Lucknow: Dalit elder forced to lick urine, SP leaders meet victim, Chandra Shekhar says anti-Dalit mentality
An elderly Dalit man was forced to lick his own urine at a Lucknow temple. Police have arrested one of the accused in this case. The matter has now escalated and is becoming politically charged. Samajwadi Party leaders have met with the victim, Rampal. The case of an elderly Dalit man being forced to drink his own urine in Kakori, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is gaining momentum. This incident occurred at the Sheetla Mata Temple complex in Kakori. The victim, Rampal, admitted that out of fear, he initially claimed it was water, but he had actually urinated. He was then forced to lick it and was threatened. After the incident came to light, a Samajwadi Party delegation led by MP RK Chaudhary visited the victim. A brief altercation ensued between Samajwadi Party leaders and the police at Kakori. Former MP Kaushal Kishore and Malihabad MLA Jai Devi Kaushal also visited Rampal’s family. Delegations from political parties have been visiting the victim’s family since morning. Public anger has been building up over the incident. Community members have been gathering outside the temple premises since morning. The incident occurred on Diwali night. The accused, Swami Kant alias Pammu, is the brother of the temple manager. Police have arrested him. The victim, Rampal, said, “I was drinking water in the temple when Swami Kant alias Pammu came and accused me of urinating. I said I hadn’t urinated; water had just fallen there. But he refused and used casteist slurs. He threatened me and forced me to lick the ground.” Coughing led to urine leakage. The victim’s grandson, Mukesh Kumar, told news agency PTI-Bhasha that his grandfather had trouble breathing. If he didn’t take medication, he might not survive. He started coughing in the temple and passed a small amount of urine. Pammu then came and started using casteist slurs against him. The grandfather was frightened and when asked to lick the urine, he licked it. He was then asked to wash the area, and he did so with water from the pond. Mukesh explained that the main temple is at least 40 meters away from the spot where his grandfather accidentally urinated. The police have filed a case against Pammy. Hatred towards Dalits is in the blood: Congress Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that someone’s mistake does not mean that they should be subjected to humiliating and inhuman punishment. The Congress party said in a post that in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker forced an elderly Dalit man to lick his own urine. The elderly man was sitting in a temple courtyard when, due to illness, he accidentally urinated. The enraged RSS worker arrived at the scene, hurling casteist slurs at him, and forced him to lick the urine. This incident is a blot on humanity. The culprits should be punished severely. This incident symbolizes the anti-Dalit mentality of the RSS-BJP. Hatred towards Dalits runs in their blood, which is why they want to abolish the Constitution and implement ‘Manuism’ in the country so that they can exploit people on the basis of caste. However, the police stated that the accused has no connection to the RSS. A naked display of anti-Dalit mentality: Azad Bhim Army chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Azad said on this matter that the RSS worker forcing Dalit elder Rampal Pasi to lick urine is not just a crime, but a naked display of the age-old anti-Dalit mentality of casteism and feudalism. This is not only a blot on humanity but also an attack on the very soul of the Constitution. Power exerts influence on the body, the poison of casteism on the soul. We demand the government immediately arrest the accused and give him the harshest punishment under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The victim Rampal Pasi should be provided government protection, respectful compensation, and medical treatment. Abhijeet Thakur Courtesy: Hindi News
A brutal attack on a four-year-old Dalit girl in Jodhpur has sparked tension, and the police are on high alert.
Jodhpur: A major incident of brutality has occurred in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, involving a four-year-old Dalit girl. The victim has been referred to a higher facility in critical condition. Upon learning of the incident, the Dalit community has been enraged, and a large number of people gathered at the hospital and began protesting. Tension has erupted in the victim’s village and surrounding areas. In response to the situation, the police have been put on high alert and are monitoring the mob’s activities. According to the police, this heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday in the Bilara police station area of Jodhpur district. A four-year-old girl was brutally assaulted. Upon learning of the incident, the victim’s family was horrified. They immediately rushed the girl, who was bleeding profusely, to Bilara Hospital. Upon learning of the incident, a large number of Dalits gathered at the Trauma Center in Bilara. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. Due to the girl’s critical condition, doctors at Bilara Hospital provided first aid and referred her to Jodhpur. News of the brutality spread rapidly throughout her village and surrounding villages. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. The police were overwhelmed by the large crowd of angry people who had gathered at Bilara Hospital. Senior police officers arrived and brought the situation under control. Demand for the arrest and death penalty for the accused The angry crowd is demanding the arrest and death penalty for the accused. In view of the crowd’s anger, the police have been put on high alert. They are trying to pacify the crowd and assuring them of the imminent arrest of the accused. However, the police are investigating the entire matter. Reported by: Chandra Shekhar Vyas Edited by: Sandeep Rathore ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sandeep Rathore Sandeep Rathore began his journalism career in 2000 with the Bhaskar Group in Jaipur. He later served as the resident editor of Rajasthan Patrika in Kota and Bhilwara. In 2017, he began a new journey with News18. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar Election 2025: Prashant Kishor tells the people of Bihar to beware of PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi!
Bihar Election 2025: Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has said that Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. He also made similar remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Patna: Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said that Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. Prashant Kishor alleged that Rahul Gandhi was only active in pressuring the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to gain more seats. He also said that Rahul Gandhi would come to Bihar during the elections, hold a few rallies, and then his connection with Bihar would end. Prashant Kishor claimed that Rahul Gandhi was only trying to pressure the RJD to gain a few more seats. He said, “Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. If he doesn’t get seats, he will sit in Delhi. He will only come during elections, hold three or four rallies, and the story of Bihar will be over for him. Come to Bihar during elections, take votes, and then leave The Jan Suraj Party founder said that the people of Bihar should be wary of leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that these leaders come to Bihar during elections, mislead the people, take votes, and then leave. He said, “Bihar should be wary of such people, whether they are Modi or Rahul Gandhi, who come only during elections, show off, make big promises, mislead the public, take votes, and then leave. After this, Bihar and its people will suffer for five years. Your children will have to work as laborers, you will face floods, and these people will not say a word.” The main contest in the Bihar Assembly elections will be between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Grand Alliance. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal United (JDU), Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-R), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). On the other hand, the Grand Alliance of the opposition includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) led by Dipankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Claims to be an alternative to Jan Suraj Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraj Party has claimed to contest all 243 seats in the state. Voting for the Bihar elections will be held on November 6 and 11, respectively. The results will be declared on November 14th. Prashant Kishor’s statement has become a topic of discussion in political circles. He has attempted to establish his own identity in Bihar politics and believes that state leaders should be wary of outsiders who only engage in vote bank politics. He also stated that the Jan Suraj Party will emerge as an alternative for the people of Bihar. Authored by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in the country and the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
In Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth was severely beaten for drinking water from a hand pump and threatened with shooting if the government came to power.
A Dalit youth, who was coming to pick up his sister from Chhibramau in Kannauj, drank water from a hand pump. The enraged hand pump owner first hit him on the head with a brick and then beat him, injuring him. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Correspondent, Chhibramau. A Dalit youth, who was coming to pick up his sister from Chhibramau, drank water from a hand pump. The enraged hand pump owner first hit him on the head with a brick and then beat him, injuring him. The youth threatened to shoot him if the government came to power. Based on the victim’s complaint, police are now investigating the matter. Amit Kumar, son of Devendra Kumar, a resident of Nagla Jor village in the area, stated that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste. On the evening of October 19th, he was traveling from his village to Chibramau to pick up his sister. On the way, he stopped to drink water from a hand pump. A young man from Asalat Nagar became angry at his drinking, hurled casteist slurs at him, hit him on the head with a brick, and then assaulted him, injuring him. Heard of the commotion, several people came to his rescue. The accused threatened to shoot him when the government arrived. The victim went to the police station and filed a complaint with the police. Inspector-in-Charge Vishnukant Tiwari stated that the matter is being investigated. BY SOHAM PRAKASH, EDITED BY: NITISH KUMAR KUSHWAHA Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar Elections: MP Pappu Yadav claims Dalits and minorities follow Rahul Gandhi’s ideology
Bihar Election 2025: Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha said that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) announced candidates at the last minute because it is afraid of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Patna: Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases next month. Earlier, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav claimed that people from backward castes, Dalits, and minorities follow the ideology of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said that these communities are fed up with migration and unemployment. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha targeted the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), saying that they are announcing candidates at the last minute because they are afraid of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Kushwaha also said that the people of Bihar are intelligent and will teach the Grand Alliance a lesson. Voting in Bihar will take place on November 6 and 11, with results declared on November 14. Purnia MP Pappu Yadav said that people from backward castes, Dalits, and minorities in Bihar are embracing the ideology of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He stated that these people are deeply troubled by migration and unemployment in the country. Pappu Yadav made this statement just weeks before the Bihar Assembly elections. Confident of NDA forming government in Bihar On the other hand, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha took a dig at the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). He said that the RJD is releasing its candidate list at the last minute. According to Kushwaha, the RJD is doing so because it is afraid of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He also said that the people of Bihar know everything and will definitely give a befitting reply to the Grand Alliance. Kushwaha expressed confidence that the NDA will form the government in Bihar. RJD and Congress face off on some seats The RJD released a list of 143 candidates on the last day of filing nominations for the second phase of the Bihar elections. Both RJD and Congress have fielded candidates in some seats. For example, in Narkatiaganj, Deepak Yadav (RJD) will face Shaswat Kedar Pandey (Congress). Similarly, in Kahalgaon, Rajneesh Bharti (RJD) will contest against Praveen Singh Kushwaha (Congress). In Sikandra (SC) seat, Uday Narayan Chaudhary (RJD) will face Vinod Chaudhary (Congress). In Lalganj (Vaishali), Shivani Shukla is likely to face Aditya Raja (Congress). However, it is also expected that the alliance partners will reach a compromise and one party will withdraw its candidacy. The assembly elections in Bihar will be held in two phases. The first phase will be held on November 6 and the second phase on November 11. The election results will be declared on November 14. Curated by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in India and the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
Man Held For Raping Minor Dalit Girl In Uttar Pradesh’s Sant Kabir Nagar
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Kumar Meena said the accused, identified as Badre Alam, was arrested around 3 am from a village under Khalilabad police station limits on Sunday. – Badre Alam, 32, accused of raping dalit girl in UP. – He was arrested around 3 am from a village under Khalilabad police station limits. – Police said he allegedly refused to stop despite warnings, so the police opened fire and he was injured in the right leg. A 32-year-old man accused of allegedly raping a minor Dalit girl was arrested here on Sunday morning, police said. Superintendent of Police (SP) Sandeep Kumar Meena said the accused, identified as Badre Alam, was arrested around 3 am from a village under Khalilabad police station limits on Sunday. He said that when the police team was taking Alam towards Khalilabad Kotwali, he allegedly tried to flee on the pretext attending nature’s call. He allegedly refused to stop despite police warnings, so the police opened fire and he was injured in the right leg, he added. Curated by: Jinit Parmar Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Shift in Dalit Politics in Uttar Pradesh
As the BSP, once seen as the primary political vehicle of Dalit assertion, is facing criticism for its growing silence, Rahul Gandhi’s recent activism, particularly his vocal stance against Dalit atrocities, has begun to trigger a political churning in the community. LoP in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi meets the family members of late Hariom Valmiki, a Dalit man allegedly lynched in Raebareli, in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. Photo: PTI Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday (October 17) sharply criticised the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government following the brutal lynching of Dalit man Hariom Valmiki, saying the incident has “shaken the nation’s conscience” and exposed the continuing vulnerability of Dalits in India. Gandhi, who met the victim’s family in Fatehpur district, alleged that the local administration attempted to intimidate them and prevent his visit – an act he described as a “failure of the system that shields the guilty instead of protecting the victim.” Dalit politics in focus The recent alleged attempt to throw an object towards Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court, and the death by suicide of senior Dalit IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar in Haryana on October 7, 2025, reignited debate over Dalit security, dignity, caste discrimination and institutional bias. After attempting to throw an object towards CJI Gavai, advocate Rakesh Kishore loudly proclaimed slogans in praise of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. He reportedly shouted, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma)”. Gandhi’s recent activism on Dalit issues, particularly his vocal stance against atrocities, has begun to trigger a political churning among Dalits over their future political alignment. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once seen as the primary political vehicle of Dalit assertion, is facing criticism for its growing silence. Mayawati’s silence at Lucknow rally At the BSP rally held on October 9 in Lucknow, to mark the death anniversary of party founder Kanshi Ram, a massive crowd had gathered to hear party supremo Mayawati. However, her speech disappointed many Dalit supporters who expected a strong condemnation of recent caste-based violence. Mayawati targeted the opposition INDIA bloc parties Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, more than the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In fact, she even praised the BJP government for maintaining Dalit heritage sites. “The Samajwadi Party is two-faced – it remembers Dalits only when out of power but forgets them once in office,” she said, adding, “The Congress, too, had weakened the Constitution during the Emergency.” Notably, she avoided mentioning any specific recent atrocity – neither the attempt to throw an object on CJI Gavai nor the Hariom Valmiki lynching – something that many BSP supporters found disheartening. “The state government has, to some extent, maintained Dalit parks and memorials using ticket revenues,” she said, drawing a contrast with what she described as the SP neglect of such sites. Political decline of the BSP Mayawati’s reluctance to work at the grassroots level and her perceived soft corner towards the BJP have deepened the crisis within Dalit politics. The BSP’s political graph has been steadily declining over the past decade and a half. In Uttar Pradesh, where the party had formed a majority government in 2007, it now has only one MLA in the state assembly and no representation in Parliament. Observers believe that Mayawati’s absence from active ground politics has weakened the BSP, leading to fragmentation of its core Dalit base. While Jatav Dalits have largely remained loyal, non-Jatav Dalits – who shifted to the BJP during the Narendra Modi wave in 2014 – began moving towards the INDIA bloc in 2024. Analysts say that Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra helped build Dalit confidence in him. Opposition parties have also fuelled concerns that the BJP might alter the constitution and end reservations – a fear that has pushed Dalits closer to the INDIA alliance. As the Congress lacks a strong organisational base in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has emerged as the principal beneficiary, drawing Dalit support alongside its traditional Muslim and backward-class voters. However, in the 2024 general election, the Congress increased its tally from one seat in 2019 to six, while the SP won 37 out of 80 seats. Dalit churning and emerging alignments The ongoing churn in Dalit politics suggests that Rahul Gandhi is eyeing a political opening in Uttar Pradesh, attempting to reclaim the community that once formed the Congress’s core support base before the rise of Kanshi Ram and Mayawati. According to Shashi Kant Pandey, a professor at the department of political science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, “Rahul Gandhi’s strong pitch for caste census and his vocal stance against Dalit atrocities is gradually making the Congress a political choice for Dalits. However, it will take time for the party to benefit from this shift due to its weak organisational structure in the state.” Pandey added that while Mayawati retains a sustainable vote bank, her failure to expand beyond Dalit support limits her electoral strength. “She secured nearly 9.3% votes in the last general election, but without support from other communities, this cannot translate into seats,” he said. Voices from the Dalit community Dalit thinker R.P. Gautam, who is also associated with the Congress, believes that the community is searching for leadership capable of challenging the BJP’s dominance. “No doubt, Mayawati and the BSP gave a voice and political identity to Dalits, but her reluctance to work on the ground has disappointed many,” Gautam said. “Indeed, Gandhi is vocal against Dalit atrocities, but his party rarely ensures their representation in power. Now the time is over for optics politics — eating with Dalits is not enough to get their support. Parties must give Dalits a real share in power if they want their loyalty,” he added. Rahul Gandhi’s message During his visit to Fatehpur, Gandhi said, “The brutal murder of Hariom Valmiki has shaken the conscience of the entire nation. In the eyes of his family, there was both pain and a question –
Over 20 households, over 200 disciples… A Bangladeshi transgender, Babu Ayanal Khan, had been living in India as Jyoti for 30 years.
The 44-year-old transgender, known as the Miraculous Jyoti Maa in Mumbai’s Shivaji Nagar, turned out to be a Bangladeshi citizen. Police investigations revealed that she had been operating an illegal network in India under a fake identity for the past 30 years. Shivaji Nagar: In the Govandi, Rafiq Nagar, Kurla, Deonar, Narpoli, and Trombay areas, the 44-year-old transgender, posing as Jyoti Maa, would bless her devotees 24 hours a day. People would bow their heads and pray, believing Jyoti Maa to be a goddess. Jyoti Maa’s influence can be gauged by the fact that many local leaders even visited her court. In such circumstances, no one could have imagined that the Jyoti Maa, whom they considered a miraculous goddess, was actually a vicious criminal. According to the Shivaji Nagar police, several cases have been registered against this alleged Jyoti Maa for kidnapping, assault, and other serious charges. Furthermore, this transgender person is not an Indian citizen but a Bangladeshi citizen who has been living in India illegally for the past 30 years by changing his name and identity. Come to India at the age of 14 This Bangladeshi transgender person, Jyoti Maa, alias Babu Ayanal Khan, entered India illegally at the age of 14. Here, he concealed his true identity and lived in Muslim-dominated areas, and then, seeing an opportunity, established a base in Govandi. Local police reported that Babu Ayanal Khan, alias Jyoti Maa, has built a large network of transgender people over the years, including over 200 transgender followers. Investigations have revealed that he owns over 20 houses and other properties in Mumbai and its suburbs. His followers are implicated in most of the incidents reported against transgender people on trains, highways, in homes, and elsewhere. Most of these transgender people are fake. Police are now conducting a thorough investigation into this gang and its illegal assets and network. It is suspected that Jyoti Ma possesses assets worth crores of rupees. This is how Jyoti Ma’s activities were exposed An officer with the Shivaji Nagar police stated that a crackdown is underway against Bangladeshi immigrants living illegally. Recently, eight Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in the Govandi area, some of whom were transgender. After rigorous interrogation, police obtained information about Jyoti Ma, also known as Babu Ayanal Khan, leading to Khan’s arrest. The investigation also revealed that Jyoti Ma helped Bangladeshi immigrants settle in Mumbai. When police examined her documents, her birth certificate, Aadhaar card, and PAN card were all found to be fake. Her gang of transgender individuals are active in the Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, Rafiq Nagar, Kurla, Deonar, Narpoli, and Trombay areas, and are said to be living there using fake documents. The hunt for these illegal Bangladeshi immigrants continues. However, Shivaji Nagar police produced Jyoti Ma, alias Babu Ayanal Khan, in a local court, where he was remanded to judicial custody. Authored by: Manish Jha •Edited by: Rahul Mahajan About the Author Manish Jha, who began his career in TV journalism, moved from Madhubani, Bihar, and settled completely in Mumbai. In his 14-year career, he has worked on the desk in addition to reporting. He has been covering crime stories for NBT for the past seven years. Courtesy: Hindi News
Row over ‘caste bias’: college says student’s conduct was unsatisfactory
Pune’s Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, which has drawn criticism after former student Prem Birhade alleged caste discrimination for withholding a verification certificate, on Saturday said that his conduct as a student was “unsatisfactory”. In a statement posted on social media, college principal Nivedita Ekbote rejected claims of bias and said that the institute had earlier issued Mr. Birhade three recommendation letters and bona fide certificates. A day earlier, The Hindu had reported about the allegations levelled by Mr. Birhade, a Dalit youth based in London, saying that a U.K.-based company had “asked my college if I had studied there. The college did not respond. Why? Because you don’t want us to get ahead in life. This is the struggle of me, my family, my community”. In response to the principal’s statement, Mr. Birhade said he would file a defamation and harassment case against the college, reiterating his charge of caste discrimination. “If you want us to hang a broom and a pot around our necks now, that is not going to happen,” he said in a video statement on Saturday. Gajanan Ekbote, chairperson of the Progressive Education Society that runs the college and the principal’s father, dismissed the allegations as “false and baseless”. “The earlier recommendation letters were provided by faculty members who have now retired. When the request for a new recommendation letter came, we said we would first need to verify the records, as the principal did not know him. There was no delay. The company had not given us any deadline. We sent the letter as soon as we received a reminder,” he told The Hindu. Meanwhile, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar issued a statement criticising the college. “Why was he [Mr. Birhade] fit for recommendation then, but now, he secured a place abroad, the college suddenly finds his character problematic? Let’s be honest. This isn’t about discipline. This is about discomfort. Discomfort with a Dalit student daring to rise beyond the limits society quietly sets for him!” Mr. Ambedkar added, “What the college has done isn’t just unethical, it’s a targeted and discriminatory act! It’s academic sabotage rooted in caste prejudice! Instead of celebrating his success, they chose to block his path. We need to call this what it is: caste-based discrimination. And it’s not just wrong, it’s criminal!” 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
‘Will take my own life if they aren’t arrested’:Dalit youth in Katni allegedly urinated on by Sarpanch & son, fears stepping out of home
A Dalit youth in Katni, Madhya Pradesh, was brutally beaten, urinated on, and threatened by the village Sarpanch Ramanuj Pandey, his son Pawan Pandey, nephew Satish Pandey, and employee Ram Bihari Haldkar. He had protested against illegal mining on government land. The youth says all accused are absconding and has threatened suicide if no action is taken. Incident location and timeline The incident occurred on October 13 around 6 PM near a murram mine on Ghatiya Ramgadh hill in the Sleemanabad police station area, 40 km from Katni district headquarters. The youth spotted illegal excavation using a JCB and asked where the material was going. Ram Bihari Haldkar verbally abused him with a caste slur and threatened to kill him. Attack on youth and mother While returning home, the youth and his mother were blocked by a tractor. They were grabbed and dragged. The youth was beaten with iron rods, kicked, and Pawan Pandey urinated on his face. His mother’s braid was pulled, and she was slapped and thrown down. The accused threatened to kill the youth if he went to the police. Hospitalisation and police complaint The youth was admitted to a government hospital for three days due to serious injuries. On October 16, he approached the Katni SP office to lodge a complaint. Initially, police asked him to wander between stations, call the other party, and provide a caste certificate. Finally, a case was registered at Sleemanabad police station under the SC/ST Act, assault, and intimidation against four accused. Supporters of Sarpanch visit SP office On October 17, around 17–20 people from the village went to the SP office supporting the Sarpanch. They demanded an impartial investigation and claimed the allegations were baseless. They had travelled in a bus parked at the village entrance before leaving for Katni. Victim’s past complaints The youth had a history of activism against corruption. In 2021–22, he was a Panchayat mate, removed later, and opposed Sarpanch’s work. Since 2023, he filed complaints under RTI and the CM Helpline about Panchayat corruption, fund mismanagement, Anganwadi payments, and poor construction quality. Around 15 complaints were registered through the CM Helpline. He also petitioned the High Court for information on fund usage, and the court issued a notice to the Panchayati Rural Development Department. Despite these actions, illegal mining continued, and the youth faced attacks due to this opposition. Mother’s account The mother said she begged the accused to stop, but they did not listen. She watched helplessly as her son was beaten severely and threatened. She demanded strict action against the perpetrators. Sarpanch’s statement Sarpanch Ramanuj Pandey denied all allegations, calling them a conspiracy. He claimed the youth held a grudge since losing the 2022 Panchayat elections by three votes. He stated the murram extraction was authorised by the Tehsildar, and police were informed. Political response Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) national president MP Chandrashekhar Azad contacted the youth on October 17, promising justice. He warned that if the accused are not arrested within 24 hours, he would personally go to Katni and agitate. Statewide protests against the attack are also planned. Mohd Ajaz Khan, Katni Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights