The Vatan system was abolished 67 years ago. Learn about the system that made Mahars hereditary slaves.
On June 16, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar founded the Bombay State Inferior Village Vatandar Association. Through this organization, he gave new direction and momentum to the struggle against the oppressive Vatan system. On June 16, 1956, 70 years ago, Dr. Ambedkar founded the Bombay State Inferior Village Vatandar Association, and he was also its president. Through this organization, he gave new direction and momentum to the struggle against the oppressive Vatan system. For decades, Babasaheb had been campaigning against the Mahar Vatans. This hereditary village service system deprived marginalized communities of their dignity, land rights, and economic independence. He sought constitutional and legislative solutions to ensure justice for the Vatandars and end this system based on social inequality. On this day, he organized affected communities to eradicate the Vatan system through democratic and legal means. Members of the Mahar community were required to perform compulsory services such as village security, delivering messages, and assisting in administrative work. The land they were granted in return was called ‘Mahar Watan Bhumi’. The Watan system was a hereditary system prevalent in the villages of Maharashtra for centuries. Under this system, certain families, particularly members of the Mahar community, were granted Watan land in exchange for various village services such as watchman duty, delivering messages, disposing of dead animals, cleaning, and other laborious tasks. This land was hereditary and could not be easily sold or transferred; in this system, the land was not completely private property. Due to this service obligation, the Watandars were essentially bound as bonded laborers to feudal lords or upper castes. Dr. Ambedkar had been fighting against this system since 1927. In 1937, he even introduced a bill in the Bombay Legislative Council to abolish the Mahar Watan system. His persistent efforts culminated in the Bombay Inferior Village Watan Abolition Act, 1958 (Act I of 1959), which came into effect on January 20, 1959. This Act abolished all inferior watans and merged watan lands with the state. Watandars received land rights under a re-grant, providing for possession after paying three years’ worth of taxes and full ownership after paying 13 years’ worth of taxes. These laws aimed to transform watan lands into regular agricultural land, although disputes and conflicts over the redistribution and possession of this land continue to this day. Dr. Ambedkar’s unwavering commitment to equality and social democracy played a crucial role in ending this oppressive practice. This Act proved to be a significant step towards socio-economic justice, paving the way for the end of hereditary exploitation. However, in practice, many watandar families faced challenges in obtaining land rights. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar: Two Dalit youths, who had gone to see the fair at the Jhunkiya Baba Temple in Rajgir, were beaten to death by a mob mistaking them for thieves.
An SIT has been formed under the leadership of the Rajgir DSP to investigate the mob lynching incident, and security has been increased to maintain law and order. Nalanda: Two Dalit youths, who had gone to enjoy the Malmas fair at the famous Jhunkiya Baba Temple in Rajgir district, were beaten to death by a mob mistaking them for thieves. The incident, which occurred on Sunday-Monday morning, left Pintu Paswan (24) and Shravan Paswan (18) victims of the mob’s brutality. The two youths, who were severely beaten with sticks and rods on suspicion of theft, died from their serious injuries. Both were residents of Ganjpar village in the Deepnagar police station area. This incident is extremely painful and heartbreaking not only for the families but for the entire Dalit community. All India Mahamandaleshwar Mahant Antaryami Sharan told local media that several incidents of theft had occurred at the temple in the past few days, causing widespread anger among devotees. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple premises on Sunday night due to the Malmas fair. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Monday when four young men entered the dining area with the intention of stealing. Seeing suspicious activity, people chased them. While fleeing, two of the young men fell and were caught by the mob. Initially, heated arguments ensued, but then they were accused of theft and severely beaten with sticks. The temple security team rescued the young men from the mob and handed them over to the Rajgir police. The young men were first taken to Sadar Hospital and then referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for better treatment, where both died during treatment. Police are also investigating the background of the deceased. Nalanda Superintendent of Police Bharat Soni said, “We are investigating every aspect of the case. This is a double murder. The postmortem has been completed, and the report is awaited. Several teams have been formed to arrest all the accused. Some suspects are being interrogated.” Pintu Paswan’s mother, Saroj Devi, said that Pintu was a daily wage laborer and the sole breadwinner of the family after his father’s death. He was the eldest of five brothers and three sisters. Saroj Devi said, “I don’t know why my son went near the temple. He and his friend were brutally beaten and killed. We want the killers arrested immediately.” A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed under the leadership of the Rajgir DSP, and a heavy police force has been deployed in the area. Security has been increased to maintain law and order. Bahujan and Dalit organizations have condemned the incident on social media and demanded justice. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A 65-year-old Dalit woman was left running around for eight months, and the Orissa High Court sharply reprimanded the police for claiming a “lost file.”
The Orissa High Court took a strong stance on the eight-month delay in filing an FIR against an elderly Dalit woman who was defrauded of ₹2.10 lakh in a land deal, completely rejecting the police’s excuse of “lost file.” New Delhi: A 65-year-old Dalit woman, who was defrauded of ₹2.10 lakh in a land deal, had to approach the Orissa High Court for justice. Despite a magistrate’s clear instructions, the police did not file an FIR in the fraud case for more than eight months. The High Court has issued a stern remark, criticizing the police for this significant delay. The court clarified that arguments such as “lost file” or “unavailability of court orders” can no longer be routine excuses to undermine the judicial process. In her June 12 order, Justice Savitri Ratho expressed deep concern over the local police’s attitude towards court orders. While hearing the case, he stated that it is possible for files to go missing, but unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. The judge explained that he has encountered numerous cases where local police do not comply with the orders of the family court or magistrate. Despite repeated reminders and extensions, police officers remain unmoved. The timeline for this case is astonishing. The magistrate had clearly ordered the registration of an FIR in the case on August 6, 2025. However, the case was registered at the Ranpur police station eight months later, on April 24. The court noted that in such cases, the police often make the same common excuse: that the court order or warrant was lost, or that the officer concerned had recently joined duty. The court found this explanation completely unacceptable. The court argued that every police station maintains separate registers to record orders and letters received from various courts and officials, making the claim of a missing file meaningless. In light of these negligences, the Orissa High Court has urged the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) to issue necessary guidelines to his officers to ensure respect for judicial orders and their prompt implementation. The root of this entire dispute stems from a fraud that occurred in May 2025. The 65-year-old petitioner, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, was duped into selling her land by the accused. Under the pretense of registering a sale deed with the sub-registrar, the accused extorted a hefty sum of ₹2.10 lakh from the elderly woman. However, they never executed the sale deed nor returned her money despite repeated requests. Fighting for her rights, the victim first approached the lower court, which took the matter seriously, registered an FIR, and ordered an investigation. When the police refused to listen to her complaint and took no action, she was forced to seek recourse to the High Court through advocate Umakant Sahu. On the other hand, representing the state government, Additional Standing Counsel Saroj Kumar Rout informed the court that an FIR has now been registered in the matter and Sub-Inspector Hasina Pradhan is investigating it. Despite this, the Orissa High Court continued to strongly criticize the eight-month delay in complying with the magistrate’s order and the irresponsible explanation given by the police. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
“My son’s killers will be destroyed”: Dalit youth killed in police custody cremated after 101 days
Following strict instructions from the Madras High Court, the funeral of a 26-year-old Dalit youth, a victim of police torture in Tamil Nadu, took place after 101 days. Family members wept inconsolably as they pleaded for justice. A 26-year-old Dalit youth, who died due to alleged police torture in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, was cremated on Wednesday after 101 days. Following strict instructions from the Madras High Court, the youth’s funeral took place at an electric crematorium in Madurai amid tight security. This entire incident raises serious questions about police accountability and human rights violations. The youth’s name was Akash. Following his death, the family refused to accept his body for more than three months. The family demanded the immediate arrest of all police officers involved in the alleged custodial murder. However, after court intervention, the funeral was finally completed amid protests and deep grief from the family. Aakash, a resident of Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, was arrested by local police on March 6 in connection with an assault case. Police claimed that Akash fractured his leg while trying to escape. On the other hand, Akash filed a statement before a judicial magistrate stating that the policemen brutally beat him and broke his leg. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries on March 8 while undergoing treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. The post-mortem report released after Akash’s death shocked everyone, revealing approximately 28 injury marks on his body. This revelation sparked massive protests from Scheduled Caste welfare organizations and family members. Given the gravity of the case, the investigation was handed over to the CBI on March 9, and six police officers, including an inspector and a sub-inspector, were suspended. Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, the Madras High Court on March 13 directed the CB-CID to register a case against the accused officers under murder and relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Subsequently, the CB-CID interrogated 11 police officers, including Manamadurai DSP Raja and several other inspectors. Meanwhile, the victim’s father, Rajesh Kannan, approached the High Court, demanding compensation of ₹50 lakh and the arrest of 16 police officers involved in the incident. The family continued to protest near the old bus stand in Manamadurai to press for their demands. To end the dispute, the High Court ordered on June 15 that if the family did not accept the body by 5 pm that evening, the local administration would proceed with the funeral in a dignified manner. Following the family’s refusal to accept the body, the court assigned the responsibility of conducting the funeral to the Madurai District Collector, Corporation Commissioner, and hospital officials. When police and administrative officials arrived at the hospital mortuary on Wednesday morning to take the body, the family staged a fierce protest. Law enforcement officers briefly detained the protesting relatives in a police vehicle and then brought them to the crematorium to witness the final rites. The atmosphere at the crematorium became extremely somber when Akash’s mother burst into tears. She threw a handful of dirt at the policemen and cursed that those responsible for her son’s death would one day be completely destroyed. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister responds to the “kilograms of makeup” remark, saying she was targeted for being a woman and a Dalit.
Vangalapudi Anitha Makeup Row: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha has broken her silence and issued a strong response to the comments made against her. She said that the comments were not only offensive but also a caste-based attack because she was a Dalit and a woman. Anitha is considered a confidante of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister responds to the “kilograms of makeup” remark. Amaravati: Vangalapudi Anitha, who holds the responsibility of Home Minister in Chandrababu Naidu’s government in Andhra Pradesh, has responded to the “kilograms of makeup” remark. Andhra Home Minister Anitha said that she was targeted for being a woman and a Dalit. Gudivada Amarnath, a leader of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP party in Andhra Pradesh, had made the offensive remark. Amarnath had said that Home Minister Anitha wears kilograms of makeup. I was attacked in a casteist manner… A controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after a Jagan Mohan Reddy party leader’s “kilograms of makeup” comment. The Deputy Chief Minister and the YSRCP have condemned the remark. Speaking at a public meeting on Wednesday, Amarnath reportedly claimed that TDP leader Anitha wears kilograms of makeup. Speaking to NDTV, Home Minister Anitha described the remark as more than just a personal insult, saying that what the YSRCP leader said about me on camera, at a public meeting, was not just an insult. It was a vile, casteist attack aimed at demeaning a woman and a Dalit woman holding a constitutional position. Home Minister Anitha demanded an apology. The remark has also drawn strong reactions from TDP leaders, who have criticized the YSRCP leader’s misogynistic and derogatory remarks. TDP leader Nara Lokesh also condemned the remark and accused the YSRCP of promoting a toxic political culture. He said that the shameful and anti-women comments against Vangalapudi Anitha Garu expose the true character of the YSRCP. Home Minister Anitha has been quoted as saying that targeting a woman and a Dalit leader is unacceptable and demanded an apology from the YSRCP. Comments on a woman’s appearance are an insult In response to this incident, TDP women leaders protested and pelted the Gudivada Amarnath flex banner with eggs and slippers, demanding an apology for the alleged remarks. Deputy Chief Minister and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan also criticized the incident. He said that the comments made against Home Minister Anitha were objectionable. Commenting on a woman’s attire and appearance is an insult to every ordinary woman. Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders have rejected the allegations and accused the government of diverting public attention from law and order issues. Curated by: Achalendra Katiyar About the Author Achalendra Kumar Katiyar covers the events in western states for Navbharat Times Online based in Gujarat. He has over 17 years of experience in print, digital, and electronic media, as well as teaching. During this time, he has worked as a reporter and editor in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana. Courtesy: Hindi News
UP: Encounter with two accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman; police shot one in the leg, arrested both.
Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, have taken major action and shot the accused in the leg of a gang-rape victim. Police have arrested two accused in this case. Muzaffarnagar: Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, engaged in an encounter with the accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman. During this encounter, police shot one accused in the leg and arrested both. What is the whole matter? A joint team of Charthawal police station and the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested two notorious criminals wanted in the gang-rape case of a Dalit woman after an encounter on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. One accused was injured in the police retaliation. Two illegal pistols, four live and one empty 315-bore cartridge were recovered from the arrested accused. It should be noted that on June 13th, in the Charthaval police station area of Muzaffarnagar, the plaintiff filed a complaint at the Charthaval police station, stating that the accused, Umar, son of As Mohammad, a resident of Dadhedu Khurd, along with his associates, drugged his daughter, rendering her unconscious. They then took her to the forest on a motorcycle and gang-raped her. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police registered a case and began searching for the accused. Under the direction of Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma, teams were formed under the supervision of Superintendent of Police City Amrit Jain and the leadership of Circle Officer Sadar Vinay Kumar Dwivedi. On June 16th, a team led by Station House Officer Satyanarayan Dahiya and Special Operations Group (SOG) in-charge Mohit was on patrol. Two suspects were spotted standing on the road leading to Dadhedu Khurd near the Dadhedu Bridge. Upon seeing the police, they opened fire and fled onto a dirt road. The police team surrounded them and warned them to surrender. The accused opened fire again. In retaliation, police fired controlled fire, in which Umar alias Salim, son of Aas Mohammad, age 25, was shot in the left leg. He was arrested while injured. The second accused, Maulana Abdullah, son of Matloob, resident of Bagowali, age 22, was apprehended during the combing operation. The injured Umar has been admitted to the hospital. A case has been registered against both accused. Umar already has a rape case registered against him. Police are taking further legal action in the matter. A statement from Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Sanjay Kumar Verma has also been released. Written By: Rituraj Tripathi (Report by Yogesh Tyagi) Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana man booked for sexually exploiting Dalit domestic help
The elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. Hyderabad: A young man has been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly sexually exploiting a 20-year-old Dalit woman who worked as a domestic help in his house in Kosgi town of Narayanpet district, Telangana. The incident came to light when the accused, Sai Kiran, refused to marry her after she told him she was three months pregnant with her child and called her casteist names. The matter soon reached both families. The victim and her father reached out to the village elders. There, she stated that Sai Kiran allegedly promised to marry her. When she came to know about her pregnancy, she proposed marriage to him, which Kiran vehemently refused. Instead, the elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. The victim lodged a complaint with the Narayanpet Police and on Sunday night (June 14), Sai Kiran was booked. The woman has been sent for a medical examination. Sair Kiran’s family has a gold trade business. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shivani, killed by her father at a police station for marrying a Dalit man
Controversy and outrage mount across the country over the latest femicide committed within the family. Fuelling the controversy is the fact that it occurred under the eyes of police officers who were supposed to protect the victim. Activists blame the killing on a mix of patriarchy, caste, and failure to enforce the law in Uttar Pradesh. Delhi – Patriarchy, the (sick) logic of caste, and a systematic failure to enforce the law and human rights in the heart of India are the main ingredients in the tragic and brutal death of Shivani Chauhan, a 19-year-old woman, killed by her own father inside a police station (pictured, police source). This is the latest episode of violence against a young woman in Uttar Pradesh, a state ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where minority and marginalised communities remain vulnerable even when they are supposed to be under state protection. The tragic murder of Shivani Chauhan – stabbed to death by her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, while her mother held her down, at the Badausa police station in Banda District – highlights the persistent threat of honour killings. Such a practice is still widespread in the country, but this time, what shocked public opinion is the location where it occurred: inside a government facility, where the victim should have been under government protection, not in danger and defenceless. The young woman belonged to an Other Backward Class (OBC) community and had freely chosen to marry her neighbour, 20-year-old Lalit Verma, even without her parents’ approval. Since Verma was a Dalit, the marriage crossed rigid socio-religious caste boundaries, sparking strong opposition from the young woman’s family. Following the couple’s escape to Madhya Pradesh, Shivani’s family filed a kidnapping complaint against Verma. Uttar Pradesh police then tracked down the couple and took them to the Badausa police station for legal statements and a mandatory medical examination. During a formal counselling session at the police station, Shivani repeatedly maintained her initial position, declaring that she had married voluntarily and would remain with her husband. As tensions reached a fever pitch, Shivani’s mother, Ranno, reportedly pinned her arms from behind while her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, 55, stabbed her with a knife he had hidden under his clothes. As a result of the attack, Shivani suffered multiple severe stab wounds to her abdomen and upper limbs and died hours later from her injuries as doctors at Banda Medical College desperately tried to save her life. The incident highlights the limitations of the state’s “counselling” system for cross-caste couples. Instead of prioritising physical safety, police routinely engage families to mediate, exposing vulnerable people to hostile environments and family contexts. The state’s failure to ensure a safe environment on the premises of a police station triggered widespread condemnation from the Indian public. Although her father has been arrested and faces charges of murder under Section 103 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS),[*] institutional responsibility remains unaddressed and a source of debate. Shivani Chauhan’s death, finally, highlights the reality that adult franchise and legal registration do not guarantee the safety of inter-caste couples. When the state fails to ensure security even in its own police stations, activist groups argue, the promise of constitutional freedom remains out of reach for vulnerable citizens. By Nirmala Carvalho Courtesy : Asia News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit vegetable vendor assaulted for demanding repayment of a loan: Three accused booked under SC-ST Act in Greater Noida
A Dalit vegetable vendor has been assaulted and subjected to casteist remarks in the Rabupura police station area of Greater Noida for demanding repayment of a loan of 150 rupees. Police have registered a case against three accused, including a woman, and have begun an investigation. According to police, Jawahar, a resident of Bhekanpur village, travels from village to village selling vegetables. On Tuesday, he went to Bhoira village to sell vegetables. He then asked Om Prakash, a resident of the village, for repayment of an old loan of 150 rupees. Om Prakash became angry at the demand and began abusing Jawahar. The victim alleges that the accused insulted him using casteist slurs. When he protested, Om Prakash called his family members, Maya and Meghraj. The three attacked Jawahar with sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Bystanders intervened and rescued him. It is alleged that while leaving, the accused also threatened to kill the victim if he returned to the village. The injured Jawahar has been admitted to the hospital for treatment, where he is undergoing treatment. On Tuesday, based on the victim’s complaint, Rabupura police registered a case against Omprakash, Maya, and Meghraj under relevant sections and the SC/ST Act. Police say the matter is being investigated and further action will be taken based on the investigation. Courtesy: Hindi News
RTIH inks pact with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation to empower women entrepreneurs
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Vijayawada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation (DPF) at the NTR District Collectorate on Tuesday. According to a press release, the partnership aims to promote women entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, livelihood development, and social enterprises, with a special focus on empowering marginalised and underserved communities. Through this collaboration, both organisations will work together to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, facilitate capacity-building initiatives, provide mentorship opportunities, and support sustainable livelihood interventions. Dalit Philanthropy Foundation executive director Santosh Kumar Samal and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub CEO G. Krishnan exchanged the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the representatives of both organisations emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating equitable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth. The Hindu Bureau 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