‘Equal rights must be provided to every citizen’ | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

‘Equal rights must be provided to every citizen’

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHOREEqual rights and opportunities must be provided to every citizen in the country, said Punjab University Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS) Director Dr Umbreen Javaid on Thursday.

She expressed these views at a seminar on Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s vision of empowerment through education at Al Raazi Hall. Speakers stressed the need to empower oppressed communities through education.

Punjab Human Rights and Minority Affairs Minister Ijaz Alam Augustine, ASSA Director Syed Shaheed Hassan and scholars and activists from India also attended the seminar.

Javaid stated that the centre has been conducting this international seminar every year. It has become a regular feature, she said.

Speakers stressed on Ambedkar’s vision of empowerment through education. Meanwhile, Indian scholars shared their personal experiences of being discriminated against in educational institutions and society for being part of the Dalit community.

They paid tribute to Ambedkar for enabling this caste to receive education and recognition in the deeply stratified Indian society. They added that 1 billion people from both the countries were facing various challenges such as poverty, lack of education and health facilities and were living in miserable conditions.

They stressed that both the governments must avoid conflict, enhance bilateral relations and focus on reducing problems faced by the people.

ASSA Director Syed Shaheen Hassan greeted all the guest speakers from India. He showed appreciation for Dr Umbreen Javaid’s efforts and for her continuous support for those organising such seminars.

The Express Tribune