Bar Council Approves Kerala’s Proposal To Reserve Seats For Trans Students
The approval follows a directive from the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had asked the BCI to consider and approve the government’s request. Kochi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has granted interim approval to the Kerala government’s proposal to create two supernumerary seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. The move is being hailed as a significant step towards inclusivity in legal education. The approval follows a directive from the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had asked the BCI to consider and approve the government’s request. The Kerala government had submitted its proposal on August 6, seeking permission to introduce additional seats under the transgender category in both three-year and five-year LLB programmes. When the matter came up on Thursday, Justice VG Arun recorded his satisfaction over the progress made. “It is heartening to note that pursuant to this Court’s order dated 24/10/2025, the Bar Council of India has granted interim approval to the proposal of the Government of Kerala for two supernumerary posts in each law college for the transgender category for the academic year 2025-26,” the court observed. The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by a transgender woman, who had qualified in the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025 and was ranked eligible for admission to the Government Law College, Kozhikode. However, she was denied admission since no separate category or seat existed for transgender candidates in the allotment list prepared by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE). The petitioner argued that the denial violated her fundamental rights, as well as the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment and provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which mandate equal access to education and non-discrimination. She sought the court’s direction to secure her admission under the transgender category and to ensure that such reservations are implemented across all government law colleges and universities in the state. Following the BCI’s submission, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that they would implead all law colleges and universities in Kerala in the case, noting that only the University of Calicut had been named so far. The court posted the matter for further hearing on Friday, November 7, to issue appropriate directions. “Let this be helpful to others also,” Justice Arun orally remarked. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) 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
‘What craziness is this’: Brazilian ‘model’ reacts after Rahul Gandhi’s Haryana voter-fraud allegation; claims old photo used
NEW DELHI: A Brazilian woman named Larissa reacted after discovering that her photograph was allegedly used multiple times in the Haryana voter list — a claim highlighted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while alleging large-scale voter fraud in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. In a video reaction, model Larissa said, “Guys, I’m gonna tell you a joke — it’s too horrible! They’re using an old picture of me for elections in India, showing me as Indian. What a mess! A reporter even reached out to my workplace for an interview. I couldn’t believe it when a friend sent me the photo again.” Rahul, addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters on Wednesday, unveiled what he called the ‘H-Files’, alleging that one in eight voters in Haryana were fake. He claimed that around 25 lakh voter records were either duplicate, non-existent, or manipulated. During the briefing, the leader of opposition of Lok Sabha displayed a section of a voter list showing the same woman’s photograph used repeatedly under different names — including Seema, Sweety, Saraswati, Rashmi, and Vilma. “Who is this lady? Where does she come from?” he asked, before asserting that the woman was not Indian but a Brazilian woman whose stock photograph had been misused. Fact-check by Aos Fatos: Photo used in Haryana voter list was free stock image The Congress also posted the image on X, saying, “A Brazilian citizen, Matheus Ferroro’s photo, has been used 22 times in Haryana under different names — from Sweety to Saraswati.” According to Brazilian fact-checking agency Aos Fatos, the image was originally taken by photographer Matheus Ferrero, who lives in Belo Horizonte, and was first published in 2017. The photo had been uploaded to free stock image platforms such as Unsplash and Pexels, which allow anyone to use images provided proper credit is given. As a result, the same image has appeared in numerous articles, advertisements, and websites across different countries — not just India. After the controversy erupted, the picture was deleted from those platforms. Aos Fatos also found that the image had been used to create fake profiles on social media. The woman’s identity was not listed on the stock platforms, but the agency confirmed — through reverse image search and by examining Ferrero’s social media — that the person is a hairdresser from Belo Horizonte who participated in a photoshoot with the photographer in March 2017. Rahul accused Haryana of stealing 25 lakh votes: Rahul alleged that 1 in 8 voters in Haryana are fake, claiming large-scale voter fraud and pointing to unexplained differences between postal and booth votes. “We have crystal clear proof that 25 lakh voters (in Haryana) are fake, that they either don’t exist or they are duplicate or are designed in a way for anybody to vote…1 in 8 voters in Haryana are fake, that’s 12.5%.” Rahul claimed that a plan was set in motion to turn a predicted Congress win into a loss and also urged young voters to pay attention, citing claims backed by strong evidence. “All (exit) polls pointed to a Congress victory (in Haryana). The other thing that was surprising to us was that, for the first time in Haryana’s electoral history, postal votes differed from the actual voting. This had never happened in Haryana before. So, we thought, ‘Let’s go into the details.’ When I first saw this information, I struggled to believe it. I was in shock. I told the team to cross-check multiple times,” he said. “I want the young people, GenZ of India to understand this clearly because this is about your future…I am questioning the EC and the democratic process in India, so I am doing it with 100% proof. We are pretty sure that a plan was put in motion to convert Congress’ landslide victory into a loss…Please note the smile on his face (CM Nayab Saini) and notice the ‘vyavastha’ that he is talking about. This is 2 days after election when everybody is saying that the Congress is sweeping the elections,” he said. Rahul’s Hydrogen bomb is just a small cracker: BJP Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini hit back, dismissing the charges, saying, “Rahul Gandhi is doing the work of misleading the nation. The way Congress has become agenda-less, they are misleading the nation by spreading lies.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju also ridiculed Rahul’s allegations and said, “Why doesn’t his atom bomb ever explode? Rahul Gandhi says that the atom bomb is going to explode, but why doesn’t his atom bomb ever explode? He doesn’t take any subject seriously and even says that a hydrogen bomb will explode.” Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, “What Rahul Gandhi called a ‘Hydrogen bomb’ was not a bomb at all. It was just a small cracker. It had no noise or energy. Rahul Gandhi is now pursuing an agenda to not let democracy function properly. Rahul Gandhi’s agenda matches the agenda of external forces. All these external forces are striving to erode faith in India’s democracy and the Indian Constitution. These external forces are creating a false atmosphere and narrative that calls into question the various institutions created by the Indian Constitution. Rahul Gandhi is fueling this narrative. What could be more tragic than this? While Rahul Gandhi attempts to view our army through caste lines, I don’t understand who he is working for. He raises a question mark on the army, the Constitution and the system established by the Constitution’s institutions. Whose agenda is Rahul Gandhi pursuing?” 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
‘Fake vote, fake photo’: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘wholesale chori’ charge at BJP; claims party will repeat it in Bihar
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack at the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission, alleging large-scale electoral malpractice and claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “became the PM through chunav chori.” Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Rahul said his party had gathered extensive evidence to expose what he described as a pattern of election manipulation. “We have a lot of material, we will continue this process. We will clearly show India’s GenZ and youth that Narendra Modi became the PM through ‘chunav chori’ and BJP indulges in ‘chunav chori’,” he said. Referring to recent reports of a BJP leader allegedly casting votes at two different locations, Rahul claimed that electoral fraud was not isolated but systematic. “I gave a presentation that Haryana elections were not elections at all. A ‘wholesale chori’ occurred there. There was no response by the EC to the allegations levelled by me – fake vote, fake photograph,” he said. According to Rahul, the BJP’s defence of the incident without denial only reinforced his charge. “BJP is defending this but not negating what I said. Media is picking up small examples, like a Brazilian woman voted. How was voting done on the photo of a Brazilian national?” he asked. The Congress leader went on to accuse the Prime Minister, home minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commission of jointly undermining the Constitution. “The reality is that Narendra Modi ji, Amit Shah ji and EC are attacking the Constitution together. Constitution says ‘One man, one vote’. Haryana shows that there was no ‘One man, one vote’ there. It was ‘One man, multiple votes’,” he said. He alleged that the same pattern of electoral malpractice was being repeated across states. “They are going to do the same in Bihar. It happened in MP, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Gujarat,” he said, adding that his party would continue to raise the issue to “protect the Constitution and the people’s vote.” The Election Commission has not yet responded to Rahul Gandhi’s latest allegations. The BJP, meanwhile, has dismissed earlier claims by the Congress leader as politically motivated attempts to discredit the electoral process. 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
“I’m scared…” The Brazilian model, who came into the spotlight after the vote-stealing controversy, made explosive revelations. Will action be taken against Rahul Gandhi?
Brazilian model Larissa Neri is in the news after Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of vote-stealing in the Haryana elections. She denied the allegations, saying the controversy was caused by AI and that she is not a model but a hairdresser. Larissa explained that her eight-year-old photo was misused. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi recently mentioned a Brazilian model while accusing her of vote-stealing in the Haryana Assembly elections. He alleged that this Brazilian model cast 22 fake votes at 10 polling booths in the Haryana elections. Since then, alleged Brazilian model Larissa Neri has been in the news. Now, regarding the allegations against her, she said, “I’m scared after being embroiled in controversy without any reason. I think this controversy was caused by AI.” Alleged Brazilian model Larissa Neri stated in an interview that she is not a model but a hairdresser. Regarding the issue of her photo appearing on the voter list, she explained, “I believe it’s a work of artificial intelligence.” She also stated that she feels scared after being at the center of the controversy. The photo is 8 years old Larissa explained in an interview with NDTV that the photo was taken about eight years ago, when she was about 20 years old. She had the photo taken with the help of a photographer friend. The photo was taken near a wall outside her house and was not a professional photo. She clarified that she has never been a model, but has been working as a hairdresser for years. She added that her photos are available for free download on online sites. Larissa Does Not Get Involved in Political Matters Larissa stated that she has never visited India nor heard of anyone named Rahul Gandhi. She clarified that she never gets involved in political matters. Regarding the political use of the photo, she said, “It’s sad to know that my photo is linked to such things.” Larissa Neri, a Brazilian resident, stated that she is consulting with her lawyer regarding further action. She added that the matter is more serious in India but has not reached Brazil. If it does, they will have to take legal action. Larissa further stated that they are waiting for things to calm down in India to understand who misused the photo. Then they can take necessary action. Curated by: Abhishek Pandey About the Author Abhishek Pandey is a consultant writer at Navbharat Times Online. He has over three years of experience covering current affairs, politics, crime, and public interest news. He has closely covered the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Courtesy: Hindi News
Bahujan Samaj Party: Mayawati’s party, BSP, will contest the Bihar elections alone; who will prevail in the battle for Dalit votes?
In the 2000 assembly elections, the BSP fielded candidates in 294 seats and won five. This was the BSP’s biggest victory in the state. In the 2005 elections, the party fielded candidates in 283 seats and won two. In the October 2005 assembly elections, it fielded candidates in 212 seats and won four. Story continues below this ad Mayawati’s party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, has been steadily falling behind in Uttar Pradesh politics. In such a situation, Mayawati has once again increased her political activism. Troubled by the continued erosion of the Dalit vote bank, the BSP president has begun formulating her strategy for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. The party has announced that it will field candidates in all 243 assembly seats. This raises questions about whether Mayawati is preparing to re-launch her nephew, Akash Anand, in Bihar’s political arena. At the same time, a crucial question arises: will the BSP, which won just one seat in the UP Assembly elections, be able to attract the Dalit vote bank in Bihar? The BSP has been steadily lagging behind in Uttar Pradesh politics. Mayawati is striving to establish herself as a national-level Dalit leader. In this context, the Bihar elections present a significant opportunity for her. Party’s Performance in Bihar The Bahujan Samaj Party entered the Bihar Assembly elections in 1990. At that time, Bihar and Jharkhand were a united state, and the number of Bihar Assembly seats was 324. In the 1990 Assembly elections, the BSP fielded candidates in 164 seats. However, with a vote share of 0.7 percent, the party failed to win any seats. In the 1995 Assembly elections, the BSP contested 161 seats and won two seats with a vote share of 1.34 percent. In the 2000 Assembly elections, the BSP contested 294 seats and won five seats. This was the BSP’s biggest victory in the state. In the 2005 elections, the party fielded candidates in 283 seats and won two. In the October 2005 assembly elections, it fielded candidates in 212 seats and won four. In the 2010 and 2015 assembly elections, the party received 3.21 and 2.1 percent vote shares, respectively, but failed to win any seats. In the 2020 assembly elections, the party fielded candidates in 80 seats, but managed to win just one seat with a 1.5 percent vote share. Why the Bihar Elections Are Important Although the BSP is severely short of options, given that the Bihar assembly elections will be followed by panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, followed by assembly elections the following year. However, ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, the BSP is attempting to send a strong message to its party workers. Even if the BSP doesn’t win a single seat in the Bihar assembly elections, the party will aim to secure a 3 to 5 percent vote share. It’s worth noting that the BSP party’s influence has been evident in the border districts of Bihar before. Districts like Buxar and Gopalganj have seen the party’s MLAs elected to the Bihar Assembly several times. Consequently, the BSP appears to be making a significant bet on the Dalit vote bank. Ananya Mishra Courtesy: Hindi News
“When in power, they forgot Dalits and backward classes,” Sanjay Nishad lashes out at Tejashwi
Basti. Political rhetoric has intensified following a recent statement by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav. On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad issued a scathing remark on Tejashwi Yadav’s assertion that if a Grand Alliance government were formed in Bihar, Muslims and Dalits would also be given opportunities. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Sanjay Nishad said that if Tejashwi Yadav and his family had worked for the backward classes and Dalits while in power, they wouldn’t have to ask for votes today. He asked why the plight of Dalits and backward classes didn’t change when they were in power. What can they change now that they’re out of power? They can only change their language. A lot can be accomplished in 20 years. Japan gained independence 20 years after us, and where has it reached today? These people held power for 20 years, but what did they do for the people? Minister Nishad said that the politics of Tejashwi Yadav and his family has always been based on caste equations, but whenever they came to power, the backward and Dalit classes were ignored. He further said that if these people had worked for the backward and Dalit communities, they probably would not have to seek votes today. These people forget the backward and Dalit communities when they come to power. It should be noted that Tejashwi Yadav recently said in a statement that if the Grand Alliance comes to power in Bihar, more than one Deputy Chief Minister will be appointed, ensuring representation from the Muslim and Dalit communities. This statement by Tejashwi Yadav has sparked a political debate, with leaders of the ruling party calling it an election promise. –IANS Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man dies in ‘rooftop raid’ fall in Shahjahanpur; 2 cops booked
Bareilly: A 55-year-old Dalit man died after allegedly being pushed off the roof by a sub-inspector and a constable during a late-night police raid at his home in Maujampur village under Tilhar police station in Shahjahanpur early on Wednesday. The police had gone to arrest him in connection with an attempted murder case. An FIR was registered against the two policemen on Wednesday evening under BNS section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). Satya Bhan was a Bahujan Samaj Party member and party workers said he served as zonal in-charge for the Katara assembly constituency — a detail not mentioned in the police account. His family alleged that sub-inspector Rahul Sisodiya and a constable broke into the house, abused them, and pushed Bhan off the roof. A purported video recorded before his death surfaced online, in which Bhan, visibly injured, accused the police of beating and pushing him. He said, “Rahul Sisodiya and the constable beat me and pushed me off the roof.” He was first taken to Tilhar Hospital and later referred to Shahjahanpur Medical College, where he succumbed to injuries around 3am on Wednesday. Shahjahanpur SP Rajesh Dwivedi told TOI, “We are investigating the allegations. The family did not inform the police and took the injured man to hospital on their own. He was later shifted to another facility. At both hospitals, no documents mention that he was pushed off the roof by a policeman. Two officers had gone to his house but returned after being told he was in Delhi. A team was then sent to Delhi, and that’s when we received information about the incident.” Family members claimed otherwise. They alleged that the police broke open the door during the raid and that Bhan, who was at home, was deliberately targeted and pushed. His wife, Rekha Gupta, filed a complaint later in the day, leading to the FIR being registered against sub-inspector Rahul Sisodiya and an unnamed constable. The incident has sparked outrage among local BSP workers, who have demanded stricter charges against the accused policemen. While police said they had gone to arrest Bhan in an attempt to arrest him for an attempted murder case, party workers insisted that the action was politically motivated and excessive. 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
In HP: Dalit Child Beaten, Tortured with ‘Bicchu Booti’ by School Teacher
An FIR has been lodged against the teacher at the Government Primary School, Bhaloon, under the relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST (POA) Act for inflicting severe corporal punishment on a Class One student. A school teacher gave corporal punishment to an eight-year-old Dalit boy in Rohru, barely 110 km from Shimla, the state capital. The teacher tortured the minor Dalit boy using stinging nettle, commonly called bicchu booti—a Himalayan plant known for causing itching and burning sensations from its touch. Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli confirmed that the police have booked the teachers accused in both incidents, one of which involves a Dalit boy, occurring in the same area. After a horrifying video of a schoolteacher torturing a student with stinging nettle, commonly called bicchu booti—a Himalayan plant known for causing itching and burning sensations from its touch—yet another case of corporal punishment of an eight-year-old Dalit boy has come to light in Rohru, barely 110 km from Shimla, the state capital. Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli confirmed that the police have booked the teachers accused in both incidents, one of which involves a Dalit boy, occurring in the same area. “Also, an inquiry has been ordered in both cases, after the matter reached the government. It’s a serious case of indiscipline and gross violation of Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009. “The guilty will not be spared,” he declared. A third incident of came to light on November 5, wherein a Class IV boy was assaulted by his teacher. In the last two weeks, there have been three reported instances of violent thrashing of a student in Himachal Pradesh. Further, an FIR has also been lodged against the teacher at the Government Primary School, Bhaloon, under the relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST (POA) Act for inflicting severe corporal punishment on a Class 1 student. As per the written complaint submitted by the child’s father, Durga Singh, the teacher named Nitish Thakur allegedly assaulted his minor son at school so brutally that the boy began bleeding from his ear. He also has suffered partial hearing loss. “Not only this, but the teacher crossed all limits and went to the extent of inserting stinging nettle into the child’s pants. This left the child in unbearable pain, discomfort due to a burning sensation, and humiliation,” he alleged. What is far more serious, said the aggrieved father, is that the accused teacher was not even serving the school or had not been engaged by the school authorities. He was coming to the school to drop off his wife, a part-time water carrier and had started teaching voluntarily. “The accused has also been accused of openly indulging in untouchability in the school and resorted to caste discrimination by making a separate place for the upper caste children and Dalits for the midday meal”, Ashish Kohli says, quoting contents of the complaint. The school head teacher, rather than taking action against the accused, attempted to protect him and threatened to expel the victim (the boy) if he dared to report the incident or file any complaints. The head teacher, accompanied by another staff member, visited the victim’s family and asked them not to approach the police or the sub-divisional authorities at Rohru; instead, try to suppress the matter, otherwise the child will be expelled from the school. Kohli said the departmental action has been initiated in the case of the Dalit boy, as also in the other case of a teacher torturing the boy in another school in the same area. “From time to time, we keep reiterating instructions about not using any kind of corporal punishment method against the students during teaching or otherwise. One good thing happening these days is the use of social media to highlight such incidents, which attracts our immediate attention and also action. There is zero tolerance in such cases,” said the Director of Elementary Education. Meanwhile, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch—an organisation working for the rights of the Dalits—has demanded the arrest of the accused and asked the state’s education department to take action against the water carrier, who has allegedly been sending her husband to teach at the school. The Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), Yashwant Khimta, has also visited the school since then and initiated a departmental probe. He confirmed that owing to a shortage of teaching staff, the School Management Committee (SMC), with mutual consent, had permitted Nitish to assist at the school voluntarily, without any remuneration. His wife is employed at the same school as a water carrier. Khimta stated that a detailed report of the inquiry has been submitted to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDM), Rohru, for further action. The Deputy SP of Rohru, Pranav Chauhan, said the matter is under investigation. Statements of the child’s parents are being recorded, and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Rohru has been informed about the action. Education Minister Rohit Thakur has expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of corporal punishment and other complaints emerging from government schools in remote areas. “We will ensure that strict action is taken so that such incidents do not recur in the future. I have also noted with concern reports of caste-based discrimination. This has no place in our schools or society. The government is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every child,” he said. Ashwani Sharma Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit group condemns violation of women sanitation workers’ dignity at MDU, Rohtak
The Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) has strongly condemned what it described as a “dehumanising and horrific” incident at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, involving the harassment and humiliation of women sanitation workers on October 26, 2025. According to the group, the women, employed on a contractual basis and largely from Dalit communities, were allegedly coerced and subjected to gross indignities by university officials while cleaning the sports complex ahead of a scheduled visit by the Haryana Governor. The workers reportedly informed their supervisors that they were unwell and in pain due to menstruation but were allegedly pressured to continue working and threatened with dismissal when they resisted. In a shocking development, they were allegedly ordered to provide photographic “proof” of menstruation, violating their dignity, bodily autonomy, and privacy. Two of the women reportedly complied under duress. DASAM termed the incident a grave case of sexual harassment, caste-based violence, and abuse of authority, exposing the systemic oppression that continues to affect Dalit women in India’s informal and contractual labour sectors. The organisation noted that such acts reflect entrenched caste and gender hierarchies that perpetuate exploitation and indignity.Bank loan insights An FIR has reportedly been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment, assault, and intimidation. DASAM, while welcoming this step, insisted that mere suspension of the officials was insufficient and demanded a transparent, independent, and time-bound inquiry. It also called for strong institutional reforms to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence. The group emphasised that the incident represents institutional complicity, not just individual misconduct, and mirrors a broader culture where Dalit women sanitation workers across universities, municipalities, and public institutions face daily indignities, wage theft, and casteist treatment without adequate protection or grievance redressal. DASAM underlined that the acts committed at MDU constitute criminal offences and violate several constitutional rights, including equality before the law, protection against discrimination, abolition of untouchability, and the right to live with dignity and privacy. It noted that the incident also breaches multiple statutory provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act), and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act. Calling the episode a manifestation of the “triple oppression of caste, gender, and labour exploitation,” DASAM urged the Haryana government, the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and the University Grants Commission to intervene and ensure justice for the victims. The organisation demanded the immediate dismissal and prosecution of all responsible officials, a court-monitored investigation, and protection for the survivors from retaliation or job loss. It also called for trauma counselling, psychological support, and adequate compensation. DASAM further sought the establishment of a fully functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at MDU with representation from women sanitation workers, Dalit rights advocates, and independent observers. It urged all universities and government institutions in Haryana to introduce menstrual leave policies that safeguard women’s privacy and prohibit intrusive verification, alongside mandatory caste and gender sensitisation training for staff. Beyond this incident, the group demanded the regularisation of sanitation workers with permanent status, fair wages, and safe working conditions, in line with existing labour laws. It also proposed a state-wide audit of workplace conditions, an independent oversight mechanism to monitor implementation of the SC/ST and POSH Acts, and stronger whistleblower protections. DASAM asserted that justice must go beyond filing FIRs or punitive actions and must address structural and institutional failures that enable such degradation. It praised the women of MDU for their courage in speaking out and said their ordeal should lead to transformative reforms, not token gestures. “The right to equality and dignity is not negotiable; it is the cornerstone of democracy,” the statement declared, urging the state, judiciary, and society to uphold their constitutional and moral duty to ensure justice and systemic change. By A Representative Courtesy : Counterview Note: This news is originally published on https:/counterview.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Decapitated body of Dalit married woman recovered in Bachhrawan: Missing since October 26, family accuses police of negligence
The discovery of the decapitated and decomposed body of a Dalit married woman from a field in Samodha village, Bachhrawan, has caused a sensation. The deceased, identified as Soni, had been missing since October 26. The family has accused the police of failing to register a case despite a missing person complaint, causing anger among the villagers. Villagers reported that the body was severely decomposed and her head was separated from the body. The discovery, which occurred in the Bachhrawan area, has caused a stir in the area. Soni, a resident of Samodha village, was married to Guru Prasad of Ichauli village about eight years ago. Even after marriage, she lived with her mother, Kusuma Devi, at her parents’ home. Her eight-year-old daughter, Aarti, and approximately six-year-old son, Krishna, also lived with their mother. Soni went missing from her home on the afternoon of October 26. Her mother, Kusum Devi, and other family members searched for her extensively, but were unable to find her. According to Kusum Devi, she submitted a complaint regarding her daughter’s disappearance to the Bachhrawan police on October 30th. The family alleges that the police assured them of registering a case and searching for her, but did not even register a missing person report. When contacted on the police station’s CUG number, a sub-inspector stated that no application related to the matter was recorded in the register or the GD. He denied receiving the application or registering a case. This alleged police negligence has caused considerable anger among the villagers. The villagers believe that if the police had been vigilant in time, the accused could have been apprehended before the murder. The family has expressed suspicion that Soni was murdered and her body was dumped. However, Circle Officer Pradeep Kumar stated that the case will be resolved soon. Ashish Kumar Srivastava Courtesy: Hindi News