BENGALURU: The Dr B R Ambedkar International Conference 2017 concluded with the announcement of the Bangalore Declaration, a 34-point recommendation on safeguarding the interests of people. These include ensuring policies barring any caste-based discrimination at work place and reservation in the private sector.
The recommendation, titled ‘Strengthening Democratic Institutions’, seeks reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs in private organised sector through legislation. It said the government, if need be, amend the Constitution to ensure reservation in promotion for the three categories in government and quasi-government sectors.
In order to ensure economic empowerment, it was proposed that adequate special funds to boost entrepreneurship among SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities must be provided to attain economic liberty. Reservations in private educational institutes besides universalising access to hostels has also been proposed.
Police services must be freed from political control and police reforms should be fully implemented so that they become a service provider to citizens rather than a force to impose control. A special Act for prevention of caste, religious and gender discrimination in educational institutions must be passed.
Other recommendations
State should ensure that every SC, ST, and OBC household gets access to basic civic amenities
Ensure access to quality English medium education
Labourers working in unorganised sector should be covered under a comprehensive social security scheme providing for life, disability and health insurance
The chairpersons of the National Commissions for SCs, STs, Socially and Educationally Backward Classes shall be members of the Equal Opportunities Commission
Curriculum in schools and colleges should compulsorily include the study of the life and works of Dr Ambedkar, Mahatma and Savitribai Phule
Legislation prohibiting acquisition of SC and ST lands by others should be strengthened and enacted where do they do not exist. These need to be strictly enforced