Bihar elections: After weeks of being away, Rahul Gandhi returns with vitriol for PM Modi
PATNA: Missing in action for weeks, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi opened his campaign for INDIA bloc in Bihar Wednesday with a barrage of personal attacks targeting PM Narendra Modi, saying the latter would “happily dance for votes” if he needed to. “Modi ji just wants your votes… He can perform Bharatanatyam,” the Rae Bareli MP said at a rally in Muzaffarpur, INDIA bloc’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav by his side. The vitriol continued to flow in Darbhanga, where he told the crowd that BJP was out to “steal your votes like they did in Maharashtra & Haryana”. Asking people to be extra careful this poll season to prevent “vote theft”, Rahul said, “Catch BJP people if they try to steal your votes at polling booths…” Rahul, whose absence from opposition’s campaign was as much a talking point as his prolonged reluctance to acknowledge RJD scion Tejashwi as the chief ministerial candidate, alleged that Nitish Kumar was CM only in name. “Nitish is not running the govt. It is Modi and (Amit) Shah who are running it through remote control.” He also accused PM Modi of failing to counter US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that his intervention halted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. “Trump has said it 50 times…He is constantly insulting PM Modi, but the latter is silent. Not once has he said Trump is lying as he is scared of the US President. Indira Gandhi stuck to her stand on Bangladesh during 1971 India-Pakistan war despite international pressure… That is what a PM means,” he said, suggesting that was why PM Modi “can’t develop Bihar”. Rahul asked voters to distinguish between people prone to making false promises and those working with good intentions. Tejashwi appealed to voters to give him one chance. “I haven’t done anybody harm. If I get a chance to govern, you will get govt jobs,” he said. 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 laborer chased and beaten in Ayodhya: Intervention proved costly, SHO says action will be taken after investigation
A video of a Dalit laborer being brutally beaten in Sitholi village, under the Patranga police station area of Ayodhya, has gone viral on social media. In the video, two young men are seen repeatedly kicking, punching, and slapping the laborer. According to reports, the victim has been identified as Asaram, son of Ram Baran, a resident of Sitholi. It is reported that a dispute was taking place between two young men named Sirtaj and Haseeb in the village. Asaram intervened and advised them to stop fighting and sit down and talk. But Asaram’s words took offense to the two young men. It is alleged that they abused Asaram and chased him and beat him. A villager filmed the entire incident and made it viral on social media. The victim has filed a complaint at the Patranga police station, seeking justice. In this case, Patranga Inspector-in-Charge Shashikant Yadav stated that after receiving the victim’s complaint, a sub-inspector has been dispatched to investigate. If the allegations are found to be true, strict legal action will be taken against both accused by filing a case under the relevant sections. Courtesy: Hindi News
Karnataka: Amid demands for a Dalit CM, SC/ST ministers stage a major “show of strength,” preparing for “Dalit Ekta Samavesh” next month.
Is a show of strength being planned under the guise of “Dalit Ekta Samavesh”? Ministers united under G. Parameshwara’s leadership, with all eyes on the high command’s response. Bengaluru: A major development is taking place in Karnataka politics. Ministers from the state’s Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, led by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, have revived plans to hold a major community conference next month. The conference, dubbed “Dalit Ekta Samavesh,” is expected to be held in Chitradurga or Davangere. This proposed rally, seen as a potential “show of strength,” has created a stir in political circles. This move comes amid heightened debate over the possibility of a transfer of power from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to his Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar. Additionally, the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in the state is gaining momentum again. This isn’t the first time such a rally has been planned. Previous attempts to organize such a rally had been made, but had to be shelved after the party high command didn’t approve. At that time, it was believed that Shivakumar’s supporters opposed the event, seeing it as an attempt by the Siddaramaiah camp to undermine the informal power-sharing arrangement between the two senior leaders. However, this time, Dalit ministers are moving forward with renewed determination. After a meeting in Bengaluru with cabinet colleague H.C. Mahadevappa, Parameshwara said, “Dalit voters wholeheartedly supported the Congress in the elections, and it is our duty to express our gratitude.” He added, “We must inform them about the series of schemes implemented for them by our government and explain future plans.” Parameshwara, Mahadevappa, KH Muniyappa, RB Thimmapur, and Satish Jarkiholi (from the ST community) have regrouped to form an internal pressure group within the government. Former ministers KN Rajanna and B Nagendra (both from the Valmiki community) were also part of this group before being dropped from the cabinet. This group previously attracted attention by highlighting its role in the Congress’s landslide victory in the 2023 assembly elections. Significantly, Congress won 31 of the 36 SC-reserved seats and 14 of the 15 ST-reserved seats. The discussion about a Dalit Chief Minister has further fueled speculation. This debate was reignited when Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yatindra Siddaramaiah described Jarkiholi as his father’s “political successor.” Recently, party workers in Kolar raised slogans in support of Muniyappa for the top post. Parameshwara also openly supported Muniyappa, citing his long political career. But Muniyappa offered a measured response. He said, “Parameshwara is one of our most respected members. He has the distinction of serving as KPCC president for eight years, the longest tenure, and has also served as deputy CM. When we talk about a Dalit CM, Parameshwara will naturally be considered based on merit.” However, he added, “But now is not the time to discuss a CM change. Siddaramaiah will continue his full five-year term.” Regarding the proposed rally, Muniyappa said, “We are awaiting the high command’s approval.” Parameshwara maintained that there was nothing wrong with demanding a Dalit CM or holding a Dalit convention. He added, “We should listen to their (the community’s) demands and assure them of the future.” Jarkiholi, on the other hand, took a cautious stance, saying, “We should patiently wait for our turn. Whatever we plan to do is in the best interest of the party.” Political analysts say the Congress high command’s response will be closely watched, especially given that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and his ministerial son, Priyank Kharge, both come from the Dalit community. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Minor Dalit girl assaulted, plea for justice: Victim appeals to SP and DM for alleged assault against bullies in Gurubakshganj police station area
A case of assault on a minor Dalit girl from Jhabra Majra Korihar, under the Gurubakshganj police station area of Rae Bareli district, has come to light. The victim alleges that bullies kicked and punched her and hurled casteist slurs at her. Accusing the police of inaction, she has appealed to the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate’s offices for justice. The victim stated that she was grazing goats in her field when a group of rivals attacked her. They grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground, after which the mother and son assaulted her and abused her using casteist slurs. According to the victim, she filed a written complaint about the incident at the local Gurubakshganj police station. However, the police have yet to take any action in the matter. She also alleges that she is being threatened by the police themselves after filing the complaint. Failing to receive justice, the victim today appealed to the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate’s offices for justice. Ashish Prajapati Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit teenager kidnapped, forcibly converted, then married… Victim recovered from Jabalpur, MP; Talib and Shadab arrested
Abducted on October 5th and taken to Jabalpur, MP; recovered on October 26th. The accused have been charged with several serious sections, including the POCSO Act and the SC/ST Act. Muzaffarnagar/Uttar Pradesh. Police have arrested two young men on serious charges of allegedly kidnapping, forcibly converting, and then marrying a Dalit minor girl. Officials revealed the case on Wednesday. Police made the arrests on Tuesday, although the incident occurred earlier this month. Case filed under these serious sections Budhana Circle Officer (CO) Gajendra Pal Singh stated that a case has been filed against the main accused, Talib (25), and his accomplice, Shadab (23), under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Additionally, action has been taken against the accused under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. The CO stated that, given the gravity of the case, the accused 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. Brother Filed FIR According to the FIR filed by the victim’s brother, Talib, with the help of his friend Shadab, kidnapped his minor sister on October 5th. The FIR alleges that they abducted the girl and took her to Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. There, the girl was allegedly pressured to convert to Islam and later forcibly married to the main accused, Talib. The complaint also alleges that the accused sexually assaulted her during her captivity. Victim recovered from Jabalpur Taking action in the case, police safely recovered the teenager from Jabalpur on October 26 and brought her back to Muzaffarnagar. Following the victim’s recovery, police arrested both named accused from the Budhana area on Tuesday. Police officials say a detailed investigation is underway. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
MP: Dalit youth thrown onto garbage at midnight, then set on fire… Mother who came to rescue him after witnessing the brutality in Sagar was also attacked…
Shameful incident in Sagar’s Chandpur village. The victim’s mother alleges casteist abuse and threats to burn him alive. Sagar (Madhya Pradesh): A shameful and horrific incident has come to light in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, where some miscreants are accused of dragging a Dalit youth onto a roadside garbage heap and burning him alive. When the youth’s mother intervened to extinguish the fire, the accused also mistreated her. The victim was taken to the district hospital in critical condition, where his condition is currently stable. What is the whole matter? According to a report in the Free Press Journal, police reported the incident on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Chandpur village in the Rahli area of Sagar district. According to reports, the Dalit youth was allegedly set on fire in the middle of the market. According to the police, the victim, identified as Hemraj Ahirwar, sustained severe burn injuries in the fire. The victim’s 62-year-old mother, Kesrani Ahirwar, has filed a complaint at the Rahli police station, demanding strict action against the accused. The incident is said to have occurred a few days ago. It is reported that the police only took action after news of the incident went viral on social media. What did the mother say in the complaint? Kesrani stated in her complaint that at around 12 a.m. on October 11th, her son, Hemraj, was lying in an intoxicated state near a shop. Two men, identified as Hemraj, son of Kalu Ahirwar, and Naresh, son of Lachhu Sahu, arrived. It is alleged that they first collected garbage near Hemraj (the victim) and then set him on fire. Hearing her son’s cries, Kesrani ran to his rescue and managed to extinguish the fire. However, during this time, the two accused also mistreated her, hurled casteist slurs at her, and threatened to burn her alive. Frightened by this horrific incident, the mother mustered courage and first rushed her injured son to the hospital. She then contacted the police. Kesrani also alleged that these accused have previously been involved in serious crimes and now pose a threat to the lives of her entire family. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala High Court Directs BCI to Approve Two Seats for Transgender Students in All Law Colleges
The order came after a transgender woman, denied admission despite qualifying in the Kerala Law Entrance Examination 2025, cited the NALSA judgment and the Transgender Persons Act, 2019. The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to approve two seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. Justice V.G. Arun issued the interim order while hearing a petition seeking to expedite the decision on the proposal, which had been pending before the BCI. The court noted that the issue could not be kept waiting indefinitely for the Council to act. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the BCI had earlier been directed to finalise a date for its General Council meeting to decide on the matter. However, the BCI’s standing counsel told the court that the proposal had been placed before the Standing Committee for Legal Education, which, after deliberation, decided that the final decision must be taken by the General Council. The standing counsel also said it was not possible to specify when the next General Council meeting would be held. Taking note of the delay, Justice Arun remarked, “In my opinion, the issue cannot wait endlessly for the General Council of the Bar Council to meet.” Accordingly, the court issued an interim direction to the BCI to approve the Kerala government’s request, communicated through a letter dated August 6, for the creation of two seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. The directive came while hearing a petition filed by a transgender woman who was denied admission to Government Law College, Kozhikode, despite qualifying in the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations’ Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025. The petitioner referred to the landmark NALSA v. Union of India judgment and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, in support of her plea. 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
Bihar Elections 2025: Big signals emerging in Bihar…People have complete faith in the Rahul-Tejashwi duo, every promise of the ‘Grand Alliance’ will be fulfilled.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said that Bihar voters have faith in Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav to fulfill their promises. The Grand Alliance has released its manifesto, which focuses on the welfare of Bihar. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued a notice to Prashant Kishore for registering his name on a duplicate voter list. New Delhi: The election bugle has been sounded in Bihar, and the voting dates have also been announced. As the polling date approaches, the political heat in the state is increasing. All the contesting parties are trying to woo Bihar voters in different ways. Meanwhile, the Grand Alliance has released its election manifesto. Congress leader Pawan Khera has reacted to the Grand Alliance’s manifesto. The people of Bihar have full confidence Congress leader Pawan Khera said on Tuesday that voters are confident that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, will fulfill their election promises in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. He said that the manifesto focuses on the welfare of Bihar and reflects the alliance’s dedication to the people. These are the big signs in Bihar Dismissing speculation about a rift in the alliance over seat sharing, the Congress leader said that the public is confident that Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi will fulfill their promises. Those who want to see a split are losing elections. He further said that the India Block has gained an edge by announcing its chief ministerial candidate and manifesto, which clearly indicates which way the wind is blowing. Rahul and Priyanka will campaign The Congress leader said, “We announced our chief ministerial candidate first. Our manifesto is also coming first, so you can understand which way the wind is blowing.” Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and all our star campaigners will campaign in their respective constituencies. Notice issued to Prashant Kishor Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued a notice to Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, seeking a response within three days regarding alleged duplicate voter lists in Bihar and West Bengal. Explanation required within three days According to a notice issued by the Returning Officer of the Kargahar Assembly constituency, “According to a news item published on October 28, 2025, your name is listed in the voter lists of Bihar and West Bengal… Therefore, you must submit your version regarding your name being listed in more than one constituency within three days.” Criticism from Opposition Parties The Election Commission of India conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to update the voter list, which was criticized by opposition parties. This notice has drawn attention amid the intensive scrutiny of the voter list in Bihar, steps being taken by election officials to ensure transparency ahead of the upcoming elections. Edited by: NBT Desk Courtesy: Hindi News
The Bihar election campaign begins after Chhath, with Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav launching a “direct attack” on each other.
Bihar Election News: With the Chhath festival over, the Grand Alliance and the NDA have geared up for a strong electoral campaign. Home Minister Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath are holding a rally today, Wednesday, October 29th. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are also in the fray. Patna: The countdown for the first phase of voting in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections has begun. With the Chhath festival over, political heavyweights have entered the fray today. Not only are Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath entering the battleground of Bihar today, but Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are also campaigning for the Grand Alliance. First, learn about the NDA’s campaign today. The NDA has put all its efforts into the Bihar elections. Many prominent leaders from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh are taking to the streets today, October 29th. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath, along with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, will also campaign for the Bihar elections today. Learn about these leaders’ schedules first… Amit Shah will seek votes for Maithili Thakur in Alinagar today. Amit Shah will hold a rally in Alinagar, Darbhanga, at 12:15 pm. After this, he will campaign in Rosera, Samastipur, at 1:30 pm, and then in Bhagwanpur, Begusarai, at 3 pm. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will hold road shows in four assembly constituencies in Nalanda district today, October 29th. He will also hold a rally in Harnaut. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will hold an election rally in Hayaghat, Darbhanga. He will also hold rallies in Barh and Chapra. While UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will target Siwan and Buxar, holding rallies in both locations. While Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is scheduled to hold election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Patna Sahib. MP CM Mohan Yadav has been assigned to today’s election rallies in Banka, Bhagalpur, and Madhepura. Grand Alliance’s Election Campaign The Grand Alliance is also going to give the NDA a tough fight in this election campaign. Today, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will take the field together to counter the NDA’s attacks. Both leaders will jointly lead the election campaign from the same platform. Priyanka Gandhi is also coming to Bihar. Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav will jointly hold election rallies from the same platform in support of the Grand Alliance candidates in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga. Tejashwi Yadav will hold back-to-back election rallies in six assembly seats of Chhapra today, October 29th. However, Priyanka Gandhi will not begin campaigning today. Priyanka Gandhi will hold public meetings in Bachhwara in Begusarai on November 1, 2025, in Lakhisarai and Rosera (Samastipur) on November 3, and in Govindganj and Chanpatia (East Champaran) on November 6. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will hold election rallies in Kuchaykot (Gopalganj) on October 31, Amarpur (Banka) on November 3, and Kutumba (Aurangabad) on November 5. Compiled by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is in charge of Bihar-Jharkhand for Navbharat Times Digital. A 20-year journey in journalism spans from Janmat TV, IBN 7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand, to Times Internet. After starting from the national capital, Delhi, Bihar is now his workplace. Courtesy: Hindi News
Senior RJD neta, bro Tej object to Tejashwi’s ‘nayak’ poster
Patna: Not only the BJP but his own party’s national general secretary Abdul Bari Siddiqui took exception to projection of the INDIA bloc CM face Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the hero of the people of Bihar, or, ‘jannayak’. While RJD posters with Tejashwi’s photograph, captioned “Bihar ka Nayak” have come up ahead of the assembly elections, he as well as Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, were first called ‘jannayak’ during the recent ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in the state against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.Siddiqui said it will take Tejashwi time and hard work to get the title of ‘Jannayak’, which is exclusively used for Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, a socialist leader and former CM.“Tejashwi is currently doing politics based on his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s legacy. He is the ‘virasat’ of Lalu Prasad’s politics and may get this honour after establishing himself by following the footsteps of his father and Thakur,” he said. BJP national office-bearer Rituraj Sinha also said the titles like ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ are earned. “The public bestows these titles based on work and contributions. Thakur and Jayaprakash Narayan did such works because of which they were given the titles of ‘Jananayak’ and ‘Lokanayak’ respectively. Referring to Siddiqui’s statement, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said neither public nor his own colleagues have confidence in him. “Despite contesting elections for years, he has failed to earn people’s trust. Even within his circle, from RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui to Samajwadi Party MLA Ravidas Mehrotra, besides his brother Tej Pratap Yadav, no one sees him as a true leader. In reality, he is neither a people’s leader nor a capable leader; he is a villain of corruption, dynastic politics, criminalisation and jungle raj,” he said. Another BJP spokesman Ajay Alok said Tejashwi is not a ‘nayak’ (hero) but ‘nalayak’ (worthless). Tej Pratap also attacked Tejashwi and Rahul for being called ‘jannayak’ by their party supporters. “Calling yourself ‘jannayak’ doesn’t make you a people’s leader. Karpoori Thakur, Ram Manohar Lohia, Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi were the real ‘jannayak’. Rahul and Tejashwi are under the ‘chatrachaya’ (protection and patronage) of Lalu Prasad. If that protection is removed, they will be nothing,” Tej, the elder son of the RJD chief, said.Courtesy : TOINote: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights