Dalit Freedom Network News

On the 28 and 29 July 2010, David Cameron visited India for the first time in his new role as the British Prime Minister. Calling the trip a ‘jobs mission’ and with a delegation including some of Britain’s most influential industry leaders, Cameron focused on the opportunities for the two countries to work together. However, during his two day visit filled with praise and encouragement for Indian culture, history and multi-faith coexistence, he never once mentioned the plight of 250 million Dalits, many of which are trapped in slavery, right now, in India.

Taking it to the next level

While it is easy to focus on what was not said, Dalit Freedom Network UK wants to focus on the opportunities that lie in what was said. During his trip, Cameron stated "I want to take the relationship between India and Britain to the next level. I want to make it stronger, wider and deeper." Right now, while Cameron’s trip is still fresh in his and the Government’s minds, there is the potential to grasp the opportunity that this statement presents.

In 2001 Dalit leaders made a plea to people across the world to raise awareness of the nightmare existence that many Dalit people face every day due to discrimination and poverty. Dalit Freedom Network UK was established in response to that plea. Here is one way that you could respond as well.

Engaging with your MP

DFN UK and its Indian partner organisation, OMIF, believe that by highlighting the issue of Dalit trafficking and slavery with the British Government, the Indian Government can be influenced and encouraged in the progress it is making with its anti-trafficking activities. However, the British Government can only be in a position to do this if its MPs are aware of the issue and how important it is to their constituents. This is where you can come in.

• Does your MP know about the issue of Dalit trafficking?
• Do they know how strongly you feel about the issue?
• Will they take action to address the issue?

If your answer to these questions is either ‘No’ or ‘Don’t know’, then this is the time for you to change your answer to a resounding ‘YES’.

Take action now

DFN UK has prepared a comprehensive action sheet which gives detailed guidance as to how you can inform your own MP about Dalit trafficking. Communicating with your MP about Dalit trafficking will not only show them how important this issue is to you but it will enable us to collectively create a foundation of knowledge and understanding about Dalit trafficking within Government. If we do this our MPs will be willing and prepared to take action as and when specific issues relating to this topic arise in the future.

If we all, individually, contact our MPs and tell them how important the issue of Dalit trafficking is to us, then collectively we could influence the prioritisation of this issue in Government.

So we would like to encourage you to take a few minutes to look at the action sheet [download Action Sheet 2 from our resource list] and respond in a way which is suitable for you. We really believe that if we all take this one small step we could collectively make a huge difference.