The unsung struggles of Safai Karamchari - Updates on Samajik Parivartan Yatra

7th Oct

The Birsa Munda Marga - Samajik Parivarthan Yatra, started in Dibrugarh, Assam on 7th October at 3 p.m. The route is named after Birsa Munda, a tribal (adhivasi) leader and a folk hero from Bihar and Jarkhand region and an important figure in the history of human rights movement before independence. More than 200 people assembled at Ambedkar School. Mr.Pratap Basfor explained the importance of Samajik Parivartan Yatra and its role in bringing about a social change and liberation of safari karmacharis.  The safai karmacharis talked about their liberation struggle and the ill-treatment they still suffer in the Municipality and the gram panchayats. As the SKs were sharing about their liberation and struggles, the whole crowd went silent. Then many people sang songs and shared poems about the issue. Mr. Deepak Valmiki, Gen. Secy SC District Committee flagged off the Yatra. The local community expressed their gratitude to the Yatris for including Dibrugarh in this land mark event of Socail Change. The Yatri then left for Guwahati in the morning at 9 a.m.

8th Oct

Since it was difficult to travel to the nearby districts in Assam due to the terrain, many people from the nearby districts like Johrat, Naogaon, Bogaigaon and Sibsagar came in jeeps and buses and took part in the meeting in Guwahati. The meeting took place in “Satyanath Bora Bhavan”,Guwahati. About 100 people participated and shared their own experiences of humiliation and suffering as members of safai karamachari community. The high point of the meeting was when the women participants shared their liberation struggle. They said they will not lie low but will fight for the rights and dignity of the community. 

Dr.Y.Moses ska core team member and Mr.Jaan Das, Vice-President Central Committee, All Assam Anususitha Jati Sangram Samiti and Deepak Valmiki paid  tributes to Dr.B.R. Ambedkar and flagged off the Yatra to proceed to Kolkata and beyond. The state SKA conveyor thanked everyone for their participation and co-operation.

Contact Details:

Bezwada Wilson
National Convenor
Safai Karmchari Andolan,
36/13 Ground Floor, East Patel Nagar
New Delhi - 110 008
Mob: 09311234793
Ph: 01125863166
E-mail: skandolan@gmail.com
Website: http://safaikarmachariandolan.org/index.html