Barbers community launches campaign against untouchability
Caption: Akhila Karnataka Sri Shivasharana Hadapad Appanna Samaj Seva Sangha has launched ‘Kshourikara Nade Dalitara Keriya Kade’ (Barbers’ move towards Dalits’ colonies) campaign to sensitise barbers not to follow untouchability while offering hair cutting services Hubballi: Repeated instances of denying hair-cutting services for Dalits are often reported. Members of the barbers’ community are helplessly following untouchability, yielding to indirect pressure from upper castes. Now, community heads and seers are launching a state-wide awareness campaign against untouchability. They are holding meetings at taluk level and explaining the legal and social aspects of untouchability. They are also warning that if someone observes untouchability, the community will not come to their help, and it requests the authorities to initiate action against such salons. Annadana Bharati Appanna Mahaswamiji, Sukshetra Hadapad Appanna Peetha, Tangadagi, said that a campaign titled ‘Kshourikara Nade Dalitara Keriya Kade’ (barbers move towards Dalit colonies) was launched recently. “We started the campaign from our mutt in Tangadagi, and two programmes—one in Karjagi, Haveri district, and another in Chikkenakoppa in Koppal district—have been held already. We first hold a meeting of the barbers’ community and sensitise them about social equality propagated by Basavanna and other Sharanas of the 12th century. Later, we hold an open programme at a Dalit colony, where we invite barbers, Dalits, upper-caste people of the village, and elected representatives of the area. We also educate barbers about legal consequences if untouchability is observed. We are getting a good response from both communities. Many people of upper castes are also joining the campaign,” he explained. He further said, “We have a plan to take up this campaign across the state, and we do it whenever possible, since we have limited resources.” Devu Hadapad, state president, Akhila Karnataka Sri Shivasharana Hadapad Appanna Samaj Seva Sangha, Bengaluru, said that barbers are facing indirect pressure and blackmail techniques from upper-caste people in rural areas. “We observe that the Dalit population is 25% while the upper caste is 75% in villages. If we offer our services to Dalits, upper-caste people deny and boycott our services, citing untouchability. This trend is forcing barbers to follow untouchability painfully. A few Barbers were victims of untouchability cases. To put an end to this menace, we launched the campaign ‘Kshourikara nade Dalitara keriya kade’ to build confidence among barbers, Dalits, and all other communities,” he stated. Krishna Hadapad from Gadag District Savita Samaj said that offering services to everyone, without seeing their social or financial status, is the tradition of Savita Samaj. “If some salons observe untouchability, we will condemn their unconstitutional move. We will invite Savita Samaj’s state functionaries to Gadag and convene a meeting with Dalit and progressive activists to build confidence between barbers and Dalits soon,” he asserted. 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
Cong banks on Kerala to end its long season of electoral upsets
NEW DELHI: Congress’s fortunes post-2014 have followed a familiar pattern: rout in the national elections and then a long wait for assembly wins. It was an extended barren patch of three and a half years before Congress won a state poll (Himachal) after being routed in the Pulwama-dictated 2019 Lok Sabha contest. This time, Congress is hoping that the wait – which should have ended immediately after the 2024 LS polls with wins in Haryana and then Maharashtra – will finally be over through a win in Kerala. The polls in four states and one UT are an opportunity for Congress to get back into the reckoning, which the party prematurely hoped that the creditable performance in the difficult 2024 polls would ensure. If Kerala-2026 is the essence of Congress’s stakes in the coming battles, the principal opposition party is aiming to score significant political points in Assam, TN and Bengal, given that arch-rival BJP has positioned itself as a player across the national geography. After all, in the years since the Modi-led party turned into a political juggernaut, the Rahul Gandhi-run Congress has chosen to define itself ideologically and in sole opposition to BJP – a process which has also led to greater convergence among foes within the secular camp. For once, Congress ended the longstanding dichotomy of being an ally of CPM at the national level and in Bengal, while being a rival in Kerala – which provided BJP with an easy line of attack. It decided early to go solo in Bengal. Like many of the ‘Congress vs BJP’ fields, Assam has turned barren for the former with back-to-back defeats. Communal polarisation, marginalisation via defections and Assam-specific delimitation have made its political task a challenge. Congress belatedly plumped for Gaurav Gogoi, a young face with socio-political pedigree, as its flag-bearer. By all indications, Congress is hoping for a respectable performance that can debunk the growing perception of Assam becoming a one-party turf and keep the party alive in the state. After an unexpected public squabbling with DMK, Congress settled for a minor seat share for the polls. Given that BJP has inserted itself in the AIADMK-led bloc, and speculations are rife that TVK of Tamil superstar, Vijay, can be “influenced” by BJP after elections, Congress is eager that DMK sails through. The post-Jayalalithaa landscape in the state has proved easier for DMK, as witnessed in the 2024 LS polls, but TVK’s emergence and the prospect of a three-way split of votes have created uncertainty. Reduced to less than a fringe player in Mamata Banerjee’s fief, Bengal Congress is moving with a two-fold target in its solo run. The party believes it cannot go below 2021’s pathetic result of zero seats and 3% votes. AICC state in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the party’s vote share should move upwards of 15%. 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
Under fire for no-show, Rahul plans four rallies by month-end
Chennai: Amid criticism from opposition parties over Rahul Gandhi not holding any campaign visits to Tamil Nadu even after the completion of seat-sharing talks, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee said the Congress leader would tour the state later this month and address four rallies in different parts of the state. As per the tentative plan, Rahul would address the campaign meetings over a period of two to three days. The exact dates and venue would be announced once the plan is finalised, said TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai. Opposition parties, however, questioned the delay. BJP state vice-president N Jayaprakash said Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tamil Nadu three times this year so far. “The prime minister visits the state frequently because he is concerned about the welfare of Tamil people,” he said, asking why Gandhi visited Kerala and Telangana but chose not to visit TN. BJP leader Vinoj P Selvam said the only time Rahul came to Tamil Nadu this year was to visit a school in Gudalur, close to his Wayanad constituency. AIADMK functionaries alleged that Rahul’s absence from campaign activity was a sign of friction in DMK–Congress alliance. “Forget campaigning, Rahul did not even post a congratulatory message on the finalising of seat-sharing talks,” he said. Though Congress was demanding 35 seats and a share in power, DMK turned down both demands, leaving the Congress to settle for 28 seats. During the campaign for the 2021 assembly election in the state, Rahul had made multiple visits to the state, including a three-day tour in Jan during which he held roadshows and addressed public meetings. Selvaperunthagai denied the charges, attributing the delay in Rahul’s visit to the standard operating procedures (SOP) governing political meetings in the state. Under the existing rules, applications for major rallies by parties have to be submitted two to four weeks in advance, 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
Congress MLA’s PA arrested for cheating dalit woman in Bhupalpally
Chityal police arrested and remanded the personal assistant of Bhupalpally MLA Gandra Satyanarayana Rao for allegedly cheating a Dalit woman by promising marriage. The accused was also booked under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Bhupalpally: Chityal Police in the district arrested and remanded Gandra Satyanarayana Rao’s personal assistant, Ch Srinivas, for allegedly cheating a Dalit woman. Srinivas was accused of physically exploiting the woman, promising to marry her while making arrangements to marry another woman. When the Dalit woman confronted him about the matter, he verbally abused her using her caste identity. When a panchayat was held in the presence of family elders, he refused to marry the Dalit woman. Based on a complaint by her parents, Srinivas was booked under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act besides Sections 69 (false promise of marriage), 296(b) (uttering obscene words) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation), informed CI Mallesh Yadav. Courtesy : Telangana Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/telanganatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati Lashes Out at Rahul Gandhi: Asks—How Can the Very Congress Against Which the BSP Was Formed Now Propose to Award Kanshi Ram the Bharat Ratna?
BSP Supremo Mayawati has lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Speaking on Saturday, she stated: “The very Congress—whose anti-Dalit mindset led to the formation of the BSP, and which failed to declare a period of national mourning upon Kanshi Ram’s passing—is now talking about awarding him the Bharat Ratna. Therefore, one must remain vigilant against the Congress.” Notably, on Friday, the Congress party organized an event in Lucknow to mark Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary—a first for the party. During the event, a resolution was passed demanding that Kanshi Ram be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. It was decided that this demand would be raised in Parliament through Rahul Gandhi. Speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi remarked: “Kanshi Ram advocated for equality within society. Had Jawaharlal Nehru been alive today, Kanshi Ram would have served as a Congress Chief Minister. However, the BJP has now divided society into two segments: the ’15 percent’ and the ’85 percent.’ Only the 15 percent are reaping the benefits, while the remaining 50 percent have been marginalized and isolated.” Key Points Raised by Mayawati… 1. The Congress Never Honored Babasaheb:** Writing on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Mayawati stated: “It is a well-known fact that the Congress party held power at the Centre for a prolonged period; yet, it never accorded due respect to the ‘Messiah of Dalits’ and the ‘Architect of the Indian Constitution,’ Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Nor did it ever confer upon him the Bharat Ratna. Given this history, the pertinent question arises: How can the very same Congress party now propose to award the Bharat Ratna to Kanshi Ram?” 2. Congress Failed to Declare National Mourning Upon Kanshi Ram’s Demise:** The former Chief Minister observed: “Upon Kanshi Ram’s passing, the Congress government failed to declare even a single day of national mourning. At that time, the Samajwadi Party (SP) was in power in Uttar Pradesh, and it, too, failed to declare any state mourning. Similarly, numerous Dalit organizations and political parties—formed under the influence of other political factions—have consistently sought to merely exploit his name for their own political gain.” 3. Parties Employing Tactics to Weaken the BSP: Mayawati stated, “Today, various parties are engaged in weakening the BSP by employing a multitude of tactics. Therefore, our followers and supporters need to remain vigilant.” 4. Need to Be Wary of the Congress Party: The BSP Supremo remarked, “We need to be wary of the Congress party, as it was precisely due to its anti-Dalit mindset that the BSP had to be formed. I appeal to our party workers to ensure the success of the programs organized on March 15, 2026—the birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram—across the entire country, including Uttar Pradesh.” Mayawati also issued a press release. Here is what she said: The BSP Supremo stated, “Kanshi Ram carried forward the ideals of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. By organizing the Dalit community, he empowered them politically. Today, the Congress and the SP are invoking Kanshi Ram’s memory solely for their own political gain. This is sheer opportunism.” “The reality is that casteist thinking and the politics of discrimination persist to this day. The reservation norms established for Dalits and Backward Classes are being diluted. Consequently, the system of exploitation is being further entrenched. In such a scenario, the crucial question remains: how can the Bahujan Samaj place its trust in these parties and their leaders?” “Therefore, listen to what everyone has to say, but under no circumstances allow your unity—and the power of your vote—to fall into the hands of self-serving leaders. This would be the truest tribute to the struggles of Baba Saheb and Kanshi Ram.” At JNU, Prof. Vivek Kumar observed that the Congress party remained in power in this country for over 70 years, yet during that entire period, it never once thought of the Dalits. Now that they have been ousted from power, they are merely feigning respect for prominent Dalit icons. “Why did the Congress never promote a Dalit leader to a prominent position within the party? Why was Dr. Ambedkar compelled to leave the Congress? Ultimately, why did the condition of Dalits fail to improve during their rule? Why did Kanshi Ram find it necessary to form a separate political party specifically for Dalits?” “Furthermore, in the states where the Congress currently holds power, why are they not appointing Dalits to key, high-ranking administrative positions?” The truth is that, for them, Dalits are merely a vote bank. The Congress party may use Dalits as a stepping stone to ascend to power, but it will never seat them upon the throne of power itself. **Understanding the Power of Dalit Voters in UP** Dalits constitute 21% of the electorate in Uttar Pradesh. Out of the state’s 403 Legislative Assembly seats, 84 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Furthermore, there are 40 to 50 additional seats where Dalits make up between 20% and 30% of the voting population. In essence, Dalits hold a decisive influence over 130 seats across the state. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the BJP and its allies secured victory in 63 of the 84 reserved seats. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party (SP) achieved success in 20 seats, while one seat went to Raja Bhaiya’s party, the Jansatta Dal Loktantrik. In Lucknow, Rahul Gandhi spoke for 35 minutes in an effort to woo the Dalit vote. The occasion was the birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram; however, the Modi government was the primary target of Rahul’s address. Speaking before the Dalit audience, Rahul invoked the name of Narendra Modi far more frequently than that of Kanshi Ram. He asserted, “Narendra Modi does not subscribe to the ideology enshrined in the country’s Constitution. Go to Apollo Hospital sometime and look at the doctors’ nameplates; nowhere will you find the 85% [Dalits and Backward Classes] represented. You will not find Dalits or members of Backward Classes among the CEOs of major corporations.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Kanshi Ram Becomes Indispensable to All Parties; Fierce Race to Woo the Dalit Vote Bank Intensifies
These days, a visible competition is unfolding among all political parties to commemorate BSP founder Kanshi Ram. These days, a visible competition is unfolding among all political parties to commemorate BSP founder Kanshi Ram. This is not merely a gesture of symbolic respect; rather, it is driven by the underlying power of the Dalit vote bank. This is precisely why, alongside the BSP, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress are also actively involved in celebrating Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary, whereas the BJP appears relatively subdued in this regard. **The SP’s Strategy** BSP founder Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary falls on March 15. Ahead of this date, all major parties have already announced various commemorative programs. The BSP is organizing a public rally in Lucknow, while special events are also being held in other states. The Samajwadi Party has announced that it will celebrate Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary across all districts. The Congress, for its part, organized a birth anniversary ceremony and a ‘Dalit Dialogue’ session on Friday. Speaking at the event, Rahul Gandhi—the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha—drew a lifelike sketch of Kanshi Ram using his pen and asserted that Kanshi Ram should be conferred with the Bharat Ratna. Rahul Gandhi further remarked that had Jawaharlal Nehru been alive, Kanshi Ram would have become a Chief Minister. **Electoral Calculus and the Significance of the Dalit Vote** According to analysts, the sudden surge of affection for Kanshi Ram among various parties is merely a component of their political strategy. In Uttar Pradesh, the Dalit population stands at approximately 21%, and 85 of the state’s Assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (Dalits). Furthermore, even in the remaining constituencies, the Dalit vote bank possesses the potential to significantly influence electoral outcomes. Ramakant Shukla Courtesy: Hindi News
Brutal Attack on Dalit Family by Local Bullies in Chhatarpur; Mother and Daughter Injured
Chhatarpur: In the Chhatarpur district of the Bundelkhand region, the reign of terror unleashed by local bullies against Dalits shows no signs of abating, even today. A recent incident has come to light in which a young Dalit man was beaten with shoes simply for using his mobile phone while standing at a shop; when the women of his family rushed to his rescue, they too were attacked with axes and sticks. The injured victims have been admitted to a hospital by the police, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Dalit Family Beaten with Shoes Over a Trivial Dispute The dominance of local bullies in Maharajganj village—located within the jurisdiction of the Civil Lines Police Station in Chhatarpur district—was starkly demonstrated when a Dalit family was publicly beaten with shoes over a trivial matter. The young Dalit man’s only transgression was that he was standing at a village shop and using his mobile phone. The victim, Virendra Ahirwar, stated, “The bullies first beat me with their shoes and hurled caste-based slurs at me; subsequently, they attacked us with sticks and axes, injuring four members of my family.” Specifically, the victim, Virendra Ahirwar—a resident of Maharajganj village under the Civil Lines Police Station area—recounted, “On Friday night, I went to the village shop to purchase some supplies. During this time, Bharat Lal Patel, G. Lal Patel, and another local bully from the same village began verbally abusing me and physically assaulting me.” When Virendra’s father, Bhagirath Ahirwar; his mother, Habbu Bai Ahirwar; and his sister, Naina Ahirwar, arrived to intervene, the accused attacked them as well—using shoes, sticks, and an axe—while continuously hurling caste-based slurs. **Four Members of Dalit Family Injured** Four members of the family sustained severe injuries during the incident. Upon receiving information about the matter, the Civil Lines police reached the scene and transported all the injured individuals to the District Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, the police have registered a case against the accused in connection with the incident and have initiated an investigation. **The Victim’s Allegations** Speaking on the matter, the victim, Virendra Ahirwar, stated, “I had gone to the village shop to purchase some supplies. I started using my mobile phone while at the shop; this led to me being beaten with shoes initially, and subsequently, my family members—who had come to my rescue—were also assaulted. However, we are not satisfied with the police’s actions; the specific legal sections that should have been invoked in this case have not been applied.” **The Police’s Response** Regarding the incident, Civil Lines TI (Town Inspector) Satish Singh stated, “An FIR has been registered against the accused in this matter. The injured individuals have been admitted to the hospital, and a search for the accused is currently underway.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Family Beaten, Woman Dragged by Hair and Threatened With Gun at Wedding in Lakhimpur Kheri; FIR Not Filed for Two Days
Victim’s family releases video threatening suicide if case not registered; Bhim Army warns of protest at SP office; accused allegedly linked to Bajrang Dal.Middle East news A Dalit family in Lakhimpur Kheri threatened to end their lives on social media after police refused to register an FIR two days after a brutal caste attack. A deeply disturbing incident of caste-based violence that took place on March 10 in the Tikunia police station area of Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh, has come to light after the victim’s family released a video on social media threatening to end their lives if an FIR was not registered within 24 hours. Two days after lodging a complaint, no case had been registered, and the accused remained free. According to the victim’s family, during a marriage ceremony, a group of around 40 people from the Awasthi family forcibly pulled family members off the road, locked them inside a room and subjected them to brutal physical assault. The attackers allegedly hurled casteist abuses throughout the attack. A woman in the family had her hair pulled, was crushed underfoot and was threatened with being shot. The victim also alleged in her complaint that her son’s clothes were smelling of urine, suggesting he too was subjected to humiliation during the assault. Police arrived at the scene and managed to extract the victims from the locked room, but no arrests were made, and no FIR was registered despite the seriousness of the incident. Station In-Charge Accused of Pressuring Family to Compromise What has drawn equal outrage is the alleged conduct of the Tikunia police station in-charge after the incident. The victim’s family and Bhim Army State Coordinator Dr Kuldeep Bhargava alleged that instead of registering a case, the station in-charge was pressuring the family to reach a compromise with the accused and was actively working to protect them. The accused are said to be officials associated with the Bajrang Dal, which the family and activists say explains the alleged police reluctance to act. The victim’s family released a video on social media detailing the attack and warning that if the FIR was not registered within one day, they would take their own lives. The video quickly went viral, with large numbers of users tagging UP Police and the Director General of Police demanding immediate action. Bhim Army Warns of Protest, Demands SC/ST Act Case Bhim Army District General Secretary Advocate Deepak Jatav warned that if the victim’s family continued to face pressure and was denied justice, the Bhim Army would march to the SP office in Lakhimpur and stage a protest. The organisation demanded the immediate registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and other applicable sections, an impartial investigation and security for the affected family. Dr Bhargava said the incident was a clear case of upper-caste aggression against a Dalit family. “In Tikunia police station area of Lakhimpur Kheri district, some upper caste bullies forcibly pulled two members of the family from the road, locked them in a room and brutally beat them,” he said, adding that the failure to register an FIR amounted to a grave injustice. Amid the mounting social media pressure, Kheri Police responded on the platform, saying that the Tikunia in-charge inspector had been directed to take necessary action in the case. Whether a formal FIR has since been registered and arrests made remains to be confirmed. 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
DU dismisses Rahul’s allegation that it uses interviews to eliminate students
NEW DELHI: The Delhi University (DU) has dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that it uses interviews to eliminate students. In a post on X late on Friday, it said: “The University of Delhi admits students primarily based on the CUET scores, and the standard admission process does not mandate interviews for most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.” “If the Leader of Opposition was referring to recruitments (such as faculty positions), the University in the recent past has recruited thousands of teachers across all categories. We strongly object to such comments, as they create a non-conducive environment in the University. The Leader of Opposition should have verified the facts before making such a statement. @EduMinOfIndia,” it added. This was in response to the remarks of Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the DU eliminates students on the basis of caste. “I had gone to the Delhi University. Interview is just a way to eliminate students. They ask what your caste is and then you fail in the interview,” Gandhi said on Friday while addressing an event in Lucknow to mark the birth anniversary of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) founder Kanshi Ram. Targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Congress leader further said, “Take out the list of the RSS. Those who are their pracharaks and seniors in the organisation, you will not find one OBC, one Dalit, one Adivasi among them. This is completely against the Constitution.” This has triggered a further controversy, with the Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC), along with some DU professors, including academic and executive council members, pointing out that public record shows that in several departments of the university, despite a large number of teaching posts being advertised under the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories, qualified candidates were declared “not found suitable (NFS)” after the interview stage. PTI 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
‘Deadly Game’ at Private Hospital Ahead of CM’s Visit; Dalit Woman Loses Life
In Sheikhpura, a pregnant Dalit woman died due to medical malpractice at an illegally operating private hospital, just prior to the Chief Minister’s scheduled visit. Trapped in the clutches of touts, the woman’s family was extorted of ₹51,000; yet, her life could not be saved. Sheikhpura – A shocking incident that puts humanity to shame has come to light at ‘Ananya Hospital,’ located on Bhojdih Road in Sheikhpura district. Soni Devi, a resident of Kashichak in the neighboring Nawada district, was admitted to this facility through an ASHA worker after she went into labor. Her family alleges that the hospital administration extorted a hefty sum of ₹51,000 under the pretext of performing a surgical operation. Contrary to official government claims, touts active at the grassroots level deceived this impoverished family, effectively pushing them into a “well of death”—the very place masquerading as a hospital. **A Farce of Treatment and the ‘Referral Game’** As soon as the surgical procedure began, the hospital management—in a desperate attempt to conceal their incompetence—sent the family scrambling to procure two units of blood. By the time the family returned with the blood, the patient’s condition had already deteriorated critically. To save their own skins, the hospital authorities hastily referred the patient to Bihar Sharif. Tragically, the woman succumbed to excessive bleeding while being transported in the ambulance. This was, unequivocally, a fatal outcome resulting from gross medical negligence and a severe lack of necessary medical resources. **Old Peddlers of Death, New Address** Alarmingly, the hospital where this tragedy occurred is reportedly linked to the ‘Maa Savitri Hospital,’ a facility that had previously been sealed by the authorities. Locals allege that whenever the administration shuts down a hospital, the very same individuals simply put up a new signboard and resume their deadly trade under a different name. The names of the establishments change, but the operators—and their horrific modus operandi—remain exactly the same. From Patel Chowk to Bhojdih Road, numerous such clinics continue to flourish without any valid medical licenses. Doctors and Staff Flee Amidst Uproar As news of the woman’s death spread, the fury of her family members erupted. A massive commotion ensued outside Ananya Hospital, accompanied by loud demands for justice. Perceiving that the situation was spiraling out of control, the doctors and the entire hospital staff locked up the premises and fled the scene. This hasty escape, in itself, speaks volumes about their complicity and fear. The crowd gathered at the site raised vociferous slogans against the administration, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension in the area. Questions Raised Over the Administration and Health Department Occurring just prior to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s arrival in the district, this incident has placed the functioning of the Health Department squarely in the dock. The pertinent question remains: if the administration is aware that illegal clinics are operating in the region, why is no concrete action taken against them? Are authorities waiting for yet another poor person to lose their life? It now remains to be seen what action the district administration will take against these “white-collar criminals”—or whether the matter will once again end up buried within bureaucratic files. Report – Umesh | Edited By: Anubh Suman | Courtesy: Hindi News