The representatives of Harijan, Rishi, Kawra, Rabidas, Shabdakar, Jharudar communities shared their adverse situations and challenging experiences at a national seminar on “Poverty and Untouchability” organized by the Research Initiatives, Bangladesh (RIB) at the CIRDAP auditorium on 30 th May, 2007. People from different communities expressed their opinion about the hate politics, ignorance, and the insulting attitude of the mainstream society towards their respective communities. They added that mainstream society always treated them wrongfully and kept them at a distance as untouchables, as if they were the scums of society. “Our main concern is not money, but having a dignified life like other citizen,” Ashim Das of the Rishi community told the audience. Another member of such a community mentioned that if they were rightly treated by the mainstream society, their economic condition would improve automatically. One representative from the Nilphamary sweeper community expressed their emotions in the following way: “We fought for the country's liberation in 1971, but our community has not achieved liberty. We cannot sit together and take tea together with people from mainstream society. She also asked why sweepers are not allowed to do that? “We are not allowed to drink water from same glass other people use just because we belong to the lower caste. Most of the restaurant owners put a colored mark at the bottom of the glass so that everyone knows the glass is fixed for us,” Ashim added. “ People say we are untouchables, if we touch them by chance, it seems that they will wash their body for the next one year to ‘purify' themselves, said Sondhya Rani from Satkhira. In response to worries and the concern by untouchable communities, seminar participants agreed there should be combined efforts to upgrade the living condition of these unprivileged people.

Sweepers from Methorpottie said for years they have had to live in crowded quarters to live in sanctioned by the government and are forced to continue with doing the same job for generations. “Our children are talented too, but they are very reluctant to go to school because the teachers and students from other communities insult and harass them”, said a member of Rishi community in Satkhira.

A children's theatre group from Harijon Palli, Kushtia named ‘Amra Korbo Joy' staged a short play “ Ebhabe ar Koto Din ”. Main theme of this theater was how lower caste people face adverse situation in their every days life and to raising awareness against such discriminations.

RIB Chairman Dr. Shamsul Bari coordinated the first session of this seminar. Eminent writer and Board member of RIB Selina Hossain , delivered the keynote speech at the seminar. She said both the government and private sector should come forward and cooperate to alleviate their living condition.

Akbor Ali Khan, a former advisor to the caretaker government, said the problem of untouchability is a South Asian issue. He suggested introduction of modern technologies in their jobs that may bring about significant change in their social position.

Kushi Kobir, from Nijera kori, said a number of NGOs had been working for the welfare of these communities, but the effort is still too small compared to the need.

Dr. Hameeda Hossain, Vice Chairperson of RIB, chaired the second session where a video of these communities were shown and after that presentations were made by representatives from two legal aid organizations BLAST and ASK on suggesting ways in how to deal with the legal and human rights needs of such communities. A discussion ensued where suggestions were made to formulate specific policies for the improvement of living conditions of these communities. Hameeda Hossain also added, that “we should stand by the side of the suppressed people, not only from our self-constructed positions but be open to their suggestions as well. Dr. Meghna Guhathakurta, Executive Director of RIB, made the concluding remarks outlining RIB's approach towards dealing with such communities and gave the final vote of thanks.