A Dalit e-rickshaw driver was brutally treated in MP! He was stuffed into a tractor, beaten, and paraded around the village wearing a garland of shoes.
The Bhim Army demanded justice: “The accused should be arrested in such a way that future generations remember that no one is greater than the Constitution.” Morena – A serious case of caste-based assault, kidnapping, and public humiliation has come to light against 40-year-old Bharatlal Jatav, a resident of Jatawar village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. The victim has filed a First Information Report at the Civil Lines police station, accusing the accused of assault, abuse, caste-based insults, kidnapping, and threats to kill. The victim, Bharatlal Jatav, son of Bhikharam Jatav, stated in the report that he had a dispute with Bhura Gurjar and Sheru Gurjar, residents of Janakpur, during Diwali. Due to the same rivalry, on May 2nd, at around 3:45 pm, while returning from the bus stand to his village Jatawar in an e-rickshaw, a Swaraj tractor with a trolley stopped his rickshaw near Chambaldeep Hotel. The tractor driver refused to let him proceed, and Bhura Gurjar, Sheru Gurjar, and Surendra Gurjar got off the trolley and began assaulting him. According to the victim, the accused abused him, used derogatory terms for the Chamar caste, and said, “You behave very arrogantly.” When Bharatlal asked them to stop, the three slapped and punched him, beat him severely, and threw him into the tractor. Bhura Gurjar ordered the tractor driver to take him to Janakpur. The victim’s niece, Anjali, and nephew, Akash, were also present at the scene. Upon reaching Janakpur, Karua Gurjar, son of Surendra Gurjar, Mahendra Gurjar, and Dilip Gurjar joined in. They also hurled abuses at his mother and sister, hurled caste-related insults, and beat him with shoes. After this, the accused made a garland of shoes and placed it around the victim’s neck and paraded him around the village. A large crowd had gathered there during this time. The victim reported that when a police vehicle was seen approaching, Ballo Gurjar took out a pistol and placed it on his chest, threatening to kill him if he reported the matter to the police station. He suffered a bloody facial injury near his right eyebrow and sustained injuries elsewhere on his body. Strongly condemning the incident, Bhim Army leader Sunil Asteya said, “Just because he’s a Dalit, he was kidnapped, beaten with shoes, and made to wear a garland. The country has reached the moon, but Dalits still don’t have the right to walk on village streets like human beings. In Morena’s village of Jatawar, a man from the Jatav community was beaten in a trolley, then garlanded with shoes and paraded through the village. This isn’t an incident, but a slap in the face of the Constitution. Shame on the system that trumpets “equality” in every election, yet on the ground, Dalits are still treated worse than animals. It seems some casteist mindsets are still intoxicated with their upper caste status, not the law. It’s a good thing an FIR was filed, otherwise, the insults of Dalits are often swept under the rug under the guise of “compromise” in this country. Now, not just an FIR, but the accused should be arrested so that future generations remember that no one is greater than the Constitution.” The police have registered an FIR and begun investigating the case. The accused have been identified as Bhura Gurjar, Sheru Gurjar, Surendra Gurjar, Karua Gurjar, Mahendra Gurjar, Dilip Gurjar, and Ballo Gurjar, among others. The situation remains tense. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A dispute in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, erupted over a demand for wheat in the name of a temple. A deadly attack on a Dalit family left several injured, including women.
The incident took place in the Maharajganj Civil Lines police station area. The dispute escalated over a demand for one quintal of wheat. The Azad Samaj Party demanded strict action. Bhopal. A serious incident has emerged from the Maharajganj Civil Lines police station area of Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. A dispute between two communities over a demand for wheat in the name of a temple escalated to a violent clash. It is alleged that some members of the Patel community forcibly demanded one quintal of wheat from poor families belonging to the Dalit Ahirwar community. When the affected families, citing their financial situation, offered only 50 kg of wheat, the dispute escalated and escalated into a physical altercation. It is reported that the Ahirwar community members clearly stated that they were unable to provide a quintal of wheat and could only provide 50 kg. Despite this, the accused refused to comply and continued to pressure them to provide one quintal. When the victim’s family persisted, it is alleged that members of the Patel community took an aggressive stance and attacked them with sticks and bricks. Both men and women were seriously injured in the attack, creating a tense atmosphere in the area. Those accused of assault include Shyam Patel, Ramswaroop Patel, Bhagwatdayal Patel, and Raja Bhaiya Patel. The victims include Kura Ahirwar, Chiddi Ahirwar, Sohan Ahirwar, Viru Ahirwar, Girija Ahirwar, and Kavita Ahirwar. The injured have reportedly been admitted to the hospital for treatment, where their condition is being monitored. According to the victims, when they demanded only 50 kg of wheat for the temple, citing their financial situation, the accused became abusive. The victims say the accused forcibly pressured them to give a quintal of wheat and, when they refused, allegedly began abusing them. The situation gradually became tense, and the matter escalated into a dispute. In the interview, the victims stated that when they protested against this indecent behavior and abuse, the accused began assaulting them. They were attacked with sticks and bricks, injuring several family members. According to the victims, women were also targeted and injured in the attack. Since the incident, the entire family has lived in fear and is demanding strict action against the accused. The incident has also sparked political backlash. Azad Samaj Party leader Sunil Astey tweeted on the matter, saying that a temple is a center of faith, but forcibly demanding grain from a poor Dalit farmer family in its name, and then attacking the entire family, especially the women, when they refused, is extremely shameful and condemnable. He said that this is not just a simple assault, but reflects a mentality of intimidation and oppression of the weaker sections. Speaking to The Muknayak, ASP leader Sunil Astey said that such illegal extortion and bullying in the name of religion is unacceptable under any circumstances. He demanded that the administration provide immediate security to the victim’s family, ensure proper treatment for the injured, and take strict legal action against all the accused. He also stated that hooliganism in the name of faith will not be tolerated in villages and that the law must be upheld. Currently, the police are investigating the case and are said to be taking action after considering all aspects of the incident. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy: Hindi News
‘We’ve been farming for 30 years’: Dalit families in a Mathura village allege forced occupation of land near a temple
“We’ve been farming this land for years, but now some people are trying to forcibly take it away.” A land dispute near the Dauji Maharaj Temple in Aicha village, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked tension. Dalit families allege that people associated with a local religious figure are trying to forcibly occupy their agricultural land. Two Dalit families, including Kewal Singh and Suresh Chandra, have accused some people allegedly associated with Mahant Baba Shyam Das of trying to take over their land behind the temple. According to a Justice News report, one of the victims said, “We’ve been farming this land for years, but now some people are trying to forcibly take it away.” The families claim that the land is still registered in their names in government revenue records. “We’ve been farming this land for 30 years” According to the families and villagers, they’ve been farming the disputed land for nearly three decades. A family member said, “We’ve been in possession of this land for the last 30 years. This is our only source of livelihood.” He added that they are deeply troubled by this sudden dispute. Accusations against Mahant’s supporters Villagers alleged that some people are trying to take over the land by using the name of Mahant Baba Shyam Das. A local resident said, “Some anti-social elements are trying to grab the land by misleading the Mahant. This has created tension in the village.” Administration intervenes, orders status quo maintained Following complaints, revenue officials visited the site and measured the land. An official said, “Both parties have been instructed not to carry out any activity on the land for the time being. The status quo must be maintained until further orders.” Officials stated that a detailed report will be submitted to higher authorities before any final decision is made. Victims plead for justice, allege threats The victim families reported that they have contacted several officials, but have received no concrete relief so far. Kewal Singh alleged, “We have been running from office to office seeking justice, but no action has been taken so far. We are also receiving threats, and no one is listening to us.” Local residents have urged the administration to ensure a fair investigation and return the land to its rightful owners. Courtesy: Hindi News
Plates Apart: Junagadh Temple Feast Exposes Gujarat’s Caste Fault Lines
In Gujarat, a 3% conviction rate means that most accused of caste-based crimes walk free; the Bhutdi case is headed into the same odds. Junagadh: Five men walked into Bhutdi village, Junagadh district, on the evening of April 27, 2026. They had an invitation to deliver to the consecration feast of a newly built Ram temple, two days later. However, the Patostav invitation came with conditions. Residents belonging to the Dalit community were told to arrive only after members of other castes had eaten. They were to bring their own plates and bowls and food and water arranged for them would be kept separately. Lastly, they were to stay out of the temple itself. Ajay Chatur Boricha, 25, filed a formal complaint at the Visavadar police station the next morning. By the time the temple was consecrated on April 29, the community feast had been cancelled, five organisers were facing First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act, and the case had gained the attention of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Ravirajsinh Parmar of the Junagadh SC/ST Cell, who confirmed that statements had been recorded and notices issued to all accused under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 35(3). As we file this news report, investigators are also looking for digital evidence. The fact that a complaint was filed before any violence occurred and the Dalit community chose legal redress over participation on humiliating terms, marks a small but significant assertion of dignity. What happens to that complaint in the Gujarat’s courts is another matter entirely. The temple in Bhutdi where people belonging to the Dalit community were asked to bring their own plates to eat, Photo: By special arrangement, Vibes of India. A grammar of exclusion The conditions imposed on people belonging to the Dalit community in Bhutdi — separate vessels, a later sitting, barred entry to the sanctum — are not inventions of rural backwardness. Dalit manual scavengers in Ahmedabad district, whose testimonies have been documented by civil society organisations, describe the same logic at work in a city setting. Not only are members of SC/ST communities made to clean their own utensils and use separate tea tumblers in canteens, they also struggle to access basic amenities such as water, barred from using “upper-caste” water taps and forced to walk long distances for drinking water. A Dalit man engaged in manual scavenging said that when he and his colleagues demanded their rights from the municipality, officials threatened to fire them. In most so-called “posh” and “high caste” houses in Gujarat, there are two separate sets of utensils, especially tea cups and drinking glasses, which even the non-Dalit domestic workers refuse to touch. In March last year, a Dalit man from the Vadol village in Sabarkantha district was beaten, stripped, and paraded naked through the streets for an alleged extramarital affair with an upper-caste woman. Two Dalit men in Mandal village were assaulted by cow vigilantes for refusing to dispose off a dead animal, a task that caste hierarchy has historically forced upon SC communities. During Navratri, a young Dalit girl was dragged out by her hair as she was participating in a public garba event. Shailesh Solanki, a 38-year-old Dalit labourer, was assaulted and abused with casteist slurs at a crossroads in Sabarkantha, simply for wishing to visit the Kal Bhairav temple in Himatnagar. As recently as February 2026, a Dalit groom’s wedding procession in Patan district was stopped at sword-point by upper-caste men who objected to his riding a horse, a ritual they considered their exclusive right. The video circulated widely. In Banaskantha, a Dalit lawyer named Mukesh Parecha who wanted to arrive at his own wedding on horseback requested police protection. A team of 145 policemen arrived in Gadalvada village to escort him. Although the wedding passed without incident, the spectacle of state force required for a man to exercise a social custom that others take for granted was, in itself, evidence of the distance between constitutional guarantee and ground reality. The conviction rate The Bhutdi FIR, once it travels the familiar path of Gujarat’s criminal justice machinery, will encounter a set of odds that are well-documented. Between 2018 and 2021, the conviction rate in cases reporting atrocities against SCs in Gujarat was 3.06%. Of the 5,369 cases registered during that period, only 32 held the accused guilty. In 1,012 cases, including murder and rape charges registered under the SC/ST Act, the accused were quickly acquitted. A further 1,044 cases were settled out of court. Martin Macwan, veteran activist and founder of the Navsarjan Trust, noted that in the rare cases where conviction has been achieved, it is because non-governmental organisations (NGOs) looking after Dalit rights sustained the case despite the social pressure and threats the complainant and witnesses usually face. Ahmedabad alone recorded 189 cases of atrocities against SC persons in 2022, the highest of any district in the state, out of a state total of 1,425 registered cases. In March 2019, Gujarat’s then-minister for social justice told the state assembly that crimes against Dalit people had risen 32% between 2013 and 2017. The national conviction rate under the Atrocities Act stands at 3-4%. Advocates working in the space have offered a structural explanation: a prejudiced or compromised police officer at the investigation stage, or a biased judge at trial, can ensure that justice is never served while simultaneously encouraging the accused to file counter-complaints against the victim. The acquittal, in this reading, is not a failure of the law but of its gatekeepers. The prosperity paradox Gujarat’s governance record is frequently cited as evidence that development and social order can coexist. The state’s per capita income is among the highest in the country. Its industrial corridors, port infrastructure and export numbers are points of pride in every budget speech. The ‘Gujarat Model’ has been exported as a national template. Against this backdrop, the persistence of caste atrocity is not incidental. Instead it is, as researchers and activists
SC nixes Odisha’s ‘odious’ bail conditions to Adivasi, Dalit accused to clean police stations
Such “abhorrent” bail conditions, issued by both HC and trial courts, reflect the “regressive mindset”, caste-based biases of Odisha judiciary, says SC; sends warning against such bail conditions to all HCs When the Odisha judiciary set “odious” bail conditions, like cleaning police stations for two months, for members of Adivasi and Dalit communities, it suggested that judges had a “regressive mindset” and caste-based biases, the Supreme Court said on Monday (May 4, 2026). “Assuming that such conditions were imposed inadvertently or without any premeditated bias, the nature of the condition is so abhorrent, degrading, and unknown to law that it carries the potential to cast a serious aspersion, suggesting that the Odisha Judiciary is afflicted by a caste-based bias,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed in a seven-page order. Odisha mining project protest: Congress seeks independent probe; alleges PESA, FRA violations Indigenous protesters The subjects of these bail conditions are a group of indigenous people facing criminal charges after their three-year-old protest against the acquisition of their land for a Vedanta Group bauxite mining project in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts allegedly turned violent. Around 40 protesters were arrested and cases registered against them. Some of them were subsequently allowed bail by various courts in the State. However, a range of bail conditions, some of which the top court found extremely humiliating, were thrust upon the accused in return for exercising their fundamental right to personal liberty. New railway line proposed to connect ‘controversial’ bauxite hills in Odisha ‘Obnoxious, unpalatable’ Chief Justice Kant, who had taken suo motu cognisance of the orders imposing “obnoxious” and “unprecedented” bail conditions, said they had brought a bad name to the judicial institution itself. The Bench noted that, between May 2025 and January 2026, six such bail orders were issued by a local trial court, all imposing similar conditions. The court said it was both unfortunate and disheartening to see that the State High Court and the trial courts were on the same plane, both passing “unpalatable” bail conditions. ‘Underlying caste bias’ “Such conditions reflect the underlying, albeit unarticulated, bias of the Odisha State judiciary premised on the perception that the accused individuals belonged to the marginalised Adivasi community,” the Supreme Court observed. The court said the promise of a casteless society was one of the greatest gifts the people of India gave themselves through the Constitution. The judiciary, in its role as the sentinel on the qui vive, had to stand guard on the Constitutional guarantees and protect the most vulnerable in the society, the Supreme Court observed. The court noted that every Constitutional doctrine or philosophy in a diverse country like India stood up for substantive equality, the individual dignity of all people, and an end to caste barriers. Mining push meets tribal resistance Directive sent to all HCs “We declare such conditions and any other similarly worded condition imposed by the State judiciary as null and void. Let the petitioners approach the High Court to forthwith delete such conditions and not substitute it with any other analogous condition,” the court ordered, clarifying that the accused persons would continue on bail. The court directed that all State judiciaries should refrain from imposing conditions that carry caste implications, which could lead to social discord. “Thus, let this order be made available to all judicial officers across the country, not to impose such conditions,” the Bench said. It also directed the Supreme Court registry to circulate the order to all High Courts across the country. “Each High Court shall ensure that a copy of this order is sent to each judicial officer in its jurisdiction, accompanied by a communication that such conditions shall not be imposed while granting bail,” it said. The court directed the Registrar General of the Orissa High Court to file a compliance report in four weeks. Krishnadas Rajagopal Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi Congratulates Vijay After TVK Party Sweeps Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections
Rahul Gandhi speaks to Vijay after TVK victory in Tamil Nadu elections praising rising youth voice and reaffirming Congress commitment to public issues across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In a notable political development following the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi personally reached out to actor turned politician Vijay to congratulate him on the impressive performance of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Sharing the update on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi said he had spoken directly with Vijay and appreciated the scale of the party’s victory. Describing the results as a reflection of changing political energy, Rahul Gandhi remarked that the growing influence of youth voices is clearly visible through this election outcome. He emphasized that such a shift indicates a new phase in regional politics where younger leadership and fresh narratives are gaining ground. The TVK party, under Vijay’s leadership, secured victory in more than 100 constituencies, marking a significant breakthrough in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. In comparison, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won over 70 seats, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam managed to cross the 50 seat mark. Rahul Gandhi also took a moment to acknowledge Congress workers who contributed to the party’s efforts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. He thanked them for their dedication and assured that the Congress party would continue to raise and fight for public issues in the region. Looking beyond Tamil Nadu, the elections also saw varied outcomes across states. The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies performed strongly in states like West Bengal and Assam, while in Kerala, the Congress led United Democratic Front succeeded in forming the government. Reiterating his party’s stance, Rahul Gandhi affirmed that Congress remains committed to serving the people and addressing their concerns, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, in the days ahead. Courtesy : The South India Times Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesouthindiatimes.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
West Bengal election results 2026: BJP surges past majority as TMC loses edge
TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was initially trailing in her Bhabanipur turf, regained the lead over BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 898 votes after the third round of counting. With more than four hours into vote counting, the BJP-led NDA has crossed the majority mark of 148 seats in West Bengal, securing a lead in over 180 seats. The incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) was restricted to 109 seats, while the CPI(M) led in just one seat. TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was initially trailing in her Bhabanipur turf, regained the lead over BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by 898 votes after the third round of counting. However, several TMC leaders, including ministers Udayan Guha and Sashi Panja, were trailing, initial trends showed. In Cooch Behar district’s Dinhata, minister Udayan Guha was trailing by 6,259 votes against BJP’s Ajay Ray after four of the 24 rounds of counting. In Kolkata’s Shyampukur, minister Sashi Panja was trailing BJP’s Purnima Chakraborty by 934 votes after two rounds of counting, with another 19 rounds left. Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief Humayun Kabir was leading in the Nowda seat in Murshidabad district over his nearest TMC rival after the first round of counting, according to the Election Commission. Kabir was leading by a margin of 2,890 votes over TMC’s Sahina Momtaz Khan after the first round of counting. The polls are seen as a crucial test for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her TMC’s bid for a fourth consecutive term, amid a stiff challenge mounted by the BJP. The CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress are also hoping to improve their tally after successive electoral setbacks. Exit polls present a sharply divided picture, with some projecting a BJP edge while others forecast a comfortable return for the All India Trinamool Congress, underlining an uncertain and closely fought contest. West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said he was confident of a landslide victory, as counting of votes for the assembly elections began on Monday morning. “People of the state have already rejected the Trinamool Congress government, and in a few hours, the overwhelming majority of the seats will confirm that in the fight between Mamata Banerjee and the people, people have rejected Mamata Banerjee,” Bhattacharya said outside a counting centre in Kolkata. The counting of votes for the state’s 293 Assembly constituencies began at 8 am, with postal ballots taken up first in keeping with Election Commission norms. Follow live updates on results and trends: Tamil Nadu Results, West Bengal Results, Kerala Resuts, Assam Results, Puducherry Results 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
VD Satheesan says Congress high command will soon decide on next CM
Satheesan said he was happy to have delivered on his promise given to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi while assuming the post of the Opposition Leader that he would guide the party to win. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader and potential chief minister candidate V D Satheesan on Monday said the party high command will soon take a decision on who will lead the state after consulting with various coalition partners of the UDF. Addressing the media after the UDF delivered a landslide victory in Kerala, elbowing out the CPI(M)-led LDF government, which ruled the state for two consecutive terms, Satheesan said it reflected the people’s strong decleration about the triumph of secular forces. Satheesan said he was happy to have delivered on his promise given to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi while assuming the post of the Opposition Leader that he would guide the party to win. The Congress leader said all communities and regions voted for the UDF, including traditional left voters and some party workers, letting the front breach several CPIM bastions. “We had told them that we are the ones upholding Nehruvian leftist view and the LDF has become the far right. The left sympathisers as well as some of their leaders accepted our perspective,” he said. Satheesan also said that the women and the youth have contributed to UDF’s win and assured to work towards fulfilling the front’s poll promises. Speaking on the UDF’s poll strategy that facilitated the historical win, Satheesan said, “In 2011, we came to power, but had won only 72 seats. Many social groups had veered off from the UDF, but we brought them back. We had planned several surprises, including in Ambalappuzha and Taliparamba. We had proudly welcomed G Sudhakaran to our fold.” G Sudhakaran, a veteran Communist leader, had resigned from the party and contested as an independent with UDF support in his traditional bastion, Ambalappuzha. He won by a margin of over 25,900 votes. Satheesan also reiterated the Congress’s allegation that the BJP and CPM leaders had entered into an electoral pact. The LDF suffered a major setback as results were declared for the crucial Assembly elections on Monday. The CPIM-led front was reduced to just 35 seats, while the UDF passed the majority mark with over 90 seats. The BJP, which has struggled to make a mark in the state politics for several years, delivered a surprising performance, winning three seats. 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
Ganesh Kumar faces shock defeat in Pathanapuram after 25-year winning streak
The Kerala Congress (B) chief is trailing Congress candidate Jyothikumar Chamakkala by more than 5,000 votes. Keralam’s Transport Minister and actor K B Ganesh Kumar, who has remained unbeaten in electoral politics for over two-and-a-half decades, is on the brink of defeat in the Pathanapuram constituency as vote counting in the Kerala Assembly elections enters its final stages, according to Election Commission figures. The Kerala Congress (B) chief is trailing Congress candidate Jyothikumar Chamakkala by more than 5,000 votes. In the 2021 Assembly polls, Kumar had defeated Chamakkala by nearly 15,000 votes. However, Chamakkala has continued his constituency-level work in Pathanapuram over the past five years, which appears to have translated into significant gains in the 2026 election. Kerala Congress (B), traditionally aligned with the UDF, joined the LDF ahead of the 2021 election following the death of party founder R Balakrishna Pillai, with the shift led by his son, Ganesh Kumar. During the campaign, controversy erupted after Congress leaders targeted Kumar over allegations related to his purported role in defaming former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in a sexual assault case that was later closed by the CBI. Kumar had expressed confidence during the campaign that he would retain the seat with a record margin. The election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade. The NDA, though not considered a frontrunner for power, is hoping to improve its presence and vote share in the state. 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
Dalit Groups Seek Judicial Probe Into Akiveedu Temple Demolition
Srinivasa Rao demanded that the government immediately withdraw the restrictions and reconstruct the temple with the participation of local residents VIJAYAWADA: Dalit and civil rights organisations on Saturday staged a protest near Ambedkar Smriti Vanam in Vijayawada, demanding a judicial probe into the alleged repression of Dalits in Pedapeta of Akiveedu in West Godavari district following the demolition of the Hindu Gonthenamma temple. Dalit Soshan Mukthi Manch national leader V. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the temple was demolished illegally at midnight without conducting a proper panchanama, despite constitutional provisions that disputed religious structures should not be disturbed. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. The protesters further alleged that severe restrictions had been imposed in the Dalit locality, with surveillance cameras installed and youth being harassed by police seeking Aadhaar details of residents and visitors. They claimed that outsiders were being prevented from entering the colony, creating fear among Dalits. Srinivasa Rao demanded that the government immediately withdraw the restrictions and reconstruct the temple with the participation of local residents. He also accused RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists of creating tension in the area with police support. KVPS state general secretary Andra Malyadri termed the demolition “a blow to democracy” and warned of intensified protests if action was not taken. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights