Bringing a law to curb caste, gender and religious discrimination at workplace on the lines of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act was among hundreds of recommendations made in the Bengaluru Declaration that was released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday.



The declaration, a set of recommendations, made at the concluding session of an international conference on B R Ambedkar here calls upon all progressive forces across party lines in the country to adopt and work for implementation of the recommendations to realise Dr B R Ambedkar’s dream of an equitable, just and egalitarian society.



Though there were no explicit political references, the tone of the declaration made it clear that it was aimed at the BJP-led Central government. With the recommendations, the state government takes forward its political and ideological goals that focus on Dalits.



The recommendations include major reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, including state funding of election to curb black money, setting up an equal opportunity commission, reservation for the SC/ST/OBCs in higher judiciary, private sector as well as in procurement and contracts.



Most of the recommendations focused on ensuring equal representation of the SC, ST and OBCs in almost all sectors, from education to employment in public and private sectors. The recommendation calls for reservation for Dalits in Assembly and Parliament, judiciary and even media houses.



Siddaramaiah noted that those who follow Ambedkar should reaffirm their commitment to the principles laid by him.



Recommendations:



Upholding the Rule of Law and reassert political and legal accountability for any violence to prevent lynchings.



Set up Equal Opportunities Commission to ensure wider representation of SC, ST, OBC, women and minorities in employment.



Law for prevention of caste, religious and gender discrimination in educational institutions.



Removing of provisions in law that place constraints on freedom of speech and expression, include those on defamation, sedition, art/film censorship and social media.



Reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs in higher judiciary.



Ensuring diversity in media houses by promoting representation of SC, STs, OBCs.



Protecting media freedom and journalists from attacks by fundamentalist elements and tacit state censorship.



Empowering the Press Council of India to regulate corporate monopoly and cross ownership of media.



A national legislation to ensure that a portion of the budget equal to the population proportion of SC & STs is reserved to support schemes to promote their development.



Reservations in procurement and contracts for up to Rs 100 lakh.



English medium education to SCs, STs, OBCs, women and minorities.



Universal access to hostels for SCs, STs and OBCs.



Reservations in the private sector.



Agricultural land for landless Dalits with legal entitlement and special support.



Comprehensive reform of caste based occupational vocations through modernisation.



Immediate publishing of socio economic caste census.



Farmers Income Commission to ensure income security.

