Congress Alleges Dalit Atrocities at Peak Under BJP, Cites Bhadohi Case
UP Congress chief Ajay Rai says state government wants to eliminate the poor; party to celebrate March 13 as Social Change Day.Newspapers The Congress party on Wednesday alleged that Dalits are facing their worst period under the BJP government, with atrocities against the community having reached a peak, and pointed to a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district as fresh evidence of the worsening situation. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai said crimes against Dalits had risen sharply under the Yogi Adityanath government. “Two days ago, an attempt was made to set Jaslal Saroj ablaze in Bhadohi. The state government wants to eliminate not poverty but the poor, but the Congress is committed to the security of Dalits,” he said. Congress Leaders Raise Wider Concerns Rajendra Pal Gautam, chairman of the All India Congress Committee Scheduled Castes Department, spoke about the broader failures he attributed to the current dispensation. He said millions had sacrificed their lives for India’s independence but had never imagined an India where children are forced to abandon their studies due to poverty and people die for lack of medical treatment. He also raised the question of India’s foreign policy independence, asking why the country should need to seek permission from the United States to purchase oil. Manoj Yadav, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Congress OBC Department, said the fight for social justice initiated by Kanshi Ram was now being carried forward by Rahul Gandhi. Grand Event Planned for Kanshi Ram’s Birth Anniversary Anil Jai Hind, chairman of the All India Congress Committee Backward Classes Department, announced that the Congress would observe Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary on March 13 as Social Change Day. “A grand event will be organised on March 13 to carry forward his ideas and build the India of his dreams,” he said. Congress leaders confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will attend the Samajik Parivartan Diwas programme dedicated to Kanshi Ram on March 13. The event is being positioned by the party as a demonstration of its commitment to Dalit and backward class communities ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The Congress party on Wednesday alleged that Dalits are facing their worst period under the BJP government, with atrocities against the community having reached a peak, and pointed to a recent incident in Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi district as fresh evidence of the worsening situation. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai said crimes against Dalits had risen sharply under the Yogi Adityanath government. “Two days ago, an attempt was made to set Jaslal Saroj ablaze in Bhadohi. The state government wants to eliminate not poverty but the poor, but the Congress is committed to the security of Dalits,” he said. Congress Leaders Raise Wider Concerns Rajendra Pal Gautam, chairman of the All India Congress Committee Scheduled Castes Department, spoke about the broader failures he attributed to the current dispensation. He said millions had sacrificed their lives for India’s independence but had never imagined an India where children are forced to abandon their studies due to poverty and people die for lack of medical treatment. He also raised the question of India’s foreign policy independence, asking why the country should need to seek permission from the United States to purchase oil.India travel guide Manoj Yadav, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Congress OBC Department, said the fight for social justice initiated by Kanshi Ram was now being carried forward by Rahul Gandhi. Grand Event Planned for Kanshi Ram’s Birth Anniversary Anil Jai Hind, chairman of the All India Congress Committee Backward Classes Department, announced that the Congress would observe Kanshi Ram’s birth anniversary on March 13 as Social Change Day. “A grand event will be organised on March 13 to carry forward his ideas and build the India of his dreams,” he said. Congress leaders confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will attend the Samajik Parivartan Diwas programme dedicated to Kanshi Ram on March 13. The event is being positioned by the party as a demonstration of its commitment to Dalit and backward class communities ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. 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
Dalit girl death: Witnesses fear attack, seek protection
Bhopal: Day after the Supreme Court rejected the plea of MP govt and ordered a CBI investigation into the controversial death of Dalit girl, Anjana, 20, in Barodia Naunagir village of Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, fresh concerns emerged over the safety of witnesses. A key petitioner and brother of the deceased Dalit girl, sought police protection claiming that his elderly parents reportedly left their home for an undisclosed location. A bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice N K Singh on Wednesday rejected the investigation theory of the MP Police and ordered a CBI probe in the case. Vishnu Ahirwar, nephew of murdered witness Rajendra Ahirwar and a co-petitioner in the SC case, wrote to the director general of police (DGP), MP, seeking security for himself and his mother, citing threats and intimidation linked to the case. He told TOI that he requires ‘immediate security arrangements’. “Rajendra’s parents have not been seen since yesterday. I am scared too. My applications for security to DGP and other officers remain unattended” Vishnu said. The case relates to a sexual assault case filed by the survivor and her kin dating to 2019 against some influential people in the region. When the complainants refused to bow to pressure, her brother Nitin alias Lalu was assaulted on June 24, 2023 leading to his death. Rajendra Ahirwar, uncle of Nitin was a witness to the killing. Anjana and her family meanwhile moved the police including SP, IG and director general of police demanding a fair probe into the deaths and feared for their lives. The witness Rajendra Ahirwar died in a suspicious condition after an assault a year later in June 2024 while he was returning to Sagar. A day later while Anjana was accompanying the body of Rajendra she died under mysterious circumstances after falling off the hearse. Her brother Vishnu and family have since been demanding a fair probe into the deaths, alleging that influential people were behind the murders. In the application, Vishnu told the DGP that he fears for the lives of himself, his mother and other family members, alleging that they could be attacked or killed like his brother Nitin alias Lalu, his relative Rajendra Ahirwar and his sister Anjana. He requested that security be provided to him and his family and that legal action be initiated against those allegedly threatening witnesses. 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
Karnataka Shocker: Dalit Youth Beaten to Death in Savalagi for Allegedly Pelting a Stone
Savalagi: A shocking incident has come to light from Savalagi village in Bagalkote district’s Jamkhandi taluk. On Wednesday night, a Dalit youth was brutally beaten to death, all because he was accused of throwing a small stone during a school function. The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Sudeep Basappa Pange. Police have filed a murder case against Raju Bhimappa Mali, Vijay Ramachandra Savalagi, and Mallikarjuna Ningappa Mali. All three accused have been arrested. What Exactly Happened? The Government Kannada Girls’ School was holding its annual day celebrations, and children were performing on stage. While the villagers were watching the programme, someone from a group of youths sitting on the roof of the panchayat building threw a small pebble at the crowd below. This angered the accused. Instead of finding out who actually threw the stone, they cornered Sudeep. They started a fight with him, saying, “You threw the stone!” They then hurled casteist slurs at him, used abusive language, and beat him up mercilessly. Sudeep was seriously injured in the attack. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Jamkhandi, but sadly, he passed away during treatment. A complaint has been registered at the Savalagi police station. Courtesy : Asianet News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianetnews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Dalit Gambit’ in Lucknow Today! Congress Unveils Major Strategy with 15,000 Workers at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on Kanshi Ram’s Birth Anniversary
Lucknow, Amrit Vichar: With the rumblings of the upcoming assembly elections growing louder, the Congress party has initiated a concerted effort to woo the Dalit community. As part of this initiative, senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will address an event organized on Friday to mark the birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, in a bid to bring the Dalit vote bank into the Congress fold. While the BSP asserts that it holds the primary claim to Dalit votes, leaders from the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party are also actively engaged—each employing their own distinct strategies—to win over the Dalit electorate. Joining this fray, the Congress party has now also entered the arena. The birth anniversary of BSP founder Kanshi Ram falls on March 15; however, in a strategic move to gain the upper hand, the Congress has announced that it will celebrate his birth anniversary on Friday, March 13. The party is observing this occasion as ‘Social Transformation Day’ (Samajik Parivartan Diwas). The event is scheduled to take place at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, located in the state capital, Lucknow. Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi stated that Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive in Lucknow by air at 2:00 PM on Friday. Approximately 15,000 party workers from across the state are expected to attend the event. Prominent leaders—including State In-charge and National General Secretary Avinash Pandey, State President Ajay Rai, National Chairman of the Congress Scheduled Caste Department Dr. Rajendra Pal Gautam, and Chairman of the Backward Classes Department Dr. Anil Jaihind—are slated to address the gathering. Courtesy: Hindi News
Basic principles of law appears to have not been followed in Baramati plane crash probe: Rahul Gandhi
Pune: The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday alleged that basic principles of law had not been followed in the investigation into the Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and said no FIR had been registered despite the seriousness of the case. Rahul shared a photo of him with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on his ‘X’ handle after their meeting in Delhi and demanded a transparent investigation into the crash. “The incident warrants a fair, transparent and impartial investigation,” Rahul posted on X. Rohit, Ajit Pawar’s nephew, appealed to Rahul during their meeting in the national capital to raise the issue of his uncle’s death in the plane crash in the ongoing session of Parliament. The NCP (SP) MLA thanked Rahul for his support while interacting with reporters later, and criticised the central and Maharashtragovts for not registering an FIR in connection with the Jan 28 plane crash in which Ajit Pawar was killed with four others. “It has been nearly one-and-a-half months since the plane crash, but still no FIR has been registered. The proposal of the state govt to the CBI should have been accepted and the central agency should have started the investigation of the case. The issue should have been discussed in the ongoing Parliament session. It is quite shocking that ‘some people’ are busy only in protecting VSR Venture and its owner,” Rohit said. Apart from Rahul, Rohit met some members of the INDIA bloc, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, DMK MP Kanimozhi and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the past few days in Delhi. He urged all of them to raise the issue of the Baramati plane crash in Parliament. 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 Man Claims He Was Assaulted In Custody By Cops, Dies Later At Hospital
A document detailing the alleged torture of a 26-year-old Dalit man in police custody in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district has come under sharp focus after it was presented before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. Akash, a 26-year-old Dalit, who claimed he was brutally assaulted in police custody in SivagangaChennai: A document detailing the alleged torture of a 26-year-old Dalit man in police custody in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district has come under sharp focus after it was presented before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court. The document – a remand order recorded by a judicial magistrate based on the victim’s statement – has now effectively become a dying declaration, as the man later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Madurai. The victim, identified as Aakash, had described in detail the alleged torture he faced in police custody. According to the statement recorded by the magistrate, Aakash alleged that he was blindfolded and brutally assaulted by police personnel after being taken into custody. He claimed that officers placed stones below and above his right leg, covered it with a wet gunny bag and repeatedly beat it with an iron rod. The assault, he said, broke his leg and caused severe bleeding. Aakash further alleged that police threatened him and instructed him to tell doctors at the Manamadurai Government Hospital that he had sustained the injuries after falling from the Melapasalai bridge. In his statement, he also told the magistrate that around 10 cops in plain clothes first picked him up along with his co-accused, Guna, on the evening of March 6. Later that evening, four uniformed policemen took them away, he said, adding that he was placed in a separate vehicle and blindfolded. Human rights defender Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director of People’s Watch, told NDTV that the document is a crucial piece of evidence. “This is the first document that establishes police torture in Sivaganga,” Mr Tiphagne said, adding that although the case has been transferred to the CB-CID, no police personnel have been arrested or suspended so far. Aakash, a graduate, had been arrested after a clash with two men a day earlier and was charged for attempt to murder. He had sustained injuries and was initially admitted to the Sivaganga Government Hospital before being shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, where he died the following morning. Police officials had earlier said the 26-year-old developed breathing complications while undergoing treatment. His family, however, has consistently alleged custodial torture. Tiphagne earlier told NDTV that Aakash had informed his parents in the hospital that police had placed his leg between stones and beaten him. The state had denied allegations of torture and argued he fell from a bridge. A senior police officer told NDTV that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered and that the law will take its course. On the allegations of torture, the officer said the investigation is underway and declined further comment. The incident comes less than a year after the custodial death of Ajith Kumar in the same district following alleged police torture that was reportedly caught on camera. The case is currently being probed by the CBI, with five police personnel arrested and ten officers named in the case. Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has also directed the registration of a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with Aakash’s death. Reported by: J Sam Daniel Stalin Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Probe MP Dalit woman’s death, SC instructs CBI
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday directed CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 20-year-old Dalit woman in MP’s Sagar district in 2024. It rejected the plea of the state that the case was politically motivated, and said the truth must come out. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said its conscience did not allow it to accept state govt’s plea, and ordered an inquiry by the central agency. The court left it to CBI to take a call on registering an FIR. SC had last year issued notice on a petition by the woman’s mother, who was seeking a CBI or SIT probe into the dea-ths of three family members. “We direct CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry on the ci-rcumstances surrounding the death of the girl,” SC 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
Dalit family forced to flee village after caste attack in India
Dalit family in northern India says violence, threats and caste abuse forced them to consider fleeing village despite police case NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — A Dalit family in northern India says it has been forced to consider leaving its village after an alleged caste-based attack and continuing threats from local residents, highlighting persistent violence faced by marginalized communities in rural areas. The incident took place in Karaunda village in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, where members of a Dalit household say a group of men entered their home and assaulted them while hurling caste slurs. According to local reports, the attackers allegedly beat the head of the family, Ramlal, with sticks and vandalized property inside the house. Dalits — historically known as “untouchables” in India’s traditional caste hierarchy — remain among the country’s most marginalized communities despite constitutional protections and laws aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination. Ramlal told police that the attack occurred on the evening of March 3 when several men from the village allegedly forced their way into the family’s home. He sustained serious head injuries during the assault and was later taken to a government hospital for treatment. The attackers also allegedly broke the door of the house, damaged a motorcycle parked in the courtyard and destroyed belongings inside the residence, according to the complaint submitted to authorities. Police responded to the incident after an emergency call and registered a case against some of the suspects. However, the family says the situation has remained tense since the assault. According to Ramlal’s complaint to district authorities, the accused individuals have continued pressuring the family to withdraw the police case and reach a compromise. The family says they were warned they would not be allowed to remain in the village if they pursued legal action. Facing what they describe as ongoing intimidation and fear of further violence, Ramlal’s family says they are now preparing to leave the village for their safety. He has asked district police officials to provide protection and assistance so the family can safely collect their belongings before relocating to another place. Local police authorities say the case is under investigation and have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken. Human rights advocates say such incidents reflect a broader pattern of caste-based intimidation in parts of rural India, where Dalit families often face pressure and threats when they attempt to pursue justice through official channels. Courtesy : Muslim Network TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/muslimnetworktv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi behind speaker’s decision on turncoat MLAs, alleges BRS working president KT Rama Rao
Hyderabad: Condemning assembly speaker G Prasad Kumar’s decision to dismiss disqualification petitions against defected MLAs, BRS working president KT Rama Rao has called it undemocratic and shocking. He alleged that the decision was taken under tremendous pressure from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accused the party leadership of orchestrating the entire episode. Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan after the speaker’s verdict on Wednesday, KTR said the speaker had virtually no independence in the matter. He said the decision represented a direct assault on democracy and the Constitution, and that the principal architect behind this unethical move was Rahul Gandhi. KTR also questioned how an MLA who won on a BRS B-Form could contest as a Congress candidate in the Lok Sabha elections without resigning from the assembly, yet still escape disqualification. “An MLA who won on one party’s B-Form contests as an MP candidate on another party’s B-Form without resigning. Despite such clear evidence, the speaker refused to disqualify him. This is nothing short of political manipulation,” he said. “All the evidence is already in the public domain. The Election Commission records clearly show which B-Form the MLA used to contest the assembly election and on which B-Form he contested for Parliament. What further inquiry is needed?” he asked. KTR questioned the moral authority of Rahul Gandhi and Congress to speak about defections. “Rahul Gandhi and Congress have absolutely no moral right to lecture anyone about political defections,” he said. “The main perpetrator and the criminal mind behind this decision is Rahul Gandhi. He is the real culprit. Without his permission and approval, the speaker would never have dared to take such a shocking decision,” KTR stated. Criticising what he described as hypocrisy in Rahul Gandhi’s political stance, KTR said that the Congress leader claimed to be the defender of the Constitution while simultaneously encouraging defections. “On one hand Rahul Gandhi carries the Constitution in his hand and claims to be its protector. On the other hand, his party is enabling defections and protecting defectors,” he added. KTR further criticised Rahul Gandhi for speaking about automatic disqualification in cases of defection during his speeches in Telangana and for promoting the ‘Nyay Patra’, while allowing the Congress govt to protect defectors. 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
Nashik court disposes of defamation case against Rahul Gandhi
Nashik: The court of additional chief judicial magistrate Rupali Narwadiya has disposed of the defamation case filed against leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The case was initiated by Devendra Bhutada, president of the Nashik-based Nirbhaya Foundation, who alleged that Gandhi made defamatory remarks about Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter VD Savarkar during ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ rallies held in Hingoli and Akole on June 15 and 16, 2022. Bhutada approached the court shortly after learning of the comments. Following the complaint, a case was registered under sections 499 (defamation) and 504 (intentional insult) of IPC, and the court issued summons to Gandhi in Sept 2024. Last July, the additional chief judicial magistrate granted Gandhi bail, allowing him to attend hearings virtually, during which he pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyer Gajendra Sanap said the court had ordered an inquiry under Section 202 of the CrPC, and after police submitted their investigation report, the complainant sought to withdraw the case. Mohan Pingale, representing Bhutada, said the withdrawal application was filed because Bhutada’s daughter had recently moved abroad, making it difficult for him to attend frequent hearings. He said the four-year-old case had led to summons and warrants against Gandhi, requiring him to secure bail and participate in virtual proceedings. Pingale said the Supreme Court mandated priority handling of cases involving MPs and MLAs. “In view of the circumstances, we applied to withdraw the case, and the court accepted the request, thereby disposing of the matter,” 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