Considering the current depressed, even pathetic status of the Dalits & Minorities of India, nearly sixty years after achievement of independence in 1947 and promulgation of the Constitution in 1950, which derogates from its social and economic mandate and violates human rights and constitutes a blot in its face and the most serious obstacle in the path of its march towards its manifest destiny. Taking into consideration and reiterating the Resolution’s adopted at the 4th International Convention of the Forum in New Delhi 2006 and the Theme papers, Background Papers and resolutions presented in that conference and at this convention as well as the views expressed by the delegates

Adopt the following Declaration;

We the participants in this convention reiterate our faith in the principles of freedom, secularism, equality, justice and fraternity enunciated in the preamble of the Constitution and the fundamental rights and directive principal of state policies which form its core.

Nevertheless we express our deep disappointment that the Socio-Economic status in general and the Dalits, Minorities and other weaker sections in particular who live today on the daily per capita income of Rs. 20/ has not improved and though the disparities has widen.

The Forum sees a serious threat to Democracy in the persistent denial of human dignity and the rule of law, particularly when inter group violence shows its ugly face, incited planned and organised by the emergent forces of fascism and regards communalism and castiesm as the enemy of the society and contradicting all the great values of the freedom movement, which must be combated unitedly by all citizens of goodwill committed to democracy, secularism and social justice which form the foundations of New India we dream of and are working for.

Pledge

To fulfill the objective of above declaration, the participants in the convention pledge themselves and solemnly vow to wage unwavering struggle, through all possible constitutional and democratic means, to achieve the following urgent social objectives in a time bound manner and not to rest till they are achieved.

1. Final elimination of the Social Vices of untouchability by imposing deterrent punishment.

2. Provision of free compulsory and equal quality education for all and systematic admission of disadvantaged poor children in all private school

3. Full realization of the fundamental rights to the livelihood & shelter for the masses to guarantee them a life of dignity for all.

4. Restoration of the Human Rights of the Dalits and the Minorities in full measures, whenever and wherever they are violated. Urgent investigation of all cases of involuntary disappearances and custodial killings in Jammu & Kashmir and arbitrary detention through out the country on unverified accusation of terrorism and investigation of mass crimes and communal riots by SITs and independent prosecution by special courts that does not spare the mighty and powerful.

5. United and effective response to atrocities and violence against the SC and Minority. Full implementation of the Central Formula for the compensation and the rehabilitation of the victims of 1984 anti Sikhs disturbances and its application to those of all subsequent pogroms like Gujarat.

6. Creation of the All India Judicial Services on the model of IAS and IPS and phased recruitment to fill the cadre shortfall in all Central Services and State services.

7. Reservation in the Private Sector, the judiciary and armed forces and in all others services where it is not applicable.

8. Abolition of the 50% limit imposed on total Reservation and its substitution by flexible pattern according to social demography of various states. Reservation act must be enacted embodying punitive clause and adjudication authority.

9. 15% reservation for the minorities and inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in the SC list with equal rights and appropriate raise in the representation of the SC/ST in the legislature and in benefits of reservation for them speedy implementation of Sachar Committee Report and Mishra Commission Report.

10. Unconditional transfer of the management of the Mahabodhi Gaya temple to the Buddhist Community urgently in Bihar.

11. To establish a National Dalit University in the Capital Region of India and the creation of India International Dalit Centre in New Delhi for the cultural and educational advancement of Dalits.

12. To provide minimum 2 acres of land to each and every Dalit, minority and a landless family.

To achieve the above goal the Convention once again calls for sustained unity and vigorous action, at all levels through the mobilisation of all progressive social forces which are today facing blatant hostilities not only to their survival and entity but to the Constitution and their progress of India.

The convention places on record its deep gratitude to the Chairman of the Dalit & Minorities International Forum Shri Ram Vilas Paswan for his constant guidance and to the Co-Chairman of this Convention Dr. A.S. Nakadar for the successful organization of this Convention in New York.

New York
6th July 2008