Anti-Reservation Protest: What Is The Stand Of Dalit Leaders In NDA?
The protesters are demanding that economic criteria, rather than caste, should be given priority in determining eligibility for government assistance and reservation. Paswan said any misunderstanding over reservation could create resentment among a large section of the country’s population. Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday said the government would engage with protesters opposing reservation if their demands were presented in a systematic manner. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, meanwhile, said reservation is a constitutional right and termed the demand to abolish it unconstitutional. The protesters are demanding that economic criteria, rather than caste, should be given priority in determining eligibility for government assistance and reservation. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said any misunderstanding over reservation could create resentment among a large section of the country’s population. On the demand for reservation based on economic criteria, he pointed out that the NDA government has already implemented 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). What Paswan Said About Tejashwi Yadav Asked about RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav extending support to the students’ protest in Patna, Paswan said it was a good thing and was in line with his responsibility as the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly. “It would have been better if Tejashwi Yadav had also been present during the proceedings of the House and raised these issues there,” he said. Paswan said that although belatedly, Yadav was fulfilling his responsibilities as the Leader of the Opposition, which was a positive development. He added that despite being part of the government, he had tried to act as a bridge to ensure that people’s voices reached the government and no one remained unheard. Athawale Says Reservation Cannot Be Abolished At a press conference on Saturday, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said some people were demanding the abolition of reservation, while others were running social media campaigns calling for its removal. He said reservation could not be abolished as it is a constitutional right. Referring to the extension of reservation from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Athawale said there was no merit in demands to scrap the system as it benefits various groups in need. He noted that while untouchability has been prohibited under Article 17 of the Constitution, caste-based discrimination and atrocities against SC communities continue in rural India. “Our stand is very clear. Those who want to abolish reservation should first ensure that the caste system is abolished,” he said. Demand Over Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee Athawale also demanded that the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee should have eight Buddhist trustees instead of the existing arrangement of four Hindus and four Buddhists, with the Gaya district magistrate serving as its ex-officio chairman. The committee functions under the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949, which predates the Constitution of India. “We are not against Hindus or any other religious community, but our demand is that Buddhist places of worship should be managed by Buddhists themselves,” he said. Athawale said he had sought time from Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to discuss the issue and would also meet the governor over the matter. Several Buddhist monks present at the press conference announced that they would observe a five-day hunger strike in Patna’s Gardanibagh area to press for their demands. Courtesy : ABP Live News Note: This news is originally published on https:/abplivenews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“Giving up casteism is the greatest patriotism”: Mayawati rejects Jantar Mantar’s demand for economic reservation, targets Congress
Mayawati says, “Governments should not protect those opposing reservations. Why did Rahul Gandhi remain silent?” Delhi – Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati has sharply reacted to the recent protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. In a statement issued on Sunday, she said that the demand for implementing reservations based on economic grounds, contrary to the reservations provided to SC, ST, and OBC communities in the Constitution, is completely unjustified and in the national interest. Discrimination and Identity Relationship Mayawati wrote in a post on X, “This new demand for implementing reservation based on economic status, raised by some people who recently gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, in protest against the reservations provided to SC, ST, and OBC communities in the Constitution, is not at all justified or in the national interest. They should not do anything regarding reservation that would undermine the constitutional mandate of building an egalitarian society, a developed, and respected country.” As for providing reservation based on economic status, the central and state governments spend significant public funds every year on not just one but numerous poverty alleviation programs. However, if the people of the country do not receive the full benefits due to rampant corruption, then this is a direct fault of the government system. – Mayawati Quoting Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, she said that Babasaheb’s clear opinion regarding the Constitution’s reservation system for SC, ST, and OBC communities, who have been victims of the inhumanity of casteism, was that “renunciation of casteism is the greatest patriotism.” Therefore, people should demonstrate true patriotism. People and Society Questioning the demand for reservation based on economic basis, Mayawati said that the central and state governments spend huge public funds every year on various poverty alleviation programs, but due to corruption, its true benefits do not reach the people. This is a direct fault of the government system. She reminded that the system of reservation based on economic basis is already in place in the country, but even poor families of upper castes are not getting its full benefits and there is a lot of deception in it. Mayawati alleged that the corrupt and casteist government system never allowed the constitutional provision of reservation to be properly implemented on the ground. As a result, even after so long since independence, people from SC, ST, and OBC communities continue to suffer the brunt of poverty, caste hatred, exploitation, oppression, and the poison of casteism every day. She appealed to all governments to deny shelter and protection to anti-reservation elements. This would be in the larger national and public interest. She also requested people not to indulge in cheap politics on an important and sensitive issue like reservation, nor allow it to be. Mayawati also targeted the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. She said that on the same day, Rahul Gandhi sat on a sit-in for several hours outside the Parliament Police Station to demand the registration of an FIR in the case of a victim, to which the party has no objection. However, next door, at Jantar Mantar, a protest was underway to end the caste-based reservation system for Dalits and the oppressed. Neither he nor any of his Congress colleagues went there to explain. This clearly reflects the Congress party’s anti-reservation mentality towards these classes. Discrimination and Identity Relations It is noteworthy that on Friday, a demonstration was held at Jantar Mantar under the banner of the “Reservation Hatao Andolan,” in which the primary demand was for reservation based on economic status rather than caste-based reservation. On the same day, Rahul Gandhi sat on a dharna outside the Parliament Street police station to demand the registration of an FIR for 19-year-old Sahil Lochab, who was injured in the CJP protest. Mayawati’s statement has once again underscored the Ambedkarite approach to protecting the constitutional right to reservation and against casteism. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
‘You don’t belong to anyone else, but yourself’: Rahul Gandhi’s message to young women
NEW DELHI: The fourth event of Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme kicked off in Pune on Saturday. The Congress leader is set to address a large women’s rally at the AISSMS College Ground in Pune, Maharashtra. In his address, he invoked a verse from the Manusmriti and contrasted it with his call for the empowerment and autonomy of women. Referring to the verse, he highlighted the notion that, “A woman in her childhood belongs to her father, after marriage belongs to her husband and in her old age belongs to her son.” Rejecting this idea, he asserted that a woman belongs to no one but herself. While acknowledging that the relationships in a woman’s life are important, he stressed that they do not determine her identity or ownership, which, he said, rests exclusively with her. However, the event follows a political storm and clashes between student organisations. The programme was preceded by a midnight clash between the NSUI and ABVP at the COEP Technological University hostel. It happened after ABVP claimed that female students were being forced to attend the event. Meanwhile, Congress leaders countered the claims, saying two female students, who had earlier expressed their support for the event, were threatened and confined inside the hostel. BJP has also accused Congress of paying influencers and manufacturing crowds for the event. Meanwhile, Congress has alleged that the ruling establishment was attempting to disrupt Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach. NSUI-ABVP clash erupts at COEP hostel Tensions escalated on Friday night when NSUI and ABVP members clashed at the COEP hostel campus ahead of the LoP’s interaction. Police resorted to a lathi charge to control the situation, while several injured activists were taken to Sancheti Hospital. According to police sources cited in the material, the Shivajinagar Police registered cases against 50 to 60 people, including six named NSUI and Youth Congress activists, following a complaint by an ABVP member. The confrontation reportedly centred on student participation in LoP Rahul Gandhi’s programme. NSUI activists said they were responding to distress calls from female students, while ABVP alleged that Congress-linked workers were forcibly encouraging hostellers to register for the event. Congress alleges female students were intimidated Congress leaders accused ABVP workers of entering the girls’ hostel and intimidating students who had expressed support for the event. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe alleged that a female student was cornered and forced to apologise on camera. NSUI state president Sagar Salunke claimed that students had called the organisation for help and alleged that CCTV cameras had been switched off before NSUI members arrived. Salunke also alleged that students, including orphaned students, had been pressured to record videos praising the college administration. The case registered by police followed a complaint from 21-year-old student Malhar Nilesh Patil, who alleged that a student’s video statement had been recorded under pressure at the hostel. Pawan Khera alleges conspiracy to disrupt event Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that there had been a conspiracy to disrupt LoP’s Pune programme, claiming that the response among young people had rattled those in power. Khera linked the controversy to the issues female students were expected to raise with Rahul, including alleged diversion of scholarship funds. He accused ABVP workers of intimidating students and said the incident reflected an attempt to keep women away from public decision-making. He also invoked Pune’s history as the city where Savitribai Phule pioneered women’s education, arguing that the theme of the event was particularly relevant to the city. BJP calls event ‘Paise Ki Goonj’ The BJP launched a separate attack on the programme, accusing the Congress of paying influencers to mobilise attendance and promote Rahul Gandhi’s event on social media. BJP Maharashtra spokesperson Navnath Ban alleged that influencers were being offered Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 each, along with travel expenses, and claimed that the overall expenditure could reach Rs 9 crore to Rs 10 crore if around 3,000 people were paid. Ban dubbed the programme ‘Paise Ki Goonj’ instead of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ and demanded an investigation into the source of the alleged funds. BJP leader Keshav Upadhyay separately accused Rahul Gandhi of using student issues as a political platform. Congress hits back, says BJP ‘rattled’ by youth response The Congress rejected the BJP’s allegations and accused it of trying to create obstacles to LoP Rahul Gandhi’s programme because of his growing support among young people. Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant claimed that the BJP was particularly apprehensive about Rahul’s appeal among Gen Z and alleged that authorities and ABVP members had attempted to disrupt the programme. NCP (SP) leader Mahesh Tapase also criticised the BJP, saying there was no reason to oppose a programme focused on issues affecting students and young people. What is ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ about? Rahul’s Pune interaction with female students is centred on student and youth concerns, with issues such as paper leaks, unemployment and the education system expected to feature in the programme. The Congress has sought to position the initiative as a platform for students to directly raise their concerns, while the BJP has characterised it as a political campaign by the Leader of the Opposition. The Pune event, therefore, has begun against the backdrop of an escalating political battle over who controls the narrative around student and youth concerns. 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
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, BJP to start nationwide Vande campaign
NEW DELHI: BJP cited Mahatma Gandhi’s “we have fallen on evil days” lament over the opposition built up against Vande Mataram Saturday to set the stage for an intense political battle with Congress and the wider ‘secular’ class for their objections to the national song’s full version by announcing a nationwide campaign. The campaign, approved at a meeting of the new office-bearers under party chief Nitin Nabin, will focus on the song’s association with freedom struggle, opposition by Pakistan’s founder M A Jinnah and other Muslim hardliners which led Congress to prune it and “communal pressure or narrow vote-bank considerations” driving the current protests against the national song. The meeting adopted a four-page resolution, accusing Congress of “bowing before the same politics of appeasement” to which it had yielded in 1937, enabling Jinnah-led Muslim League to impose communal demands even upon national symbols. BJP’s decision to launch the 10-point campaign comes after Congress asserted that it will stick to its 1937 resolution that had adopted the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram to signal its defiance of the notification restoring its full version for all official events and Parliament passing a law making any insult to the song a penal offence. With Gen Z emerging as an axis of political mobilisation for its rivals after their successful protest over paper leaks, the campaign also seeks to target its pitch for Vande Mataram at the youth. PM Modi visited party headquarters to interact with the new team. Organisational meetings are all about new ideas aimed at strengthening the party and deepening connection with the people, he said. In its resolution, BJP marshalled comments of stalwarts like Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari to hit back at its rivals, who have accused it of stoking political divide over the song. It framed its campaign as a contest between the song’s rich legacy versus a bid to truncate it to appease Muslim fundamentalists. It cited Gandhi’s 1939 comments: “I associated the purest national spirit with it (Vande Mataram). It never occurred to me that it was a Hindu song or meant only for Hindus. Unfortunately, now we have fallen on evil days.” Nabin accused Congress of sowing the same seeds of division that it did in 1937 by adopting a truncated version under the Muslim League’s pressure. Month-long campaign for PM Modi’s birthday Several youth-centric programmes will be part of BJP’s month-long campaign from Modi’s birthday on Sept 17, with the annual “sewa” programme turning special this time as he will also be completing 25 years as head of a govt. 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
‘No problem when boys do it but PM Modi gets ‘cultural shock’ if girls use cuss words’: Rahul Gandhi in Pune
PUNE: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at what he described as a patriarchal mindset, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “culturally shocked” when girls used cuss words during a protest, while having no objection to boys using similar language. Addressing a gathering of thousands of women and girl students at AISSMS College ground as part of the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign, Gandhi said the fight was against a system that gives men greater freedom while placing restrictions on women. He referred to a video of Modi that he said was released after a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. “The Prime Minister was culturally shocked when girls protesting at Jantar Mantar used cuss words, but had no problem with boys using the same words,” Gandhi said. “Our fight is against such a mindset. We do not want a country which gives all the freedom to men, while women continue to live in a controlled environment. We will work together to end the patriarchal system in India,” he said. ‘Woman belongs to nobody except herself’ Gandhi also invoked the Manusmriti while speaking about women’s independence and said women should not be defined by their relationship with men. “Manusmriti mentions that a woman must never be independent. Such words should never be used to describe a woman. The woman belongs to nobody except herself,” he said. He said women continued to face restrictions through violence, disrespect and curbs on their movements. Sharing statistics with the audience, Gandhi claimed that 99% of sexual violence cases in the country go unreported. He said society uses different methods to control women, including violence, disrespect and imposing restrictions on their timings. ‘Paper leaks affect women differently’ Gandhi also spoke about the impact of examination paper leaks on women, saying they faced additional pressure because of family expectations around marriage. Sharayu Chopade, one of the students who interacted with him, spoke about being dejected after the recent FDA inspector examination paper leak in Pune. “It was quite heartbreaking,” she said, appealing to Gandhi to look into the issue. Responding to her, Gandhi said paper leaks could have a different impact on men and women. “While men have more time in hand to reappear for the exam, women have a deadline for the same as the family may force them to marry,” he said. Another participant, Suchitra Pagi from Palghar, spoke about facing sexual harassment by three men from a neighbouring village. She said villagers opposed her when she lodged a police complaint, while her family supported her education and enabled her to pursue higher studies in Pune. Rahul interacts with women on stage The Pune event was the fourth edition of the Congress’ ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach programme, following editions in Kota, Dehradun and Prayagraj. Gandhi invited women and girl students on stage to share their experiences of sexual harassment, challenges in pursuing education and problems linked to examination paper leaks. Bhojpuri satirist Neha Rahod also performed satirical songs targeting patriarchy and the government. She said she faced an FIR after presenting issues women face through her songs. “I also have been receiving a lot of abuse for the last many years,” Gandhi responded. 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
“I wasn’t even allowed to touch a brick…”: Dalit BJP MLA alleges untouchability at Kakori’s Sheetla Temple, SP attacks party
Alleging that a Dalit MLA was not allowed to touch a brick during the puja at Lucknow’s Sheetla Temple, the Samajwadi Party strongly questioned the BJP’s slogan “If we divide, we will be cut.” Lucknow: A major political controversy has erupted in the Kakori area of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Jai Devi Kaushal, BJP MLA from Malihabad, has made serious allegations of caste discrimination against her during the groundbreaking ceremony held for the renovation of the Sheetla Temple. Discrimination and Identity Relations The MLA, who belongs to the Pasi Dalit community, says she was denied the respect and authority a public representative deserves during this sacred ritual. Expressing her anguish, she said the priest didn’t allow her to touch even a brick or apply roli (red roli). The MLA directly attributed this discrimination to her being a Dalit. She also claims she was made to stand continuously during the puja. They were not even allowed to perform tasks commonly performed in Hindu rituals, such as lighting incense sticks or breaking coconuts. The entire incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The MLA had arrived at the temple with several local BJP leaders. Jai Devi explained that she had played a key role in securing government funding for the temple’s renovation. It was through her efforts that nearly one crore rupees were approved for the Sheetla Temple’s renovation. Jai Devi, wife of the late Kaushal Kishore, a former Union Minister and two-time MP, expressed disappointment, saying that despite having been elected MLA from this constituency twice, she had done a great deal for the area and its people, yet she faced such caste discrimination. She also reported that on the same day, she visited another temple in Malihabad, where the rituals were performed normally. According to the MLA, she had visited the Sheetla Devi Temple several times in the past, but had never experienced such mistreatment. The matter gained momentum when the MLA’s son, Vikas Kishore, shared a post on social media about the alleged incident. In his post, he clearly stated that priest Shailendra Bajpai was performing the puja and Ramakant Gupta was chanting the mantras. It is noteworthy that the Tourism Department approved this renovation project only after the MLA’s persistent efforts. Following the controversy, Azad Samaj Party District President Ajay Bharti reached the temple on Thursday with several of his workers and protested vehemently against the alleged caste discrimination. People and Society On the other hand, the temple administration has completely rejected all these allegations. According to media reports, temple manager Ramakant Gupta has refuted the MLA’s claims. He clarified that the temple is always open to people from all sections and castes of society. The Samajwadi Party has also launched a strong attack on the ruling BJP over this matter. The SP says that this treatment of a Dalit MLA exposes the caste discrimination prevalent under the state government’s rule. Rambabu Sudarshan, National General Secretary of the Samajwadi Party’s Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini, termed the entire incident as extremely unfortunate. The SP leader sarcastically stated that such an incident in the state capital, nine years after the BJP government’s rule, reveals the true picture of casteism in Uttar Pradesh. He stated that the allegations were not made by any opposition party, but by the BJP’s own sitting Dalit MLA. Sudarshan also stated that if this had happened to an MLA from any other party, the BJP’s troll army would have already labeled it politically motivated. He stated that this incident is not just the suffering of a sitting Dalit MLA, but rather hurts the sentiments of millions of Dalits in the state and the country. The SP leader also sharply criticized the BJP and RSS’s slogan “If we divide, we will be slaughtered.” He questioned whether the BJP intends to unite Hindus in this manner. Sudarshan sternly questioned whether such incidents raise the question whether the BJP even considers Dalits to be Hindus. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
DSS takes out protest rally in Kalaburagi condemning ‘purification’ ritual at Mallikarjun Kharge’s venue in Uttarakhand
The protest was part of a State-wide agitation organised by the DSS at all district headquarters, condemning the alleged purification rituals Dalit Sangharsha Samiti State convener D.G. Sagar leading a protest rally in Kalaburagi on Friday, condemning the alleged purification rituals conducted at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting there. Dalit Sangharsha Samiti State convener D.G. Sagar leading a protest rally in Kalaburagi on Friday, condemning the alleged purification rituals conducted at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public meeting there. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI Strongly condemning the alleged purification ritual conducted at the Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a rally addressed by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) State convener D.G. Sagar led a protest march in Kalaburagi city on Friday. The protest was part of a State-wide agitation organised by the DSS at all district headquarters, condemning the alleged purification rituals. Dr. Sagar, along with DSS members carrying blue flags and photographs of Mr. Kharge, marched from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, raising slogans against the incident. Addressing the protesters, Dr. Sagar said the reported purification of the venue after Mr. Kharge’s visit was an affront to the dignity of the Dalit community and exposed the persistence of caste discrimination. “Purifying a public place after a Dalit leader addresses a gathering is not merely an insult to Mallikarjun Kharge; it is an insult to the entire Dalit community and a reflection of the deep-rooted caste discrimination that continues to exist in society,” he said. He said the incident showed that constitutional values of equality and social justice had not yet fully permeated society. “The Constitution has abolished untouchability and guarantees equality, but such incidents reveal that the mindset of untouchability is still alive. No place becomes impure because a Dalit leader or any member of a marginalised community visits it,” Dr. Sagar said. He urged the authorities and political leaders to condemn such practices and to take steps to ensure that incidents of caste-based discrimination do not recur. “Those who believe that a place needs to be purified after the visit of a Dalit leader must first purify their own minds of caste prejudice,” he said. The DSS members demanded stringent action against those responsible for the alleged ritual and urged the government to create greater awareness about constitutional values and the need to eradicate caste discrimination. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Student groups clash at COEP hostel over Rahul Gandhi’s Pune interaction
Pune: In a late-night development, two student groups clashed at the College of Engineering Pune Technological University hostel, prompting police to reach the spot and control the situation. NSUI representatives alleged that girl students were threatened, confined and beaten by members of the ABVP for supporting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming interaction with students, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, scheduled to be held in the city on Saturday. ABVP members, however, alleged that NSUI representatives were forcing students to attend Rahul’s programme and had assaulted girl students. Speaking to the media at the spot, Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said, “Two girl students were threatened and beaten by ABVP for supporting Rahul Gandhi’s programme. They are trying to stifle freedom of expression. We want action against those responsible. Even the police beat up the assembled students. If the police do not take action against the guilty, we will stage a sit-in protest,” Wadettiwar said. As night progressed, students and representatives from both organisations started arriving in large numbers while the police tried to disperse the crowd. 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
Omar Abdullah backs Rahul Gandhi, says LoP’s job is to make govt accountable
SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Friday backed Rahul Gandhi, saying it is the job of the leader of the opposition (LoP) to question the govt and hold it accountable. He said, “If the opposition leader does not question the opposition, then what is the use of him?” Speaking to reporters, he said questions are not raised when the leader of the opposition in Jammu & Kashmir, Sunil Sharma (BJP), “asks useless questions again and again. But when he does it, you enjoy it. When Gandhi does it, you ask why he is doing this.” He said the opposition should not be judged on different scales. “Gandhi is doing what the country expects from him. The job of the opposition leader is to seek answers from the govt and make the govt accountable. Gandhi is doing the same,” he said, adding, “I would like him to continue doing so.” Omar’s remarks came after Gandhi sat on an over-six-hour protest at the Parliament Street police station in Delhi, seeking registration of an FIR on a complaint from a young man who had allegedly suffered pellet injuries during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. 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
Pellet injuries: FIR filed after Rahul Gandhi sits on dharna
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police registered a case after leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a five-hour dharna outside Parliament Street police station Friday, demanding an FIR in connection with pellet injuries suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab during the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest, reports Abhay. Gandhi reached the police station with Lochab, his mother and their lawyer around 11.30am. He was later joined by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other party functionaries, and met the DCP and other senior officers. Displaying Lochab’s medical reports, Gandhi said more than 200 pellets had entered the student’s body, including three that struck his eye and put his vision at risk. Some pellets, he added, were lodged near Lochab’s heart and could not be removed by doctors. He also displayed a pellet recovered from the student’s body during treatment. “Brutality against a peaceful protest is a serious crime. An offence has been committed and we are demanding registration of an FIR,” Gandhi said, alleging Delhi Police told them they had received instructions “from above” not to register the case. The charge was denied by police. After over five hours, Lochab’s complaint was filed and an FIR registered against unknown persons under sections 118(1) and 125 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous means and acts endangering life or personal safety. Gandhi termed it “a first step towards justice”. Thanking him, Lochab said: “When he called to ask about my health, I mentioned that my FIR wasn’t being registered. He immediately said, ‘Let’s meet tomorrow; I will go and get your FIR filed.’ It took eight hours to get the FIR registered, and perhaps it wouldn’t have been registered at all if the LOP hadn’t supported me.” According to Lochab, he submitted a seven-page complaint to police on Aug 14 seeking registration of an FIR, but no action was taken. In his complaint, Lochab, a Najafgarh resident, said he had joined the July 20 Sansad Chalo march against the alleged NEET paper leak. He alleged that when the lathicharge and teargas firing began, he ran with the crowd towards Connaught Place, but as he approached Palika Bazaar and Connaught Place carrying the tricolour, he was hit multiple times by metal pellets fired by a person in a blue uniform carrying a large gun. Lochab stated that he suffered injuries to his right eye, face, arm and chest, and lost vision in his right eye. He was taken to Lady Hardinge Hospital and later referred to Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS. His first eye surgery was performed on July 22. He said his MLC recorded that the eye injury was caused by a pellet and that the chances of recovery were less than 1%. An AIIMS CT scan showed more than 200 pellets lodged in his body, including in his eye, neck, chest, jaw and arm, Lochab stated, adding some pellets near the eye nerve could not be removed. He underwent a second eye surgery on Aug 1, but his vision had not returned, he added. Lochab also said the injuries had disrupted his studies and ended his hopes of joining Delhi Police. In his complaint, he sought preservation of CCTV and drone footage, forensic examination of the pellets removed from his body and registration of an FIR. 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