Farmer Beaten by Thugs in Hamirpur; Attempted Murder: Locked in Tubewell Room and Nearly Hanged with a Rope
Bharua Sumerpur: In Bank village within this region, a Dalit farmer was brutally beaten by a group of thugs following a dispute over the installation of thorny fencing along a farm embankment. The accused also attempted to kill the farmer by locking him inside a tubewell room and trying to hang him with a rope. The police have registered a case regarding this incident. Raghuvar Prasad, a resident of Triveni Maidan in the town, has filed a complaint with the police. He stated that he was in his ancestral village, Bank, installing thorny fencing along the farm embankment to protect his fruit-bearing trees. During this time, Babu Kushwaha, Nokhelal, Chhote, Rajkumar, and others—all residents of Bank—stormed onto the scene. It is alleged that these individuals hurled casteist slurs at Raghuvar Prasad and, drawing a country-made pistol, charged at him with the intent to kill. To save his life, Raghuvar Prasad fled into the tubewell room. The attackers followed him inside, where they brutally beat him with kicks and punches, leaving him covered in blood. Subsequently, they placed a rope around Raghuvar Prasad’s neck and attempted to hang him. The police have registered a case against the accused under the Dalit Atrocities Act (SC/ST Act), along with other relevant sections of the law. The police are currently investigating the matter and have launched a search for the accused. Deepak Kumar | Kalauli Teer (Hamirpur) Courtesy: Hindi News
Rape Convict Sentenced to 10 Years in Sonbhadra: Court Imposes Fine of ₹55,000 in Case Involving Rape Under False Pretext of Marriage
In a significant verdict delivered on Tuesday, the court of Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Abid Shamim in Sonbhadra convicted Dhanesh—alias ‘Stander’ Patel—of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The court also imposed a monetary fine of ₹55,000 on the convict. The court clarified that in the event of non-payment of the fine, the convict would be required to undergo an additional six months of imprisonment. The period already spent in judicial custody will be adjusted against the sentence. Half of the imposed fine amount is to be awarded to the victim. This case dates back approximately five years, when a young Dalit woman from the Karma police station area filed a complaint. The woman alleged that Dhanesh—alias ‘Stander’ Patel (son of Rajkumar Raja Patel, a resident of Khairpur Sirsiya Thakurai, under Karma Police Station, District Sonbhadra)—had engaged in sexual relations with her on multiple occasions under the false pretext of marriage. According to the victim, when Dhanesh announced his intention to marry a girl from his own caste community and was confronted about it, he verbally abused her and issued death threats. Subsequently, on May 17, 2021, the Karma police registered an FIR against him under various sections, including those pertaining to rape and the SC/ST Act. The Circle Officer (CO) investigated the matter and, based on sufficient evidence, filed a chargesheet in the court. The court heard the arguments presented by the counsels for both the prosecution and the defense, recorded the statements of seven witnesses, and conducted a thorough examination of the case records. Based on all these facts, Dhanesh—alias ‘Stander’ Patel—was found guilty. Government Counsel C. Shashank Shekhar Katyayan represented the prosecution during the arguments. Manoj Kumar Verma | Sonbhadra Courtesy: Hindi News
Can Dalit voters become game-changers in 2027 UP polls?:SP banks on Constitution; Congress leans on Jagjivan Ram’s legacy
Two recent political statements have made it clear that Dalit voters—who constitute around 21% of Uttar Pradesh’s population—could play a decisive role in the 2027 Assembly elections. “Mayawati only used Dalits and later abandoned them. Even today, Dalits and weaker sections remain marginalized,” said Ajay Rai on April 2. “We will celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti at the village level and discuss the threats facing the Constitution,” said Akhilesh Yadav on April 3. These remarks indicate that both the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress are actively trying to consolidate Dalit voters ahead of the elections. Congress revives Jagjivan Ram’s legacy Jagjivan Ram, India’s first Dalit Deputy Prime Minister, played a crucial role in the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. As Agriculture Minister, he also contributed to the Green Revolution. His rise to the top echelons of power sent a strong message that Dalits could play a decisive role in mainstream politics. Although Jagjivan Ram hailed from Bihar, Congress used his legacy for decades to maintain a strong hold over Dalit voters in Uttar Pradesh. Read in this report… Samajwadi Party cheif Akhilesh Yadav said on Friday in Lucknow that the constitution will be discussed in every village. Samajwadi Party cheif Akhilesh Yadav said on Friday in Lucknow that the constitution will be discussed in every village. Congress outreach through Meira Kumar To reinforce this connection, Congress is organizing a seminar in Lucknow on the eve of Jagjivan Ram’s birth anniversary (April 4). The party has invited his daughter Meira Kumar and Dalit thinker and Delhi University professor Ratan Lal as key speakers. Through this, Congress aims to send a message that Dalit interests are best protected under its leadership. Party workers have also been instructed to spend more time in Dalit localities and engage directly with their concerns. Why Dalit votes matter Senior journalist Ratan Mani Lal explains that Dalits constitute around 20–21% of UP’s population. There are 84 Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, and nearly 120 constituencies where Dalit voters exceed one lakh. Since Mayawati weakened after 2012, there has been no single dominant Dalit leader to unify the community. In 2014, a significant section of Dalit voters supported Narendra Modi, contributing to the BJP’s sweeping victories. However, voting trends suggest that such support typically lasts about a decade before voters begin exploring alternatives. Dalit vote shifts and Political competition After a BSP rally on October 9, 2025, there were indications that Dalit voters were returning to Mayawati. This prompted SP and Congress to intensify efforts to prevent a consolidation of Dalit votes in BSP’s favor. Their strategy showed partial success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the alliance secured around 43% of the vote in UP, with significant support from Dalit voters. They now aim to replicate this in the 2027 Assembly polls. Election data reflects changing trends In the 2022 Assembly elections, Congress contested 399 seats independently but won only two, with a vote share of 2.33%. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the party won six seats and increased its vote share to 9.46%. The Samajwadi Party also saw a 2% increase in vote share compared to 2022. Percentage of Major Dalit Sub-Castes Sub-Caste % in Dalit Population % in Total UP Population (Approx.) Area of Influence Jatav/Chamar 54.2% 11.3% Strong in Western and Eastern UP Pasi 15.8% 3.2% Influence in Awadh and Purvanchal Dhobi 5.9% 1.2% Central and Eastern UP Kori 5.5% 1.1% Bundelkhand and Awadh Valmiki 3.2% 0.7% More in urban areas Khatik 2.2% 0.5% Small but active Search for a new Dalit leadership Senior journalist Sharat Pradhan notes that Dalits once saw Jagjivan Ram’s image reflected in Mayawati. However, as her influence declined post-2012, dissatisfaction grew among Dalit voters. This has led to the emergence of new leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad. Congress, traditionally seen as the “old home” of Dalits, regained some traction in 2024, aided by Rahul Gandhi’s campaign centered on the narrative that the Constitution is under threat. This messaging also benefited SP, helping consolidate Dalit support for the opposition alliance. Dalit sub-castes and Voting patterns Dalits make up about 20.7% of UP’s population (around 41.4 million people) and are divided into 66 sub-castes. Six major sub-castes account for 87% of the Dalit population The remaining 60 sub-castes are smaller and fragmented Among them, the Jatav community is the most influential and forms the core vote base of BSP. Non-Jatav Dalits—including Pasi, Kori, Dhobi, Khatik, and Balmiki communities—are more divided. The BJP successfully consolidated these groups between 2017 and 2024. However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a section of non-Jatav voters shifted towards the opposition alliance, contributing to its strong performance with 43 seats. Santosh Singh, Uttar Pradesh Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tamil nadu polls: DMK using dalits for mere votebank, says PMK
CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday alleged that dalits were being reduced to a “mere vote bank” under DMK regime, saying no real welfare reaches them. Anbumani launched his campaign for the upcoming election for his candidate K Balu after offering prayers at the Thiruporur Kandaswamy Murugan temple. “DMK is using dalits for votes without delivering justice or dignity. It has been allocating six to eight seats for VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, which will not lead to empowerment of dalits. In the Cabinet, DMK gave limited importance to Scheduled Caste ministers by making them sit in the last row,” Anbumani said at the campaign, recalling the seats given to Puratchi Bharatham MLA Poovai M Jagan Moorthy and Tamil Manila Bajuhan Samaj party founder Porkodi Armstrong. “There are more than 62,000 crimes against children in five years, including 27,000 Pocso cases, averaging 35 cases a day. The state has become unsafe for women and children,” Anbumani said. “Social justice declined in DMK after the demise of the late chief minister M Karunanidhi,” he added. 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
Rahul Gandhi enjoys ‘appam and omelette’ with UDF leaders ahead of Kerala Assembly polls
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday shared a video on social media showing him having snacks with United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders in Kerala ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. In the video, Gandhi is seen enjoying local delicacies like Appam, Puttu and omelette while engaging with UDF leaders on the ground realities of the upcoming polls. In a post on X, he wrote: “In between bites of Appam, Puttu and omelette the UDF leaders and I had a very interesting conversation on the ground realities of the Keralam election. It’s evident that Keralam deserves change – an overhaul of the education system, real opportunities for youth and a government that supports its people in sickness and old age. UDF is renewed hope for the people of Keralam – our team is strong, united and ready to lead.” The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to face a stiff challenge from the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Indian National Congress. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also trying to expand its footprint in the state, aiming to turn the contest into a three-way fight. The 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, as announced by the Election Commission of India on March 15. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, while the tenure of the current assembly is set to end on May 23. 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
85% candidates finalised, 15% pending: Congress to seal Tamil Nadu list at CEC meet today
NEW DELHI: The Indian National Congress is set to finalise its candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections at a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in Delhi, with 85 per cent of names already decided, according to state unit chief K Selvaperunthagai. Selvaperunthagai said discussions involving senior leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have largely concluded, with only a small portion of seats left to be finalised. “All India Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders discussed the candidates. 85% have been decided, 15% are pending. Today we are going to decide,” he said. The Congress will contest 28 constituencies as part of the alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which heads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). The DMK has retained the lion’s share, deciding to contest 164 of the 234 seats, while allocating the remaining 70 seats to its partners. Apart from Congress, key allies include the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) with five seats each, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) with eight seats, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) with four seats. Other alliance partners include the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) with 10 seats and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with two seats, along with smaller regional players. Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M K Stalin has already unveiled candidates for several key constituencies. Stalin will contest from Kolathur, while Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been fielded from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni. Other prominent candidates include Mahesh from Kanyakumari, Appavu from Radhapuram, Vahab from Palayamkottai, Kalaikathiravan from Tenkasi, and KKSSR Ramachandran from Aruppukottai. Additional names include Velu from Mylapore and Ma Subramanian from Saidapet. The main contest in the state is expected between the DMK-led SPA and the NDA led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which includes the BJP and PMK. A recent survey by polling agency Lok Poll projected a strong performance for the DMK alliance, estimating 181 to 189 seats with a vote share of 40.1 per cent. The AIADMK-led alliance was projected to secure 38 to 42 seats. Tamil Nadu will go to polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The last date for filing nominations is April 6, scrutiny will take place on April 7, and candidates can withdraw nominations until April 9. With candidate lists nearing completion and alliances finalised, political parties are entering the final phase of preparations for what is expected to be a closely watched electoral contest in the state. 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
Bhadohi Crime News: Elderly Dalit Man Murdered in Bhadohi; Attacker Stabs Him to Death in Broad Daylight, Arrested
In Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, a deranged young man publicly stabbed a 60-year-old elderly Dalit man to death. A live video of this heart-wrenching incident has also surfaced. Acting with promptness, the police have arrested the accused, Shravan Kumar, seizing the blood-stained knife from his possession. Bhadohi News: A spine-chilling report has emerged from Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh. The authority of the law appeared to crumble here when a deranged youth publicly stabbed a 60-year-old elderly Dalit man to death in a bustling market. A “live video” of this bloody crime has surfaced, leaving everyone who witnessed it in shock. This daylight murder has spread terror throughout the entire locality. However, demonstrating swift action, the police have arrested the killer—recovering the “blood-stained knife” from him—and have commenced further investigations. The events that unfolded at Pal Crossing in Jagdishpur village have put humanity to shame. The images captured on camera bear witness to how a 32-year-old youth chased after the elderly Bachhan Ram—a man twice his age—wielding a “knife of death.” The elderly man pleaded for his life and begged for mercy, but the attacker, Shravan Kumar, was consumed by a murderous rage. He continued to strike the elderly man in the middle of the street until he breathed his last. In the ensuing chaos, several bystanders who attempted to intervene and save the victim also sustained injuries, yet the killer’s brutality remained undiminished. Knife Attack in the Middle of the Market A blood-soaked Bachhan Ram was rushed to the hospital in a frantic effort to save him, but fate had other plans. He breathed his last moments before even reaching the hospital’s doorstep. As soon as the news of his death reached the village, it was met with an outpouring of grief and wailing. The protective shadow of a father has now been lifted forever from over the heads of the deceased’s four sons. There is widespread outrage throughout the entire Dalit settlement over this audacious act. This broad-daylight murder has shaken the Bhadohi police department to its core. Deputy SP (CO) Prabhat Rai personally took charge of the situation and stepped into the field to lead the operation. He stated that, thanks to the police cordon, the prime accused—32-year-old Shravan Kumar—was apprehended within just a few hours. From the killer now in police custody, the police have recovered the very “blood-stained knife” used to carry out this bloody crime. **Police Arrest the Accused** Circle Officer Prabhat Rai stated that, according to preliminary investigations, the aforementioned incident appears to stem from an old feud and a personal dispute. Prabhat Rai emphasized that intense interrogation of the accused is currently underway, and anyone who takes the law into their own hands will not be spared at any cost. Currently, police personnel are patrolling the village streets, and appeals are being made to maintain peace. Rohit Gupta Courtesy: Hindi News
AIADMK functionary arrested for assaulting dalits
Trichy: An AIADMK functionary was arrested for allegedly assaulting a group of dalit youths campaigning for a DMK candidate in Mannachanallur constituency and was later released on bail following a protest by his supporters on Thursday. The complainant, S Rahul, 26, of Mahalikudi near Samayapuram, along with two others, was campaigning near Maniyampatti on Tuesday in support of DMK candidate S Kathiravan when the incident occurred. Police said a group of AIADMK cadres led by P Kumar, 47, confronted them, allegedly abused them using casteist slurs, threatened them and assaulted them. Rahul sustained injuries in the attack. Based on the complaint, Pulivalam police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for assault, abuse and criminal intimidation, along with provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and arrested Kumar on Wednesday. Following the arrest, AIADMK workers and locals staged a road blockade on the Trichy–Thuraiyur State Highway near Peramangalam on Thursday, demanding his release. Traffic was disrupted for about an hour before police intervened and pacified the protesters. Kumar was later released on bail. 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
Dalit History Month | Shocking RTI Revelation from IIM Ahmedabad: Out of 100 Filled Faculty Positions, 99 Belong to Upper Castes—Not a Single Dalit or Adivasi!
This situation stands in stark contrast to the reservation policy, which was designed to promote diversity and social equity. According to the policy, positions for the OBC, SC, and ST categories should ideally constitute 27%, 15%, and 7.5% of the total, respectively; however, in this instance, there is absolutely no representation from these categories. New Delhi—A recent Right to Information (RTI) response from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has revealed the category-wise distribution of faculty positions within the institute. The findings are startling: the entire faculty belongs to the ‘General’ category, with not a single member hailing from the Bahujan community. Gaur Kiran Kumar, National President of the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA), had filed the RTI application in January 2026. In its response, IIM Ahmedabad stated that the institute has a total of 120 sanctioned faculty positions across the ranks of Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor. Of these, 100 positions are currently filled, while 20 remain vacant. According to the data provided in the RTI response, out of the 100 filled positions, 99 belong to the General category, while only one position belongs to the OBC category—and that, too, at the Assistant Professor level. No filled positions were reported from the SC, ST, EWS, or PwD categories. This RTI revelation comes amidst the ongoing struggle regarding the implementation of reservation policies in higher education institutions. On January 29, 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, thereby allowing the 2012 regulations to remain in force. Multiple RTI applications filed by Kiran Kumar Gaur across various IITs and IIMs nationwide have consistently highlighted the overwhelming dominance of the General category in faculty positions. In these premier institutions, more than 80 percent of the faculty members belong to the General category, while in several institutions, this figure exceeds 90 percent. *The Mooknayak* has previously reported on similar facts, highlighting cases involving several IIMs where reserved posts for the SC, ST, and OBC categories have remained vacant for years. **The Situation in Other IIMs** A response received from IIM Indore in 2024 revealed that out of 150 faculty positions, numerous vacancies reserved for specific categories have not been filled. Of these, 106 positions have been filled by General category candidates, leaving 41 positions vacant. In the OBC category, there were only two Assistant Professors, while in the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category, there were none. According to an RTI response received in October 2024, the total sanctioned strength of faculty members at IIM Calcutta stood at 126. However, the data reveals significant discrepancies in filling these positions in accordance with the reservation policy. 53 positions were allocated for Unreserved (UR) candidates. The RTI revealed that a total of 73 UR faculty members were recruited—exceeding the allocated limit by 20 positions—and, additionally, 20 UR positions remain vacant. Another RTI inquiry directed at IIM Tiruchirappalli brought to light startling figures: 83.33% of faculty positions for OBCs, 86.66% for SCs, and 100% for STs remained vacant, whereas all positions in the General category were filled. Multiple reports indicate that in many premier institutions, over 80 percent of the faculty members belong to the General category, with some institutions recording a representation of over 90 percent from this category. **Upper Castes Dominate in IITs as Well** Data obtained from IIT Delhi, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, BHU, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Ropar, Palakkad, Mandi, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Tirupati, Dharwad, Goa, and Patna reveals a consistent pattern: representation from the General category is disproportionately high, while there is a severe deficit in the representation of OBC, SC, and ST communities. IIT Palakkad: Out of 161 faculty members, 121 (75.15%) belong to the General category; OBC members number 24 (14.9%), SC members 15 (9.31%), and there is only 1 (0.62%) from the ST category. The institute does not have a single SC or ST professor. IIT BHU (Varanasi): Out of 344 faculty members, 79.36% belong to the General category, 11.63% to OBC, 7.85% to SC, and only 1.16% to ST. Out of 608 sanctioned posts at the institute, 260 remain vacant; however, the institute failed to provide a category-wise breakdown of these vacant positions. IIT Kharagpur: This large institution has 775 faculty members, with the General category holding the largest share at 91.22%. Representation for OBC stands at a mere 5.55%, for SC at 2.71%, and for ST at a negligible 0.26%. Out of 1,600 sanctioned posts, 825 are vacant, and no category-wise data has been provided. IIT Gandhinagar: Out of 135 faculty members, 85.93% belong to the General category, while OBC members constitute 5.93%, SC members 5.91%, and ST members 2.96%. At the professor level, representation for OBC, SC, and ST categories is zero. IIT Ropar: Out of 177 faculty members, 78.53% belong to the General category, 14.69% to OBC, 5.65% to SC, and 1.69% to ST. IIT Patna: One of the few institutes that has provided data on category-wise sanctioned posts. Out of 390 sanctioned posts, 228 have been filled. Among the filled posts, 38.16% belong to OBC, 21.49% to SC, and 12.72% to ST; these figures are significantly better compared to other IITs. IIT Roorkee: Here, there are 939 sanctioned posts, but only 533 have been filled. The institute has not provided any category-wise breakdown of sanctioned, filled, or vacant posts. IIT Tirupati: Out of 114 faculty members, 69.30% belong to the General category, 18.42% to OBC, 8.77% to SC, and 2.63% to ST. IIT Mandi: Out of 175 faculty members, 81.14% belong to the General category, 11.43% to OBC, 5.71% to SC, and 1.71% to ST. At the Professor level, the number of faculty members belonging to the OBC, SC, and ST categories is zero. IIT Bhubaneswar: Out of 213 faculty members, 80.28% belong to the General category, 13.15% to OBC, 5.63% to SC, and only 0.46% to ST. IIT Jodhpur: Out of 244 faculty members, 79.10% belong to the General category, 13.11% to OBC, 6.15% to SC, and 0.82% to ST. IIT
Assam polls: Rahul Gandhi unveils Congress manifesto, focus on governance, identity
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday unveiled the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, outlining commitments across 11 key sectors including governance, identity and healthcare. The manifesto was released at an election rally in the presence of Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and other senior party leaders, reported PTI According to the party, the document lays out 11 resolutions covering governance, identity, healthcare, infrastructure development, industrialisation, agriculture, rural and urban development, climate change, and a “secured Assam.” The release comes days after the Congress announced its “five guarantees” during the March 29 visit of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge. Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with counting of votes to take place on May 4. The manifesto release marks a key step in the party’s campaign as it seeks to consolidate support ahead of the single-phase election in the state it has been out of power for a decade. 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