Savitribai Phule calls for unity to protect the Constitution and reservations: Former MP speaks at Dalit Jan Jagran Sammelan in Balaha
On Sunday, a Dalit Jan Jagran Sammelan, “Save the Constitution, Reservation, and Freedom,” was held at the residence of former MP and former MLA Savitribai Phule at Matiha turn in the Balaha assembly constituency. The conference called for awareness and unity in protecting the Constitution and reservations. Keynote speaker, former MP Savitribai Phule, stated that she had resigned from the BJP and the post of MP to protect the Constitution and the country. She stated that it is now necessary to think seriously about the Constitution and reservations. People must become aware of their constitutional rights and unite to protect them. She further stated that the Constitution has given the deprived and Dalit communities the opportunity to represent them in positions such as Pradhan, BDC, District Panchayat member, and MLA. If constitutional rights and reservations are weakened, the representation of the deprived communities will be affected. She appealed to the people to understand and be vigilant about the power of their vote. Former SP candidate from the Balha Assembly constituency, Achhaybar Nath Kanaujia, said that it is essential for society to unite to protect its rights and privileges. Former chief Jaynkar Singh, citing Hitler’s rule, warned people about their rights through the story of a rooster. Several other speakers, including former Assembly Speaker Vishram Yadav, former Pradhan Premdhari, and SP General Secretary from the Balha Assembly, Dr. Enuddin, also spoke. Harish Chandra raised awareness through Birha, while Ragini Sonkar presented a cultural program. A large number of people from various villages in the constituency attended the conference. Durgesh Kumar | Mihipurwa Nagar Panchayat (Motipur), Bahraich Courtesy: Hindi News
IIT-Bombay students press for 18 demands after Dalit student’s suicide
In a late-night meeting on Sunday, institute director Shireesh Kedare held discussions with the protesting students. In the case involving the suicide of a Dalit student, the Board of Governors of IIT-Bombay will meet on Monday to discuss the issue, amid protests by students who are pressing for 18 demands. An open house with students is also expected to be held. In a late-night meeting on Sunday, institute director Shireesh Kedare held discussions with the protesting students. Sahil Wakode, 20, a student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, died by suicide in his hostel room after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone during an examination on Friday (September 18). The students accused Professor Sooryanarayana Doola, who was an invigilator in the exam hall where Sahil was taking his mid-term examination on Friday, of pushing him to take the extreme step. Sahil’s parents filed an FIR against Doola and other institute officials, accusing them of abetment and harassment over the past three months. The students have demanded Doola’s suspension. They have also demanded a public apology for allegedly “defaming” Sahil and an open house with all stakeholders before September 22, according to a report. Meanwhile, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed solidarity with exam invigilator Suryanarayana Doolla, saying that he was following institutional protocol after discovering that the student was in “unauthorised possession and use of a smartphone.” Sahil’s is the third reported case of suicide at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai in seven months. In February, a second-year student died by suicide in a hostel. In July 2026, at the beginning of the new semester, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student also died by suicide. 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
Akhilesh Yadav focus on price rise, Dalits ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls
Samajwadi Party chief alleges attacks on Ambedkar statues, paper leaks and stalled investments while promising to restore Dalit dignity after returning to power Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday that the BJP was “not only anti-Constitution but also anti-Ambedkar”, setting the tone for his cadres for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election campaign. At a meeting of the SP state executive committee, former chief minister Akhilesh said: “The BJP is not only an enemy of the Constitution, but also of the poor. They don’t respect his (Ambedkar’s) people (Dalits). That is the reason that right from diesel and petrol, the prices of all essential items are going up. They do it to increase their own income and at the same time block the supply of essential commodities in the market to create the perception of a crisis.” “On an average, 15 statues of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar have been damaged under BJP rule every year. We have documented it and found that 151 statues (of Ambedkar) were desecrated. The most cases are reported from Ballia, Azamgarh, Mathura and Gorakhpur,” Akhilesh added. “Many such attacks in Gorakhpur couldn’t be listed,” he said, referring to chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s constituency. “The Samajwadi Party will restore the honour of Babasaheb after forming the government in 2027.” “Uttar Pradesh reported the most number of paper leaks. They (the BJP) had shown us the dream of investments, but it didn’t happen. They took land from farmers without giving them adequate compensation, but industries didn’t come up here,” Akhilesh said. The Samajwadi Party is focusing on PDA (Peechchra-OBC, Dalit and Alpsankhyak-Muslim) votes as Uttar Pradesh gears up for Assembly elections next year. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Cong demands Bharat Ratna for state’s ‘first Dalit CM’ Bhola Paswan Shastri
Patna, The Congress in Bihar on Sunday demanded Bharat Ratna for Bhola Paswan Shastri, the state’s “first Dalit chief minister”, whose final tenure was marked by the setting up of the Mungeri Lal Commission, which recommended quotas for the numerically powerful backward classes. The demand was raised at a press conference by Ravindra Paswan, chairman of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee’s Scheduled Castes cell. Paswan said the birth anniversary celebrations at Sadaqat Ashram, the BPCC headquarters, on Monday would be attended by AICC Scheduled Castes cell chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam and around 5,000 dele gates from across the state. Seeking the highest civilian honour for Shastri, Paswan highlighted that he served as CM three times and also held the posts of Union minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. He also pointed out that the Mungeri Lal Commission was set up during Shastri’s final tenure as chief minister in 1971-72. The commission submitted its report in 1977, during the chief ministership of socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024. Implementation of the commission’s recommendations by Thakur, which faced opposition from sections of the upper castes, was seen as a turning point in Bihar’s politics, with Other Backward Classes (OBCs) gaining greater political prominence following the Mandal movement of the 1990s. 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
Cong to protect land rights of Dalits, tribals: Ponguleti
Hyderabad: Revenue and housing minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy on Sunday assured Dalits and tribals that Telangana govt would not take even an inch of their land and urged them not to believe in what he termed as malicious propaganda by the opposition, aimed at creating fear over land rights. In a statement, the minister said the Congress-led govt had no policy of snatching land from the communities and would instead provide complete protection to their land rights. He said Congress had historically worked for the landless and weaker sections through land reforms and distribution of land. Ponguleti said Congress govts in the past had distributed around 25 lakh acres to Dalits in the Telangana region, especially during the Indira Gandhi-led govt and had also granted rights over nearly two lakh acres of Podu land to tribal communities. He said the ongoing verification of land records, surveys and resolution of land disputes should not be misconstrued as attempts to acquire land. The objective, he said, was to establish ownership, resolve disputes and protect existing rights. The minister alleged that certain “feudal elements” were deliberately spreading misinformation to create unrest among Dalits for political gains. He urged people to verify facts before believing such claims. He said re-surveys were being undertaken to identify the actual status of lands and grant rights to eligible Dalits and tribals. Long-pending land issues had been resolved in 15 revenue villages in Nutanakal and Maddirala areas of Suryapet district and in Narayanapuram village of Kesamudram mandal in Mahabubabad district, he added. Ponguleti said securing land rights would enable beneficiaries to access govt schemes and other benefits, reiterating that govt led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy stood firmly with the Dalit and tribal families. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allegations of demolition of a Dalit woman’s hut and throwing away of her belongings: Despite numerous complaints, no action was taken, now a petition has been filed at the Tehsil Day.
Strongers have vandalized and encroached upon a Dalit woman’s land. Despite numerous complaints, the administration took no action. Following this, the woman submitted a written complaint at the Tehsil Day, demanding action. Anita, a resident of Dhurpur in Simaria village, under the Thathiya police station area, submitted a written petition to officials at the Tirwa Tehsil Day on Saturday. The woman alleges that plot numbers 1376 and 1378 are registered with the Gram Panchayat. Anita stated that the powerful, in collusion with revenue department officials and employees, demolished her hut and kiosk and threw her belongings onto the road. The woman also alleges that the powerful have registered the land in plot number 1377, but with the help of the revenue department, she is being treated unfairly. The woman submitted several petitions to the police and revenue department for action, but no action has been taken. On Saturday, under the leadership of Blue Revolution Bahujan Ekta Organization’s State Secretary Arvind Jatav and District President Karan Kumar, they submitted a written complaint at the Tehsil Day. Regional accountant Ramdas stated that legal action was taken in the presence of a joint team of the Naib Tehsildar and police. Tirwa Sub-District Magistrate Vaishali stated that the matter will be investigated and action will be taken. Bhairav Dutt | Umarda (Kannauj), Kannauj Courtesy: Hindi News
Bihar Family Performs Daughter’s Funeral After Inter-caste Marriage
Brahmin girl marries a dailt boy in the Chapay village of Bihar Purnia: Riya Goswami, 18, from Bihar’s Purnia district, wanted to marry a boy of her choice. She had little idea that the family with whom she had spent eighteen years would perform her last rites for marriage outside her caste. “I, too, wanted to marry someone I lived with. But parents often intimidate their children by threatening to kill them if they marry outside their caste. That is why we are forced to take such a step,” said Riya. She entered into an inter-caste marriage with Milan Paswan, 23, evoking resistance from her family, which performed the girl’s last rites. “Parents fight for the sake of caste and society, but they fail to consider their own daughter,” rues Riya. Brahmin Girl Marries Dalit Boy Riya, the Brahmin girl, married Milan from the Paswan community in the Chapay village in the Gangeli Panchayat under the Maranga police station area of Purnia. According to Riya, she and Milan married at the Purnia court on September 9. A few days later, without informing her family, Riya left for her in-laws’ home with the boy and after searching for her, her family filed a complaint with the police. The police subsequently recovered the girl and had her statement recorded in court under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. According to her family, Riya stated in the court that she wished to go with Milan. Family Carries Out Funeral Procession After the marriage of Riya with Milan, villagers convened a Panchayat meeting in the Chapay village, where members of the boy’s side were asked to return the girl. Her family explained that Milan used to visit their home and was a good friend of Riya’s brother. As the boy would visit the family, love developed between the two following which they decided to marry. Following the marriage, the family fashioned an effigy of the daughter, decorated a funeral bier, took out a procession, and performed her last rites. A large number of villagers were present during the proceedings. Riya’s parents also announced throughout the village that their daughter was now dead. “My daughter has left. For us, she is dead now. Her last rites have been performed. We are Brahmins. In our community, accepting water from that household is forbidden. If someone in our society does something like this, this is the inevitable consequence. If we don’t do this, we would have to leave the village. Tell me, how would we live here then?,” asked Raja Ram Goswami, the girl’s grandfather. The girl’s father, Manoj Goswami, stated that on the night of September 9, around midnight, his daughter left home with Milan—who lives about 100 meters away—and contracted a court marriage. He said that they would no longer have any ties with the girl. Subsequent rituals, including the “Nakhabal” (hair and nail trimming), “Dashvi” (tenth-day ritual), and “Terahvi” (thirteenth-day ritual), would be performed in accordance with traditional customs, the family said. Girl Gets Emotional Following the marriage, Riya remains miffed with her parents. “If parents simply asked their children if they liked someone, why would we take such a step? That is why I no longer have any relationship with my parents; my in-laws are my family now, I have no one else in the world,” she said. As she spoke, tears welled up in Riya’s eyes. “I am pursuing a BA degree, and I do not believe in the caste system; casteism does not exist. I am very happy today.” Not Afraid Of Society When asked if he feared society, Milan said, “Society won’t run my household or earn a living to feed me. So, I don’t care what people think.” Milan’s father, Dilip Paswan, said, “The villagers were pressuring us, but both the boy and the girl insisted they wanted to be together. They said they would die if they couldn’t get married. So, we agreed. Now, we will treat Riya as both a daughter-in-law and a daughter.” Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Over 120 Erravalli Dalit farmers receive revenue department notices
The Telangana revenue department has served notices to over 120 Dalit farmers in Erravalli following a land survey after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced plans to take back the lands. Farmers have sought protection of their holdings and livelihoodGeographic Reference Siddipet: After Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced in the State Assembly that he would take back the lands in Erravalli and distribute them to other farmers, the revenue department served notices on over 120 Dalit farmers of Erravalli, leaving them in a state of shock. After carrying out surveys of lands in Survey No. 325 for three consecutive days until Saturday, the revenue department served notices on 120 farmers. The revenue department asked them to appear before the authorities with all the documents in their possession regarding the ownership of their lands. Sources in the revenue department said notices would be served on all farmers holding lands in the survey number. The 388 acres and 5 guntas of land were distributed to Dalit farmers in Erravalli and neighbouring villages some 60 years ago. Since then, the farmers had been in possession of the land. However, former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had changed their lives considerably by helping them cultivate the fallow lands after 2014. He built a lake close to the lands and helped the farmers get a drip irrigation system and other facilities. Gajwel RDO Chandrakala directed the farmers to appear before the authorities on September 21. The farmers demanded that the government keep their lands intact, as they were their only source of livelihood. Meanwhile, farmers of Sivaru Venkatapur, a neighbouring village to Erravalli, alleged that some 180 acres of land in the survey number belonged to them. They demanded that the government earmark the lands properly, following the old revenue records. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
After 12 years, a Dalit student claimed the post of president at JNU’s Kaveri Hostel, sparking uproar; election cancelled – learn the full story
Students say that those with a casteist and Manuwadi mindset could not tolerate the candidacy of a Dalit candidate, so they hacked the democratic system and disrupted it. New Delhi – A major controversy has erupted over the student union elections at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) Kaveri Hostel. The hostel election process has been cancelled, following allegations of casteism and violence surrounding a Dalit candidate’s candidacy for the post of president. This is the same Kaveri Hostel where hateful casteist slogans like “Chamar, Dalit, leave India” and “Brahmin, Baniya, Zindabad” were recently painted on the walls, drawing widespread condemnation. Kaveri Hostel houses a total of 308 students, including PG, UG, and PhD students. Every year, the Student Union (Students’ Body) is elected to address issues related to student welfare, such as improved infrastructure, quality food, cleanliness, mess facilities, and other student interests. This year, after 12 years, a Dalit student contested for the position of president. For all these years, there have been no SC community representatives on the hostel committee. There have been students from the tribal community, but they are considered to be staunchly RSS-oriented. Ajay Kumar Rao, a PhD student in Hindi literature, a candidate for president from the Progressive Panel, shared his experience with The Mooknayak. He said that elections are held every year to improve hostel infrastructure, protect students’ interests, and address welfare issues. The hostel election process is completely democratic and transparent. The Election Committee presents the names of nominated candidates for various positions (such as president, member, etc.) to the General Body Meeting (GBM). At this meeting, students’ support is sought against each candidate’s name. Students show their support by raising their hands. The candidates who receive the most hands, or a majority, are elected to the respective position. This process is based on consensus and direct democracy, allowing all resident students to participate. This method is common at the hostel level in campuses like JNU, where decisions are made by raising hands instead of using ballot papers, ensuring a speedy, fair, and universal participation. This method clearly expresses the collective will of the students, and in the event of any dispute, a decision is immediately reached within the GBM. This year, the election process began as follows: the election notification was issued on February 3rd. The body conducting the elections is the Election Committee, which consists of six students with neutral and open ideologies. The election committee was elected at the hostel’s General Body Meeting (GBM), in which Talha Ansari was elected. The election of the remaining five students, Vijay Jaiswal, Anubhav Tripathi, Priyanshu Chaturvedi, Ritul Joshi, and Animesh Kumar, was not democratic because they adhere to the RSS ideology, and an investigation is underway against some of them by the Proctor. Ajay Kumar Rao alleges that the election of the remaining members, except for Talha Ansari, was not conducted democratically and by consensus. The opposition, enraged by the idea of a Dalit student becoming president, created a ruckus. A scuffle and fight broke out between the students. Ajay’s glasses were broken during the altercation, and some others suffered minor injuries. The students complained to the warden, following which the election process was cancelled. Bahujan students say that those with a casteist and Manuwadi mindset could not tolerate the candidacy of a Dalit candidate, so they hacked the democratic system and disrupted it. Citing incidents of caste discrimination occurring on campuses across the country, Ajay said that Kaveri Hostel is no exception. South Asians and Expatriates The two major student organizations active in the hostel are the ABVP and the Progressive Panel. The Progressive Panel is a joint alliance of students from the Congress, Left, and Ambedkarite ideologies, seeking a system based on the principles of social inclusion, equity, and equality. Meanwhile, students with opposing ideologies are stuck in the age-old narrow-minded notions of superiority and inferiority. Non-vegetarian food is available in the hostel mess five days a week, but there have been debates and protests over not preparing non-vegetarian food on festivals. Religious events like Ram Navami and processions on campus are events that violate constitutional values and the principles of equality in an academic campus. This incident exposes the deep roots of casteism on a supposedly progressive campus like JNU, where attempts to suppress the voices of Dalit students continue. Ajay Kumar and his colleagues have appealed for the restoration of democratic processes. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit student at IIT Bombay commits suicide; father says a professor used to make ‘casteist’ comments about his son
DCP Dattatreya Nalawade of Mumbai Police stated that a case has been registered under sections of abetment to suicide, the SC/ST Act, and other relevant sections, and an investigation is underway against all individuals named by the family. Mumbai – Following the suicide of a second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay’s Powai campus on Friday evening, his family has leveled serious allegations of caste discrimination and institutional harassment. The deceased student has been identified as Sahil Ravindra Wakode (22), a resident of Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district and a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay. Sahil belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, and his classmates describe him as a very hardworking student who had achieved an 8.5 CGPA in his first year. An FIR has been registered at the Powai police station in this case, which has been charged under the SC/ST Act following allegations from family members, and the investigation has now been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. This is reported to be the third suicide case reported on the IIT Bombay campus this year. Sahil was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his room in Hostel No. 4 on Friday evening. When his roommates received no response, they informed the administration, which then called the police. No suicide note was recovered from the scene, and the police initially reported the case as an accidental death. According to the IIT Bombay administration, Sahil was caught using a mobile phone in the examination hall on the day of the incident and attempted to find answers by uploading the question paper to ChatGPT. The institute also clarified that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student following the incident. The institute stated that Sahil was assured that the incident would not impact his academic future. The institute has pledged support to Sahil’s friends, classmates, teachers, and others affected by the incident. It also stated that the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated. According to students, Sahil was asked to leave the hall after an alleged confrontation during an exam and was reprimanded by a professor in the corridor. About an hour after this alleged confrontation, Sahil hanged himself in his hostel room, and his body was recovered around 6 p.m. Sahil’s mother, Sonali Wakode, spoke to the media on Saturday, directly alleging that her son had been subjected to caste-based harassment and torture. She also alleged that he had been assaulted and demanded justice. Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode (47), alleged that for the past few months, Professor Suryanarayan Dulla of the Department of Energy Sciences had been making caste-based remarks and mentally harassing his son. The father demanded the professor’s immediate arrest and a Crime Branch investigation into the matter. However, all these allegations are still under investigation and have not been independently verified. The father also claimed that the professor threatened to implicate Sahil in a false case. Following the family’s complaint, a case has been registered at the Powai police station under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. DCP Dattatreya Nalawade of Mumbai Police stated that the case has been registered under sections of abetment to suicide and other relevant sections, and an investigation is underway against all the individuals named by the family. The family initially refused to accept Sahil’s body, but later accepted it when the case was handed over to the Crime Branch on Saturday night. An ACP-rank officer will now lead the investigation. Protests on Campus As news of the death spread, a large number of students gathered, surrounded the office of Director Shirish Kedare, and demanded the resignation of both the Director and Professor Dulla. The students also blocked the main gate of the institute, prompting police to arrive. By late evening, approximately 400 students had gathered, and by midnight, the number had grown to over a thousand. A third-year electrical student said during the protest that this was the third such incident at IIT Bombay this year and the second in the last two months. Students are demanding accountability and transparency from the administration. Another student described the incident as shocking, saying, “It feels like one of us has been left behind. The situation is still management versus students, but first, we should remember the soul that left us.” Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse, reacting to the incident, said that the government will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure appropriate action. The Darshan Solanki Case Recalls This is not the first time allegations of caste discrimination have surfaced at IIT Bombay. In February 2023, first-year B.Tech student Darshan Solanki jumped to his death from the seventh floor of his hostel, and his family had also alleged caste discrimination. According to Solanki’s mother’s statement, recorded in the police chargesheet, Darshan had told his mother that his fellow students’ behavior had changed when they learned about his caste. This incident marks the third student suicide at IIT Bombay in six months, raising serious questions about student mental health at higher education institutions nationwide. Between October 2022 and October 2025, 154,046 college students aged 18-25 called the Tele-Manas helpline, of which approximately 4%, or 5,642, were related to suicide-related concerns. The Supreme Court has also underscored the severity of this crisis, with 13,044 student suicides recorded in 2022 alone, representing 7.6% of the total suicides that year. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News