BCs must unite to fight for social justice, says TPCC chief
Hyderabad: Telangana Congress president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Saturday emphasised the urgent need for unity among all Backward Classes (BCs) in the state. He stated that the time has come for these communities to rise above political boundaries and assert their rightful share in politics and all other sectors of society. Speaking at the launch of the book ‘OBC Porubata’ at Gandhi Bhavan, he pointed out the historical marginalisation of BCs, who, he said, had long been treated merely as vote banks. “Today, the BCs are demanding justice, representation, and their rightful share across all sectors,” he said. “BCs, SCs and STs represent 55% of the state cabinet led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy. Also, these communities, apart from minorities, represent 68% in the composition of vice presidents and general secretaries of the TPCC,” Goud said. Crediting Congress’ commitment to social justice, he cited the Centre’s decision to conduct a nationwide caste census as a major political milestone. “Telangana has become a national model by implementing the caste-based survey in a transparent and scientific manner under the leadership of chief minister Revanth Reddy, despite him being from the OC category,” Goud said. He highlighted that the very concept of the caste survey stemmed from Rahul Gandhi’s vision during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which helped him understand ground realities across India. A detailed presentation on the Telangana caste survey was earlier made to over 450 Congress representatives, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi by both Mahesh Goud himself, and later by chief minister Revanth. As per the Congress Kamareddy Declaration during the 2023 assembly polls, the current govt legislated 42% reservations for OBCs in education, employment, and political representation. “The BJP-led Central govt, which earlier opposed the caste census, has now announced its intention to conduct one alongside the general census—reflecting the impact of the Congress’ push for social justice,” he said. The TPCC chief urged BC communities to unite in pressing for legal backing of the BC bills and its inclusion in the IX Schedule of the Constitution. “The movement for the BC bill must transcend caste divisions and be driven by a collective spirit for equity and justice,” he added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Which way will Bihar’s Dalit politics turn, tussle between Manjhi-Chirag, what is the plan of RJD-Congress?
There are 19 percent Dalit votes in Bihar. 38 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. All parties are eyeing this vote bank. So far three Dalit leaders have become CM in Bihar. The bugle for Bihar Assembly Election has been blown. Parties have started laying their respective chessboards. All eyes are on the Dalit vote bank. NDA and India Alliance are constantly engaged in wooing 19 percent vote bank of Bihar. Path of non-cooperation in NDA Union Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan are taking the path of non-cooperation regarding Dalit politics in NDA. Both of them took different paths on the Supreme Court’s decision to deprive the creamy layer from the facility of reservation. Manjhi was seen with the decision of the Supreme Court Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was seen with the decision of the Supreme Court. He called it a decision in the interest of Dalits. He said that this decision should have come ten years ago. Today, the same people who took advantage of it for 76 years are against the decision on reservation. He said that why only four castes are taking advantage of reservation for the last 76 years? Till date, how many IAS-IPS have been made from castes like Bhuiyan, Musahar, Mehatar. How many Chief Engineers are there from these castes. The literacy rate of these castes is still very low. There should be no division in the facility of reservation: Chirag LJP (R) chief Chirag Paswan said that he does not want any division in the facility of reservation. He said that people from the creamy layer should not be deprived of the facility of reservation. Chirag said that an environment should be created for them to voluntarily give up reservation. Taunting Chirag’s rally Jitan Ram Manjhi has indirectly taunted Chirag Paswan’s rally held in Ara recently. Manjhi said that leaders who are really strong do not need to speak much. Weak people often pretend and speak more. Manjhi said that our party stands strongly with the NDA. Congress made Dalit Rajesh Ram the state president Since the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi has been constantly talking about social justice and caste survey. He is looking for a way to bring back Congress in Bihar with the help of Dalit and backward politics. Recently, during his Bihar tour, he also interacted with Dalits and backward classes. He also went to Patna to watch the film Phule based on the life of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule. There was a lot of uproar over this. Earlier, former Union Minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who belonged to the Bhumihar caste, was removed from the post of Bihar Congress state president. Then the reins of Bihar Congress were handed over to Rajesh Kumar, a two-time MLA from the Dalit community. Congress has a strong legacy of Dalit politics in Bihar. Babu Jagjivan Ram was once the Dalit face of the Congress. Rajesh Ram’s father, former minister Dilkeshwar Ram, has also been a big Dalit face in Bihar. Rajesh Ram had contested from Kutumba seat in 2015 against Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son and HAM (Secular) chief Santosh. Manjhi was defeated in the election. In 2020 also, he defeated the candidate of Hindustani Awam Morcha. Rajesh Ram is also the Deputy Chief Whip of Congress in Bihar Legislative Assembly. Lalu’s birthday, RJD fed cake to Dalits RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav celebrated his 78th birthday on Wednesday. Party workers organized a feast in Dalit Basti on this occasion. Distributed books, copies and pens among Dalit children. Cut cake in Dalit settlements. Actually, all this exercise is on 19 percent Dalit vote bank in Bihar. This time RJD is trying its best to get OBC, minorities as well as Dalits in its camp to gain power. Attempt to capture 38 reserved seats There are a total of 243 seats in Bihar Legislative Assembly. 38 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. Dalits have the power to make and break the government. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, NDA won 21 out of 38 seats, while the Grand Alliance won 17 seats. JDU’s Dalit-Mahadalit politics Earlier, there were 22 castes in the Dalit community in Bihar, but in 2005, Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar. To manage the vote bank and to counter Ram Vilas Paswan’s Dalit politics, he divided the Dalits into two castes. Out of 22, he included 21 castes in Mahadalit, while he kept the Paswan caste in the Dalit category. Nitish Kumar’s social engineering in the last 20 years revolved around non-Yadav OBCs and Mahadalits. From time to time, he also got the support of the upper castes, but Nitish suffered a major setback in the last assembly elections. JDU won only 8 seats in the SC category. JDU is once again engaged in Dalit politics. All three Dalit CMs proved to be useless Dalits have always been used as vote bank in Bihar. Three Dalit leaders have become CM of Bihar so far, but all three proved to be useless. Congress leader Bhola Paswan Shastri became the first Dalit CM of Bihar. He became CM of Bihar thrice. He was also a minister at the center. After Bhola, Ram Sundar Das became the Dalit CM of Bihar. Jitan Ram Manjhi, who comes from the Dalit community, also became the CM of the state. All three leaders could not leave any special impact Courtesy : Hindi News
I will not join BJP, nor will it accept me: Lakshman Singh
Bhopal: Former Congress MLA Lakshman Singh, who was expelled from the party on Wednesday, said he received a phone call and was asked to write that Rahul Gandhi would be Prime Minister. “I got a phone call and was asked to give in writing that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister, then my expulsion would be stopped. I refused,” he said, speaking to reporters in Guna on Thursday. “Since I did not agree to write that, I was expelled from the party. Only those who say that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister can remain in the Congress party. I cannot do that,” he said, explaining his expulsion from the party. Lakshman Singh, who joined the BJP in late 2003 and contested as a party candidate from Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2004 Parliamentary elections, said, “Neither will I go to join the BJP and nor will the BJP accept me.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit hostel row: Samrat slams Rahul over ‘baseless’ charges
Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Friday lashed out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his June 10 letter to PM Narendra Modi. In the letter, Rahul alleged poor conditions in Ambedkar hostels and delays in scholarships for Dalit and EBC students in Bihar. Samrat responded by stating that the state govt had disbursed Rs 4.7 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT) in 2024-25, providing Rs 4,000 per month in scholarships to Dalit students. Rahul, citing his May 15 visit to the Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, claimed that six to seven students were cramped into each room and the hostel suffered from filthy toilets, unsafe drinking water, poor food quality and a lack of educational resources. He also alleged that no student had received a scholarship in 2021-22. Dismissing these claims, the Choudhary said the allegations were “baseless and prejudiced”, accusing Rahul of misleading the public and engaging in “politics of spreading discontent”. Invoking the legacy of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, Choudhary said, “The Gandhi family, which once sent Karpoori Thakur to jail, is now questioning the hostel named in his honour. Congress has never respected the backward-Dalits and has always opposed reservation. The NDA govt is working for these sections of society.” He added that any deficiencies found in hostels for Dalit and EBC students were promptly addressed. “Hostel residents also achieve success in competitive exams by taking advantage of the peaceful environment and high-quality facilities,” he said. Choudhary detailed the state’s efforts, citing the existence of 100 Jananayak Karpoori Thakur hostels, 100 OBC welfare hostels and 39 OBC girls’ residential +2 schools equipped with libraries, smart classrooms, TV sets, CCTV, sanitary napkin vending machines, generators, computer labs, biometric devices, medical check-up facilities and messes. He said hostel grants had been provided up to April and food distribution would continue till March 2025. Regular inspections and necessary repairs were carried out, he added. Choudhary, who also oversees the finance portfolio, said Rs 321 lakh had been sanctioned in 2025 for the repair, painting, water supply and electrification of Karpoori hostels. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Lalu Prasad faces backlash over viral video showing Ambedkar portrait near his feet in Bihar
BJP’s Dalit leader and minister Janak Ram asked that the entire family of Lalu Prasad should tender an apology for the incident as 14 crore people of Bihar were feeling ashamed of it. PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad was caught in the thick of controversy after a video allegedly showing him having a portrait of the Dalit icon Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar placed at his feet, went viral on social media on Saturday. In the video, Lalu is seen seated on a couch with his feet placed on a sofa nearby as a supporter enters the room carrying the portrait of Ambedkar, and places it close to former’s feet before greeting him. Bihar deputy chief minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary also shared a video clip of the incident that happened when the former CM was celebrating his 78th birthday earlier this week. “This is testimony to the fact that Lalu Prasad holds Dalits in contempt and has no respect for the greatest leader from the depressed classes. He can have even pictures of Gods placed at his feet,” alleged Choudhary. Lalu’s old associates like Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes also left him due to his arrogance as voters from the weaker sections also got alienated from him due to the same reason, deputy chief minister added. Reacting sharply to Choudhary’ allegations, Lalu’s son younger and former deputy chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav said, “Lalu Prasad Yadav has installed many statues of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Bihar. We are the people who believe in Ambedkar’s ideology. Lalu Yadav works for 10 hours at the age of 78 and meets people. “These (BJP) people have nothing to do with Baba Saheb, the Constitution and reservation,” he added. On the other hand, BJP’s Dalit leader and minister Janak Ram asked that the entire family of Lalu Prasad should tender an apology for the incident as 14 crore people of Bihar were feeling ashamed of it. “The leader (Lalu) cuts a cake with a sword which indicates that his party wants to bring back the use of muscle power in public life,” he remarked. He claimed that people of Bihar were watching the RJD supremo’s action closely and they would give him a befitting reply at appropriate time. Courtesy : Ramashankar, TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
“Kejriwal, who used to wear chappals, now flies in a helicopter”: Former CM Channi accuses AAP of being anti-Dalit
Former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi accused Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal of being anti-Dalit and poor, said – “Distance from programs like Kabir Jayanti insulted the society” Ludhiana: Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has made a serious allegation against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of being anti-Dalit and anti-poor. He said that despite the promise made before the 2022 assembly elections, the party did not make a single Dalit leader the Deputy Chief Minister. Channi, referring to the Kabir Jayanti program organized in Jalandhar on Wednesday, said that both Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal were present there but did not attend the program. Channi alleged, “The program was in the memory of Guru Kabir and was located just three kilometers away, but both the leaders returned after spending time in a nearby factory.” He said that when the Congress government was in power, Kabir Bhawan was built in Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 12 crore. But the current AAP government is neglecting such religious and social places. The machines bought by the Congress government for cleaning the Sarovar of Lord Valmiki Tirtha in Amritsar have not been used till now. Channi said that the plan of a research centre based on the life of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar at a cost of Rs 100 crore has also been ignored by the AAP government. This centre was to be built in the Technical University of Kapurthala. The former Chief Minister claimed that during his tenure, he had handed over a cheque of Rs 25 crore for a study centre based on the teachings of Guru Ravidas ji at Dera Sachkhand Ballan. But Arvind Kejriwal took back that cheque. He said, “Now before the Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal and Mann again reached the Dera with the same cheque, but the amount has not been released yet.” Channi also alleged that before the elections, women were made to fill forms by promising them Rs 1,000 every month, but even after 40 months, no one received the amount. Courtesy : Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News
Dalit hostel row: Samrat Choudhary slams Rahul over ‘baseless’ charges
PATNA: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Friday lashed out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his June 10 letter to PM Narendra Modi. In the letter, Rahul alleged poor conditions in Ambedkar hostels and delays in scholarships for Dalit and EBC students in Bihar.Samrat responded by stating that the state govt had disbursed Rs 4.7 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT) in 2024-25, providing Rs 4,000 per month in scholarships to Dalit students. Rahul, citing his May 15 visit to the Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, claimed that six to seven students were cramped into each room and the hostel suffered from filthy toilets, unsafe drinking water, poor food quality and a lack of educational resources. He also alleged that no student had received a scholarship in 2021-22. Dismissing these claims, the Choudhary said the allegations were “baseless and prejudiced”, accusing Rahul of misleading the public and engaging in “politics of spreading discontent”. Invoking the legacy of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, Choudhary said, “The Gandhi family, which once sent Karpoori Thakur to jail, is now questioning the hostel named in his honour. Congress has never respected the backward-Dalits and has always opposed reservation. The NDA govt is working for these sections of society.” He added that any deficiencies found in hostels for Dalit and EBC students were promptly addressed. “Hostel residents also achieve success in competitive exams by taking advantage of the peaceful environment and high-quality facilities,” he said. Choudhary detailed the state’s efforts, citing the existence of 100 Jananayak Karpoori Thakur hostels, 100 OBC welfare hostels and 39 OBC girls’ residential +2 schools equipped with libraries, smart classrooms, TV sets, CCTV, sanitary napkin vending machines, generators, computer labs, biometric devices, medical check-up facilities and messes. He said hostel grants had been provided up to April and food distribution would continue till March 2025. Regular inspections and necessary repairs were carried out, he added. Choudhary, who also oversees the finance portfolio, said Rs 321 lakh had been sanctioned in 2025 for the repair, painting, water supply and electrification of Karpoori hostels. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Even Congress does not take Rahul Gandhi seriously: Gadkari
Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying nobody takes him seriously. Gadkari was replying to a query on Gandhi’s letter to PM Narendra Modi and said, “Many people write to the PM. Don’t take Rahul seriously, even Congress party does not take him seriously.” On June 10, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha had written a letter to PM Modi raising concerns related to students from marginalized communities. Gadkari was addressing the media in Nagpur on the completion of 11 years of Modi government. Post Operation Sindoor, national security issue has come to the fore and Gadkari was asked about plans to build highways along the country’s border with the capability to handle landing and take-off for fighter jets. “We have built 28 such highways where planes can land and take-off. In Rajasthan, we have 300-400km of desert and there too we have constructed roads like this. So, we have done it (building roads) from a security point of view,” said Gadkari. There was speculation in the media about 33% reservation for women in Parliament being implemented ahead of Lok Sabha 2029, and Gadkari said, “We are committed to ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and we will do it.” But he did not make comments on the timeline. Speaking about the govt’s achievements, Gadkari said, “What we were able to do in the last 11 years, could not be achieved in 60 years. Before 2014, there were only five cities which had metro train services. But now it’s almost two dozen. The number of AIIMS has also increased substantially.” Gadkari said the Narendra Modi-led govt has taken major strides in overall development of the country. Gadkari said, “You look at North-East, Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, everywhere we have constructed a wide network of roads. In NE, we have constructed major bridges which has helped in ease of transportation.” He said having a strong road network, combined with fuel-efficient policies, will help to reduce logistics costs. “If we reduce our logistics costs then India can become very competitive in the export sector,” said Gadkari. The Union minister also talked about alignment of greenfield expressways, which is aimed at reducing travel time. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
I will not join BJP, nor will it accept me: Lakshman Singh
Bhopal: Former Congress MLA Lakshman Singh, who was expelled from the party on Wednesday, said he received a phone call and was asked to write that Rahul Gandhi would be Prime Minister. “I got a phone call and was asked to give in writing that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister, then my expulsion would be stopped. I refused,” he said, speaking to reporters in Guna on Thursday. “Since I did not agree to write that, I was expelled from the party. Only those who say that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister can remain in the Congress party. I cannot do that,” he said, explaining his expulsion from the party. Lakshman Singh, who joined the BJP in late 2003 and contested as a party candidate from Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2004 Parliamentary elections, said, “Neither will I go to join the BJP and nor will the BJP accept me.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Channi slams Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal as ‘anti-Dalit’
Ludhiana: Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi claimed that both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Arvind Kejriwal were anti-Dalit and poor people. Referring to the party not appointing a Dalit deputy chief minister, as promised before the 2022 assembly elections, Channi claimed that CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal did not participate in the programmes organised in the memory of Dalit gurus. Channi said that Kejriwal projected himself as a common man by wearing slippers and travelling in auto-rickshaws, but soon after coming to power, he started travelling in helicopters and staying in luxury hotels. On Wednesday, Channi said, a government programme was organised in Jalandhar on the occasion of Kabir Jayanti and both Mann and Kejriwal were supposed to attend it. However, he claimed that despite being in Jalandhar, both returned without attending the event. He added that Kejriwal and Mann spent time in a friend’s factory after inaugurating a park located about three kilometres from the Kabir Jayanti programme venue. He also said that the Kabir Bhawan was constructed during the Congress government at a cost of Rs 12 crore. Channi claimed that the AAP government did not pay attention to cleaning of the sarovar at the Bhagwan Valmiki Teerth in Amritsar, which, had been made using the machinery procured by the Congress government at expense of crores. The former CM said that the AAP government did not implement the project of building a research centre on the life of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar for Rs 100 crore at the Technical University in Kapurthala. He claimed that during his tenure as CM, he presented a cheque of Rs 25 crore to the Dera Sachkhand Ballan management to build a study centre devoted to Guru Ravidas’s teachings at Dera Ballan, the holy place of Guru Ravidas. Channi alleged that the cheque was taken back by Kejriwal. On the eve of Lok Sabha elections, Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann reached the dera to present the same cheque but the amount of Rs 25 crore has not been released to the dera so far, he claimed. “I genuinely want to ask CM Mann and Kejriwal what their issues are with poor and Dalit people,” Channi asked. He said that before the assembly elections, votes were collected by filling forms promising to give Rs 1,000 per month to women but after 40 months, women had not received anything. MSID:: 121804320 413 | Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.