Why and How Infiltrator lived as ‘hijra’ in India for a decade:Most illegal migrants in India are Bangladeshi; why is it so easy to infiltrate?
For nearly a decade, a Bangladeshi man lived undetected in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, posing as a transgender woman named Neha. With a full set of forged Indian documents, including Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID, and even a passport, he travelled between India and Bangladesh, reportedly paying agents ₹50,000 for the fake identity. His arrest in July 2025 has exposed a shocking infiltration tactic: using gender disguise to avoid scrutiny. As police investigate his motives and local connections, the case raises unsettling questions about security lapses, document fraud, and how deeply some infiltrators can embed themselves into Indian society. Why is India particularly vulnerable along the Bangladesh border? India shares a 4,095 km border with Bangladesh: one of the longest international boundaries in the world. Over 1,100 km of this terrain is riverine, making it extremely difficult to fence and monitor effectively. Infiltrators exploit gaps, especially in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. Additionally, dense populations, similar languages, and interlinked ethnic groups on both sides complicate detection. Organised human smuggling networks facilitate crossings using boats, farmland paths or forested trails. Political sensitivities, especially in regions like Assam with a history of illegal migration debates, often hinder aggressive enforcement. The socioeconomic gap between India and Bangladesh also acts as a push factor, encouraging thousands to cross over in search of employment, housing, or even welfare access. Despite efforts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), lack of high-tech surveillance, local collusion, and the use of forged documents by infiltrators keep this border particularly porous and vulnerable. How do local agents and touts facilitate such infiltrations? Human trafficking networks and local touts are central to successful infiltration. These intermediaries arrange everything from illegal crossings to settlement support inside India. In the Bhopal case, Abdul Kalam alias “Neha” allegedly paid local agents around ₹50,000 for forged Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID and even a passport. These networks operate in border regions and extend into urban areas, using corrupt bureaucratic links to issue fake documents. Often, infiltrators are transported through safer transit states such as West Bengal or Bihar and eventually resettled in cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Bhopal, where anonymity is easier. Some agents also train infiltrators on how to blend in, adopting local accents or false religions or even posing as transgenders to deflect suspicion. These rackets are sophisticated and difficult to dismantle because they offer a livelihood to numerous local actors who see this as low-risk, high-profit work. Why did Abdul Kalam choose the transgender identity “Neha” in Bhopal? Abdul Kalam’s choice to live under a transgender identity was likely a strategic disguise. In India, the hijra (transgender) community has cultural recognition but is often left socially and administratively isolated, making it easier for someone like him to avoid deep scrutiny. By presenting as “Neha” and integrating into local transgender circles, he deflected attention. Neighbours and even local officials rarely questioned his background due to the marginalised nature of the group. This also helped him access NGOs and welfare schemes meant for the third gender. It’s possible the identity change was advised by agents who recognised how little official oversight transgender individuals face. Currently, authorities are conducting gender verification and interrogating him to determine whether the disguise was deliberate or linked to deeper psychological or identity issues. Regardless, it is among the most unusual camouflage tactics seen in infiltration cases so far. Author: Anjali Rajgovind Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
LGBTQ Rights in India: Madras High Court’s Gender-Neutral Toilets Set Powerful Precedent
For many transgender persons in India, life is a long negotiation between identity and invisibility. You may walk past them on a street, share a bus seat, or smile at them briefly in an office corridor. But too often, society either stares with ridicule or looks away in silence. Very few see the human behind the label — someone seeking nothing more than dignity, respect and a chance to live as they truly are. In June 2024, the Madras high court made history by becoming one of the first in India to install three gender-neutral toilets on its campus. A LinkedIn post by transgender advocate Kanmani R (verified in June 2024) confirms the high court has installed three new gender neutral washrooms on its premises, marking a meaningful step toward inclusive facilities. This infrastructural change, while seemingly small, is a profound act of institutional empathy — a recognition of the rights and dignity of transgender and gender-nonconforming persons. In a legal landscape where detachment is often valorized, Justice Anand Venkatesh stood apart and more recently, so did the bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan when approached by a same-sex couple seeking protection from their disapproving parents. Justice Anand Venkatesh paused the hearing, stating that he needed time to “understand same-sex relationships” before delivering a judgment. He wrote to psychologists, read scientific literature, and interacted with LGBTQIA+ individuals. “I am trying to break my preconceived notions about this issue. I have no hesitation in admitting that I am not fully ‘woke’ to this subject. I am willing to understand,” he said. That journey translated into a series of bold, progressive directives such as the ban on conversion therapy in Tamil Nadu; directions to revise school and college curricula to include LGBTQIA+ issues; a mandate for sensitisation of police and government officials; a push for gender-neutral restrooms in public and institutional spaces; and monitoring of implementation through status reports. It is from this context that the gender-neutral washrooms in the Madras High Court campus must be seen, not just as construction projects, but as judicially seeded symbols of change. Toilets might seem mundane, but for transgender persons, the lack of safe, affirming restrooms can lead to harassment, violence, or complete avoidance of public life. Recognising this, in the Sushma case, Justice Venkatesh urged the Union and state govts to ensure provision of gender-neutral restrooms, especially in public institutions such as courts, colleges and govt offices. His orders made it clear that dignity begins with access. Following his directions and subsequent PILs in 2023-24, the Madras HC’s campus became the first to act on these ideals, completing the installation of three gender-neutral toilets by June 2024. Even as courts such as Madras HC move toward inclusion, India’s primary transgender law —the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 — lags behind. Justice Venkatesh had flagged issues with the law, notably the requirement of certification for gender identity, a direct contradiction of the NALSA judgment (2014); the absence of provisions for reservations, marriage, adoption, and inheritance; and tokenistic punishment for violence and abuse against transgender persons. He echoed the demand that LGBTQIA+ rights in India must not come with red tape, nor be made conditional upon medical procedures or administrative approval. The Madras HC’s move symbolises judicial responsibility not just to interpret the law, but to humanise it. It aligns with Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, guaranteeing equality and dignity. It responds to community-led demands, acknowledging that legal victories must be followed by institutional change. Building on this vision, the road ahead must include amending the 2019 Act to fully honour self-identification, introduce reservations, and grant family rights; enacting a national anti-discrimination law covering gender, caste, class, disability, and sexuality; public funding for gender-affirming healthcare, and psychological support tailored to transgender needs; mandatory training for police, teachers, and judges on gender identity and inclusion; and a curriculum changes at school and university levels to foster respect and awareness from a young age. Justice Indu Malhotra said it best: “History owes an apology to the LGBTQ community.” But an apology is not enough. The transgender community does not need charity. They deserve citizenship, not conditional sympathy. It’s time India matched its legal promises with social and institutional will. When the judiciary listened India has known and embraced gender diversity for centuries. Communities such as the hijras have been part of festivals, births and blessings. But colonial rule brought with it a rigid gender binary and criminalisation, casting the transgender identity into the shadows. The Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, reduced Hijras to a stereotype, criminal by default. This stigma, though the law is long gone, survives in whispered judgments and silent exclusions. Change didn’t begin in Parliament — it started in courtrooms. 1.NALSA v. Union of India (2014) A historic verdict that recognised the right to self-identify one’s gender. For the first time, India’s highest court said: You exist. You matter. You are equal. Transgender persons were granted constitutional rights under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19(1)(a), and 21. 2.Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) A landmark ruling on privacy, affirming that one’s gender identity is deeply personal and fundamentally protected. 3.Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India (2018) With the striking down of Section 377, the court did more than decriminalise love — it restored the humanity of millions. 4.Arun Kumar vs IG of Registration (2019) The Madras High Court reminded us that the law must evolve with empathy — recognising that a transwoman can be a bride under Hindu marriage laws. 5.S Sushma vs Commissioner of Police (2021) A rare moment of judicial humility where a judge chose to unlearn and relearn by listening to LGBTQ+ voices. The court ordered safeguards, called out police excesses and banned conversion therapy. Law with good intentions, but glaring gaps The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, tried to put NALSA into law. It made discrimination illegal. It defined transgender broadly. However, it fell short because it required certificates for self-identity,
Over 58% Dalit voters in Bihar think unemployment is biggest poll issue: survey
The survey was conducted and released by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations also found that more than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have ‘no trust’ in the Election Commission A Booth Level Officer checks documents during Special Investigation Revision to the electoral roll Drive at Kamalpur Village under Jalalgarh Block in Purnia district in Bihar. File A Booth Level Officer checks documents during Special Investigation Revision to the electoral roll Drive at Kamalpur Village under Jalalgarh Block in Purnia district in Bihar. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu More than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have “no trust” in the Election Commission of India (ECI), a new survey released ahead of the Assembly Elections due in the State has found. It also shows that over 58% Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in the State thought that unemployment was the biggest issue in the upcoming polls. Over 12,000 new polling stations created in Bihar The survey was conducted and released by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations (NACDAOR), a conglomerate of hundreds of associations across the nation. It covered a total of 18,581 SC voters from across the State and was conducted between June 10 and July 4, Ashok Bharti, Chairman of NACDAOR told The Hindu. The 2022 Bihar caste survey counted 19.65% of the State’s population as belonging to the Scheduled Castes. He added that since the Election Commission started its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the rolls as the survey was underway, one question was put on the survey mid-way, for which only around 8,500 responses could be gathered. Fear of losing vote To the question ‘Do you fear losing your vote in the new voter list?’, over 71% of respondents said yes and 23.4% said no with a little over 5% not expressing an opinion. Around 32 lakh voters yet to submit enumeration forms in Bihar, says Election Commission On the general question of whether they trusted the Election Commission to be impartial, over 27% said no, about 51% said yes, and 21% said they didn’t know. The survey asked a total of 11 questions such as ‘who is their favourite political leader at the national and state levels’, ‘how is the work of the State government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’, and ‘who do they hold most responsible for the caste enumeration that will now be conducted’. 94.68% of Bihar voters covered in electoral roll revision drive, says Election Commission It found that while over 47.5% of the respondents said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was their favourite leader at the national level, 40.3% said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and about 12% said other politicians. Credit for caste census It further reported that to the question ‘who do they credit for the caste census?’, 33.15% respondents said Narendra Modi, 30.81% said Rahul Gandhi, and 27.57% said Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav while about 8% said the names of other politicians. Further, the survey showed that about 48% said the work of the Nitish Kumar-led government was “bad”, while about 45% said it was good. Opinion: The parameters of ‘success’ in Bihar’s poll roll revision Mr. Bharti told The Hindu, “A lot of people do surveys of Scheduled Castes, but hardly do many of them actually speak to us on the ground. This survey is of Dalits, by Dalits.” He explained that they went through the process of training enumerators to survey SC respondents across about 49 Assembly segments in the six regions of Bihar, namely Kosi, Mithilanchal, Seemanchal, Bhojpur, Champaran, and Magadh Pataliputra regions. Mr. Bharti said, “We have actually surveyed people on the ground. There was higher trust in our enumerators. Unfortunately for the question on SIR, we could not cover all respondents because it came midway.” The NACDAOR conducted this survey in collaboration with political consultancy firm The Convergent Media, and this is the second survey they have put out. Mr. Bharti said the first survey they did was ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year. Abhinay Lakshman Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Do Dalits need permission to take water even after 75 years of independence? Madras High Court told the bitter truth of the country!
Taking a tough stand on caste discrimination, the Madras High Court directed the Tenkasi administration to ensure equitable distribution of water and stop injustice to Dalits. Chennai. The Madras High Court has strongly objected to the discrimination being done to the Scheduled Caste community in drawing water from public water sources and said that it is “shocking and sad even in the scientific age” that some communities still have to wait for their rightful water. Justice R.N. Manjula said that it is unfortunate that even today some communities get access to public resources only after other communities, while the Constitution and law give equal rights to all citizens. The court said, “Natural wealth like water is for everyone. It is very shocking that even in today’s scientific age, some communities have to stand for their turn. Are we not all part of the same human society?” ‘Administration cannot remain a mute spectator’ The High Court made it clear that even though it is not easy to root out caste and class-based mentality, those in power and administrative responsibility cannot remain mute spectators. The court said, “If those in the administration remain silent on these incidents, they will also be considered partners in this narrow mindset. We need practical and peaceful action, not ostentation.” The court described water as the ‘nectar of life’ and said that no citizen, especially elderly women, should have to struggle for drinking water throughout their lives. Case details The observations were made when the court was hearing a petition filed by a man named Thirumalaisamy, who sought suspension of the sentence awarded by the District Sessions Court of Tenkasi and grant of bail. Thirumalaisamy was found guilty under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes/Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It was alleged that on 3 December 2016, he used caste-related slurs and threatened to kill two persons working in his field. He was sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,000. The petitioner argued that since the incident did not take place in public view, the sections of the Act were not applicable. The complainant (a 65-year-old woman) objected and said that if Thirumalaisamy was granted bail, she would have to face inconvenience and fear even while fetching water as he had to pass near her house. Thirumalaisamy assured the court that he would not appear in front of the complainant, nor make any threat or gesture. The court, noting that the hearing of the appeal was not possible soon and the petitioner had promised not to pose any threat, granted him bail and suspended his sentence. The court also directed the petitioner to appear in court every month. Court’s instructions to end discrimination During the hearing, the court also mentioned that the 65-year-old complainant is facing a lot of difficulties in getting drinking water. On this, the court directed the District Collector of Tenkasi that there should be no discrimination in water distribution on the basis of caste in the village. The court gave the following orders to the officials: Adequate water connection and water supply should be ensured in all the streets. No community should be given priority in water distribution. No person or group should take excessive amount of water which causes difficulty to others. The court clarified that all citizens have equal rights on public property like water and it is the responsibility of the administration to protect this right. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
MP: Tractor stopped in Niwari, Dalit family pelted with stones and attacked with weapons, case registered against 6 people
A video of this entire incident has also surfaced, in which bike-riding miscreants can be clearly seen chasing the tractor. Bhopal. A heart-wrenching incident has come to light in Prithvipur area of Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh, where bike-riding miscreants chased a tractor in a filmy style and attacked the family riding on it. The incident is of Neemta village, where this incident, which took place in broad daylight on Saturday, has created a sensation in the entire area. According to eyewitnesses and video footage, the attackers were seen chasing the tractor on six bikes. As soon as the tractor reached near Neemta village, the attackers stopped it and started pelting stones at the people riding in it. After this, they were also attacked with sharp weapons. The people riding in the tractor kept trying to save their lives, but the attackers beat them badly. Many people have suffered serious injuries in this attack. What is the whole matter? Prithvipur police station in-charge Jitendra Gurjar said that this violent attack started on Friday, when a youth named Satyam Yadav was sitting at a liquor shop. During that time, he had a dispute with a youth named Akash Ahirwar. The matter escalated to abuse and then to a fight. After this, people of Yadav community allegedly beat up other members of the Ahirwar family as well. In the preliminary investigation, the police found that this attack is the result of an ongoing rivalry and a fresh dispute, which later turned violent. 20-year-old Akash Ahirwar was going towards Chowki Chaumo on Saturday in Kamlesh’s tractor along with his family members, Sanjay, Anil and Sheela Ahirwar. As soon as they reached near Neemta village, Satyam Yadav, Shivam Yadav, Raju Yadav and Chhotu Yadav, who were already waiting in ambush, blocked the tractor’s way with a bike. After this, Satyam Yadav picked up a stone and hit Akash on the head, due to which he was seriously injured. Chhotu Yadav attacked the woman Sheela Ahirwar with a bakiya (sharp weapon). Sandeep Yadav and Satendra Yadav attacked other family members in the trolley with stones. Sanjay and Anil Ahirwar have also been injured in this attack. Video of the incident surfaced A video of this entire incident has also surfaced, in which bike-riding miscreants can be clearly seen chasing the tractor. Sharp weapons tied to a bike are also visible in the video. People sitting in the trolley are frightened and trying to save themselves. On the basis of the video, the police have identified the attackers and further investigation is being done. According to the station in-charge, after confirmation of the video, a case will be registered against more accused as well. FIR against both sides On the complaint of complainant Akash Ahirwar, the police have registered a case against Satyam Yadav, Shivam Yadav, Raju Yadav, Chhotu Yadav, Sandeep Yadav and Satendra Yadav under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. On the complaint filed by the members of Yadav community, a case has been registered against Akash Ahirwar, Sanjay Ahirwar, Anil Ahirwar, Sheela Ahirwar and one other. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy: Hindi News
Death of Dalit student Ganesh: Serious allegations against police, family did not take the body for 10 days, Rahul Gandhi opened front!
Dalit community angry over the suspicious death of Ganesh Valmiki, family accused police of murder, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders expressed condolences. Hisar (Haryana): The deadlock over the suspicious death of 16-year-old Dalit student Ganesh Valmiki during police action in Hisar is expected to come to an end on Friday. The family, which refused to take the body for 10 days and was protesting demanding justice, has now agreed to the last rites. The family is alleging that Ganesh died due to the police pushing him off the roof. The issue made national headlines on Thursday when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the BJP government over it. Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter in Hindi, “When power sits in the lap of Manuwadi thinking, the lives of Dalits have no value! The murder of Dalit youth Ganesh Valmiki in Hisar, Haryana and the brutality done to his family is not just a crime – it is the ugly face of the Manuwadi system of BJP-RSS which considers the lives of Bahujans in India today as cheap, which does not consider them worthy of equality and respect.” After this, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi also reached Hisar and met the victim’s family. A day before this, senior Dalit leader of the party Kumari Selja also met the family and expressed support. Although the Haryana government has already formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Social Justice Minister Krishna Bedi also met the family, but the family continued to sit on a dharna outside the Hisar Civil Hospital, where Ganesh’s body is kept. On Monday, a large number of people from the Dalit community held a Mahapanchayat and supported the demands of the family. On Thursday, Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Bedi, while talking to the media, claimed that a settlement has now been reached. He said, “We are in constant touch with the representatives of the family. Today a meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s residence in which Ganesh’s father Vikram, uncle Dinesh and other people from the Dalit community participated. The matter has been resolved. We will go to Hisar on Friday morning and perform the last rites.” The government, meanwhile, for the first time, also issued a notice to the family under the Haryana Respectful Cremation Act, 2024, according to which if the family refuses to accept the body, the administration can ensure timely and dignified cremation. What happened on the night of July 7? The incident took place on the night of July 7, when the police received a complaint that loud music was being played on loudspeakers in the area even after 10 pm. According to the police, Ganesh and his friends were celebrating a birthday and were attacked when the police tried to stop them. Police claim that Ganesh and his friend Akash then ran to the roof of a nearby house and jumped from there. Ganesh died on the spot, while Akash was injured. Police are now looking for 10-15 more youths who were allegedly involved in the attack on the police. Meanwhile, Ganesh’s family alleges that the police pushed him off the roof, and they are demanding a murder case to be registered against the accused policemen. Police have also released some CCTV footage in their favor. In a video, Ganesh is seen standing on his roof at 9 pm. At 10:45 pm he is seen lying on a cot on the road outside his house. At 10:55 pm two youths come on a bike with a big loudspeaker and loud music is played there. At 11:32 pm, when the group of youths is dancing on the road, the police reaches there. In the video, it can be seen that the youths attack with sticks and pelt stones, due to which the policemen had to take shelter in a nearby house. Injured Akash has admitted in his statement to the police that they attacked the police and when the police chased them, both of them jumped from the roof to escape. During this, Ganesh died while he was injured. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) K.K. Rao said, “The police is ready for a polygraph test. We were just protecting ourselves. People in the area had complained about loud music.” However, the entire incident has once again brought to the fore serious issues like accountability of police action and alleged discrimination against the Dalit community. The demand for justice is now becoming the demand of the entire society, not just one family. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Suspicious death of Dalit teenager in Haryana: The body was kept for 12 days, what happened that the government bowed down overnight?
Add Your Heading Text HereAfter the protest going on since July 7, Ganesh Kumar’s family performed the last rites; Government accepted five demands including FIR, government job and independent investigation. Hisar (Haryana): A week after the suspicious death of 16-year-old Dalit teenager Ganesh Kumar in Hisar, his family performed the last rites on Friday. This step was taken when the Haryana government accepted the five major demands of the victim’s family. The family was continuously protesting since his death on July 7 and was refusing to perform the last rites. The family had alleged that the police pushed Ganesh down from the roof of the building, which led to his death. They were calling this incident a murder and were demanding justice. Five demands of the family and the consent of the government Haryana’s Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishna Kumar Bedi said that the family decided to end the protest after the government accepted all the five demands. Those demands were: An FIR should be registered regarding Ganesh’s death. The investigation should be conducted by an independent agency selected by the family. The post-mortem should be conducted by a panel of doctors and the entire process should be videographed. A family member should be given a government job. The victim’s family should be allowed to meet Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The minister said, “Our government has been saying from the beginning that the culprits will not be spared and no innocent will be harassed.” Know the whole matter On the night of July 7, Hisar police received a complaint that loud music was being played after 10 pm in Bhagat Singh Colony. According to the police, some youths were celebrating a birthday there and when the police arrived, the youths attacked them. The police claim that during that time Ganesh and one of his friends climbed the roof and jumped down. Ganesh died on the spot while his friend was injured. However, the family rejected this claim and said that the police had pushed Ganesh. Police’s stand and denial of allegations Speaking to the media on Thursday, Hisar Range ADGP K.K. Rao said that the policemen are also ready for polygraph test. He said, “The family is trying to save itself. Some social organizations are creating an atmosphere against the police, but no one is saying that 15 youths were attacking our policemen.” Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
“They only wanted to sleep with me, not marry me!” — Dalit woman’s dating story reveals the reality of upper caste men
People are shocked to know the story of caste bias shared by Dalit woman. However, this truth of society is not new, such biases have been going on for a long time. New Delhi. Caste discrimination in India is not limited to social or economic circles — it still affects the foundation of relationships today. Recently, a Dalit woman shared her dating experience on the social media platform Reddit, which created a stir on the Internet. She told how Indian men looked at her not as an equal and respectable partner, but as a ‘sexual object’. This woman wrote that initially men would praise her beauty and intelligence, but as soon as they came to know about her caste, their behavior changed completely. Most of the men broke off the relationship citing ‘family pressure’. She said, “They would say, ‘You have no shortcomings, but our families will not accept it.’ Or else: ‘You deserve someone who doesn’t have to struggle so much.’” The woman also said that she had to listen to derogatory comments many times like – “You don’t look like a Dalit”. She wrote that she was used only as a ‘sexual experiment’, never seen as a life partner. The woman further said, “Dalit women are ‘more wild’, ‘better in bed’ – I was repeatedly fetishised in this way. I am a thrill for them, but not a permanent relationship. I feel like I am a ‘hidden phase’ that they go through but never mention.” Not only in personal relationships, but also in her career, the thinking of men was discriminatory. The woman wrote that her achievements were described as a result of reservation, not her hard work. She said, “I studied, built a career, took care of myself — but that was never enough.” After this emotional and bitter experience, the woman has now given up dating. She says, “I haven’t stopped believing in love, but I have stopped allowing myself to go through this painful cycle again and again. I am not someone’s experiment, thrill or hidden phase. We are not ‘disposable’. We are not someone’s hidden stories of their lives.” She concluded by appealing to all women to understand themselves, respect themselves and not compromise their dignity. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Even after 75 years, Dalits are being prevented from entering the temple? Big questions raised on the DMK government by its own allies!
The DMK government, which is talking about social justice ahead of the 2026 elections, is facing sharp questions from its allies over inaction in Dalit temple entry cases. New Delhi: Ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the DMK is making social justice and equality an election issue, but its allies are angry over the administration’s insensitivity towards matters related to Dalits at the ground level. Recently, the Madras High Court in an important decision has warned the authorities that if they do not ensure the participation of Dalits in the annual chariot festival (July 16 to 31) of the Puthukudi Ayyanar temple in Ariyalur district, legal action will be taken against them. The order came on a petition filed by A. Venkatesan, in which he alleged that in 2019 dominant caste groups had prevented Dalits from entering the temple. Justice Anand Venkatesh said it was the duty of the authorities to follow the court’s order in letter and spirit. Dalits still excluded from temples Despite the laws, Dalits are being denied entry into temples in many villages. It was only in January 2023 that Dalits entered the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kallakurichi district and the Sri Muthalamman Temple in Tiruvannamalai district for the first time — that too with police protection and a court order. “In the last three years, 35 temple entry petitions were filed in Tamil Nadu courts. The administration often delays in the name of ‘peace committee meetings’,” said Dalit rights activist A. Kadhir. VCK takes a dig at DMK government Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) general secretary and DMK ally D. Ravikumar expressed displeasure over the government’s inaction. He said, “Even after 75 years of Independence, Dalits have to go to court to enter temples. Do officials act swiftly only to remove flags? Untouchability is a crime, but the administration is reluctant to take action.” He said that under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, the guilty can be punished with up to five years of imprisonment. “But till date I have not seen anyone going to jail for preventing temple entry,” he said. Left parties also expressed concern DMK’s other allies — CPI and CPI-M — also criticised the government’s attitude. CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said that officials with casteist mindset should be identified and retrained. CPI-M state secretary P. Shanmugam said that in many cases, officials do not even register cases against those who prevent Dalits from entering places of worship. DMK’s response DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Ilangovan was quoted by the media as saying that officials in Ariyalur district have been instructed to ensure the participation of Dalits. “The DMK government has always given priority to social justice. We have also made special laws to allow people from all castes to become temple priests. But some incidents still take place because of backward-thinking caste groups,” he said. On being asked about the inaction of officials, Ilangovan said, “There are many cases where the administration has intervened to support Dalits. Some cases may need more attention, but overall the government takes caste discrimination issues seriously and does not ignore it.” Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Crumbling trust in Election Commission! What are Bihar’s Dalit voters thinking?
In a NACDAOR survey, more than 58% of Dalit voters expressed their concern over unemployment as the biggest issue, while more than 27% did not trust the Election Commission. Patna: More than 27.4% of Dalit voters in Bihar say they have “no trust” in the Election Commission of India (ECI). This has come to light in a new survey, released by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The survey also revealed that more than 58% of Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in the state consider unemployment as the biggest election issue. According to a report in The Hindu, the survey was conducted between June 10 and July 4 and a total of 18,581 Scheduled Caste voters from different parts of Bihar were polled. NACDAOR Chairman Ashok Bharti said that according to the Bihar caste survey conducted in 2022, 19.65% of the state’s population belongs to Scheduled Castes. Fear of name deletion from voter list During the survey itself, the Election Commission had started the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. Due to this, a new question was added in the middle of the survey – “Do you fear that your name may be deleted from the new voter list?” Of the approximately 8,500 people who answered this question, more than 71% said “yes”, while 23.4% said that they have no such fear. At the same time, a little more than 5% people did not give their opinion. Lack of trust in the Election Commission When the participants were asked if they think the Election Commission works in a fair manner, 27.4% said “no”, while 51% said “yes”. At the same time, 21% of the respondents said that they do not know about it. A total of 11 questions were asked in this survey, which included – who is the favorite leader at the national and state level, how is the work of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government, and who should be given the credit for the caste census, etc. Narendra Modi is the most popular leader at the national level The survey found that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most favorite national leader for 47.5% Dalit voters. 40.3% people liked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while 12% named other leaders. Opinions were divided over the performance of the state government. While 48% of the respondents described the work of the Nitish Kumar government as “bad”, 45% considered it “good”. Who should be credited for the caste census? On the question “Who would you like to give the credit for the caste census?” 33.15% of the voters named Narendra Modi, 30.81% Rahul Gandhi, and 27.57% Tejashwi Yadav. At the same time, about 8% named other leaders. “Survey by Dalits, for Dalits” Talking about the process of the survey, Ashok Bharti said, “Many people conduct surveys on Scheduled Castes, but no one comes to the ground and talks to us. This survey has been done for Dalits, by Dalits.” He said that NACDAOR had trained volunteers to interact with Scheduled Caste voters in 49 assembly constituencies of six regions of Bihar – Kosi, Mithila, Seemanchal, Bhojpur, Champaran and Magadh-Pataliputra. Let us tell you that this survey was conducted in collaboration with political consultancy firm The Convergent Media. Earlier, NACDAOR had conducted a survey before the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News