http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=30115
Published On: 2008-03-31 Front Page 6 Dalit freedom fighters get recognition Staff Correspondent Research and Development Collective, a non-government organisation, gave honorary awards and mementos to six freedom fighters of the Dalit community for their contribution in the Liberation War. They awardees are Shambhupada Biswas, Kalipada Mondol, Dulal Chandra Das, Monimohan Biswas, Mahabir Robidas and Mohammad Abdul Khaleque. The award giving ceremony was held in the city's BIAM auditorium yesterday. Shambhupada, given the floor to share his experience of the war and its aftermath, became emotional and talked about their sufferings during the last 37 years. He categorically said the country became independent but liberty did not come to their lives and none cared for them. A seminar titled "Dalits' Society: Dream of Liberation War and Today's Bangladesh" was held there later on. Former Justice Golam Rabbani as chief guest of the seminar urged deprived freedom fighters not to be pleased with receiving only honour and the receptions. "You have to continue fighting to establish a people's government," he said. Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Dhaka Mukta Dutta Tomar said the Dalit community kept themselves hidden in society as they were unjustly treated. "But they did not kept themselves hidden during the Liberation War in 1971," she said. Mukul Ranjan Shikder, coordinator of Bangladesh Namoshudra Andolan, presented a keynote paper. Noted sculptor Ferdousi Priyobhasini chaired the programme. Research and Development Collective General Secretary Prof Mezbah Kamal and directors Zannath A Ferdousi and Shirin Khan also spoke on the occasion.
