JNU VC’s remarks on Dalits sparks criticism from legal fraternity
Senior advocate Jayaraju says such statements undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice Kurnool: Senior Advocate Y Jaya raju has sharply condemned recent remarks by Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, who stated that ‘Dalits and Blacks cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.’ In an interview with The Hans India on Saturday, Raju called the comments deeply disturbing, casteist, and antithetical to constitutional principles. He argued that labeling Dalit assertion as mere ‘victimhood’ trivialises the enduring realities of structural oppression faced by historically marginalized communities. Such statements, he said, undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice. The advocate emphasised that social justice is a core constitutional imperative, not sentiment. He invoked key provisions of Indian Constitution—guaranteeing equality (Article 14), abolishing untouchability (Article 17), and providing for affirmative action for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Articles 15, 16, 46)—as evidence of the State’s recognition of systemic injustice and its duty to implement corrective measures. He also highlighted a troubling pattern during Pandit’s tenure, including her reported opposition to UGC equity regulations aimed at curbing caste discrimination, perceived alignment with RSS-affiliated student groups, and statements perceived to downplay caste-based bias. These, he noted, have fuelled concerns among faculty and students about eroding democratic spaces, ideological bias, and inconsistent application of disciplinary norms—contrary to JNU’s tradition of robust, open debate. Drawing on BR Ambedkar’s vision, Raju stressed that constitutional morality must supersede entrenched social hierarchies. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to issue a public apology, recommit to equity policies, bolster anti-discrimination mechanisms, and ensure institutional neutrality. Raju framed the issue as transcending party politics: safeguarding Dalit dignity is integral to upholding Indian democracy itself. Failure to address such remarks, he warned, risks further eroding public trust in premier institutions. By V Narendra Kumar Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kanpur clash turns violent: Tractor dispute leaves 5 seriously injured, Dalit family’s hut burned
The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. In Sargaon village of Ghatampur, a minor disagreement over moving a tractor escalated into a violent clash between two groups. What began as a heated argument quickly turned into a physical fight involving sticks, rods, and even axes. At least five people were reported seriously injured in the incident. The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. The police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident and managed to control the situation. The injured were first admitted to the community health center (CHC) in Ghatampur and later referred to a major hospital in Kanpur for advanced treatment. MLA Saroj Kuril visits victims Upon learning about the attack, Saroj Kuril, MLA of Ghatampur, visited the hospital to meet the victims and inquire about their condition. The injured told the MLA that the attack was carried out by the son of the Sargaon village head along with his associates. According to the Dalit family, the attackers used sticks, rods, and other weapons, pulling hair and physically assaulting them. The family claims that the tractor dispute was only an excuse, and the attack was premeditated. The hut being set on fire destroyed all their belongings, causing severe financial and emotional loss. MLA Saroj Kuril condemned the incident. She said she was informed while attending a wedding ceremony and immediately rushed to the hospital upon learning about the atrocities and the fire. She spoke to DCP South, Deependra Nath Chaudhary, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The MLA also instructed the officer in charge of Sajeti police station to take immediate steps. The DCP assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and the guilty would be arrested and punished. Police investigation underway The police confirmed that the case falls under the jurisdiction of Sajeti Police Station. Complaints from both parties are being recorded, and an investigation is ongoing. Initial findings suggest that the clash may be linked to an old rivalry between the groups. With inputs from Anurag Srivastav Edited By: Isha Bhandari Courtesy : India TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalits’ land in Madhapur Maujpur, Hapur: Questions raised about administrative negligence, and powerful people are issuing threats.
Hapur. A case of illegal occupation of agricultural land belonging to seven Dalit families by powerful people has come to light in Madhapur Maujpur village, within the Simbhaoli police station area of the district. The affected families allege that they are being prevented from accessing their fields and are being threatened with death. Meanwhile, the families are angry over the lack of concrete action at the administrative level to free the land from encroachment. Ceiling leases were granted in 1972 According to victim Gyan Chand, in 1972, the government allotted leases of ceiling land to seven members, including his family, for their livelihood. Since then, all the families have been cultivating these lands to support their families. He says that this land is their sole source of livelihood. Allegations of illegal occupation by a powerful man The families allege that after the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state, Kaluram Tyagi, a local strongman, illegally occupied these leases. It is alleged that Kaluram Tyagi, in collusion with revenue officials, filed a lawsuit in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, to have the leases cancelled. Won the case in the ADM Court The affected families say they fought a legal battle and won the case in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, on May 31, 2025. Despite the court order, they have not been given back possession of the land. The families allege that even after losing the case, the powerful party is threatening to kill them if they enter the fields. Forced to run around officials The Dalit families say they have been making frequent rounds of the SDM Sadar and the Simbhaoli police station to free their land from encroachment, but no concrete solution has been found. They allege that they are unable to get justice due to administrative apathy at the local level. Police said the matter is revenue-related. Simbhaoli police station in-charge Suresh Kumar stated that no one can be given possession of land without the presence of a revenue department team. He explained that the matter is revenue-related and action will be taken as per the rules. Meanwhile, the state government has been making public claims that Dalits’ land will not be illegally occupied. In such a situation, this case in Madhapur Maujpur raises questions about administrative claims. Currently, the affected families are looking to the authorities for justice and the hope of getting their land back. Pitam Singh | Buxar (Garhmukteshwar), Hapur Courtesy: Hindi News
Gujarat: Unit to monitor atrocities against Dalits faces 18 vacancies
Crucially, while the unit carries a sanctioned strength of 76 posts, only 58 are filled, leaving 18 vacancies that directly dilute field oversight, data tracking, and policy responsiveness across districts. AHMEDABAD: In a candid admission on the floor of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister disclosed that the specialised civic unit set up under the Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare Department to monitor atrocities remains structurally understaffed thereby weakening the very surveillance mechanism meant to safeguard vulnerable communities. The sanctioned cadre strength of the unit includes: 3 posts of Joint Director (Vigilance), 1 post of Deputy Director (Citizen Cell), 5 posts of Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S), 42 posts of Assistant Social Welfare Officer (Project Officer), 6 posts of Social Welfare Inspector, 4 posts of Senior Clerk, 8 posts of Junior Clerk, 1 post of Research Officer, 3 posts of Research Assistant and 3 posts of Statistical Assistant, taking the total sanctioned strength to 76 posts. Crucially, while the unit carries a sanctioned strength of 76 posts, only 58 are filled, leaving 18 vacancies that directly dilute field oversight, data tracking, and policy responsiveness across districts. Out of 3 sanctioned posts of Joint Director (Vigilance), only 1 post is filled while 2 posts are vacant, both lying vacant for a period of one to three years. The post of Deputy Director (Citizen Cell) is filled. But the most alarming void surfaces in the Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S) cadre, all 5 sanctioned posts of Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S) are vacant. Of these, 2 posts have been vacant for less than one year and 3 posts have remained vacant for one to three years. Although operational cadres appear comparatively staffed 37 of 42 Assistant Social Welfare Officer posts filled the five vacancies here still mean fewer boots on the ground, weakening grassroots incident reporting and timely intervention. Even analytical backbones are missing: all three Statistical Assistant posts remain vacant for over three years, signalling a long-term data vacuum that can distort policy calibration and trend analysis. The absence of statistical and research personnel implies that incident pattern mapping, predictive risk alerts, and evaluation of preventive schemes may be operating on incomplete datasets. Without robust analytics, monitoring risks becoming reactive rather than preventive, undercutting the unit’s foundational mandate of evidence-driven vigilance under the Scheduled Caste Welfare framework. Overall, the data confirms: Total Posts 76; Filled Posts 58; Vacant Posts 18. Of these vacancies, 8 are within one year, 7 are pending for one to three years, and 3 have remained vacant for more than three years. Responding to the vacancy crisis, the minister informed the House that recruitment actions are underway through multiple channels. Requisitions have been sent to the Gujarat Public Service Commission for Social Welfare Officers, while Research Assistant and Statistical Assistant posts are to be filled via the General Administration Department. Vigilance-level posts remain “under consideration,” indicating procedural movement but no definitive timelines. Dilip Singh Kshatriya 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
Ahmedabad: Dalit youth stabbed, casteist slurs uttered; case filed against 6 people
A minor dispute at a paan shop in the Ranip area led to a bloody clash; police registered an FIR against 6 accused under sections of the SC/ST Act and the BNS. Ahmedabad: A minor dispute turned violent late Saturday night in the Ranip area of the city. A 25-year-old Dalit youth was stabbed in the neck and seriously injured. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint at the Ranip police station on Sunday. What is the entire matter? The victim has been identified as Sahil Vaghela, a resident of Purushottam Nagar opposite Pink City in Ranip, and works at a private company. In his statement to the police at the Civil Hospital, Sahil stated that the incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Saturday night. He had gone to a paan shop near Bakra Mandi when he encountered Shravan Thakor, Harshit Thakor, and four others. Casteist Slurs and Stabbing It is alleged that these men began questioning Sahil about a past incident in his society. The accused immediately began abusing him. Sahil alleges that he was insulted with casteist slurs and assaulted. During the scuffle, the main accused, Shravan, allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked Sahil. The knife wound struck the left side of his neck. Accused absconding, victim out of danger Seeing blood flowing from his neck, Sahil raised an alarm, which frightened all the attackers and they fled the scene. The injured Sahil immediately called his friends and a relative. He was then taken to the Civil Hospital by 108 ambulance. After being treated by doctors, he was discharged from the hospital and is currently reported to be out of danger. Police Action Given the seriousness of the case, the Ranip police have registered an FIR against six accused. Police have registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. The accused have also been charged under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Not every insult to a member of the SC/ST community is an atrocity: Understand this important Calcutta High Court decision
The court also clarified that it is not enough for the accused to know the caste of the victim. A crime is committed when the insult is committed “on the ground or by reason of the person being a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.” Kolkata—In a landmark judgment delivered on February 11, the Calcutta High Court clarified that every insult or threat directed at a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) is not automatically considered a crime under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. A single bench of Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das), while hearing a criminal revisional application in the case of Moumita Bhattacharya v. State of West Bengal, quashed the entire proceedings at the Amherst Street Police Station, including the charge sheet filed therein. The case relates to a professional dispute in the Sanskrit Department. The complainant, who belongs to the SC community and joined as an Assistant Professor on November 14, 2018, alleged that Moumita Bhattacharya, as Head of the Department, humiliated him on the basis of caste, mentally harassed him, and harmed his career. The allegations included not inviting the complainant to departmental meetings, withholding meeting resolutions, stopping undergraduate classes, preventing him from conducting examination/evaluation duties, conspiring with students, and using abusive language in online meetings. The complaint was filed on December 4, 2021. Following an investigation, a charge sheet was filed on April 10, 2022, and the Special Court took cognizance. Petitioner Moumita Bhattacharya filed a petition under Section 482 CrPC seeking quashing of the proceedings. Citing his qualifications, he stated that he holds a PhD in Sanskrit from Visva Bharati University, a post-doctoral fellowship, passed SLET, and has held editorial positions in various journals, and stated that the allegations are false, motivated by vengeance, and lack the essential elements of an offence under the SC/ST Act. The Court, citing several Supreme Court judgments (Sajan Skaria v. State of Kerala, Hitesh Verma v. State of Uttarakhand, Swaran Singh v. State, etc.), clarified the essential elements of Section 3(1)(r). The Court stated: “The basic elements of an offence under Section 3(1)(r) are as follows: The accused must not be a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. The accused must intentionally insult or intimidate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. Such insult or intimidation must be with the intent to humiliate that person. And such insult or intimidation must occur in a public place or in public view.” The court further made an important observation: “Not every intentional insult or threat directed at a member of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe will constitute caste-based humiliation. This is only the case if the insult or threat is due to the prevalent practice of untouchability or to reinforce notions such as the historical superiority of upper castes over lower castes/untouchables, or the notions of purity and impurity.” The court also clarified that it is not enough for the accused to know the victim’s caste. The offense is made out when the insult is inflicted “on the ground or by reason of the person being a member of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe.” The complaint mentioned a specific incident where the complainant was referred to as “Adarsh Sir” in an online meeting. The court made a strong comment on this: “‘Adarsh’ means ideal, and ‘Sir’ is a respectful address. This court is at a loss to understand how calling someone ‘Adarsh Sir’ can be derogatory, even if done sarcastically. This cannot, in any case, constitute an offense under the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989.” Applying the principles of State of Haryana vs. Bhajan Lal, the court held that even if the allegations in the FIR are accepted as completely true, they do not constitute an offense. The proceedings appear to be motivated by personal enmity and revenge. Therefore, it is appropriate to quash them under Section 482 CrPC. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala: Dalit priest resigns, upset over caste discrimination and threats, says ‘a conspiracy was hatched to steal’
‘An attempt was made to prove me a thief by removing the idol’s original ornaments’ – Fed up with caste discrimination and threats, a 23-year-old Dalit priest in Kerala has resigned from his job. Ernakulam (Kerala): A shocking incident has emerged from Alangad in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. A Dalit priest has resigned from his post, accusing the CPI(M)-backed Devaswom Employees Confederation of caste discrimination, threats, and fabricated complaints. The young priest, P.R. Vishnu, claims that when he refused to participate in certain unfair practices and wrongdoings, retaliatory action was initiated against him, making it impossible for him to continue working at the temple. Conspiracies began just months after joining the job 23-year-old Vishnu was serving as a part-time priest at the Malikampeedika Vathurakkavu Temple in Alangad. He had been appointed to this position approximately four months earlier after being selected by the Travancore Devaswom Recruitment Board (TDB) based on a written examination and interview. However, within a few months of his appointment, the temple administration began receiving false complaints in his name from fake addresses. Love for Sanatana Dharma and Attempt to Prove Him a ‘Thief’ Due to his deep faith in Sanatana Dharma, Vishnu underwent rigorous training in Tantric rituals and chose this profession. Recounting a horrific plot against him, he said: “Every effort was made to frame me as a thief. I was shocked to see that the real gold ornaments on the idol had been replaced with fake ones. I became suspicious and immediately called a goldsmith to have the ornaments checked. This way, I narrowly escaped being falsely accused of theft.” Family also being targeted Vishnu’s father, P.K. Ramesan, is a daily wage laborer, and his mother, Soumya Ramesan, is a homemaker. The priest alleges that his family is also being deliberately harassed. Vishnu revealed that he had filed a police complaint against a local man, and he is facing intense pressure from various quarters to withdraw it. What’s the future? Regarding the recent developments, Vishnu said that he received a call from the TDB Chairman’s office on Wednesday, and Crime Branch officials have recorded his statement. He has clearly told officials that if strict action is taken against those responsible for insulting him, he may reconsider his resignation. Devaswom Employees Confederation’s clarification Amidst this controversy, Devaswom Employees Confederation State President Prajit Kumar has given his side of the story. He said, “Our organization will not allow anyone to discriminate against our priests on the basis of caste, as they are directly selected by the TDB Commissioner. We will definitely take action against the TDB employees who insulted Vishnu.” Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
UP: 15-year-old Dalit gang-raped by two youths, minor at hotel
The accused had abandpned her under a bridge after committing the crime. Banda: A 15-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly abducted and gang-raped at a hotel in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district by two youths and a minor, who then abandoned her under a bridge, police said on Thursday, February 19. The two youths involved in the crime were arrested, and the juvenile was apprehended on Wednesday, February 18, they said. According to Atarra Circle Officer Praveen Yadav, the arrested have been identified as Mahesh Kushwaha (18), Shakti Singh (19), and a 15-year-old boy, all residents of Girwan village. Victim forced to inhale intoxicant, then taken to hotel He said the incident took place around 8:30 pm on Tuesday, February 17. The complaint filed by the girl’s father stated that his daughter had gone to the market in Atarra town with a friend, when the three accused on a motorcycle made her inhale some intoxicant. They took the semi-conscious teenager to a hotel on Station Road, committed the crime, and then abandoned her under the Ken Canal bridge before fleeing, CO Yadav said. A case was registered on Wednesday, and all the accused were held, the CO said. He added that one of the arrested accused was a former acquaintance of the victim. Posted by Khadija Irfan Rahim Courtesy : Scroll Note: This news is originally published on https:/scroll.in/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rape of Dalit girl in Uttar Pradesh: Man sentenced to life imprisonment
Ballia (UP): A local court in Ballia on Tuesday convicted the accused in a year-old case of raping a Dalit girl and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) provided this information. PPO Officer Vimal Kumar Rai stated on Wednesday that in February 2025, Manjeet Gupta, alias Neeraj Gupta, of Pur village, lured a 14-year-old Dalit girl from a village in the Pakadi police station area and raped her for approximately three months. The girl’s family learned of the incident only after she became pregnant. He stated that a case was registered against Gupta at the Pakadi police station on February 26, 2025, based on a complaint from the girl’s mother. After an investigation, the police filed a charge sheet against the accused in court. Rai stated that the court of Additional Sessions Judge First Kant, hearing the case on Tuesday, convicted the accused, sentenced him to life imprisonment, and also imposed a fine of ₹75,000. Salim Surabhi This story was auto-fed from Bhasha news agency. ThePrint is not responsible for its content. Courtesy: Hindi News
Odisha’s Nuagaon Anganwadi dispute ends as children return, Dalit helper welcomed
A three‑month-long caste dispute that paralysed an Anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Odisha’s Kendrapara district has been resolved, as children returned to the facility and parents agreed to accept food prepared by a Dalit helper, restoring normal operations to the rural childcare and nutrition centre. Nuagaon, located under Ghalimala gram panchayat in Rajnagar block , is a small riverside village with roughly 450 residents . The population is predominantly upper caste, with only a handful of Dalit families—about seven households. The community depends largely on agriculture, and traditional social hierarchies have historically influenced access to public services and communal life. The village anganwadi serves about 20 children , providing early education, supplementary nutrition, and support to pregnant and lactating women under India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. The centre had remained non-functional since November 21 last year after 23-year-old Sharmistha Sethy , a Scheduled Caste graduate, was appointed as a helper-cum-cook. Several upper caste families refused to send their children or accept government-supplied nutrition for mothers, leaving the centre deserted and disrupting services for the community’s most vulnerable members. The standoff drew national attention, with Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge , raising the issue in Parliament. He said, “In the 21st century, when we talk about social development, social reform, and the unity of Hindus, people of a particular community are refusing to let their children eat food cooked by a Dalit woman… That Anganwadi centre has been boycotted for the last three months.” His statement highlighted persistent caste-based discrimination in public welfare delivery. To resolve the deadlock, the district administration , Odisha State Commission for Women, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) , and local leaders engaged with the community. Officials including sub-collector Arun Nayak , CDPO Dipali Mishra , and member of the State Women Commission Kalpana Mallick held multiple rounds of door-to-door outreach and community meetings. Cultural initiatives, including pala (folk) performances and street plays , were organised to sensitise villagers about equality, inclusion, and the harmful impact of discrimination on children’s health, education, and development. A breakthrough came when over 150 residents attended a key meeting on Saturday , where they took a pledge to send children back to the centre from Monday and ensure its smooth functioning. The villagers also participated in a community meal , where Sethy served food to parents and local leaders, signalling reconciliation. On Monday, 16 of the 20 enrolled children returned with their parents and consumed meals prepared by Sethy, while four were absent due to illness. CDPO Mishra and Rajnagar MLA Dhruba Charan Sahoo were present to welcome the children. Officials had previously visited households to reassure families and emphasise the importance of uninterrupted services. Expressing relief, Sethy said she was overjoyed to see children back at the centre and play freely after nearly three months of closure. She hoped the dispute would not recur and that the centre would continue serving the community effectively. Kendrapara MP and BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda , a member of the Brahmin community, visited the village on Sunday, shared a meal prepared at the Anganwadi, and lauded the community and administration for coming together to prioritise children’s welfare. Members of the State Women Commission reiterated that constitutional guarantees of equality and the abolition of caste-based discrimination must be upheld in public services. Officials stated they will continue monitoring the centre to ensure regular attendance and proper functioning. Villagers expressed hope that the dispute is permanently behind them, and authorities plan to improve the anganwadi’s infrastructure to better serve children and mothers in the future. Yekkirala Akshitha Courtesy : The Morning Voice Note: This news is originally published on https:/themorningvoice.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights