BJD questions Odisha govt’s grievance redressal mechanism as Dalit youth dies by suicide
Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main Opposition party in Odisha, has targeted the BJP government over the alleged suicide of a Dalit youth at the Collector’s office in Kendrapara. BJD MLAs Ganeswar Behera and Dhruba Sahoo alleged that the youth, identified as Srichandan Das, died by suicide at the Collector’s office as the officials concerned did to take any steps for redressal of his grievances. Das, a resident of Raytunidi village under Derabish block in Kendrapara, was found hanging at the Collector’s office on Friday. Preliminary investigation suggests that Das died by suicide by hanging himself from the railing of the staircase with the help of a cotton towel. Sources claimed that Das was under severe mental pressure over some issues related to his landed properties. He had reportedly approached the Sub-Collector’s office several times for resolution of the issues. “The Dalit youth was forced to take the extreme step as the officials did not take any step for redressal of his grievances. The incident has exposed how the BJP government, which claims to be a people’s government, has turned a blind eye to the problems of ordinary citizens. The incident raises serious questions about the administrative and security arrangements at the Collector’s office,” said Behera. Sahoo, meanwhile, raised questions over the grievance redressal mechanism of the state government. “The BJP government claims that it has resolved 96 per cent of the grievances through its grievance redressal mechanism. However, the suicide of the Dalit youth has exposed the reality,” he said. The Opposition party has sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased’s family and a thorough probe into the incident. “The BJD will launch an agitation if the state government does not take immediate steps to conduct a high-level probe into the incident and initiate stringent action against the culprits,” Sahoo added By Priya Ranjan Swain Courtesy : Sambad English Note: This news is originally published on https:/sambadenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
16-Year-Old Dalit Boy Allegedly Stripped And Beaten For Drinking Water In Kanpur
A 16-year-old Dalit boy in Kanpur was allegedly stripped and beaten for drinking water from a public handpump. Here is what happened. A bucket of water allegedly became the reason for a caste-based assault in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district. According to the NCRB report, Uttar Pradesh recorded over 14,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits in 2024, the highest in the country. The latest case from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district shows how brutal that reality can still be. On 2 May, A 16-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly assaulted after drinking water from a public handpump in his village. What allegedly happened next, according to the FIR, raised fresh questions about caste discrimination that still exists in everyday spaces. A Drink Of Water Became A Trigger On May 2, a Dalit minor was reportedly working in fields near his village in Kanpur’s Sachendi area when he stopped to drink water from a public handpump in Jhakhra-Sambharpur village. He used a mug kept inside a nearby bucket. That moment allegedly triggered the assault. The FIR states that four men confronted the teenager and hurled casteist abuses at him, accusing him of “polluting” the bucket because he belonged to a Dalit community. What followed, according to police records and local reports, lasted nearly 30 minutes. The accused allegedly beat him with sticks, kicked and punched him, stripped him and forced him to lick a shoe after spitting on it. Reports also state that water was poured into the shoe and the teenager was allegedly forced to drink from it. The boy reportedly suffered a fractured arm during the assault. When his father, a farm labourer, rushed to help him, he too was allegedly attacked. According to The Times of India, the father suffered broken ribs. Then Came The “Purification” One detail from the case has especially disturbed people online. After the assault, the accused allegedly sprinkled Ganga water around the handpump area to “purify” it because the Dalit boy had touched the bucket. That act reflects a form of untouchability that India’s Constitution outlawed decades ago. The Police Case Took Time Although the assault took place on 2 May, the FIR was reportedly registered only on 17 May. The family spent days recovering in hospital before gathering the courage to approach the police. According to The Times Of India, Police have now registered a case against four accused identified as Sanjay, Deepak, Sagar and Patiya under relevant sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said the matter is under investigation and action will be taken based on evidence. Vageesha Shrivastava Courtesy : Brut. Note: This news is originally published on https:/brut.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Solar boom in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is polluting Delhi-NCR, study says
In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. NEW DELHI: Solar power development has advanced at an unprecedented pace in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; however, waste management has not kept up. A significant volume of waste generated in these states is being transported to the Delhi-NCR region, which is already burdened with multiple types of waste affecting air and water quality. A joint report by the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group and the World Resources Institute reveals that informal waste aggregators are dumping solar waste, including end-of-life solar panels, photovoltaic cells, lithium-ion batteries, and other hazardous electronic waste, into Delhi-NCR. This region is already burdened with excessive waste, contaminating groundwater, other water resources, and air quality. In informal discussions with several waste aggregators in two sates, validated by non-profits, researchers, start-ups, and formal recyclers in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the report indicated that there is no reliable quantitative data or traceability mechanism available to determine the proportion of this material that is ultimately processed through informal recycling operations in Delhi-NCR and other northern regions of India. In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. There is around Delhi-NCR has around 5,000 e-waste processing units that employ more than 50,000 people. Due to a lack of formal recycling capacity and technical knowledge, much of the solar waste ends up in landfills in Delhi-NCR. The report, “More Watts Less Waste,” states that informal recyclers rely on rudimentary dismantling and scrap-recovery techniques. While aluminium frames and external copper wiring or junction boxes are manually removed and sold as scrap, the remaining components of the modules, such as glass, polymer encapsulant, silicon cells, and embedded metals, largely go unrecovered. Often, the panels are crushed or broken, resulting in a mix of glass, polymer, and silicon fragments, which is disposed of as general waste or sent to landfills. The study highlights a critical gap in India’s clean energy transition. While the country is rapidly expanding its renewable energy and electric mobility sectors, systems for managing solar panel and lithium-ion battery waste remain underdeveloped. The report warns that this creates new environmental and public health concerns for Delhi, which is already dealing with legacy waste. Improper handling of solar panels can release hazardous substances into the environment, exposing workers and nearby communities to health risks. As of now, India has generated an estimated 146 kilotonnes of solar PV waste by the end of 2024. By 2047, cumulative solar waste could reach 11,221 kilotonnes, according to the report. The study also raises concerns about the next wave of clean energy waste: lithium-ion batteries. Batteries from consumer electronics are already being processed through informal dismantling channels, while India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market is expected to generate large volumes of end-of-life batteries in the coming years. These batteries contain valuable materials but also present risks of fire, explosion, and chemical exposure if handled improperly. The report calls for specific Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets for photovoltaic systems, dedicated recycling infrastructure, financial mechanisms to manage orphan waste, and greater integration of informal workers into formal collection systems. It also urges policymakers to begin planning now for the forthcoming wave of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Jitendra Choubey Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Indecent remarks against Dalit woman chairperson: Women protest, demand action
In Shivgarh, Rae Bareli, a case of indecent remarks against a Dalit woman chairperson of the Nagar Panchayat has surfaced. There has been widespread outrage in the area over this incident. The Nagar Panchayat chairperson, councilors, and women protested and filed a complaint at the police station, demanding legal action. Former MLA Ramlal Akela strongly condemned the remarks at a press conference held in the Nagar Panchayat auditorium, Shivgarh. In the presence of Chairperson Suman Gautam, councilors, and women, he stated that women have been given equal status in the BJP. Calling the publicly elected Dalit woman chairperson Suman Gautam a “maid” is an insult not only to her but to all voters and residents of the Nagar Panchayat. He also strongly condemned the insults directed at former MLC Raja Rakesh Pratap Singh on social media. During the press conference, everyone present in the auditorium raised their hands in support of filing an FIR. The angry women, led by Chairperson Suman Gautam, protested, demanding strict action against the culprits from the administration. Councilors Anil Kumar, Kripa Shankar, Santosh Kumari, Mamta Verma, Arvind Kumar, Kalavati, Pushpa, Shivdevi, and Tinu Chandra, along with many others, were present. Amit Srivastava | Shivgarh Bhawanigarh (Maharajganj), Rae Bareli Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman’s land grab attempt: Violent men brutally beat her for protesting in Chitrakoot
A Dalit woman was attacked in Chitrakoot district for protesting against illegal land grabbing. The incident occurred in Dhobi Purwa, a hamlet of Kalwara Buzurg village in the Pahadi police station area. According to the victim, Anju, some people were attempting to forcibly occupy her land by dumping soil on it at around 12 a.m. last night. When the woman resisted to protect her land, they allegedly attacked her. Anju alleged that the attackers brutally beat her with sticks and an axe. She said she was strangled and beaten until she lost consciousness. The victim also alleged that the attackers tore her clothes, used casteist slurs, and snatched a mangalsutra worth approximately 25,000 rupees from her neck. Upon receiving information about the incident, police and an ambulance arrived at the scene. The injured woman was admitted to the Pahadi Community Health Center. The victim alleges that despite a case being filed against the accused under serious sections and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST) Act, they have been released. The woman’s husband lives abroad, and she is alone at home with her two young children. Anju says the accused are constantly threatening to kill her, leaving her entire family terrified. She has appealed to the Superintendent of Police of Chitrakoot for justice and protection. Police stated that the investigation has been completed and presented to the court. The case is currently pending in court. Jitendra Kumar | Chitrakoot Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit girl was given a Taliban-style punishment on suspicion of shoplifting. She was first dragged around by her hair, then tied to a tree and beaten.
UP Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A video from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, is going viral. A Dalit girl was dragged around by her hair and then tied to a tree and beaten to death on suspicion of theft. Deoria Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A sensational incident has emerged from Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. In Mishrauli village, under the Tarkulwa police station area, a Dalit girl was tied to a tree and brutally beaten on suspicion of theft. The video of the entire incident is rapidly going viral on social media. Following this, the police took immediate action, registered a case against the accused, and later arrested him. However, Inkhabar.com cannot confirm the viral video. The story is about Harikesh Gupta, son of Ram Ishwar, a resident of Mishrauli village, who runs a grocery store and accused the Dalit girl of stealing from the shop. Then, on Sunday, after capturing the girl, the accused allegedly grabbed her hair and paraded her around the village. Unsatisfied, he tied her to a tree and began beating her. Bystanders filmed the entire incident, which is now rapidly going viral on social media. After the video surfaced, police arrived at the scene and rescued the girl. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections and arrested him. Two youths tied to a tree and beaten in Pratapgarh A similar incident had previously surfaced in Pratapgarh. Villagers chased three youths, who were allegedly out to steal. However, one of the youths escaped while firing a weapon. The villagers caught the remaining two youths, tied them to a tree, and beat them. Police arrived at the scene after receiving information and detained both youths. While the villagers were claiming the case was a case of theft, they were still investigating the case. On the other hand, the police are saying this incident is related to a love affair. In this case too, a video of the young men being tied to a tree and beaten is going viral. By: Sohail Rahman Courtesy: Hindi News
2,700-year-old ‘Munivahana Seva’ replicated in Tirupati to promote caste equity
Government teachers carry a Dalit colleague into a Tirupati temple, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode linked to the Sri Vaishnavite saint Tiruppan Alwar Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. | Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar A government teacher carried a Dalit colleague on his shoulders into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode to make a point on caste equity. Mahesh Degala, founder-president of the Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi, led the move. The colleague on his shoulders was Munaswamy Nagarajan, a Dalit teacher who is also the State president of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, and the act drew cheers from fellow teachers and the public. 2,700 years ago The act was a re-enactment of an event believed to have taken place 2,700 years ago at the Srirangam temple, involving Tiruppan Alwar, a Dalit among the 12 Sri Vaishnavite saints, and a temple priest, Lokasaranga Muni. TTD effects changes in Srivani darshan tickets quota According to the account, the Alwar stood before the temple in a trance, singing hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha. The priest pushed him away for obstructing his path into the temple, causing him bleeding injuries. When the deity of Lord Ranganatha inside the sanctum sanctorum was also found bleeding, the shocked priest rushed out, apologised to the Alwar and carried him on his shoulder into the temple. Tirupati-Raxaul Express launches weekly service Replicating this event, Mr. Mahesh carried a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, who is also the state President of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, on his shoulders and entered the temple, amid cheers from fellow teachers and general public. Referring to the purpose behind the re-enactment, Mr. Mahesh called it an attempt to correct what he termed the distorted perspective attributed to Sanatana Dharma by “pseudo-secular” forces. Govindaraja Swamy’s chariot procession marks Tirupati Brhamotsavams “The Varna system (hierarchy by profession) mentioned in our ancient scriptures is different from the caste system in vogue today. We, the teachers, have a responsibility to present the correct picture to the society,” he said. Later, the members sat together for a community lunch. A.D. Rangarajan 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
Now, Congress may focus on Telangana Cabinet rejig
According to party sources, three to four MLAs are expected to be considered for induction into the Cabinet. HYDERABAD: After successfully overseeing the formation of its government in Kerala and managing a leadership transition in Karnataka, the Congress high command is now likely to focus on the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle in Telangana. According to party sources, three to four MLAs are expected to be considered for induction into the Cabinet. The names being widely discussed include Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Munugode MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, Vemulawada MLA Aadi Srinivas, Deverakonda MLA Balu Naik, and Dornakal MLA Ram Chander Naik. Political discussions intensified after the Speaker reportedly met senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Party leaders believe these interactions have further strengthened speculation regarding his possible inclusion in the Cabinet. Similarly, Rajagopal Reddy is optimistic that the party leadership may honour commitments made to him during his return to Congress from the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections. Sources also suggest that two to three ministers may be dropped from the Cabinet and assigned organisational responsibilities either at the state or national level. Currently, there are two vacant Cabinet positions, and the leadership is reportedly considering a broader reshuffle involving both vacant and outgoing roles. There is also discussion within Telangana Congress circles over who could become the next Assembly Speaker if Gaddam Prasad Kumar is inducted into the Cabinet. Sources indicate that the party leadership may prefer an MLA or a Cabinet minister from the SC community for the post as part of its social representation strategy. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is also believed to favour retaining the position within the same community. Adluri likely choice for Speaker post Among the names being discussed, minister Adluri Laxman Kumar is said to be emerging as a strong choice of the party for the Speaker’s post. Sources suggest that his candidature is also being viewed in the context of concerns raised by a section of party leaders over the concentration of Cabinet representation from the Peddapalli parliamentary constituency, from which three ministers currently hail. While Dornakal MLA Ram Chander Naik was previously considered for the Deputy Speaker role, sources indicate that he may be more interested in a Cabinet berth. If that happens, the party might consider appointing a woman legislator, with Kodad MLA N Padmavathi Reddy among the candidates being discussed. In addition to Cabinet appointments, several senior MLAs are believed to be under consideration for chairperson positions in key government corporations. Party leaders are reportedly weighing options to accommodate aspirants who may not secure ministerial roles. The Chief Whip position, which carries Cabinet rank, has also emerged as a significant role garnering considerable interest. According to sources, second-term MLAs from either forward or backward communities could be considered for this position. Discussions are also reportedly underway regarding a possible reshuffle of portfolios, including Home, Education, Finance, Revenue, Power, Civil Supplies, Forest, Endowments, Transport, and Excise. Sources suggest that any decision on Cabinet restructuring is likely to be taken after consultations between the Telangana leadership and the Congress high command. Senior leaders, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC leaders, and other key ministers, are expected to hold discussions in Delhi before any final announcement is made. Reshuffle of portfolios also likely Discussions are also reportedly underway regarding a possible reshuffle of portfolios, including Home, Education, Finance, Revenue, Power, Civil Supplies, Forest, Endowments, Transport, and Excise. The chief whip position, which carries Cabinet rank, has also emerged as a significant role garnering considerable interest. Ireddy Srinivas Reddy Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah to meet Congress high command in Delhi, bat for cabinet berths for loyalists
Though it is not confirmed yet, some 15-20 are likely to be sworn in and veterans who were part of the Siddaramaiah cabinet are keeping their fingers crossed. BENGALURU: Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and caretaker CM Siddaramaiah will be in Delhi on Monday to finalise the list of council of ministers with the Congress high command, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Though the power transition went off smoothly, the two leaders are likely to butt heads over the induction of their loyalists into the cabinet and prove their sway over the high command. They are expected to present their own list of legislators to take oath along with Shivakumar at Lok Bhavan’s glass house at 4.05 pm on Wednesday. Though it is not confirmed yet, some 15-20 are likely to be sworn in and veterans who were part of the Siddaramaiah cabinet are keeping their fingers crossed. They include Dr G Parameshwara, HK Patil, KH Muniyappa, MB Patil, Eshwar Khandre, Ramalinga Reddy, Priyank Kharge, Krishna Byre Gowda, Santhosh Lad, Zameer Ahmed Khan, K Venkatesh, Shivaraj Tangadagi and Dr HC Mahadevappa. The names of a few new faces, including AS Ponnanna, Saleem Ahmed, Speaker UT Khader, NA Haris, BK Hariprasad, TB Jayachandra, Basavaraj Rayareddy and Puttaranga are doing the rounds. “I met CM-designate Shivakumar. I interacted with him on a few issues. It was cordial … I came here to congratulate him and wish him all the best. The cabinet formation will be done after the chief minister goes, discusses with the high command and key leaders,” former law minister HK Patil told reporters after meeting Shivakumar. MB Patil, Bangarpet MLA SN Narayanaswamy, Malavalli MLA PM Narendra Swamy and former chief whip in the Assembly Ashok Pattan also met Shivakumar. After the swearing-in, a partial cabinet will be in place and the remaining vacancies are likely to be filled after the June 18 polls to four Rajya Sabha and seven MLC seats, sources said. On Sunday, scores of ministerial berth aspirants, including former ministers identified with the Siddaramaiah camp, like Santhosh Lad and Mahadevappa, met Shivakumar. First-time MLAs Basavaraj Shivaganga from Channagiri and Darshan Dhruvanarayana from Nanjangud also met their mentor. Asked who would take oath as ministers along with him on Wednesday, Shivakumar said, “I don’t know that. The party high command will decide. I will not comment on it.” Yathindra meets Shivakumar Siddaramaiah’s MLC-son Dr Yathindra, who is most likely to be sworn in as minister in the Shivakumar cabinet, called on Shivakumar at the Kumara Krupa Guest House on Sunday evening. “I am a ministerial aspirant. The high command has also assured me that I will be made a minister. I am waiting in anticipation. First, let the high command decide on inducting me as minister. I am ready to handle whichever portfolio assigned to me,” he told reporters. “I had only met Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha and somewhere on the way. I wasn’t able to come to his office or home to congratulate him. So, I came to convey my wishes. No (major) discussions happened. Just a little talk about SIR and our Mysuru district politics,” he added. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Demand for “the greater the number, the greater the share”: Reservation, caste census, reservation in promotions, and strict laws against mob lynching; Memorandum submitted to ADM
The Bhim Army Jai Bhim organization submitted a memorandum to the Additional Magistrate on Monday regarding various demands. The organization demanded the implementation of reservation in all pillars of democracy to improve the economic and social status of Dalit, backward, minority, and tribal communities. The memorandum was led by District President Kanchan Rao. District President Kanchan Rao stated that Constitution-maker Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had established reservation for the upliftment of the exploited, oppressed, and deprived classes, but even after 75 years of independence, the conditions of these classes have not improved as expected. He said that Dalit, backward, minority, and tribal communities have still not fully integrated into the mainstream. Demand for Reservation in Government and Private Sectors In the memorandum, the organization demanded the implementation of reservation in government and private industries based on the principle of “the greater the number, the greater the share.” Demands were also raised to restore reservation in promotions and fill all backlog vacancies. Demand for Proportional Reservation in NEET, JEE, and UPSC In the field of education, the organization demanded reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minorities in competitive examinations like NEET, JEE, and UPSC, in proportion to their population. Furthermore, demands were made for the continuation of the “zero-balance” admission system in schools, colleges, and universities under Article 15 of the Constitution and for the full implementation of University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. Demand for a Law to Prevent Mob Lynching The Bhim Army expressed concern over incidents of mob lynching against Dalits, Muslims, backward classes, minorities, and tribal communities. The organization demanded strict laws to prevent such incidents. The memorandum also included a demand for a CBI investigation into alleged false cases of cow slaughter and fake encounters. The organization also demanded that the cow be declared the national animal. Questions were also raised regarding the caste census and lateral entry. The organization demanded that the central and state governments conduct a caste census. They stated that this would reveal the actual population of various communities and ensure appropriate participation based on that. The organization also demanded a complete abolition of the lateral entry system into government services. Several organization officials and workers were present during the memorandum submission. Ankit Srivastava | Jaunpur Courtesy: Hindi News