Bihar Elections: Congress claims Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav’s alliance has shaken the BJP
Bihar Election 2025: Amidst the ongoing accusations and counter-accusations regarding the Bihar Assembly elections, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has claimed that the BJP is afraid of the Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo. Patna: The Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo has given the BJP sleepless nights in Bihar. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has made this statement. He claimed that the Congress, under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, is opposing vote rigging and is confident that the Grand Alliance with Tejashwi Yadav will pose a significant challenge to the BJP in Bihar. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “They used to say they wouldn’t allow elections in Bengal, but under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, we have made our stand. We have opposed vote theft, and whenever the right to vote is obstructed, Congress will not remain silent. Change is coming in Bihar too. The Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav duo has shaken the BJP in Bihar.” Rahul Gandhi attacks PM Modi Congress leader and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed confidence that the people have decided to form a Grand Alliance government. Hooda said, “The people of Bihar have made up their minds, and the Grand Alliance government will be formed in the upcoming elections. Ultimately, it is the people who will vote, no matter how many big leaders the BJP fields.” Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. He alleged that the Modi government has failed to provide employment and healthcare facilities in Bihar. Addressing a public rally in Sheikhpura, Bihar, Rahul Gandhi questioned why hardworking youth from Bihar have to go to other states for jobs and wander for medical treatment. He said that Bihar should once again become a center of education and industry. Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of employment. Rahul Gandhi said, “A city like Dubai was built with the hard work of the people of Bihar. When you work so hard, why don’t you find employment? Why do young people from Bihar go to other states to work as laborers, but can’t find work in Bihar? Another question: Why do you have to travel from Bihar to AIIMS in Delhi for treatment? Can’t you get treatment in Bihar? Bihar was a center of education long ago, and it should become that again. Nalanda should have the best university in the world, and the entire country should know that the best education is available in Bihar.” He said, “I want your phone to say ‘Made in Bihar’ instead of ‘Made in China.’” The assembly elections in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. Votes will be counted on November 14. Curated by: Suryakant Pathak About the author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in the country and the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
Cong plans Pacgmarhi camp for dist leaders, Rahul invited
Bhopal: The State Congress is organising a ten-day training camp in Pachmarhi for the party’s newly appointed 72 organisational district presidents, starting from 2 November. State Congress President Jitu Patwari has sent an invitation to Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi to address the congregation on any day he is available during the training course. Initially, it was claimed that the Congress MP from Rae Bareli would address the Congress district presidents on 9 or 10 November after election campaigning comes to a halt in Bihar. However, sources in the state party office on Wednesday said that requests have been made for Rahul Gandhi to address the inaugural session in Pachmarhi on 2 November. But, the Lok Sabha LOP’s office has not confirmed his programme in Madhya Pradesh. PCC organisational general secretary Sanjay Kamle told TOI, “There is a possibility that the Lok Sabha LOP may come to the state either on 9 or 10 November. Campaigning in Bihar will come to an end on 8 November, after which he may come to address the training camp,” he said. Sanjay Kamle also added that the state Congress has requested the office of Rahul Gandhi to see if he can address the district presidents after campaigning stops for the first phase of Bihar elections on 3 November. State Congress vice-president Mahendra Joshi is the coordinator and in charge of the training camp. Speaking to TOI, he said, “The training camp will be for the district party presidents appointed during the Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan inaugurated by Rahul Gandhi in June. There are 72 organisational districts, including some city offices like Bhopal and Indore, which have one district president for rural areas and another for the city.” Joshi said that the district Congress presidents will be trained in various political aspects, social situations, organisational views, electoral rolls, the communalism factor, “false promises made by the ruling BJP and how to expose them to the people.” “After the training is completed, the district presidents will return to their work areas and utilise what they have been taught to train the grassroots workers at the district, assembly constituencies, blocks, mandal, sector, and panchayat levels,” Joshi said. “The focus of the training will be on how Congress workers can face the challenges of voter list manipulation by the rival political party, misinformation spread by them via technology, and how to make people aware of such tactics so they know the truth,” Mahendra Joshi argued. “Empowering our workers to spread information among people can come only with training,” he said. The district Congress presidents will be trained by party functionaries from Delhi and Bhopal, as well as political and academic experts. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit youths attacked with sticks and rods in Khaga: Two injured, medical tests conducted, police investigating
Dalit youths were attacked over a minor dispute in Gopalpur village, under the Khaga police station area of Fatehpur district. Dozens of people attacked them with sticks and rods, leaving them seriously injured. Sandeep Kumar, son of Ramsevak, was among the injured, who was referred to Fatehpur District Hospital after first aid. Police are investigating the matter. Injured Sandeep Kumar stated that he was returning home after grazing buffaloes in the forest. On the way, Raj Singh and Sandeep Singh (sons of Madhav Singh) saw the buffalo and started abusing him. When Sandeep protested, they assaulted him. Subsequently, they called in two other friends, Beta Singh (son of the late Indrapal) and Vipin (son of Beta Singh), along with about two dozen other people. The men brutally beat Sandeep, his brother Mithun, and mother Ramsakhi with sticks and rods. According to Sandeep, the attackers continued to beat him until he was covered in blood. Upon receiving information about the incident, police arrived at the scene and took the injured to the Hardo Community Health Center. The injured party has filed a complaint with the police. The police stated that a case has been registered in this matter and further action has been assured. Khaga Kotwali in-charge Rajkumar Singh stated that a case is being registered based on the complaint from the victim. The search for the attackers is ongoing and they will soon be arrested and sent to jail. He also stated that medical examinations of all the injured are being conducted, based on which relevant sections will be added to the case. Vikash Trivedi Courtesy: Hindi News
Kanpur: Dalit youth humiliated and beaten in caste-based Attack, FIR Filed under Atrocities Act after video goes viral
In Bharthana town of Kanpur rural district, 22-year-old youth Sumit Diwakar, a resident of Rani Nagar, alleges that on October 8 three men from the neighbouring Purana Bharthana area. Nandan Gupta, Laddu Gupta and Satyendra Kumar subjected him to severe caste-based harassment. According to his complaint, the trio hurled caste slurs at him, forced him to squat in the middle of the road, physically assaulted him and threatened to kill him. Simultaneously, the attackers recorded the entire act on video, which later circulated on social media and sparked widespread public outrage. Local police say they took cognisance of the case only after the video gained traction online, registering it on October 25 under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act). Bharthana Police have launched investigations, and are reportedly gathering video evidence, statements of witnesses, recordings of the perpetrators, and attempt to identify those who filmed and shared the video. Addressing the media, Shrish Chandra, the Superintendent of Police (Rural) in Kanpur, stated that strict action will follow and assured the victim of protection and prompt legal recourse. The victim’s complaint emphasises that the accused repeatedly used caste-insulting language, ordered him to remain in a humiliating posture on the road while they beat him, and later threatened to end his life if he reported the incident. This act of public humiliation, filming and online circulation emphasises a troubling intersection of caste violence and social media exposure. As investigations proceed, relevant questions include how long the video was originally shared before police action, whether the filming was meant as intimidation, and whether more persons were involved beyond the three named accused. The case underscores long-standing concerns over caste-based abuse in Uttar Pradesh and urgent need for swift enforcement of the SC/ST Act to deter such crimes and ensure justice for victims. Courtesy : Muslim Mirror Note: This news is originally published on https:/muslimmirror.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati reveals 2027 election strategy to strengthen BSP base:Focuses on Dalit-Muslim unity, organisational revival, and grassroots voter mobilisation to counter SP-BJP dominance in UP
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has outlined her detailed roadmap for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Chairing the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting herself for the first time, she projected a winning combination of 20% Dalit and 19% Muslim voters, positioning the BSP as a stronger alternative to the BJP and Samajwadi Party (SP). In her address, Mayawati emphasised that while the SP’s traditional Yadav vote base stands at only 8%, even with complete Muslim support, it forms just 27% of the vote share, insufficient to unseat the BJP. She contrasted this with BSP’s 2007 victory, when the party won power by combining Dalit votes with limited Muslim support. According to her, unlike the SP, which “uses fear of the BJP to secure Muslim votes,” the BSP believes in offering genuine representation and development. 5 Key takeaways from the meeting Mayawati personally chaired the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting for the first time since the BSP’s inception. Muslim members were seated in the front rows, signalling respect and inclusion, while other office-bearers sat behind. The committee was reconstituted after being dissolved post-2017. A target was set to connect 100 prominent Muslim faces from each assembly constituency. Monthly performance reviews of the committee will take place on the 20th of every month. Message of respect and representation The meeting was attended by Mayawati, BSP national coordinator and nephew Akash Anand, and general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra. By giving Muslims front-row seats, Mayawati symbolically conveyed that the community would receive honour and prominence in the party structure. The committee, which had been inactive since 2017, is being rebuilt with two conveners per division, one Dalit and one Muslim, across all 18 divisions. A similar structure will be replicated at the assembly and booth levels. BSP leaders were also provided a list of 100 key development projects for Muslims implemented during Mayawati’s four terms as Chief Minister. The list will be circulated during local meetings to remind voters of BSP’s governance record. Connecting voters through SIR Mayawati instructed her party workers not to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission, currently active in 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh . She advised the cadre to focus on forming Booth Level Agent (BLA) teams and connecting verified BSP supporters instead of engaging in protests.A short Election Commission booklet has been distributed to guide officials in voter registration efforts. Faizan Khan, convener of the Lucknow division, said, ‘Our leader has made it clear that we must work at the grassroots, not waste time opposing SIR.’ Restoring lost muslim support According to Faizan Khan, BSP has always treated Muslims as an integral part of its social alliance. He accused opposition parties of misleading the community and claimed that under BSP rule, no communal riots occurred.He added that SP and Congress gained Muslim votes in the 2022 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls but failed to prevent BJP’s return. ‘Only BSP can defeat BJP now,’ he asserted. Mayawati clarifies Samsuddin’s expulsion Mayawati also addressed the removal of party leader Samsuddin, explaining that he had been repeatedly warned. She alleged he fielded weak candidates in collusion with BJP and SP during elections and promoted factionalism within the party.She instructed members to report any such internal sabotage directly to her, assuring strict disciplinary action. Akash Anand’s return to UP after Bihar polls Mayawati announced that Akash Anand will soon focus fully on Uttar Pradesh after completing his campaign duties in Bihar. He will tour all districts, hold meetings, and monitor booth-level progress. ‘After the Bihar elections, Akash will work full-time in UP. Where necessary, I too will step out,’ Mayawati declared. Rebuilding from the Ground Up By reviving the Muslim Brotherhood Committee, strengthening booth structures, and reintroducing her 2007-style social engineering, Mayawati has clearly signalled a full-scale comeback bid for 2027. Her message was unambiguous, the path to power lies not through fear, but through representation, respect, and grassroots organisation. Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Two Dalits assaulted for participating in Hindu festivals in Chhattisgarh, police skip SC/ST Atrocity Act bookmark_border text_fields
The first incident took place at a Kali Mata Puja celebration in Mahmand village on October 19, 2025 Bilaspur/ Chhattisgarh: Two separate assaults on Dalit individuals participating in Hindu religious festivals have been reported from Union minister Tokhan Sahu’s constituency of Bilaspur in Chhattisgar recently, according to a report. The first incident took place at a Kali Mata Puja celebration in Mahmand village on October 19, 2025, Maktoob media.com reported. Sixteen-year-old Ashutosh Barle, a tenth-grade student at Massorie Shisu Mandir Bhawan, was home from hostel for two days during vacation when he went to watch the music and lights set up for the Kali celebration. Maktoob quoted his mother Sarita Barle as saying: ‘The DJ caught his curiosity, so he went there.’ Noticing Ashutosh Barle, the attacker Pradeep Maharaj hurled casteist insults for participating in the festival, before beginning physical assaults. It was then his friends Deepeshwar, Rahul, and others joined verbally abusing Ashutosh before assaulting him with ‘fists and rods’. When the minor victim fainted at the spot, a villager reached out to his mother who rushed in to take Ashutosh home. However, the assailants went on to assail the family pelting stones at the house, with Sarita locking herself and her younger children inside a room. She later told Dalit activist Sanjeet Barman that police were not willing to record incident accurately. Another attack on a 20-year-old Dalit farmer was reported during the Laxmi Utsav celebration in Bharda village the following night on October 20, 2025. Lokesh Kumar Jangde, a driver and a small-time land owner, was watching Laxmi Utsav celebration when an upper caste member Amit Yadav questioned his presence at the festival. Amit Yadav hurled abusive remarks about Lokesh’s mother and sister before dragging him out of the marquee and started beating him. Others identified as Roshan Yadav, Shiva Yadav, and others joined in assaulting him. It is reported that an FIR has been filed but the Yadav family is allegedly pressuring Lokesh to withdraw the complaint. Calling for invoking the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in both cases, activist Sanjeet Barman pointed out that ‘In Ashutosh Barle’s case, the POSCO Act is also missing.’ Courtesy : Madhtamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
2 held for abducting Dalit minor, forcibly converting, and marrying her
Muzaffarnagar Two men have been arrested here for allegedly abducting a Dalit minor girl, unlawfully converting her religion, and solemnising marriage with her, officials said on Wednesday. The arrests were made on Tuesday and the incident occurred earlier this month, police said. Circle Officer (Budhana) Gajendra Pal Singh said the main accused, Talib (25), and his associate, Shadab (23), were booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. They have also been charged under Section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, he said. According to the FIR lodged by the victim’s brother, the minor was abducted on October 5 by Talib with the help of his friend Shadab. She was taken to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, where she was allegedly forced to convert her religion and later married to Talib through ‘nikah’. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala halts PM SHRI scheme after CPI’s protest, coalition tensions rise
Kerala has frozen all procedures linked to the PM SHRI schools project after the Communist Party of India (CPI) strongly objected to the move. A cabinet subcommittee will now review the matter as tensions rise within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Kerala government has suspended all procedures related to the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme following strong objections from the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key ally in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration announced the decision after four CPI ministers boycotted the latest cabinet meeting in protest. The party accused the state government of signing the PM SHRI memorandum of understanding (MoU) without consulting the cabinet or coalition partners. SEVEN-MEMBER PANEL TO REVIEW DECISION A seven-member cabinet subcommittee has been formed to examine the scheme in detail. All related procedures will remain frozen until the committee submits its report. Kerala will write to the Centre seeking relaxations in the scheme’s conditions, calling certain provisions “unacceptable”. The chief minister has also instructed the Education Department to halt the process of finalising schools to be brought under the project. The decision followed a CPI(M) secretariat meeting at the AKG Centre, attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) national secretariat member M A Baby, state secretary M V Govindan, and LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan. However, no official government announcement has been made yet. COALITION CRACKS DEEPEN The CPI’s four ministers, K Rajan, P Prasad, G R Anil Kumar, and J Chinchurani, skipped the cabinet meeting, demanding that the government formally freeze the MoU and inform the Centre in writing, with the letter made public. Reports suggest Kerala may not be able to withdraw from the project since state representatives have already signed the agreement. Under the PM SHRI guidelines, the Centre can recover funds if a state violates the terms of the deal. Efforts to resolve the crisis have so far been unsuccessful. Chief Minister Vijayan held discussions with CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam and CPI ministers earlier this week, but talks failed to produce a consensus. POLITICAL TENSIONS OVER EDUCATION POLICY The CPI has accused the PM SHRI initiative of being a backdoor route to impose the National Education Policy (NEP) and “communalise, centralise, and commercialise” education. Union Minister of State George Kurian, however, recently clarified that the scheme does not impose any central syllabus or policy on participating states. With the dispute intensifying, the episode marks one of the sharpest rifts between the CPI and CPI(M) within the LDF government since it assumed office. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender and two others arrested for possessing mephedrone
Pune: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force of Maharashtra police on Tuesday evening arrested a transgender person (21), a woman (27), and a Ghorpadi-based man (22) for allegedly possessing mephedrone. Other than the drugs, a weighing machine and a scooter — collectively estimated at Rs 4.32 lakh — were seized from them, police said. A police officer said the transgender and the woman were searching for customers on Manjari Road near Hadapsar when they were nabbed by a team, headed by deputy superintendent of police Ganesh Ingle. Later, the two told police that the Ghorpadi resident supplied them the drugs to sell, the officer said. An FIR under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered at the Hadapsar police station. Police said the transgender and the woman are residents of Hadapsar. 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
‘If you tell Modi to dance…’: Rahul Gandhi opens Bihar campaign with attack on PM; brings back ‘vote chori’ barb
NEW DELHI: Weeks after the Election Commission announced poll dates in Bihar — and days after the Mahagathbandhan released its chief ministerial face — leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi finally kicked off his election campaign in the state on Wednesday. Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, the Congress leader launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that “he just wants vote” and alleging that he would go to any extent to win elections. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) “He just wants your vote. If 200 people from the crowd ask PM Modi to dance on stage in return for votes, the dance would begin. PM Modi will start performing Bharatnatyam on stage,” Rahul said. Follow Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s statement on Chhath Puja observance on the banks of the Yamuna, Rahul mocked the act, saying, “They staged a drama and showed the truth of India… The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. The water is so dirty that if you enter it, you would get sick or get an infection… But Modi staged a drama. He built a small pond there… They will show you anything for elections… A pipe is installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it… The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe..” Continuing his tirade, Rahul reiterated his charge of “vote chori” and accused the BJP of subverting democracy. “They are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease. I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar,” he said. The Congress leader also hit out at PM Modi over economic policies, accusing him of crushing small businesses through demonetisation and GST. “Tell me what is written on the back of your phone. Made in China. Narendra Modi ji has destroyed all the small businesses by implementing demonetisation and GST. Wherever you look, it is Made in China. We say that it should not be Made in China, it should be Made in Bihar. Mobiles, shirts, pants — all these should be made in Bihar and the youth of Bihar should get employment in those factories. We want such a Bihar,” he declared. BJP hits back at Rahul BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Wednesday hit back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remark that “PM Modi will dance for votes,” branding him a “local goon.” Bhandari accused the Congress leader of “mocking voters” and “insulting” the poor with his comments. In a post on X, the BJP leader said, “Rahul Gandhi speaks like a ‘Local Goon’. Rahul Gandhi has openly insulted every poor of India, & Bihar who has voted for PM Narendra Modi ji! Rahul Gandhi has mocked voters and Indian democracy.” — pradip103 (@pradip103) ‘Nitish ji’s face being used’: Rahul Rahul didn’t spare Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar either, claiming he was merely a “face” while the BJP pulled the strings from behind. “Nitish ji’s face is being used. The remote control is in the hands of the BJP. You should not think that the voice of the most backward people is heard there,” he said. Accusing the BJP of being “against social justice,” Rahul added, “Three or four people control it. BJP controls it. They have the remote controller in their hands, and they have nothing to do with social justice. I said in front of the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha that you should get the caste census done. He did not say a single word… BJP is against social justice. They do not want it.” As Bihar gears up for a high-stakes battle, the political lines are clearly drawn. The NDA — comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha — faces off against the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and including Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Adding another twist, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has announced candidates for all 243 assembly seats. Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. 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