Bihar Elections: Rahul Gandhi to hold first rally on October 29th, Grand Alliance manifesto to be released tomorrow; Priyanka to also take charge soon
Bihar Assembly Election 2025 – The Congress is now ready to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force and strategy. Former party president Rahul Gandhi will address his first election rally in the state on October 29th. Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon resume her campaign. Patna: The Congress is now preparing to enter the Bihar Assembly elections with full force. Rahul Gandhi will hold his first election rally in Bihar on October 29th, while Priyanka Gandhi will also return from a two-day visit to Wayanad and will soon join the campaign. According to Congress’s plan, Rahul Gandhi will hold a total of 12 rallies and Priyanka Gandhi will hold 10. Grand Alliance to release its manifesto on October 28th Just a day before, on October 28th, the Grand Alliance will release its manifesto. Rahul Gandhi’s first rally after the manifesto’s release will formally kick off the Grand Alliance’s campaign. Congress has fielded 40 star campaigners for the first phase of the campaign. These include party president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leaders Ashok Gehlot, KC Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel, and many others. High Command Working to Calm Down Discontent Over Ticket Distribution The Congress high command has taken the lead in addressing the discontent that has emerged within the party over ticket distribution. Senior party leader and Bihar Election Observer Ashok Gehlot, Organization General Secretary KC Venugopal, and Election Screening Committee Chief Ajay Maken arrived in Patna late Saturday evening and reviewed the situation in a series of meetings. Several local leaders had alleged arbitrariness in ticket distribution and neglect of party workers. Party Working on a Special Strategy The Congress leadership wants to send a message of unity within the organization before Rahul and Priyanka’s rallies after Chhath Puja, so that the party can contest with full strength. Rahul Gandhi previously led a Voter Rights Yatra in Bihar, covering 110 assembly constituencies. The party is now working on a strategy to convert that public relations momentum into electoral energy. Edited by: Ravi Sinha About the Author Ravi Prakash Sinha is a senior journalist (Principal Digital Content Producer) at Navbharat Times Online. He has 25 years of experience covering current affairs, Jharkhand-Bihar politics, and ground reporting. Ravi Sinha has been with NBT (Digital) for the past three years. Courtesy: Hindi News
A dispute over goat grazing led to an attack on a Dalit family: Members of a specific community assaulted them in Karma village, Basti.
A Dalit family was attacked by members of a specific community in a dispute over goat grazing near Karma village, in the Gaur police station area. The incident occurred when the family was returning from a temple visit. According to reports, an argument broke out between the two parties regarding clearing the path while grazing goats. This altercation escalated into a physical altercation. Police took immediate action on the complaint of the victim’s family. Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinandan took cognizance of the matter upon receiving the information. On the SP’s instructions, a case was immediately registered against the accused and orders were issued for their arrest. Upendra Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Yrs of rejection, bias took trans teacher Jane Kaushik to SC. She finally got justice—‘it’s about dignity’
Jane faced discrimination while looking for employment in schools, and even from institutions meant to protect her rights. She now calls for systemic change. New Delhi: After years of facing rejection and prejudice for being a transgender, Jane Kaushik, a trained teacher, finally found justice in the Supreme Court, which held both private schools and state authorities accountable for failing to protect her rights. The court on 17 October delivered a landmark judgment addressing systemic discrimination against transgender persons in employment. The two-judge bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan criticised both central and state governments for failing to implement the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and the 2020 Rules, despite these laws being in force for several years. It noted that the absence of functional grievance redressal mechanisms, welfare boards, and complaint officers had rendered legal protections for transgender individuals largely symbolic. At the heart of the case is Jane Kaushik who faced discrimination in two private schools solely because of her gender identity. Her perseverance for justice culminated in the Supreme Court awarding her a total compensation of Rs 2 lakh: Rs 50,000 each from the Centre, the states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, and Rs 50,000 from a private school in Gujarat. Speaking exclusively to ThePrint, Jane recounted her first experience of discrimination at a school in Uttar Pradesh. “One of the students discovered my gender identity, and the principal also found out. Immediately, I was terminated, not allowed to take classes that day, and asked to vacate the hostel even though there was no train available to Delhi. I had to take a late-night bus, traveling alone, which was terrifying,” she said. Despite being from Delhi and holding two Master’s degrees, one in political science and another in English, along with a Bachelor of Education degree, Jane said she faced repeated rejections while looking for a teaching job. “When I mentioned my gender identity while applying to schools in Delhi, there was silence. Some HR persons even told me that principals were not interested in entertaining my CV once they got to know I am a transgender,” she added. Jane’s experience in Gujarat in 2023 further highlighted deep-seated bias. She had been selected for a teaching position but was refused employment once the school became aware of her transgender identity. “They literally scolded me over the phone, asking whether I would negatively influence children. Instead of giving me a job, they suggested I should work in a big city area,” she told ThePrint. The recurrent bias left Jane traumatised, affecting her mental health. She continues to seek psychiatric help for depression and anxiety resulting from years of discrimination, she said. Institutional failure Before approaching the Supreme Court, Jane had sought help from key rights institutions, including the National Commission for Women, the National Human Rights Commission and the National Council for Transgender Persons. She said their committees often overlooked her testimony and were influenced by the schools. “A committee set up by the National Commission for Women didn’t even ask me about the discrimination I faced. They relied on statements from the school instead,” she asserted. Even the police failed to offer meaningful support. “I could have called the police when I was terminated, but as a transgender woman, I feared insensitivity or abuse. It was only through guidance from the Delhi Commission for Women that my complaint was registered (against the school) in Lakhimpur Kheri, UP,” she said. While the Supreme Court’s order of Rs 2 lakh compensation is a recognition of her ordeal, Jane said the amount does not fully reflect the financial and emotional losses she suffered. “I stayed at home for six-seven months with a salary of Rs 45,000 per month. This amount does not compensate for my mental trauma and the impact on my career,” she told ThePrint. Jane also highlighted a broader issue while urging for systemic change. “Even with NALSA 2014 (SC judgement recognising transgender people as ‘third gender’), Transgender Persons Act (2019), and the 2020 Rules, implementation is lacking. Without political and bureaucratic will, such discrimination continues. Transgender persons are often treated as second-class citizens,” she said. “It’s not just about money. It’s about visibility, dignity, and representation in schools, public offices and universities. Until the Supreme Court directions and laws are fully implemented, nothing will change.” Ruchi Bhattar (Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui) Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tension grips Greater Noida as Dalit youth dies days after attack by ‘upper-caste’ men; family demands justice
Aniket, who worked as a mechanic and driver, was allegedly attacked by a group of “upper-caste” men on the night of October 15. LUCKNOW: Grief and simmering tension gripped Mohalla Ambedkar in Greater Noida district on Saturday as the body of a 20-year-old Dalit youth, who died at a Delhi hospital following an attack by a gang during his birthday celebration on October 15, was brought home amid heavy police deployment. The youth, Aniket Jatav, was allegedly attacked outside his home in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida on the night of his birthday. Police have arrested two men — Yuvraj and Jitu — in connection with the assault, while efforts are on to trace the remaining suspects, sources said. It took nearly an hour of tense negotiations in the narrow lane, crowded with mourners and onlookers, before the grieving family — demanding justice for Aniket — allowed the body to be taken for cremation. Aniket, who worked as a mechanic and driver, was allegedly attacked by a group of “upper-caste” men on the night of October 15. “He had just cut the cake when they came,” said his uncle Sumit, who also sustained injuries in the attack. His right eye was visibly swollen and bruised. Sumit alleged that the accused had been threatening Aniket for several weeks. The Rabupura police registered an FIR on October 17 — two days after the incident — naming seven “upper-caste” men. Two have been arrested, while five remain absconding. A police officer said investigators suspect that a social media post may have triggered the violence. However, according to Sumit, tensions had begun a month earlier when Aniket intervened during a local Ramleela, where a group of upper-caste men were allegedly abusing one of his friends. “They hurled casteist slurs and the situation escalated,” Sumit recalled. “Two days before the attack, they caught Aniket outside his house and hit him with a rock. Aniket slapped one of them in retaliation. They told him he had forgotten his aukat (status).” On the night of October 15, when Aniket was celebrating his birthday in a nearby field, the same group allegedly returned armed with rods and hockey sticks. “They started hitting me. I thought Aniket had escaped, but we later found him lying unconscious behind some bushes, his body soaked in blood,” Sumit said. Both men were rushed to a local hospital and later referred to Delhi for treatment. Sumit was discharged two days ago, but Aniket succumbed to his injuries earlier this week. According to Sujeet Upadhyay, Station House Officer (SHO) of Rabupura, an FIR initially registered for assault has now been amended to murder. “We are verifying the allegations of caste abuse. A case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered, and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused,” he said. The Jatav community of Rabupura — a large Dalit population living along the southern edge of Gautam Buddh Nagar district — resides alongside upper-caste families who, locals say, control much of the land in the area. Aniket’s father is unemployed, while his mother said her eldest son was the family’s sole breadwinner. “He worked long hours repairing motorbikes and brought home whatever he could. That money kept us going,” she said, surrounded by mourners. As the body arrived, scores of men gathered near Ambedkar Chowk, while women wailed inside the family courtyard. Throughout the day, a stream of politicians visited the family to offer condolences. Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh (BJP) sat quietly among the mourners and later arranged a call with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who, Singh said, “assured strict action.” Leaders from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) also visited the family and pledged support. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Congress, strongly condemned the incident, accusing the government of failing to curb caste violence in the state. “Every week or two, we see reports of Dalits being killed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh. @narendramodi and his double-engine governments have completely failed to protect the lives of Dalits,” Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammad wrote in a post on X. Namita Bajpai Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit girl raped for three years in Khaga: Youth lured her with the promise of marriage, assaulted her when she resisted; case filed
A case of rape of a Dalit girl for three years has come to light in the Sultanpur Ghosh area of Fatehpur district. A youth from the same village is accused of repeatedly having physical relations with her under the pretext of marriage and then assaulting her when she resisted. The victim has filed a complaint at the police station. In her complaint, the victim stated that Ajay Kumar (Lodhi) of the village had entangled her in a love affair about three years ago. The accused, promising marriage, pressured her into physical relations and continued to rape her. Last Friday, when the girl’s brother learned of this and she refused to have physical relations, the accused assaulted her. The victim alleges that the accused also threatened to kill her brother. CO Khaga stated that the matter is under investigation. He has ordered the registration of a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act) and sections related to rape. Station House Officer Tej Bahadur Singh confirmed that the case is being investigated and a case is being filed, and that the victim will be provided justice. Vikash Trivedi Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man assaulted in Maharashtra; three held
11-member group attacks and abuses Dalit in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra A 22-year-old Dalit man was allegedly abducted and brutally assaulted by a group of 11 individuals in Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra. Three of the accused have been arrested in connection with the incident that took place on October 19 in Sonai village. According to the FIR filed on a complaint from the victim’s father, the man and his friend were standing near a hospital when the main accused, Sambhaji Lande, who reportedly had prior enmity with the victim, arrived with a group. They kicked and punched the victim and assaulted him with sticks. When the victim’s friend attempted to intervene, he too was assaulted. The attackers then forced the victim into an SUV and took him to an undisclosed location, where the assault continued. The FIR said the group allegedly urinated on the victim and hurled casteist slurs during the ordeal. After nearly an hour of abuse, they left him near a college ground. His parents later took him to a local hospital, from where he was referred to the Civil Hospital at the district headquarters, a senior police officer from Sonai. The police have invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including those related to causing hurt, using dangerous weapons, and kidnapping. “Provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been applied in the case. So far, three individuals, including Lande, have been arrested, and efforts are under way to apprehend the remaining accused,” the police said. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar urged the authorities to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused. In a post on X, Mr. Ambedkar said that he had spoken with the victim’s father and assured the family of his support, adding that he plans to meet them soon. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka: Dalit Sene march to express solidarity with Minister Priyank Kharge
Members of Dalit Sene hit the streets in Kalaburagi city on Friday in a show of solidarity for Minister Priyank Kharge in the fight against the RSS. The march was led by Dalit Sene State president Hanumanth Yelasanghi. The Dalit Sene members, including its Women Wing, Youth Wing members from Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, and Yadgir districts, took out a massive march from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioners’ office, displaying the portraits of Dr. Ambedkar, the Constitution’s preamble, and posters of Mr. Kharge. The Sene members burnt tyres demanding the State government to ban RSS activities completely. Coming down heavily on the RSS leaders, Mr. Yelsanghi said that the RSS has been targeting minorities and Dalits across the country. They have issued threatening calls to Mr. Kharge for questioning the organisation’s funding sources and its registration, they said. “If RSS take out route march holding a lathi, the Dalit Sene members are ready to give RSS a befitting reply,” he expressed. Alleging a secret alliance between Congress and RSS, Mr. Yelsanghi claimed that Congress was extending its support to RSS. He claimed that more than 100 Congress workers participated in the RSS route march held at Sedam town recently. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MP: We pledge not to have any relations with the Jatav community! Video of caste-based oath taken at Brahmin Mahapanchayat goes viral, sparking outrage across the state
The Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to live a life free from discrimination. Bhopal. Another case of Dalit oppression and caste discrimination has surfaced from Bhind district in Madhya Pradesh, heating up the political and social atmosphere across the state. First, the inhuman and humiliating brutality against a Dalit truck driver, and now, in the same district, an oath allegedly taken by some members of the Brahmin community to socially boycott the Jatav (Dalit) community has sparked deep anger among the Dalit community in the state. A viral video on social media shows some members of the alleged Mahapanchayat being made to swear not to have any relations with members of the Jatav community. This video has further fueled the spark of caste tension in the entire matter. This incident is set against the backdrop of a tragic incident that occurred on Diwali, in which Dalit youth Gyan Singh Jatav, a truck driver, was brutally treated by arrogant casteists. According to the victim, “I was forced into a vehicle at gunpoint, tied with iron chains, and beaten relentlessly. To humiliate me, I was forced to drink urine from a bottle. This wasn’t just violence, it was punishment in the name of caste. This is caste terror.” Even after the incident came to light, the victim’s side alleges that arrests are being delayed, while the accused are roaming freely. Now, a Mahapanchayat and a pledge to boycott In the latest video, it is being said from the stage of a meeting of the alleged Brahmin community that relations, communication, transactions, social interactions, and kinship with members of the Jatav community will not be maintained at any level. Dalit organizations, social activists, and political parties have called this a direct attack on constitutional norms. Legal experts say this falls squarely under the ambit of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Section 153-A (promoting enmity between communities) and Section 505 (attempting to spread hatred through rumours and speeches) of the Indian Penal Code. Under these sections, inciting hatred against any community, calling for social boycott, making provocative statements in public, and organising meetings that promote caste hatred are punishable offenses. In a conversation with The Mooknayak, legal expert Advocate Mayank Singh said, “The manner in which the oath to boycott a community is allegedly being administered in the video is not only socially dangerous but also a direct attack on constitutional values. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality to all citizens, Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste, and Article 17 completely abolishes untouchability and related practices. Therefore, a public declaration of boycotting a community is contrary to the fundamental principles of the Constitution, law, and justice.” He further said, “The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act considers such acts a serious crime because they are a deliberate attempt to socially, mentally, and economically oppress an individual or community. Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code apply to statements and gatherings that promote hatred, tension, or division in society. In such cases, it is the duty of the police and administration to take immediate cognizance and take strict action so that the message of law, not hooliganism and caste frenzy, reaches society.” Azad Samaj Party’s Protest Azad Samaj Party National President Chandrashekhar Azad, in a post on X, described the entire incident as “an extreme form of caste terrorism.” He said, “Instead of punishing the perpetrators, a section of the upper caste society is holding mahapanchayats and vowing to boycott the Jatav community. This is a war against the Constitution, equality, and human dignity. If this is not terrorism, then what is it?” They have demanded from the government: – Immediate arrest of the accused and instigators. – An FIR should be filed against those organizing the Mahapanchayat under the SC/ST Act and sedition. – The victim’s family should be given security and respect. Bhind Superintendent of Police Asit Yadav, speaking to The Mooknayak on this matter, said that the police have taken cognizance of the viral video and an investigation is underway. He said, “The video has surfaced. The police are investigating the entire incident. Only after the investigation will necessary action be taken based on the facts. The case is currently under trial.” What does the Constitution say? The Constitution of India guarantees every citizen the fundamental right to live a life free from discrimination. It outlaws untouchability, caste exclusion, and social segregation, and also places an obligation on the state to ensure the safety and equal opportunities of the weaker sections of society. Therefore, insulting, harassing, or ostracizing any community is not only against human values but also a direct violation of constitutional provisions. This video is considered even more serious because it shows an attempt to legitimize mass boycotts—the same social system that Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar described as the basis of social slavery. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy: Hindi News
Legal rights exist, but safe healthcare remains out of reach for Pakistan’s transgender people
Rachita ShingariDespite legal protections under the 2018 Transgender Persons Act, Pakistan’s trans community faces stigma, high costs, and a lack of trained surgeons, forcing many into secret, unsafe procedures. Bunty, a trans woman from Lahore, underwent a rare confidential breast augmentation, highlighting these risks. Over 70% of trans people still receive poor-quality care, with most hospitals failing to provide respectful, gender-sensitive services. A 2025 policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa now mandates separate wards, washrooms, and counters for trans patients, signaling a crucial step toward safe, dignified healthcare — though social and institutional barriers remain. #TransRights #GenderAffirmation #InclusiveHealthcare #Pakistan #TransVisibility #HumanRights #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #HealthJustice #LGBTQ Rachita Shingari Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit laborer attacked with iron rod in Shivrajpur: Rogues accused of snatching money and using casteist slurs
Prashant Kumar, a Dalit laborer returning from work in Shivrajpur (Kanpur Nagar), Kanpur, was attacked with an iron rod by some people. Prashant was seriously injured in the attack. The incident occurred on Ganga Road. Victim Prashant Kumar, a resident of Shivrajpur, stated that while returning home, Lalan Thakur (son of Annu Thakur) and Anshu Thakur (son of Baua Thakur), residents of the town, abused him. They also took money from Prashant’s pocket and hurled casteist slurs at him. When Prashant resisted, the two accused attacked him on the head with an iron rod, causing serious injuries to his face and head. Shivrajpur Police Station in-charge Varun Sharma stated that a report has been filed based on the victim’s complaint. The injured Prashant has been sent to the hospital for first aid. Police are searching for the accused. Sunil Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News