News and Events | Dalit Solidarity Network

Prior to the visit to the UK of the Indian PM Modi, Dalit organisations sent him an open letter

18th November 2015

The letter in full is as follows: To the Prime Minister of India, Panchavati, 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi 19 August 2015 Dear Shri Narendra Modi, We are deeply shocked by the recent horrifying revelations about the massacres of Dalit and other oppressed-caste people in Bihar and are writing to you to express our dismay that you have so far neither spoken out against the killers and their accomplices nor taken any action against them. The revelations caught on camera by the news portal Cobrapost’s are briefly as follows: The Ranveer Sena, the upper caste landlord army in Bihar, perpetrated a [..]

House of Lords Parliamentary Question on Nepal 27/10/2015

30th October 2015

We were delighted that DSN-UK patron John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich tabled the following question for answer by the Government. And Lord Harries specifically raises the issue of exclusion of Dalits and Minorities - politically, economically and socially Asked by The Earl of Sandwich To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Nepal following its adoption of a new constitution on 20 September. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): My Lords, the chargé met the Prime Minister on 15 October and relayed our key messages: that [..]

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attends DSN-UK AGM

28th October 2015

DSN-UK successfully held its AGM on Wednesday. 14 October 2015. Our thanks to all those who came, especially the Parliamentarians who took time out of their busy day to support the cause. #EndCasteDiscrimination Read the report of the meeting here. DSN-UK Review of the year 2014-15 is available here.

Tirkey v Chandok case rules in favour of the victim

23rd September 2015

The much anticipated ruling on the Tirkey v Chandok case came out last week. And was found in favour of the victim, who suffered terrible abuse at the hands of her employers – proving that caste discrimination does exist and that Ms Tirkey was a victim of domestic servitude and slavery http://atleu.org.uk/our-recent-cases/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34330986 http://www.theguardian.com/law/2015/sep/22/woman-awarded-184000-in-uks-first-caste-discrimination-case http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11882926/Low-caste-woman-awarded-183000-compensation-in-discrimination-case.html It was indeed an excellent outcome for the victim, but despite the fact that the judgement appears to allow for caste discrimination under race and ethnic origin, this case does not set a precedent and future cases may not be covered by existing legislation [..]

DSN-UK Honorary Chair, Jeremy Corbyn MP wins stunning victory

18th September 2015

With an overwhelming and unassailable majority in the very first round, Jeremy Corbyn MP and long-time supporter and defender of Dalit Rights is the new Labour Leader of the UK Parliament and Leader of the Opposition. This is a victory of honesty, principle and hope. Here at DSN-UK we are delighted that at last we have a champion of the just causes at the top table. The Labour Party position on discrimination is clear. We will be seeking their unconditional support for Dalit rights across the globe and to finally push this Conservative Government in to obeying the will of Parliament [..]