CM’s assembly speech historically significant: Cong min
Trichy: Higher education minister P Viswanathan has defended chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s recent address in the assembly, lauding it as ‘historically significant’. The Congress minister reiterated that Rahul Gandhi is his party’s prime ministerial candidate in the next general elections. “Chief minister’s speech in the assembly is not wrong. He has both the authority and the right to speak. The chief minister’s response was one of the most important speeches in the history of the legislature,” he said. Viswanathan expressed confidence that TVK will win the two constituencies in the upcoming by-elections. To a question on the prime ministerial candidate for the next general elections, Viswanathan said it will be Rahul Gandhi. “I am a Congress worker by birth. Rahul Gandhi will be chosen as the PM candidate of the INDIA alliance. This is the Congress party’s stand,” 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
TN minister reiterates Rahul Gandhi for PM pitch; rules out Vijay as contender
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu minister and Congress leader P Viswanathan on Thursday reiterated that Rahul Gandhi will be the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, saying he would also be projected as the INDIA bloc’s candidate. Viswanathan made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, where he arrived from Chennai en route to Thiruvarur to attend various programmes. Rahul Gandhi remains Congress’ choice Asked who would be the Prime Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc, Viswanathan said there was “no hesitation” in stating the Congress’ position, news agency ANI reported. “I am a Congressperson by birth. Our clear position is that Rahul Gandhi should be the Prime Ministerial candidate. Rahul Gandhi will be chosen as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc,” he said.Responding to a question about Congress MP Manickam Tagore allegedly being hesitant to name Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate, Viswanathan said, “As a Congress minister, I openly declare that Rahul Gandhi is our Prime Ministerial candidate for 2029.” Vijay’s PM pitch dismissed Viswanathan also rejected suggestions that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay could be projected as the Opposition’s Prime Ministerial candidate. He said it was natural for every political party to project its own leader and there was nothing wrong with the Congress putting forward Rahul Gandhi, given the party’s long political history. Viswanathan said the assessment that Vijay could be projected as the PM candidate was incorrect and suggested that Vijay himself could announce Rahul Gandhi’s name. He, however, said it was too early to discuss the issue. Praising Rahul Gandhi’s political journey, Viswanathan said his struggles should be “engraved in golden letters in world history”. Congress hopes Left will join alliance The minister also said the Congress was working with the confidence that the Left parties would join its alliance. His remarks came a day after the TVK-led ruling alliance formally adopted the name “Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance” at a meeting of its constituent parties at the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur. 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
Cong lines up Rahul, Priyanka, Kharge for poll rallies
Dehradun: With assembly elections just months away, Congress has intensified its outreach in Uttarakhand. Building on recent high-profile visits by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and state incharge Kumari Selja, the party is preparing a fresh wave of public rallies featuring prominent national leaders through Sept and Oct. According to party insiders, the upcoming schedule features targeted public meetings across regions, with Rahul Gandhi slated to address a rally in Kumaon region, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Garhwal, and Mallikarjun Kharge in Roorkee. The state unit confirmed that final dates and official announcements will be released once formal approval is received from the high command. Speaking on the party’s election momentum, Congress state chief spokesperson Garima Dasauni noted that continuous engagement is already underway. “A comprehensive lineup of programmes is being coordinated from Sept 15 to Oct 15. State Congress unit is planning political rallies and events continuously leading up to the elections,” Dasauni said. The state leadership emphasised that these upcoming events form part of a broader, structured roadmap designed to keep the momentum high in the run-up to the polls. Kautilya Singh 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
Pawan Khera attacks AAP govt over Dalit man’s death, hasty cremation
Congress Slams AAP Government Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the death and hasty cremation of Gulzar Singh, a 42-year-old Dalit labourer from Sangrur district. Criticising the ruling party in Punjab for alleged high-handedness and constitutional overreach, Khera, in a post on X, condemned the denial of dignity to the victim’s family. “The forcible cremation of Gulzar Singh Ji’s body under heavy police deployment — and without the family’s consent — under the AAP regime in Punjab is deeply disturbing,” he said. Gulzar Singh, a member of the Valmiki community, died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment, intimidation, and threats from local party affiliates. This followed a public encounter where Singh confronted Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the unchecked drug menace that had affected his own son. Khera explicitly drew parallels between the Punjab incident and the September 2020 Hathras case in Uttar Pradesh, where the state police similarly cremated a 19-year-old Dalit victim’s body late at night without the family’s consent or presence. “It is a chilling reminder of September 2020, when the Uttar Pradesh Police hastily cremated the body of the 19-year-old Dalit rape victim from Hathras in the dead of night, without her family’s presence or consent,” added Khera. The forcible cremation of Gulzar Singh Ji’s body under heavy police deployment – and without the family’s consent – under the AAP regime in Punjab is deeply disturbing. It is a chilling reminder of September 2020, when the Uttar Pradesh Police hastily cremated the body of the… pic.twitter.com/NDgnz5fBTG — Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 ಪವನ್ ಖೇರಾ (@Pawankhera) September 9, 2026 Following Singh’s death, his family members alleged that police and administrative officials forcibly conducted his final rites under heavy security deployment, denying the grieving family their right to perform traditional last rites or bid a proper farewell. “Denying a grieving family even the basic dignity of deciding how and when their loved one’s last rites are performed – or even the final chance to see their loved one – is an inhuman abuse of state power. With this, the AAP has made one thing abundantly clear: It is just English medium BJP,” he added. Rahul Gandhi Demands Minister’s Resignation Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday also slammed the AAP government in Punjab. In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that Singh was tormented, humiliated, and ultimately driven to suicide after he publicly questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the unchecked drug menace that had impacted his own son. He demanded immediate action in the Gulzar Singh case, calling for the resignation of the Punjab Finance Minister and an independent, impartial and time-bound investigation, saying that “anything less is eyewash.” “The people of Punjab, and especially the Dalits, should become vigilant regarding the misuse of power by the AAP government. Listen to what happened to Gulzar Singh Ji, who belonged to the Valmiki community, in his final days—hear it straight from the mouths of his family, his mother, his wife, and his brother. They tormented him in life, and even in death, they are dishonouring Gulzar Singh Ji. The grieving family members themselves are saying that even his right to traditional last rites was snatched away from them”, he said. Background of Gulzar Singh’s Death 46-year-old Gulzar Singh allegedly died after consuming poison shortly after publicly questioning Harpal Singh Cheema about the illicit drug trade. Gulzar Singh, whose son is allegedly struggling with severe drug addiction, had raised concerns with the minister about the easy availability of synthetic drugs, locally known as chitta, in the area. Following the interaction, Gulzar Singh allegedly faced harassment and pressure from local leaders and panchayat members to publicly apologise for questioning the minister. He allegedly consumed poison and passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ludhiana. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianetnews Editorial 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
Adopting the color blue won’t win Dalit votes: Om Prakash
Ambedkar Nagar. District in-charge minister and Subhaspa president Om Prakash Rajbhar once again launched a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday. Speaking at the Circuit House on Baskhari Road, he said that merely adopting the color blue won’t win Dalit votes. Regarding the formation of the Rashtriya Suheldev Sena, he said he has been running the army for 24 years. According to him, the organization has 100,000 soldiers and 21,000 commanders, each with a distinct uniform. Taking aim at the SP’s dress code, Rajbhar said that the color blue wasn’t the SP’s creation. The BSP and he have been using this color for a long time. He sarcastically said that the SP is now copying the color. He said that Akhilesh Yadav changes his formula daily and is also repeatedly changing the PDA. He said, “In the PDA, you lost the first time with the P, you lost the second time with the D, and you will lose again this time with the A.” Rajbhar also accused Akhilesh Yadav of ignoring Dalit interests. He said that reservations in promotions were abolished and schemes named after great men were discontinued. He also alleged that districts named after Kanshi Ram and Baba Saheb were renamed. Courtesy: Hindi News
Searing questions that Mallikarjun Kharge saga throws up over Dalit rights, law
Justice Madan Lokur says the ritual is a cognisable offence as delayed police action and the FIR against Rahul Gandhi raise concerns over Uttarakhand policing In Indian law is it a crime to conduct a shuddhikaran at a site where a Dalit leader has just held a rally? Is the filing of an FIR necessary? Can the organisers of the shuddhikaran really claim they were only responding to slogans they deemed inappropriate and not Mallikarjun Kharge? And what about the FIR against Rahul Gandhi accusing him of promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings? Is that justified? Or ludicrous? Finally, what does all of this tell us about the Uttarakhand government’s attitude to crimes against Dalits and the way it enforces the law, which it’s sworn to uphold? These are some of the questions that underlie the shuddhikaran saga that haven’t been addressed adequately. It’s possible they haven’t been asked of the right people. I want today to focus on what I, at least, believe are the right answers. Justice Madan Lokur, one of our finest former Supreme Court judges, says a shuddhikaran at the Haldwani Ramlila Maidan, days after Kharge’s rally, was definitely a crime under Indian law. It’s a cognisable offence. Justice Lokur adds that under the applicable Act, if a public servant — and that includes police officers — fails to respond, he too will be deemed complicit in the crime. So, then, what should we make of the refusal of the Uttarakhand government to register an FIR for almost a month? Of course, they were wrong not to. But consider the explanations given. The organisers of the shuddhikaran, the Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan, claim it wasn’t targeted at Kharge but to counter-slogans raised by Congress members during the rally and a previous statement by Kharge comparing the BJP and RSS to a poisonous snake. Does that argument carry weight? Even if true, Kharge is still the target. He stands at the core of these explanations. Mahendra Bhatt, the BJP Uttarakhand chief, defends the shuddhikaran on the grounds that the venue had been polluted by slogans that were not appropriate for a religious place. But the Ramlila Maidan is not a religious place. It’s a public venue. Surely, this defence has little value unless, of course, it was a hint to the police how to respond. The chief minister of Uttarakhand claims the people of his state are not aware of Kharge’s caste. In other words, they don’t know he’s a Dalit and can’t be accused of untouchability. Can we really believe that? And is ignorance a defence? Let’s now come to the bizarre twist this story has taken. Whilst delaying registering an FIR against those who conducted the shuddhikaran, an FIR was registered against Rahul, on the complaint of a certain Amit Kumar, a Scheduled Caste member, who’s claimed his sentiments were hurt by the Congress leader’s characterisation of the shuddhikaran as an act of untouchability. The FIR accuses Rahul of promoting enmity on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and giving false information to mislead a public servant. Let me ask you bluntly: do you believe Rahul Gandhi is guilty of any of this? I certainly don’t. T.C. Manjunath, the senior superintendent of police in Nainital, has said: “Amit Kumar submitted all the required evidence to substantiate his allegations, following which an FIR has been registered.” What possible evidence could there be? As Justice Lokur puts it, this is a classic instance of turning the law on its head. I can’t resist the feeling the Uttarakhand police have not acted of their own volition but were directed by the BJP government to file the FIR. On their own I doubt they would have done it. And that raises a significant question. If a shuddhikaran can be held when someone as senior as Kharge makes a speech at a rally and no action is taken for nearly 30 days, what does this tell us about the Uttarakhand government’s attitude to crimes against Dalits? And what does it say of the way it enforces the law, which it’s sworn to do? Think carefully before you answer. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the key issue in this sorry tale. Karan Thapar Courtesy : The Telegraph Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetelegraph.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
SP to Increase Focus on Dalit Voters Ahead of UP Elections, Plans to Hold ‘Save the Constitution, PDA Jan Panchayats’ in the State
Ahead of the UP Assembly elections, the SP has further increased its focus on reserved seats. The party will organize ‘Save the Constitution, PDA Jan Panchayats’ in all reserved seats across the state. SP Focuses on Dalit Voters Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party, which is preparing for the assembly elections, has further increased its focus on reserved assembly seats. After launching the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha uniform, the party will now organize ‘Save the Constitution, PDA Jan Panchayats’ in all reserved assembly seats across the state. The responsibility for this has been assigned to Samajwadi Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini, the SP’s frontal wing. It will organize ‘Save the Constitution, PDA Jan Panchayats’ in Aurai in Bhadohi, Ajgara in Varanasi, and Chakia in Chandauli on September 12, 13, and 14. The campaign will then be expanded to Dalit-dominated general constituencies. Focus on Dalit-dominated settlements The party leadership believes that strengthening the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) social equation can increase its reach among the Dalit community. As part of this strategy, issues such as the Constitution, social justice, and reservation will be prominently raised in the Jan Panchayats. According to party sources, the Samajwadi Party is preparing to field Dalit candidates in approximately 100 seats in the upcoming assembly elections. The Samajwadi Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini is continuously organizing programs among Dalit voters and strengthening the party at the booth level. The Vahini will organize Save the Constitution PDA Jan Panchayats in all reserved and Dalit-dominated constituencies. Programs for this are ongoing. Why the emphasis on reserved seats? There are approximately 84 assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes in the state. Dalit voters directly play a decisive role in elections in these seats. The SP will first take the message of “Save the Constitution” and “Save Reservation” to these seats to increase its acceptance among Dalit voters. By handing over the campaign to the Samajwadi Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini, the party has clearly indicated that it is prioritizing Dalit leaders, rather than Yadav leaders, to reach out to the Dalit community. This will send a message that the party wants to give representation to Dalit leadership. Edited by: Prashant Singh About the Author Prashant Singh is a consultant writer at Navbharat Times Online. He has 1.5 years of experience in journalism. He is currently part of the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand teams. Previously, he covered news in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Goa, and the Northeast. Courtesy: Hindi News
AICC pleased with Revanth Reddy’s stand on Dalit issue
Hyderabad: The Congress high command is learnt to be pleased with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s handling of the recent controversy involving Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, with the issue also fitting into the party’s larger national campaign on Dalit dignity and social justice. According to party sources, the AICC leadership has taken positive note of the Chief Minister’s response and has conveyed its appreciation to the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. AICC Incharge Meenakshi Natrajan too reportedly spoke to TPCC Mahesh Kumar Goud. Congress leaders are also said to have received encouraging feedback from Dalit organisations and sections of the community following the developments. The controversy began after BRS MLCs Tata Madhusudhan and Naveen Kumar Reddy were accused of making derogatory remarks against Gaddam Prasad Kumar, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. The two leaders were subsequently arrested, though a Hyderabad court rejected their remand and they were released on bail. The political row intensified after Congress workers organised a “Chaavu Dappu” protest near former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s Erravelli farmhouse. BRS workers were subsequently accused of conducting a “purification” ritual at the site after the protest. The Congress described the act as an insult to Dalits, while the BRS disputed the Congress version of events. Revanth Reddy strongly backed Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar in the Assembly and announced a comprehensive investigation into the episode. The Telangana episode comes at a time when Congress is already raising a similar controversy involving its national president Mallikarjun Kharge. After Kharge, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, addressed a rally at Ramlila Ground in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, on August 8, a ritual was subsequently conducted at the venue. Congress alleged that it was a “purification” exercise carried out because Kharge had addressed the gathering there. The controversy has since become a national political issue, with an FIR being registered under provisions including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Against this backdrop, Congress leaders see Revanth Reddy’s response in Telangana as strengthening the party’s wider political narrative on Dalit dignity. The development also adds to what Congress has been projecting as its Telangana model of social justice. The Revanth Reddy government conducted a comprehensive caste survey covering around 97 per cent of the state’s population. Telangana has also enacted legislation for sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes, dividing 59 SC communities into three groups for the distribution of reservation benefits. With the BC caste survey, SC sub-categorisation and now the government’s stand in the latest Dalit controversy, Congress is seeking to present Telangana nationally as an example of its social justice agenda. For the AICC, the latest episode is learnt to have further strengthened that political pitch, with Revanth Reddy’s handling of the issue receiving positive feedback from the party leadership. By Naveena Ghanate Courtesy : Telugu 360 Note: This news is originally published on https:/telugu360.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Telangana Congress leaders urge Governor to protect self-respect of Dalits, women
The ministers also said that September 8, 2026, was a dark day in history. BRS MLCs Tata Madhu and Naveen Reddy targeted Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, hurting the entire Dalit community. HYDERABAD: A delegation of Congress leaders, led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, on Wednesday called on Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and submitted a memorandum, requesting him to protect the self-respect of Dalits and women. The delegation, which also comprised other ministers, met the Governor in the wake of “purification” of roads near KCR’s Erravalli farmhouse. They sought the intervention of the Governor in protecting the dignity, safety and self-respect of Dalits and women. The ministers also said that September 8, 2026, was a dark day in history. It was the day when BRS MLCs Tata Madhu and Naveen Reddy targeted and humiliated Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, hurting the entire Dalit community. “BRS MLA T Harish Rao first removed his shirt, followed by several others, and threw it at police officers, before pressing forward, touching and coming unacceptably close to women police personnel on duty,” they informed the Governor, while alleging that several BRS leaders, led by party’s working president KT Rama Rao, assaulted police personnel, including women officers. 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
Centre’s ED tactic will not cow us: Karnataka Congress leaders
KPCC president BK Hariprasad said the raids are a blatant misuse of central investigative agencies for political vendetta. BENGALURU: Extending support to PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, cabinet ministers and senior Congress leaders have launched a sharp attack on the Union government, accusing it of using central agencies, including the CBI, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED), as political puppets. Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the ED raids on Jarkiholi and his family were politically motivated. He pointed to the ED’s track record, stating that between 2015-16 and February 2025, it registered 193 cases against political leaders and those affiliated with opposition parties, but secured only two convictions. He questioned whether the agencies were genuinely fighting corruption or being used as political weapons. “Raids, summons, arrests, primetime headlines and political mudslinging and after nearly a decade? Just two convictions,’’ he posted on X. Minister T Raghumurthy said central investigative agencies are increasingly being weaponised against leaders of political parties opposed to the BJP. KPCC president BK Hariprasad said the raids are a blatant misuse of central investigative agencies for political vendetta. “This is nothing new for us as since 2014, targeting Congress leaders has been a regular feature of the incompetent central government. The message is clear: opposition leaders are targeted, raided and harassed, while the ruling establishment remains untouched. The ED must be an institution of law, not a puppet of the Central government,’’ he said. AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said the politically motivated witch hunt unleashed by the Modi government against Congress leaders is a stale story that will never deter or intimidate them. “Over the last three years, the list of witch hunts by a decisively decimated BJP/Janata Dal tells its own tale. There was ED raid on (Chief Minister) DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh, former CM Siddaramaiah, DCM G Parameshwara, minister Zameer Ahmed, MP Tukaram, MLA NA Haris and others. All this while sanction for prosecution against Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, BJP leader MP Renukacharya and MLA Janardhan Reddy remains pending before the Governor,’’ he said. 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