A Dalit family in Balrampur has been holding the Tazia for 35 years: Three generations have carried on the tradition, a unique example of communal harmony.
A unique example of communal harmony was witnessed during Muharram in Majra Chahtwa, Gumdi Gram Panchayat, Shriduttganj Block, Balrampur. A Dalit Hindu family has been holding the Tazia with complete faith and respect for the past 35 years. This tradition has been carried on by three generations of the family: Asharam, his son Shiv Prasad, and grandson Kamal Kanaujia. This year too, the family held the Tazia with great devotion, attracting a large number of people from the village and surrounding areas. Kamal Kanaujia explained that the family began holding the Tazia after a vow of his ancestors was fulfilled. His grandfather Asharam carried on the tradition, followed by his father Shiv Prasad, and now he himself is carrying on the responsibility. According to Asharam, the family believes that keeping the Tazia (Tajiya) maintains God’s blessings, removes troubles, and brings happiness and prosperity. Shiv Prasad also said that this tradition brings prosperity to agriculture, business progress, and family well-being. Villagers say that this tradition in Chahatwa is not merely a matter of religious faith, but a living example of social harmony, mutual trust, and Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. During Muharram, people from both communities actively participate in each other’s events, further strengthening the Ganga-Jamuni culture in the village. At a time when news of divisions in society emerges, this Dalit Hindu family in Chahatwa has been sending an important message of humanity, mutual respect, and social harmony by keeping the Tazia for three generations. Aamir Hasan Siddiqui | Shriduttganj (Balrampur), Balrampur Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth dies during treatment: Violence over old rivalry in Ujramau village, special team formed
Shyamveer Pratap Singh alias Sonu (approximately 35 years old), a Dalit youth injured in an alleged assault over an old rivalry in Ujramau village, Rajepur police station area, died while undergoing treatment at Hallet Hospital in Kanpur. The village is mourning and outraged following the youth’s death. Given the seriousness of the case, the police have formed a special team to arrest the accused. According to a police complaint, the incident occurred on the night of June 18, 2026. Shyamveer Pratap Singh was at the home of Badal, a resident of the village, where he worked. It is alleged that Saurabh, a resident of the village, arrived there with two or three of his friends. An altercation ensued between them over an old rivalry. Family members allege that Shyamveer was assaulted with casteist slurs, leaving him seriously injured. The injured Shyamveer was initially taken to the Community Health Center in Rajepur. After first aid, he was referred to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. As his condition worsened, he was sent to Hallet Hospital in Kanpur, where he was treated for several days. He died at around 4 a.m. on June 25th. Kanpur police prepared an inquest report and conducted a post-mortem examination. Shyamveer was the third of four brothers. His untimely death has brought a great deal of grief to his family. The family is inconsolable, and there is widespread anger in the village. Rajepur police are investigating the case based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s brother, Uday Pratap Singh. Following the young man’s death, the investigation will be based on the post-mortem report, medical evidence, and other available facts. Rajepur Police Station in-charge Nagendra Singh stated that the incident has been taken seriously. A special police team has been formed to arrest the accused, and raids are being conducted at their possible hideouts. Shailendra Kumar | Rajepur (Farrukhabad), Farrukhabad Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Organisations Demand Suspension of ACP Reena Suvarna,Warn of Intensified Protests
Various Dalit organisations on Friday demanded the immediate suspension of ACP Reena Suvarna,alleging serious irregularities,abuse of power and corrupt practices during her tenure. The organisations warned that they would intensify their ‘Tamate’protest if the government failed to act on their demands. Addressing a press conference,the representatives alleged that the ACP had sided with alleged rowdy elements and improperly handled cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. They claimed she extended protection to certain individuals in return for favours, allowing illegal activities, real estate dealings and other unlawful operations to continue within her jurisdiction. The organisations further alleged that her handling of a child murder case was aimed at weakening the investigation to benefit the accused. They claimed that even some junior police officials had expressed concerns over her decisions during the probe. The protestors criticised the police department for allegedly suspending junior officials instead of taking action against the ACP. They alleged that she continued to receive protection due to her links with senior officials and political figures. The organisations claimed to possess documentary evidence supporting their allegations and said the material would soon be submitted to the State Home Minister,seeking appropriate legal and departmental action. Warning of a larger agitation,the organisations said they would intensify their protests if the government failed to suspend the ACP and order an impartial inquiry into the allegations. The allegations have been made by the protesting organisations.There has been no official response from ACP Reena Suvarna or the police department at the time of publication. Sources said there are many complaints against this officer and if RTI is filed against her reply comes from the same officer against whom the RTI is filed by replying that information cannot be provided matter is under investigation a letter signed with the same officers attestation we request karnataka CM and Home Minister to order a high level probe into those complaints against this officer the activists demands. Martin Meenacherry Courtesy : Country and Politics Note: This news is originally published on https:/countryandpolitics.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Lucknow: Caste hierarchies & contract labour exploitation among sanitation workers
Sanitation accused their supervisor of coercion, wage manipulation and caste-based abuse, alleging that workers are being pressured to surrender a recently approved ₹2,000 wage increase while being denied entitled leave. The allegations reflect the broader vulnerabilities faced by sanitation workers in Uttar Pradesh, which has recorded the highest number of sewer and septic tank deaths in India since 2017 Sanitation workers in Lucknow’s Ward 66 or Chinhat II have been protesting against their area supervisor, Avinash Rajput, alleging coercion, wage manipulation, and caste-based abuse. Under a recent directive, workers employed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) are entitled to an additional ₹2000 in wages and four days of leave each month. However, several workers claim that Rajput has been pressuring them to hand over the additional amount while simultaneously denying them their entitled leave. According to data presented in Lok Sabha during March, at least 622 sanitation workers died in sewers and septic tank incidents across India since 2017 with Uttar Pradesh recording the highest fatalities at 86. This highlights the structural risks and vulnerabilities faced by sanitation workers. At a press conference organised by the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) in New Delhi in May 2026, they revealed that at least 36 sanitation workers died while cleaning sewers, septic tanks, drains and sewage chambers between March and May 2026. Referring to the data presented in Parliament, DASAM said that out of the 622 deaths, 317 occurred between 2021 and 2025. Most of the workers belonged to Valmiki communities, other historically marginalised caste groups, or migrant labour background. [1] Most sanitation workers in Ward 66 belong to the Balmiki caste, historically associated with sanitation labour and among the most marginalised Dalit communities. Many of these workers live in clustered settlements and are employed, directly or indirectly, by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), reflecting the enduring link between caste and sanitation work. Workers further allege that Rajput used casteist slurs for the workers, even threatening termination for non-compliance. Such allegations also raise questions under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which criminalises caste-based abuse and intimidation. Altogether, these accusations point to potential violations of legal protections against caste-based discrimination. Despite these allegations, the supervisor continues to remain in his position, raising questions about accountability and enforcement of existing laws. While sanitation workers employed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) are issued formal joining letters outlining the terms and conditions to their employment, access to these documents is not always guaranteed. A 25-year-old worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said he has been working with the LMC for nearly a year, yet his joining letter has been withheld. He alleges that requests for the document have been met with derogatory remarks about his caste and class, along with threats of termination. “What are we supposed to show when we get into an accident?” questioned one of the workers. The workers expressed their dissatisfaction by gathering on June 10, 2026 to protest and demand their additional Rs. 2000 and four days of holidays, while giving the authorities 3 days to act. They allege that authorities at Lucknow Swachhata Abhiyan (LSA) had stated they will be firing Avinash, but they are yet to hear back, despite three days already having passed by. The allegations against Rajput, however, are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern within the sanitation system in Lucknow. One where accountability is inconsistent and often remains unchecked. “The mayor, Sushma Kharakwa, had already fired him once. We are not sure why he came back,” said another worker. While ward 66 is struggling to call out the corruption and discrimination, workers say that such situations are far from unique. Across all wards, Sweepers working with LMC are expected to also clean the sewers or pick up animal carcasses if asked. Many of these workers, often in their 20s, say they are required to descend up to five feet into sewers to carry out manual cleaning. For deeper drains, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) deploys mechanised equipment, though workers allege this is not always consistently implemented. Cost considerations often shape these decisions, with workers revealing that bringing in machinery to clean the sewer becomes expensive. The cost adds up with fuel, travel and hiring operators. This is where private contractors come in with the hopes of saving money that would otherwise be spent on the machinery. “thekedaars allegedly take Rs. 5000-6000 and give their workers 500-600. A government employed sanitation worker would get around Rs. 1000.” While law is framed to safeguard Scheduled castes, sanitation workers in Lucknow are still fighting for lawful existence. On June 6, 2026 Lalaram, a 28-year-old sanitation worker went into a manhole with only a rope as instructed by his supervisor on scene, Akash Kumar. He soon lost consciousness and was rushed to a hospital, his supervisor. Initially being taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Akash diverted him to a private hospital. Lalaram died before receiving medical care and Akash Kumar fled the scene. The ward’s corporator is Arun Rai, a representative of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). When contacted, he refused to be interviewed on the topic. The incident drew responses from city authorities. Mayor Sushma Kharakwa and Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar announced action against the contractor, including blacklisting the firm and initiating an FIR. Financial assistance was also promised to the family. Workers remain sceptical, questioning whether meaningful change will follow. Many say that the response to the incident has been driven largely by media attention and local political support, which may ensure compensation for the family. However, the larger concern around the safety of sanitation workers continues to persist. “Usually, the supervisors of these private contractors run away after such incidents, and then nothing ends up happening,” said one of the workers. With Lucknow ranking the third cleanest city in 2024-2025. The irony remains, with regular derogatory comments and a clear spatial hostility moving fluidly between the private and government employees for sanitation
Congress to build another round of ‘Constitution khatre mein hai’ narrative to take on BJP?
The Opposition successfully leveraged a narrative that the BJP intended to amend the Constitution, which resonated strongly with Dalit voters and significantly impacted the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. It is now being repurposed by the Congress for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections There is one narrative that worked widely for the Opposition during the Lok Sabha elections, and it is something almost every Opposition politician points to. It was how the Opposition pushed the argument that the BJP would demolish the Constitution if it came to power with a special majority. This reportedly alarmed Dalits, who moved towards the anti-BJP formation. The biggest impact of it was seen in Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress-SP alliance unexpectedly won 43 of the state’s 80 seats, reducing the BJP to a number 33 short of a 273 majority in the Lok Sabha. Dalits constitute around 18 per cent of India’s population, and the Congress has been trying to weave together a combination of Dalits, minorities and OBCs. Now, the latest revival of this narrative comes in view of the next round of assembly elections scheduled for 2027, with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat and Manipur up for grabs. Following the BJP’s aggressive posturing of breaking leaders from other parties like the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) and stitching these legislators into the NDA fold, the Congress has brought such activities to the fore, portraying them as part of a pursuit of a supermajority that could eventually be used to alter the Constitution. In an interview with PTI, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “The single cause for this is the humiliation that the self-styled Chanakya of Indian politics suffered on the 17th of April in the Lok Sabha. He promised the prime minister that he would get the three delimitation bills passed. He could not muster more than 298 votes in the Lok Sabha.” “I think he decided to take revenge on that day for the humiliation he had been forced to suffer, and now he is busy with the ‘todh-phod ki rajniti’. He broke the TMC, he is breaking the Shiv Sena, all in his search for a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha — you are seeing the truth of our 2024 campaign. They were asking for ‘400 paar’ so that they can amend the Constitution to finish off the reservation,” the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications said. “That was the whole logic of ‘400 paar’, and now you are seeing why he is splitting all these parties. He is splitting up parties in his search for a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution,” Ramesh claimed. According to political analysts, this narrative may have traction in Uttar Pradesh, as the state has around 21 per cent Dalit population, many of whom in 2024 broke away from different parties and voted for the anti-BJP formation of the SP and Congress. The Congress hopes the same could transpire again in the upcoming assembly elections. The Congress is also focusing on Muslims and Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, for which the party is considering appointing a Dalit state unit president. There have been discussions that the party may replace the current state unit president with a Dalit leader. Since the CongressSP combine would be able to attract Yadav and Muslim voters (traditional voters of the two parties contesting together), who together constitute around 33 per cent of the electorate in the state. If they can also gain the support of 21 per cent Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, especially as the decline of Mayawati has left a void in Dalit leadership, the alliance would be looking at a comfortable win. Badar Bashir Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Police file case against Dalit youth: Victim approaches court for justice after mother and son beaten
A Dalit youth and his mother were beaten in a dispute over the purchase of watermelons in the Khakhreru police station area of Fatehpur district. The victim alleges that instead of registering his complaint, the police filed a case against him. Failing to receive justice, the victim has now approached the civil court. This incident occurred in Anjana Kabir village. According to the victim, Rajkumar (20), on the evening of May 6, 2026, he had gone to Haji Baba’s field to buy watermelons. Ram Naresh and his uncle, Ram Swaroop, from the village, abused him for claiming the watermelons first. When Rajkumar protested, the accused, along with their unidentified associates, attacked his house that night. His mother, who tried to intervene, was also beaten. Rajkumar alleges that when he arrived at the police station injured after the incident, the police did not register his complaint. Instead, based on the complaint filed by the accused, a case was registered against Rajkumar and a friend under sections 115(2), 352, and 351(2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Having failed to receive justice from the Superintendent of Police and the Circle Officer, the victim, Rajkumar, has now appealed to the Fatehpur Civil Court (JM Court Khaga). He has requested the court to register an FIR and conduct a fair investigation into the matter. Ayush Singh | Manjhanpur (Khaga), Fatehpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Call for stronger awareness on SC/ST Act
Several senior officials on Thursday emphasised the need of the hour was for greater awareness of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989, citing incidents of Dalits facing untouchability, social discrimination and other problems. The statement was made at the three day training programme organised by the Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union on community vigilance monitoring for committee members. Also present were Dalit Bahujan Shramik Union’s State general secretary and advocate P. Chittibabu. speaking at the event, APEPDCL Superintending Engineer M. Lakshmana Rao said that equal respect and opportunities need to be provided to all Dalit families in accordance to the provisions of the Indian Constitution written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department Annapurnamma said that the government was extending immediate support to Dalit victims and implementing welfare measures for all Scheduled Castes. Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEMPA) project director G.V.Chitti Raju, assistant director of A.P., Andhra Pradesh Government Life Insurance assistant director G. Hymavathi highlighted that women and children were also victimised due to discrimination. Mr. Chittibabu urged the government to take steps for quick filing of chargesheets in the courts so that the victims would get justice quickly under the provisions of the Act. People’s Action for Rural Awakening programme coordinator K.Ch. Bangara Raju clarified the doubts of the participants in the meeting. K Srinivasa Rao 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
Mangu Ram Mugowalia and Ad Dharm movement: A century of Dalit assertion in Punjab
The Ad Dharm Movement, led by Mangu Ram Mugowalia, marked a transformative assertion of Dalit identity and dignity in Punjab, whose legacy continues to shape ongoing struggles for social and economic equality. June 11–12, 2026, marks the centenary of the Ad Dharm Movement, one of the most significant yet underappreciated chapters in the history of anti-caste struggles in India. Formally launched on June 11–12, 1926, under the leadership of Mangu Ram Mugowalia, the movement emerged as a powerful assertion of dignity, self-respect, and independent identity among the oppressed castes of Punjab. At a time when untouchability and caste discrimination structured everyday life, Ad Dharm challenged the social order by proclaiming that Dalits were not merely victims of caste oppression but a people with their own history, culture, and spiritual traditions. While anti-caste movements led by Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra, Periyar in Tamil Nadu, and Ayyankali in Kerala have received recognition, the contribution of Mangu Ram Mugowalia remains relatively absent from mainstream narratives of social reform. Yet his role in shaping Dalit consciousness in Punjab was no less transformative. Through the Ad Dharm Movement, he laid the foundations of a distinct political and cultural identity that continues to influence Dalit assertion in the region even today. The movement also occupies an important place in the wider history of Dalit politics in India. Emerging during the same period that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was mobilizing the Depressed Classes in India, Ad Dharm represented one of the earliest organized expressions of Dalit self-assertion in Punjab. Although they developed in different regional contexts, both Ambedkar and Mangu Ram shared a commitment to dignity, self-respect, and the rejection of caste-based oppression. From Ghadar revolutionary to a leader Born in 1886 in Hoshiarpur district, Mangu Ram’s political journey began with the Ghadar Movement, the revolutionary organization established by Indian migrants in North America to challenge British colonial rule. However, upon returning to India, he realized that political freedom alone could not guarantee social equality for the oppressed castes. The everyday reality of untouchability, exclusion, and humiliation demanded a separate struggle. This realization pushed him toward organizing Dalits and confronting caste oppression directly. The emergence of Ad Dharm must be understood within the social context of Punjab, where Dalits continued to face discrimination in social, religious, and economic spheres. Mangu Ram understood that emancipation required more than political representation; it required the creation of a collective consciousness rooted in dignity and self-respect. Religiousstudies books Long before the Ad Dharm Movement emerged, Guru Ravidas occupied a central place in the spiritual life of Punjab’s oppressed communities. His teachings of equality, human dignity, and the vision of Begampura—a society free from hierarchy, oppression, and suffering—had inspired generations of Dalits. Yet this reverence largely remained within the religious sphere. Mangu Ram recognized the immense emancipatory potential of Ravidas’s teachings. Through the Ad Dharm Movement, he transformed this spiritual legacy into a vehicle for social and political mobilization. Guru Ravidas became not merely a saint to be worshipped but a symbol of collective identity, resistance, and self-respect. The movement encouraged Dalits to take pride in their history and reject the caste labels imposed upon them by the oppressive social order. By placing Guru Ravidas at the centre of Dalit public consciousness, Mangu Ram created a cultural language through which oppressed communities could articulate dignity and equality. In this sense, he transformed an existing devotional tradition into a powerful instrument of social assertion. Ad Dharm: Transforming faith into assertion The Ad Dharm Movement sought to construct an alternative historical narrative. It argued that Dalits were the original inhabitants of the land and possessed an identity independent of the hierarchical framework of the social order. By promoting the term “Ad Dharm,” the movement challenged the legitimacy of caste classifications and asserted a distinct social existence. This was not merely a symbolic gesture. It represented a profound challenge to a social order that defined Dalits through exclusion and degradation. Ad Dharm offered dignity where caste society offered humiliation, and identity where caste hierarchy imposed stigma. The Ad Dharm Movement can be understood as Punjab’s own self-respect movement. Just as Jyotiba Phule’s Satyashodhak movement challenged Brahmanical domination in Maharashtra, Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement attacked caste hierarchy in Tamil Nadu, and Ayyankali fought for the rights of oppressed communities in Kerala, Mangu Ram developed a language of resistance suited to the social realities of Punjab. Each of these movements sought to restore dignity to those historically denied it. In Punjab, Ad Dharm became the vehicle through which Dalits asserted their humanity, cultural autonomy, and political agency. It gave Punjab’s Dalits a collective identity and a sense of pride that transcended caste-imposed inferiority. The movement demonstrated that social transformation requires more than political reform; it also requires cultural self-respect. Like the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu and the Satyashodhak Samaj in Maharashtra, Ad Dharm challenged the ideological foundations of caste and inspired oppressed communities to imagine themselves as equal citizens. The politics of recognition: The 1931 Census The movement’s impact became particularly visible during the 1931 Census, when thousands identified themselves as Ad Dharmis rather than under traditional caste labels. This was one of the earliest and most successful attempts in modern India to use the census as a tool of political assertion and collective self-definition. By refusing imposed identities and embracing Ad Dharm, Dalits challenged both colonial categories and caste hierarchies. The census thus became a site of resistance, demonstrating the transformative power of collective mobilization. The significance of the Ad Dharm Movement extends far beyond the colonial period. Its influence can be seen in the continued centrality of Guru Ravidas in Punjab’s Dalit public sphere, the emergence of Ravidasia religious institutions, and the enduring tradition of Dalit political mobilization in the state. Religiousstudies books Yet the centenary of Ad Dharm is an opportunity to reflect on the unfinished tasks of social justice. Punjab today has the highest proportion of Scheduled Castes among all Indian states, constituting nearly one-third of its population. Despite this demographic strength and
Former Bihar Congress chief blames his removal for party’s dismal performance in state assembly polls
The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. PATNA: Former Bihar Congress chief and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has asserted that his removal as the party’s Bihar unit president before the last Assembly election led to the Congress’ poor performance in the polls. In the 2025 Assembly election, the Congress won only six of the 61 seats it contested. The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. “I was removed from the post of state president before the elections, and the party had to bear the consequences,” he said, raising questions over the leadership’s decision. Singh, who is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, also took a swipe at the current AICC in-charge of Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, without naming him directly. He also openly objected to the functioning of co-in-charge Shahnawaz Alam, who was present at the event. “Such people were made in-charge who have nothing to do with politics and have no knowledge of it. When these people came to Bihar, the first thing they did was to remove me from the post of state president,” Singh said. He maintained that the Congress’ performance in the Assembly election would have been better had he remained the state president. “We had succeeded in getting four MPs elected (three Lok Sabha members and one Rajya Sabha member in 2024) when I was holding the post of state party president,” he said. He further said, “This time, 40 per cent of the elected MLAs in Bihar are from upper-caste communities, and 27 MLAs belong to the Bhumihar caste. I belong to the same caste. I had asked Rahul Gandhi what should now be done in Bihar.” Akhilesh was replaced by Rajesh Kumar, a Scheduled Caste legislator from Aurangabad district. Kumar also lost his seat in the last election. He had earlier been elected as MLA from Kutumba in Aurangabad district. Rajesh Kumar had accompanied Rahul Gandhi during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls. Ramashankar 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
PAC Chairman seeks report on ‘Great Nicobar project from MHA
The project has faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. NEW DELHI: At a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, committee chairman and Congress MP KC Venugopal sought a report from Home Secretary Govind Mohan on the controversial Great Nicobar Project, which has been consistently opposed by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, sources said. The project has also faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. Although the issue was not listed on the meeting agenda, Venugopal said he raised it suo motu, citing its significance and concerns over the project’s ecological impact. The intervention came during a briefing by officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on observations in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report on the establishment and functioning of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS). According to sources, BJP MP Anurag Thakur objected when the chairman raised the Great Nicobar Project issue, arguing that it was not part of the committee’s agenda and that the proceedings should remain confined to scheduled business. Venugopal, however, said he was not seeking an immediate response from the Home Secretary. “While accepting that he is not prepared for this subject today, it is my duty to make the Home Secretary aware that the committee has taken cognisance of this matter and would like to receive a brief report later on the situation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with respect to the Great Nicobar Project,” sources quoted him as saying. Venugopal is learnt to have raised concerns over the felling of an estimated 1.5 crore trees and the displacement of tribal communities because of the project. “All this is being done to create commercial space for a few large private players. On one hand, the long-pending demand for the expansion of the naval base INS Baaz was put on hold. On the other hand, the Central government is hastily moving to commercialise the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” he is learnt to have told the meeting. The Congress has consistently opposed the Great Nicobar Project, describing it as an ecological disaster. After his recent visit to the islands, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged the government’s contention that the project is driven by strategic and defence considerations. Gandhi alleged that claims surrounding the proposed transshipment port were misleading and that the project was aimed at benefiting a single businessman through the development of hotels and casinos on ecologically sensitive land. Recently, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal raising concerns over the proposed international container transshipment port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island. He sought clarification on the project’s ownership structure, competition safeguards and government funding support. During the meeting, sources said, Venugopal expressed concern over financial mismanagement and a 12-year delay in the construction of ANIIMS. The PAC chairman also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration from the meeting. Speaking to reporters later, Venugopal said the official had been asked to explain his absence. According to sources, the MHA informed the committee that it serves only as the monitoring agency for the institute, which is administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Preetha Nair 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