They also called upon all to change attitude towards them and treat them as human beings.

Dalits are mostly the sweepers living in different colonies designated for them in the city in an inhuman condition as the space allocated for each family is too inadequate and there is a lack of sanitation and other facilities.

They placed their demands and aired their grievances at a seminar titled 'Housing problem of Dalit in Dhaka and its solution' organised by Bangladesh Dalits' Human Rights (BDHR) and Dalit Women Forum (DWF) in the city.

Around 50,000 or 60,000 members of Dalit community live in some 27 colonies in unhygienic condition. Each family live in a 9-foot by 11-foot room and they have to pay rents and utility bills, said BDHR President B Solomon.

Some 750 families live in Gonoktuli colony, but there are only 16 latrines for women and girls and 16 more for men and boys and there is no bathroom, he said.

He also said that many Dalits used to live in slums, but successive governments have evicted them but did not take steps for their rehabilitation.

Speaking at the programme, Dr Hamida Hossain of Ain O Salish Kendra said the government makes arrangements for the accommodation of lawmakers and government officials; it should also take special measures for the Dalit community as their service to society is no less important than others.

She also stressed the need to develop social conscience in order to put an end to discriminatory attitude towards the Dalit community.

Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori, Abul Hossain of Bangladesh Grameen O Nagar Daridra Federation, Mahiuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh Bastibashi Union and Meherunnesa, a woman ward commissioner, also spoke.