Kanshi Ram emerges as rallying point of Dalit mobilisation in U.P.
With Assembly poll approaching, major political parties in Uttar Pradesh intensify outreach to Scheduled Castes around the BSP founder’s birth anniversary, signalling a renewed battle for the State’s crucial 21% Dalit vote Mobilisation focused on the Scheduled Castes (SC) has gathered momentum on Uttar Pradesh’s political chessboard ahead of the Assembly elections due early next year. The immediate trigger is the March 15 birth anniversary of Kanshi Ram, founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti (DS-4). With SCs constituting roughly 21% of the State’s electorate, political parties are intensifying efforts to engage the community and position themselves as staunch advocates of the marginalised community. Mayank Kumar Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit leaders allege fake signatures of MCC officials used in loan scam
Mangaluru: Dalit leaders filed a complaint with the Mangaluru City police, alleging that fake signatures of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner and health officer, along with fake salary slips, seals, and documents, were used to fraudulently obtain loans from a cooperative bank in the name of civic workers. Dalit leader Anil Kumar raised the issue during a monthly meeting for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, chaired by DCP (law and order) Mithun HN on Saturday. Anil Kumar said that when some genuine pourakarmikas applied for bank loans, it was discovered that loans were already taken out in the names of many other civic workers. Following this, Dalit leader Vishu Kumar gathered records under the RTI Act, which revealed fraudulent activity. Through fake documents, loans were facilitated in the names of some municipal staff and non-staff individuals, with commissions ranging from about Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 taken as part of the fraud, he said. The cooperative bank manager requested salary verification for the loan applications submitted by the civic workers. However, the documents provided to the bank were fake, and the MCC commissioner clarified that such individuals were not employed as civic workers, he alleged. Vishu Kumar said that in a previous complaint to the police, it was reported that about 30 people took loans from various cooperative bank branches using the signatures of the MCC commissioner and health officer, claiming to be civic workers. “New records have now surfaced, showing that loans were taken in the names of 66 more individuals using similar fake documents. There is suspicion that loans were obtained using fake documents in the names of even more people,” he said. A Dalit leader alleged that the principal of a private ITI in Konaje took a loan from a bank using a lecturer’s salary certificate, causing harassment. DCP Mithun instructed a proper investigation. Ambedkar Circle issue: DSS warns protest DSS activist Anil Kumar said that despite the foundation stone being laid, the demand for a circle with Ambedkar’ statue at the Ambedkar Circle in the city was not fulfilled. Another activist, SP Anand, said that despite funds being allocated, the work did not commence, citing traffic issues. “If a circle can be constructed at Pumpwell, why not at Ambedkar Circle? If the demand is not met by April 14, the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, a protest will be inevitable,” said Anand. 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
0 Maternal Deaths, 3,000 Water Bodies & A Transgender Colony Named After Him | IAS Story | TamilNadu
When V. P. Jeyaseelan became District Collector of Virudhunagar district, he didn’t chase headlines — he delivered measurable change. As an IAS officer in Tamil Nadu, his governance model focused on real impact: Increased college enrollment from 65% to 95% ✔ Restored 3,000+ water bodies ✔ Achieved zero maternal deaths ✔ Empowered women, persons with disabilities, and the transgender community In a rare tribute, members of the transgender community honored him by naming their colony after him — a powerful testament to inclusive governance. This is what transformational leadership looks like. If one district can change this much under one officer, imagine the possibilities across India. V P Jeyaseelan IAS, Virudhunagar District Collector, Tamil Nadu IAS officer, Good Governance India, Zero Maternal Deaths Model, Water Body Restoration Tamil Nadu, College Enrollment Growth India, Transgender Welfare Initiatives India, Inclusive Governance Model, District Administration Success Story, Social Impact Leadership India, IAS Officer Inspiration, Bureaucracy Success Story, Public Administration India Courtesy : The Better India Note: This news is originally published on https:/thebetterindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul to visit T today, to address new DCC chiefs
Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the valedictory session of the District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents’ training programme in Vikarabad on Monday. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and other key leaders will receive him at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad at 9.40 am. Rahul Gandhi, along with Revanth, will fly by helicopter to Vikarabad, where the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha will address the newly appointed DCC chiefs from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The DCC chiefs underwent a 10-day training programme focused on further strengthening the party at the grassroots level and on effectively taking welfare schemes and the development agenda closer to the people. Meanwhile, a senior party leader did not rule out the possibility of Rahul Gandhi meeting some of the surrendered top Maoist leaders, as well as the family members of a Youth Congress leader from the erstwhile Mahbubnagar district who was arrested in New Delhi for protesting at the AI Summit. Revanth, along with deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and AICC leader Meenakshi Natarajan, is also expected to place before Rahul Gandhi a panel of names for the two Rajya Sabha seats from Telangana that will go to polls on March 16. The last date for filing nominations is March 5. The names being discussed in party circles for the seats include Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Justice Sudershan Reddy, AICC secretary Ch Vamshi Chand Reddy, former MP V Hanumanth Rao, party veterans Ananthula Shyam Mohan, M Kodanda Reddy and G Chinna Reddy, ex-MP Madhu Yaskhi Goud, govt advisers Mohd Ali Shabbir and Harkara Venugopal, and CM adviser Vem Narender Reddy. Sources said the CM is likely to place a panel of four names before Rahul Gandhi, which will be finalised for the two seats based on caste, social, political and other equations. Revanth and Bhatti, along with the TPCC chief, reportedly shortlisted four names on Sunday. Rahul Gandhi will leave for New Delhi in the evening, according to the CMO. 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 Village Gets Government-Funded Salon After Barbers Refuse Services To Dalits
A salon in Singatalur village in Gadag district has been opened after Hadapada families (barbers) in the village denied haircuts to Dalits over the years Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has opened a salon in Singatalur village in Gadag district after the local barber shop refused service to customers from Dalit communities. The salon, believed to be the state’s first government-funded facility, was set up near the bus stop on government property in the presence of officials from the social welfare department and the gram panchayat. While the social welfare department has provided the shop made of tin sheets and the equipment required for a salon, the barber was brought from Mundaragi town. The government was forced to open a salon after Hadapada families (barbers) in the village denied haircuts to Dalits over the years, citing a religious tradition. “Hadapada families are devotees of the village deity Veerabhadreshwara. Every year, the deity visits their houses during a particular time. The barbers claimed that they cannot serve Dalits during that period,” according to the officials. The lone barber shop in the village recently shut down after Dalit youths started insisting on their right to service at the salon. They argued that it was illegal on the part of the barbers to deny service to people from a particular community, while taking the matter to the district administration. As the matter escalated, the district administration reached out to the villagers and held several rounds of meetings to persuade barbers to open the shop and offer services to all communities. When they did not relent, notices were issued warning of legal action. Even notices fail to deter them. Left with no option, officials decided to open a barber shop, spending Rs 1.2 lakh from the social welfare department and appointing a barber from outside. Following a request by the administration, Devu Hadapad, state president of Hadapada Annappa Samaja, agreed to send his brother, who is also a barber, to run the shop. After which, the shop was set up. “It is unfortunate that an unhealthy mindset of looking down upon backward communities still exists in society. But we have extended full cooperation to the government to eliminate such practices. This shop is now open for all communities,” says Devu Hadapada. Vishwanath Hosamani, Executive Officer, Mundaragi Taluk Panchayat, said the issue related barber services had existed in the village for the past two years. “Now with the coordinated efforts of all departments concerned, we are able to find an amicable solution to this,” he added. People of the villagers also expressed happiness over the development. “This (development) has instilled a hope in us that the practice of untouchability will be stopped once and for all,” says Mariyajja, a villager. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit leaders allege fake signatures of MCC officials used in loan scam
Mangaluru: Dalit leaders filed a complaint with the Mangaluru City police, alleging that fake signatures of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner and health officer, along with fake salary slips, seals, and documents, were used to fraudulently obtain loans from a cooperative bank in the name of civic workers. Dalit leader Anil Kumar raised the issue during a monthly meeting for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, chaired by DCP (law and order) Mithun HN on Saturday. Anil Kumar said that when some genuine pourakarmikas applied for bank loans, it was discovered that loans were already taken out in the names of many other civic workers. Following this, Dalit leader Vishu Kumar gathered records under the RTI Act, which revealed fraudulent activity. Through fake documents, loans were facilitated in the names of some municipal staff and non-staff individuals, with commissions ranging from about Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 taken as part of the fraud, he said. The cooperative bank manager requested salary verification for the loan applications submitted by the civic workers. However, the documents provided to the bank were fake, and the MCC commissioner clarified that such individuals were not employed as civic workers, he alleged. Vishu Kumar said that in a previous complaint to the police, it was reported that about 30 people took loans from various cooperative bank branches using the signatures of the MCC commissioner and health officer, claiming to be civic workers. “New records have now surfaced, showing that loans were taken in the names of 66 more individuals using similar fake documents. There is suspicion that loans were obtained using fake documents in the names of even more people,” he said. A Dalit leader alleged that the principal of a private ITI in Konaje took a loan from a bank using a lecturer’s salary certificate, causing harassment. DCP Mithun instructed a proper investigation. Ambedkar Circle issue: DSS warns protest DSS activist Anil Kumar said that despite the foundation stone being laid, the demand for a circle with Ambedkar’ statue at the Ambedkar Circle in the city was not fulfilled. Another activist, SP Anand, said that despite funds being allocated, the work did not commence, citing traffic issues. “If a circle can be constructed at Pumpwell, why not at Ambedkar Circle? If the demand is not met by April 14, the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, a protest will be inevitable,” said Anand. 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 found hanging in West Champaran
Bettiah: A 30-year-old transgender was found hanging inside a rented room under suspicious circumstances in Dumwaliya locality of Bagaha town in West Champaran district on Saturday morning. The deceased was identified as Renu Devi, a native of Maharajganj district. She had been living alone in rented accommodation for the past 2 to 3 months. According to locals, the door of the room remained closed for a long time on Saturday morning. Despite repeated knocks and calls by neighbours, there was no response from inside. Suspecting something amiss, they alerted Dial 112. A police team arrived at the spot and informed Patkhauli police station. Patkhauli SHO Hridayanand Singh said that upon receiving the information, a police team rushed to the spot. “The room was locked from inside. When the door was forced open, the body was found hanging,” he said. Senior officials, including Superintendent of Police Ramanand Kumar Kaushal, were informed immediately. A forensic science laboratory (FSL) team later visited the site and collected evidence. The body was sent to the subdivisional hospital for post-mortem examination. Police said preliminary investigation suggests that the deceased was originally from Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh and had been staying in the house of a local resident. Another transgender person, identified as Laila, lives in a nearby room and is being questioned as part of the investigation. Police have taken the house owner into custody for questioning. While the case appears to be one of suicide at first glance, police said the exact cause of death would be ascertained only after the post-mortem report is received. Further investigation is under way, considering all possible angles. Meanwhile, Bablu Kinnar, associated with a local transgender group, said that the deceased was not affiliated with their community. Our group members live in their own houses under the guidance of our guru Hemlata. 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
Jakhar mocks Rahul Gandhi’s Barnala rally call for unity in Punjab Cong
Chandigarh: Following Rahul Gandhi’s call for unity in the faction-ridden Punjab Congress at a rally in Barnala, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday mocked the Congress leadership, claiming the event was aimed at reprimanding the party’s state leaders rather than addressing public issues. The remarks came in response to Gandhi’s address at the Barnala rally, where he stressed the need for unity among Punjab Congress leaders and warned that factionalism within the party would not be tolerated. Referring to Gandhi’s remark, “No matter how big you are, be a team player; otherwise, Kharge ji and I will set you right,” Jakhar said the statement itself summed up the purpose of the rally. In a post on social media, Jakhar alleged that the Congress gathering had neither an agenda for Punjab nor any discussion on issues concerning farmers and labourers. Instead, he said, it appeared to be “a desperate attempt” by Gandhi, on behalf of the Congress high command, to publicly reprimand the party’s divided state leadership and compel them to unite through what he described as a warning. He further claimed that, in doing so, Gandhi exposed the internal divisions within the Punjab Congress before the public and, at the same time, raised questions about his own leadership ability. Jakhar also targeted the Congress leadership at the Centre, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that the high command failed to provide direction to the party in Punjab. 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
‘No matter how powerful…’: Rahul cracks whip on Punjab Cong rifts
Barnala: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday warned senior leaders of the faction-ridden Punjab Congress that even the most powerful among them would be sidelined if they failed to unite and work as a team. Gandhi, who was at the Barnala grain market as part of the Congress’s MGNREGA Bachao Sangram, also urged senior leaders to respect party workers, describing them as the real strength of the organisation. “Whatever is achieved can only be done through teamwork. No single person can ensure victory. We have a complete team, become a team player or you will be put among the reserve players and be benched. No matter how senior a leader is, he cannot be bigger than the party. If you do not mend your ways, Kharge ji and I will set you right. Our workers are our real strength, and decisions should be taken with their consent and by keeping them in the loop,” Gandhi said to loud applause from party workers at the fag end of his address. The Lok Sabha leader of opposition’s remarks come amid rising complaints of factionalism in the Congress. Even expelled Congress functionary Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, had taken a dig at the rifts within the unit late last year, claiming the party had “five to six CM faces”. In Barnala, Gandhi also hailed the people of Punjab. “Punjab is our strength, the protector and foundation of India. We love Punjab. Politics is fine, but I love the people of Punjab. The Congress wants to safeguard the future of Punjab, its farmers and youth, who need to succeed,” he said, appearing to show more concern for the audience than for the leaders sharing the dais. The state unit has struggled to present a united face, which has reflected in the bypolls held since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While the Congress won seven of the state’s 13 Lok Sabha seats, it has managed to win only one of the six assembly bypolls held thereafter, Barnala in 2024. 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
Telangana Education Policy suggests law against caste, gender discrimination of students
The Telangana Education Commission has recommended major reforms from pre-primary to higher education, including scrapping college entrance tests, merging intermediate with school education, and increasing the minimum pass percentages. The Telangana Education Commission has recommended some major reforms to the state government, including a three-language policy from Class 1, a push for cancelling NEET, scrapping EAPCET, merging intermediate education (class 11 and 12) with school education, gender education in secondary schools, and a legislation to prevent discrimination against students from marginalised communities and minority groups. In its proposed Telangana Education Policy, submitted to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on February 26, the Commission also recommends allocating at least 18% of the state budget to the education sector, of which 5% should be allocated to higher education. It also proposes increasing the pass percentage for intermediate (Classes 11 and 12) students from 35% to 40% to improve academic standards. The policy suggests increasing the minimum pass percentage to 50% across all undergraduate programmes “on the lines of international practice.” School reforms The Commission has proposed that Telangana Public Schools (TPS) offer high-quality, integrated education from pre-primary through Class 12 at a single institution. The TPS model is proposed as a flagship structural reform to provide high-quality, credible education in government schools. Members of the Commission, including chairperson Akunuri Murali, briefed CM Revanth about the policy at their meeting. At the meeting, CM Revanth also announced that Telangana Public Schools of this model would be opened as a pilot project in 100 constituencies across the state, outside Hyderabad, from the coming academic year. These schools will be equipped with sports grounds, transport facilities, and other high-quality infrastructure. He also announced that from the coming academic year, students in all government schools will be provided breakfast along with milk, from Classes 1 to 12. The Commission recommended English as the medium of instruction across all levels of education from nursery to postgraduate studies. It proposed a three-language policy, with English and Telugu taught from nursery to Class 10, and either Hindi or Urdu as an option from Class 1. The policy said that Sanskrit is usually encouraged by private schools as students can score more marks. “There is no use of Sanskrit in the society as it is spoken by less than 20000 people in the whole country. Hence Sanskrit should be discouraged in general,” it said. The Commission has suggested stricter regulation of private schools, particularly with regard to fees, noting that some schools were charging as much as Rs 16 lakh in annual fees. During the meeting on February 26, the Telangana Private Schools Fee Regulatory Monitoring Commission submitted its report to CM Revanth, who instructed district collectors and district education officers to conduct a visit at the district level and submit a report on fees. At the state level, a committee with a retired judge or retired chief secretary would take final decisions on fee structure, the Chief Minister’s Office announced. The CM also suggested that the draft should be kept in the public domain to seek the opinions of students’ parents, intellectuals and social workers on the fee structure. The policy also suggests merging the different government-run residential schools for SCs, STs, BCs and minorities under a single administration. “The existing fragmented landscape…has evidently led to the hardening of caste lines and unnecessary politicisation of educational resources. By integrating these separate entities into a singular Telangana State Residential Education Society, the state will foster a truly inclusive and equitable learning ecosystem,” the policy says. Intermediate education The policy proposes bringing pre-primary schools into primary schools. It also suggests merging the SSC Board, which governs education up to Class 10, and the Board of Intermediate Education, which oversees the equivalent of Classes 11 and 12 taught in junior colleges. These are currently considered separate from the school education system. “A common board for Classes 10 and 12 will also eliminate the duplicity in terms of parallel administrative, academic, examination and data systems. Most education systems globally also have Classes 11 and 12 as part of the schooling system,” the policy says. It also recommends scrapping the EAPCET, the state-level common entrance test for admission into undergraduate colleges in the streams of engineering, agriculture and pharmacy. Instead, the Commission recommends admissions to colleges on the basis of Intermediate Public Examinations (IPE), the present equivalent of Class 12 board exams in the state. For this, IPE exams will have to be strengthened and designed to test foundational aspects and in-depth understanding of concepts covered in the curriculum, the policy says. It also recommends discontinuing public exams for intermediate first year or the equivalent of Class 11, as they cause “significant stress” to students. The policy says that instead of exam preparation, during the first year, teachers must be allowed to focus on learning gaps. Along with scrapping EAPCET, the policy says that even admissions for medical courses should be based on the Class 12 marks. “The Telangana government should strongly advocate with the Government of India for the cancellation of NEET,” it says. It also recommends a new law to regulate private coaching centres for competitive exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, CLAT etc., allowing oversight on fees, infrastructure, timings, faculty, curriculum, student mental health, and misleading advertisements. “The government must regulate the fees charged for intermediate education, including fees charged for entrance exam coaching to ensure there is no profiteering,” the policy says. Teacher education The policy also proposes a separate cadre of teachers for teaching students of Classes 9 to 12. Junior lecturers already working in the government system for intermediate education may be considered. It also proposes restructuring B Ed programmes into stage-specific degrees (primary and secondary). The policy says automatic promotions for teachers and headmasters must be discontinued. Instead, it suggests promotion policies aligned with outcomes and performance, and clearing departmental exams. At the meeting on February 26, CM Revanth also announced short-term training for teachers and lecturers on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Further, the CM asked officials to take