TN Dalit temple entry row undermines DMK’s social justice claims
Activists say denial of temple access to Dalits remains a serious issue in many villages While DMK leaders are actively promoting social justice and equality in their election campaigns ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, their alliance partners are upset over the insensitivity shown by authorities in handling cases related to Dalit temple entry. In a recent verdict on a case involving the denial of temple entry to Dalits in Ariyalur, the Madras High Court warned officials of legal consequences if they failed to ensure Dalit participation in the annual car festival of the Puthukudi Ayyanar Temple, from July 16 to 31. Serious issue Justice Anand Venkatesh, ruling on a petition filed by A Venkatesan, who alleged that Dalits were prevented from entering the temple by a dominant caste group in 2019, made it clear that officials are duty-bound to implement the court’s order both in letter and spirit. Activists say that the denial of temple access to Dalits remains a serious issue in many villages. For instance, in January 2023, around 250 Dalits entered the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kallakurichi district for the first time with police protection. In the same month, Dalits also entered the Sri Muthalamman Temple in Tiruvannamalai district for the first time in 70 years. In both cases, Dalits had to move the court to secure access. Several such incidents have come to light only after legal intervention. Dalit rights activist A Kathir told The Federal that 35 temple entry-related cases were filed in various Tamil Nadu courts over the past three years. According to him, officials often call for peace committee meetings merely to delay Dalit entry. VCK slams DMK govt D Ravikumar, general secretary of VCK, a Dalit party and DMK ally, slammed the government for failing to sensitise officials to caste discrimination. “Why do officials remain insensitive in addressing caste discrimination in a timely manner? They cannot claim ignorance. It is unfair that Dalits must approach the courts to exercise their constitutional right to enter temples even after 75 years of independence,” Ravikumar told The Federal. He questioned why officials act swiftly to remove political party flags but hesitate to take action against dominant caste groups that practice untouchability. “Practising untouchability is a crime. Officials can register cases under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, against individuals or groups that prevent Dalits from accessing public places. The punishment includes up to five years of imprisonment. But I haven’t heard of anyone being imprisoned for blocking temple entry since the Act was enacted,” he added. What DMK said Other alliance leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) too criticised the DMK government’s handling of caste discrimination. CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan told The Federal that officials with casteist mindsets must be identified and reformed. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said repeated failures by officials to file cases against those who deny Dalits entry into temples and other places of worship. When The Federal contacted DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan about the issue, he said officials in Ariyalur had been instructed to ensure Dalit participation in the temple festival without further delay. “The DMK government has shown great commitment to implementing social justice policies. We have enacted special laws to empower Dalits and members of all castes to become temple priests. Some incidents still occur due to the regressive mindset of caste groups,” he said. On allegations of negligence by authorities, Elangovan added, “There have been many instances where authorities have intervened in support of Dalits accessing temples and other public spaces. Some cases may require more focused attention. But, overall, the DMK government is sensitive to Dalit concerns and does not ignore instances of caste discrimination.” Pramila Krishnan Courtesy : The Federal Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefederal.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
AAP govt ignored Dalit community on desecration issue, says BJP
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader SR Ladhar on Friday slammed the AAP government over the anti-sacrilege Bill, saying it lacked a provision to punish desecration of idols and scriptures revered by the Dalit community. “This omission clearly reflects AAP’s disregard for Dalit religious sentiments,” he told reporters here, adding that the Bill omitted any reference to works and idols of Guru Ravidas, saint Kabir and Bhagwan Valmiki, saint Kabir and saint Nabha Das. He alleged that while the Bill was cleared by the Cabinet and tabled in the Vidhan Sabha, none of the Dalit ministers or AAP MLAs raised any objections to the omission. “Despite having representation from the Valmiki Samaj, Ravidasia Samaj, Kabir Panth and Mahasha Samaj, no leader spoke out. They have forgotten their responsibilities towards their communities,” said Ladhar. Ladhar also alleged that the government was using such legislation to divert public attention from pressing issues in the state, including the failure of the land pooling scheme, the worsening drug crisis, and deteriorating law and order. Meanwhile Punjab Minister Balbir Singh said the Bill was “all-inclusive and democratic in nature”. Article_Author Mohit Khanna Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Cops booked for Dalit youth’s murder in Hisar
Family cremates body after 11 days of dharna A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tweet targeting the BJP-RSS and a subsequent meeting between the victim’s family and CM Nayab Singh Saini, the Hisar Police have registered an FIR against unknown police officials in connection with the death of a Dalit youth, Ganesh. The case has been filed under various serious of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The FIR was registered late on July 17, following a nearly 11-day-long dharna by the victim’s family and supporters. Rahul Gandhi had tweeted about Ganesh’s death, accusing the BJP and RSS of considering Bahujan lives ‘cheap’. After a meeting with the CM in Chandigarh last night, the victim’s family had agreed to cremate Ganesh’s body. In a related development, the police chowki in the 12 Quarters locality was ordered to be relocated, but after the demand from local residents, the police announced that the police post would not be shifted.Fearing the closure of the chowki, shopkeepers of the area on Friday had urged the police not to shift from the present site. SP Shashank Kumar Sawan had stated that there were space constraints at the current site and the department was looking for a location with better infrastructure. Article_Author Deepender Deswal Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘I Am Someone To Sleep With, Not Marry’: Dalit Woman Shares Painful Dating Story
Discriminated for her caste and mistreated by men, this lady took to Reddit and revealed her terrible dating experience, writing a viral online post. Even love fails to transcend centuries-old caste-based discrimination in India. A Dalit woman’s horror account of dating Indian men left everyone shocked on the internet, as she wrote about being treated as a sexual object, not an equal and respectful partner. In a Reddit post, this lady revealed how multiple men shattered the hope and confidence with which she entered the dating world, underlining how deeply caste still impacts relationships in the country. The woman said men would initially approach her for her appearance and intelligence, but soon lose interest as they found out about her caste. The revelation brought a complete U-turn in their behaviour, cutting down all contact while giving family pressure as a major excuse behind the break-up. “‘It’s not you,’ they’d say. ‘But our families would never accept it.’ Or worse: ‘You deserve someone who won’t have to fight this hard’,” the Reddit user wrote, disclosing how she faced derogatory remarks, such as “You don’t look like a Dalit”, and being treated as a mere sexual object. “I’ve been told that Dalit women are ‘wild’, ‘great in bed’, ‘more open-minded’. I’ve been fetishised more times than I can count. To them, I’m exciting, a break from the norm. I’m someone to sleep with, not someone to marry. I’ve begun to feel like I’m part of a private ritual that savarna men go through before they settle down with someone from their caste. I’m the hidden phase they never speak of: the shame wrapped in lust.” The woman’s traumatic dating experience also included facing career-based insults, with men assuming that her achievements were down to the caste reservations offered to her. “I’ve worked incredibly hard to be where I am. I’ve studied, built a career and supported myself. But even then, it’s not enough,” she wrote. The lady also declared she has stopped dating altogether. “Not because I stopped believing in love, but because I couldn’t keep subjecting myself to this cycle of fetish, rejection, erasure, and pain. I couldn’t keep being someone’s experiment, someone’s thrill, someone’s secret. We are not disposable. We are not secret histories in someone else’s life,” she added, calling on all women to respect and value themselves. Curated By : Buzz Staff About the Author Buzz Staff, A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/newa18.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
300 tribals who were driven out of the village for 12 years will now return to their homes – Know how the shackles of the dreadful tradition of ‘Chhodotaru’ were broken!
After 12 years of exile, preparations are on for the respectful return of Kodarvi tribal families in Mota Pipodara village of Banaskantha district of Gujarat Banaskantha, Gujarat – 29 tribal families of the Kodarvi community, who were driven out of Mota Pipodara village in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district of Gujarat 12 years ago due to an ancient tradition ‘Chhodotaru’, are now going to return to their village. The homecoming of these families, comprising about 300 people, will take place on 17 July 2025 (Thursday) with a special ceremony. According to a report in The Hindu, Chhadotaru—a revenge-based social practice—led to constant disputes and tensions in the village, forcing these families to migrate. These families took refuge in Palanpur and Surat and lived like outsiders for years, leaving behind their land, homes and memories. Understanding their pain, the Banaskantha police and the district administration began serious efforts to rehabilitate them. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi said that several meetings were held with village elders, panchayat members and community leaders to ensure their return in a peaceful and amicable manner. “The Banaskantha police carried out a long process of reconciliation and found a way out by talking to all parties,” the minister said. The district administration identified and revived about 8.5 hectares of ancestral land of these families, which had turned barren and into bushes over the years. It was cleared, levelled and made cultivable. “This land has now become fertile again, and symbolises the beginning of their new life,” Sanghvi said. Two houses have been constructed under the rehabilitation scheme and the remaining 27 families will be given houses with the help of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and social organisations. On July 17, these families will be welcomed back to the village with a special event that will include puja rituals and the symbolic act of sowing seeds on the reclaimed land—a symbol of new beginnings and prosperity. The minister said he would personally distribute educational kits, ration material to the families and discuss long-term rehabilitation plans. “It is not just a matter of bringing people back to their villages, but an effort to heal old wounds and lay the foundation for a harmonious future. We believe that no tribal family should remain displaced due to an old and inhuman tradition. Only development and dialogue can overcome any differences,” Sanghvi said. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Painful death of pregnant tribal woman in Rewa, MP: Flood water came on the bridge, could not reach hospital
The family said – life could have been saved if treatment was received on time, administration ordered investigation Bhopal. A pregnant woman lost her life due to careless system and bad roads in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. The woman could not reach the hospital on time because flood water had come on the bridge built on the river. She kept suffering for two hours and then died there. The incident is of Bhatigwan village of Jawa tehsil, where this tragic accident happened late on Sunday night. After the last rites on Monday, the family demanded justice from the administration. There was no road in the in-laws’ house, so the woman came to live in her maternal home 26-year-old Priya Rani Kol, a resident of Bhatigwan village, has her in-laws in Barhat village. Due to lack of road in Barhat, she came to her maternal home when she was pregnant, so that she could get timely treatment at the time of delivery. Her health suddenly deteriorated on Sunday night. When the family was taking her to the nearest Jawa hospital, flood water came on the bridge of Mahna river on the way. Priya kept suffering for two hours on the banks of the river. The woman and her family could not cross the bridge. Everyone was stranded on one side of the river. During this time, the family called a doctor from the village. By the time the doctor arrived, the woman’s condition had become critical. The doctor declared her dead after examination. The family reached Barhat with Priya’s body, but the road was closed due to floods. In such a situation, the body was brought to the village after taking a 40-km long detour and then the last rites were performed. Life could have been saved if treatment was received Priya’s sister-in-law Shanti Kol said, “If treatment was received on time, Rani could have been saved. This bridge is so low that every time it rains, water flows over it. But the administration never paid attention to it.” Priya’s father-in-law said that the daughter-in-law was sent to her maternal home because there was no road in the in-laws’ house. It was easy to go to the hospital from there, but the flood blocked the way there too. Pregnant women of Sidhi also opened a front Amidst this incident in Rewa, eight pregnant women of Khaddi Khurd village in Sidhi district have opened a front against bad roads. These women are being led by Bagheli social media influencer Leela Sahu, who is also pregnant. She says that the condition of the roads worsens in the rain, making it risky to reach the hospital. Collector ordered an inquiry Rewa Collector Pratibha Pal has ordered an inquiry considering the seriousness of the matter. She said that the administration will find out why the woman could not get timely medical facility and what steps can be taken to prevent such accidents in future. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy : Hindi News
TM Exclusive: Tribal teacher suspended for ‘Mangalsutra-Sindoor’ comment said- How is it wrong to tell girls to focus on studies?
The teacher told The Mooknayak that the suspension is wrong, will challenge the order in Rajasthan High Court Udaipur- Dungarpur’s second grade teacher Maneka Damor, who came under the target of the state’s BJP government due to her statement in support of ‘Bhil Pradesh’ at the Bhil Pradesh Cultural Maharally on July 18 at Mangarh Dham in Banswara district, was suspended on July 24. Maneka was working in the Government Higher Secondary School located in Saddia in Simalwada Panchayat Samiti of Dungarpur, who has been suspended and posted in the headquarters office of Chief Block Education Officer – Dowada. The government order mentions the recommendation of departmental inquiry and suspension against Damor under Rajasthan Conduct Rules and tarnishing the image of the Education Department. The Mooknayak had a detailed conversation with teacher Maneka Damor and tried to understand the entire incident from her own words. The teacher clarified to The Mooknayak that “I did not stop any woman from wearing sindoor or mangalsutra, my intention was to explain to the gathering that tribals are not Hindus, earlier tribal women did not wear sindoor and mangalsutra, I also did not know this and so till I was not aware I also used to wear sindoor and mangalsutra but since 2016 when I have joined a tribal family, I came to know that this is not tribal culture, after that I stopped wearing sindoor and mangalsutra.” Maneka told The Mooknayak that we never opposed the worship of gods and goddesses in schools but recently in a school, when children were asked to sing a group song from Bhil Pradesh, three teachers were suspended. Regarding that incident, I said in the gathering that have some shame – action was taken against me for this, but I do not feel at all that I said anything wrong or tarnished the image of the department. What did Damor say in the Mangarh Maharally? Many tribal organizations including representatives of Bharat Adivasi Party participated in the program organized on July 18, in which Maneka Damor, founder member of Adivasi Parivar, said that I neither wear Mangalsutra, nor apply Sindoor and I do not even observe any fast. One who himself eats jaggery cannot advise others not to eat jaggery. Damor had said that our schools have been made the home of gods and goddesses, there are so many festivals and celebrations. School is a temple of education, where children come only to study, there should be no celebrations there. While teaching women and girls to focus on education, Damor had repeated the words of Baba Saheb – Education is the milk of a lioness, whoever drinks it will roar. After this, many organizations had demanded action against the teacher in this matter. They alleged that the image of the education department has been tarnished. Sanskrit teacher but Ambedkarite thinking, against hypocrisy Maneka Damor is a Sanskrit teacher, in a conversation with Mooknayak she says that earlier she followed Hindu customs, wore Mangalsutra, Sindoor, symbols of Suhaag and also observed fasts but after coming in contact with a tribal family in the last 5-7 years, there has been a change. “I came to know that the tribals are not Hindus. I read many books about this, gathered information from documents, then I came to know about the Judgment of Supreme Court dated 5th January 2011 in which the Court also accepted that the tribals are not Hindus. After that my life changed and I realized that by planting wrong things in the minds of the tribals, rituals etc. are being imposed on them. Education is the only medium by which the tribal community can awaken and demand their rights.” Maneka says that I did not stop any woman from wearing Sindoor or Mangalsutra. Video excerpts of the speech of that day are available in which I did not say anything wrong. I have said that I do not wear Mangalsutra or Sindoor – what is wrong in that? Motivating the tribal community, which lacks education, to acquire knowledge cannot be called wrong in any way. Damor told that her suspension order is wrong and she is filing a petition against it in the High Court. Full support of family, support of husband and sons Maneka told that her family used to follow Hindu customs earlier but after joining the tribal family, they also do not believe in them. Maneka’s husband is a government teacher in Gujarat and the couple has two sons who are studying in ninth and seventh classes. Maneka says that I also teach my sons that they should stay away from religious hypocrisy and focus on studies and have a scientific attitude. She says that the whole family is in her support and her sons also believe that mummy has not done anything wrong. The Mooknayak spoke to Maneka’s brother Sitaram Damor who is preparing her writ petition in Jodhpur. Sitaram told that the basis of Maneka’s suspension has been made service rules conduct but Maneka has not said any indecent or unconstitutional words. If there is any complaint, the department should have issued a show cause notice, an inquiry should be conducted and action should be taken after hearing the teacher’s side, but here the teacher was directly suspended without APO, which is unfair and a petition will be filed against this order in the High Court. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy : Hindi News
FIR after recitation of poem on Kanwar Yatra: Bareilly teacher said- If you want to fight, find an equal man… Why are you blocking the path of the fakir!
The teacher said ‘The poem was for small children, not for elders’, former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav shared this video of the teacher and took a dig at the Amrit Kaal of BJP. Bareilly- An FIR has been registered on July 14 at Thana Bahedi under sections 295A and 505(2) against Rajneesh Gangwar, a Hindi teacher at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Inter College in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, after he read a poem written on the Kanwar Yatra. After this, the teacher has put forth his side by releasing a video. He clarified that his poem was to make small children aware of education, not to stop elders from Kanwar Yatra. This video of the teacher has also been shared by former Chief Minister and SP President Akhilesh Yadav and took a dig at the Amrit Kaal of BJP. This matter has now become a symbol of conflict between education and religious faith. The question is whether a teacher has the right to explain the importance of education to children or not. At present, the police is investigating and the matter is hot. Teacher Rajneesh Gangwar said in his defense, “I am the city president of ABVP, brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission, cultural in-charge of Nagar Palika Behedi and also NSS program officer. My poem was for small children, who are of school going age. These days the whole country is watching the news that accidents happen due to Kanwariyas, there are fights, there are drunk people. Being a teacher, I just tried to show the right path to small children.” He further said, “When they grow up, whatever they want to become, I am not going to stop them or their family members. But right now they should focus on studies.” The teacher questioned the Hindu organizations that “Why don’t those who are hurt by my poem take action against their minister, Rajbhar ji had also said that no one becomes a doctor or engineer from those who carry Kanwar. Whatever he said about Kanwar, he said it on an open stage, will a case be registered against him?” Presenting this double standard in the lines of the poem, the teacher further said, “If you want to fight, find an equal person… why are you blocking the path of the fakir!” In this case, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav supported the teacher and tweeted, “FIR against the teacher and schools are being closed… is this Amritkaal for BJP?” At the same time, people of BJP and Kanwar Seva Samiti say that religious sentiments have been hurt by the poem. Lines of the poem which angered the organizations The poem for which an FIR was lodged against teacher Rajneesh Gangwar in Bareilly, UP is something like this. This poem was recited during a cultural program in the school on July 12. Don’t go to get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge By serving humanity, become a true human No one has become a lawyer, DM or SP by carrying Kavad. No merchant has become a Hakim or Vaidya by Kavad water. There will be no development of intellect and wisdom by Kavad. There will be no salvation by cannabis, dhatura, ganja and sulpha intoxication. Leave the intoxication of caste and religion and do good for yourself. Study in schools and libraries and deepen your knowledge. Serve humanity with good deeds and light the lamp of love. Don’t go to get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge. By serving humanity, become a true human. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
The file is pending for 30 years, now Dalit students have come out on the streets – will the Karnataka government be able to answer?
Protest by Dalit Student Council demanding internal reservation in government recruitments, also appealed to give relaxation to the youth who have crossed the age limit. Belagavi (Karnataka): Dalit Student Council on Thursday staged a strong protest in the Deputy Commissioner Office premises of Belagavi. The protesters demanded immediate implementation of internal reservation and issuance of notification for new recruitments in government jobs. The protesting students said that for the last three decades, the youth of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and minority communities have been deprived of the benefits of internal reservation. Due to this delay, lakhs of youth are unemployed and the opportunities for government recruitment are continuously decreasing. The protesters also demanded that the candidates whose age has exceeded the prescribed limit due to delay in recruitment should be given relaxation in age, so that their future can be secured. The students criticised the state government, saying, “The government is only wasting time by talking about implementing internal reservation. This attitude is condemnable and it is hurting the spirit of social justice.” Prominent student leaders like Balraj Kamble, Ajit Madar, Adarsh Gasti, Akshay Kumar Ajmani, Sandeep Aihole and Shivam Kamble participated in the protest and addressed the people. The students said that this agitation is another attempt to remind the state government that the struggle will continue until social justice is put into practice. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
We are with you in the fight to save water, forest and land… Rahul Gandhi said after meeting the tribals, what else did he promise?
Rahul Gandhi News: Rahul Gandhi met the representatives of the tribal society and discussed their challenges. He alleged that the BJP government is selling water, forest and land to billionaires, affecting the lives of the tribals. New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met representatives of the tribal society and discussed the serious challenges facing them. This meeting was organized by the All India Tribal Congress. In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi spoke openly about the problems of the tribals, their rights and the injustice being done to them. During this, Rahul Gandhi said that the biggest issue of the tribal society is water, forest and land, which the BJP government is continuously selling to a few selected billionaires. He alleged that the forests of the tribals, which are the basis of their identity and life, are being destroyed and they are being forcibly made homeless. He also said that crops like tendu leaves, mahua, which are considered the backbone of the economy of the tribals, are being eliminated, which has directly affected their employment. At the same time, Rahul also alleged that the Modi government is weakening the PESA law made by the Congress-led UPA government. He argued that the budget allocated for the panchayats is either not spent or is transferred wrongly. Also, Rahul expressed concern about the education of tribal children and said that thousands of schools are being closed in states like Chhattisgarh. Targeting the BJP government, he said that the BJP government wants the tribal society, the original inhabitants of India, to remain weak, but the Congress stands strongly with its tribal brothers and sisters. We have made laws for their rights and now we will stand as a shield to protect them. This statement of Rahul Gandhi is considered to give new strength to the voice of tribal rights. Reported by: Manjari Chaturvedi•Edited by: Ashok Upadhyay Courtesy: Hindi News