Were Hindu and Dalit homes demolished in Malavani to “polarize votes”? Mumbai Congress levels serious allegations against BJP
Conspiracy to polarize ahead of BMC elections? Sachin Sawant claims families living there for 25 years were rendered homeless by branding them Rohingyas Mumbai: The Mumbai Congress on Monday leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the ruling party destroyed the homes of poor families in the Malavani area of Malad for political gain. The Congress claims that in an action taken earlier this month, the homes of several Hindu and Dalit families were demolished on the false accusation that they were Rohingyas or Bangladeshis living illegally in India. Describing the BJP’s claims as fabricated Addressing a press conference on Monday evening, Mumbai Congress chief spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “The BJP’s allegation that the residents of Malvani are Rohingyas or Bangladeshis is completely fabricated.” To prove his point, Sawant also brought with him victims of Hindu and Dalit families whose homes were razed during the campaign. Sawant alleged that the BJP is attempting to polarize voters in view of the upcoming BMC elections. He said that labeling poor families in Malvani as foreigners is a deliberate conspiracy to target a particular community for political gain in the elections. Actions were carried out on November 3, 4, and 11. It is noteworthy that the Suburban Collectorate carried out demolitions of slums in Malvani on November 3, 4, and 11. The administration claimed that the residents were illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants. According to the Congress, this action was taken following instructions from BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who is also the co-in-charge guardian minister of Mumbai along with Ashish Shelar. Sawant commented, “Lodha is not the head of the Revenue Department, nor is he the full-time guardian minister, yet he directly ordered officials to demolish the houses.” Allegations of Violation of Supreme Court Rules The Congress leader claimed that this demolition action blatantly violated Supreme Court guidelines. He said, “People were not even given a chance to present their documents. This entire drive should be thoroughly investigated.” The Congress demanded that the officials responsible be immediately suspended and the Governor should dismiss Minister Lodha from the state cabinet. People Living There for 25 Years Sachin Sawant also rejected the BJP’s claim that only “illegal Muslim residents” were evicted during the drive. He pointed out that the homes of Hindus and Dalits living there for the past 25 years were also demolished. Sawant strongly stated, “Denying an opportunity to prove their legitimacy shows that the BJP’s agenda is solely a conspiracy designed to polarize.” The Congress chief spokesperson also alleged that the BJP is specifically targeting Malwani and its MLA, Aslam Shaikh, because he represents a minority community. “As always, they are playing their dirty game of inciting Hindu-Muslim hatred,” he said. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Transgender aspirant seeks BJP ticket for Nagpur civic body elections from Prabhag 23-D
Nagpur: With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections nearing, political activity in Prabhag 23 has intensified after a transgender person, Rani Dhawle, expressed her desire to contest from seat D on a BJP ticket. Dhawle, who claimed to be leader of the transgender community in Nagpur city, said she has been a BJP worker for nearly 15-17 years. The seat matrix for Prabhag 23 has undergone a major reshuffle — A is reserved for SC, B for ST (woman), C for woman, and D is the only general seat. Earlier, in the 2017 polls, 23-C was a general category seat, from where BJP’s Narendra Borkar was elected. Following the reservation changes, senior BJP leader and three-time corporator Borkar has now shifted to the general seat D and plans to contest from the same prabhag. Borkar remains a strong organisational face for the party. The segment also has a history of multi-party representation, with NCP’s lone corporator Duneshwar Pethe previously elected from 23-D. Amid this churn, Rani Dhawle has decided to formally apply for the ticket. Speaking to TOI, Dhawle said she aspired to become Nagpur’s first transgender corporator and ensure rightful representation for the Kinnar Samaj. “Like in case of men and women, Kinnar Samaj too should also get justice,” she said, adding that her candidature was not just a personal ambition but a step toward securing dignity and space for the transgender community in mainstream politics. Dhawle said she has been consistently active in party work and hoped BJP would recognise her contribution. She gave example of Madhu Kinnar, India’s first transgender mayor from Raigadh Municipal Corporation in Chhattisgarh, as her inspiration. “Other states have shown the way. Nagpur should not remain behind. We should also get an opportunity to become Nagar Sevak,” said the 28-year-old Hiwri Nagar resident, who is a matriculate. With BJP yet to begin formal candidate interviews for the civic polls, which are likely to be held in early January, Dhawle’s entry has added a new social dimension to the contest in Prabhag 23-D. She plans to submit her form to BJP city president Dayashankar Tiwari on Monday. The final decision now rests with the party’s internal selection process. 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
BJP MP alleges forced conversion racket targeting transgender community
Amravati (Maharashtra), (PTI) BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Bonde has alleged that a racket is operating in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Yavatmal districts to forcibly convert transgender individuals to Islam. Bonde told reporters here on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion, which has created an atmosphere of fear among the community. Some of the affected individuals reconverted to Hinduism through a ritual at the Kumbh Mela (held earlier this year at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), he said. Bonde said he will inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the issue and demanded immediate police action into the matter. PTI COR CLS GK 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
BJP MP alleges forced conversion racket targeting transgender community in Maharashtra
Bonde told reporters on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion. BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Bonde has alleged that a racket is operating in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Yavatmal districts to forcibly convert transgender individuals to Islam. Bonde told reporters on Saturday that some transgender persons from Amravati approached him with a complaint of forced religious conversion, which has created an atmosphere of fear among the community. Some of the affected individuals reconverted to Hinduism through a ritual at the Kumbh Mela (held earlier this year at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), he said. Bonde said he will inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the issue and demanded immediate police action into the matter. Courtesy : Money Control Note: This news is originally published on https:/moneycontrol.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP’s Anil Bonde Alleges Forced Conversions Of Transgender Persons In Maharashtra
The Rajya Sabha MP claims a network is coercing transgender individuals in Amravati and Yavatmal to convert to Islam, urges urgent police action. Anil Bonde alleges a coercive conversion racket targeting transgender persons in Amravati and Yavatmal. Some affected individuals reportedly reconverted to Hinduism at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Bonde plans to inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and has demanded immediate police action. A BJP Rajya Sabha member has claimed that a racket is forcing transgender persons in Maharashtra’s Amravati and Yavatmal districts to convert to Islam, prompting demands for immediate police action. PTI reported that Anil Bonde told reporters on Saturday that several transgender individuals from Amravati had approached him alleging forced religious conversion, which he said had created fear within the community. Some of those who complained had reconverted to Hinduism through a ritual at the Kumbh Mela held earlier this year in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, he said. According to PTI, Bonde added that he would inform Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the matter and pressed the state government to initiate urgent police action. Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit leader murdered in Sangli, Maharashtra; accused attacked with knife and rod during birthday celebration
Uttam Mohite, president of the Dalit Mahasangh in Sangli, Maharashtra, was stabbed and killed with a knife and rod while celebrating his birthday. One of the attackers also died during the scuffle. Police have registered a murder case and launched an investigation. Digital Desk, New Delhi. Uttam Mohite, president of the Dalit Mahasangh in Sangli, Maharashtra, was stabbed and killed with a knife and rod while celebrating his birthday at his home. According to police, Mohite had a fight with the accused, Ganesh More, before the attack. In fact, the founder of the Dalit Mahasangh in Sangli, Maharashtra, was celebrating his birthday on Tuesday night. Mohite was celebrating his birthday at his home near the Garpir Dargah Chowk area. He was murdered during the celebration. One attacker also died One attacker also died during the incident. According to police, one of the attackers, Shahrukh Rafiq Shaikh (26), was seriously injured during the scuffle. During the scuffle, one of the attackers, Shaikh, sustained a serious knife injury to his thigh, possibly accidentally. He died at a hospital on Wednesday morning. Attack with knives and rods After the guests had left and preparations were complete, some men armed with knives, iron rods, and sticks began abusing Mohite. Fearing for his life, Mohite fled inside his house while being chased by the attackers. The attackers stabbed Mohite multiple times in the stomach and chest and hit him on the head and hands with iron rods and sticks. Mohite was rushed to Sangli Civil Hospital by his nephew, where doctors declared him dead. A police officer said on Wednesday that Mohite and one of the accused, Ganesh More, had a brief altercation during the birthday celebration. Before leaving the venue, More allegedly warned Mohite that he “won’t spare him.” Murder case filed against 8 people Based on a complaint by Mohite’s wife, Jyoti, police have filed a murder case against Indiranagar residents Ganesh More, Satish Lokhande, Shahrukh Shaikh (deceased), Banya alias Yash Londhe, Ajay Ghadge, Jitendra Londhe, Yogesh Shinde, and Sameer Dhole. (With inputs from news agency PTI) BY SHUBHAM TIWARI EDITED BY: SHUBHAM TIWARI Courtesy: Hindi News
Wardha University: Dalit and backward class students suspended for chanting “Sorry Savarkar,” administration says disrespecting “great men”
Following the Left Unity victory in the JNU Students’ Union elections, ten students who chanted slogans at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University have been suspended from the hostel. According to the administration, these students chanted “Sorry-sorry Savarkar, RSS’s little monkey, run Narendra run Narendra,” while the students said they chanted “Bal Narendra-Bal Narendra.” New Delhi: Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University is once again embroiled in controversy. Ten students have been suspended from the hostel for chanting derogatory slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. All of these students belong to Dalit and backward classes. According to the university, these slogans “degraded the dignity of great men.” The matter began when, following the defeat of the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) and the victory of the Left alliance in the JNU student union elections on November 6, some students of Wardha University protested on campus, chanting “Sorry, sorry Savarkar” and “Run Narendra.” Chandan Saroj, a PhD student at the university and associated with the AISF (All India Students Federation), says, “The slogan ‘Sorry, sorry Savarkar’ proved unbearable for the ABVP, which believes in Savarkar’s principles.” The very next day, the ABVP surrounded the university’s administrative building, alleging that a “great man” like Savarkar had been insulted. On November 7, the administration issued show-cause notices to six students (Kaushal Kumar, Karanveer Singh, Brijesh Sonkar, Rakesh Ahirwar, Ashwini Sonkar, and Dhananjay Singh). These students included four Scheduled Caste (SC) and two Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The notice states, “It has come to the notice of the university administration that on the night of November 6, 2025, you unauthorizedly and without informing the administration, gathered students in the university hostel premises, took out a procession, and raised slogans, including slogans derogatory to the dignity of great men. Your actions have affected the academic and peaceful environment of the university and created an atmosphere of unnecessary tension on the campus.” The notice sought an explanation from these students within three days. In a conversation with The Wire Hindi, Dhananjay, associated with the Congress student wing, NSUI, said, “We did not take out a procession. We were just out for a walk. There must have been ten or fifteen of us.” During this, we raised slogans like Inquilab Zindabad, Bhagat Singh Zindabad, Jai Bhim.’ In response to the notice, the students wrote to the Proctor on November 10, ‘With regard to the points mentioned by you, we wish to clarify that we have neither insulted any great man, nor raised any derogatory slogans, nor organised any gathering; the word ‘gathering’ is wrong because we were just a few people walking around.’ But the university administration was not satisfied with this response, and on November 11th, it suspended these six students, along with four others (Dharmendra Kumar, Manish Chaudhary, Satyendra Rai, and Abhijeet Kumar), from their hostel for 14 days. All ten students belong to Dalit and backward communities. The order, issued by Proctor Rakesh Kumar Mishra, states, “These students will be completely prohibited from entering the hostel premises during the period of their suspension.” Even before this order, the university administration had filed an NCR (non-cognizable report) against the six students at the Ramnagar police station on November 10th and demanded police action. The report shows that on November 6th, the university’s Board of Proctors met and reviewed the CCTV footage. The report states, “In the video, some students were heard shouting slogans such as ‘Sorry-Sorry Savarkar, RSS’s little monkey, run Narendra-run Narendra.’” The university has told the police that the students had “insulted and damaged the reputation” of “respectable individuals” by raising slogans against them. However, the suspended students told The Wire Hindi that they did not shout “Bhaag Narendra, Bhaag Narendra,” but “Bal Narendra, Bal Narendra.” To hear ABVP’s side, we contacted Vedika Mishra, the organization’s university unit secretary, but she declined to comment. Speaking to The Wire Hindi, the university’s Registrar, Kader Nawaz Khan, said, “We had to go to the police. The students forced us to. Look at the language of the slogans. Secondly, by shouting slogans until midnight, they spoiled the atmosphere of the hostel. They had not obtained any permission to hold such a rally. An attempt is being made to spoil the atmosphere here.” This action has been taken to stop this very thing.’ When asked whether the slogan ‘Sorry, Sorry Savarkar’ was sufficient for such action, the Registrar said, ‘You must have read the slogan that followed it.’ Does the university administration have any objection to ‘Bhaag Narendra, Bhaag Narendra’? On this issue, the Registrar said, ‘It’s not a matter of liking it or not. It’s a matter of spoiling the academic environment of the university.’ Chandan Saroj says, ‘A repressive atmosphere has developed in the university where no slogan other than ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is tolerated. If a student chants “Jai Bhim,” “Lal Salaam,” or “Jai Samvidhan,” they immediately become the target of the administration. He further adds, “The RSS holds regular shakhas on the Wardha University campus.” While the Registrar claims, “No student organization, regardless of its ideology, can hold rallies, processions, etc. without permission.” When asked whether the RSS holds shakhas on the university campus, the Registrar said, “I will have to verify. I will have to check the records.” When we asked if the university administration was unaware of the RSS shakhas being held on campus, the Registrar said, “I am not saying that… I am not saying whether (the administration) is aware or not. I will have to check the records.” Students explained that the university is located near Nagpur, and the Sangh Parivar’s ideology is dominant in this area. As a result, many students are facing pressure and action. Courtesy: Hindi News
Maharashtra: Dalit Mahasangh chief murdered in Sangli home; eight booked
The incident occurred on Tuesday at midnight when Mohite was celebrating his birthday in his home near Garpir Dargah Chowk area, police said. A group of men armed with knives, iron rods, and sticks started hurling abuses at Mohite after guests left the spot and arrangements were being wrapped up. The founder president of a Dalit outfit was allegedly stabbed to death by eight men in Sangli city when he was celebrating his birthday in his home, a crime suspected to be the fallout of a dispute, police said on Wednesday. The slain leader, identified as Uttam Mohite, 38, was the founder of Dalit Mahasangh. One of the attackers, identified as Shahrukh Rafiq Shaikh (26), suffered a severe injury during the scuffle, leading to his death on Wednesday morning at a hospital, according to police. The incident occurred on Tuesday at midnight when Mohite was celebrating his birthday in his home near Garpir Dargah Chowk area, police said. A group of men armed with knives, iron rods, and sticks started hurling abuses at Mohite after guests left the spot and arrangements were being wrapped up. Sensing danger to his life, Mohite ran inside his home while being chased by attackers. They stabbed Mohite multiple times in the stomach and chest, and hit him on his head and arms with iron rods and sticks. During the scuffle, one of the attackers, Shaikh, sustained a severe stab injury on his thigh, apparently by mistake, police said. Mohite was rushed to the Sangli Civil Hospital by his nephew, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Meanwhile, the attackers carried severely injured Khan to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning, police said. A police official said on Wednesday that Mohite and one of the accused, Ganesh More, had a brief argument during the birthday celebration. Before leaving the venue, More reportedly warned Mohite that he “would not spare” him. Police have registered a case of murder against eight persons, identified as Ganesh More, Satish Lokhande, Shahrukh Shaikh (deceased), Banya alias Yash Londhe, Ajay Ghadge, Jitendra Londhe, Yogesh Shinde, and Sameer Dhole, who are residents of the Indiranagar area, based on a complaint lodged by Mohite’s wife, Jyoti. Edited By: Abhishek Sheoran Courtesy : India TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit, Tribal Women Lose Strongholds as NMC’s 2025 Reservation Draw Reshapes Nagpur’s Civic Map
Nagpur’s civic map has been redrawn once again, with the 2025 Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) reservation draw overturning long-standing caste and gender alignments. While 76 of 151 total seats remain reserved for women, the latest reshuffle has dealt a major blow to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) women leaders who had emerged as powerful local voices since 2017. In the last civic election, 15 seats were reserved for SC (women), giving dalit women a stronghold across north and east Nagpur. But in the new 2025 chart, half of those wards have been rotated to SC (open) or General (women), forcing several sitting corporators out of their constituencies. Among the worst hit are Sneha Nikose (Prabhag 9A, Congress), whose ward is now open, and Shakuntala Parve (Prabhag 20A, BJP), who also loses her SC (women) seat. Veteran corporators like Kanta Rarokar (23A, BJP), Usha Palat (31A), Minakshi Telgote (36A), and Ujwala Bankar (38A) face similar displacements, as their wards shift out of the women’s quota. The change has fractured traditional dalit clusters in Prabhags 5, 7, and 20, once known as SC-ST belts, now replaced by OBC and General category seats. For the first time in two terms, no single SC (women) cluster remains intact in the city’s northern zone — a major setback for grassroots dalit women leadership. In contrast, ST (women) seats remain relatively stable, retaining six of the total 12 ST positions. Congress corporator Asha Uikey (8A) and Jyoti Bhisikar (21A) are expected to retain influence, while the conversion of Prabhag 34B to ST (women) has opened new opportunities for emerging tribal leaders from east Nagpur. Overall, SC representation remains at 30 seats and ST at 12, but the internal balance has shifted sharply. Political observers see this as the end of an era where dalit women leaders enjoyed secure, cluster-based representation. The 2025 elections, they say, will test whether the social and political capital these women built through years of grassroots work can endure beyond the protective boundaries of reservation. Written by TLN Team Courtesy : The Live Nagpur Note: This news is originally published on https:/thelivenagpur.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi attacks Maha govt over ‘land theft’ for Parth Pawar
Rahul Gandhi attacked the Maharashtra govt over a land deal involving Parth Pawar, alleging Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1800 cr was sold for Rs 300 cr. He called it ‘land theft’ by a govt formed through ‘vote theft’. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government after it was reported that Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had acquired government land without allegedly paying stamp duty. He said the government sold Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1,800 crore in Pune’s Koregaon Park area for just Rs 300 crore, calling it “land theft” and alleging the same government came to power through “vote theft.” Gandhi Alleges ‘Land Theft’ by ‘Vote Theft’ Government In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “In Maharashtra, government land worth ₹1800 crore, which was reserved for Dalits, was sold to the minister’s son’s company for just ₹300 crore. On top of that, the stamp duty was also waived – meaning not only is it a robbery, but even a legal stamp of approval on the theft! This is ‘land theft’ by that government, which itself was formed through ‘vote theft’. They know that no matter how much they loot, they will return to power by stealing votes again.” He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence, questioning whether the central government is supporting those who “usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived.” “No regard for democracy, nor for the public, nor for the rights of Dalits. Modi ji, your silence speaks volumes -Are you staying silent for this reason, because your government is propped up by those very looters who usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived?” the post read. A company allegedly owned by the son of the National Congress Party (NCP) chief is facing major allegations over a land deal worth crores. Further, the Inspector General of Registration in Pune has submitted an interim report to the Additional Chief Secretary in Mumbai on the alleged land scam. According to the interim report, a property, allegedly valued as high as 1,800 crore rupees, was sold to a company linked to Parth Pawar for just Rs 300 crore with a nominal stamp duty of only Rs 500, allegedly bypassing proper procedures for government-linked land. Following the submission, one official has been suspended, and the government has ordered a high-level committee to conduct a full investigation into the irregularities and financial losses to the state. The final report from the investigation committee is expected within eight days. (ANI) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : Asianet News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianetnews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights