Village funds worth crores, yet drain constructed through donations: Villagers in Nizamabad’s Fariha Dalit settlement constructed the drain themselves, alleging discrimination.
In the Fariha Gram Sabha Dalit settlement of the Rani Ki Sarai block in Azamgarh’s Nizamabad tehsil, villagers collected donations and repaired a drain that had been broken for five years. The villagers allege that despite having a village fund worth crores, they had to do the work themselves. Sunil Kumar, Ganesh Kumar, Sarvesh Kumar, Amresh Kumar, Jaswant Lal, Abhay Kumar, Manichandra, and Rustam, along with other villagers, reported that 90 percent of the settlement’s sewage and rainwater flowed through this drain to the Kunwar River. This drain had been severely damaged for approximately 100 meters for the past five years, causing sewage to overflow onto the road and flood the fields. According to the villagers, they contacted the Fariha village headman dozens of times to get the drain and 300 meters of road constructed. The headman asked them to submit a written complaint, but the drain remained unconstructed. Forced to do so, the residents of the settlement collected donations of one thousand rupees per household, raising approximately one and a half lakh rupees. With this money, a hundred meters of drain was constructed, and new slabs were cast and placed on the drain. However, due to a lack of funds, some slabs remain to be laid. The villagers alleged that after becoming a village head, a person becomes the head of the entire village council, not of any particular community. They said that for the past ten years, no village head has shared their joys and sorrows, let alone the construction of basic amenities like drains, roads, housing, or toilets. The villagers questioned the use of the crores of rupees of funds allocated to the village council by the government for development. They alleged that officials from the block level to the Vikas Bhawan did not even once visit to inspect the work or listen to people’s problems, raising suspicions that officials from the lowest to the highest levels are involved in the embezzlement of crores of rupees. He also reported that approximately 300 meters of the road is in a dilapidated condition, causing dozens of schoolchildren to stumble and fall on their way to school. Shah Alam | Fariha (Nizamabad), Azamgarh Courtesy: Hindi News
The road to the Dalit settlement in Palhanpur is in a dilapidated condition: No repairs for three five-year periods; villagers appeal to the administration.
Villagers in Jhaliyahawa, a Dalit settlement in the Palhanpur Gram Sabha under the Bhadaiyan block of Sultanpur district, are upset by the poor condition of the road. This road is located near the Ramganj Rajbaha Canal, and its poor condition is causing significant inconvenience to local residents. Villagers allege that the road has not been paved with soil or repaired for the past three five-year periods. The condition of the road has worsened after the rains, leading to accumulation of mud and water at various places. The poor condition of the road has made it difficult for villagers to walk. Incidents of people slipping and falling in the mud have become common, causing daily problems. Children, the elderly, and women face particular difficulties in commuting during the rainy season. Rajendra, Dharamraj, Ramgulam, Mahendra, Suresh Kumar, and other villagers have demanded the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the administration immediately fill the road with soil to restore traffic. They have requested a permanent solution to the problem by repairing the drain or constructing a new one. In-charge ADO Panchayat Sangeeta Saroj stated over the phone that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken. Villagers are distressed by the poor condition of the road in Jhaliyahawa, a Dalit settlement in the Palhanpur Gram Sabha under the Bhadaiyan block of the district. This road is located near the Ramganj Rajbaha Canal, and its poor condition is causing significant inconvenience to local residents. Villagers allege that neither soil has been filled on this road nor has the drain been repaired in the last three five-year periods. The condition of the road has worsened after the rains, leading to accumulation of mud and water at various places. The poor condition of the road has made it difficult for villagers to walk. Incidents of people slipping and falling in the mud have become common, causing daily problems. Children, the elderly, and women face particular difficulties commuting during the rainy season. Rajendra, Dharamraj, Ramgulam, Mahendra, Suresh Kumar, and other villagers have urged the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the administration to immediately fill the road with mud to ensure smooth traffic flow. They have requested a permanent solution to the problem by repairing the drains or constructing new ones. In this regard, Sangeeta Saroj, the ADO in charge of the Panchayat, stated over the phone that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken. Surendra Kumar | Balampur (Lamhua), Sultanpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Gorakhpur’s Dalit settlement deprived of basic amenities: Roads and drains in Kharpothara hamlet of Pali block are in poor condition.
Kharpothara hamlet of Madar Gram Panchayat, located in Pali block of Gorakhpur, still lacks basic amenities. Nestled amidst the marshland, this hamlet comprises approximately 25 houses, mostly inhabited by Dalit families. An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar revealed a dire situation. The hamlet’s roads are in a dilapidated state, disrupting traffic during the rainy season. Due to the lack of regular cleaning of drains, problems of filth and waterlogging persist. There is no proper sanitation system. Local villagers Balchand, Santosh, Prince, and Aman reported that officials do not regularly visit to address their concerns, nor does the government or administration take any action. Expressing their views, the villagers stated that they, too, are citizens of the country and the Gram Panchayat, and therefore, they should also have access to basic amenities like roads, drains, and sanitation. They have demanded a permanent solution to the problems of the Kharpothara hamlet from the government. In this regard, Secretary Arvind Chaudhary stated that this department does not fall under his jurisdiction, but rather under Assistant Development Officer Dharmendra. Assistant Development Officer Dharmendra assured that sanitation workers would be sent to the site to clean the area and repair the drainage system. He also promised to take care of this in the future. Gorakh Singh | Palikhas (Sahjanwa), Gorakhpur Courtesy: Hindi News
The United Nations Committee expressed serious concern over the rights of Dalits and Adivasis in India, stating this on police brutality and hate crimes.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concern over alleged violence against Dalits, Adivasis, and minority communities in India and has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation from the government. New Delhi: The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed deep concern over alleged extrajudicial killings, torture, and police abuse against Dalits, Adivasis, and minority communities in India. The global body has appealed to the Indian government to conduct a thorough investigation into these cases and ensure legal action against those responsible. It has also called for immediate action to address cases of hate crimes, racial profiling, and forced deportation. History According to findings released by the Committee, there have been reports of widespread violations of the rights of marginalized ethnic and racial groups, particularly Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Dalits, and non-citizens, by law enforcement agencies. These violations include serious incidents such as racial violence, excessive use of force, arbitrary and prolonged detention, torture, and sexual violence. This committee, comprised of 18 independent human rights experts, monitors compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Convention) in 182 member countries. This convention entered into force in 1969 and requires member countries to commit to eliminating racial discrimination, eliminating segregationist practices, and ensuring equality before the law. It is noteworthy that this is the first time India has participated in the review process before the committee since 2007. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta led the Indian delegation at this review meeting. The global committee also expressed concern over campaigns targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants, and refugees. According to the report, identity checks and racial profiling have led to an increase in cases of arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment without due process of law. The committee urged the prevention of forced deportations and mass expulsions of persons in need of international protection. Discrimination and Identity Relations Although the recommendations of this UN Committee are not legally binding, they are considered to have considerable diplomatic and moral significance internationally. On the other hand, the Permanent Mission of India clarified that during the review, the Indian delegation strongly presented the country’s rich diversity, pluralism, constitutional safeguards, and legal framework. The Indian side underlined that the country is fully committed to ensuring equality, dignity, and opportunity for all its citizens. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Honor Killing’ in Tamil Nadu: A 23-year-old Dalit youth died due to the gap between wealth and poverty, TVK leader accused
An ‘honor killing’ case in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu: A ruling party leader is accused of brutally murdering a 23-year-old Dalit youth due to economic inequality. Tamil Nadu: A heartbreaking incident has occurred in Chengalpattu district. A 23-year-old Dalit youth was brutally murdered on suspicion of honor killing. This horrific incident has shocked the entire area. The deceased youth was Praveen, a resident of Kelambakkam, Chengalpattu. On the night of August 16th, Praveen was attacked with sharp-edged weapons by assailants. He was seriously injured in the violent incident. He was subsequently admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 20th. The police acted swiftly and arrested four of the accused in the murder. They were identified as Manikandan, Ezhumalai, Nandish, and Gautam. All were remanded to judicial custody on August 17th. The administration and police are currently searching for the fifth absconding accused. According to several media reports, the main accused, Ezhumalai, is a member of the ruling Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). It is reported that Ezhumalai’s daughter, Aswathy, and Praveen were in a love affair. Satish Kumar, a neighbor of the deceased, stated that Praveen and Ezhumalai both belonged to the Scheduled Caste (Adi Dravidar) community. However, Praveen’s family was financially weak, and this perceived poverty-wealth gap was the primary reason for the murder. Caste and Identity Groups This attack was not a random incident. Aswathy’s family had previously threatened Praveen with death several times. According to neighbor Satish, a relative of Aswathi once came to Praveen’s house armed with a weapon. He tried to attack Praveen with a knife and left, screaming and shouting threats. Not only this, Praveen was also brutally assaulted about six months ago. At that time, Ezhumalai and other accused tied Praveen with ropes and beat him severely. However, fearing the dispute, Praveen’s family decided not to file a police complaint at that time. It is alleged that this brutal murder was carried out as part of a well-planned conspiracy. One of the accused, Manikandan, had befriended Praveen about three months earlier. On the day of the murder, August 16, Praveen had gone to meet Manikandan. He was abducted in a car, taken to another location, and fatally attacked. This incident has once again intensified the demand for stricter laws against honor killings in the state. Anti-caste activists report shocking statistics. In Tamil Nadu alone, 59 cases of honor killings were reported between January and March 2026. Activists believe that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is insufficient to address such cases. Social activists say that not only caste superiority, but also class, religion, and gender identity play a significant role in honor killings. As in Praveen’s case, when both the killer and the victim belong to the same Dalit community, enforcing the SC/ST Act becomes legally difficult. Furthermore, activists point out that Christian or Muslim Dalits are also not protected under this law because they are not recognized as Scheduled Castes. People and Society Anti-caste activist and author Shalin Maria Lawrence has expressed deep concern over this incident. She argues that honor killings within Dalit communities are mostly based on economic status or class. She emphasizes the need to understand these attacks from the perspective of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s concept of “graded inequality.” Discrimination and Identity Relations He wrote on the social media platform ‘X’ that Praveen’s murder demonstrates how caste, class, and patriarchy intersect even within oppressed communities. Two people may belong to the same caste, but their social or economic status may differ. In such a situation, the claim to family ‘honor’ becomes a weapon against those who try to cross these boundaries. He explained that Praveen was killed because someone felt that his family’s honor outweighed the young man’s right to live and love. This represents the most horrific manifestation of the deeply ingrained inequality and cruelty in society. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man attempts suicide, alleges caste-based harassment
Kanpur: A 30-year-old Dalit man allegedly attempted suicide in Gram Nyauri village under the Maharajpur police station area on Tuesday morning, accusing a few villagers of harassment and alleging police inaction despite repeated complaints. The man, identified as Shyam Sundar Kori, allegedly attempted to hang himself from a railing at his house using a noose. According to police, Shyam had earlier submitted a complaint to the SC/ST Commission, levelling serious allegations against several people, including the village head. Shyam alleged that he was being harassed for getting the Kali Maa temple in the village renovated and for refusing to perform unpaid labour for certain individuals. He further alleged that an attempt was made on his life on Nov 22, 2025. He claimed that when he approached the local police station to lodge a complaint, he was arrested, assaulted and challaned instead. In his complaint, Shyam stated that if any untoward incident were to happen to him or his family, the accused persons should be held responsible. ACP Ghatampur Krishnakant Yadav said, “An FIR has been registered at Sen Paschim Para police station on the basis of a written complaint against the village head and his associates. Further legal proceedings are underway.” 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
Dalit youth beaten in Govardhan temple: Beaten with sticks upon entering Shiva temple
A Dalit youth and his companion were allegedly beaten with sticks upon entering a Shiva temple in Ading village, Govardhan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, during a program organized at a Shiva temple. It is alleged that they were beaten with sticks upon entering the temple. The victims allege that the temple operator and his associates baselessly accused them of desecrating the temple. They were subjected to casteist slurs and brutally beaten with sticks. The victims claim that the local police, under political pressure, are colluding with the accused instead of taking action against them. Despite video evidence of the assault, no action is being taken by the police. After the video of the incident surfaced, the victim’s family directly approached the office of the SSP, Mathura, seeking justice. The victims have appealed for strict action and the registration of an FIR against five named accused, including Kanhaiya Thakur and Vipin, and five to seven unidentified accused. Raju | Son (Govardhan), Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul Gandhi’s Letter to Fadnavis Sparks Fresh BJP-Cong Clash Over Tribal Students
Nagpur: A fresh political confrontation erupted in Maharashtra on Tuesday after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention in the grievances of tribal students protesting over hostel rules and facilities. The protests are underway in Nagpur and Pune. Tribal Development minister Ashok Uike hit back, accusing Gandhi of arriving late to the issue and alleging that Congress functionaries had failed to brief him about developments. Gandhi wrote to Fadnavis on Monday after meeting tribal students during his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction in Pune. He said students from across Maharashtra had been on hunger strike for more than 10 days and urged CM to meet their representatives and resolve their grievances immediately. Uike, however, disputed Gandhi’s account. In a post on X, he said the tribal students from Nagpur and Pune had withdrawn their hunger strike before Gandhi’s visit. “Rahulji, you always arrive late!” he wrote, accusing Gandhi of holding a “paid PR programme”. He said govt has raised the age limit for hostel intake to 30 years in response to students’ demands. In his letter, Gandhi said many tribal students from remote villages depend on govt hostels to pursue higher education in cities. He criticised the revised age limit of 30 years for hostel accommodation, saying it could exclude students still completing their studies or preparing for competitive examinations. Govt had initially fixed the age limit at 26 through an Aug 4 GR before revising it to 30 on Aug 14 following protests. Students, however, are demanding withdrawal of the provision. Gandhi also highlighted complaints about inadequate food, sanitation and medical facilities in hostels, as well as reports of injuries and deaths linked to snakebites. His strongest criticism concerned an alleged requirement for female students returning after an extended absence to undergo pregnancy and other medical tests. “I was shocked to learn that female students returning after an extended absence must undergo pregnancy tests and a range of other medical tests, to prove their ‘fitness’,” Gandhi said in the letter, describing the alleged practice as “an attack on their dignity and their humanity.” He stressed that the protesters were “not asking for charity” but demanding what they considered their rightful entitlements, and asked Fadnavis to meet them personally. Uike rejected Gandhi’s allegation regarding pregnancy tests. “The talk of pregnancy testing is completely false; no such test exists,” he said, adding that students returning after a month-long absence were asked for a fitness certificate concerning their health. The minister further sought to turn the criticism back on Congress, referring to complaints from tribal residential schools and alleging that some facilities were associated with former Congress functionaries. “Several hostels are run by Congress people, from where complaints have been received. We will make sure that all the complaints are thoroughly investigated and anyone found guilty will be dealt with the strictest action,” he said. 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
Transgender Police Trainee Found Hanging In Bathroom In Bihar
The victim, identified as Avanthika Sindhu, was a resident of West Champaran district. She was among a batch of 500 trainees sent from Patna Police Lines to Jamalpur for training. Transgender Police Trainee Found Hanging In Bathroom In BiharThe body has been sent for postmortem examination.Munger: A transgender woman constable undergoing police training in Bihar’s Munger district was found hanging in a bathroom on Sunday, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. The constable, Avanthika Sindhu, had reportedly been unwell for the past few days and was alone in the barracks when the incident occurred. Sindhu was a resident of West Champaran district. She was among a batch of 500 trainees sent from Patna Police Lines to Jamalpur for training. The batch includes 16 transgender personnel. The incident took place at the BSAP-9 camp in Jamalpur. According to colleagues, Avanthika had been unwell for the past few days and had not been taking part in training activities. On Sunday, the entire batch had gone to the training ground, while Avanthika remained in the barracks due to her poor health. When fellow trainees returned in the evening and began looking for her, they found her hanging in the bathroom. She was immediately taken to a primary health centre, where she was declared dead. Mithilesh Kumar, Commandant, BSAP Camp told the reporters, “It appears to be a case of suicide. The woman was found in the bathroom with a cloth towel tied around her neck.” Soon after receiving information about the incident, BSAP-9 Commandant Mithilesh Kumar, DSP Dr Arjun Kumar Gupta and Jamalpur Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan reached the camp and began an inquiry. Officials also questioned personnel staying in the barracks. Police are probing the case from multiple angles, including the circumstances inside the camp and the constable’s health condition. Investigators are also examining her personal life and external contacts to determine if any other factors may have contributed to her death. According to police sources, her mobile phone and personal contacts are also being subjected to technical examination to determine whether any pressure, dispute or other factor may have been involved. However, police said no conclusions can be drawn until the investigation is completed. The body has been sent for postmortem examination. Commandant Mithilesh Kumar said the constable’s family had been informed about the incident. Station House Officer Pankaj Kumar Paswan said the exact cause of death would be known only after the postmortem report and technical investigation are completed. Edited by: Anwesha Singh Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati says, ‘Demand for reservation on economic basis not right’:Dalits have faced casteism for centuries, don’t protect reservation opponents
BSP supremo Mayawati has lashed out at the demand for reservation based on economic criteria at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. She said on Sunday that Dalits have been victims of casteism for centuries. In such a situation, the demand for reservation based on economic criteria is not right. Targeting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati wrote on ‘X’: Rahul, who sat on dharna outside the police station in Delhi, did not go to get the anti-reservation protest happening at Jantar Mantar right next door stopped. He did not even try to go and explain to the protesters. This clearly exposes Congress’s anti-reservation mentality. The BSP supremo appealed to the central and state governments not to give any kind of shelter or protection to anti-reservation elements. She told political parties that cheap politics should be stopped on sensitive and important issues like reservation. New demand for reservation based on economic grounds is not right at all Mayawati termed the demand for reservation based on economic grounds as anti-national and a blow to the spirit of the Constitution. She made it clear that Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) have been harassed for centuries. Constitutional measures in the form of reservation were created to protect them from this casteist oppression. In such a situation, the new demand to implement reservation based on economic grounds is not appropriate at all. Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had said that ‘renunciation of casteism is the greatest patriotism.’ People not getting benefits is not due to reservation, but a result of corruption BSP supremo said – Every year, huge budgets are spent by governments to eradicate poverty. Not receiving its benefits is the result of government system failure and corruption, not reservation. The real benefit of economic reservation (EWS) implemented for poor families of general category is not reaching them; there is more deception in that too. Attempt to strengthen Dalit and deprived vote bank Political experts say that by opposing reservation on economic basis, Mayawati is trying to strengthen BSP’s traditional Dalit and deprived vote bank. BSP’s politics has long revolved around the issue of social justice and rights of deprived sections. At a time when protests took place at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar demanding changes in the reservation system and reservation on an economic basis, Mayawati is trying to present herself as the strongest advocate of reservation and constitutional rights. Know about the ‘Remove Reservation Movement’… It should be noted that a protest against reservation was held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday, 21 August. A large number of people gathered in the ‘Remove Reservation Movement’. They demanded the implementation of reservation based on economic criteria while opposing the caste-based reservation system. The protesters also demanded changes in some UGC rules and the reservation system. Keeping the movement in view, Delhi Police made tight security arrangements. Some protesters were also taken into custody. Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights