‘I felt like I was breathing my last’: Dalit brothers attacked for ‘drinking water’ at a wedding in Uttarakhand
“They asked Rakesh why he was there and slapped him. When Rakesh told my brother that the family members had beaten him…” Two Dalit brothers were allegedly attacked and subjected to casteist slurs during a wedding ceremony in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, following a dispute over drinking water from a water pot. According to the Indian Express report, one of the brothers has filed a complaint, but an FIR has not yet been registered. Police say the matter is being investigated. According to the complaint filed by Umesh Tamta, his brother Shubham and relatives Rakesh Arya and Ajay Arya had gone to operate the DJ system at a wedding in Deval Malla village on Sunday night. When Rakesh Arya went to drink water from a water pot, he was allegedly attacked by the groom’s family. Tamta told the Indian Express, “They asked Rakesh why he was there and slapped him. When Rakesh told my brother that his family members had beaten him, Shubham went to the house to talk to them. He slapped a young man present there, after which the young man called his uncle and friends and started attacking Shubham. Caste-related abuses were also hurled at him.” Shubham was reportedly kicked and punched on his face and body and is currently hospitalized. When Tamta learned of the incident, he rushed to the spot, where he was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon on his head. Tamta alleged, “I asked them why they were beating my brother. They said Shubham had hit his brother and then attacked my head with a rod. While my head was bleeding, another man tried to strangle me. I pleaded with them to stop, and I felt like I was breathing my last. Then someone intervened and stopped them. We were also subjected to casteist abuse.” The family claims that Tamta suffered a serious head injury, while his brother suffered a spinal fracture. Both have been admitted to a private hospital in the city. The complaint seeks action under sections of the attempt to murder and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Following the incident, local residents and Tamta’s family protested outside the police station, demanding the arrest of the accused. Police said the matter is being investigated and a counter-complaint has been received from the other party, alleging that their mother was injured in the incident. Officials from the Kathgodam police station said four people have been detained under Section 172 of the BNSS. Police said, “We are investigating the incident and statements from both parties have been recorded. We are trying to determine what led to the incident and whether the violence was caste-based.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Sikar News: ‘Entered the house and mistreated’, 10-15 people assaulted a Dalit woman
A case of assault and mistreatment of a Dalit family has come to light in Chatur Ki Dhani, Nangal, Gram Panchayat Dunga, Neemkathana area of Sikar district. The victim’s family and villagers demanded the immediate arrest of the accused from Prem Singh Bajor, Chairman of the Sainik Welfare Advisory Committee. Sikar News: Demand for action against the accused in the case of assault on a Dalit family in Chatur Ki Dhani, Nangal, Gram Panchayat Dunga, Neemkathana, Sikar district, Rajasthan. The victim’s family and villagers met with Prem Singh Bajor, Chairman of the Sainik Welfare Advisory Committee, and informed him about the entire incident. They also submitted a memorandum demanding the immediate arrest and strict punishment of the accused. Caste-based slurs were hurled at them. The victim, Santosh Devi, stated that she was working outside her house when about 10 to 15 people came and abused her and then assaulted her. They allege that the mine owner unnecessarily harasses them, hurling caste-based slurs at them, and assaulting them. Villagers reported that there is a mine in Dhani, where the mine owner brings in anti-social elements to assault and abuse Dalit women. They face unnecessary harassment on a daily basis. Assault on Women Today, they met with Prem Singh Bajor, Chairman of the Sainik Welfare Advisory Committee, regarding the incident of the mine owner summoning miscreants to assault women two days ago. The villagers stated that heavy blasting occurs on this lease, just 10 meters from the inhabited area, which has caused cracks in their houses and stones are thrown into their homes every day, posing a threat of loss of life and property. Furthermore, miscreants also engage in daily acts of bullying and abuse and assault in these lease areas. They even enter homes and misbehave and assault women. Incidents of assault against women were also reported on the 10th. A case was registered at the Patan police station. Edited by Sneha Aggarwal, Reported by Ashok Singh Shekhawat Courtesy: Hindi News
Kushinagar News: Life imprisonment for man accused of raping a mentally challenged Dalit girl
Padrauna. The court of Special Judge SC-ST Act, Ifraq Ahmed, sentenced a man convicted of raping and assaulting a mentally challenged Dalit girl to life imprisonment. He also imposed a fine of ₹56,500. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one year of imprisonment. Half of the fine will be given to the victim as compensation. The verdict states that a case of rape and assault of a mentally challenged Dalit girl was registered at the Kasya police station in 2019 based on a complaint from the victim’s uncle. On January 30, 2019, the girl had gone to the garden to graze goats. Ramnath Patel, son of Bhuteli Patel, resident of Nadah police station, Kasya, raped her and assaulted her when she resisted. The victim came to know about the incident upon returning home. The investigating officer filed a charge sheet against the accused, Ramnath Patel, in the court under sections of rape, the SC-ST Act, and assault. The plaintiff died during the trial. The victim’s parents had already passed away. A total of seven witnesses, including the plaintiff’s wife, were examined. The court found Ramnath Patel guilty of rape, violations of the SC/ST Act, and assault. He was sentenced on Wednesday. The accused was arrested after the case was registered and was later released on bail. After the verdict on Wednesday, the court sent him back to jail. Courtesy: Hindi News
Tamil Nadu-born trans politician is now in Scottish Parliament. They went there on student visa
Q Manivannan hails from a lower-caste family in Tamil Nadu. They studied at OP Jindal Global University and completed their master’s degree in international peace studies in Dublin. New Delhi: Q Manivannan, a Tamil Nadu-born trans person, has been elected to the Scottish Parliament from the Scottish Green Party in the recent elections held on 7 May. Manivannan’s election marks a historic moment for representation in Scotland’s political landscape, particularly for the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, reported The Sunday Guardian. Mannivannan was also active in local Edinburgh politics before being elected to Holyrood as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). Their election is drawing attention since they have a student visa and were reportedly trying to raise £2,089 for a temporary graduate visa. Once they save up from their MSP salary of £77,711 per annum, they plan to apply for a global talent visa, which the UK offers to promising individuals. From India to Scotland Mannivannan studied at OP Jindal Global University, completed their master’s degree in international peace studies at Trinity College Dublin, and moved to Scotland in 2021 for doctoral research at the University of St Andrews. “I am a transgender Tamil immigrant, my pronouns are they/them. I am to some in this country everything that the hateful despise, and I am standing here as your MSP now with care,” Mannivan told the crowds at Edinburgh, reported The Telegraph. They added that they come from a lower-caste family in Tamil Nadu and had seen similar movements of resistance in Scotland. They said that they felt a strong connection with the region’s history of social and ecological justice. “I want to continue standing unwaveringly for solidarity for oppressed communities – whether its immigrants or asylum-seekers in Edinburgh… or suffering Palestinians,” Manivannan added. Visa woes Manivannan’s election was only possible after the Scottish National Parliament relaxed the rules around who could be a Holyrood candidate. Earlier, foreigners could become MSPs only if they were allowed to remain indefinitely in the UK. However, with the recent change in legislation, candidates can qualify for MSPs even with short-term visas, such as those of a student. “Q is on a valid visa with the right to work and live in Scotland, and is a Commonwealth citizen. The UK’s visa system is needlessly expensive and hostile, and we are determined to replace it with one that welcomes people with care rather than throwing up hurdles and barriers,” a Scottish Greens spokesperson told The Telegraph. Janaki Pande (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav) Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘All discussions completed’: Congress to announce its CM pick for Kerala on Thursday
The comments came shortly after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and held a final round of discussion at his residence. Congress will announce its chief minister pick for Kerala on Thursday as all discussions by the party high command has been completed, General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday. “As authorised by the members of the CLP in Kerala, the high command of the Congress has completed all discussions, and the decision on who the next chief minister of Kerala will be will be announced tomorrow,” Ramesh told reporters outside Kharge’s residence. He declined to comment on whether the announcement would be made in Delhi or Kerala. The statements came shortly after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and held a final round of discussion, even as protests and suspense over the delay in chosing the CM marred the party’s humongous victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi drove down to Kharge’s residence for the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes. The former Congress chief had previously met several leaders from Kerala and around eight former state unit chiefs to ascertain the ground situation. The party was expected to make the announcement on Wednesday night. However, according to sources, the decision was reportedly delayed as senior party leader Sonia Gandhi was unwell and had to be taken to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram for “routine check-ups.” The Congress leadership has been unable to decide on a chief ministerial face even after ten days since the results for the Assembly polls were announced, in which the United Democratic Front (UDF) registered a stunning perfomance, winning 102 seats, well over the majority mark. Protests at the ground level by ordinary party workers had prompted the party leadership to hold discussions with state leaders before finalising the next chief minister. The race for the state’s top post started after the powerful AICC general secretary for organisation, K C Venugopal, threw his hat in the ring. He enjoys the support of a majority of Congress MLAs. Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan, and senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala are also staking a claim for the post. Congress’s allies in the UDF favour Satheesan, who also enjoys huge support from the public as well as party workers on the ground. Large number of Congress workers have gathered outside the residence of Satheesan on Wednesday, expecting a decision in favour of the leader. Kerala is the fourth southern state where the Congress has come to power, after it won Karnataka and Telangana and shared power in Tamil Nadu with TVK. 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
UP: Clashes between Thakur and Dalit groups over land in Saharanpur, several injured
Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Deoband village. Both sides have accused each other of stone pelting and firing during the dispute. Half a dozen people were injured in a clash between members of the Thakur and Dalit communities over a land dispute in Lalwala village of Deoband in Saharanpur district on Saturday. The Uttar Pradesh administration has deployed police to prevent further incidents of violence. According to The Telegraph, Dalit villager Naresh Kumar told reporters that he had given two bighas of land to Ravindra Kumar Rana for contract farming a few years ago, but Rana refused to return the land after the deadline. Naresh further said, “Rana also manipulated the documents and got his name registered as the owner of the land in the revenue department records. Recently, I met with senior administrative officials in the district during a public hearing and requested their help in getting my land back. The officials called Rana, but they were unable to convince him to return the land to me.” Naresh said he contacted members of the Bhim Sena, who decided to help him. “They met me today (Saturday) and we went to get our land back. The Thakurs first threw stones at us and then started firing. As soon as the news spread, Dalit villagers gathered at the scene and pelted stones at the Thakurs.” He also alleged that the local administration and police were siding with members of the Thakur community because of their political connections. Circle Officer Abhitesh Bhati said, “The situation is peaceful after the violence. The injured have been admitted to the local community health center. We have deployed police and paramilitary forces to restore peace in the village.” Rana said he had purchased 32 bighas of land from Naresh’s father. Courtesy: Hindi News
Either I am CM or…: Rebel AIADMK leader claims EPS rejected Dalit CM proposal
AIADMK rebel C Ve Shanmugam claimed the DMK proposed Thol Thirumavalavan as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. He said the move could have produced the state’s first Dalit Chief Minister, but alleged EPS refused it. A rebel leader of the AIADMK on Wednesday claimed that the DMK had proposed making VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, which would have made him the state’s first Dalit CM, but alleged that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami rejected the proposal. Speaking after the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, rebel AIADMK leader and faction head C Ve Shanmugam said Tamil Nadu had got an “extremely rare chance” and an “unimaginable, impossible chance” for “someone from the Scheduled Caste community to become Chief Minister.” Shanmugam claimed that the DMK and Left parties proposed extending support to Thirumavalavan as Chief Minister, with ministers from both the DMK and AIADMK in the government. “We said while we can’t go with DMK, we can do it with Thiruma. But EPS said it cannot be accepted as it would become a VCK government. Either I am CM or I will act as Opposition. Those were the same words he used,” Shanmugam alleged. The rebel leader also defended the faction’s decision to support the TVK government led by actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay during the floor test. On Wednesday, 25 AIADMK MLAs backing Shanmugam and senior leader SP Velumani voted in favour of the government, helping the TVK government improve its tally to 144 in the 234-member Assembly. The DMK walked out of the House, the PMK abstained and the lone BJP MLA remained neutral. Twenty-one AIADMK MLAs loyal to Palaniswami, along with the AIADMK chief himself, voted against the government. Shanmugam rejected Palaniswami’s allegation that the rebel MLAs supported the TVK government in return for ministerial berths. “His claim is totally false and there is no truth in it. We supported the government since both AIADMK and TVK have the same ideology; to oppose DMK,” he said. He added that the AIADMK was founded by late chief minister MG Ramachandran to “uproot the DMK.” Questioning Palaniswami’s leadership, Shanmugam said the AIADMK should have convened a legislature party meeting before electing its leader, deputy leader and whip. “Can he show a copy of the resolution of the meeting? Can he provide information about when the legislature party meeting was held and at what time?” he asked. Shanmugam further claimed that Palaniswami visited the Puducherry resort where AIADMK MLAs were staying last week when the TVK was trying to form the government and collected signatures from legislators separately. “He said he had already spoken with the high level and the DMK would extend outside support to our party, that he will be the Chief Minister and our party would get several minister posts,” Shanmugam alleged. He also claimed that two senior DMK ministers contacted Palaniswami over the phone and congratulated him for extending support, while assuring him of a ministerial berth. “I was totally surprised and could not imagine accepting this offer. Even my family will not accept this,” he said. Shanmugam also attacked Palaniswami over the AIADMK’s electoral performance, alleging that the party had lost four consecutive elections under his leadership and that he never took responsibility for the defeats. Senior AIADMK leader SP Velumani echoed similar views and said the rebel faction’s primary objective was to defeat the DMK. “Our motive is to defeat the DMK. Our party and TVK have the same principles. Therefore, we have supported it,” Velumani said. He also denied any split in the AIADMK and called for an immediate general council meeting to decide the party’s future course. “There is no split in the party. We have to convene the party’s general council meeting immediately to decide the future success of the AIADMK,” he added. Pramod Madhav Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Andhra Pradesh: PVTG tribal women in ASR district demand safe drinking water, a challenge in New India
Despite the Jal Jeevan Mission, 450 tribals in Dayarthi village are forced to drink contaminated water and have threatened the administration with a violent protest. Andhra Pradesh: On Thursday, women from the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Kondhu community in Dayarthi village, Jinabadu Panchayat, under Anantagiri Mandal in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, appealed to the government for safe drinking water facilities. The villagers expressed their plight, stating that approximately 450 tribal residents of this hilltop settlement depend on contaminated springs for drinking water. Consuming this contaminated water frequently leads to illnesses like malaria, colds, and fevers. The villagers alleged that despite the implementation of major government schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission and Janaman, their village has yet to receive any drinking water. Local residents say that while road connectivity to the village has improved following Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s recent visit, the acute drinking water problem persists. They also emphasized that patients suffering from waterborne diseases are forced to travel to Devarapalli by private vehicles for treatment. This compulsion costs them approximately 2,000 rupees on transportation alone, which is a significant financial burden for these families. Several tribal women, including Vantala Radha, Lakshmi, Kanthamma, and Devi, have strongly demanded that the administration install borewells and provide tap connections to their homes as soon as possible. Meanwhile, CPM district executive member K. Govinda Rao, along with local leaders Sridhar, Somanna, and Narasinga Rao, have urged the government to resolve the issue immediately. They have warned the administration that if concrete steps are not taken soon, they will stage a fierce protest at the ITDA office. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Tribals struggle for water in MP | Girls go down into wells to fetch dirty water, watch the report
In the village panchayat of Peeparkund in the Pati development block of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh, villagers are still struggling for clean drinking water. The Mooknayak’s ground report reveals horrific images from Kundiya Phalia and Kanjania Phalia, where people are forced to fetch dirty water from several kilometers away. Little girls go down into wells to fetch water, while women and elderly people carry water on mules and on their heads through difficult paths. Villagers allege that despite repeated appeals to the administration and public representatives, the village has not yet been provided with clean drinking water and hand pumps. This report highlights the gap between government claims and ground reality. Asif Nisar Courtesy : Hindi News
Haldwani: Dispute over drinking water from a pot at a wedding, Dalit brothers attacked and subjected to caste-based abuse
Dispute over drinking water from a pot at a wedding in Haldwani: Two Dalit brothers were attacked with lethal force, action under the SC/ST Act demanded, and the Kathgodam police are investigating. Uttarakhand: A shocking incident has come to light during a wedding ceremony in Haldwani. Two Dalit brothers were severely beaten following a dispute over drinking water from a pot. It is alleged that they were assaulted and subjected to caste-based abuse. One of the brothers has filed a police complaint regarding this incident. However, the police have not yet filed an FIR in the matter. They say they are investigating the matter thoroughly. According to the Indian Express report, complainant Umesh Tamta stated that he, his brother Shubham, and relatives Rakesh Arya and Ajay Arya had gone to a wedding in Deval Malla village on Sunday night. They had been assigned to operate the DJ system there. The dispute began when Rakesh Arya went to drink water from a pot. It is alleged that the groom’s family members targeted him. They asked Rakesh what he was doing there and then slapped him. When Rakesh told Shubham about this, Shubham went to protest. Shubham slapped a young man. In response, the young man gathered his uncle and friends. They then attacked Shubham and hurled casteist abuses at him. It is alleged that Shubham was severely kicked in the face and body. When Umesh Tamta learned of the assault, he also arrived at the scene and was attacked with a rod or sharp weapon on his head. Umesh stated that when he asked the attackers why his brother was being beaten, they replied that Shubham had hit him. Umesh’s head was bleeding, and then one of the men tried to strangle him. According to Umesh, he was begging for his life and felt like he was breathing his last. Then someone intervened and stopped the attackers. Umesh alleged that he was constantly subjected to caste-based abuse throughout the assault. According to the family, Umesh suffered a serious head injury, while Shubham suffered a spinal fracture. Both brothers have been admitted to a private hospital in the city. The complaint demands strict action under sections of attempt to murder and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Following the incident, local residents and Tamta’s family protested outside the police station, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved. On the other hand, the police say the other party has also filed a counter-complaint. This cross-complaint claims that their mother was also injured in the attack. Kathgodam police station has taken action and detained four people under Section 172 of the BNSS. Police officials say they have recorded statements from both parties. Efforts are now underway to determine the true cause of the dispute and whether the violence was truly caste-based. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News