NCSC issues notice to Meerut DM-SSP in case of casteist remarks against Dalit women, calls for report within 15 days
The complaint stated that on August 6th, four youths from the Mohkampur and Shivpuram areas used casteist slurs and offensive language against women from the Scheduled Caste community while performing bike stunts on the highway. Meerut – The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken cognizance of a complaint regarding casteist and obscene/objectionable remarks against women from the Scheduled Caste community in the TP Nagar police station area and issued a notice to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Meerut. The Commission has directed them to submit a detailed report of the action taken in the matter within 15 days. South Asians and Migrants This complaint was filed with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes by Mayank Verma, District Youth President, Anti-Corruption Foundation of India. The complaint stated that on August 6th, four youths from the Mohkampur and Shivpuram areas used casteist slurs and offensive language against women from the Scheduled Caste community while performing bike stunts on the highway. It was also mentioned that a video related to the incident had gone viral on social media. According to the complaint, FIR No. 0423/2026 was registered at TP Nagar Police Station, in which sections 196(1)(a) and 352 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act were invoked, while sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 were not invoked. The complainant also informed the Commission that a call recording of the Station House Officer’s conversation with Ravikant was available, in which it was stated that the SC/ST Act was not invoked in the case. The complaint sought inclusion of the viral video and call recording in the investigation and an inquiry into the role of the Station House Officer and the investigating officer. Through a notice, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has sought a detailed report from the District Magistrate and SSP of Meerut, including the date of the incident, the crime number, details of the victim and accused, sections invoked in the FIR, the status of arrests, the charge sheet/final report, and action taken under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. People and Society The Commission also stated that if the report is not received within the stipulated time, it may issue summons to the concerned officials to appear in person, exercising its powers under Article 338 of the Constitution. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dehradun: Dalit youth on ventilator, BJP leader charged with attempted murder; angry Valmiki community blocks Delhi-Haldwani highway
Following a fatal attack on a Dalit youth in Rudrapur, the Valmiki community staged a massive protest, blocking the highway and demanding the immediate arrest of the main accused, a BJP leader. New Delhi: The Valmiki community has erupted in anger following the fatal attack on a 20-year-old Dalit youth and his friends in Rudrapur. Hundreds of members of the community blocked the Delhi-Haldwani highway on Monday. The protesters were demanding the immediate arrest of BJP Mandal General Secretary Paras Chugh, accused in the case. The protest occurred hours after the arrest of Paras’ brother, Sunny Chugh, as the main accused, Paras, has not yet been taken into police custody. The incident occurred on the night of Friday, August 7th. A four-wheeler collided with a scooter near the Kashipur flyover, sparking a dispute that quickly escalated into a violent altercation. The victims allege that the Chugh brothers and their henchmen attacked them with sticks and iron rods, seriously injuring three people. The attackers are also accused of using casteist slurs during the assault. People and Society Abhishek Valmiki, the victim of this brutal attack, is in critical condition. He is battling for life on a ventilator in a private hospital in Bareilly, where doctors have given him little hope of survival. Police have registered a case against BJP leader Paras Chugh, his brother Sunny Chugh, and 10 unidentified individuals under Section 109 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Before blocking the highway, protesters gathered at the Rudrapur Municipal Corporation premises, where they announced a complete boycott of sanitation work and raised slogans against the accused. Pooja Devi, the mother of the victim, Abhishek, who works as a sanitation worker in the Municipal Corporation, has raised serious questions about the administration’s functioning. As a widow, she said she expected justice from the mayor, but the police were avoiding arresting Paras Chugh because of his close ties to her. Despite an FIR being registered, the lack of arrest of the main accused has been growing, fueling anger among the Valmiki community. On Monday, police and administrative officials requested time until 2 p.m. to take action against the accused. Following this, CO Akhilesh Kumar Singh reached the Municipal Corporation and spoke with the protesters, but the discussions yielded no results. After much effort and heavy police deployment, the highway blockade was cleared in about 15 minutes. SP Uttam Singh Negi has officially confirmed the arrest of Sunny Chugh in the case. Earlier, Rudrapur in-charge CO Prashant Kumar had also announced the registration of a case. Meanwhile, Congress State Secretary Mohan Khera visited the Municipal Corporation and met with the victim’s family and assured them of full support, although the police detained him during the protest. Meanwhile, Rudrapur MLA Shiv Arora has clarified that the state government will not tolerate any kind of anarchy and that the law will take its course, regardless of who the accused are. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth beaten with belts in Jhansi, allegedly forced to drink urine from a pot; video goes viral
UP Crime: A shocking incident has come to light from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit youth was allegedly brutally beaten and forced to drink urine from a pot. The video of this incident is going viral on social media, sparking outrage. UP Crime: A video that shames humanity has surfaced from Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh. A Dalit youth was allegedly brutally beaten and forced to drink urine from a pot. The video of the incident has also gone viral on social media. In the video, some people are seen assaulting and insulting the youth. The victim alleges that a group of bullies surrounded him and brutally beat him with belts. It is alleged that casteist and derogatory remarks were also hurled at him during the assault. After this, the accused subjected him to inhumane treatment, forced him to drink urine from a pot, and filmed the entire incident. Vikas and Aditya Thakur are fathers… In the viral video, some young men can allegedly be heard shouting slogans like, “Vikas and Aditya Thakur are fathers… Raising hands is a sin.” The video has sparked public outrage over the incident. However, independent verification of the viral video and official confirmation of the identities of all those seen in it will only be possible after an investigation. Victim blames the “Baba 302” gang The victim claims that more than a dozen powerful individuals operate a gang called “Baba 302.” According to him, the group’s objective is to instill terror and assault among people. The victim alleged that individuals associated with this alleged gang committed this crime against him. Questions about law and order raised after the video went viral After the video of the incident went viral on social media, questions have been raised about police action and law and order in the district. The biggest question is, if the allegations are true, why did the accused lack fear of the law? The alleged assault and inhumane treatment of the victim has raised serious questions about the safety of Dalits and the police’s control over the oppressors. People say that instilling fear of the law among criminals is the primary responsibility of the police and administration. Police investigation will reveal the full truth At present, the police investigation is crucial in this entire matter. The identity of the people seen in the video, the actual circumstances of the incident, and the veracity of the allegations made by the victim will only be clear after the investigation. If the allegations are found to be true, strict legal action must be taken against the culprits. Author: Tilak Kumar About the Author Tilak Kumar has been active in journalism for the past 14 years. He has extensive experience reporting in print and digital media. He has worked as a crime reporter for reputed news organizations such as Amar Ujala, Prabhat Khabar, Jan Sandesh Times, and Rashtriya Sahara. His areas of special interest and expertise are crime, politics, and hyperlocal journalism. During his field reporting, he has brought many important and impactful news stories to readers. His deep understanding of ground-level issues and fact-based reporting have been his hallmarks. He is currently associated with Prabhat Khabar’s digital team and continues to write and report on issues related to politics, crime, and public concerns in Uttar Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Women Allegedly Attacked for Entering Shiva Temple in Odisha, One Arrested
Tension was reported in Atimati village under Erasama police limits in Odisha after a group of Dalit women were allegedly stopped and assaulted when they tried to enter a Shiva temple to offer prayers during Shravan. The women alleged that some villagers prevented them from entering the temple, hurled casteist and abusive remarks at them, and threatened them with physical violence if they did not leave the premises. According to police, the incident took place on Monday when the women visited the local Shiva temple. Some villagers allegedly carrying sticks and lathis stopped them from entering, leading to an argument between the two groups. Dalit Woman Allegedly Attacked With Knife The situation reportedly escalated after the women refused to leave the temple premises. The villagers allegedly snatched their puja offerings and threw them on the ground. During the confrontation, one of the accused, identified as 40-year-old Satya Rout, allegedly attacked a 55-year-old Dalit woman with a knife, leaving her seriously injured. He is also accused of kicking and physically assaulting her. The injured woman later approached the Erasama police station and filed a complaint against eight people. Based on her complaint, police registered a case against all eight accused persons. Police Arrest One Person Erasama IIC Parthsarthi Beura confirmed that a case had been registered and said Rout had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault. He was subsequently produced before a court. Police are investigating the role of the other accused named in the complaint. “The involvement of the other accused persons would be verified during the investigation and appropriate action would be taken if they are found guilty,” Beura said. He added that the situation in the village was currently under control, but police personnel had been deployed to prevent any further escalation. “The situation is now normal, but police are maintaining strict vigil in the village to prevent any untoward incident,” he said. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP can’t tolerate BCs, Dalits’ growth: Minister Nagendra
The world knows how the money was misappropriated. KOPPAL: Minister B Nagendra on Tuesday alleged that the BJP could not tolerate the growth of leaders from Backward Classes and the Dalit community. Addressing reporters at Munirabad near here, he said, “We are bringing back the money that was siphoned off from Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited. The world knows how the money was misappropriated. The case is before the court. I will come out clean in the alleged scam. Keep watching, my work as a minister will receive appreciation from people across the state.” “I will work under the guidance of the CM and the former CM,” he said. Reacting to some BJP leaders’ statements that they would not allow the Assembly to function till Nagendra is dropped from the cabinet, he said, “Their only aim is to suppress Dalits and BCs. We are ready to give them a fitting reply in the Assembly. Our chief minister has already responded to them. It is the Opposition’s job to corner us, and let them do so. All members of the Cabinet will respond. We are committed to our party’s ideology of taking people from all communities together.” “Whenever I travelled outside the state, I obtained permission. BJP leaders are unaware of it. I have not violated any rules. The court has granted a stay order in this case,” 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
Jharkhand exam stir enters 19th day as students vow to intensify agitation
Students protesting under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch have refused to call off the agitation despite assurances from the Hemant Soren government on reforms in the recruitment system. The agitation by job aspirants over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations entered its 19th day on Wednesday, with protesting students vowing to intensify their stir until their demands are met. Students protesting under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch have refused to call off the agitation despite assurances from the Hemant Soren government on reforms in the recruitment system. The protesters are demanding greater transparency in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), cancellation of several tests and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Chhatra Nyay group has announced a one-day hunger strike and a ‘kali patti’ (black armband) protest against the police lathi-charge on students during their march towards the state assembly on Monday. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. While students alleged that several demonstrators were injured, Ranchi Police said 14 of its personnel sustained injuries in the clashes. The police action triggered a political confrontation, with the BJP observing a statewide bandh on Tuesday. Roads were blocked, educational institutions remained shut and markets were closed in several districts, disrupting normal life. The BJP demanded an independent probe into the alleged examination irregularities and accused the JMM-led government of suppressing the voice of protesting youths. It also questioned the intentions of government officials who visited the dharna site around midnight. The ABVP separately staged a march towards the assembly on Tuesday, while the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch held a silent procession from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi. Leaders of the outfit said the agitation would continue and that a fresh programme to intensify the protest would be announced soon. The prolonged agitation has also affected the health of protesters. Six demonstrators are on an indefinite hunger strike, with two admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital. Add as a preferred source on Google JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been fasting for about 10 days, remains in the emergency ward. Doctors said his condition was stable, though he has refused food despite repeated appeals. His blood pressure and blood sugar levels are being closely monitored. Another protester, Rahul Kranti from Palamu, began his fast at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on August 4 and was admitted to hospital on August 7 after his condition deteriorated. Doctors said his health parameters were currently normal. The sixth round of talks between the government and representatives of the protesting students on Sunday failed to break the deadlock, with both sides accusing each other of lacking seriousness. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that his government is committed to reforming the examination system and assured protesters that the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled. He has also accused the BJP of turning the students’ agitation into a political platform. 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
‘Portfolios within 24 hours’: Rahul, Kharge discuss Karnataka ministry allocation
NEW DELHI: Portfolios for ministers inducted in the recent Karnataka cabinet expansion will be allocated within the next 24 hours, news agency ANI reported citing sources. This came after a meeting between Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday. The Karnataka cabinet was expanded earlier this month with 20 new ministers inducted, taking the ministry to its full sanctioned strength of 34, including chief minister DK Shivakumar. The expansion came two months after Shivakumar took office and also saw the return of former ministers including B Nagendra, Laxman Savadi and Zameer Ahmed Khan. Gayathri Shanthegowda is the only woman among the new inductees. The expansion also triggered discontent among some Congress MLAs who were left out. Yashavantarayagouda V Patil and Belur Gopalakrishna resigned as MLAs ahead of the swearing-in after not finding a place in the Cabinet. Shivakumar urged disappointed legislators to remain patient, saying it was not possible to accommodate everyone at once and promising opportunities in the future. The Congress high command also approved new appointments to key legislative posts, including GS Patil as assembly Speaker and AS Ponnanna as deputy Speaker. 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
Only Ken-Betwa project under implementation among 30 identified river-linking projects: Centre tells RS
According to the reply, the 30 projects under the Peninsular and Himalayan components are at various stages, including feasibility reports, detailed project reports (DPRs), pre-feasibility reports and implementation. The government on Monday said the Ken-Betwa Link Project is the only priority link project under the National Perspective Plan (NPP) that has entered the implementation stage, while 30 Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) projects have been identified under the plan. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said the government had formulated the NPP for inter-basin water transfer and 30 ILR projects were identified under it, comprising 16 link projects under the Peninsular component and 14 under the Himalayan component. “National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has been entrusted with the work of ILR,” the minister said. The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), the only priority link project under the NPP that has entered the implementation stage, has an estimated cost of Rs 44,605 crore. The project is envisaged to provide irrigation to about 11.88 lakh hectares, drinking water supply to about 62 lakh people, 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power, according to the reply. In addition, the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP), which incorporates the Godavari (Polavaram)-Krishna (Vijayawada) link, stands classified as a national project and is executed by the Andhra Pradesh government and the Polavaram Project Authority. The project envisages irrigation to about 7.2 lakh acres and the stabilisation of 23.5 lakh acres in the Godavari and Krishna delta systems, diversion of 80 TMC of Godavari water to the Krishna basin, drinking and industrial water supply, including to Visakhapatnam, domestic water supply to about 28.5 lakh people in 611 villages and hydropower generation of 960 MW. The PIP has received a cumulative central assistance of Rs 20,658 crore, Choudhary said. According to the reply, the 30 projects under the Peninsular and Himalayan components are at various stages, including feasibility reports, detailed project reports (DPRs), pre-feasibility reports and implementation. Under the Peninsular component, the modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link has an MoA for implementation signed by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, while the Ken-Betwa link has a completed DPR and work has commenced. The Damanganga-Pinjal link and the Par-Tapi-Narmada link have completed DPRs and have been dropped from the status of “priority links”. Under the Himalayan component, the Sarda-Yamuna link has a completed DPR, while the Kosi-Ghaghra, Gandak-Ganga and Ghaghra-Yamuna links have completed feasibility reports. The Kosi-Mechi inter-state link has a completed pre-feasibility report and the proposal has been dropped. The government said the Kosi-Mechi inter-state link was dropped due to international dimensions and, on the request of the Bihar government, the Kosi-Mechi intra-state link was studied by the NWDA and its DPR submitted to the state government. The government said environmental and socio-economic impacts are assessed as part of the preparation of feasibility reports and DPRs for ILR projects. “An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) forms part of the preparation of Feasibility Reports (FRs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for every Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) project, with assessment of environmental and socio-economic impacts,” Choudhary said. For the Ken-Betwa Link Project, a comprehensive EIA has been completed along with an Integrated Landscape Management Plan, which outlines measures relating to catchment-area treatment, landscape-level ecological management, biodiversity conservation, command-area development and long-term monitoring of environmental parameters. For all ILR projects, including the Ken-Betwa Link Project, Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) components stand included in the sanctioned project structure, the government said. “Project execution conforms to applicable environmental, forest-clearance and R&R provisions,” the reply 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
Tamil Nadu: Dalit outfit seeks aid, job for Kodaikanal murder victim’s wife
According to sources, V Ramar (28), a daily wager from Poombarai panchayat in Kodaikanal, was deployed at farmland in the hill region. DINDIGUL: Alleging delay in providing compensation to the family of a Scheduled Caste murder victim in Kodaikanal, a Dalit outfit sought a government job for the victim’s wife in accordance with her qualifications along with the immediate dispersion of the compensation. According to sources, V Ramar (28), a daily wager from Poombarai panchayat in Kodaikanal, was deployed at farmland in the hill region. On July 30, a group of members from the dominant community allegedly hacked him to death. An FIR was registered at the Kodaikanal police station on July 31. Speaking to TNIE, Dalit Liberation Front (DLM) state president C Karuppiah said that under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Rules, 2016, `6 lakh should be provided as compensation after the postmortem, while the remaining `6 lakh should be given after the chargesheet is filed in court. “Ramar’s postmortem was conducted on July 31, but the first instalment has not been given. Apart from this, the victim’s wife was offered a job within a week. But she was given a cook’s job at an Adi Dravidar Welfare School in Kodaikanal. The eligibility for a cook is no formal education, whereas she has completed Class XII. She could have been given a clerk or assistant position in the district administration,” he said. An official from the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Dindigul, said the job vacancy was within the purview of the department, and the cook’s post was offered as the victim’s wife had sought immediate employment for survival. “Based on the approval of the collector, the appointment was sanctioned. Other government job vacancies come under the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), and it takes time for the victim’s family to get such a job,” the official said. Regarding the compensation, the official said there are five legal heirs. “The `6 lakh compensation will be settled in two instalments. `1.88 lakh will be given on Tuesday and the remaining amount within a week. Since one part comes from the state government and the other from the Union government, the process is being carried out accordingly,” the official 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
Why are you not suspending him? Kerala HC pulls up State over inaction against cop in Dalit student suicide case
The Court asked whether higher-ranking police officials were attempting to protect their colleague from disciplinary action. The Kerala High Court on Monday questioned the State over its failure to suspend Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sudheer Kallan despite a finding of serious procedural lapses in the arrest of an accused in the case concerning the suicide of Dalit dental student Nithin Raj. Justice A Badharudeen said police’s negligent approach had initially led to the release of the prime accused Dr M Kodanda Ram, a Kannur Dental College professor. “Why are you not suspending him? The report states that there are serious procedural lapses coupled with a careless and negligent approach in the investigation by the police personnel who arrested him. The preparation of the arrest-related documents resulted in the release of the accused. Even after finding all this, he has not been suspended?” Justice Badharudeen orally asked. The Court was hearing the plea fled by victim’s parents, who have been seeking clarity on the investigation and circumstance surrounding the arrest of Dr. Ram. Nithin Raj, a dental college student in Kerala, died by suicide on April 10 after jumping from a building near the college. Before his demise, Raj is alleged to have faced caste-based harassment from the faculty at the dental college. The police registered a case for abetment of suicide and offences under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) and arrested the prime accused, Dr. Ram. However, his initial arrest had been declared illegal by a trial court after the police failed to furnish mandatory grounds of arrest to the accused. He was subsequently re-arrested by the Crime Branch. Today, Special government pleader Rasheed C Nooranad told the Court that following a preliminary enquiry by Superintendent of Police of Wayanad, the State Police Chief has recommended disciplinary proceedings against DSP Kallan. However, he added that the disciplinary proceedings would be initiated only after the completion of a proposed enquiry by a panel of officers. Justice Badharudeen questioned the need for another enquiry when an oral enquiry has already found serious lapses in the arrest. The Court further asked whether higher-ranking police officials were attempting to protect the DSP. The judge made it clear that the government should take necessary action rather than wait for the Court to direct every step. “I don’t have an opinion that the government is not bonafide. The remedies available to the accused let him avail those, you (government) do your job. The job of police is to arrest. Court’s job is to take decision when such action is challenged,” Justice Badharudeen remarked. The Court in its order today, recorded that the officer had committed serious lapses but no immediate action was being taken by the State and instead a panel of competent enquiry officers is slated to be appointed. It directed the State Police Chief to consider the enquiry report and pass necessary orders while also directing that the proposed panel be constituted within one week. The matter will be heard next on August 17. Praisy Thomas Courtesy : Bar and Bench Note: This news is originally published on https:/barandbench.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights