Eyeing Dalit outreach, Cong appoints Rajendra Pal Gautam AICC in charge for UP
Lucknow: Weeks after his futile bid to meet BSP chief Mayawati, Congress SC department chief, Rajendra Pal Gautam, was on Friday appointed the All-India Congress Committee in charge for UP. The order was issued by party general secretary KC Venugopal. Gautam replaces Avinash Pande, who took the role in Dec 2023. The appointment is being viewed as part of the grand old party’s attempt to sharpen its outreach among Dalits and other socially disadvantaged communities. A lawyer by profession, Gautam first came to prominence as an Ambedkarite activist before joining the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014. He was elected twice from Delhi’s Seemapuri Assembly constituency and served as a cabinet minister in the Arvind Kejriwal govt. In 2022, he resigned from the Delhi Cabinet following a controversy over his participation in a Buddhist conversion event. Gautam then joined the Congress and was appointed chairman of the AICC’s Scheduled Caste Department in 2025. He became a known name in UP’s political canvas in May last month when he knocked on the door of BSP President Mayawati’s residence, located at a stone’s throw distance from the UP Congress party office. But the Dalit neta refused to give an audience and left him embarrassed. A showcause notice was also issued to him thereafter. Thereafter, he picked up Dalit and Pasi leaders, academia and persons significant in the community and took them for a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. His elevation now places him at the centre of the Congress’s efforts to consolidate the non-Jatav Dalits who are crucial to the electoral caste matrix. However, some old-timers aren’t too pleased with Gautam’s elevation, calling it too fast. Stating that “Gautam’s audacity has paid him off well,” party workers said “the entire spectacle now appears to be a scripted venture to position him in UP before the 2027 state elections.” Speaking to TOI, Gautam said: “I am grateful to the party leadership for giving me this responsibility. I will work with dedication along with people from all walks of life to strengthen the organisation in Uttar Pradesh.” Outlining his priorities, Gautam said the Congress would work to bring together “people from all walks of life who have suffered under BJP govts”. Accusing the BJP of pursuing “bulldozer politics,” he alleged that its “short-sighted policies” and “ignorance of the challenges faced by common people” alienated large sections of society. 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 or Arvind Kejriwal?’ Kiren Rijiju’s ‘more apologies’ dig after Cong MP regrets remarks on Shivraj Chouhan’s son
NEW DELHI: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday drew a parallel between Rahul Gandhi and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal after the Congress MP expressed “regret” before the Madhya Pradesh high court over his remarks on Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son, Kartikey Singh Chouhan. In a post on X, Rijiju questioned the frequency with which the two opposition leaders have expressed regret or apologised after facing legal action over their remarks. “Who has tendered more apologies after levelling false allegations–Rahul Gandhi ji or Arvind Kejriwal ji?” Rijiju posted. Kartikeya Singh Chouhan filed a defamation case before an MP-MLA court in Bhopal, alleging that Rahul Gandhi tarnished his reputation by mentioning his name in relation to the Panama Papers scandal during a 2018 election rally in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. The speech was delivered ahead of the 2018 Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, when Shivraj Singh Chouhan was serving as the state’s chief minister. The MP-MLA court subsequently summoned Rahul Gandhi to appear in person, prompting the Congress leader to challenge the order before the Madhya Pradesh high court. After hearing the matter, the high court reserved its order. Counsel for Kartikey Chouhan, advocate Sankalp Kochar, told ANI, “The MP-MLA court in Bhopal issued summons to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case filed by Kartikey Chouhan. Prima facie, the court found that the matter was fit for cognisance and that an offence was made out.” “When the hearing was held yesterday, Rahul Gandhi submitted a written statement expressing his regret. He stated that the remarks he made in 2018 were made under a misunderstanding and were based on incorrect facts. He reiterated that regret. Based on this, the court asked us to submit our written reply. In that written reply, we stated that since he himself is expressing regret and admitting his mistake of making that statement incorrectly and by mistake, we accepted his regret and expressed our intention to close the case. The court has now preserved the order in regard to the case,” Kochar added. Rijiju’s remarks come against the backdrop of previous instances in which both Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have apologised or expressed regret in legal proceedings. In 2019, Gandhi tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court over his remarks on its judgment in the Rafale fighter jet deal case. Kejriwal, meanwhile, apologised to BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari in separate defamation cases over corruption allegations. 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
‘Aren’t you ashamed to call us terrorists’: CJP’s Dipke slams Pradhan; appears before MeitY over blocking of X account
The Cockroach Janta Party founder’s remarks came a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the outfit as the “B-team of terrorists”. As the Cockroach Janta Party( CJP) protest entered its fifth day at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, its founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that the government officials refuse to disclose the order behind the blocking of the group’s social media accounts, citing confidentiality. Dipke appeared before a Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) committee reviewing the withholding of the group’s X account. He claimed officials did not provide any explanation for the action. Questioning the government’s stance on confidentiality, Dipke said, “Everything is confidential; you should have kept the NEET paper confidential as well. Why did that leak? These suicides would not have happened.” Alleging an attempt to silence the group, he said officials told them their social media accounts were being followed by users in Pakistan. His remarks came a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the outfit as the “B-team of terrorists”. Responding to the charge, Dipke said, “Are we asking for votes? We are asking for justice. We are taxpayers, our parents are taxpayers, and you call us terrorists. Are you not ashamed?” He further slammed the government’s use of the term, saying, “You called farmers and doctors terrorists. Who is left?” Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dipke said, “PM cannot take a resignation and claims to have stopped the Russia-Ukraine war. Can he stop paper leaks?” Holding the education minister accountable for the fallout from alleged examination irregularities, he said, “Who is responsible for the suicides? It is Dharmendra Pradhan.” Asked about Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s remark that established political parties would ultimately have to take forward issues raised by the CJP, Dipke said, “Political parties can do what they want. We are not here for votes, nor are we here for a political rally. We are here to demand justice.” Dipke reiterated that the group remains open to talks with the government, provided Pradhan resigns, but claimed no outreach had been made so far. “They are calling us terrorists instead,” he quipped. The protest, led by Dipke, seeks Pradhan’s resignation over alleged irregularities in examinations and the NEET paper-leak controversy. He has refused to leave the protest site. The CJP gained traction on social media following its launch on May 16 amid a controversy over remarks attributed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, which were widely interpreted as comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches”. The group’s original X account was withheld in India on May 21. It later returned to the platform through a new handle, ‘Cockroach is Back’. 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
‘Did PM spare a thought?’: Rahul Gandhi on Modi’s birthday wish to Dharmendra Pradhan, cites NEET-linked student deaths
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday message for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan by asking whether the prime minister had “spared a thought” for aspirants whose deaths by suicide were linked to the NEET-UG paper leak. “Each name on this list was a child with a dream, a family, a future — all destroyed by a broken system and a government that refuses to learn or take accountability. Remember these students. Every one of them,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote on X while responding to a post by fellow Congress leader Pawan Khera, who shared the names of 14 such aspirants. “When PM Modi praised Dharmendra Pradhan ji on his birthday, did he even spare a thought for these children?” Rahul Gandhi added. The Rae Bareli MP has repeatedly targeted the Centre over the NEET-UG paper leak and related issues. His remarks came after PM Modi wished Pradhan on his 57th birthday, praising his “commendable efforts” in implementing the National Education Policy. “Birthday wishes to Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji. He is making commendable efforts towards the implementation of the National Education Policy, which seeks to make India a hub for knowledge, learning and innovation. Praying for his long and healthy life,” Modi wrote on X. Student groups and opposition parties have been demanding Pradhan’s resignation, or that he be removed from the Union Cabinet, over the NEET-UG paper leak fiasco. Over 22 lakh students appeared for the medical entrance examination on May 3. However, the exam was cancelled on May 12. The NEET-UG re-exam was held on June 21. 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
Congress to build another round of ‘Constitution khatre mein hai’ narrative to take on BJP?
The Opposition successfully leveraged a narrative that the BJP intended to amend the Constitution, which resonated strongly with Dalit voters and significantly impacted the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. It is now being repurposed by the Congress for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections There is one narrative that worked widely for the Opposition during the Lok Sabha elections, and it is something almost every Opposition politician points to. It was how the Opposition pushed the argument that the BJP would demolish the Constitution if it came to power with a special majority. This reportedly alarmed Dalits, who moved towards the anti-BJP formation. The biggest impact of it was seen in Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress-SP alliance unexpectedly won 43 of the state’s 80 seats, reducing the BJP to a number 33 short of a 273 majority in the Lok Sabha. Dalits constitute around 18 per cent of India’s population, and the Congress has been trying to weave together a combination of Dalits, minorities and OBCs. Now, the latest revival of this narrative comes in view of the next round of assembly elections scheduled for 2027, with Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat and Manipur up for grabs. Following the BJP’s aggressive posturing of breaking leaders from other parties like the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) and stitching these legislators into the NDA fold, the Congress has brought such activities to the fore, portraying them as part of a pursuit of a supermajority that could eventually be used to alter the Constitution. In an interview with PTI, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “The single cause for this is the humiliation that the self-styled Chanakya of Indian politics suffered on the 17th of April in the Lok Sabha. He promised the prime minister that he would get the three delimitation bills passed. He could not muster more than 298 votes in the Lok Sabha.” “I think he decided to take revenge on that day for the humiliation he had been forced to suffer, and now he is busy with the ‘todh-phod ki rajniti’. He broke the TMC, he is breaking the Shiv Sena, all in his search for a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha — you are seeing the truth of our 2024 campaign. They were asking for ‘400 paar’ so that they can amend the Constitution to finish off the reservation,” the Congress general secretary in-charge of communications said. “That was the whole logic of ‘400 paar’, and now you are seeing why he is splitting all these parties. He is splitting up parties in his search for a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution,” Ramesh claimed. According to political analysts, this narrative may have traction in Uttar Pradesh, as the state has around 21 per cent Dalit population, many of whom in 2024 broke away from different parties and voted for the anti-BJP formation of the SP and Congress. The Congress hopes the same could transpire again in the upcoming assembly elections. The Congress is also focusing on Muslims and Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, for which the party is considering appointing a Dalit state unit president. There have been discussions that the party may replace the current state unit president with a Dalit leader. Since the CongressSP combine would be able to attract Yadav and Muslim voters (traditional voters of the two parties contesting together), who together constitute around 33 per cent of the electorate in the state. If they can also gain the support of 21 per cent Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, especially as the decline of Mayawati has left a void in Dalit leadership, the alliance would be looking at a comfortable win. Badar Bashir Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bonded labour horror in UP: Worker’s alleged torture death emerges after rescue of 12
Uttar Pradesh police launch manhunt for absconding paper plate unit owner after raid exposes year-long confinement, brutal assaults, and a hidden fatality A case of alleged bonded labour, torture and illegal confinement has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar, where 12 workers, including minors, were rescued from a paper plate manufacturing factory in Mandi village following a joint raid by police and the administration. The investigation has revealed allegations of prolonged exploitation, physical abuse and the death of one worker who was allegedly tortured while being held at the factory. According to police, the labourers were brought from different states with the promise of a monthly salary of Rs 12,000. Instead, they were allegedly confined inside the factory premises for more than a year, denied wages and prevented from leaving. Several rescued workers bore visible injuries and torture marks. During questioning, they alleged that they were beaten, whipped, attacked with sharp weapons and assaulted by dogs when they tried to escape. They also alleged that they were forced to consume animal fodder and were kept in inhuman conditions. The extent of the alleged abuse emerged during the probe after the June 22 rescue operation. Police on Thursday revealed that one of the workers, identified as Arjun, died in November 2025 after being subjected to torture at the factory. His body was later allegedly disposed of after being packed in a bag. Police have registered a fresh case against factory owner Ankit Balyan and Shiva Tyagi. Tyagi has been arrested, while Balyan remains absconding. Another accused, Pradeep Balyan, is also being searched for. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the case and collect evidence. The rescued workers have undergone medical examinations and their statements have been recorded before a magistrate. Authorities are now working on their rehabilitation, including assistance under government schemes, opening bank accounts and reuniting them with their families. Officials said contact has been established with the families of four workers, while efforts are continuing to trace relatives of the remaining survivors. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the alleged abuse as an “assault on human dignity” and demanded strict action against those responsible. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act. 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
‘Students being called terrorists’: Rahul Gandhi attacks Modi govt, Pradhan over paper leaks
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over his alleged “terrorist” remark against students protesting over education-related issues. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led NDA government of suppressing dissent and failing to protect the interests of students. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government was branding students demanding fair examinations and a secure future as “terrorists.” He wrote, “Drowned in the arrogance of power, the Modi government has now reached a point where the Education Minister is calling students, who are merely demanding their rights, fair examinations, and a secure future, ‘terrorists’. “Just think about it, the one whose failures led to so many paper leaks, under whose rule 20 children lost their lives, who has pushed the futures of millions of youth into darkness, is today labeling the suffering children and those raising their voices as ‘terrorists’.” Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the government routinely branded its critics. “But this is nothing new: Farmers, the nation’s food providers, were called ‘professional agitators and parasites.’ Those who ask questions were branded ‘Anti-National.’ And now, the youth are being called ‘terrorists’.” Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi wrote, “Anyone who questions the government, label them a traitor; that’s the entirety of their politics. Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, immediately apologize to the millions of youth in this country and resign for your failures.” He also criticised the education system, saying, “As for me, go ahead and attack me as much as you want. I said it in Kota, and I say it again: This education system has today become nothing but an extortion racket. I won’t let it continue like this. Ensuring every child gets affordable, quality education and fair examinations, I will never stop raising this voice. This format is standard news style because every set of remarks is explicitly introduced as “he wrote”, “Gandhi further alleged”, or “Demanding Pradhan’s resignation, Gandhi wrote”, making it clear that these are Rahul Gandhi’s claims and not the reporter’s narration. 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 files application in MP HC, expresses regret over remark against Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son
Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son Kartikeya Singh filed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, alleging that Gandhi mentioned his name while referring to Panama Papers leak case, damaging his reputation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court with an application expressing regret for his allegedly defamatory statement about Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s son Kartikeya Singh. Kartikeya Singh had filed a defamation complaint in a Bhopal court against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi’s application, filed by his lawyer on Wednesday, said his statement was not related to Singh. In the defamation complaint lodged in the Bhopal court for cases against MPs-MLAs, Kartikeya Singh alleged that during an election rally in Jhabua in 2018, Gandhi mentioned his name while referring to the Panama Papers leak scandal, thus damaging his reputation. The court issued a summons to Gandhi for personal appearance, following which the Congress leader moved the HC seeking to quash the summons as well as the defamation case. Justice Pramod Kumar Agarwal will hear Gandhi’s petition on Thursday. The petitioner on Wednesday produced the records of the lower court, as directed by the HC. Advocate Sankalp Kochhar represented the complainant before the high court. Responding to Gandhi’s regret application, Kartikey through his counsel on Thursday said that he didn’t intend to escalate the issue any further, so the proceedings before the MP HC as well as the trial court in Bhopal be closed. 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
CJP protester attacked with iron rod; Dipke demands SC/ST Act, attempt to murder charges
NEW DELHI: A person protesting with CJP sustained serious head injuries during the prolonged protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday night. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and CJP spokesperson Saurav Das have demanded that the Delhi Police take strict action against those responsible, alleging that while police have arrested one person, around 15 people were involved in the attack. Following the incident, a video of the injured man’s daughter surfaced on social media. In the video, she alleged that a group of “Manuvadi” people cornered her on the road and that when her father intervened to protect her, he was allegedly struck on the head with an iron rod, leaving him seriously injured. CJP demands justice CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said Delhi Police have taken “zero preventive action” regarding physical attacks and online threats. The CJP has demanded full accountability for the incident under the SC/ST Act and Attempt to Murder charges. Das said that the perpetrators targeted the protest so as to create an enviroment of terror and make it unsafe for those on ground to engage in a peaceful protest. He also revealed that the victim’s medical examination revealed three deep wounds to the skull, with the MLC report showing grievous injury, but police have recorded it as minor injury. Dipke urged authorities to identify and arrest all those allegedly involved in the attack. He further alleged that while police have arrested one person, but 15 were involved in the attack and have not been detained. The CJP has maintained that the protest will continue until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over alleged NEET-UG paper leaks and examination irregularities. 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
Former Bihar Congress chief blames his removal for party’s dismal performance in state assembly polls
The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. PATNA: Former Bihar Congress chief and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has asserted that his removal as the party’s Bihar unit president before the last Assembly election led to the Congress’ poor performance in the polls. In the 2025 Assembly election, the Congress won only six of the 61 seats it contested. The former Union minister’s remarks at an event in Delhi on Tuesday are being seen as a criticism of the party leadership at both the central and state levels. “I was removed from the post of state president before the elections, and the party had to bear the consequences,” he said, raising questions over the leadership’s decision. Singh, who is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, also took a swipe at the current AICC in-charge of Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, without naming him directly. He also openly objected to the functioning of co-in-charge Shahnawaz Alam, who was present at the event. “Such people were made in-charge who have nothing to do with politics and have no knowledge of it. When these people came to Bihar, the first thing they did was to remove me from the post of state president,” Singh said. He maintained that the Congress’ performance in the Assembly election would have been better had he remained the state president. “We had succeeded in getting four MPs elected (three Lok Sabha members and one Rajya Sabha member in 2024) when I was holding the post of state party president,” he said. He further said, “This time, 40 per cent of the elected MLAs in Bihar are from upper-caste communities, and 27 MLAs belong to the Bhumihar caste. I belong to the same caste. I had asked Rahul Gandhi what should now be done in Bihar.” Akhilesh was replaced by Rajesh Kumar, a Scheduled Caste legislator from Aurangabad district. Kumar also lost his seat in the last election. He had earlier been elected as MLA from Kutumba in Aurangabad district. Rajesh Kumar had accompanied Rahul Gandhi during his Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls. Ramashankar 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