Sold RS seat to ‘Mumbai bizman’: Yogi targets Akhilesh for ‘ignoring backward, Dalit candidates’
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s remarks came in the context of SP nominating senior Reliance Industries executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani to RS in the election this month. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has accused the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) of selling a Rajya Sabha seat to a wealthy businessman while sidelining its “PDA” or “pichhda (backward), Dalit, alpsankhyak (minorities)” plank. Yogi’s remarks came in the context of Yadav nominating senior Reliance Industries executive Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani to the Rajya Sabha in the election held earlier this month, where the SP won two seats unopposed. Nathwani, one of the two SP winners, is also considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. His father Parimal Nathwani is an Independent Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand. The latter had won the seat in April this year after defeating Congress candidate Pranav Jha. Addressing a teachers’ conference in Varanasi Wednesday, Yogi questioned the SP’s commitment to PDA, asking, “Those who kept raising slogans about PDA… where did that PDA go when it came to Rajya Sabha tickets?” “We have been saying from day one that PDA in the Samajwadi Party stands for ‘parivar development authority’ or, at best, ‘Paraya Dhan Apna’,” the chief minister said. Yogi said the SP leader fielded his uncle Ram Gopal Yadav from one of the seats it won, although he could have chosen a Yadav leader from Kashi, Ghazipur or Ballia for one seat. “For the second seat, they could have nominated a Dalit or someone else, or even a Muslim from their traditional vote bank. But they did not do so. Instead, they sold the seat to a wealthy businessman from Mumbai. Both ‘parivar development authority’ and ‘paraya dhan apna’ have been proved right,” he alleged. Yogi targets SP over recruitment row The chief minister also attacked the erstwhile SP government over alleged irregularities in recruitment, accusing it of compromising the future of young people. He referred to the appointment of Anil Yadav as chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission during the SP’s tenure in 2013—the appointment was set aside by the Allahabad High Court in 2015 amid questions over his selection—and claimed he was not qualified for the post. He further alleged that a candidate who had secured third division in high school, intermediate and graduation had topped the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission examinations under the previous government. “What kind of anarchy and hooliganism was this? The future of young people was being played with. Meanwhile, riots, unrest and mafia elements dominated the state,” Yogi alleged. SP’s Rajya Sabha wins The remarks come after 10 Rajya Sabha members from Uttar Pradesh were elected unopposed on October 9. The BJP secured eight seats, while the SP won two. The SP’s elected candidates were senior party leader and national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav and businessman Nathwani. Within a few days of filing nomination, Nathwani’s social media post praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi had triggered unease within the party, with some leaders questioning how they would defend the candidature amid the SP’s opposition to the BJP and Modi. Nathwani, a Gujarat-based businessman associated with the Reliance Group, posted a lengthy message on X (formerly Twitter) on 9 October, congratulating Modi on completing 25 years in public office. He also shared a video highlighting Modi’s political journey from Gujarat chief minister to Prime Minister. Prashant Srivastava Edited by Sunanda Ranjan 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
“Until the guilty are behind bars, the struggle will intensify”: AIISCA warns ahead of IIT Bombay’s internal report
IIT Bombay has updated its anti-discrimination guidelines, stating that asking classmates about their caste, admission category, or entrance exam rank is inappropriate. Mumbai—Following the death of Sahil Wakode, protests are intensifying from the IIT Bombay campus to Azad Maidan. Deepali Salve, Maharashtra General Secretary of the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association (AIISCA) and Director of the SRC, issued a stern warning ahead of the release of the institute’s internal report. She stated that if Professor Suryanarayan Dulla is not permanently expelled from the institute, they will protest on campus and that Director Professor Shirish Kedare will be held responsible for whatever happens next. Meanwhile, Sahil’s parents have been on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan for several days, and AIISCA has called for a protest there on October 16. Salve said that it is better to choose the path of rebellion than to succumb to injustice. According to him, this fight for justice for Sahil Wakode is no longer just a case, but a declaration of standing against oppression. He said, “This struggle will intensify until the perpetrators are put behind bars.” Regarding IIT Bombay’s internal report, Salve said it was forthcoming and that he believed it would be in favor of Professor Dulla. Addressing the institute directly, he said that if Professor Dulla was not permanently expelled, they would storm the campus and hold Director Kedare responsible for “whatever happens.” Sahil’s parents have been on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for several days. A six-member delegation was allowed to meet with Kedare regarding the death of student Sahil Wakode and the allegations against Dulla. However, activists said the director did not provide any clarity regarding the ongoing investigation nor did he assure immediate action against the professor. Protest organizers alleged that more than 30 protesters were detained, assaulted, and taken to the Powai police station before being released. They warned that they would return to campus if Dula was not suspended. The protesters alleged that students were dragged onto the road and excessive force was used. AIISCA has appealed to all civil society organizations, Ambedkarites, community members, political parties, activists, and justice-minded citizens to show solidarity with them. The protest will take place at Azad Maidan on October 16th, starting at 10:30 am. Its slogan is “Justice for Sahil.” The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC) protested the incident that occurred on October 14th. The group also alleged that the administration opened the gate for the police and kept it closed for others. According to it, the administration has taken no action toward the students who have been on strike for 27 days, and has done nothing to conduct a fair investigation into the Sahil case, instead spreading “fake news” and promoting a “media trial.” The APPSC condemned the “coalition” between the administration and the Powai police and demanded that all voices be heard and that there be dialogue with the protesting students. New Guidelines: What the Institute Said According to a Hindustan Times report, IIT Bombay has updated its anti-discrimination guidelines, stating that asking classmates about their caste, admission category, or entrance exam rank is inappropriate. An email sent by the Dean of Student Affairs’ office stated that asking about caste, admission category, or entrance exam rank, even out of curiosity, can create prejudice and negatively impact students. The institute urged students, faculty, and staff to avoid conversations that reveal someone’s caste or background and to build friendships based on shared interests. According to the email, while the question may seem innocent to the person asking it and may be motivated by mere curiosity, such a question can often have an adverse impact on another student. Sharing abusive, hateful, casteist, or gender-biased messages, as well as content that depicts prejudice based on religion or sexual orientation, is also prohibited. The institute reiterated its commitment to implementing the reservation policy “in letter and spirit” and warned of strict punishment for violations. Statements Recorded So Far in the Police Investigation According to the Hindustan Times, the Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from approximately 70 people, including Director Kedare, Professor Dulla, several students, and the deceased’s girlfriend and classmate. Police have gained access to the deceased’s phone, tablet, and laptop, but the iPhone has not yet been unlocked and is in the forensic laboratory in Kalina. Police have also sought documents from the institute, such as mark sheets, written complaints, and, if any, apologies. Prof. Dulla is named in a police FIR alleging abetment to suicide on the grounds of caste discrimination, and has been sent on leave to allow a fair investigation. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
The issue of caste discrimination and mental harassment of a Dalit M.Ed. student at CSJMU heats up, with Bhim Army and student organizations staging a violent protest.
The Bhim Army Students Federation has launched a protest against the caste discrimination and mental harassment of an M.Ed. student at Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, leveling serious allegations against the administration and police. Lucknow: Student organizations, led by the Bhim Army Students Federation (BASF), have launched a protest to secure justice for Prema Devi, a Dalit M.Ed. (session 2024-26) student studying in the Department of Teacher Education at Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, with the support of the AISA student organization. As soon as the student organizations joined the protest, the police administration turned the entire campus into a cantonment, but the Bhim Army Students Federation remained firm on its demands and launched a vigorous protest. The Bhim Army Students Federation (BASF) submitted a detailed memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of the University, demanding strict action against the accused teachers. Student leaders accused the university administration of suppressing the ongoing cases of caste-based harassment and discrimination on campus. During the memorandum, Hemant Vidyarthi, District Coordinator of the Bhim Army Students Federation, stated that this is not the first case at the university, and that many previous instances of caste-based discrimination and administrative neglect have been reported against researchers and students. He alleged that whenever students raise their voices for their rights, the administration, instead of showing sensitivity, attempts to hush up the cases. During the protest, student leader Sachin Chandra stated that the Vice Chancellor is showing no urgency in providing justice to Prema Devi. Meanwhile, Abhishek Comrade, in his address, stated that casteism is rampant in the university and that if the victim does not receive justice, this place will be turned into Jantar Mantar. The organization has issued a strong warning that if the victim, Prema Devi, does not receive immediate justice, this fight will be escalated into a massive public movement from the university campus to the entire state. According to the complaint submitted by the victim, she was selected fourth in her class in the entrance examination, yet the Head of Department, Dr. Tanuja Bhatt, publicly discredited her by claiming that she had received admission through pleading. The student also alleges that teacher Dr. Vimal Singh targeted her with abusive language in class. The complaint further states that during the farewell ceremony, she was publicly humiliated, caste-based remarks were made that were derogatory to her dignity, and threats were made to ruin her future. The student alleges that when she protested, she was subjected to biased evaluation of answer sheets and undue pressure was exerted to enroll in mid-term examinations, contrary to the rules. Despite a previous complaint to the then Head of Department, Dr. Rashmi Gore, and the internal committee, an attempt was made to suppress the matter instead of conducting an impartial investigation. The memorandum submitted to the Vice Chancellor places a number of key demands. The first demand is that, given the sensitivity of the matter, an immediate administrative inquiry be initiated against the Head of Department, Dr. Tanuja Bhatt, and if the allegations are proven, legal action should be taken under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The second demand states that, for a fair and transparent investigation, the accused teachers be removed from their current positions and an independent inquiry committee be formed, with no direct or indirect interest in the matter. The third demand calls for an independent review of the student’s answer sheets, internal marks, and evaluation records by impartial experts. The fourth and final demand calls for ensuring that any form of retaliatory action or psychological pressure against the student is completely prevented during the investigation process and that her legitimate academic rights are fully protected. Sachin Chandra, Abhishek, Kartik, Swarnkant, Rajesh, Amarkant, Riya, Neelam, Asha, Savita, and Govind, along with many other students, were present during the demonstration and memorandum program. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana doctor held for cheating Dalit woman over marriage
The woman alleged that the doctor had promised to marry her once his divorce was finalised. Hyderabad: A 39-year-old orthopaedic doctor was arrested by Chunchupalli Police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district for allegedly cheating a woman on false promise of marriage. According to local reports, the woman had approached the accused, Dr Nadikudi Shailesh Kumar, in June 2022 for treatment while he worked at a private hospital. In October of the same year, Kumar started working at Sri Krishna Multi-Specialty Hospital in Vidyanagar Colony and the woman continued her treatment there. The woman has alleged that the doctor took advantage of her dependence on him as a patient and sexually assaulted her multiple times over the course of four years. She claimed that she underwent spinal surgery at his hospital in April 2023, and the doctor forced her to have intercourse even though she was suffering from pain after the surgery. The woman has alleged that the doctor had promised to marry her after his divorce. The divorce was reportedly finalised in August, and the woman asked him to marry her. However, the man refused and allegedly used casteist remarks against her. A case was registered under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing simple hurt) and 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Shailesh Kumar was sent to judicial remand on October 15. 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
Dalit man beaten to death in UP’s Sitapur in front of 10-year-old daughter
Preliminary investigation suggests the murder was linked to a long-standing rivalry between two families. A 35-year-old Dalit man was beaten to death in front of his 10-year-old daughter on a national highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, police said on Friday. Preliminary investigation suggests the murder was linked to a long-standing rivalry between two families. The incident took place on Thursday evening near Ludhaura village under Kamlapur police station limits, when Manoj Gautam was returning home from a local market with his daughter. A group of men intercepted and assaulted him, police said. His family took him to a community health centre in Kasmanda, where doctors declared him brought dead. Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal said an FIR had been registered against six people, including two women, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Four accused, including Shubham Singh, Dhirendra Singh and Narendra Singh, have been arrested, while four police teams have been formed to nab the remaining accused, he said. Police said Gautam had earlier filed a case against the accused under the SC/ST Act. The two sides had also engaged in a verbal altercation on Wednesday. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Honour is not family’s monopoly, Yogi says, invoking dalit freedom fighter
The CM said that the intersection where Masuriya Din’s statue was installed would be named after him and sought a proposal from the Prayagraj Mayor. LUCKNOW: Reminding people of the contributions of several Dalit icons to winning freedom for the nation, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should know that it was not only Jawaharlal Nehru but also Masuriya Din Pasi who had gone to jail for the freedom of the country. Asserting that honour was not the exclusive property of any family, CM Yogi said those who raised their voices for Dalits and the deprived sections and dedicated their lives to the nation and society must also be given due respect. He was addressing a gathering after unveiling a statue of Masuriya, a Dalit freedom fighter from the Pasi community, at Mahashay Masuriyadin Smarak Inter College in Teliyarganj in Prayagraj. Notably, Masuriya Din Pasi was co-elected from the Phulpur Lok Sabha constituency twice, in 1952 and 1957, along with Nehru, and is also known to have worked towards the education of the Scheduled Castes. The CM stated that, as a member of the Constituent Assembly, Masuriya was the one who had got the British Criminal Tribes Act abolished. “After suffering defeat in the First War of Independence in 1857, the British enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871 and humiliated numerous castes, including the Pasi community. Babasaheb and Masuriya Din ji fought against that law and eventually got it abolished, connecting the Pasi, Sonkar, deprived and Dalit communities with the mainstream of the nation and inspiring them to live a life of dignity,” said the CM. He added that Masuriya Din lived for 66-67 years, of which he spent nine years (1932-1944) in jail for taking part in the freedom movement. Even after his release, he continued to carry out public awareness activities. The CM said that the intersection where Masuriya Din’s statue was installed would be named after him and sought a proposal from the Prayagraj Mayor. “The name of one institution in Prayagraj would also be changed to Mahashay Masuriya Din’s name. His statue would also be installed, as the society can progress only by honouring great personalities,” said the CM. He claimed that by honouring the past, the present could be improved, and only by improving the present could the future be bright. “Honouring Mahashay is honouring the freedom fighters, and no shortcoming will be allowed in this regard,” he stated. “He was pushed into oblivion in the annals of history, but the BJP government, which believes in development and heritage, does not allow great personalities to be forgotten. We have unveiled his statue to keep his memories alive,” the CM added. Yogi also invoked the history of Pasi warriors, citing Maharaja Bijli Pasi, who, he said, established 12 forts in and around the state capital in the 12th century as part of the efforts to resist foreign invaders. He also recalled the contribution of Makkha Pasi and his wife, freedom fighter Uda Devi Pasi, who took up the fight against the British after her husband’s death and laid down her life in the struggle. Namita Bajpai 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
Hardoi teenager held hostage and raped in Rajasthan: Lured with the promise of a job, forced to marry in a temple
A 17-year-old Dalit girl from Hardoi has alleged that she was held hostage and raped in Rajasthan after being lured with the promise of a job. The victim alleges that she somehow managed to escape from the accused’s clutches and reach home. Subsequently, she filed a complaint at the police station around 4 pm on Tuesday, demanding action against the accused. The case is registered at Baghauli police station. Police have begun an investigation. Now learn the full story… According to the victim, she has studied up to grade eight. It is alleged that on August 3, 2026, a young man from her village, a truck driver in Rajasthan, lured her with the promise of a good-paying job in Chandigarh. Instead of taking her to Chandigarh, the accused took her to Rajasthan and held her captive there. During this time, he forced her into sexual intercourse against her will. Threatened to return home When she resisted and insisted on returning home, the accused threatened to kill her. The victim also alleges that the accused staged a forced marriage at a temple. 50,000 rupees withdrawn from bank account The teenager alleged that the accused fraudulently withdrew approximately 50,000 rupees from her bank account. Later, when the accused’s family learned about her caste, they refused to accept her. Shahnawaz Khan | Hardoi Courtesy: Hindi News
No reservation for OBC, Dalits who convert: Supreme Court
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Thursday ruled a Scheduled Castes/OBC person who converts from a Hindu social order to a non-Hindu social order will not be entitled to the benefits of reservation. The court held that reservation is attached to a constitutionally identified class and not to an individual as a personal entitlement, which can be transferred if a person converts. SC said backwardness suffered by the person in Hindu religion cannot be carried forward to the new religion embraced by him or her. The order came on a petition filed by then DMK-led Tamil Nadu govt challenging a Madras HC order quashing state govt’s order to allow reservations for Dalit and OBC converts to Islam. As reservation is provided to some communities of other religions, which are recognised as backward classes in different states, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar held that conversion of OBCs/Dalits to a non-Hindu social order does not, by itself, confer membership of any particular notified backward class community of the adopted religion. The apex court’s verdict comes against the backdrop of growing demand for extending reservation to those OBCs/Dalits who converted to other religions. “A person who converts from a Hindu social order to a non-Hindu social order cannot claim affirmative action under Article 16(4) of Constitution merely on the basis of the social backwardness associated with his pre-conversion status; the backwardness suffered in the antecedent social order cannot, by itself, be carried forward so as to confer upon him the status of a backward class in the religion to which he has converted,” Supreme Courtsaid while quashing the Tamil Nadu order. 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 house lock, assault, and forged deed: 75-year-old Dalit woman and family protest for the second day, administration begins investigation
Phool Kali, a 75-year-old Dalit woman, continued her protest with her family for the second day in Gauhania Kaundhiara. The woman, from Barethia village, alleges that her house was locked, she was assaulted, and a forged deed was executed. At the behest of SDM Bara, a revenue department accountant arrived at the protest site and heard the woman’s complaint. Phool Kali alleges that on October 7th, Rammilan Kushwaha, the operator of Kanak Hospital, arrived at her house with about two dozen people. They assaulted her children and locked the house. The woman filed a complaint and provided the police with a video of the assault. However, the police also filed a case against her family. The dispute also relates to a deed. According to Phool Kali, Rammilan Kushwaha had executed the deed of land belonging to her son Sohan in November 2022. In January 2026, a deed was also executed for the same portion of the house through Sohan, which the woman claims is fraudulent. She has demanded an investigation and cancellation of the deed. The elderly woman has demanded the unlocking of the house, a proper investigation into the assault, and justice by investigating the fraudulent deed. She has stated that the protest will continue until justice is achieved. Pravez Alam | Parsara (Bara), Prayagraj (Allahabad) Courtesy: Hindi News
Supreme Court issues notice to EC on Rahul Gandhi’s petition seeking SIR suspension
LoP, 9 other Opposition leaders allege wrongful deletion of 13 crore voters Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others during ‘March for Democracy’ by INDIA bloc leaders, towards the Supreme Court, to file a petition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and ‘vote chori’, at Barakhamba road, in New Delhi, October 12, 2026. PTI The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission and others on a petition filed by Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and nine other opposition leaders over alleged large-scale irregularities and deletion of 13 crore voters during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the Election Commission, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to respond to the petition that sought suspension of the ongoing SIR exercise. The Bench ordered tagging of the matter with petitions already pending before it. “Issue notice. But one objection before that…. We would like to ask one of the petitioners about his conduct on the next date of hearing. Issuing notice does not mean that we are condemning anything. We are issuing notices…. But about one of the petitioners, we will definitely entertain the issue. The notice on behalf of one of the petitioners will be entertained on a provisional basis, subject to his explaining his conduct,” the CJI said. Rahul was represented by senior counsel Kapil Sibal. The Bench also issued notice on separate petitions filed by AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. The petition filed by Rahul and other INDIA bloc leaders urged the top court to set up a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and assisted by technical experts and other persons of eminence to audit SIR deletions and access to electoral roll database, and to review EVM processes against global best practices. No deletion of voters’ names should be done without notice and hearing and eligible persons in Punjab and other poll-bound states should be allowed to seek inclusion till the last date, the petition demanded. The petition urged the top court to examine if decisions taken by the poll panel complied with Article 324, Section 18 of the 2023 CEC Act and the 1995 TN Seshan ruling and quash any decision taken without lawful authority. It also sought production of the Election Commission’s files, minutes, notings and objections recorded by Election Commissioners Sandhu and Joshi on disputed SIR decisions, along with ECINET and ERONET access logs as also the complete file recording the June 24, 2025, decision to launch nationwide SIR. Other prayers in the petition included action against those responsible for breaches, including under Section 32 of the RP Act, 1950; direction that every SIR decision be taken and minuted as per Section 18 till the case was decided; online Form 6 to conform to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, unless the Rules were amended; and booth-wise publication of deleted names with reasons and age and gender-wise breakdown, plus a functional restoration mechanism. The petition was filed a day after the Chief Justice of India declined to meet Rahul and Kharge for a discussion on issues relating to the SIR and ‘vote chori’ allegations against the CEC on the grounds that such a meeting would be inappropriate as the issues sought to be raised with him were pending before the Supreme Court for adjudication. The other petitioners from the INDIA bloc are Saugata Roy (TMC), Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Tejashwi Yadav (RJD), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena-UBT), D Raja (CPI), Mahua Majhi (JMM), MA Baby (CPM) and ET Mohammed Basheer (IUML). Article_Author Satya Prakash Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights