Water, electricity cut off in Dalit settlement of Odisha village
The Dalits claimed that their community was being targeted due to their caste. Bolangir: Water and electricity services were cut off in a Dalit settlement, with residents alleging caste-based discrimination in Odisha’s Balangir district. However, a village official attributed the disruption to a local feud. The settlement is located in the Dumerchuan village under the Turekela block of the district, and its residents reported that the drinking water supply in their area has been interrupted since February 12. According to local media, the settlement’s streetlights were also turned off, leaving families to struggle in the dark after sunset. The residents claimed that different areas of the village have faced no such disruption. “Houses in other parts of the village continue to receive water and electricity, but we are being deprived,” a local said. They were even stopped from drawing water from the borewell. “When we tried to draw water from the borewell, we were stopped. While commuting on village roads, we are treated as untouchables by members of other communities,” the resident said. The Dalits claimed that their community was being targeted due to their caste, since they face discrimination in other social and cultural events of the village as well. Despite alerting the officials of the issues, no steps were taken to correct the disruptions, they said. Disruption due to enmity between two local groups A village official, Padamanava Samantaray, dismissed claims of caste-based discrimination, stating that the initial investigation pointed towards a “feud.” An inquiry has been ordered, and the block development officer was directed to investigate at the ground level, Samantaray said. “Preliminary probe suggested that a few days ago, there was a feud between two groups of the village during a baraat procession. One group deliberately disrupted the water supply and electricity out of revenge,” he said. Courtesy : Scroll Note: This news is originally published on https:/scroll.in/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
India News | BRS Alleges Telangana Govt Attempting to Grab Dalit Land in Warangal; Approaches THRC
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. BRS Party on Thursday approached the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, alleging that the state government is trying to grab land belonging to Dalit families near Badrakali Temple in Warangal district. Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], (ANI): A delegation from the Bharatiya Rashtriya Samiti (BRS) members on Thursday approached the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, alleging that the state government is trying to “grab land belonging to Dalit families” near Badrakali Temple in Warangal district. BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan Kumar, while being part of the delegation, said that around 155 Dalit families, who have been living there for 70 years with proper civic amenities and legal documents, are facing eviction in the name of a development project, without following the Land Acquisition Act or the due legal process. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, “Near the Badrakali Temple in Warangal district, approximately 155 Dalit families have been living for the past 70 years. The areas where these houses are built have civic amenities. All houses have legal drinking water connections and electricity connections. All the Dalit families living there have Aadhaar cards with the same address. They also have ration cards. They also have voter ID cards with the same address.” “And in the recent elections, they were asked to vote for the ruling party. Despite this, in the name of a development project, the ruling government is trying to forcibly evict them and grab their land without following the principles of the Land Acquisition Act or any due process under the law, which we strongly condemn,” he added. Earlier on Sunday, BRS working President KT Rama Rao said that their goal is to prevent the ongoing exploitation in Singareni. Keeping the interests of Singareni workers in mind, BRS announced its support for CPI in Kothagudem. BRS Working President KTR alleged that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress are acting in collusion to exploit Singareni, functioning in a manner that directly harms the organisation. Speaking to the media, he stated that since the CPI and Congress are already in an alliance, sharing the Kothagudem Mayor’s post comes as no surprise. However, he questioned why the CPI-affiliated AITUC agreed to this alliance, noting that he could not comment on the specific pressures that may have influenced the decision. KTR made it clear that regardless of whether other parties join hands, the BRS will continue to fight for Singareni’s interests and the rights of its workers, as it has in the past. (ANI) (The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia’s leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY) Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gujarat: Unit to monitor atrocities against Dalits faces 18 vacancies
Crucially, while the unit carries a sanctioned strength of 76 posts, only 58 are filled, leaving 18 vacancies that directly dilute field oversight, data tracking, and policy responsiveness across districts. AHMEDABAD: In a candid admission on the floor of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister disclosed that the specialised civic unit set up under the Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare Department to monitor atrocities remains structurally understaffed thereby weakening the very surveillance mechanism meant to safeguard vulnerable communities. The sanctioned cadre strength of the unit includes: 3 posts of Joint Director (Vigilance), 1 post of Deputy Director (Citizen Cell), 5 posts of Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S), 42 posts of Assistant Social Welfare Officer (Project Officer), 6 posts of Social Welfare Inspector, 4 posts of Senior Clerk, 8 posts of Junior Clerk, 1 post of Research Officer, 3 posts of Research Assistant and 3 posts of Statistical Assistant, taking the total sanctioned strength to 76 posts. Crucially, while the unit carries a sanctioned strength of 76 posts, only 58 are filled, leaving 18 vacancies that directly dilute field oversight, data tracking, and policy responsiveness across districts. Out of 3 sanctioned posts of Joint Director (Vigilance), only 1 post is filled while 2 posts are vacant, both lying vacant for a period of one to three years. The post of Deputy Director (Citizen Cell) is filled. But the most alarming void surfaces in the Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S) cadre, all 5 sanctioned posts of Social Welfare Officer (P.K.S) are vacant. Of these, 2 posts have been vacant for less than one year and 3 posts have remained vacant for one to three years. Although operational cadres appear comparatively staffed 37 of 42 Assistant Social Welfare Officer posts filled the five vacancies here still mean fewer boots on the ground, weakening grassroots incident reporting and timely intervention. Even analytical backbones are missing: all three Statistical Assistant posts remain vacant for over three years, signalling a long-term data vacuum that can distort policy calibration and trend analysis. The absence of statistical and research personnel implies that incident pattern mapping, predictive risk alerts, and evaluation of preventive schemes may be operating on incomplete datasets. Without robust analytics, monitoring risks becoming reactive rather than preventive, undercutting the unit’s foundational mandate of evidence-driven vigilance under the Scheduled Caste Welfare framework. Overall, the data confirms: Total Posts 76; Filled Posts 58; Vacant Posts 18. Of these vacancies, 8 are within one year, 7 are pending for one to three years, and 3 have remained vacant for more than three years. Responding to the vacancy crisis, the minister informed the House that recruitment actions are underway through multiple channels. Requisitions have been sent to the Gujarat Public Service Commission for Social Welfare Officers, while Research Assistant and Statistical Assistant posts are to be filled via the General Administration Department. Vigilance-level posts remain “under consideration,” indicating procedural movement but no definitive timelines. Dilip Singh Kshatriya Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala: 23-year-old Dalit priest resigns citing caste discrimination
Vishnu said he was drawn towards priesthood because of his love for Sanatan Dharma. A 23-year-old Dalit priest in Kerala resigned from his post, alleging caste discrimination, threats and false complaints against him. PR Vishnu initially served as a part-time priest in a temple in Malikampeedika Vathurakkavu Temple in Alangad, Ernakulam. He cleared a written test and interview conducted by the Travancore Devaswom Recruitment Board, and replaced the regular priest after four months. Speaking to The Telegraph, Vishnu said he was drawn towards priesthood because of his love for Sanatan Dharma. But ever since his appointment, he claims there have been deliberate attempts to paint him as a thief. “I was shocked to know that the gold jewellery on the idol was removed and replaced with fake ones. I had a doubt and consulted a goldsmith to check the quality of the jewellery on the idol. I had a narrow escape from being branded a thief,” he said. Vishnu’s father is a daily wage labourer and mother is a homemaker. The young priest said that even his family is not spared. In his police complaint, he has accused members linked to the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-affiliated Devaswom Employees Confederation for the intimidating work environment. State president of the Devaswom Employees Confederation, Prajith Kumar, said the organisation would not tolerate any caste discrimination against priests appointed by the TDB commissioner and warned of action against staff who allegedly humiliated Vishnu. Courtesy : Scroll Note: This news is originally published on https:/scroll.in/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TSHRC orders water, power restoration to 30 Dalit families in Hanamkonda
Alleging caste discrimination, the families said the disconnection took place despite holding valid house-site pattas. Hyderabad: Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC), on Thursday, February 19, issued an interim order directing immediate restoration of drinking water and electricity to 30 Dalit families of Hanamkonda district, which were disconnected despite holding valid house-site pattas. Commission Chairperson Justice Shameem Akther’s order was based on complaints filed by Dalit residents of Cherabanda Raju Nagar, who alleged caste discrimination and constant threats with drinking water and electricity disconnection, as well as demolition of their houses. The Commission directed the Hanamkonda District Collector, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation and the Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGNPDCL) to immediately restore water and power supply and refrain from coercive eviction measures. “Such actions violate the constitutional guarantees of equality and the right to life with dignity. We have directed the Warangal Police Commissioner to prevent caste-based intimidation and ensure protection to the residents,” Justice Akther said. The Chief Secretary and Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy have been directed to monitor the situation. The Commission has sought a detailed report by March 9. Courtesy : Scroll Note: This news is originally published on https:/scroll.in/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Man hangs self after ‘killing’ transgender in UP’s Ballia
In Ballia, UP, a man named Ravi Gupta (30) allegedly killed 65-year-old transgender Rekha, whose body was found on his roof, before he hanged himself. Rekha was reported missing, and CCTV showed her entering Gupta’s house. Police registered a case against five people, including the deceased man and his father. Ballia (UP), Feb 19 (PTI) A man hanged himself in the Bairia area here after allegedly killing a 65-year-old transgender who had gone missing, police said on Thursday. The transgender, identified as Rekha, had gone missing on Tuesday, they said. Members of the transgender community had searched for her and later lodged a missing persons complaint at the Bairia police station when she could not be traced. Her mobile phone was later found in a field near Pura Phatak in Raniganj, police said. Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh told reporters that Ravi Gupta (30) was found hanging from a ceiling hook in his room on the third floor of his house in the Raniganj area on Wednesday night, after his family informed the police. CCTV footage of the house showed Rekha entering the residence, Station House Officer Rajendra Prasad Singh said. On a sustained search of the house, the body of the transgender was found wrapped in polythene in a box kept on the roof with injury marks, he said. According to police, Rekha was a native of Bihar’s Chhapra and lived in a rented accommodation in Raniganj. The SP said a case has been registered against five persons, including the deceased and his father, and three members of the family. Further legal proceedings are being carried out. PTI COR CDN APL APL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
DM’s certificate under Transgender Act conclusive proof of gender for passport: Allahabad HC
The bench said Clause 5 of the DM’s certificate allows name and gender updates in all records, and passport authorities cannot seek fresh medical tests or extra documents. PRAYAGRAJ: The certificate issued by a district magistrate under Section 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is conclusive proof of a person’s gender identity for the purpose of issuance of a passport, the Allahabad High Court has ruled. A division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan observed that the passport authority “cannot insist on a fresh medical examination” or “seek changes in the birth certificate” for effecting a change of gender in a passport. The court passed the order on February 10 while disposing of a petition filed by Khush R Goel, who had challenged a June 23, 2025 order of the passport authorities directing him to undergo a fresh medical examination at a clinic empanelled by them for change of gender in his passport. According to the plea, the petitioner was born a female but later identified as a transgender person. After attaining majority, he underwent gender reassignment surgery and transitioned to male. He subsequently approached the district magistrate and obtained a certificate under the 2019 Act, which entitles the holder to change name and gender in all official documents. However, when he sought correction of gender in his passport, the authorities directed him to undergo a fresh medical examination. The bench noted that Clause 5 of the certificate issued by the district magistrate specifically entitles the holder to update name and gender in all official documents. It held that once such a certificate is issued, there is no requirement for the passport authorities to demand any further medical examination or additional documents. Emphasising the object behind the enactment of the 2019 law, the court observed that Parliament brought in the statute to address the social ostracism faced by transgender persons and to ensure their dignity and equal rights, so that they are not compelled to suppress their identities contrary to their innate personality. Holding that the district magistrate’s certificate “gives a quietus to the controversy,” the court disposed of the petition and set aside the requirement of further medical examination. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kota man arrested for threatening to shoot Rahul, 25 Cong MPs in video posted online
Kota: A man was arrested Thursday in Rajasthan’s Kota for allegedly threatening to shoot leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and 25 other Congress MPs in a video he posted online, citing their alleged verbal abuse of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the budget session. Raja Singh Amera claims to be a spokesperson of Karni Sena. But both Karni Sena and BJP have distanced themselves, stating he has no formal ties to either organisation. Birla is Kota’s BJP MP. In the 0.55-second video clip, Amera said he and others would vandalise the MPs’ homes and shoot them “one by one.” He also said the administration would be responsible if such an act took place. Kota City SP Tejeshwani Goutam said Amera faced four previous cases. The fresh case has been registered under sections 351, 352 and 353 of BNS, pertaining to criminal intimidation, breach of public peace and mischief. 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
Ahmedabad: Dalit youth stabbed, casteist slurs uttered; case filed against 6 people
A minor dispute at a paan shop in the Ranip area led to a bloody clash; police registered an FIR against 6 accused under sections of the SC/ST Act and the BNS. Ahmedabad: A minor dispute turned violent late Saturday night in the Ranip area of the city. A 25-year-old Dalit youth was stabbed in the neck and seriously injured. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint at the Ranip police station on Sunday. What is the entire matter? The victim has been identified as Sahil Vaghela, a resident of Purushottam Nagar opposite Pink City in Ranip, and works at a private company. In his statement to the police at the Civil Hospital, Sahil stated that the incident occurred around 10:30 pm on Saturday night. He had gone to a paan shop near Bakra Mandi when he encountered Shravan Thakor, Harshit Thakor, and four others. Casteist Slurs and Stabbing It is alleged that these men began questioning Sahil about a past incident in his society. The accused immediately began abusing him. Sahil alleges that he was insulted with casteist slurs and assaulted. During the scuffle, the main accused, Shravan, allegedly pulled out a knife and attacked Sahil. The knife wound struck the left side of his neck. Accused absconding, victim out of danger Seeing blood flowing from his neck, Sahil raised an alarm, which frightened all the attackers and they fled the scene. The injured Sahil immediately called his friends and a relative. He was then taken to the Civil Hospital by 108 ambulance. After being treated by doctors, he was discharged from the hospital and is currently reported to be out of danger. Police Action Given the seriousness of the case, the Ranip police have registered an FIR against six accused. Police have registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rioting, unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. The accused have also been charged under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Not every insult to a member of the SC/ST community is an atrocity: Understand this important Calcutta High Court decision
The court also clarified that it is not enough for the accused to know the caste of the victim. A crime is committed when the insult is committed “on the ground or by reason of the person being a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.” Kolkata—In a landmark judgment delivered on February 11, the Calcutta High Court clarified that every insult or threat directed at a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) is not automatically considered a crime under Section 3(1)(r) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. A single bench of Justice Chaitali Chatterjee (Das), while hearing a criminal revisional application in the case of Moumita Bhattacharya v. State of West Bengal, quashed the entire proceedings at the Amherst Street Police Station, including the charge sheet filed therein. The case relates to a professional dispute in the Sanskrit Department. The complainant, who belongs to the SC community and joined as an Assistant Professor on November 14, 2018, alleged that Moumita Bhattacharya, as Head of the Department, humiliated him on the basis of caste, mentally harassed him, and harmed his career. The allegations included not inviting the complainant to departmental meetings, withholding meeting resolutions, stopping undergraduate classes, preventing him from conducting examination/evaluation duties, conspiring with students, and using abusive language in online meetings. The complaint was filed on December 4, 2021. Following an investigation, a charge sheet was filed on April 10, 2022, and the Special Court took cognizance. Petitioner Moumita Bhattacharya filed a petition under Section 482 CrPC seeking quashing of the proceedings. Citing his qualifications, he stated that he holds a PhD in Sanskrit from Visva Bharati University, a post-doctoral fellowship, passed SLET, and has held editorial positions in various journals, and stated that the allegations are false, motivated by vengeance, and lack the essential elements of an offence under the SC/ST Act. The Court, citing several Supreme Court judgments (Sajan Skaria v. State of Kerala, Hitesh Verma v. State of Uttarakhand, Swaran Singh v. State, etc.), clarified the essential elements of Section 3(1)(r). The Court stated: “The basic elements of an offence under Section 3(1)(r) are as follows: The accused must not be a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. The accused must intentionally insult or intimidate a member of a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe. Such insult or intimidation must be with the intent to humiliate that person. And such insult or intimidation must occur in a public place or in public view.” The court further made an important observation: “Not every intentional insult or threat directed at a member of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe will constitute caste-based humiliation. This is only the case if the insult or threat is due to the prevalent practice of untouchability or to reinforce notions such as the historical superiority of upper castes over lower castes/untouchables, or the notions of purity and impurity.” The court also clarified that it is not enough for the accused to know the victim’s caste. The offense is made out when the insult is inflicted “on the ground or by reason of the person being a member of a Scheduled Caste or Tribe.” The complaint mentioned a specific incident where the complainant was referred to as “Adarsh Sir” in an online meeting. The court made a strong comment on this: “‘Adarsh’ means ideal, and ‘Sir’ is a respectful address. This court is at a loss to understand how calling someone ‘Adarsh Sir’ can be derogatory, even if done sarcastically. This cannot, in any case, constitute an offense under the SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989.” Applying the principles of State of Haryana vs. Bhajan Lal, the court held that even if the allegations in the FIR are accepted as completely true, they do not constitute an offense. The proceedings appear to be motivated by personal enmity and revenge. Therefore, it is appropriate to quash them under Section 482 CrPC. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News