‘BJP’s poster boy’: Punjab ex-minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu slams Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu Bittu over ‘enemy of state’ remark for Rahul Gandhi
Ludhiana: Senior Congress member and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched a blistering verbal counter-attack on Wednesday against Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, labelling his recent comments against Rahul Gandhi as “deeply irresponsible” and “unfortunate”. The friction follows Bittu’s controversial branding of the Lok Sabha’s leader of the opposition as “Desh ke Dushman” (enemy of the country), a statement that has ignited a firestorm within Punjab’s political circles. Ashu reminded Bittu, a three-time Member of Parliament, that his political foundations were built entirely on the support of the Gandhi family. Ashu noted that the Congress party had nurtured Bittu’s career, providing him with repeated opportunities and trust. “Just because you have become a poster boy of the BJP today does not mean you forget those who helped you rise in public life,” Ashu said, accusing Bittu of abusing his former mentors for “political convenience”. The Legacy Contradiction The former minister drew a sharp contrast between Bittu’s current rhetoric and the legacy of his grandfather, the late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. “It is ironic that a person who claims to inherit Beant Singh’s legacy has abandoned the very principles his family stood for,” Ashu remarked. He pointed out that Beant Singh had sacrificed his life fighting the very “divisive forces” that the Congress alleges the BJP represents. Ashu argued that by switching sides for power and questioning the patriotism of others, Bittu has exposed a “lack of conviction.” ‘Sacrifice vs Rhetoric’ Ashu underscored the historical weight of the Gandhi family’s contributions to India, framing Bittu’s comments as a sign of political frustration rather than truth. Ashu reminded the Union Minister that both the Gandhi family and Beant Singh fought for the same cause — the unity and integrity of India. In a call for introspection, Ashu added: “Before pointing fingers at Rahul Gandhi, Bittu should remember that both Beant Singh and the Gandhi family laid down their lives for this country.” The Congress member concluded by stating that such reckless personal attacks serve only to lower the dignity of public life. 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
M R K Panneerselvam sparks row with ‘North Indians clean tables’ in Tamil Nadu remark; BJP hits back
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit out at a Tamil Nadu minister over remarks about North Indian migrant workers, accusing the ruling DMK of repeatedly targeting migrants and fuelling social divisions in the state. The BJP was reacting to comments made by DMK agriculture minister M R K Panneer Selvam at a party event in Chengalpattu, where he referred to North Indians working in low-paying jobs. “People from the North are coming here to clean tables, engage in construction works, sell pani puri. Because he learnt only Hindi and had no job opportunity there, he has come here,” the minister said. In a post on X, the BJP said the remarks were derogatory and reflected a broader pattern within the DMK. “At a party event in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, DMK agriculture minister Shri MRK Panneer mocked North Indian migrants as “table cleaners and pani puri sellers.” In today’s India, people from every state work everywhere – North, South, and across the world. No job is small. No citizen is inferior,” the party said. — BJP4TamilNadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) The BJP alleged that such comments were particularly dangerous at a time when incidents of violence against migrant workers were being reported in Tamil Nadu. “This isn’t an isolated slip; it’s a pattern. DMK leaders have repeatedly derided migrant workers, especially for being North Indian or for speaking Hindi. At a time when violence against innocent migrant workers in Tamil Nadu is rising, such statements are reckless and dangerous, branding an entire community as “low standard” and fuelling hate on the streets,” the post said. The party also questioned the silence of leaders from the opposition INDI alliance over the controversy. “Now a direct question to the INDI alliance: if you claim to stand for unity, human dignity, and social justice, why this deafening silence? Is alliance compulsion more important than national unity? Do Shri RahulGandhi, Priyanka Gandhi , Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav endorse this hatred by staying quiet? Is this your idea of justice which is dividing Indians for votes? Complete shame!” the BJP said. There was no immediate response from the DMK or the leaders named by the BJP on the issue. Meanwhile, Tamilnadu BJP president in a post on X said, “Leaders of Arivalayam who incite hatred against North Indians! Even as attacks on North Indians are already rampant under the DMK regime, I strongly condemn the Minister of DMK, Mr. MRK Panneer ,for mocking them at a meeting held in Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district by saying, “North Indians come to Tamil Nadu only to sell pani puri, work in construction, or wipe tables.” The DMK Minister must immediately seek a public apology from the people for his arrogant speech. In our Tamil land, which has upheld equality and brotherhood through the life philosophy of “Yadhum Oore, Yaavarum Keleer,” it is not only deplorable but also dangerous that DMK leaders continue to sow seeds of hatred against North Indians. Do the Congress and Communist parties, as alliance partners of DMK, endorse this divisive politics of the DMK, which strives to divide people ethnically into North and South? In our Bharat, which shares a unified cultural heritage “from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari,” the people will uproot and cast away this venomous creeper called DMK—which toils to seize power and authority by using North Indian people as scapegoats—in the upcoming Assembly elections!” — NainarBJP (@NainarBJP) 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
BJP to invoke legacy of Dalit icons, including Kanshi Ram, before UP polls
Lucknow: The BJP has identified more than a dozen prominent Dalit icons, including BSP founder Kanshi Ram, whose legacy it plans to invoke as part of a larger plan to consolidate the SC community in the run-up to the high-stakes 2027 state assembly elections. UP BJP sources said the party has prepared a calendar marking the birth and death anniversaries of at least 15 Dalit ideologues who played a key role as social reformers by awakening the consciousness of socially deprived sections of society. Besides Kanshiram, the Dalit figures who will feature in the BJP’s future Dalit-centric campaigns include Sant Ravi Das, Sant Gadge, BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Gangu Baba, Uda Devi, Jhalkari Bai, Veera Pasi, Lakhan Pasi, Savitri Bai Phule, Tilka Manjhi, Rama Bai Ambedkar, Swami Acchutanand and Narayan Guru. Confirming the development, UP BJP SC Morcha chief Ram Chandra Kannaujia said the idea was to give due respect to every Dalit icon and to spread their ideas and teachings far and wide. He said that the BJP acknowledges Kanshiram as a powerful voice of Dalits, the underprivileged, and the exploited. “We also greeted BSP chief Mayawati on her birthday on January 15,” he said, while speaking to TOI. The development, experts said, aligns with the BJP’s concerted attempts to make deeper inroads into the Dalit vote base amid a steep decline in the political graph of the BSP.The move is also seen as the BJP’s bid to maintain continuous engagement with different Dalit sub-castes throughout the year, while preventing opposition parties from monopolising the social justice narrative. Analysts said that the measure marks the saffron outfit’s attempt to counter the opposition’s Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative, which is said to have dented the saffron outfit in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, pulling its tally down from 62 to 33. On Feb 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders celebrated the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, emphasising his teachings of equality and social harmony. PM Modi also visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Punjab and renamed Adampur Airport after Sant Ravidas. At the same time, the BJP SC Morcha launched various programmes aimed at honouring the spiritual leader and reaching out to the Ravidasia community. The BJP, however, faced criticism from BSP supremo Mayawati, who charged the saffron outfit with not reverting the name of Bhadohi to Sant Ravidas Nagar. Ravidas is said to have been born in the Gobardhanpur village on the outskirts of Varanasi. The party next plans to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sant Gadge on Feb 23 on a grand scale. Gadge, born as Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar in Amravati in 1876, belonged to the Parit/Dhobi community. He conducted his discourses in the form of kirtans, in which he emphasised values such as service to humanity and compassion. By publicly acknowledging figures such as Kanshi Ram and even extending greetings to Mayawati, the BJP, sources said, attempts to soften its image among the BSP’s core Dalit voters. The BJP would subsequently celebrate the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule on April 11, BR Ambedkar on April 14, and Ahilyabai Holkar on May 31. Ambedkar was always part of the BJP’s social narrative, even as the BJP moved closer to the Dalit community since its astronomical rise under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi after 2014. The BJP also plans to invoke the legacy of Dalit leader Gangu Baba. Born in Bithoor, Baba was a participant in the India rebellion of 1857. He was hanged by the British in 1859. While his birth anniversary is now widely known, local Dalit groups and activists hold a tribute and honour ceremony for Gangu Baba in Chunniganj (Kanpur) on June 5 every year, which functions as his birth anniversary observance in community memory. 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
Muslim Girl Marries Dalit Boy in Haryana, Now Seeks Protection, Says MLA Maman Khan is Threatening Her
A Muslim girl in Haryana’s Nuh district has married a Dalit boy. Now she has released a video appealing for security. Nuh: The controversy surrounding an inter-caste marriage in a village in the Firozpur Jhirka area is deepening. The girl, Najrana, has alleged that after her inter-caste marriage, which she entered into of her own free will, the boy’s family was subjected to social boycott and forced to leave the village. In her statement, Najrana said that she married Mohit with her full consent and desire and that she is happy and safe with her husband. She clarified that she is of legal age and her statements have been recorded in court. The girl alleged that her family members presented a fake birth certificate in court, even though she is an adult. Family Forced to Leave Village Najrana says that because Mohit belongs to the Dalit community, some people in the village and allegedly MLA Maman Khan socially boycotted Mohit’s family, due to which the family had to leave the village of Patla Shahpuri. Regarding the matter, the SHO of City Police Station Firozpur Jhirka said that the girl is an adult and her statements have been recorded in court. He said that a case was registered on the complaint of the girl’s family members, but during the investigation, the girl stated that she had a court marriage and is living under police protection. Najrana has demanded that the administration provide security to Mohit and his family and resettle them safely in the village. Clarifying the allegations made by her family, the girl said that she did not bring any gold or silver with her, only her essential documents and Aadhaar card. Girl Says: MLA Maman Khan is My Relative A video of the girl, Najrana, has surfaced on social media. In this video of about one and a half minutes, the girl says that her name is Najrana, her father’s name is Junaid, and she is from Firozpur Jhirka. I want to marry Mohit, I am happy with him, and I want to live with him. I have come with Mohit of my own free will, and there is no pressure on me from Mohit or his family. In the video, the young woman, Najrana, also says that MLA Maman Khan is related to my family because he is my grandfather’s aunt’s son. My family, in collusion with Maman Khan, presented a false birth certificate in court. This certificate is completely false; I am of legal age. The young woman also alleges in the video that MLA Maman Khan is threatening and intimidating my husband Mohit’s family and trying to force them out of the village because Mohit belongs to the Dalit community. Due to the threats from MLA Maman Khan, Mohit’s family has left the village. SDM Laxmi Narayan said the entire matter is being monitored. To investigate these allegations, Tehsildar Ravi Kumar reached Padla village and spoke to the villagers. During the investigation, the women and people of the Hindu community in the village clearly stated that there is no atmosphere of social boycott or pressure in the village. According to the villagers, the young man, his father, and uncle left the village on their own in January without informing anyone, while peace prevails in the village and there is no dispute. SDM Ferozepur Jhirka, Laxmi Narayan, said that the entire matter is being monitored and necessary steps will be taken to maintain law and order. No case of migration from the village was observed. Curated by: Rahul Mahajan About the Author Rahul Mahajan is a Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has 12 years of experience in the field of journalism. He has worked with organizations like ETV and News18 (Digital) in his journalistic career. Hindi News
Madhya Pradesh: Upper Caste Man Humiliates Morena Dalit Youth Who Refused To Pay For Alcohol
After video of torture went viral on social media Tuesday, police arrested the accused, “a habitual offender” and put him in custody. Morena: A video of a Dalit youth being subjected to humiliating torture by an upper caste man in Ambah town of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh, has gone viral, sparking outrage among the public. It is alleged that the local tough, Dharmendra alias Pui Tomar, a resident of Retkapura, demanded money from the victim to buy alcohol. When refused, he brutally beat the youth, then forced him into a humiliating posture (squat like a chicken), before subjecting him to more shameful acts, all purposefully recorded on video. Following the outrage, Ambah police registered a case against the accused and arrested him. The video went viral on social media on Tuesday afternoon. It clearly shows the inhumane treatment of the Dalit youth. When the police took notice of the video and launched an investigation, the incident was traced to the Janpad Panchayat office premises in Ambah town. The investigation revealed that the victim is a Dalit youth from Katare Wali Gali. He was called to the police station for questioning, where he recounted the entire ordeal, saying that two days before, he was going to the market for some work, when he met Dharmendra alias Pui Tomar, near the district office. The accused demanded money from him to buy alcohol. When the young man refused, the accused became enraged. Dharmendra then brutally beat up the young man and forcibly made him hop like a chicken. When even this did not satisfy him, he committed a “more shameful and humiliating act” on the victim. Someone, allegedly an accomplice, recorded the incident on video that has now gone viral on social media. As soon as the video surfaced, pressure mounted on the police to take action, so, Ambah police registered a case against Dharmendra under relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) by Tuesday evening and arrested him. Ambah SDPO Ravi Prakash Bhadauria said, “As soon as the video came to our attention, we registered a case, arrested the accused and put him in custody. The accused is said to be a habitual offender. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police have taken suo motu cognisance, registered an FIR and started a probe. Strict legal action will be taken against the arrested accused.” 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
IndiaTamil Nadu Dalit Man Alleges Honour Killing After Girlfriend’s Death, Cites Threats Over Inter-Caste Marriage
The death of a young college student in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district has triggered serious allegations of an honour killing, even as the police say early findings point towards suicide and that the final cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem report.News subscription service The woman, identified as Sivamathi, was 19 years old and studying in her second year of college. She belonged to an upper-caste family and was in a relationship with Ananthakrishnan, a Dalit man who works with a mobile phone company. Sivamathi was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Pettaipuli area of Tirunelveli. In his complaint, Ananthakrishnan alleged that Sivamathi’s family strongly opposed their inter-caste relationship and plans to marry. He said the couple had decided to get married on February 6 and had already started the process of obtaining a marriage certificate. According to him, the family’s opposition was entirely based on caste. He further alleged that Sivamathi was threatened by her maternal uncle, who warned her that she would be killed if she went ahead with the marriage. Ananthakrishnan also claimed that her family had taken away her mobile phone to cut off contact between them and that Sivamathi had earlier told him about being assaulted and repeatedly threatened at home. Police officials said that while these allegations are serious, initial inquiry and evidence from the spot suggest that Sivamathi may have died by suicide. A senior police officer said, “We will confirm everything only after the post-mortem report. All angles are being investigated.” Statements from Sivamathi’s family members, friends and her fiancé are currently being recorded. Given the sensitivity of the case and the caste-related allegations, the investigation has been transferred to an Assistant Commissioner of Police. Officers said that if evidence emerges showing that Sivamathi was driven to take her life due to threats, pressure or harassment, her family members could be booked for abetment of suicide. The case has revived painful memories of earlier caste-related violence in southern Tamil Nadu. Many have drawn parallels with the murder of Kavin Selvaganesh, a Dalit software engineer who was hacked to death in July 2025 for being in an inter-caste relationship. That case had led to widespread protests and demands for a strong law to prevent honour killings. 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 student assaulted at BHU: Case registered against 4 students, incident at Rajaram Hostel
Varanasi: The student movement at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, stemming from the new law introduced by the UGC, appears to be taking a violent turn. A case of assault and threats against a Dalit student has come to light at BHU’s Rajaram Hostel. The police have registered a case against four named students and other unknown individuals in this matter. The victim, Adarsh Kumar, is a first-year MA (History) student at BHU. In his complaint filed at Lanka police station, Adarsh Kumar stated that on February 3, 2026, between approximately 7 and 7:30 PM, some students who were lying in wait at the Rajaram Hostel mess attacked him in a pre-planned manner. Life-threatening attack on the head, mobile phone snatched According to the complaint, the attackers included Abhay Chaturvedi (MA second year Sociology), Ashu Singh (MA second year Political Science), Amit (MA second year Political Science), Ankit Singh (MA second year Political Science), along with four unknown individuals. It is alleged that the attackers launched a life-threatening attack on Adarsh Kumar’s head, causing him serious injuries. In addition, the accused snatched his mobile phone and threatened to kill him if he was seen again on the university campus. The victim also alleged that the attackers tried to intimidate him by claiming to be the “biggest goons” of the university. Following the incident, Adarsh Kumar is in a state of fear and anxiety. Dispute over social media post The injured student, Adarsh Kumar, stated in his statement that he had shared a post on social media supporting the UGC Act as upheld by the Supreme Court. Some students, angered by this post, attacked him. According to Adarsh, “We expressed our views democratically, but some people could not tolerate it and chose the path of violence.” Allegations and counter-allegations regarding the FIR The case took a new turn when the students against whom the FIR was registered accused the police and the university administration of deliberately framing them. They claim that they had filed a complaint earlier, but no action was taken. Subsequently, a case was registered unilaterally, which has increased resentment among the student community. Demand for impartial investigation Student organizations and the aggrieved parties have demanded an impartial investigation into the matter from the university administration and the police. They say that the guilty students should be identified and strict action should be taken against them so that such incidents do not recur in the future. Currently, the police say that the matter is being investigated and statements from all parties will be recorded. A tense calm prevails on the university campus. Courtesy: Hindi News
Father’s nose cut off while trying to save his son: People assaulted the child during playtime, case registered against 3
In Aligarh, a dispute broke out among children playing on Tuesday evening. The accused attacked the father who went to save the children, inflicting a life-threatening knife wound. They cut off his nose. The police brought the victim to Malkhan Singh District Hospital. From there, seeing his critical condition, the doctors referred him to the medical college. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police registered a case against 3 accused late at night and started an investigation. The incident took place in Nagla Man Singh Pulia, Lane Number-4, under the Gandhi Park police station area. Rakan Singh, son of Pitambar, who lives in Lane Number-4, drives an e-rickshaw. He said that he was at home on Tuesday evening, while his children were playing with other children in the lane. A dispute arose among the children while they were playing. The other party assaulted his children. Hearing the children’s cries, he went to save them. That’s when the people from the accused party attacked him, using casteist slurs. They attacked him with a knife, cutting off his nose. He fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. The incident caused a commotion. He informed the police station. After which, the police took him to Malkhan Singh District Hospital at night for treatment and medical examination. Dr. Chirag Bajaj said that the injured person was given first aid and referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. He has serious injuries to his nose and face. The bone is visible. Case registered against three accused Based on the complaint of the victim, Karan, the police registered a case against three attackers late at night. Shivam, Atul, and Baby have been named as accused in the case. All three are accused of attacking the victim with sticks and other weapons, resulting in a fracture of his nasal bone. Currently, the police are investigating the matter and working to take action against the accused. Sanjeev Pratap | Kol Courtesy: Hindi News
Justice Served: 20-Year Sentence in Dalit Girl’s Rape Case
A court sentenced Sachin Verma to 20 years in prison for raping a 10-year-old Dalit girl, with an additional fine. The crime occurred in July 2023, and Verma was charged under several legal provisions, including the POCSO Act and SC/ST Act, following the girl’s father’s complaint. In a significant ruling, a court has sentenced a man to two decades of rigorous imprisonment for the brutal rape of a 10-year-old Dalit girl. The judgment, delivered by Additional Session Judge and Special Judge (POCSO) P C Kushwaha, underscores the commitment to justice. Sachin Verma, the accused, was not only handed a severe prison term but also ordered to pay a hefty fine of Rs 2,06,000. Failure to remit the fine would result in an additional six months of imprisonment, as per Assistant District Government Counsel Vinod Kumar Singh. The harrowing incident unfolded in the Kotwali police station area in July 2023. Following a complaint from the victim’s father, legal proceedings ensued under various sections, including the Indian Penal Code, the SC/ST Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Courtesy : Devdiscourse Note: This news is originally published on https:/devdiscourse.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Woman, 20, Killed In Tamil Nadu, Dalit Fiance Alleges Dishonour Killing
According to the complaint lodged by the woman’s fiance, the couple had been in a relationship and had planned to marry secretly on February 6. The death of a 20-year-old college student in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district has sparked allegations of a dishonour killing, with the woman’s Dalit fiance accusing her family of opposing their inter-caste relationship. Police, however, say preliminary findings point to suicide, even as they await the post-mortem report to determine the exact cause of death. The woman, identified as Sivamathi, was a second-year college student from an upper-caste family. She was found dead under suspicious circumstances, following which the police registered a case of suspicious death. Given the sensitivity of the case and allegations of caste-based violence, the investigation has been transferred to an Assistant Commissioner of Police. According to the complaint lodged by the woman’s fiance, who works with a mobile phone company, the couple had been in a relationship and had planned to marry secretly on February 6. He has alleged that Sivamathi’s parents were strongly opposed to the proposed wedding because of his caste. The man further claimed that Sivamathi’s maternal uncle had allegedly threatened her, warning that she would be killed if she went ahead with the marriage, raising the possibility of a dishonour killing or abetment to suicide. Police sources, however, said initial inquiries and scene-of-occurrence findings suggest that Sivamathi may have died by suicide. Officials stressed that no conclusion would be drawn until the post-mortem examination report is received. “We will confirm after the post-mortem report. We are investigating all angles,” a senior police officer said, adding that statements from family members, friends and the fiance are being recorded as part of the investigation. Police are also examining whether Sivamathi’s parents or other relatives could be booked for abetment of suicide if evidence emerges that she was driven to take the extreme step due to threats, coercion or sustained harassment over her relationship. 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