Allahabad HC seeks State’s response on plea of Journalist held for inciting Noida workers’ protest
It was alleged that journalist Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the Noida workers’ protest. LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply on a petition concerning journalist Satyam Verma, who was arrested last month on allegations of instigating workers to carry out violence during the Noida labour protests. A division bench, comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Devendra Singh, after hearing Senior Advocate SFA Naqvi, along with Advocates Shashwat Anand and Ankur Azad, appearing for Verma, on the illegality of his arrest and continued custody, issued notice to the State authorities and granted time to file a Counter Affidavit on the habeas corpus writ petition. Verma was separately booked under the National Security Act (NSA) on May 13. The petition filed on behalf of Verma by his wife challenges his arrest, detention and remand. The petition alleges serious procedural irregularities in the arrest and custodial transfer process and has accordingly sought his release along with preservation of electronic and documentary evidence relating to the detention. Verma was arrested in Lucknow on April 17. It was alleged that Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the workers’ protest, as he attempted to disrupt public order by provoking people in various areas. It may be recalled that the workers of the textile sector were protesting for a hike in their wages and improved working conditions across Noida since April 10. On April 13, the protestors turned violent, indulging in vandalism and arson. They set vehicles afire, resorted to trespassing and stone pelting at a few places, following which police resorted to lathi-charge and detained hundreds of workers and seven activists involved in the protest. The Court further directed that the petitioner would be at liberty to file a Rejoinder Affidavit thereafter and posted the matter for the next hearing on July 13. Earlier, on May 20, a division bench of Justice Siddharth and Justice Vinai Kumar Kumar Dwivedi recused from hearing the present Habeas Corpus plea. Namita Bajpai 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
Power politics peaks in Karnataka, Dalits want Dy CM post for Muniyappa; Lingayat seer pitches for Eshwar Khandre
BENGALURU: Leaders from the Dalit community staged a protest at the Kempegowda International Airport on Saturday, urging the Congress party to appoint former minister K H Muniyappa as Deputy Chief Minister. Leaders of the Madara Mahasabha and various Dalit organizations held posters and urged the Congress leadership to grant the DCM post to Muniyappa. The protesters had gathered to submit a memorandum to AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, who was arriving in the state. The demonstration at Terminal 1 of the airport drew significant attention for several hours. The protesters expressed anger that the Madiga community has never been given key positions such as Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, or KPCC President, and insisted that the community should be represented with a DCM post this time. They warned that denying the DCM position could politically hurt the Congress party and said the community would teach the party a lesson if it was ignored. The protests come even as top brass of the Congress including General Secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala arrived at the Shangri La Hotel in the city. The leaders are expected to hold a meeting prior to the Legislature party meet later this evening. Speaking on the Karnataka Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, Muniyappa said, “Some are proposing, some are seconding. This is the procedure, and we cannot say anything beyond that. But the process will be completed by this evening”. The pressure on the Congress leadership for top posts also came from the Lingayat community. Guru Basava Pattadevaru and his supporters demanded the Deputy CM Chair for senior leader Ishwar Khandre. Guru Basava said, “If Eshwar Khandre is not given the post of DCM, then the Lingayat community will teach the Congress party a lesson in the next assembly elections,” the Swamiji added. The Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting is scheduled at the Vidhana Soudha later in the day. It is expected that DK Shivakumar will be chosen as the CM while at least two Deputy CMs are likely to be named. Courtesy : Public TV English Note: This news is originally published on https:/publictvenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Seven Dalits injured in attacks by gang in Tenkasi, Tirunelveli districts
A nine-member masked gang came to Nettur village in Tenkasi district on two-wheelers and attacked the people indiscriminately with sickles. CHENNAI: Seven Dalits were injured after being allegedly attacked by masked men in Tenkasi and Tirunelveli districts, police said on Saturday. A nine-member masked gang came to Nettur village in Tenkasi district on two-wheelers and attacked the people indiscriminately with sickles. One person was injured in a similar attack in Tirunelveli district. The assailants fled the spot immediately after the assaults. A total of seven people were injured and admitted to the government hospital. A case has been registered, and investigation is on, police said. Expressing shock over the attack on Dalits, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday alleged that the Tamil Nadu government has “failed to prevent” such violence. “These incidents have left the southern districts in a prolonged state of fear”, he said adding “such an incident must not be allowed to recur.” He demanded that the district administrations take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the affected villages. Courtesy : DT Next Note: This news is originally published on https:/dtnext.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Punjab civic polls: Transgender influencer Komal Mahant scripts historic victory in Samana
Mahant secured the victory by a margin of 505 votes, emerging as one of the most talked-about winners in the civic polls In a result that has generated considerable buzz in Patiala’s Samana, transgender candidate Komal Mahant transformed her social media popularity into electoral success by winning the Municipal Council election from Ward No. 18 on a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket. Mahant secured the victory by a margin of 505 votes, emerging as one of the most talked-about winners in the civic polls. Her campaign stood out for blending digital outreach with traditional grassroots politics, helping her connect with both young voters and residents at the neighbourhood level. Known for her strong presence on social media, Mahant and her team used Instagram, where she has over 64,000 followers, to amplify campaign messages focused on youth welfare, anti-drug awareness and civic development. However, supporters say it was her extensive door-to-door interaction with residents that ultimately converted online support into votes. Celebrations erupted in Ward 18 as the result was declared. Amid chants by supporters, an emotional Mahant thanked voters for placing their faith in her. “Namaskar and Sat Sri Akal to all the people of Samana. I pray for the happiness of every family. The love and support of the people of Ward 18 have brought me to this position. I will work honestly to live up to their expectations,” she said. Mahant’s election campaign revolved around a promise of visible change in the ward. She pledged to spend Rs 6 lakh annually from her personal resources on social welfare activities, launch campaigns against drug abuse among youth and improve damaged streets and open drains that residents have long complained about. Political observers described her victory as more than just an electoral upset. They said it reflected a growing willingness among voters to look beyond conventional political identities and support candidates who maintain direct engagement with the public and focus on local issues. Article_Author Kulwinder Sandhu Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ensure not a single person loses vote during SIR: Telangana CM to Congress workers
CM Revanth said it was encouraging that party leaders were creating awareness on the SIR and had understood the difficulties it could create for common people, the poor and Congress workers. HYDERABAD: Expressing concern over the possibility of Dalits, minorities and women losing their votes due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called upon party workers to ensure that not a single eligible voter was removed from the electoral rolls. Addressing a joint meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee Political Affairs Committee and PCC Advisory Committee at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, he asked the Mahila Congress to organise cluster-wise meetings on the SIR and create awareness among voters. He said it was encouraging that party leaders were creating awareness on the SIR and had understood the difficulties it could create for common people, the poor and Congress workers. He said the SIR could become a major issue for Lambadas, tribals and migrant workers. Stating that people in some Assembly segments might have migrated elsewhere for employment, Revanth asked Congress activists to remain vigilant and ensure that those who had moved temporarily for work were not removed from the electoral rolls. He directed party workers to create awareness regarding solutions to problems arising out of the SIR process. He recalled that with the support of booth-level enrollers, the Congress had completed 45 lakh digital memberships in 90 days in the past. Cong to appoint in-charges to keep track of SIR process Those who registered the highest number of memberships were felicitated by Rahul Gandhi, Revanth said, while adding that the same enrollers who had played a key role in earlier Congress membership drives should now be utilised during the SIR process. For the digital membership drive, one in-charge was appointed in every constituency and continuous monitoring was carried out. Similar in-charges should now be appointed for all 119 Assembly constituencies and 17 Lok Sabha segments to keep track of the SIR process, he said. Assembly in-charges must remain in their constituencies until the SIR process was completed, Revanth said, adding that if the in-charges functioned effectively, not even a single vote would be deleted. CM to meet party workers once every 10 days Revanth also said that in-charge ministers should dedicate one full day every 10 days for party activities and interact with workers at the grassroots level. He said he too would meet grassroots-level party workers once every 10 days and dedicate three days every month to party activities. He said ministers, MLAs, MPs, MLCs and chairpersons of various corporations must participate in party programmes and that no exemptions would be given to anyone. He also advised party leaders to take into consideration suggestions made by former PCC presidents. Revanth said that almost all nominated posts had been filled and that the party now had thousands of sarpanches, municipal chairpersons and councillors. All these leaders must move forward in coordination, he added. The meeting decided to convene Assembly-wise meetings on the SIR in the 15 Assembly constituencies under Hyderabad city limits. AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and others were present at the meeting. Briefing reporters later, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar recalled that after the SIR process, a large number of voters were allegedly removed in West Bengal, Assam and other states. He said then West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had approached the court claiming that around 93 lakh votes had been removed in the state. Prabhakar said party workers who had actively participated in the membership drive would now be deployed across nearly 34,000 polling stations in the state to monitor the SIR process. 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
A young man entered a woman’s house in Haldi: Villagers beat him for molestation; police filed a case.
In a village under the Haldi police station area, a young man allegedly entered a woman’s house on Friday morning and molested her. When the woman raised an alarm, villagers gathered and apprehended the accused. The incident occurred around 2 a.m. when a young man from the village entered the woman’s house. When the woman protested and raised an alarm, nearby neighbors arrived at the scene. The villagers caught the accused and beat him. However, he managed to escape. The victim filed a written complaint with the police. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections. Haldi police station chief Raju Kumar Rai stated that a case of molestation has been registered. Police are searching for the accused, Abhilash Gupta. Sunil Kumar Dwivedi | Belhari, Ballia Courtesy: Hindi News
FIR against Ajay Rai, Congress sparks statewide protest: In Prayagraj, the party accuses the government of Dalit oppression and corruption.
Following the filing of a case against Congress state president Ajay Rai, the party has intensified its statewide protests. Following the instructions of the party high command, Congress leaders in all divisions held press conferences targeting the BJP government. In a similar vein, Congress leader Mohammad Farhan attacked the state government at a press conference in Prayagraj. During the press conference, Mohammad Farhan alleged that the state is experiencing a politics of injustice and oppression, not good governance. He said that those who speak out for Dalits, women, and vulnerable sections are being tried to be suppressed by filing cases against them. Farhan stressed that Congress workers will not fear jail time and will continue their struggle against Dalit oppression, corruption, and injustice. The Congress leader claimed that millions of incidents of Dalit oppression have been reported in the state over the past nine years, as confirmed by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. He also alleged that corruption has increased in government departments and crimes against women and Dalit daughters are on the rise. Mohammad Farhan recounted an incident in Mahoba where a Dalit girl was allegedly assaulted. He said that when Congress state president Ajay Rai visited the victim’s family, a case was filed against him. Farhan alleged that the government is attempting to suppress the voice of the opposition. He stated that corruption has become widespread in various state government departments. Congress will now launch a campaign to expose the government’s alleged corruption to the public. During the press conference, Congress workers also registered their protest against the government’s policies. Sachin Prajapati | Prayagraj Courtesy: Hindi News
BJP’s Social Engineering In Punjab: Jat Sikh Face, Hindu Connect, Dalit Outreach
The BJP’s move is being seen as part of a larger political gamble aimed at breaking the perception of the party as primarily a “Hindu party” in Punjab. Chandigarh, Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun reshaping its political strategy in the state with a clear focus on caste and regional balancing. In a major organisational shift after nearly 26 years, the party has appointed Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon as the President of the Punjab BJP, signalling a renewed attempt to expand its appeal beyond its traditional Hindu voter base. The BJP’s move is being seen as part of a larger political gamble aimed at breaking the perception of the party as primarily a “Hindu party” in Punjab and strengthening its reach among Sikh voters, especially the influential Jat Sikh community. Why the BJP Chose a Jat Sikh Face Punjab’s demographic and electoral realities have always made caste and community representation politically significant. Sikhs constitute nearly 57 per cent of the state’s population, while Hindus account for around 38 per cent. For decades, the BJP’s political support in Punjab remained largely concentrated among urban Hindu voters. By appointing Kewal Singh Dhillon – a former Congress leader and close associate of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh – the BJP appears to be sending a strong message that it wants to emerge as a broader social coalition in Punjab politics. The move also comes after the party’s earlier attempt to attract Sikh voters through Captain Amarinder Singh failed to produce substantial electoral gains during the last Assembly elections. BJP’s Focus On Malwa, Doaba And Majha Political observers believe the BJP is now strategically targeting Punjab’s three major regions – Malwa, Doaba and Majha. Kewal Singh Dhillon belongs to the politically crucial Malwa belt, which alone accounts for 69 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats. The Majha region has 25 seats, while Doaba contributes 23. By elevating Dhillon, the BJP appears to be strengthening its organisational presence in Malwa, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has reportedly been tasked with increasing outreach among OBC voters, particularly in the Doaba region. He has been holding programmes in Punjab with OBC and other castes to attract voters. Around 70 political personal programmes have been attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini from 2025 onwards. The party’s broader strategy indicates an attempt to consolidate support across caste and regional lines before the 2027 Assembly elections. BJP’s Caste Combination Strategy Ahead of the elections, the BJP appears to be balancing caste and regional representation through a mix of prominent leaders and targeted community outreach. Prominent Hindu leaders such as Sunil Jakhar and Ashwani Sharma are seen focusing on the Hindu vote bank in urban constituencies, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. In the Malwa region, Jat Sikh leaders, including Kewal Singh Dhillon, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, are expected to play a key role in strengthening the party’s outreach among Jat voters. For Dalit outreach, the BJP has relied on leaders such as former Union Minister Vijay Sampla, former union minister of state Som Parkash and former chief parliamentary secretary Avinash Chander. These leaders were also involved in facilitating a meeting between Dera Sachkhand Ballan chief Sant Niranjan Dass and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi ahead of the 649th Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar was also viewed as politically significant due to the dera’s deep emotional and religious influence among the Ravidassia community in Punjab. BJP’s Political Message Ahead of 2027 The appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon is also being viewed as an effort to politically accommodate Captain Amarinder Singh and put to rest speculation regarding his possible return to the Congress. Interestingly, despite losing both the Sangrur Lok Sabha election and the Barnala Assembly election, Dhillon has been elevated to the party’s top organisational post in Punjab – underlining the BJP’s focus on social equations and regional representation over immediate electoral performance. BJP leader Anil Sarin, however, dismissed suggestions that the appointment was based on religion or caste politics. Calling it a routine organisational process, he said the BJP works collectively with leaders and workers from all communities for the prosperity of Punjab. Yet politically, the message from the BJP is becoming increasingly clear: ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the party is attempting to build a new social coalition by combining Hindu urban support, Jat Sikh leadership and Dalit outreach under one political framework. How Former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon was Appointed Former Barnala MLA Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon, a prominent Jat Sikh leader and close confidant of former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, is being viewed as the BJP’s attempt to strengthen its connection with Sikh voters in the state and expand beyond its traditional urban Hindu support base. Current Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar’s three-year term is set to conclude in July. However, the party sources indicate that Jakhar will continue to play an active role in shaping the BJP’s campaign strategy for the upcoming Assembly elections. Within the BJP, there had been growing support for appointing a Sikh face to lead the Punjab unit. Insiders said BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh strongly backed Dhillon’s candidature. RSS Punjab in-charge Mantri Srinivaslu and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini were also reportedly supportive of the move. Political discussions around Punjab’s changing equations had intensified recently after Capt Amarinder Singh’s meeting with Dera Beas chief Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon. Besides Kewal Singh Dhillon, several other leaders were also said to be in contention for the post, including Jagmohan Raju, Manjit Singh Rai, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. Born in Tallewal village in Barnala district, Kewal Singh Dhillon served as MLA from Barnala from 2007 to 2017. He later lost the seat to AAP leader Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer. Dhillon joined the BJP in June 2022 along with several
Congress attacks Mahoba Dalit student incident: BJP government accused ofdeflecting justice
Bhadohi Congress Committee President Wasim Ansari addressed a press conference at his camp office in Suriyawan. Expressing concern over the incident involving the Dalit student from Mahoba, he said that this case has brought shame to the entire state. Ansari alleged that the BJP government and its leaders are trying to divert attention by resorting to AI-generated videos and propaganda instead of providing justice to the victim. He stated that when Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Rai was going to share the victim’s grief, an attempt was made to stop him. Wasim Ansari reiterated that the Congress party will always raise the voice of the oppressed and the exploited. Wasim Ansari hit back at the BJP, saying that BJP members are today talking about corruption and demanding an investigation into Ajay Rai’s assets. He challenged that every Congress worker, including state president Ajay Rai, is ready for investigation, but the assets of Bharatiya Janata Party MPs, MLAs, and ministers should also be investigated. He also mentioned the poor condition of the Ganga River despite thousands of crores of rupees spent on the Namami Gange project. Ansari also questioned the poor condition of the Jalkal and Nal Yojana schemes, where tanks are collapsing and water is not reaching other areas. Wasim Ansari accused the Agra Municipal Corporation of waiving ₹430 crore owed to Torrent, a private power company. He said that the BJP government has previously waived lakhs and crores of rupees for big capitalists, which he described as a “donate and do business” policy. Regarding the cases filed against Ajay Rai, Ansari clarified that these cases are related to political and public service. He said that the government took action against him because he helped people during the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in public movements. Many prominent leaders, including District Vice President Trilokinath Bind, Suriyawan Block President Suresh Chauhan, Youth Congress State General Secretary Nazim Ali, Youth Congress District President Shakti Mishra, OBC Wing District President Rakesh Pal, and Vishal Gautam, were present at the press conference. Nitesh Kumar Upadhyay | Suriyawan, Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar) Courtesy: Hindi News
Politics heats up over Dalit student case in Etah: Former District President says opposition to visiting the victim’s family is against democratic values
Politics has heated up over the controversial case involving a Dalit student in Etah. Late in the evening, the District Congress Committee, Etah, held a press conference, leveling serious allegations against the BJP government and expressing support for State Congress President Ajay Rai. Former District President Chob Singh Dhangar accused the BJP of adopting a repressive policy. He claimed that a Dalit student in Mahoba was kidnapped, held hostage for several days, and subjected to inhumane treatment. Congress leaders alleged that the government has failed to understand the victim’s pain. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee State President Ajay Rai’s visit to the victim’s home to inquire about her family was described as a humanitarian gesture. Congress workers also alleged that when Ajay Rai arrived at the victim’s home, BJP workers attempted to oppose him. Congress leaders accused the BJP of insensitivity, stating that opposition to visiting the victim’s family is against democratic values. The press note also demanded an investigation into the assets of ministers and MLAs of the BJP government. Congress leaders said that if the government is serious about combating corruption, it should initiate an impartial investigation of its own representatives. They also termed the demand for an investigation into Ajay Rai’s assets as political vendetta. This statement issued by the District Congress Committee, Etah, has sparked political activity in the district. However, no official response has yet been issued by the BJP on this matter. Nand Kumar | Etah 5 Courtesy: Hindi News