Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: The newly constituted Advisory Committee of the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy (BDSA), Jammu & Kashmir, held a meeting at the Academy premises in Roopnagar.
Presided over by BR Kundal (working president of the Akademy), the meeting aimed to address key challenges faced by the Dalit community and promote their literary and cultural contributions. Dr Rakesh Kumar Atri, while presenting welcome address, highlighted the Akademy’s important role in advocating for marginalized communities.
Kundal outlined the core objectives of the Akademy, emphasizing its mission to empower the Dalit community through education, literature, and social justice. He discussed the composition of the Advisory Committee, which includes prominent civil society members dedicated to uplifting marginalized groups, and underscored the BDSA’s role in bringing the struggles and achievements of the Dalit community to the forefront.
A key focus of the meeting was the formation of specialized committees to address crucial issues affecting the Dalit community, such as Education and Skill Development, Land Reforms, Legal Advocacy, Atrocities against Scheduled Castes, and Crimes against Women. Kundal emphasized that these subgroups would allow the Akademy to effectively target and address the needs of the Dalit community, ensuring meaningful change.
The members fully supported the creation of these committees and agreed on the importance of increasing women’s participation in the Akademy’s work. Discussions also centered on expanding the Akademy’s membership to strengthen its reach and financial health, which would help in furthering its mission.
Several key figures, including HR Phonsa, Laj Ram, Ramesh Chander, Sewa Ram, Dr KC Dogra, Dr Vijar Shivgotra, and Advocate Inderjeet Shavotra, participated in the discussions. Concluding the meeting, Kundal noted that the gathering laid a strong foundation for future efforts to support the Dalit community through advocacy and cultural promotion.
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