Ms. Hemlata Kheria, Member, NCW was invited as Chief Guest in a programme ‘Manavvadi Mela’ a ten days yatra by a team of young humanist lead by social activist Vidya Bhushan Rawat in the Fatehpur distict, U.P. where around 700-1000 people attended from across the district, Predominantly women from manual scavenging community gathered there to listen and share their experiences. The whole concept of ‘Manavvadi Mela’ is having faith in human spirit, inculcating the values of Article 51(h) in our constitution which define our constitutional duties of promoting ‘spirit of equality, humanism, protection of environment and our national integrity’.

In this program Ms Kheria said that untouchability and discrimination based on caste has been abolished by the constitution of India but in practice they are still active. There is gender bias. She said it was sad to see people still living in age old prejudices. The Balmiki women or those engaged in manual scavenging face untouchability not just from upper castes but from the other dalit communities as well.

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