Opposition wears black; holds protest outside Parliament seeking resignation of Shah, Pradhan
MPs of the Congress, SP, Left parties, RJD, TMC, JMM and other parties were present during the protest, during which they raised slogans against the government. Leaders from several Opposition parties, clad in black, staged a protest outside Parliament on Wednesday in solidarity with students protesting the alleged NEET paper leak and against the police action on MPs who had staged a sit-in demanding action over the controversy. The opposition MPs raised slogans against the government and demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for the police action against protesting students. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi, among others were present at the protest. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students have genuine demands and are asking for their rights. “The Education budget is Rs 1.4 lakh crores, but you are waving off Rs 16 lakh crore loans for Adani and Ambani. Students have a genuine struggle and are asking for change. Paper leaks are happening repeatedly. There is nothing undemocratic with peaceful protest, but what is happening with students and in Parliament is undemocratic,” she said. MPs of the Congress, SP, Left parties, RJD, TMC, JMM and other parties were present during the protest, during which they raised slogans against the government. Earlier, floor leaders of several parties of the Opposition INDIA Bloc held a strategy meeting in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge. Rahul Gandhi and leaders of various opposition parties attended the meeting. Earlier this morning, Congress MP Pawan Khera told ANI that all Opposition MPs are wearing black today as a mark of “protest against what they have done to the students of this country in… pic.twitter.com/ov8Q26p6hL 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
NEET protest: TVK slams govt; Rahul, Priyanka released from detention — top developments
NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released after being detained by Delhi Police during a protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. The party had marched to Lok Kalyan Marg demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged paper leak and the police action against student protesters. The protests also drew support from several opposition leaders, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) strongly criticised the Centre over Rahul Gandhi’s detention and renewed its demand for the abolition of NEET. Meanwhile, the BJP accused the Congress of politicising the issue and defended the police action, saying the protest near the Prime Minister’s residence was held without permission. The developments came as thousands of protesters returned to Jantar Mantar to continue the agitation. FIR filed as video shows RAF jawan assaulted Delhi Police registered an FIR after a Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawan was allegedly chased and assaulted by a group of protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march in New Delhi. A video of the incident, widely shared on social media, appears to show the jawan being surrounded, pursued and beaten during Monday’s protest. Police said an investigation is under way to identify those responsible. TVK condemns Rahul’s detention, seeks NEET abolition Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi and criticised the police action against opposition leaders. “The crushing of democracy in the capital is strongly condemnable! The arrest of Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi, who joined the field in support of the youth’s non-violent protest held in Delhi, by being dragged by the Delhi Police and carried away in handcuffs, is a blatant attack on democratic rights. This is strongly condemnable,” the party said. TVK also renewed its opposition to the NEET examination. “From the moment the NEET exam was implemented, not only has its credibility been lacking, but students continue to face mental stress, with their future dreams turning into a massive question mark. The harm caused to students every year due to the NEET exam shows no sign of stopping. Therefore, we strongly demand that the Union government completely abolish the NEET exam,” it said. Rahul, Priyanka released after detention Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several opposition leaders were detained after Congress workers marched towards the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other leaders were taken to Chhatrasal Stadium before being released later in the day. Priyanka Gandhi was taken to Mandir Marg Police Station, where Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi later arrived. Congress leaders said they protested because they were not allowed to raise the NEET issue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi said they marched to the Prime Minister’s residence “to demand answers from him for the brutalities against young students yesterday” and demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The protest was joined by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, Pawan Khera, Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar, Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Supriya Sule and several other opposition leaders. Pradhan hits out at Congress Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of using students for political purposes. “LoP Shri @RahulGandhi and @INCIndia continue to shamelessly exploit students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament,” he wrote on X. He said the government was ready for a discussion on NEET in Parliament but alleged that the Congress preferred “political spectacle over democratic debate”. “We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” Pradhan said. BJP MP Sambit Patra also criticised the protest, saying demonstrations should be held only at designated locations. He said the Prime Minister’s residence is a high-security zone and staging a protest there without permission was “inappropriate”. Police detail injuries, register six FIRs Delhi Police said six FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence during Monday’s Parliament march. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station, while one each was registered at Connaught Place, Tilak Marg, Barakhamba Road and Kartavya Path police stations. DCP Northeast Delhi Rahul Alawal said six police personnel were injured during the violence. He said Constable Mohit suffered serious injuries to his head, below his eyes and on his legs and remains on medical rest. Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba, Inspector Rampal Goswami and some other officers have resumed duty despite being advised to rest. Station House Officer of Connaught Place police station Sukhbir Singh Malik said he was assaulted when a section of protesters allegedly turned violent near Regal Cinema. Malik said his helmet prevented a head injury, but he suffered injuries to his elbows, calf muscle and waist after being dragged to the ground. The police said several other personnel, including an ACP, an Inspector, a Head Constable and a driver, were also injured. Sonam Wangchuk continues fast Activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite hunger strike after being shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following directions from the Delhi High Court. Sources told news agency ANI said Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh visited Medanta Hospital to enquire about Wangchuk’s health. The Delhi High Court directed Medanta Hospital to form a specialised medical team to supervise Wangchuk’s treatment while allowing him to continue his fast under constant medical supervision. His wife, Gitanjali Angmo, said he would continue the hunger strike in solidarity with students allegedly injured during the police action. 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
‘Have some shame, spare us bhashans’: Mahua Moitra hits back at Dharmendra Pradhan over students remark
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday took a swipe at Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan after he accused the Congress of exploiting students for politics, saying the only thing the government should be “committed to delivering” is his resignation. Pradhan, through a post on X, defended the Centre’s handling of the examination controversy and criticised the Congress for staging a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. To this, Moitra responded, “With all due respect have some shame & spare us the bhashans. The only thing your government should be committed to delivering right now is your resignation on a plate. Thank you.” Earlier, Pradhan had accused LoP Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of “shamelessly exploit(ing) students as political tools to manufacture disruption during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.” He alleged that despite the government’s willingness to hold a discussion on the issue, the Congress had chosen “political spectacle over democratic debate”. “We owe our students more than outrage. We owe them answers, reforms and accountability. That is exactly what our government remains committed to delivering,” Pradhan said. His remarks came after the Congress staged a protest over the alleged examination irregularities, while the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) agitation over examination reforms continued. Activist Sonam Wangchuk continued his indefinite hunger strike, and Delhi Police registered an FIR in connection with Monday’s clashes during the CJP’s ‘Sansad Chalo’ march. 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
‘Power does not last forever’: Rahul Gandhi’s warning to police after tear gas, lathicharge on student protesters
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday warned police officers that ‘power does not last forever’ and ‘accountability will certainly be enforced’, saying the Constitution, not the government is their ‘master’. His remarks came after police used tear gas and lathi-charged protesters during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) march towards Parliament over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. In a post on X, Rahul said peaceful protest was a fundamental right and warned officials against ‘blindly following orders’ to act against students. Delhi Police used tear gas and mild force to disperse protesters who attempted to march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The protest was organised by the CJP, which has been demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In his post on X, Congress MP wrote, “Peaceful protest is an inviolable and fundamental right.” Addressing police personnel and government officials, he added, “Every police officer and government employee blindly following orders to attack India’s innocent students should keep this in mind: The Constitution is your master. Power does not last forever. Accountability will certainly be enforced.” Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha LoP also shared a video message in which he criticised the police action against the protesters and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being ‘the most anti-youth Prime Minister in India’s history.’ He said the students protesting in Delhi were not criminals but were demanding a fair and functioning education system. “Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic. It’s not India’s way and it is not the way this should be done. They have legitimate demands. The prime minister should accept these demands and do something about it,” Rahul said in the video. He also alleged that repeated paper leaks had affected millions of students and claimed the government had failed to hold those responsible accountable. The remarks came after police cleared the month-long protest site at Jantar Mantar by Monday evening following clashes during the march towards Parliament. The stage, tents and other structures at the site were dismantled, while police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed in the area. Despite the crackdown, protesters continued gathering on nearby roads and said the agitation would continue until their demands, including the resignation of the education minister, were met. Several protesters alleged they were injured in the police action, while others claimed they were briefly held inside Metro stations and faced restrictions on access to water during the protest. The protest was launched by the CJP over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities. Thousands of demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament on Monday, but security personnel stopped them near Parliament Street, leading to clashes and the use of tear gas and lathi-charge 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
HC resumes hearing on plea against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘illegal’ assets
Lucknow: A Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Monday conducted two-hour long hearing in the chamber on a plea seeking CBI and ED inquiry into the allegations that Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has amassed disproportionate assets. The order was not available on the high court website till filing of the story, but the website showed the case was listed for next hearing on Aug 20. A bench of Justice RS Chauhan and Justice BR Singh passed the order on a criminal writ petition moved by a Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir. The petitioner has accused Rahul of accumulating disproportionate assets. During the previous hearing in the case on May 12, the bench had observed that “if complaint of the petitioner Shishir was received, the allegations of the complaints may be verified as per law. It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law.” Besides CBI and ED, the bench had directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) , the revenue department, ministry of finance, ministry of corporate affairs and the Director of Serious Fraud Investigation Office to file their responses to the allegations levelled by the petitioner against Rahul within eight weeks . The bench had conducted the previous hearing too in the chamber. The order had stated that the CBI informed the bench that the agency had received the petitioner’s complaint and would file its response within 8 weeks. Similarly, the ED had informed the bench that it had received the complaint and might verify the allegations and apprise the court on July 20 . While seeking replies from several govt agencies, the bench said, “By filing response in form of counter-affidavit, the progress in respect of complaint submitted by the petitioner to the aforesaid agencies may be apprised to the court.” To a query whether the petition was maintainable, the bench said this submission would be tested after receiving the counter-affidavits of the respective parties and the rejoinder affidavits thereof. Furthermore, the court had ordered its senior registrar that the paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner be kept in a sealed cover to be opened on July 20. 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
Rahul Gandhi claims PM Modi ‘most anti-youth PM India has seen’
NEW DELHI: Congress’s Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Narendra Modi as the “most anti-youth PM India has ever had” as opposition jointly condemned BJP for crackdown on the “paper leak” protest march to Parliament Monday. Rahul said the young protesters are not criminals and Modi should accept their legitimate demands. “It is disgusting what govt and police are doing. Tear-gassing and lathi-charging students is not India’s way… all they believe in is ‘asatya’ and ‘hinsa’, which are anti-Indian principles,” he said in a video statement, adding, “Modi disrespects all the young people of this country.” He said there is general outrage against RSS having captured the education system. With state action against students coupled with viral visuals dominating the headlines, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said “paper leak” and “donation scam” will dominate Parliament in the coming days. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the large youth turnout proves the failure of BJP regime in conducting NEET and other exams. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, rebuking govt for police action, said, “It’s ridiculous… They are the future of the country. This Parliament belongs to them. It’s no one’s personal fiefdom.” DMK MP Kanimozhi dubbed the protest the most democratic form of expressing people’s opinion. 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
Ahead of Monsoon Session, Opposition targets Centre over Ram Temple donation scam, delimitation
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge’s joint letter to PM Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” they sought answers on the Ram Temple donations row. NEW DELHI: A day ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, urging the Prime Minister to respond to allegations of fund misappropriation and order an independent probe. Separately, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) sought an all-party meeting on the government’s proposed delimitation exercise and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a joint letter written by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” that the two Opposition leaders had sought answers on what the party described as “chanda chori, aastha se dhokha” (donation theft, betrayal of faith). Ramesh also invoked Modi’s statement in Parliament on February 5, 2020, announcing the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. “In one of his rare token appearances in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, the PM had taken full credit while announcing the establishment of this Trust, which has betrayed the faith and devotion of crores of devotees across the country. Pradhan Mantri Chuppi Todo!” Ramesh said in a post on X. In their July 18 letter, Gandhi and Kharge alleged that devotees who contributed to the construction of the Ram Temple had been let down by the alleged diversion of funds. “You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed,” the letter read. The two leaders noted that while the Supreme Court had directed the creation of the Trust, its members were appointed by the government. Alleging that several trustees were associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliated organisations, they argued that the Centre was accountable for ensuring transparency and proper oversight. Describing the Prime Minister’s silence as “unacceptable”, Gandhi and Kharge called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Trust’s finances, including donations received in cash, gold and silver. They also demanded that the Trust’s accounts and the findings of the inquiry be made public, saying devotees had a right to know how their contributions had been used. The Congress is expected to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session, which begins on Monday. In a separate development, TMC MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Prime Minister on July 19 seeking an all-party meeting before the government proceeds with proposed legislation on delimitation and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. He noted that while the parliamentary bulletin for the Monsoon Session does not currently list a Bill on delimitation, the Opposition remained apprehensive because of what he termed the government’s “dubious record” of introducing significant legislation without adequate notice. Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, O’Brien alleged that the legislation had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha before the supplementary list of business was circulated to MPs. He urged the government not to adopt similar “cloak and dagger tactics” on an issue as significant as delimitation. On the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, O’Brien said the legislation, listed for consideration and passage during the Monsoon Session, would weaken institutions working among the country’s poorest and most marginalised communities. He alleged that the amendments would adversely affect thousands of educational institutions run by the Christian community, as well as internationally reputed charitable organisations, by giving the executive excessive control over their functioning. Mukesh Ranjan 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
CM DK Shivakumar insists on ground report from officials
“I have to submit a report on the drought situation to the Central government. When the Centre’s team visits for an assessment, BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said his government will ensure that a comprehensive and authentic ground report on the drought situation reaches the Centre before the central team arrives for its own assessment. He said officials were asked to visit fields before filing their reports. “I have told officials I don’t want only paper reports. Your own eyes should be your evidence. Every official must visit farms in their respective taluks and submit reports based on the actual ground conditions within the next 15 days,” he said. “I have to submit a report on the drought situation to the Central government. When the Centre’s team visits for an assessment, we should have all the necessary information ready, and provide accurate data,” he told the media after the cabinet meeting. “I have already requested the Prime Minister to send a Central team to assess the drought situation. Parliament will also begin shortly, and I will brief our Members of Parliament about the ground reality,” he added. He claimed to have held a four-hour special meeting to review the drought situation, and directed officials to remain in their headquarters. The government plans to utilize alternative schemes to keep villagers employed during this period. He appealed to farmers not to sow crops, assuming that water will be released later. “Hydropower reservoirs have 23 per cent storage. In the Cauvery basin, storage levels are also low, while the Krishna basin reservoirs stand at around 48 per cent. Of 3,817 minor irrigation tanks, 3,235 have less than 50 per cent storage,” he said. Start VB-G work to stop migration: DCM Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara expressed concern over the slow implementation of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), stating that work has not begun in most parts of Karnataka despite worsening drought conditions. Reviewing the drought situation, Parameshwara, who also holds the revenue portfolio, said 2,443 of the state’s nearly 5,000 gram panchayats are yet to start work under the employment scheme, with only four or five districts making progress. He directed all Zilla Panchayat CEOs to immediately commence the work to curb distress migration from districts such as Ballari, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Vijayanagara. Parameshwara said Karnataka has recorded a 68 per cent rainfall deficit, while groundwater levels have fallen by around four metres in 88 taluks. Reservoir levels are declining rapidly and the number of villages dependent on tanker water supply is increasing. Document all VB-G work: CM Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said amid the state’s continuing agitation against the Centre’s VB-G RAM G, the state has prepared to bear 40 per cent of its share. “The Centre has approved several schemes and informed us about works that can be taken up. As far as possible, we should focus on community development, infrastructure works and certain individual beneficiary schemes. Every work must be properly documented with all supporting records. Officials should be extremely careful and leave no loopholes,” he warned. He stressed that the state’s priority is to ensure that people do not migrate to other states in search of work. “They should be provided employment locally,” Shivakumar said. ENS Rahul Gandhi to visit soon The CM said LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Karnataka soon and address students, besides performing the bhoomi puja (foundation stone laying) for the new Congress office in Bengaluru. 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
CM Revanth Reddy to Congress leaders: Stay off Gandhi Bhavan, hit the field for SIR
Revanth warned Congress leaders against skipping SIR form campaign work, saying inactive leaders would lose chances for nominated posts. HYDERABAD: In a blunt ultimatum to underperforming party workers, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Congress leaders to stay away from Gandhi Bhavan and take to the field during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, warning that those who remained inactive would not be considered for nominated posts. In a no-holds-barred Zoom meeting on Sunday, Revanth told party leaders not to visit the state Congress headquarters until the August 3 deadline for submitting SIR Enumeration Forms. Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of field-level participation, he said chairmanships and other nominated posts would not be given to leaders who remained inactive during the campaign. He also announced that the 100 best-performing BLAs would be given an opportunity to click a photograph with Rahul Gandhi. Revanth directed the in-charge ministers to supervise the SIR exercise and said a constituency-wise review would be held on July 30. He warned MPs appointed as SIR in-charges that strict action would be taken if they failed to discharge their responsibilities. With the deadline extended to August 3, he said the additional time should be used to intensify outreach. A separate review with the 10 in-charge ministers will be held on Monday, while MPs have been asked to conduct periodic reviews even during the ongoing session. Revanth said the Congress had organised 489 SIR meetings across the 119 Assembly segments but stressed that attention was needed in the weakest-performing ones. He told MLAs, constituency in-charges and corporation chairpersons to scrutinise reports submitted by BLAs instead of relying solely on BLO reports. Stating that the presence of party leaders in the field was mandatory, he directed ministers, MLAs, corporation chairpersons, constituency in-charges and SIR coordinators to tour their respective areas over the next 10 days. 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
Chirag Paswan’s LJP(R) To Contest Punjab Assembly Elections In 2027; Eyes Dalit Votes
Patna: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has announced that his party will contest the Punjab Assembly elections expected to be held early next year. Wearing a kesariya (saffron) colour Sikh turban, the Union Minister made this announcement on Sunday evening after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. “Our party will enter the Punjab Assembly polls with full preparations to register its strong presence. We have launched the election preparation at the pious land of Punjab after taking blessings at the Golden Temple. We have taken a vow to serve the people of the state and strengthen our organisation,” Chirag, accompanied by his mother Reena Paswan, said. The Union Minister asserted that the LJP(R) would expedite the expansion of its network across the northern state, increase the activity of its workers and intensify its mass public contact programme. He added that all preparations for the polls would be completed at a swift pace. “We will go to the people with the issues of public service, development, and social justice. The LJP(R) will carve out a strong identity with the help of the people of Punjab and the hardwork of the party workers,” he added. The LJP(R) is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments at the Centre and in Bihar. It has a strong support base among the Scheduled Castes (SC) in the eastern state. Its founder, former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, was an eminent Dalit leader and the party has excelled as a progressive organisation under the leadership of his son Chirag Paswan. Chirag also visited the Jallianwala Bagh to pay floral tributes to the martyrs’ memorial there, Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which is a Ravidasia or Ramdasia Dera, Bhagwan Valmiki memorial and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at Jalandhar. While travelling from Amritsar to Jalandhar, the LJP(R) chief stopped his convoy after noticing an injured young woman lying on the roadside near Dera Sachkhand Ballan. He immediately instructed his team to shift the injured woman to a hospital in his vehicle and ensured that she received prompt medical attention. The LJP(R) president’s visits indicate that he is seeking to woo the SC voters in Punjab. The state has around 32 percent Dalit population, the highest proportion among all the states in the country. Punjab has 39 Dalit castes, among which the Mazhabi Sikhs, Ravidasias or Ramdasias, Ad-Dharmis, and Valmikis account for about 84 percent. A majority of the SC population in the state is predominantly rural. Its highest concentration is in the Doaba region – the land between the Beas and Sutlej rivers. Incidentally, Chirag has strong personal links also with Punjab. His mother Reena (maiden name Reena Sharma) hails from Amritsar. Then an airhostess, Reena married Ram Vilas in 1982 as his second wife. Chirag Paswan is also known to have several relatives and friends in Punjab. His personal security detail includes several bodyguards from there. By Dev Raj Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights