines is a roadmap towards earmarking of funds to address the developmental needs of the SC and ST community. In the merged scenario of plan and non-plan we suggest, therefore, SCSP-TSP to be at least 10 % to be earmarked out of the total union budget, of which 6% for SCSP and 4% for TSP. The guiding principles of the above percentage allocations are as follows—

1. The new policy framework should be along the same guidelines that the Narendra Jadhav Com mittee 2010, that divide the Ministries and Depart ments (into Obligatory and Non- Obligatory) and mandate that they must design schemes as per the said percentage towards the development of Dal it and Adivasi community but notional schemes or mega projects are not to be included.

2. Ministries/ department that address concerns of gender vulnerable sections have been put under obligatory schemes.

3. Not just those schemes, which are there for survival but also, ensure development, protection, and participation.

NATIONAL AND STATE ADVOCACY

I. Engagement with Members of Parlia ment (MPs) and Nodal Ministries

In the course of the last parliamentary session DAAA team engaged with MPs on SCSP & TSP Legislation through appeal letter and shared legislation draft. 541 MPs of Lok Sabha were approached and shared bud get analysis with them. In the last budget session on individual level DAAA engaged with almost 70 MPs soon after the Budget presentation in the Parliament. Moreover the budget watch was shared with 700 MPs across different parties in the course of the last parliamentary session.

As an output of these engagements, some of the MPs raised the issue in the parliament during the zero hour. DAAA also engaged with the nodal ministries like the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA). Stra tegic advocacy and engagement with the officials helped in demanding an improved budget, policy guidelines, accountability and participation. This process of engagement reiterated the significance of



the effective implementation of SCSP/TSP and also tabled the issues faced by the Dalits and Adivasis in their access to budgets.

II. Engagement with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister

As a response to NITI Aayog transferring its re sponsibility of monitoring and reviewing SCSP-TSP implementation to the nodal ministries without set-ting up any necessary mechanisms in place, DAAA submitted an appeal letter to the Prime Minister and Finance minister to address the issue urgently. As a

result of constant engagement with Shri Ramadas Athawale, MSJE Minister of State, he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister regarding the same.

III. Engagement with the Ministry of Finance-Pre Budget Consultation

Swadhikar-DAAA was represented by Mr Paul Diva-kar in the pre-budget consultation called by Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley for the financial year 2017- 18. DAAA team gave inputs from the perspective of Dalit and Adivasis.



Some of the issues, which were taken up during the meeting, were large-scale diversion of funds meant for the welfare of SCs and STs. With the plan of merging the plan and non-plan budgets, the meeting further discussed the impact such a merger will have on the allocation and implementation of SCSP and TSP, since presently the estimation of the sub-plans is done exclusively from the planned component of the budget. But more importantly, the directives of Jadhav Committee for implementation of SCSP and TSP, which has been adopted by the government in 2010 as a framework for planning, allocation and im-plementation of sub-plans also needs to be realigned with the changes in budget process.

In addition, the consultation further discussed the is sue of lack of transparency and accountability mea sures to ensure effective implementation of the sub plans. It also emphasised on the inadequate alloca-tions under the developmental schemes, as most of the allocation under developmental schemes are sur vival in nature.

Absence of necessary institutional mechanisms for the formulation, allocation, monitoring and evalua-tion is a major concern that limits the effectiveness of SCSP/TSP. Lastly the lack of gender perspective in the allocations have neglected the needs of the SC/ST women and have further delayed their development. The meeting also presented the recommendations of people’s budget from SC & ST communities reflect-ing the overall expectations and requirements of the marginalised communities from the Union govern ment.

IV. ADVOCACY ON HIGHER EDUCA TION

DAAA engaged with 30 MPs of Lok Sabha and Ra-jya Sabha on higher education issues. As a result of constant engagement, Rajya Sabha MP, Mr. Pradeep Tamta wrote a letter to Prime Minister and Finance Minister in order to release the outstanding PMS funds to all the states.

Apart from this, a delegation comprising of the pro-

fessors from Central University Hyderabad along with DAAA engaged with Parliamentarians across the party line, Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Caste, Chairperson of the Standing committee SC/ST Welfare and Delhi Chief Minister to discuss the continuous Atrocities and intimidation faced by students and faculty in the University and sought support for justice for Rohit Vemula.

Based on desk research of allocations made under higher education schemes and information collect ed through RTI, details of pending scholarship were brought to fore. This research provided grounds for formulating an advocacy strategy to take forward with concerned Ministries. An appeal letter was drafted and submitted to Union Finance Ministry and Ministry of State, Minister of Social Justice and Em powerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs, detailing urgent steps needed to release of funds.

A delegation led by Mr N Paul Divakar, personally met and engaged on the question of higher education scholarship with Mr. Thawar Chand Gehlot, Min-ister for Social Justice and Empowerment and Shri Ramadas Athawale. Mr Paul Divakar stressed on the need to urgently release the funds to support Dalit and Adivasi student’s access to higher education. A memorandum was drafted and submitted to the Fi-nance Ministry as part of the pre-budget consultation, to release the said pending amount.

During the current FY 2017-18, a letter stating pend ing amount of scholarship along with other budget ary gaps and challenges was sent to all Ministries in cluding Finance Ministries, and the nodal Ministries requesting for immediate release of the funds. With respect to the delay in release of funds under PMS the team also met with 72 MPs across party lines to discuss the matter.

V. ROUND TABLE WITH MPS

Following the release of Union Budget 2017, two round table meetings were organised in February 2017, by DAAA-NCDHR to discuss budget analy



sis and take forward concerns to the Parliamentary for debate and discussion on the budget and other finance bills. The round table saw the participation from 7 MPs from various parties. The meeting reiter-ated the significance of the effective implementation of SCSP/TSP and also tabled the issue of releasing the pending amount under Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for the educational needs of the Dalit and Ad-ivasi students.

VI. APPEAL IN THE PARLIAMENT ON BUDGET CUTS

Following the roundtable discussion with the Par liamentarians, Shri Jitendra Chaudhury, Lok Sabha MP, took forward an appeal letter to Prime Minister on SCSP & TSP budget fund cuts and pending PMS. In this process 26 signatures from MPs belonging to different political parties was collected and submitted to the Prime Minister. Taking forward this initiative, Shri PK Biju, Lok Sabha- MP, is in the process of collecting signatures for filing an appeal to the PMAs a result of DAAA advocacy efforts, MPs across party lines raised questions on pending PMS for last two financial years.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Following the release of Union Budget 2017-18, Press Conference was organised to share first round of budget analysis with the media. The Press Con ference saw a panel of N Paul Divakar, Abhay Xaxa, Vimal Thorat, Beena J. Pallical and Ravi Duggal. During the conference DAAA-NCDHR analysis of the 2017-18 budgets were shared with media. The meeting highlighted the violations of the budgetary rights of the Dalits and Adivasis and stressed on the need to have appropriate allocation for the develop ment of the SC and ST community. The press confer ence was attended by 19 media persons and followed by 20 reports in English and Hindi major daily news papers.

CONSULTATION WITH PARLIAMENTARI-ANS ON SDGS

DAAA participated and supported in mobilising the

MPs for the consultation with Parliamentarians or ganised by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan to discuss the im-plementation of the Sustainable Development Goals with a people-centric approach. The consultation was an effort to bring civil society and MPs on one table to strategize and explore the role of the Parliament in the effective monitoring of the implementation of SDGs.

RESEARCH AND BUDGET ANALYSIS

ANALYSIS OF SCSP/TSP AT THE UNION AND STATE LEVEL: 2017-18

Union Budget 2017-18, which was released on 1st February 2017, introduced two important elements that will have deep impact on the developmental needs and aspirations of the Dalit and Adivasi com munity - 1) paradigmatic shift away from Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub plan (SCSP-TSP) towards a welfare for ‘SCs and STs model’ and 2) merger of plan and non-plan.

As a result of recent changes in Union Budget of 2017-18, SCSP and TSP which were covered un der Statement 21 and 21A, have been replaced by ‘Allocations for welfare of Scheduled Castes’, un der Statement 10A and ‘Allocations for welfare of Scheduled Tribes’ under Statement 10B respective ly. This unwarranted, which is retrogressive mak-ing SCs and STs mere beneficiaries of welfare, pro grammes. Dissolving the ‘plan’ component of the budget leaves SCSP-TSP in a limbo in the absence of guidelines from either the Finance Ministry or NITI Aayog. Not only this, several hitherto admin expenses of Non-Plan in nature like salaries and Pensions of employees are allocated for SC/ST Wel fare schemes.

Ministry of Finance issued clear directions to all the relevant ministries/ Departments via GO No. F.1 (16)- B (AC/ 2011) dated 23rd August 2016 to fol low the Jadhav guidelines for allocations towards SC/ST schemes. According to these guidelines, the applications under the Sub-Plans were to be in pro portion to the population.



In the previous year 2016-17, 16.6% for SCs and 8.6% for the STs of the plan budgetary allocations were due allocations under the Sub-Plans. This amounted to Rs. 91,386 Crores for SCs and to Rs. 47,276 Crores for STs. These allocations equal to 4.63% for SCs and 2.39% for STs as proportion to the Total Budget Expenditure.

Taking this as the benchmark for allocation, the 2017-18 budget, due allocations for SCs at 4.63% and STs at 2.39% of the Total Budget Expenditure for the current year 2017-18 are Rs. 99,394 Cr. for SCSP and Rs.51, 307 Cr for TSP. Instead, in the Union Budget a total of Rs. 47,001 Crores for SC’s and Rs. 19,387 Cr for ST’s have been clearly denied by the Central government.

Analysing the allocations under SCSP-TSP, DAAA-NCDHR’s analysis revealed that previ-ous trend of under-allocation continues in 2017-18 with SCSP comprising only 2.50% and TSP to only 1.53% of the Total Budget Expenditure which is not even- half of the mandated amount in the Union Budget 2017-18. This is in clear violation of the Jadhav guidelines in the Post Merger Scenario.

DALIT ADIVASI BUDGET WATCH 2015-17

DAAA released a study titled, “Dalit Adivasi Bud get Watch: 2015-2017” based on research and study of the Union and 15 state government’s budget doc uments for last two financial years. The document scrutinizes the budgetary allocations under the sub plans to understand the current scenario of the Dalit and Adivasi budgetary allocations. The study brings forth gross diversion of funds under the sub-plans both at the Union and State level. DAAA team also analyzed fund allocation against the developmental needs of the community from a human rights per-spective. In addition, the study asserts the need of participation of the community in the formulation and planning of policies. The document presents a comprehensive picture taking into account four categories of budgets namely allocated amounts, notional or paper allocation and targeted amounts.

EMPOWERING DALIT WOMEN TO ACCESS PUBLIC ENTITLEMENTS

DAAA in collaboration with Nazdeek is working with two Dalit communities in Delhi with an aim to build a network of Dalit women paralegals in order to access reproductive health services and related rights to food and water and sanitation. The partner-ship seeks to capacitate the community on budget analysis and expenditure, grievance redressal mech-anisms and advocacy thus enabling them to access their rights.

A baseline study was conducted in six communities across Delhi to identify the communities for inter vention. Out of the 6-communities surveyed Ambed kar-camp and Khajuri Khas areas were selected. Baseline study included desk research, meetings and interviews with grassroot organisations, several community visits and FDGs with women community members. Communities were selected on the basis of women’s commitment to participate, their access to entitlements, discrimination faced based on gender, caste and religion, presence of local groups to facil itate project implementation. Based on the engage ment with the community women, training module for the community trainings and capacity building will be developed.

DALIT BUDGET RESOURCE CENTRES (DBRC) FOR ENSURING ACCESS TO SCSP AND TSP SCHEMES

DAAA initiated DBRCs in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Haryana. Currently, DAAA an-chors 13 centres across the country. These centres have helped the community to access schemes for their socio-economic development. Each of these centres caters, on an average to about 2000 Dalit men and women who utilise the services of the cen-tre to access benefits from the Dalit schemes. The centres organise village level meetings, aiming to create awareness on available schemes aimed at the development of Dalit community. These meetings highlight the issue of non-allocation and underutili-sation of SCSP/TSP funds in the state budget. It aims to create an awareness and consciousness among the community in order to hold the representatives ac countable. These meetings have translated into the community being mobilised to demand their due share. DAAAs efforts have led to an in-



crease in the awareness amongst the Dalit com-munity on SCSP and developed capacity of a large number of Dalit activists and community leaders.

NDA SECOND YEAR REVIEW

DAAA-NCDHR contributed to the Government’s annual review anchored by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan. The review of the Dalit rights chapter was anchored by DAAA-NCDHR. As part of the advocacy process, through the chapter an attempt was made to analyse the functioning of the government— representation of Dalit community in the Cabinet, schemes intro duced under SCSP-TSP and budgetary allocations under schemes under SCSP-TSP in the year 2015-16, malnutrition amongst Dalit community, critique

of Swach Bharat Abhiyan drawing from the critique of Safai Karamchari Andolan and the passing of the Amendment to SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989 Act by the Rajya Sabha. The analysis acknowl edged the efforts made by the government like pass ing of the Amendment in Rajya Sabha. The analy-sis and the book formulate a nodal point of advocacy with the government and different parties to put forth the agenda of the specified groups.

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDINGNATIONAL TRAINING ON UNDERSTANDING BUDGET POLICY AND ADVOCACY: SCHED ULED CASTE SUB PLAN /TRIBAL SUB PLAN AND GENDER BUDGETS

In order to capacitate and facilitate the community on



the budgets especially the SCSP/TSP, DAAA organ ised a four days training programme on “Understand ing Budgets, Policy and Advocacy: Scheduled Caste Sub Plan/Tribal Sub Plan and Gender Budgets” in May 2016. The training unpacked the various dimen sions of budgets and evolved a shared perspective on budgets as an approach for more decisive realisation of one’s human rights as it impacts every individual residing within the economy. The training brought together 41 participants from 14 states from diverse backgrounds and sectors namely health, maternal health, sanitation, livelihood, education, housing, food security, land and forest rights, women’s rights, and entrepreneurship in order to promote conceptual understanding on the budgets, policy, advocacy and gender budgets.

The broad thematic areas covered in the training pro-gramme were Budget Basics Concepts and processes in the budget formulation, Budget Enactment Process, Codification of Budgetary items, Budget analysis, Gender Budgeting, RTI, Budget Audit and Advocacy cycle. Emphasis was laid on understanding different aspects of Budgets and on practical implementation to address human rights concerns. The course took an action learning approach, with scenarios, activities, and games that provided an opportunity for every participant to actively participate in the programme and receive in-depth understanding about the topics discussed. It also provided an opportunity to enrich the existing debates and discussions on budgets and policies from a gendered perspective especially from the point of view of Dalit women.

REGIONAL BUDGET TRAINING

Dalit Arthik Adhikar Andolan (DAAA) in collabo ration with Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation (HRF) organised a four day training pro gramme “Regional Training Of Trainers: Institute on Budget Policy and Advocacy” from the perspective of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan with special emphasis on Gender Budgets in Chennai. The training was developed for the civil society organisa-tions particularly for those working on budgets and enabled the participants to do an effective analysis of the government budgets and policies particularly from the viewpoint of Dalits and Adivasis. The need for the regional training arose from the national train-

ing conducted earlier in the year and was based on the reflections and ideas from the national training.

SUPPORTING FELLOWSHIP HOLDERS

DAAA in the course of this year, to ensure Dalit/Ad ivasi women’s participation and leadership in budget work, and to impart the skills to access their rights and entitlements provided fellowship to eight Dalit women in this year. The fellowship helped to provide hands on training to these activists on budget analy sis, monitoring and filing of RTIs, advocacy with the state governments, filing PILs accessing schemes etc.

HIGHER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

‘The backward classes have come to realize that af-ter all education is the greatest material benefit for which they can fight. We may forego material bene-fits, we may forego material benefits of civilization, but we cannot forego our right and opportunities to reap the benefit of the highest education to the fullest extent. That is the importance of this question from the point of view of the backward classes who have just realized that without education their existence is not safe.’

-- B.R. AMBEDKAR

The suicide of a Dalit PhD scholar, Rohit Vemula saw a coming together of Dalit-Adivasi students to demand their right to higher education. In the light of these developments, National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights’ unit, Dalit Arthik Adhikar Andolan launched a campaign in 13 states namely UP, Bi-har, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Gujarat, Mad-hya Pradesh and Jharkhand on higher education. The rampant instances of discrimination and exclusion are closely tied to absence of financial assistance and absence of structures to address instances of discrim-ination and exclusion. Such a scenario called for an urgent need to address the underlying reasons for dis-crimination and exclusion rampant in higher educa-tional institutions. A campaign was designed to make necessary intervention with this respect across eight states.

STUDENT GROUP MEETINGS

All the states focussed on organising student meet-ings in order to understand the problem of scholar-



ship delays and strategies for future action plan. A total of 278 meetings were conducted in which 9645 students participated, of which 6971 were men and 2674 were women. These meetings focused on un-derstanding the issues faced by the student groups in colleges across the given states and creating a mo-mentum to ensure these students demand their rights from the government.

REACHING OUT TO CSOS/CLOS

Meetings were held with networks of CSO/CLOs to discuss and understand the situation of higher educa-tion. These identified CSO/CLO networks have been working with the community on a range of issues. These meetings provided insights into the status of access to higher education, roadblocks in accessing the same. The meeting were also used as an oppor-tunity to introduce these networks to the campaign and the objective of the campaign and together draw a blueprint of future plan of action on the same. A total of 112 CSO/CLO meetings were held across the 8 states in which 3290 CSO/CLO members and indi-viduals participated.

FILING OF APPLICATIONS TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION

Scholarships are the critical enablers for SC /ST stu dents from economically poor background to pursue higher education. One of the most important schol arships, which have enabled the students from these communities to pursue higher education, is the PMS, which is the oldest and largest Scholarship scheme implemented in Independent India.

In order to achieve the desired end in all the 13 states drawing from the meetings with student groups and CSO/CLOs total of 7381 applications were filed out of which 2884 were filed for female students and 4497 for male students.

COMPILING OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF STUDENTS

On realising the challenges and difficulties faced by students in accessing scholarship, student pro file forms was developed to incorporate different socio-economic-cultural profiles and markers of the students for whom different higher education appli cations were being filed. These forms are designed

to get additional information to assist as evidence for advocacy with policy makers, bureaucrats, and ad ministrative authorities. For all the states a database is being maintained at the state level to monitor our progress in enabling the access to scholarship by the students.

FILING OF RTIs

To further assist the information gathering and com pilation, RTIs were filed both at the central and state level to gather information on the status of applica tion and disbursement of funds around a number of schemes. Two sets of questions were identified and filed at state and national level. The questions filed at state level were standardised across the states to ensure standardised responses. Total 206 RTIs were filed out of which 95 RTI replies received and in 60 cases follow-up RTI has been done. The information obtained was analysed and is being used to file com plaint letters and memorandum.

SUBMISSION OF COMPLAINTS AND MEMO RANDUM

Based on the information collected the process of fil-ing complaints and memorandums to the concerned officials has been ongoing at the campus and state level. A total of 320 complaints and memorandums led by student leaders and CSOs have been submitted by making personal representations to the officials and policy makers for resolving the issues related to pending scholarships, hostel facilities, extension of date for filing online applications, non-disbursal of PMS fund to states, delayed scholarship were sub mitted to the District collector, CM Officer, Dept. of Higher Education, Tribal Advisory committee, Dept. of Tribal Welfare, Dept. of Planning, Dept. of Fi-nance, Dept. of Social Welfare, SC/ST Commission, SC/ST Commission and Governor Office at state level and district level. As a result of advocacy and engagement with government the concerned author ities have taken authorities in 151 cases have taken necessary action. This also includes delegations com prising of student leaders, officials and policy makers for resolving the issue of delayed scholarship. A total of 31 delegations were initiated in 8 states.

CHATRA SAMVADIYA- narratives of discrimina



tion and exclusion from muffasil margins

DAAA organised the first Students conversation on the lines of a tribunal on issues of discrimination and exclusion experienced by students from Dalit and Adivasi background. The conversations were first of its kind in the country.

The Chatra Samadiya was jointly organised by the Swadhikar/ NCDHR, Centre for the study of Dis-crimination and Exclusion (CSDE) and School of Liberal Studies in March, saw narratives of students from mussafil margins. These students came from small universities across the country. Narratives of 15 students from 9 Universities from—Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Rajasthan were represent ed. The cases ranged from problems students face while applying online, students from one state face

while applying for scholarships in another state, non-compliance of High Court guidelines as in Punjab, delay and denial of PMS, issues with Ra jiv Gandhi National Fellowship and academic dis crimination. Stories of institutional and structural problems surfaced.

The jury comprising of Dr R.C. Gandhi, Prof Chin-na Rao, Ms Annie Namala, Prof Vimal Thorat, Prof Sukumar and Mr Nikhil Dey interacted and delib-erated deeply on each case deposed. The jury pre-sented a detailed list of recommendations specific to each section and some general in nature. Further, the event saw the sharing of Rohith Act, drafted by DAAA- NCDHR. One of the key demands of the movement was to initiate and enact “ROHITH ACT” for total eradication of caste-based discrimi nation in all kinds of educational institutions.



SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR drafted Rohith Act that is titled “SC & ST Eradication of Caste based Dis-crimination and promotion of Inclusive and equita-ble learning Campuses in Educational Institutions 2016”. The Act proposes to provide for setting an equity committee in any kind of educational insti-tutions with power to recommend punitive actions in case their enquiry establishes the occurrence of caste and ethnicity based discrimination. The draft also proposes for promotion of equity and inclu sive environment in campuses of educational in stitutions at all levels of education from primary schools to highest levels of education.

COALITION MEETING

Coalition meeting of ‘National Coalition on SCP/TSP’ was called for and organised in Delhi in March, 2017. It saw the participation of state part ners and coordinators from across 12 states. The meeting was held in the wake of continuous stream

of new developments and changes taking place in the current political context, having a huge im-pact on the implementation of SCSP and TSP and the Economic Rights on Dalits and Adivasis. The Union Budget 2017-18 saw not only the merger of plan and non-plan component of the budget but also the disproportionate allocations under the sub plans which have done away with and replaced by welfare schemes. Marking a paradigmatic shift away from sub plan towards a welfare approach.

The coalition meeting discussed the new formula proposed by DAAA-NCDHR for allocation under Sub-plans for Dalits and Adivasis. The meeting was called to mobilise as a collective and come to-gether under the Coalition of SCP TSP Legislation and re-strategize on taking forward the response to budgetary allocation in the merged scenario and effectively contribute to SDG implementation and tracking at national level.



ACCESS TO JUSTICEPassage of SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amended Act in January 2016 and Rules 424 women trained on legal mechanisms



Amidst socio-economic and political challenges, the year 2016-17 is reflective of the committed work in strengthening rights of the Dalit and Ad-ivasi communities; as well as witnessed the pas-sage of SC ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amended Act in January 2016 and Rules on 14 April, 2016. This legislative amendment is marked as the first major achievement of the year. The enforcement of Rules on 14 April is also significant as it coincided with the 125th revolutionary centenary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which remains very significant to the Dalit communities and to the ideals of social justice in our country.

The past year was a conscious attempt by NDMJ to focus on extensive training and capacitation programmes on “Dalit and Adivasi Human Rights and Monitoring” at different levels from District to National with a special focus on Perspective build ing on Rights of Women and addressing Violence against Dalit women. A total of 424 women were trained in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, and about 90 Dalit and Adivasi wom-en at the two regional workshops with the aim to

focus on paralegal awareness, Dalit-Adivasi wom en leadership building and perspective building on Women’s Rights.

Similarly, this reporting year was significant as our area of involvement expanded to work with ad dressing discrimination based on caste, gender and ethnicity in schools institutions and to foreground the Campaign on Zero Discrimination in Educa-tional Institutions. This process involved major consultations and meetings. These meetings and trainings have generated positive impact by way of foregrounding the concepts of Human Rights to community, mainstreaming gender equity and rights of children in ways of debate, discussion and understanding, and thus enabling our overall objec-tive of Access to Justice.

Intervention in cases of atrocities on the members of the communities in the year have been system-atically carried out with 212 fact finding missions conducted and followed up by NDMJ and partners in the states. Similarly, the issue of police torture to-wards the Kuravan Community was reported by the


three member committee to the National Commis-sion for Scheduled Castes, the commission sub-mitted the report as a Special Report of the com-mission to the President of India to take necessary legal action. Involvement at the International lev-el was also a significant, as part of III Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of United Nation Com mission for Human rights (UNCHR) on country human rights status. This year NCDHR and part-ners prepared Joint Stakeholders report and Fact Sheet on the violation of Rights and entitlements of the Dalits and Adivasis in India. Participation in the UPR Pre-Session in Geneva on 4th April 2017 was also ensured to make a statement on the denial of rights to Dalits and Adivasis.

However, the assertion of rights, claims and digni-ty by Dalit and Adivasi community has witnessed a major challenge, with backlash violence against the communities and HRDs; torture by police, prolonged trail and pendency in courts, being the major concerns. Nevertheless, to take the work forward, despite the present challenges it is im-portant for NDMJ- NCDHR to revisit our strate-gies to promote and protect the Civil and Political rights of the community and HRDs by engaging with the communities, partner organizations, state

authorities and engaging with UN bodies on rais ing the issues of CBD & Violence and to build awareness on rights, entitlements and implemen-tation of SCs and STs PoA Amended Act and Rules in order to move forward towards a more inclusive, just and democratic society.

Lastly, I extend my gratitude to the National and State teams and all our Partners for their commit-ment and efforts.

In the year 2016-17, National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ) , engaged in extensive capacita tion programmes and consultations from the dis trict to the National level on “Dalit and Adivasi Human Rights Monitoring” with a special focus on perspective building on Rights of Women and Children. The process involved capacity building of CSOs, CLOs, community members, students, women and men activists. These trainings have generated positive impacts by way of foreground-ing the concepts of Human Rights to the commu-nity, mainstreaming gender equity and rights of children in ways of debate, discussion and under-standing.

Dr. V.A. Ramesh Nathan

Ganeral Secretary NDMJ



PROMOTING DALIT AND ADIVASI HUMAN RIGHTS CAPACITATION OF ACTIVISTS, NGOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS ON HU-MAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS order to promote and protect human rights of Dalit, Adivasi, women and children; NDMJ National and State team along State Partners (NGOs) identified 457 organizations (218 CSOs and 239 CLOs) across 8 states to enhance their capacitation for the promo-tion of Human Rights, enabling access to justice and dialogue for the community. This process of identi fication involved meetings at the ground level and 8 intensive preparatory meetings across states to build a wider network of Dalit and Adivasi community sol idarity. For the purpose of holding trainings on Human Rights mechanisms, a ‘Training Manual on Human Rights Mechanisms’ was developed through a con-sultative process. The manual gives an overview on perspective building on human rights and an over-view of National and International legislations and mechanisms.

The manual was compiled in English and translated into 5 languages: Hindi, Odiya, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu with 1700 plus copies printed. These manu-als were released and distributed to CSOs and CLOs during trainings.National Level Training of Trainers (ToT) was or ganized by NDMJ on Human Rights Mechanism to train partner representatives. 45 representatives of NGOs were capacitated to further capacitate repre-sentatives at state and district levels. In turn, at State level 496 representatives of Civil So ciety Organizations (CSOs) and 838 Community Led Organizations (CLOs) were trained at district level. The Training of Trainers (ToT) at all levels focused on understanding the theoretical conceptualization of human rights, existing international and national level legislations, new amendments under Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocity-PoA) Amendment Act 2015, specific legislations pertain ing to Women and Children. The training also capac itated techniques to conduct fact findings in cases of atrocity and skills required while engaging with judi cial authorities.



PARALEGAL TRAININGS ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO DALIT AND ADIVASI WOMEN The systematic violence against Dalit and Adivasi women based on caste, ethnicity and gender contin ues inspite of relevant legislations. As per Nation-al Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2005-2006, more number of Dalit and Adivasi women are targets of vi olence. SC women is more (11.0%) than Other wom-en (7.8%) vulnerable, 90% women as are employed as Manual Scavengers (UNHCR), and forced into the Devadasi system (90%) (NCRB 2001-2015]. The more assertion of Dalit community as a whole is re sulting in increase in caste based violence as a retalia tion and this particularly affects women and children. Realizing the requirement for specific intervention to

combat violence against Dalit and Adivasi women in order to visibalise, create platforms and render assis tance in accessing justice capacity building prgrams of Dalit and Adivasi women were conducted. Two regional level trainings in North and South re gion for Women on Para Legals were held with 90 plus women defenders trained on legal capacitation with special focus on special acts like SCs and STs PoA Act and Rules, POCSO, Criminal Code as Amended etc. The trainings served as a platform for legal solu-tions to access justice. At state level also paralegal trainings were conducted in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh with a fo cus on leadership building of women, perspective building on women’s rights and legal awareness. A total of 838 HRDs were trained at the district level



out of which 474 are women and the rest are men, at the state level about 496 were trained out of which 156 are women and 340 are men. Paralegal trainings were imparted to a total of 424 women HRDs and of course a total of about 1893 DHRDs were trained.IMPACT OF CAPACITY BUILDING PRO-GRAMMES• Enhanced knowledge on human rights mech anisms and laws among community leaders• Increased focus on addressing incidents of violence against Dalit and Adivasi women• Increased focus on addressing discrimination and violence in schools• Active volunteers contributing to gender justice work and developing their own indi vidual plans to engage with the movement for Dalit women issues by continuing their studies and work • Growing networking within likeminded or ganizations and individuals at local level and increasing link with the state partners• Raised knowledge about schemes run by state and central government which claim on provision of equal rights and entitlements,• Increased registered users of ATM • As a major outcome of the trainings at state and district levels at the end of March 2017 around 1214 change agents have been re-corded who have been taking part in regular meetings awareness camps, monitoring schools, fact finding missions.A.Fact Finding of Atrocities The trainings assisted fact finding (FF) team mem-bers and new change agents to be capacitated in (i) awareness of national and international Human rights mechanisms, (ii) conducting FF missions and follow ups (iii) raise awareness to victims and witnesses on their rights (iv) engaging with concerned authorities as per provisions of the SCs and STs PoA Act and other relevant legal provisions.

Across 12 states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) a total of 212 fact finding missions (FFMs) have been conducted on caste and ethnicity based atrocity with regular follow-up of cases. The table below provides a compiled overview of FFMs carried out with type of atrocity and persons affected.The fact findings cases reflect different forms of vio-lence and discriminationsAn Analysis: The fact finding missions carried out across 12 states reflect an increase in atrocities related to physical assault, caste abuse, atrocities on Dalit and Adivasi Women and Children. • wherein the number of affected persons is much higher with 77 men, 30 women and 20 children affected. • Interventions in 51 cases of Sexual Violence have been carried out, this nature of violence remains one of the most heinous crimes com mitted against Dalit - Adivasi Women and children. • These 51 cases of Sexual Violence include assault, harassment, gang rape, rape and murder. The worrisome trend emerging re mains that of Minors being vulnerable targets of Sexual Assault, the number of children targeted is higher with 37 affected children and 29 affected adult women. • The Dalit and Adivasi community also face threat of life as the FF missions reported 25 cases of 20 men, 2 women and 3 children being murdered; the cases are being followed up by our trained activists and partners. • When calculating the total crimes against women and children covered under the FF missions the cases total to 151.• Similarly the rise in total number of children affected totals up to 65 with 15 cases of atroc ities within Schools and Hostels that require specific attention in dealing with cases relat



ed to assault and discrimination against chil dren. • Access to justice - The national and state teams are engaged in regular follow up of these cases to ensure penal and pecuniary as sistance to the survivors of atrocities. • Regular follow up with authorities for re lease of relief, a total amount of Rs. 91,18, 800/- has been disbursed. FILING OF RIGHT TO INFORMATION (RTI) AND PREPARATION OF FACT SHEETS The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a valuable tool for making the state and its functionaries accountable. NDMJ continue to file RTI applications for monitor ing of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (PoA) Act and Rules. In the trainings, HRDs were trained to use RTI Act as a tool. In this year, RTI applica-tions were filed in 52 Ministries/Departments. The RTI responses on the status of functioning of various committees under the SCs and STs PoA Rule were assessed and Fact Sheets was prepared for the States of Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Bihar; the fact sheets have been disseminated at trainings, to partners and HRDs and used as advocacy material. ENGAGEMENT WITH CONCERNED COM-MISSIONS AND INSTITUTIONS NDMJ with the wider network of CSO’s, CLO’s and Dalit HRD’s are regularly engaging for follow up of cases with the authorities which includes Nation al, Regional and State Commissions of the SCs and STs, Human Rights, Child Rights and Women Rights DIG, IG for Weaker Sections, DGPs, SPs, SHOs and District Magistrates (DM). These interventions are necessary:• To strengthen the implementation of SCs and STs PoA Amended act 2015 and Rules 2016. • Representations are submitted through per sonal appointments along with the survivors demanding action to be taken by the police authorities. • Engagements with the authority also helped

in building awareness amongst victims and witness on their rights as they are exposed to mechanisms available in seeking justice.• In Rajasthan, partner CDR has been asked to be the supporting agency for monitoring of atrocity on the Dalit community in District Vigilance Monitoring Committee (DVMC) and State Vigilance Monitoring Committee (SVMC). The officials informed CDR to se lect the volunteers to be involved in the pro cess of monitoring. LEGAL SUPPORT TO SURVIVORS: LEGAL RESOURCE CENTRES (LRC) / LEGAL CLIN ICS LRC was set up in the state of Rajasthan and Tam il Nadu last year. This year Legal Clinics were held in Uttar Pradesh with Bharatiya Jan Seva Ashram in Jaunpur on 30.7.2016, in Haryana on 23.07.16 at Hissar and in Bihar on 28.08.2016. The legal centers/clinics are envisaged as sustainable structures that would support legal interventions by (i) providing efficient and fast legal aid to the Dalit victims (ii) an important strategy for intervening in special court by facilitating the appointment of spe-cial public prosecutor by filing petitions in the court.• In Uttar Pradesh, 20 critical cases were dis cussed with advocates, HRDs and survivors. Poten tial advocates were identified to file for Special Pub lic Prosecutors (SPP) appointment in selected cases with 20 applications on behalf of victim to DM sub mitted. • In Haryana, 5 critical cases were discussed and 5 applications on behalf of victims to DM were submitted.• In Bihar, 20 applications on behalf of victims were submitted to the DM.REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS: • Establishment of LRC has strengthened Ac cess to Justice Campaign in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu



• Dr. Ambedkar Legal Resource Centre Vi luppuram District Tamil Nadu provided expert legal counseling to 52 victims & witnesses of Caste Based Discrimination (CBD) • Advocates at the LRC shared their expertise and supported the victims in filing petitions, obtain ing FIR, charge sheet and other legal proceedings • LRC are proving to be a resource Centre for the advocates, interns and research scholar as they can access wide range of books from the LRC library.• In Rajasthan, the centre is also part of the delegation to meet with the high authorities in police, Commissions, administration and Government along with the petitioner/victims/survivors for accessing justice.ADVOCATES CONSULTATIONS AND WORK-ING TOWARDS FORMATIONS OF FORUMS

NDMJ conducted Advocates Consultations in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. These consultations mainly focused on building advocates collectives at state level to capaci tate them on human rights perspective, encourage ad-vocates to take up cases, thirdly to galvanize lawyers collective. 100 plus advocates participated in the consultations and formation of State level advocates forums are envisaged in 10 states. National team in collabora-tion with state partners has identified 232 advocates (37 women and 195 men). The purpose of Advocate forums at state level is to create judicial mechanisms for the survivors to access justice. Regular meetings have been conducted in the states of Tamil Nadu, Ut tar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Bihar and Advocates forum will be established in the near future.



MONITORING OF SPECIAL COURTS AND APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTORS (SPP) TO ASSISTS SURVI-VORS Monitoring the Special Courts is a significant stage of realizing justice for survivors of atrocities. As a follow up of fact finding cases the Advocates Fo rum members are encouraged to file application in court for an appointment of SPP cases. With con-sistent follow up of cases in 6 cases Public Pros ecutors (2 SPPs in Tamil Nadu, 1 SPP in Uttar Pradesh and 3 Public Prosecutors in Haryana) have been appointed during this year. SPECIFIC ISSUES:INTERVENTIONS THROUGH TAMIL NADU HIGH COURT AND NATIONAL COMMIS-SION FOR SCHEDULED CASTESHeinous crimes against the Kuruvan communi-ty: The NDMJ National team along with Tamil Nadu partner SASY has been engaged in advocat ing justice for the Kuravan community members of Tamil Nadu against police atrocity. With con stant advocacy a Three Member Committee was formed by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). Consequently, team has submitted a report with recommendations for action to state government. In order to create further pressure for justice, as next level of strategy the NCSC and na-tional team have reworked, a special report on “Po lice atrocity against Kuravan Community in Tamil Nadu” on the lines of the report submitted by the three member committee. In the month of August, 2016 NCSC submitted special report to the Presi dent of India for special recognition and action in the case. NDMJ and SASY have jointly decided to go ahead with filling a writ petition in the High Court of Tamil Nadu.INTERVENTIONS THROUGH HIGH COURT OF TAMIL NADUNegligence of Police to File Atrocity Case: In Tam il Nadu, an incident of Brutal Attack of a Dalit man Santo (29.05.2016) was taken up to Sub Inspector

(SI) Vivekandan who was reluctant and negligent in receiving the victim complaint and filing the FIR (the SI has a record in filing counter cases against Dalits, Tribals).The SI registered F.I.R but later on closed the case calling it as false case. SASY peti tioned this as willful negligence of SI Vivekanan-dan to the District Superintendent of Police (DSP) under section 4 of SCs and STs (PoA) Act 2015. However, SP was reluctant to take action, tried to mediate first rather than to act. Then SASY ap proached High court and filed petition to re-open the case and demanded for punishment of the Sub Inspector. As a result of continuous follow-up by partner on 19th October, 2016 Madras high court ordered suspension of the Sub Inspector. The case of Santo is reopened and is under investigation.INTERVENTION THROUGH DELHI HIGH COURT Sunped Case- CBI and transfer of hearing of case to Delhi Court:. In this case two Dalit children were burnt alive by the dominant caste. The team dili gently follows up the case by organizing FFM and series of meeting with the victims and the commu-nity to strengthen the petition. Pursuant to it, team met with the NCSC, CBI officials, appeared in Ju venile Court, Faridabad and also held meeting with DC Faridabad. In consultation with the survivors it was decided to file a petition in Supreme Court to expedite the submission of Charge sheet by the CBI officer. Petition was filed on 29.06.16 with the support of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) for early filing of charge sheet by the CBI officers as well as to transfer the case hearing to Delhi court from the Punchkula court and aim to support this case by providing legal aid for ensuring justice to the victims. On 21st October 2016 SC transferred petition to Punjab and Haryana court.WRIT PETITION FOR PROPER IMPLE-MENTATION OF SC/ST POA, ACT 1989Writ Petition Civil No.140.2016: National Cam paign on Dalit Human Rights filed a Public Inter-est Litigation titled as “ National Campaign on Dal it Human Rights & Ors vs. Union of India &Ors



(Writ Petition Civil No - 140, filed in 2006 ) , ag grieved by the non-implementation of the Sched uled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Writ petition was followed through by advocate Colin Gonsalves (HRLN) and has been disposed by Supreme Court of India on 15.12.2016. ATROCITY TRACKING MONITORING SYSTEM (ATM)In 2016-17, trainings were provided to DHRDs and state partners in accessing ATM tool to up-load and track the progress of the case. In order to visibalize this tool campaign were organized in other training programmes as well. In this year, 2 follow up trainings on ATM System was orga-nized with the objective to review the usage of ATM.North & South Regional Follow up Trainings on ATM : The North region training conducted during May and June 2016. The follow up train ing was conducted with the objective to review the usage of the application, to provide orienta tion on ATM for new users, and also update the users on the new features on the website. The training also extensively focused on the impact and sharing session on the use of the ATM Tool in which many DHRDs shared the positive usage of the ATM application with regard to making the police personnel alert and bringing them into ac tion to file FIRs under Amended POA Act. Training of Trainers on ATM usage: In Novem-ber,2016, Training of Trainers (TOT) for 25 iden tified users from 15 states was conducted on us age of Atrocity Tracking & Monitoring System (ATM) in New Delhi. The core objective of ToT was to strengthen capacities of identified users for visibilizing ATM support system in their states. During the training participants shared their ex periences of using ATM system as resulting in positive impact. CAMPAIGN BUILDING TOWARDS A ZERO DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOL ED-UCATION

The prevalence of violence and discrimination in schools and the documentation of evidence from intervention at field level led to the realization of an urgent need to spearhead a campaign at the school level thereby addressing CBD in schools, engaging in awareness building and monitoring of violence and discriminatory practices in school. Therefore, in the month of March 2016, a Na tional level consultation to launch the campaign on “Zero discrimination in schools” focusing on multiple levels of interventions was organized to spread awareness in schools, to authorities, stu-dents and parents on rights of children, entitle-ments, and the possibility on discrimination free environment in schools. Eight preparatory meetings, around 90 ground level awareness building meetings and rallies have been conducted in 8 states with Dalit and Adivasi students, parents, teachers, experts, SMC members, school management and Block Edu-cation Officer, commission members, CSOs and CLOs etc. to build a larger campaign on zero dis crimination.Eight state level consultations (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odis ha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh) were conduct ed with participation of 1986 members including students, parents and teachers from Dalit- Adiva si community and CSOs etc. The consultations assisted in spearheading the Campaigns at state level and revealed the layered types of discrim ination and violence operational in schools and hostels based on caste:S.No. Types of discrimination and violence in schools and hostels1 Sexual Abuse 2 Caste biased mind-set prevailing among teachers and administration 3 Discrimination in Mid-day Meal being served, non-SC students refusing to eat with SC students4 No equal opportunities to Dalit and Adivasis



students in extracurricular activities

5 Dalit students are not allowed to drink water from common school pot

6 Corporal punishment, ethnic and caste based abusive language

7 Lack of proper attention to the learning abil ities of Dalit children

8 Dalit and Adivasi children made to clean class rooms and toilets

9 Dalit, Adivasi and minority children subject ed to perform personal chores of the teachers

10 SC and ST children do not receive their books, uniform and scholarships on time

11 Non-committed Teachers in government schools

12 lack of amenities in school; especially gov ernment schools in terms of lack of Infra structure (table-chairs, black boards, toilets, doors, grounds)

Total of 211 public and private schools have been identified by state partners to track the cas-es of CBD against Dalit and Adivasi children in schools. The evidence based intervention has revealed the existence of CBD in the education system operating at two levels – institutional and relational. Institutional discrimination includes the many ways in which the education system de nies equitable educational opportunities, services and supportive mechanisms to facilitate students from the marginalized communities to access an equal quality of education and to reduce educa tional inequalities between students from different socio-economic backgrounds. It may include both active and passive forms of discrimination, default and intention

As an outcome of vigorous engagement with students in eight states it has taken a shape of a campaign. In states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu core committees are formed to moni tor the schools. In Odisha, village based commit tees are formed to monitor schools. This regular

engagement in the form of meetings and monitor ing schools has helped in reaching out to 10,500 students and thereby making them aware of their rights and entitlements.

DISCRIMINATION IN HIGHER EDUCA TION AND INTERVENTION

SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR have been tracking cases of discrimination in higher institutions:

Muthu Krishnan - In the Month of March 2017, the incident of suicide of Dalit Scholar Mr. Muthu Krishnan from JNU, New Delhi citing the casteism in University shook the community. The state team stood with the parents of Muthu Krishnan, and oriented them on their rights and provisions in that situation. SWADHIKAR/ NC DHR team played a crucial role by supporting the parents by drafting a formal complaint to police based on the circumstances leading to his death, and are in solidarity.

With rising incidents of cases of discrimina-tion in universities and impact on students; SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR has drafted Draft-Rohit Act 2016; with extensive consultation with ex perts, activists, students, elected representatives, academicians, lawyers the draft has been shared for finalization.

Intervention in 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of United Nation Commission for Human rights (UNCHR)

DAAA-NCDHR participated in the civil society consultation towards finalising the civil society report under the Universal Periodic Review. The unit contributed to the process led by WGHR by anchoring the specific chapter on Dalit rights as part of the main report, contributing a Dalit per spectives to different chapters on water, health, women’s rights, freedom of speech and expression etc. as well as, writing the parallel report from a Dalit perspective.

Prior to the 3rd UPR Cycle on behalf of National Coalition for Strengthening PoA Act 1989 (NCS-PA), NDMJ submitted the Stakeholder Report on Caste Based Discrimination in India to OHCHR



for UPR III based on the inputs from state part-ners, activists, volunteers etc. Dalit Stakeholders Report was prepared following experiences of local, state-level and national Dalit movements, organizations and platforms under the auspices of National Campaign on Dalit human Rights and its 4 movements (a) All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (b) Dalit Arthik Adhikar Andolan (c) Na-tional Dalit Movement for Justice (d) National Dalit Watch jointly with two coalitions initiated by SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR namely (a) National Co alition for Strengthening PoA Act and (b) Nation al Coalition on SCP/TsP legislation. The report is endorsed by 563 organizations across India. This report is a compilation of primary and secondary sources collected from various organizations, ex-perts working on CBD and from different credible sources including the UN Treaty Bodies, UN Spe-cial Procedures, and Government Reports etc.

Policy exchange visit and interaction

NDMJ representative was part of the delegation to interact with Senior UK Government officials, Criminal Justice System Experts (Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner, Former Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecu-tion Service VAWG Strategy Managers) as part of policy exchange visit.

European Union – NGO Forum, Brussels

Ms. Abirami, represented the NDMJ at the 18th EU NGO Human Rights Forum, at Brussels for workshop on “United against all forms of Torture: Applying a cross-cutting perspective to prevent, prohibit, and redress torture globally”. Ms. Abira-mi was on the Panel discussion on “Act of Torture and Ill-Treatment Targeting Minorities and Indig-enous people”.

Campaign for Judiciary Accountability and Judi-cial Reforms (CJAR) works for grassroots soli-darity to bear on the authorities for implementing the needed reforms. Dr. V.A. Ramesh Nathan is one of the Members of the Executive Committee of the Campaign. Through the campaign the issues of Access to Justice and Reforms in Judiciary for Dalit rights are being actively take up by the mem

bers. Presently the campaign members are playing a crucial role in advocacy for moving an impeach-ment motion.

INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING, TEAM CAP ACITATION AND EXPOSURE VISIT

i. Organizational Development (OD) Pro cess: The OD process from July to December 2016, had 5 extensive levels of discussions and debate on the future of SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR. The OD process initiated with a view to reflect on and determine (i) changes in the current structure of SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR to make it even more ready and relevant to meet the challenges (ii) pro cess to review current structure including aspects of internal collaboration among the constituent four movements of Swadhikar/NCDHR (iii) the process addressed direction of Swadhikar/NC-DHR for the next 10 years.

ii. Group Relations Conference (GRC) - The Brahmin in the Mind! : The GRC organized by the Group Relations India, SWADHIKAR/ NCDHR and Human and Institutional Development (HID) Forum in April 2016 at the SAHBHAGI SHIK-SHAN KENDRA (Training Centre) Lucknow. This Conference aimed to explore the nature and dynamics of caste and constructed hierarchies in oneself, groups and society. The conference had participation from Civil Society, Academicians and Corporate. Similarly an Annual Group Rela tions Leicester Conference 2016 was attended by - Dr. V. A. Ramesh Nathan and Mr. Paul Divakar organized by The TAVISTOCK INSTITUTIE on The Art of Role: TAO of TAVISTOCK on Task, Authority and Organization at Stanford Court, University of Leicester England.

Exposure Visit for North Region DHRDs and Community Visit in Tamil Nadu

NDMJ planned and executed an exposure visit for the partners and DHRDs from the North region to the South region. This exposure visit mainly aimed for an interaction between activist’s terms of strat egies adopted in advocacy, legal interventions and techniques in evidence building. The exposure visit helped in greater learning amongst the team



members as NDMJ and SASY organized a training at the LRC. The trainings focused on application to apply as SPPs in cases of atrocities. During in-teractive session, HRDs and Lawyers were able to discuss on issues of litigation and procedures.

This venture also included community visit by the team in June, 2016 to Kuravan community. NDMJ and SASY are closely working with the community for legal interventions. Also NDMJ is engaged with the NCSC on a report of police atrocity faced by the Kuravan community.

iii. Cadre Building and Visibility Campaign - Atrocity Tracking Monitoring System (ATM) Efforts to visibilize ATM have been continuously undertaken this time the cadre building programme also was an opportunity to visibalize the ATM Sys tem. NDMJ team held a Cadre Building Training in Shimla and Haryana. The cadre building sessions focused on SC/ST POA Amended Act 2015, Child Rights, and Women’s Rights. The usage of ATM website was also shared as an innovative techni-cal tool to be utilized by activists and DHRDs. An orientation on the usage was provided to the new potential users in the states. Around 80 Cadres were capacitated.

Workshop on Evaluation

Ms. Abirami and Ms. Suchita Kumari, from NDMJ participated in a workshop on evaluation organized by Bread for the world (Bftw) in colloboration with Financial Management Service Foundation for its partners at Bangalore in September, 2016. The objective of this workshop was on “Evaluations as a benefit for the organization”. The participants were the partners of BftW from India and Sri Lanka. The two and half day detailed workshops enabled the partners to professionally plan and accompany an evaluation and use the results for the learning of the organization in compliance to OECD-DAC criteria.

Conflict Assessment Workshop

Misereor organized a three day workshop on con flict sensitive approaches to development work also known as the Do No Harm approach in Mum bai in March, 2017. Ms. Judith Anne, from NDMJ attended the workshop. The training introduced Conflict Sensitivity Approach within the Do No Harm framework through various context analysis tools in order to identify peace and conflict poten-tials in a given project area aiming at minimising negative impacts while maximising positive contri-bution.

NDMJ and DALSA - Legal Training

With the Direction of Supreme Court on the Imple mentation of Provision of SC/ST PoA Amendment Act to the Govt. of India, Delhi Govt. Legal Cell Authority initiated awareness training programmes and invited NDMJ national team as a resource team to facilitate these training sessions on the request of the Delhi Govt. Legal Cell.

Capacitation of Interns @ NDMJ

In this year, eight internships were provided: 2 stu dents from Yashwantrao Chavan School of Social Work, 2 from Madras University, 1 from Ambedkar University Delhi, 1 from TISS,Hyderabad.

2 International based intern; 1 from Japan and 1 from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. The interns were trained and engaged in assisting in assignments related to report writing, and RTI anal-ysis, field visits and part of the trainings.

CHALLENGES

Access to justice (Dalit and Adivasi) – Increasing violence against Dalit and Adivasi women and chil dren, men and HRDs; also incidents of torture by police and prolonged trail and pendency in courts are major areas of concern. Further State impunity adds to the miseries of the community.



Shrinking space for Civil Society – Civil society has emerged as an important element to strengthen the functioning of a Democratic state. However, in the present political scenario, the civil society faces threats leading to weakening of an important part of governance. A critical and independent civil so ciety space is essential to engage with the govern-ment in order to strengthen the democratic struc ture, address non-implementation of laws, policies and entitlements, and suggest means to overcome shortcomings.

In the present political scenario it has become im-portant for NDMJ-NCDHR to revisit strategies to promote and protect the Civil and Political rights of the community. The increasing level of backlash

which the community faces in the midst of their relative assertiveness requires a consorted effort to create awareness amongst the community on their rights, entitlements and law for demanding rightful implementation of SCs and STs PoA Amended Act in order to realize a life of dignity.

Secondly, while engaging with state machinery for judicial and police reforms are important strategies to build just systems in order to uphold the Law of the land. NDMJ also upholds the importance of raising the issues of CBD & violence at the glob al level is important for a UN level intervention to eliminate caste based discrimination and violence; in order to move forward towards a more inclusive, just and democratic society.



People’s vulnerability to disasters depends on their social, cultural, economic and po-litical environment. The marginalization of ‘lower’ castes gets magnified in disasters due to historically pre-existing practices of untouchability and notions of pollution and purity.


NATIONALDALIT WATCH


NATIONAL DALIT WATCH

Facilitating Dalit Communities to claim their Rights and Entitlements in Major Disasters

People’s vulnerability to disasters depends on their social, cultural, economic and political en-vironment. The marginalization of ‘lower’ castes gets magnified in disasters due to historically pre-existing practices of untouchability and no-tions of pollution and purity.

KEY ACTIONS AND OUTCOMES

To support the Dalit Communities in drought af-fected regions across the 7 states undertaken Im-mediate Needs Assessment of drought affected 285 villages of 16 Districts was carried out Based

on the assessment a drought monitoring report on Inclusion monitoring for the above mentioned states was drafted Monitoring studies conduct ed by National Dalit Watch (NDW) and its state partners during past natural disasters, have high lighted the degree to which, by virtue of their in herent socio-economic vulnerability, Dalits and women have been systematically excluded from relief and rehabilitation efforts. There are varied forms of discrimination these groups face during disasters. These forms include the neglect of the authorities to account for their losses; unjust and cumbersome procedures for proving losses in or der to claim compensation; exclusion from enu meration for compensation; and low priority to reach out to Dalit hamlets. Even information, ear ly warnings and government relief and rehabili



tation programmes remain outside the purview of the Dalit community. Moreover, any asser-tion for rights has resulted in physical violence against Dalits from dominant castes.

During this process nearly 9000 individual claims form of affected families were submit-ted to respective authorities at District and State level. As a result of advocacy and efforts of NDW immediate action were taken by the local authorities on the issues of neglect of Dalit com munities in relief.

In addition to filing of individual claim appli-cations, demanding and promoting inclusion in disaster management actions, policies and guidelines, NDW in collaboration with state partners, community organizations and experts have taken several actions at state level for ef-fective advocacy and demanding inclusion in post disaster actions for e.g. organized public meetings, press conference and made represen-tation to the Relief Commissioners and District level authorities for further action towards In clusion of Dalits.

RTIs at block level were also filed to obtain the details of budget spent in drought relief by re spective states through SDRF/NDRF budgets.

At local level trained nearly 155 local team members for undertaking inclusion monitoring survey and helping the victims in claiming enti tlements announced by Government.

PROMOTION OF INCLUSION IN DISAS TER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, POLI CY AND GUIDELINES

Inclusion of “Inclusive Vulnerability Mapping and Monitoring of Post Disaster Response (IVM and MPDR)” tool developed by NDW features in the Training Manual on“Social Inclusion for PRI members” prepared by Rajiv Gandhi Na-tional Institute of Youth Development Ministry

of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of In dia. In addition, NDW shared about IVM-MP DR tool in the public meeting of National Insti tute of Disaster Management (NIDM).

ENGAGEMENT WITH VARIOUS HUM ANITARIAN AGENCIES, ACTORS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTE ON INCLUSIVE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

NDW from the inception is trying to engage with both state and non-state actors on the issue of Inclusive DRR. As an active part of sphere India efforts NDW has been engaged in the in clusion of Dalits in the framework of Major Hu manitarian Actors in India.

NDW assisted the Sphere India team in the pro cess of Joint Rapid Needs assessment in drought affected states. Similarly, it also supported In-teragency Groups (IAGs) in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to come out with detailed assessment on affected communities from drought.

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ADVOCACY

Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA 2005-2015), gives a stronger recognition of regional mechanisms to implement and oversee disaster risk reduction by creating and sustaining the shared political commitment towards the imple-mentation of the Sendai Framework. In Asia, the regional platform mainly consists of the Asian Ministerial Conferences on Disaster Risk Re-duction (AMCDRR) and the ISDR Asia Part-nership (IAP) forum.

The AMCDRR serves as a forum for stakehold-ers to take a shared responsibility and make ac-tionable commitments towards implementation of DRR in the Asia region through the exchange of experiences on successful practices and in-novative approaches in reducing and managing disaster risk. During 1st AMCDRR hosted by the Government of India in November 2016 as a follow-up from the 6th Asian Ministerial Con-



ference outcome (2014) and as a requirement of the Sendai Framework, to adopt India specific ‘Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework’.

NDW during AMCDRR released demand paper on the Inclusion of Dalit and marginalized sections and organized a side event by displaying and shar ing of tools on inclusion of Dalits and marginalized sections. It also submitted demands during World humanitarian Summit Inclusion in Istanbul, held in Turkey.

Advocacy at National Level

- National Round Table on “ Inclusion of Dalits in Drought Responses “ on 24th October 2016 Delhi

- Active engagement in meetings and pro

cesses for National Action plan for children 2016 with the lens of protection of affected children in Disasters

- Submission of Demands to NDMA , MHA of findings from drought assessment

- Submitted inputs in the formation of Na tional Disaster Management Plan 2016

GLOBAL ADVOCACY

The Dalit rights since 2001 has notified the world about the intensity of the exclusion faced by caste and descent based groups. The last year was crucial for the discrimination based on work and descent and caste based discrimination as Asia Dalit Rights Forum (ADRF), Asia Parliamentarians Forum on Dalit Concerns (APDFC) and International Dal-



it Solidarity Network (IDSN) entered in different spheres which earlier seemed like a distant dream.

In 2016-17, ADRF organized some paradigm shift ing events on the Dalit concerns including the UN Side Event in High Level Political Forum in New York with Hon. Rita Izsak Ndiaye, Special Rap-porteur on Minority Issues as the special guest and Global Parliamentarians Conference on Discrimi nation based on Work and Descent in Kathmandu with Members of Parliament (MPs) from seven countries and representatives from 11 countries.

ADRF also played an important role in populariz ing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among the Dalit groups in the active countries by organiz-ing consultations and contributed by suggesting the indicators to the country SDG processes. While ADRF also played a crucial role in bringing the Dalit and descent based discrimination issue to the regional and international forum through participa-tion and discussions in various forums with special focus to SDGs.

ADRF undertook a research study on the Dalit Women’s Economic Rights focusing on their Ac cess to Land, Higher Education and Livelihood programs/ schemes in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This study was sponsored by UN Women, which served as an opportunity to under take a mass scale study for mapping the existing realities of Dalit Women’s economic situation. The first study report on the regional realities was pub-lished during the Global Parliamentarians confer-ence on DWD.

Interventions

1.ADRF Core Committee Meeting, Kath mandu, Nepal

The first ADRF Core Committee Meeting was held in the month of June in Kathmandu, Nepal The core committing meeting members planned out the next six months of the activities. Hon. Member of Parliament of Nepal Meen Biswakarma (Conve ner, APFDC) the Chief Guest of the event unveiled the APFDC brochure. The Core Committee decid-ed that ADRF to intervene in SAARC 2016 and PSAARC too. It was also suggested to hold Asian

Dalit Parliamentarian’s Consultations during the event. It was also agreed upon that ADRF to inter vene during UN HLPF in New York. ADRF has got permission to hold official Side Event during the UN HLPF.

2. Engagement with Dalit Diaspora in North America in July 2016, New York

An event on movement building for international and UN interventions from Dalit Diaspora was held in July in New York. This event looked towards strengthening and capacity building of the North America based Dalit activists and organizations for constructive engagement with UN and other in ternational bodies on the issue of inclusion of the caste as a variable of exclusion and under develop ment. This event was co-organized with Ambedkar International Mission focused on identifying and enabling a task force towards creating effective interventions on the inclusion of Dalit and other marginalized in the development agendas focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (http://bit.ly/2b7wZkC)

3. Inclusion Check: Dalit and other marginal ized women challenging inequalities in SDG in Baha’i International Community Centre, New York

The side event on the inclusion of Dalit and Mar-ginalized women in SDGs was held in July 2016, at Baha’i International Centre, New York. The event was co-organized with CIVICUS, ADA, Stake-holder’s Forum, GCAP, AIM, WNTA and MRG. It was presided by Ms. Rita Izsak-Ndiaye, Special Rapporteur of Minority Issues.

SDG Goal 5 focuses on gender equality and em-powerment of girls/ women for progressive and sustainable development. The goals and targets touch upon many of the concerns focused on wom en’s safety and inclusion in the participative devel opment, the extent of the impact of the goals and targets are been questioned by many women and gender groups.

There has been an outcry of disappointment with



the indicators that it has not been able to justify the vast issues of concerns. Women generally face various hurdles in achieving of various goals and targets and accessing various services and welfare measures. They are systematically discriminated in the patriarchal institutional structure everywhere. However women from the DWD communities face multi structured discrimination, based on their gen der, caste, class and religion. These women have been dominated and forced to do various jobs like various traditional occupations like Devdasi sys tem and other forms.

(http://asiadalitrightsforum.org/interventions.php?id=#22)

4. Leave No One Behind: Ensuring Inclusion of the most marginalized and socially excluded communities in SDGs during UN HLPF (Offi-cial Side Event), New York

SDG is appreciated as the ideal model for inclusive and participatory development with its rallying cry of Leave No One Behind. However there is a mas sive worry over the exclusive tendencies exhibited through structural exclusion of most marginalized and socially excluded communities like Dalits and others. An UN HLPF official side event co orga nized by CIVICUS, Stakeholders Forum, Asia De velopment Alliance (ADA), GCAP and Rural De velopment Centre (RDC) was held in July 2016 in UN Headquarters, New York.

(http://asiadalitrightsforum.org/interventions.php?id=#22)

5.Pre Asia Ministerial Conference on Disaster risk Reduction (AMCDRR) event on Inclusion in Disaster, November 2016, New Delhi

ADRF and National Dalit Watch (NDW) in associ ation with Sphere India organized a Pre AMCDRR



event on the Inclusion in Disaster response and re habilitation in the month of November 2016. In con sensus with Sendai Framework for Action (SFA), the event focused on the Inclusion of the most mar ginalized communities and excluded communities like Dalits and Adivasis. Focus on the rallying cry of 2030 agenda- Leave no one behind, this event gave a platform for all the organizations working on marginalized and excluded to come together to wards addressing the inclusion in Disaster Risk Re duction (DRR). During the event NDW displayed documents and publications on Inclusion of Dalits in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). http://bit.ly/2e-a6bfR

6. Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrim ination (CERD) Consultation with Civil Society:

CERD organized consultation with civil society in November 2016 at UN Geneva. ADRF executive member Bhakta Bishwakarma and Coordinator Deepak Nikarthil have made intervention on rec ognizing of caste based discrimination in same line with racial discrimination. The chair and Director of the CERD, Ms. Anastasia Crickley acknowledged the impact of Discrimination based on Caste as sim ilar as racial discrimination in the world.

7. Forum on Minority Issues:

9THsession of the Forum on Minority Issues on “Minorities in situations of humanitarian crises” was held in November 2016. ADRF executive mem-ber Bhakta Bishwakarma and Coordinator Deepak Nikarthil have made an intervention on exclusion of the DWD and Dalits in the disaster risk reduction in South Asia. Representing NCDHR, NDW and IDSN, they shared about background of discrimina tory practices and culture of Dalits in various disas ters including Nepal Earthquake 2015.

Bhakta Bishwakarma and Deepak Nikarthil along with Nina Anderson (IDSN) met with Working

Group Programme officers Sara Cavallo-Violence against Women, Claire Mathellie, -Discrimination against women and MakenTzeggi- Freedom of Re ligion.

8. Global Parliamentarians Conference on Dis-crimination Based on Work and Descent, Febru-ary 2017, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Global Conference on Discrimination based on Work and Descent was organized in Kathmandu, Nepal in February 2017 had participation of Parlia mentarians, representatives of the International Or ganizations, Human Right Organizations and Dal-it right movements from Europe and Asia which in cludes Bangladesh, European Union, Finland, Ger many, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and United Kingdom,

In the inaugural session Chief Guest Hon’ble Prakash Sharan Mahat, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Govt of Nepal spoke about the importance of focusing on Dalits and other marginalized/excluded groups in the countries for sustainable development.

Declaration was drafted on the basis of the discus sions of two days which was recited by Mr. Meen Biswakarma, Chair APFDC in the presence of spe-cial guest Hon’able Daljit Shrepaili, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nepal. The Declaration was handed over to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on 27th February 2017. Prime Minister Dahal has said that Dalit movement in Ne pal has a positive influence on the current democra cy of the country and ensured that he will be raising the issue of Dalit rights in the UN. Kathmandu Dec laration for Solidarity: http://bit.ly/2n16ley

9. UN Women Study Report Release, GPCDWD, February 2017, Kathmandu, Nepal.

During the Global Parliamentarians Conference, Chief guest Hon’ble MFA Mr. Mahat released the



research study report on Dalit Women in South Asia: Access to Economic Rights and was received by the Dalit women representatives and represen tatives from international Dalit solidarity network members. In his speech, Mr Prakash Mahat, MFA, said that “Nepal government has always taken a stand against eliminating caste and discrimination from the country and internationally”.

Third thematic session on second day of the con-ference on Major Findings of Interim Research Study was chaired by Ms Beena Pallical, Execu-tive Director, South Asia Dalit Women’s Economic Empowerment Program.

The study was conducted in 4 countries (Bangla-desh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka) on the Dalit women’s access to economic rights: focusing on access to land, higher education and employable skills. The panel speakers were: Ms Afsana Amin (Bangladesh), Dr Deepak Nikarthil (India), Ms Renu Sejapati (Nepal) and Ms Logeswary Ponnaih (Sri Lanka).

10. Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Develop ment, UN ESCAP, 29-31 March 2017, Bangkok, Thailand

The 4th Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable De-velopment was held in UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand in March 2017. This is an an-nual event as part of Pre-HLPF regional consulta-tions, which brings the Civil Societies and Govern-ments in an interactive space to discuss and share the progress of the SDGs in their countries. ADRF Coordinator Dr. Deepak Nikarthil represented and was invited to be one of the key speakers in the Inaugural Session of the APFSD 4 as the Civil So ciety representatives.

Prior to this event, a civil society forum was held as part of Asia pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (AP RCEM). Apart from Dr. Deepak Nikarthil (India), ADRF representative Mr. Sushil Kumar BK (Nepal) participated in the APRCEM.


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