Under pressure from youth booked for stalking and harassment, teen Dalit girl ends life in MP
Niwari, A Class 10 Dalit student committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh’s Niwari district on Sunday after she was allegedly pressured by a man against whom she had lodged a complaint of stalking and harassment a couple of days ago, a police official said. The 16-year-old girl hanged herself in her house in Siyakhas village, around 18 km from the district headquarters, Prithvipur police station house officer (SHO) Jitendra Singh Gurjar told PTI. “She had earlier complained against Abhishek Yadav, a youth from the same village, after he allegedly caught hold of the girl with malicious intent when she was returning home from a temple with her sister-in-law two days ago,” he said. Following her complaint, Yadav and three others were booked under provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he said. “The accused allegedly pressured the girl’s family to withdraw the case. Possibly due to fear and pressure, she took the extreme step. Yadav has been arrested,” Gurjar said. This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dispute at birthday party, case filed against 55 people: 10 people, including the president’s husband, accused of Dalit harassment in Deoria
Police have filed a case against 55 people, 20 of whom are named, in connection with a dispute that broke out during a birthday party in the Rampur Factory police station area of Deoria district. Police have filed a case against 10 people, including the Nagar Panchayat president’s husband, under sections of Dalit harassment, rioting, and assault. Based on a complaint from the other party, a case has also been filed against nearly three dozen people, including a former BJP Mandal president, SP leaders, and a ration dealer. The incident occurred on the night of May 14 in Rampur Factory town. A birthday celebration was underway at Pradeep Chauhan’s home when a dispute erupted over a broken bike indicator. This dispute soon escalated into a physical altercation. A video of the incident went viral on social media. Based on Pramod Paswan’s complaint, a case has been registered against the chairperson’s husband, Satish Verma, Rahul Verma, Raju Yadav, Guddu Verma, Vicky Jaiswal, Dinesh Verma, and Vishal Yadav, among others, for rioting, assault, and under the SC/ST Act. Police have filed a case based on both parties’ complaints and begun an investigation. Rampur Factory Police Station Officer Ashwani Pradhan stated that a case has been registered against 20 named and 55 unidentified individuals based on complaints from both parties regarding the fight that broke out over a broken bike indicator. He stated that the investigation is ongoing and the accused will be arrested soon. An FIR was also filed with the police by the Nagar Panchayat Chairperson’s husband, Satish Verma, based on the complaint from the other party. Several individuals, including SP leaders, were named in the complaint. SP leader Chandrabhushan Singh Yadav, Murali Yadav, former BJP Mandal President Deepak Jaiswal, ration dealer Irfanullah alias Sajju, Akil Nafees, Aftab Alam, Ladla, Budhan, Dheeraj Gupta, Pramod Paswan, and others. Based on this complaint, the police have registered a case under sections of intimidation, assault, and other charges. Furthermore, more than two dozen unidentified individuals have also been named as accused. Including the cases filed by both parties, approximately 50 people are now under police investigation. Tension prevails in the Rampur factory town following the incident. Police are constantly monitoring the area. On Saturday, women from one side reached the police station and created a ruckus. Following this, Circle Officer Sadar Sanjeev Kumar Reddy arrived at the scene and spoke with both parties and assessed the situation. A minor issue of a broken indicator turned into a major dispute. The most discussed topic among locals is that the entire dispute began simply because the bike’s indicator was broken. Both parties have acknowledged the broken indicator in their respective complaints. People say that the minor dispute could have been resolved through negotiations, but quickly escalated into violence, commotion, and litigation. Following the incident, this issue was the topic of discussion throughout the day in several villages within the Nagar Panchayat area, including Dumri, Sirsiya No. 1, Mahdeva, Kotwa Mod, Patanwa Pul, Madhopur, and Hirandapur. The case poses a challenge for the police, as both parties involve politically influential individuals. With names of both the ruling and opposition parties emerging, police are taking every step with caution. Given the tension in the area, extra vigilance is being maintained. The Chairperson’s husband, Satish Verma, has categorically denied the allegations against him. He stated that the opposition party filed the case as part of a conspiracy due to an election rivalry. Satish Verma claims that he is not visible in the viral video on social media, yet the case was filed under pressure. He has promised to send a letter to the Chief Minister demanding an impartial investigation into the matter. The other party alleges that casteist remarks were made and he was assaulted at the birthday celebration. Police say the investigation is being carried out based on the viral video, witnesses, and other evidence. Tensions remain between the two parties, and the police are closely monitoring the situation. Officials say further action will be taken based on the facts that emerge from the investigation. Anugrah Narayan Shahi | Deoria Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit priest from Rajasthan writes to Mohan Bhagwat: “You are against caste discrimination, but RSS volunteers…”
Priest Vishnu Kumar alleges that some local workers of the organization, which preaches harmony and Hindu unity, are adopting a casteist attitude and conspiring to usurp his ancestral temple. Bhilwara – Amidst Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat’s continued advocacy for “one temple, one well, one crematorium” and social harmony, a shocking incident has emerged from Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district. A Dalit priest has alleged that local RSS workers are conspiring to usurp his ancestral temple and attacked him with casteist slurs. The victim has personally written a letter to the Sarsanghchalak, requesting his intervention. Vishnu Kumar, a resident of Barana village in Asind tehsil, stated in his letter that he is the priest of the “Shri Khakul Dev Ji” temple, which was established by his ancestors approximately 400 years ago. According to Vishnu Kumar, liquor businessman Sampat Jat, an active RSS volunteer, has been fomenting trouble against him since 2023. It is alleged that on August 14, 2025, several RSS workers and villagers, led by Sampat Jat, entered the temple premises. Vishnu Kumar alleges, “They attacked us, beat us, and used casteist slurs. They forcibly placed a donation box in the temple and declared that Dalit priests would no longer be allowed to work there.” His father, Shravan Lal, and other family members were also beaten in the incident. Due to the local BJP MLA Jabar Singh’s full support for these anti-Dalit RSS volunteers, no action was taken. Later, when Scheduled Caste organizations raised their voices, a police investigation was conducted. Even after the police investigation substantiated the allegations, the accused of Dalit harassment were not arrested and were allowed to roam freely. Ultimately, the accused obtained a stay on their arrest from the Rajasthan High Court and are now harassing us again. Priest Vishnu Kumar The victim reported that after the attack, local RSS workers intensified their efforts to take over the temple by forming a trust. Vishnu Kumar expressed concern that, despite the absence of a single Muslim family in the village, a mahapanchayat was held against the Dalits in the name of “Sakala Hindu Samaj.” He directly questioned the Sarsanghchalak, saying, “You talk about harmony at the top, but your workers are doing the opposite.” Vishnu Kumar urged the RSS chief to stop the workers from snatching the temple from the Dalit priest and to urge the BJP government to return the temple to them. Vishnu Kumar also accused the administration of inaction. He stated that despite a case being registered under the SC/ST Act and the allegations being proven during the investigation, the accused were not arrested. Instead, the accused have obtained a stay on arrest from the High Court and are now harassing them again. The letter stated, “Using the pretext of a dispute created by casteist RSS volunteers, the BJP government in Rajasthan, with the help of BJP MLA Jabar Singh and the administration, has seized the Shri Khakul Dev Temple, our ancestrally built and private temple, from us Dalit priests by placing it under the Tehsildar’s control. Now, neither the police station, nor the Tehsildar, nor the administration, nor the court, nor the BJP government listens to us. Now, when we go to the temple and worship, this same RSS volunteer, Sampat Jat, and his entire group, file false complaints against us.” The priest also complained about the arbitrary actions of the local police station’s CI. In his letter, priest Vishnu Kumar wrote, “I, Vishnu Kumar, currently a priest who considers myself a member of the Hindu community and performs puja at the Shri Khakul Dev Ji temple according to Hindu customs, have approached members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from Arshid to Bhilwara, expressing my pain. I told them that your educated volunteers are usurping the temple from me, a Dalit priest. However, no one listened. Therefore, I am compelled to write this letter to you. You speak for the entire Hindu community and advocate harmony. You are against caste discrimination, and the RSS is running a campaign for one well, one crematorium, one temple. However, the RSS volunteers have usurped my own temple from me, a Dalit priest, and now they want to implicate me and my family in false cases, send us to jail, and even kill us. Your volunteers are behaving in the exact opposite way to what you are saying above. I humbly request you to stop terrorizing me in the name of the “total Hindu community,” and to stop the volunteers from Do not take the temple away from me, the Dalit priest, and ask the BJP government in Rajasthan to remove the receiver from the temple and hand it back to us Dalits, and allow police and legal action against the accused volunteers so that we can live as Hindus.” Caste Violence in Rajasthan The Dalit community in Rajasthan has long been the victim of social boycott, temple entry bans, and violent attacks. As of July 2025, the Rajasthan Police’s monthly report recorded 3,651 cases of atrocities against Dalits, including 44 murders and 325 rapes. The Meghvanshi community in the Asind region is particularly vulnerable to harassment, and the lack of effective action by the administration is further exacerbating this. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: This Dalit comedian spoke out against NEET, now the same Rajmohan is in charge of the education department!
Put Chutney Rajmohan is Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister These days, a name is being discussed in Tamil Nadu politics, one who neither comes from a traditional political family nor rose to power directly through film stardom. This name is Rajmohan Arumugam, known throughout Tamil Nadu as “Put Chutney Rajmohan.” Today, he is the Minister of School Education in the Tamil Nadu government, but his journey is quite interesting and inspiring. Rajmohan began his career in a television speaking competition, then became a household name on YouTube for his sharp satire and straightforward discussion of social issues. He acted in Tamil films, directed web series, served as a mentor on stand-up comedy platforms, and finally became an MLA by winning the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from the Egmore constituency on a Tamil Nadu Vettiri Kazhagam (TVK) ticket. His victory wasn’t solely due to his popularity, but also to the video he made years ago, “Who Killed Anitha?” This video sparked a debate across Tamil Nadu on the education system, the NEET exam, and government negligence, echoes of which still resonate today. Now that he has become the Deputy Education Minister himself, the public expects him to implement the issues he raised on YouTube at the government level. Let’s explore in detail who Rajmohan Arumugam is, his early life, what the Put Chutney channel is, why the Anitha video became so influential, his work in films and web series, and how he ultimately won the 2026 election and made his way to the position of Deputy Education Minister. Rajamohan Arumugam was born and raised in Chennai. His father’s name is RP Arumugam. Chennai has a long-standing tradition of “Pattimandram,” where televised debate competitions are held during festivals. This tradition also influenced Rajmohan, who developed an interest in public speaking from a young age. As he grew older, he developed a keen interest in media and communication alongside his formal education. In 2010, he earned a Diploma in Business Management from IIT Chennai, and then a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Madurai Kamaraj University in 2018. This means he combines technical experience from a prestigious institution with formal media education. This combination later helped him become a prolific content creator. His rise to public recognition began with Star Vijay’s reality show “Tamil Pechu Engal Moochu,” a speaking and oratory competition. The show tested his command of the Tamil language, his reasoning, and his persuasive skills, and Rajmohan won its second season between 2008 and 2009. This victory established him as a brilliant speaker throughout Tamil Nadu. He then began regularly participating in traditional Pattimandram programs, especially those televised during religious festivals. This period served as a training ground for Rajmohan, where he learned the art of public speaking, debating, and convincing audiences. ‘Put Chutney’ changed the course of his life, laying the foundation for his political journey. The real breakthrough came when Rajmohan joined the YouTube channel ‘Put Chutney’. Put Chutney is a Tamil-language YouTube channel known for its political satire and social commentary. Rajmohan became the channel’s director and primary face, and under his leadership, Put Chutney became one of Tamil Nadu’s most-viewed digital platforms. The channel’s hallmark was its discussion of political and social issues in a way that made the common man understand them in a humorous way, yet at the same time maintained a sharp edge. Rajmohan’s style was remarkably fearless. He spoke openly on issues that people would typically either remain silent or dismiss lightly. His historic video which changed everything came on this channel. It was 2017, and there was an atmosphere of outrage in Tamil Nadu over the NEET exam. NEET, a national-level entrance exam made mandatory for admission to medical colleges, was facing strong opposition in Tamil Nadu because it was harming students from rural and government schools. Meanwhile, Anitha, a medical aspirant, committed suicide in protest against NEET. This sent shockwaves through the state. Rajmohan made a video about this incident, titled “Who Killed Anitha?” This video wasn’t just a video; it was a question. In it, Rajmohan targeted political power, highlighted the growing inequalities in the education system, and asked society to what extent we were collectively responsible for this girl’s death. The video quickly spread like wildfire. Millions of people watched and shared it, reigniting the debate over NEET. At that point, Rajmohan was no longer just a YouTuber; he emerged as a voice that directly questioned the powers that be. This video laid the foundation for his political journey. After this incident, Rajmohan’s influence grew. In 2018, he created content on sensitive issues like the Cauvery water dispute and spoke directly about the political turmoil between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. That same year, Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda also appeared on his channel for a promotional video promoting the political film “NOTA.” Rajmohan launched another YouTube channel, “Tamil Vanakkam,” specifically targeted at college students, presenting discussions on social issues in a simple manner. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and schools and colleges were closed, Rajmohan launched a new channel focused solely on students whose studies had been affected. This reflects his vision and sensitivity, as he didn’t stop at just making videos but instead adapted to every need. Alongside his digital journey, Rajmohan also entered the Tamil film industry. He appeared in several notable films in supporting roles, including “Thaana Serndha Koottam,” “Velaiilla Pattadhari 2,” also known as VIP 2, “Natpe Thunai,” “Ispade Rajavum Idhayaraniyum,” and “Nenjamundu Neramaiyundu Odu Raja.” While these weren’t major roles, they strengthened his screen presence and established him in the film industry. In 2023, he directed the film “Baba Black Sheep,” a project he had been developing for a long time. This marked his directorial debut. In 2022, he starred in the web series “Fall,” and also made his presence felt in the OTT space. He also appeared as a judge and mentor on the Amazon Prime Video show “Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa.” The show was the Tamil version of the
Humanity Shamed in Kanpur: Dalit Teen Stripped, Beaten, Forced to Lick Spit on Shoes
An incident that shames humanity in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, involved bullies brutally punishing a thirsty Dalit teen for touching water, even breaking his father’s ribs when he tried to intervene. Lucknow: A horrific and shameful incident has come to light in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Four men, allegedly from the upper caste, stripped and brutally beat a 16-year-old Dalit teen after a dispute over touching a bucket of water. The attackers’ brutality didn’t stop there; they not only broke the boy’s arm but also forced him to lick spit on their shoes. This inhumane incident in Kanpur came to light on Sunday, just a day after another video went viral on social media. In this viral video, a young man from the backward caste in Chandauli district was seen being forced to lick spit at gunpoint. According to a Telegraph India report, the Kanpur incident occurred on May 2nd in Jhakra Sambharpur village. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the victim’s father said that while trying to intervene, the attackers also attacked him and broke his ribs. The victim’s father, a farmer by profession, narrated his ordeal, saying that someone had informed him that his son was tied up by some people. When he ran to the scene to rescue him, the accused also beat him severely. He said that he was released only after other villagers intervened. The victim, a teenager, said that he was working in the fields and was very thirsty. When he noticed a bucket full of water near a public hand pump in front of Sanjay Rajput’s house. According to the boy, as soon as he went there and took a mug of water, Sanjay, his brother Deepak, and their friends Sagar Kumar and Patiya Kumar came running. The accused immediately snatched the mug from his hand, stripped him naked, and brutally beat him for about half an hour. The teenager further stated that when his father came to his rescue, he was also kicked and punched. Both father and son repeatedly apologized, but the attackers refused to stop beating them. Sanjay then spat on his shoes and forced the teenager to lick it. They also forced the boy to drink water from his shoes. Following this brutal attack, the injured father and son were hospitalized for three days. The boy stated that only two days ago, he mustered the courage to contact the police. Manoj Kumar Singh, Assistant Police Commissioner of Panki area in Kanpur district, described the entire incident as a “scuffle between some people.” He informed that a case has been registered against four people under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the matter is being thoroughly investigated before further action is taken. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Uttar Pradesh tops the country in cases of atrocities against Dalits. According to these data, 15,130 such cases were registered in the state in 2023 and 14,642 in 2024. On the other hand, in a viral video purportedly from the Chandauli incident, a young man in his twenties can be clearly seen pointing a pistol at a man. The accused spits on the ground and threatens the victim to lick it. Chandauli Superintendent of Police Akash Patel confirmed that the incident occurred approximately nine or ten months ago in Bhagatpur village. Briefing reporters on Saturday, he stated that a case of assault has been registered against Anshu Singh at the Jamalpur police station. He has been summoned and asked to apologize, and legal action is being taken against him. Although only one attacker is visible in the video, voices coming from behind indicate the presence of at least two more accomplices. One of these individuals was likely recording the video. The victim from Chandauli claims that the attackers are real estate agents and well-known criminals. He alleged that all three of them are residents of his village, Bhagatpur, and that they attacked him simply for fun. The video was posted online to spread terror in the area. He also stated in his complaint that the police detained only Anshu on Saturday, and he was released on bail from the police station shortly afterward. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit teen brutally beaten by caste Hindu men for touching water at public handpump in Kanpur
Four upper-caste Hindu men allegedly assaulted and humiliated a 16-year-old Dalit boy in Kanpur after he touched a bucket of water at a public handpump, with the teenager alleging that the accused fractured his arm and forced him to lick spit from their shoes. The incident was reported from Jhakhra-Sambharpur village under the Sachendi Police Station area in Kanpur on May 2, when the 16-year-old Dalit boy, son of a farm labourer, allegedly faced assault after touching a bucket kept near a public handpump while attempting to drink water after working in agricultural fields. The bucket reportedly belonged to upper-caste villagers. According to The Telegraph, the boy said, “When I walked over and took a mugful of water, Sanjay Rajput, his brother Deepak, and their associates Sagar Kumar and Patiya Kumar came running and snatched the mug off my hands.” He alleged that the accused abused him with casteist slurs and accused him of polluting the water source because he was a Dalit. He said he was beaten for nearly half an hour. “They kicked and punched my father too when he came to rescue me. We kept apologising, but they wouldn’t stop beating us. Then Sanjay spit on his shoes and forced me to lick it. They also poured water into my shoes and made me drink it,” he said. The assault allegedly left him with a fractured arm. When the boy’s father attempted to intervene, he was also allegedly assaulted and suffered injuries, including a fractured rib. The accused also allegedly sprinkled Ganga water around the handpump area to “purify” the place after he touched the bucket. The family initially hesitated to approach the authorities due to fear and pressure within the village. Villagers later gathered at the spot after hearing the commotion and cries during the assault, following which the accused allegedly fled. The alleged atrocity came to wider public attention on Sunday, a day after a video purportedly showing a backward-caste youth being forced to lick spit at gunpoint in Chandauli district began circulating on social media. Police later registered an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act along with other charges. Sanjay Rajput was taken into custody, while efforts were underway to arrest the remaining accused. Manoj Kumar Singh, assistant commissioner of police for the Panki area of Kanpur district, described the incident as a “fight between some people”. Police Commissionerate Kanpur Nagar, in a statement posted on X, said, “On 02 May 2026, a dispute arose between two parties in the village of Jhakra under the jurisdiction of Sachendi Police Station over the issue of dumping garbage and using the toilet in the field, which later escalated into a physical altercation.” “During the investigation, the allegations mentioned in the FIR regarding forcing him to lick spit and making him drink water from a shoe have not been confirmed. The case has essentially been found to be a mutual dispute and physical altercation between the two parties,” the statement further said. Police said the boy sustained injuries and underwent a medical examination, following which a case was registered under relevant sections and the SC/ST Act. Action is being taken against the remaining accused, and the investigation is being conducted by Assistant Police Commissioner of Panki Manoj Kumar Singh. Reacting to the incident, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee alleged that “casteist thugs thriving under the patronage of those in power” had brutally assaulted the Dalit father and son. The party further alleged that the incident reflected the spread of “Manuvaad” under the rule of the BJP and RSS, calling the assault “a direct attack on Babasaheb’s Constitution, equality and humanity.” Avinash Pande, General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, said the incident was “deeply shocking” and raised “serious questions about the core spirit of our democracy and Constitution.” Pande said that if humiliation, violence and oppression continued in the name of caste even today, it reflected the persistence of caste-based discrimination in society. He demanded an impartial investigation, strict action against the accused, and protection and justice for the affected family. “The Constitution grants dignity and equal rights to all — no form of caste-based oppression can be tolerated,” he said. Vinay Ratan Singh, National President of the Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission, said the attack was “a shameful assault on humanity” and evidence that “even today, Dalit society is not considered equal human beings.” Singh demanded the immediate arrest of all the accused, invocation of stringent provisions under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and compensation, security, and medical treatment for the victim’s family. The incident has also drawn attention to the wider pattern of caste-based violence in Uttar Pradesh. According to the National Crime Records Bureau data, the state recorded the highest number of atrocities against Dalits, with 15,130 cases registered in 2023 and 14,642 in 2024. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit land encroached by powerful people: Victim seeks justice at Samadhan Diwas in Manikpur
During the Samadhan Diwas held in Manikpur, Chitrakoot, a case came to light in which a Scheduled Caste man alleged illegal occupation of his agricultural land. The victim appealed to the Sub-District Magistrate for justice. A resident of Jawahar Nagar in Manikpur town stated in his complaint that his agricultural land is located in village Itro, Tehsil Manikpur. This land is registered as Khata number 105 and measures approximately 12.5 Biswas. According to the victim, this land falls under the Scheduled Caste category. The victim alleges that some villagers have forcibly occupied his entire land. The encroachers have established their occupation by placing stones and building a boundary wall. They are also attempting to establish permanent occupation by planting trees. The victim stated that despite repeated protests and complaints, no action has been taken. This has caused him financial and mental distress. On Samadhan Diwas, he demanded that the administration measure and demarcate the land, remove the encroachment, and take action against the culprits. Pankaj Tiwari | Manikpur, Chitrakoot Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit rickshaw puller brutally beaten in Barabanki: Attacked with iron rods and bamboo sticks by goons; case filed under SC/ST Act
A case of a Dalit rickshaw puller being beaten with iron rods and bamboo sticks due to an old rivalry has come to light in the Subeha police station area of Barabanki. Police have registered a case under various sections, including the SC/ST Act, and have begun an investigation. Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: A case of a Dalit rickshaw puller being brutally beaten due to an old rivalry has come to light in the village of Pure Amrit Majra Shukulpur, under the Subeha police station area of Barabanki district. The incident caused a stir in the area. On the complaint of the victim, police have registered a case under the SC/ST Act and other serious sections and have begun an investigation. Allegations of assault with iron rods and bamboo sticks According to the victim, Mangali, son of Haripal, a resident of Pure Amrit Majra Shukulpur, he was driving his rickshaw on May 15, 2026, at around 1:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Akhilesh, Guddu, and another unidentified man from the same village arrived in a four-wheeler. The victim alleges that the accused began abusing him over an old rivalry. When he resisted, they attacked him with an iron rod and bamboo, seriously injuring him. After the assault, the accused threatened to kill him and fled the scene. The injured youth was treated at the Community Health Center (CHC). The family immediately rushed Mangali, who was injured in the incident, to the Community Health Center (CHC), Haidergarh, where he was treated. The victim suffered multiple serious injuries. Following the incident, the family is filled with panic and anger. Police filed a case under the SC/ST Act. Following the incident, the victim went to the Subeha police station and filed a complaint against the accused. Taking the matter seriously, the police have filed a case under the SC/ST Act and other sections. In-charge Inspector Bechu Singh Yadav stated that the injured youth has been medically examined and further legal action is being taken in the case. Tension in the village, police investigating The incident has created a tense atmosphere in the village. Police are investigating the matter and searching for the accused. Local residents have demanded strict action against the culprits to prevent such incidents in the future. KAMRAN ALVI Report – Mansoof Ahmed COURTESY: HINDI NEWS
Thirumaavalavan: The centre of Tamil Nadu’s power game
The 63-year-old suddenly became the hinge between two futures: helping Vijay complete his rise to power, or accepting an extraordinary proposal from the DMK and the AIADMK to become the state’s first Dalit Chief Minister. Chennai: On May 8 and 9, Tamil Nadu politics began revolving around a Dalit man who did not hold enough MLAs to form or topple a government, or even dominate the Assembly numerically. Yet every major party waited for VCK president Tholkappiyan Thirumaavalavan. The 63-year-old suddenly became the hinge between two futures: helping TVK president C Joseph Vijay complete his rise to power, or accepting an extraordinary proposal from the DMK and the AIADMK to become the state’s first Dalit chief minister. Thirumaavalavan was neither reluctant nor confident about the latter proposal. He knew the move might have carried the tacit blessings of the BJP — his ideological adversary for nearly two decades. Yet, the DMK and the AIADMK continued to court him in a last-ditch effort. While the DMK agreed to the idea of a Dalit CM, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami initially opposed it. The original plan behind the DMK-AIADMK alignment was to let Palaniswami head a coalition government with smaller allies on both sides, backed by external support from the DMK On May 8 evening, when his decision was expected, Thirumaavalavan went incommunicado. He was later spotted at then-outgoing CM M K Stalin’s residence, and kept most visitors away, deepening speculation around his next move. The next day, TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna landed at Thirumaavalavan’s office and received the letters of support from the VCK’s two MLAs, effectively bringing down the curtains on one of the most dramatic coalition moments in TN’s politics. VCK sources insisted that the delay was not because Thirumaavalavan was interested in the CM’s post, but because he wanted to consult senior office-bearers and district-level functionaries. Political journey Born in Anganur in the Ariyalur district, Thirumaavalavan worked in the Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department in Coimbatore, Chennai, and Madurai before coming into contact with Malaichamy, founder of the Dalit Panthers Iyakkam. After Malaichamy died in 1989, Thirumaavalavan assumed leadership of the movement and began working in villages across southern Tamil Nadu, where caste oppression often remained invisible. The organisation entered electoral politics in 1999 at the insistence of Congress veteran G K Moopanar, who attempted to build a Third Front against both the DMK and the AIADMK. The experiment failed electorally, but it marked Thirumaavalavan’s transition from an activist to a full-time politician. Over the next two decades, he emerged as one of Tamil Nadu’s most recognisable Dalit voices, particularly for his confrontational politics against caste violence and, later, his uncompromising opposition to the BJP and its Hindutva ideology. His politics increasingly fused Ambedkarite, Marxist, and Periyarist frameworks, while consciously bringing Muslims into a broader subaltern political coalition against majoritarian nationalism. Ironically, Thirumaavalavan first entered the Assembly from the Mangalore constituency in the Cuddalore district while aligned with a DMK-BJP alliance. He later described that phase as a political “misadventure” and resigned his seat in 2004. Since then, he has never aligned with the BJP. He also adopted a firm stand against the PMK — a Vanniyar-based party — after caste violence targeting Dalits intensified in northern Tamil Nadu. In 2011, he declared that he would never again be part of any alliance that included the PMK. Ideology vs survival? Both the DMK and the AIADMK continued courting him over the years because the VCK wielded influence across parts of northern and central Tamil Nadu, especially among Dalit youths. A three-time Lok Sabha member from Chidambaram, Thirumaavalavan became electorally useful to larger alliances while also remaining ideologically inconvenient to them. Feeling that the VCK had little independent future if it remained permanently tied to the Dravidian majors, he experimented with a Third Front in 2016 under actor Vijayakanth alongside the Left parties. The alliance collapsed electorally, and Thirumaavalavan himself lost narrowly. Since then, he has returned as a trusted DMK ally. But during the DMK’s 2021-2026 tenure, he faced increasing criticism from Dalit activists and younger cadres for his perceived silence on caste atrocities and for not holding the Stalin government sufficiently accountable. As the VCK’s seat share diminished over successive elections, many supporters urged him to walk out of the DMK alliance altogether. Yet the BJP’s presence within the AIADMK-led front closed that route. At the same time, Thirumaavalavan struggled to prevent a visible drift of Dalit youth toward Vijay and the TVK. In what many saw as an attempt to reassert independent strength, he briefly announced his candidature from Kattumannarkoil before withdrawing it after reported unhappiness within the DMK. Ultimately, the VCK won only two seats this time. Yet in a fractured Assembly, those two seats suddenly became decisive. Part of Thirumaavalavan’s long-term political project has been to expand the VCK beyond a purely Dalit party by drawing in Muslims and even sections of non-Dalit backward communities — particularly Vanniyars. It has produced partial electoral success but also internal anxieties over ideological compromise and political dilution. With just two MLAs, the VCK is now well-positioned to achieve one of its founding principles — seeking a share in power and being part of a government. And Thirumaavalavan seems to be moving towards accepting this historic opportunity and seeing his men enjoying power. Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Family Allegedly Barred from Public Well in Gujarat’s Surendranagar, Case Filed Under Atrocities Act
A case of alleged caste-based discrimination has surfaced from Metasar village in Patdi taluka of Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, where a Scheduled Caste family has reportedly been socially boycotted and denied access to water from a public well. The incident came to light after a video related to the alleged discrimination circulated in the area, prompting police action and triggering a wider debate on untouchability and caste-based exclusion in rural India. FIR Registered Under SC/ST Atrocities Act Following a complaint, police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 against several individuals accused of stopping the family from using the village well and allegedly using caste-based abuse. Those named in the complaint include Kukabhai, Dharmshibhai, Mansukhbhai, Pratapbhai, Somabhai, and two women. Police have begun investigation and initiated legal proceedings. Authorities have also assigned a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP)-level officer to probe the matter, considering the seriousness of allegations involving social boycott and denial of access to a public water source. What the Complaint Says According to the complaint filed by Dilipbhai Bhikhabhai Rathod, a resident originally from Metasar who now lives in Rajkot, his family had returned to the village when the incident occurred. During their visit, a woman from the family reportedly went to fetch water from a public well but was stopped by some villagers. The accused allegedly prevented her from drawing water, used casteist slurs, and misbehaved with her. Police said an FIR was registered after preliminary verification of the complaint and available evidence. Police Say Investigation Underway Deputy Superintendent of Police Parth Parmar said that statements and evidence have been collected so far and further investigation is in progress. “All necessary evidence has been collected and further investigation is underway. Steps are being taken to detain the accused and proceed with legal action,” he said, adding that efforts are being made to ensure such incidents do not recur. Allegations of Continued Discrimination in Rural Areas The incident has also drawn reactions from social and religious voices. Buddhist monk Bhante Pathik claimed that caste discrimination remains prevalent in parts of Surendranagar district and continues to affect Scheduled Caste communities. He alleged that in some villages, social restrictions still exist on everyday practices such as grooming styles, mobility, and access to public resources. He further said that discrimination has contributed to religious conversions, claiming that over 380 people in the district have embraced Buddhism in the past decade under his guidance. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights