Pargat meets Rahul, Kharge; AAP questions Cong leadership change
Chandigarh: Newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Pargat Singh on Monday met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi, as AAP state president Aman Arora questioned the Congress high command’s handling of its Punjab unit. After meeting Rahul, Pargat said he was committed to strengthening the Congress organisation in Punjab and working for the rights and interests of the state and its people. “With renewed energy and the collective strength of our leaders, workers and people of Punjab, we will work tirelessly to strengthen the Congress organisation and build a better future for Punjab,” he said. Pargat also met Kharge, thanked him and sought his guidance as he takes charge of the state unit. Arora congratulated Pargat but alleged that the Congress had disregarded the sentiments of its Punjab workers while making leadership changes. He questioned the removal of Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as PPCC chief, saying, “Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took charge of the Congress during a difficult period and worked with party workers for four and a half years. But Sachin Pilot, who replaced Bhupesh Baghel as Congress’s Punjab incharge, decided to remove him during a visit to Punjab that lasted barely two hours.” Arora also questioned Rahul’s meeting with Pargat four days after his appointment. “This raises questions about the attitude of the Congress high command towards Punjab,” he said. On reports that Vijay Inder Singla’s name had been considered for the post, Arora said overlooking him had disappointed people in Sangrur and Malwa. He also alleged that factionalism remained unresolved in the Congress, citing social media posts by former CM Charanjit Singh Channi’s son and reports of Warring travelling to London with his family. “Instead of the enthusiasm that should have followed the appointment of a new state president, there is silence among Congress workers,” he said. 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
IIT Bombay Investigation: APPSC Fears Sahil Wakode’s Case Will Follow the Same Fate as Ambhore and Solanki, “Conclusion Already Decided”
Student Group Alleges Inquiry Committees Follow a “Template,” Always Clean Chit to the Institute of Caste Discrimination Mumbai – The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC), a student group at IIT Bombay, believes that the institute’s internal investigation into Sahil Wakode’s death has already concluded. According to the group, like the cases of Aniket Ambhore and Darshan Solanki, this case will also be considered to have no caste discrimination. The group alleged that the institute investigates the deaths of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students according to a set “template.” It called Wakode’s death an “institutional death” and reiterated its demand for an independent, external investigation. In a statement on Sunday, the group cited the reports of two previous internal committees. The student group stated that a committee headed by Professor A.K. Suresh was formed after Aniket Ambhore’s suicide. According to the group, its report (page 24) concluded that the institute and its official bodies did not discriminate, either explicitly or implicitly. The committee headed by Professor Nand Kishore, formed to investigate Darshan Solanki’s death, stated in its report (page 6) that none of the people interviewed—friends, wingmates, teachers, TAs, mentors, and Hostel 16 staff—mentioned caste-based or any other discrimination. Neither Solanki himself nor any of his friends mentioned this. The APPSC stated that these findings reflect a pattern rather than an independent investigation, “a template is set and the conclusions are predetermined.” Questioning the functioning of the inquiry committees, the group stated, “These committees are formed by the Board of Governors and work in coordination to quickly rule out caste-based discrimination.” The group alleges that they operate in isolation, within a well-designed institutional framework, and consistently draw the same limited sample and ultimately exonerate the institution of all charges. The statement describes these ad hoc committees as “placeholders for institutional inertia.” The group also commented on the committees’ social composition. According to it, their members are not separate from the country’s social fabric, and caste does not exist for them because it is not an intimate experience of their lives. The group argues that this blanket denial of discrimination reveals how caste privilege masks inequality within the institution. The Students’ Collective argues that investigations demand evidence of “clear acts of caste aggression.” This reduces a multi-layered and nuanced phenomenon to a narrow set of criteria. According to the group, this places the burden of proof on the person least capable of doing so, as dominant groups define “intent” and “overt act.” The group also raised three questions about campus preparations: Have those with authority over students fresh out of school received caste sensitivity training? Is there a system in place to identify and bridge the gap in social and material status among peers? Why should SC/ST students be burdened with creating a safe and inclusive environment, when they already bear the double burden of proving merit, grappling with the “stigma of quotas,” and constantly being wary of their caste identity? What are the Supreme Court’s directives? The statement said that the Supreme Court’s guidelines in the case of Sukadeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh and others are binding on every educational institution in the country from July 25, 2025. These require: Written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services. Twice-yearly training of staff to recognize warning signs. Dedicated mentors, especially during examination periods. The group states that the IIT Bombay administration is guilty on many of these counts, but is vulnerable to acquittal at every turn due to institutional apathy and the “dominance of caste-blind forces.” The statement questions the image of IITs as destinations for the country’s brightest minds. According to the group, rankings and research output create an image of a “smooth-flowing machinery of academic production,” while the merit that is celebrated is “upper caste dominance couched in the language of modernity and castelessness.” The group alleges that the system implicitly requires students to be upper caste, while the space for disadvantaged students is “limited and restricted.” According to it, acknowledging caste discrimination would be detrimental to the notions of post-colonial modernity and merit that privileged castes celebrate. Citing RTI data, it stated that as of September this year, out of 412 professors at IIT Bombay, only 5 are from the SC and 6 from the OBC categories, while there is no professor from the ST community. According to the group, this demonstrates that knowledge production is limited to a specific segment of society. Citing the institute’s motto, “Gyanam Param Dhyeyam,” the student collective also stated that the institute’s knowledge production process is an “echo chamber of upper-caste-disseminated knowledge,” making it devoid of diversity. The Students Collective states that IITs are designated as “Institutes of National Importance” under the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961. Citing scholar Jayaram (2011), it states that these institutions operate autonomously and have largely been free from government or political interference. According to the group, it is time to subject IITs to close scrutiny and open dialogue among stakeholders and civil society. It described the institute’s “caste amnesia” as “ridiculous and violent.” The statement also said that IITs have long been free from student politics, which should be condemned in a democratic framework. The group claims that the aim of these institutes is to produce an “obedient, caste-blind, and efficient workforce.” Referring to the Wakode case, the APPSC said that the same institutional indifference persists here, and the “falsity” of IIT excellence and reputation remains unchallenged. The group reiterated its demands, demanding an external and independent investigation without institutional interference or “unconditional support” for the accused. They demanded that the committee be chaired by a person from the SC/ST community and include at least one external expert member to ensure a fair investigation. The committee should have at least 50% SC/ST representation and at least 50% women members from various disciplines. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit woman (VOA) was slapped, dragged by her hair, and thrown to the ground during a village council meeting in Telangana; an FIR was filed against the Congress leader under the SC/ST Act.
Dalit organizations strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action against Amarnath Goud. MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga strongly condemned the incident and called for a massive road blockade at the Chintapalli mandal headquarters. Nalgonda: A shameful incident of a Dalit woman being publicly assaulted during a village council meeting on October 2nd occurred in PK Mallepally village, Chintapalli mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana. Local Congress leader Amarnath Goud (Kappula Amarnath) assaulted, mistreated, and verbally abused the woman during a dispute over women’s savings group funds on the village panchayat office premises. The victim, Ganipalli Madhavi (30), wife of Abbaiah, belongs to the Scheduled Caste (Madiga) community. She had been working as the village’s Village Organization Assistant (VOA) for the past eight years and was removed from the position four months earlier. On the day of the incident, she was participating in a discussion with women from the Samabhavana Sangham (women’s savings group). Amarnath Gaud also arrived at the Gram Sabha and began an argument with Madhavi over an old rivalry and the savings group’s funds. He used casteist slurs, slapped Madhavi, dragged her by her hair, threw her to the ground, and kicked and punched her. This all happened near the Gram Panchayat office in the presence of villagers, which escalated tensions at the scene. The victim recounted her ordeal to the police, saying, “Amarnath asked, ‘Who are you? Why have you come to the Gram Sabha? We removed you. What’s the point of coming here? Why have you come?” She continued, “They slapped me, dragged me by my hair, threw me to the ground, and trampled me. They humiliated me in front of so many people. They’ve been harassing me for three months. They targeted me because I asked for money. No one provided justice. They’re mentally harassing me, pushing me to suicide. I have two young children. Whatever they did, it was completely malicious.” Madhavi filed a complaint at the Chintapalli police station around 6 p.m. that same day. Police registered an FIR under Crime No. 172/2026. It includes sections 74, 115(2), and 352 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015. Police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Videos of the incident are going viral on social media. Dalit organizations strongly condemned the incident and demanded strict action against Amarnath Goud. Madiga Reservation Protest Committee (MRPS) leader Manda Krishna Madiga strongly condemned the incident and called for a massive road blockade at the Chintapalli divisional headquarters. The protesters staged a sit-in on the road, completely halting vehicular traffic in the divisional headquarters. They demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and justice for the victim. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy; Hindi News
Officials ensure entry of Dalits into Chennakesava Swamy temple in AP
A video circulating on social media purportedly showed a Dalit devotee and his daughter being prevented from entering and subjected to caste-based abuse. KADAPA: Officials intervened in a controversy over alleged denial of temple entry to Dalits at the Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy temple in Erragudipadu village, Kamalapuram and facilitated their entry and darshan on Sunday. Reports said Chandra and his family visited the temple on Saturday to offer prayers, but former sarpanch Brahmananda Reddy allegedly objected, claiming Dalits were not permitted. The confrontation led to a complaint with Dalit organisations. Based on a complaint by Ramu, Kamalapuram police registered a case against Reddy. A video circulating on social media purportedly showed a Dalit devotee and his daughter being prevented from entering and subjected to caste-based abuse. The complainant alleged they were told to worship from outside the temple premises. The incident sparked widespread debate online. Responding on Sunday, DSP Balaswamy Reddy, Tahsildar Srinivasulu Reddy, CI Mohan and SI Srinivasulu visited the village, consulted locals and took steps to prevent tensions. Later, the affected family and Dalit leaders were allowed to enter the temple and have darshan. 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
Dalits Allegedly Served Separate Meal at Karnataka Temple Fair on Gandhi Jayanti, Case Filed
People from the Dalit community in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district were allegedly served a separate meal at a temple fair, triggering a controversy over alleged caste discrimination and untouchability. The incident was reported from Tamadaddi village in Teradal taluk, where a Lakshmi Devi temple fair was held on October 2. A complaint was filed at Teradal Police Station by Basappa Yaladagal, a Dalit resident of the village. According to his complaint, separate arrangements were allegedly made for members of the Dalit community during the fair. Dalits Allegedly Served Ganji Separately According to the complaint, members of upper caste communities were served a regular meal, while Dalit attendees were allegedly served only ganji separately. Ganji is a fermented rice-based dish consumed in several parts of India. IndianMinorities Reports A case was registered on October 3 based on Yaladagal’s complaint. Around 20 people have been named, including Sukumar Patil, Basavaraj Yadawad, Nandappa Nandappanavar, Bhimappa Konnur and Suresh Akkivatti. The allegations have raised concerns over possible caste-based discrimination at a public religious gathering. Article 17 Prohibits Untouchability Untouchability is prohibited under Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which states that its practice in any form is abolished. Laws including the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, provide for penalties for enforcing disabilities arising from untouchability. The incident took place on October 2, which is observed as Gandhi Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi had opposed untouchability and advocated equal access to public spaces, including temples and schools. Similar Allegations Reported Earlier The incident has also raised concerns because similar allegations had reportedly surfaced earlier in Tamadaddi village during another religious event, the Panchakalyanotsava. 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
‘Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar are India’s soul, mind, backbone’: Dipke’s jibe at Centre
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru represented three distinct pillars of India’s political and social legacy. In a video post, Dipke described Gandhi as the “SOUL of India”, Ambedkar as the “BACKBONE of India” and Nehru as the “MIND of India”, adding, “You can never become like them.” — abhijeet_dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) The development comes as the CJP, led by founder Dipke, organised a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, the protest stage displayed quotations on non-violence and simplicity, alongside tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar. Mumbai Police have registered an FIR against the organisers and 400-500 unidentified persons in connection with the protest at Shivaji Park. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Police Act for unlawful assembly, wilful disobedience of a lawful order issued by a public servant and other offences, a Shivaji Park police station official said. The FIR was registered based on a complaint filed by a resident of the Shivaji Park area, the official added. Dipke on Friday night also announced a fresh protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar did not resign. “If Gyanesh Kumar doesn’t resign, cockroaches from across India will march to Delhi & protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10,” he said in a post on X, adding that the protest would be peaceful and urging every citizen who wants free and fair elections to join it. 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
‘What has changed in 17 years?’: Rahul Gandhi hits out at BJP over Bihar flood crisis
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted the BJP-led government over Bihar’s recurring flood crisis, asking what had changed on the ground in the last 17 years and calling for a permanent solution instead of yearly relief and assurances. In a post on X, while offering his condolences Rahul said that floods had once again struck Bihar with “devastating force”, affecting millions, submerging hundreds of villages and leaving several people dead or missing. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “The most heartbreaking thing is that this crisis in Bihar is not new,” Rahul said, pointing to the recurring cycle of floods, deaths, shattered families and migration. “The BJP’s double-engine government should tell us — what has it done in the last 17 years to address this annual tragedy? What has changed on the ground?” he asked. Rahul said people in Bihar did not need relief and assurances every year but a permanent solution to the recurring floods. Nearly 50 lakh affected The latest flood spell affected 49.67 lakh people across 15 districts, according to the Bihar disaster management department. The affected districts included Patna, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Buxar, Samastipur, Munger, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Purnea, Madhepura and Araria. The floods came amid heavy rainfall in Bihar and neighbouring areas, with officials saying water levels in the Ganga, Sone and Gandak rose sharply after heavy rain in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, as well as rainfall in the catchment areas of rivers originating in Nepal. This year’s flooding also differed from the usual pattern. While the Kosi and Gandak were responsible for the first two flood spells, the prolonged third spell in September was mainly driven by the swollen Ganga, Sone and Punpun rivers. Government pushes relief, long-term measures The Bihar government has stepped up relief operations, with chief minister Samrat Choudhary saying the administration would ensure assistance reached affected families. The state also transferred Rs 579 crore to 8.27 lakh flood-affected families across 15 districts, with each eligible family receiving Rs 7,000. Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also visited flood-hit areas and assured Bihar of the Centre’s support for rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He said the scale of damage and the state’s requirements would be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. The state government has also been looking beyond immediate relief. Choudhary later said surveys of the Kosi and Mahananda rivers were being conducted as part of a comprehensive study of recurring floods and efforts towards a permanent solution. The issue of embankments has also remained central to the flood response. Bihar’s water resources department said scientifically strengthened embankments had remained intact this season, while older ring and zamindari bunds had suffered breaches. 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
Transgender men dressed as sari were extorting money from a BMW owner; police arrested four after scanning CCTV.
Four men, dressed as eunuchs, were threatening a BMW owner and demanding 5,000 rupees. After the video surfaced, police scanned CCTV footage and arrested the four men. Hyderabad: In India, you’re likely to encounter transgressors at red lights. They often appear in groups of 4-6. As soon as the light turns red, they approach stopped vehicles and demand money from people. Believing that a transgressor’s blessings will never go unanswered, people often give them money. Sometimes, they refuse to pay and move on. This often leads to a fight. However, it’s not necessary that the person you’re giving money to is a transgressor. Sometimes, men are also disguised as transgressors. One such case has come to light in Hyderabad, where police have arrested four men dressed as sari men disguised as transgressors. On August 21st, they demanded money and threatened a BMW owner. These four men are accused of dressing up as women and threatening a BMW owner, demanding ₹5,000 from him. Jubilee Hills police in Hyderabad have arrested four men. They are accused of stopping a BMW owner near True Black Coffee on Road No. 45 on August 21st and demanding ₹5,000 from him. The incident came to light after a video of the confrontation was posted on social media. Following instructions from senior police officers, investigators examined nearly 500 CCTV cameras and traced the suspects’ movements from Jubilee Hills to Boduppal. The four accused have been arrested. The accused have been identified as Ramesh (40), Satyanarayana (41), Ramesh (42), and Yadagiri (44); all residents of Boduppal, Hyderabad. Investigators allege that the four men would masquerade as transgender individuals and stop drivers and extort money. Police also reported that they would visit housewarming ceremonies and newly opened shops to demand money. With the help of a task force, the four were arrested and later remanded to judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing. Reported by: Ashish Pandey, Edited by: Prabhanshu Ranjan Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Woman Delivers Baby On Road After Being Denied Hospital Admission In UP; Doctor Sacked
UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the portfolio of the in-charge of the health department, took serious note of the issue after the video surfaced. The mother and the newborn were later admitted to the hospital. | Image for representation A 20-year-old woman from a Dalit community gave birth to a baby in a public place outside a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi after she was denied admission to the health centre. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, prompting action against the on-duty doctor and other staff. Family Helps Woman Deliver Baby By Roadside The incident took place outside Maharaja Chet Singh District Hospital in Gyanpur. Rani was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night after she went into labour. Her family alleged that hospital staff refused to admit her after identifying her as belonging to the Musahar community. As they were leaving the hospital, Rani’s condition deteriorated and her family helped her deliver the baby outside the facility. Following the incident, CMO Dr SK Chak ordered an inquiry and ensured that Rani and her newborn were admitted to the hospital. 4-Member Panel Formed A four-member panel subsequently found lapses in the handling of the case. EMO Dr Pankaj, who was on duty when Rani arrived, was sacked after the inquiry found that he referred her without examining her. Staff nurse Neelam Maurya was transferred, while the salary of obstetrician Dr Mukesh Prajapati was withheld. The inquiry also recommended state-level action against CMS Dr Ajay Tiwari and Dr Neelima Dhawan. The report said Dhawan had examined Rani a day earlier but referred her elsewhere despite her severe anaemia. The CMS was also held negligent. Dr Prajapati was away from the district and arrived about 90 minutes later. The nurse was also accused of refusing admission while referring to the family as Musahar. Published By : Manisha Roy About the Author Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international developments. Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP: SP Focuses on Dalit Votes! A Major Dalit Conference in Agra on November 15th, Akhilesh Yadav to Be Chief Guest
Agra News: Ahead of the 2027 Assembly Elections, the Samajwadi Party will hold a major Dalit conference in Western Uttar Pradesh on November 15th at the GIC Grounds in Agra. Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief guest. Sunil Saket, Agra: Ahead of the 2027 Assembly Elections, the Samajwadi Party has intensified its efforts to strengthen its political base among Dalit voters in Western Uttar Pradesh. As part of this strategy, a major Dalit conference in Western Uttar Pradesh is being held on November 15th at the GIC Grounds in Agra. SP National President Akhilesh Yadav will be the chief guest. The party is preparing to mobilize a large number of workers and supporters from various districts of Western Uttar Pradesh for the conference. Recent reports have also confirmed the Agra conference on November 15th and Akhilesh Yadav’s presence. SP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member Ramji Lal Suman held a press conference on Saturday regarding the preparations for the conference. He said that from Agra, a message will be sent to politically unite the Dalit community in western Uttar Pradesh. The SP’s strategy is to strengthen the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) social equation. This effort by the party comes at a time when all major parties are busy balancing social equations for the 2027 assembly elections. “BJP is a communal party” Ramji Lal Suman, targeting the BJP and RSS, said that a large number of people in western Uttar Pradesh are opposed to the RSS’s ideology. Calling the BJP a communal party, he said that those who want to remove the BJP from power are joining the SP. He said that issues such as the rights, reservation, employment, and social respect of the Dalit community will be prominently raised through the conference. Suman accused the government of working towards weakening reservation. He also raised the issue of the lack of government jobs and recruitment through outsourcing. Referring to incidents of damage to statues of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, he claimed that 151 statues of Baba Saheb have been vandalized recently, but the government has not taken any action against them. This figure of 151 statues damaged was also recently claimed by the Samajwadi Party. A Look at the BSP’s Political Base The SP’s strategy also reflects an attempt to reach out to the BSP’s traditional Dalit base. Suman also launched a political attack on the BSP and Mayawati, and spoke of the SP’s increasing acceptance among Dalit voters. He said that the BSP’s vote share, which was 30 percent in the last two assembly elections, has now dropped to 9 percent. The choice of Agra for the conference also has a political message. The party is trying to reach out to Dalit voters in Western Uttar Pradesh and integrate the PDA equation into the election campaign. The November 15 conference will be a major public platform for this strategy. Recent reports have also described the conference as an attempt to expand the SP’s reach among Dalit voters. What did he say about the Deputy CM’s statement? Regarding the Deputy Chief Minister’s statement on Akhilesh Yadav, Suman said that he did not want to respond to the statements of smaller leaders. He said that the SP will contest the 2027 elections based on its strategy and organization, and that the Dalit conference to be held in Agra will prove to be historic. However, on the question of crowd gathering, he said that while he has not estimated the crowd size, a large influx of his workers from Western Uttar Pradesh will be expected. Edited by: Devesh Pandey About the Author Devesh Pandey works for Navbharat Times Online. He is a member of NBT’s Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand digital team. Devesh has 9 years of extensive experience in digital, web, and broadcast journalism. He joined Navbharat Times Online in May 2025. Courtesy: Hindi News