“Dhammachakra Pravartan Din” is just two weeks away, but Deeksha Bhoomi is in a state of disrepair due to rain! Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s grandsons have made this demand.
Urge Nagpur administration to immediately address waterlogging and facilities Nagpur – With just two weeks remaining for the historic “Dhammachakra Pravartan Din,” the Ambedkar family has issued an urgent appeal to the Nagpur District Administration regarding the infrastructure crisis at the sacred Deeksha Bhoomi memorial. The situation created by recent heavy rains has jeopardized the safety and convenience of millions of pilgrims. In a letter addressed to the District Collector, Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, President of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and Buddhist Society of India, and Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar, Executive President, express concern over “serious infrastructural and logistical challenges” that could pose difficulties for the millions of pilgrims expected to visit. The letter begins by reminding the profound historical significance of Deeksha Bhoomi. It was here on October 14, 1956, that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his over 380,000 followers. This historic event marks the revival of Buddhism in India and a powerful turning point against caste discrimination. Every year, on this day, millions of devotees from India and abroad gather at Deekshabhoomi to pay homage and reaffirm their commitment to the principles of equality, compassion, and non-violence. A large turnout is expected this year as well. Call for Immediate Action, Key Demands The letter presents a list of nine urgent demands to improve the situation: The main event site, where thousands of people gather and spend the night, is currently waterlogged and muddy. The administration is requested to make the area safe and accessible by laying at least 300 trucks of gravel or crushed stone. Ambedkar wrote that the rear portion of the complex, where thousands of people stay, has not yet been inspected by officials. He demanded an immediate site inspection. The provision of large, waterproof awnings and temporary shelters has been requested to protect guests during sudden rains and overnight stays. The provision of a sufficient number of clean and accessible mobile toilets at all key locations is a key demand. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation should install clear information boards outside schools designated for emergency accommodation, displaying the name of the responsible guard/staff and the numbers of two or three contact persons for immediate assistance. The administration is requested to deploy dedicated officers and guards at all key locations, with their names and contact numbers publicly available. Adequate police force has also been requested for crowd management. The designated space for book stalls is also prone to waterlogging. It has been requested that this space be leveled with gravel so that stalls can be set up. Directional signs in Marathi, Hindi, and other regional languages should be installed at prominent locations such as Nagpur Railway Station, Ajni Station, and Mor Bhavan Bus Stop, providing directions to Deeksha Bhoomi and information about essential services such as medical care, food, accommodation, and toilets. Special, free or subsidized shuttle buses should be arranged for visitors from railway stations, bus stops, and the airport to Deeksha Bhoomi. The letter concludes by emphasizing that these steps are not merely for convenience, but are necessary to maintain the “dignity and importance of this national and spiritual event.” Prakash and Bhimrao Ambedkar expressed confidence in the administration and urged “immediate attention” and “necessary action without delay.” Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Two Dalit Elders Assaulted for Not Greeting Attackers with ‘Ram-Ram’ in UP’s Banda
In Jabrapur village (Fatehganj police station), two Scheduled Caste elders, Bhagat Verma (60) and Kallu Shriwas (70), were attacked on Tuesday evening by a group of people using sticks and a knife. The assault reportedly began after the victims did not stand up or greet the attackers with “Ram-Ram,” according to the allegations. The attackers allegedly used caste-based abuses and looted Rs 500 from one of the elders. The incident occurred while the victims were working in their fields. Bhagat was beaten with sticks, and Kallu was stabbed when he tried to intervene. Villagers nearby did not intervene, and the attackers fled after threatening the victims. Bhagat’s son, Gangaram, lodged a police complaint. Police have registered the case under assault and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. CO Praveen Kumar, however, suggested that the complainants may have exaggerated the involvement of the attackers, claiming links to the deceased criminal Ambika Patel alias Thokia, whose gang is reportedly no longer active. The case remains under investigation. 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
Azam Khan and Rahul Gandhi should be booked under the NSA… Why did Minister Ravindra Jaiswal call them traitors?
Independent Charge Minister of State in Uttar Pradesh, Ravindra Jaiswal, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. During the meeting, he made a scathing statement against Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan. Rahul Gandhi and Azam Khan, UP Politics Ghazipur: Ravindra Jaiswal, Minister of State in charge of the Stamps, Court Fees, and Registration Department of Uttar Pradesh, held a meeting with administrative officials in Ghazipur. He reviewed development work and law and order in the district during the meeting, held at the Public Works Department guest house. The minister directed officials to accelerate Mission Shakti 5.0, in accordance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, to promote the safety, protection, respect, and awareness of women and girls. He also emphasized the need to accelerate development work and maintain law and order. During his media interaction, he launched a political attack on Azam Khan and other opposition figures. Speaking to the media, Jaiswal sharply rebutted Azam Khan’s statement after his release from jail. Without naming anyone, he said that those who have just been released from jail spread poison in society. Strict action should be taken against those who spoil the atmosphere of the country. He advocated imposing the NSA on those who spread communalism and casteism, saying that no one has the right to spoil the atmosphere of society. Referring to the Bareilly riots, Ravindra Jaiswal said that this is Yogi Adityanath’s government. Those who create terrorism and destroy the atmosphere will not be spared. Ignorant people forget, but strict action reminds them. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi’s foreign tour and his statement on Operation Sindoor, Ravindra Jaiswal said that anyone who commented on Operation Sindoor is a traitor. If he had his way, NSA should be imposed on such people too. Referring to the brave Abdul Hamid of Ghazipur, he said that we should talk about the true sons of the country. Edited by: Dhirendra Singh About the Author Dhirendra Singh is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He covers politics, crime, governance, and other issues. He also has experience in ground reporting in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir. He has nearly 11 years of experience in journalism, starting his career in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Mumbai Congress minority cell vice-chairman quits party, joins Ajit Pawar-led NCP
Mumbai: Congress minority cell (Mumbai) vice-chairman Haji Mudassar Patel quit the party and joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday. He had joined the Congress in 1995 as a youth activist. Patel, who was close to many past and present senior Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Vilasrao Deshmukh, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde, said he was upset with the way the party leadership treated junior leaders. He alleged that Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi has no time for genuine party workers. “This happened with Himanta Sarma Biswa, Ghulam Nabi Azad and many others. Now, I will put all my efforts behind NCP and strengthen the party in Mumbai and Maharashtra,” he said. Praising Ajit Pawar, Patel called him a visionary leader of Maharashtra who believes in action. “I truly trust his leadership. Under him, the minority community in the state will progress. He is genuinely concerned about our issues and problems, and that gives me confidence in the future,” Patel 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
Gujarat Man arrested for `illegally converting’ people from Dalit tribal communities
Nadiad, A man has been arrested in Gujarat’s Nadiad town for allegedly converting people from the Dalit and tribal communities to Christianity by offering inducements, police said. Steven Macwan, the accused, was held on September 28 after he was allegedly found attempting to convert 59 persons including nine minors at a seminar, the Kheda police said. He was allegedly involved in these activities for the last three years, and received funds from foreign nationals, police said, adding that a local court remanded him in police custody for seven days. “Investigation is ongoing to determine whether the funds provided by foreign nationals were linked to any foreign organisation,” the police release said. Macwan traveled to other parts of Gujarat, the country and even neighboring Nepal to carry out his activities, it claimed. He was booked under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act dealing with conversion through fraud, force, or misrepresentation and `not obtaining prior written permission from the district magistrate for conducting religious conversion’, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The trust the accused was linked to — Restoration Revival Trust — is also under the police’s scanner. Macwan’s bank account showed transactions of around Rs 1.34 crore in the last three years, and involvement of donors from abroad was also revealed, police said. Of those present at the seminar in Nadiad, the nine minors were shifted to a child protection home, the police said, claiming that one of the girls, belonging to a Scheduled Caste, was baptised at the program without her father’s consent. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Girl Gangraped In Chittoor By Men Posing As Forest Officials; Two Arrested, One On The Run
The three men were identified by the police after a group of people convinced the girl’s parents to lodge a complaint. Police arrested two men, who posing as forest department officials gangraped a minor girl in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor last week, on Tuesday and has launched a manhunt for another. The incident has led to a political controversy in the state after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) claimed that the accused are members of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP). The YSRCP has claimed instead that the accused are close to the TDP. The Hindu, which first reported that the accused posed as forest officials in a bid to commit the crime, said in their report that the three men were loan recovery agents. They had first apprehended her and her friend and snatched her gold chain. The newspaper also identified the minor girl as a member of the Dalit community. Both of them had visited the Nagara Vanam recreation park located near a forest area at Murakambattu locality on the outskirts of Chittoor on September 25. Chittoor Deputy Superintendent of Police T. Sainath told the newspaper that the Taluk police registered an FIR on September 29 night based on information provided by the girl’s friend. He added that the victim’s family was initially hesitant to file a complaint, but a special team located them and persuaded them to seek justice. Sources told News18 that M. Mahesh (21), P. Kishore (31) and J. Hemanth Prasad (27), all residents of Chittoor, were identified by the police. Two of the accused, Kishore and Mahesh, have been taken into custody, while a manhunt is underway to trace the third accused, Hemanth. The minor girl’s friend was also thrashed by the trio. Responding to claims that the accused may have recorded video footage of the crime, DSP Sainath told the newspaper that the matter is under investigation and the facts will be clarified in due course. The trio has been booked under the POCSO Act, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police added that Mahesh and Kishore are married and have children. Curated By : Shankhyaneel Sarkar Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Jat-OBC duo replaces Jat-Dalit leadership in Haryana – Congress’s big bet
For the first time in 18 years, the Haryana Congress has excluded Dalits from its leadership, raising questions about Rahul Gandhi’s vision of ‘social justice’. Gurugram: The Haryana Congress has made a major change by appointing Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) and Rao Narendra Singh as the president of the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC). Until now, the party’s top positions were held by Jat-Dalit leaders, but this time, a Jat-OBC leadership duo has emerged. For the first time in nearly two decades—more precisely, 18 years—there will be no Dalit face in the Haryana Congress leadership. Since 2007, the positions of Leader of the Opposition/Chief Minister and State President have been held by Jat-Dalit duos. Before the 2024 assembly elections, the Congress had expressed confidence in the Jat-Dalit duo of Hooda and Uday Bhan. The party had hoped to return to power after 10 years in opposition, but the result surprised not only the Haryana Congress but also the high command. The party then took almost a year to appoint new leaders to both positions. The new Jat-OBC leadership was announced on Monday. The Jat-Dalit alliance in the Haryana Congress began on August 7, 2007, when Phoolchand Mulana was appointed state president. The post fell vacant after Bhajan Lal’s resignation in 2006. In 2007, Bhajan Lal formed his own party, the Haryana Janhit Congress. Hooda remained CLP leader and Chief Minister during Mulana’s tenure, a position he held until October 2014. Following this, on February 14, 2014, the Congress appointed Sirsa MP and Dalit leader Ashok Tanwar as state president in Mulana’s place. Tanwar’s tenure lasted 5 years and 202 days. After Hooda stepped down as CLP leader in 2014, Jat leader Kiran Chaudhary held the position from 2014 to 2019, maintaining the Jat-Dalit alliance. Then, on September 4, 2019, Dalit leader Kumari Selja replaced Tanwar, and Hooda became CLP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly elections held that year. Thus, the Jat-Dalit alliance continued. On April 27, 2022, Dalit leader Uday Bhan replaced Selja, and this alliance continued until the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. According to data from the Centre for the Study of Democratic Societies (CSDS)-Lokniti, Haryana’s Scheduled Caste voters were divided between the BJP (40%) and the Congress (42%) in 2024. Of the 17 SC-reserved seats in the Assembly elections, the BJP won eight, while the Congress secured nine. Congress performed better in the Lok Sabha elections held this year. It countered the BJP’s “400 plus” slogan with the Constitution being in danger, garnering 68% of the Dalit vote. The BJP received only 24% of the Dalit vote. But after the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government attempted to woo the poorest sections, particularly the Valmiki community, by creating sub-categories of Dalits. This severely challenged the Congress’s Dalit vote bank in the assembly elections. Dalits, who constitute 20-21% of the state’s population, have been a key pillar of Congress politics, but cracks are now appearing. Dalits are missing from the Haryana Congress leadership. This is the first time in 47 years that a Jat-OBC alliance has formed a top Congress party. This formula last operated from December 1972 to July 1977. At that time, OBC leader Rao Nihal Singh was the state president, and Jat leader Bansilal was the CLP leader. Bansilal held this position from 1968 to 1975. This year, for the first time, the Haryana Congress will have an OBC leader as its state president. However, the Congress party has never had an OBC Chief Minister. In 1967, Rao Birendra Singh served as Chief Minister for 241 days, representing his own “Vishal Haryana Party.” This decision by the Congress completely excludes Dalits from top party positions. Currently, no party in Haryana has a Dalit leader in a top position. The formation of a Jat-OBC alliance in the Haryana Congress is also surprising because Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has consistently advocated for the promotion of Dalit leaders since entering politics. In 2010, he visited Mirchpur, where Dalits were attacked by the Jat community. At that time, Bhupinder Singh Hooda was the Congress Chief Minister, and Rahul’s visit made him uncomfortable. Political analyst Jyoti Mishra, an assistant professor of political science at Amity University, Mohali, told ThePrint that the Congress high command, by appointing Rao Narendra Singh as HPCC president, has adopted the BJP’s line of OBC politics, but perhaps underestimated its potential consequences. Mishra said, “This decision cuts the Dalit thread within the party that Rahul Gandhi has painstakingly woven over the years. Even before 2007, the Dalit share was very low.” Before Phoolchand Mulana became state president on August 27, 2007, the Congress had only one Dalit president—Kumari Selja’s father, Dalbir Singh, who held the post for 220 days from November 3, 1979, to June 10, 1980. No Dalit has ever become the Chief Minister of Haryana. Political analyst Kushal Pal, principal of Indira Gandhi National College, Ladwa, told ThePrint that while the decision to appoint Rao Narendra Singh as president may seem like a lesson from the BJP, it was also a compulsion for the Congress as the party’s OBC vote bank has almost vanished. Pal said, “Due to the distance from the OBC community—Yadav, Gujjar, Saini, Kamboj—the Congress concentrated on southern Haryana, namely Gurugram, Faridabad, It has almost completely lost its base in Palwal, Rewari, and Mahendragarh. Nuh is the only district where the party can win, and that too because Meo Muslims do not vote for the BJP.” According to Pal, the coronation of Rao Narendra Singh will also provide personal benefits to Hooda. The Kosli assembly constituency falls within the Rohtak Lok Sabha constituency held by his son, Deepender Singh Hooda. Rao Narendra Singh’s Ahir community has a significant number of voters here. Sushil Manav Courtesy: Hindi News
A 12-year-old Dalit boy was locked in a cowshed, then news of his death surfaced… Major questions raised about the silence of political parties!
The Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch raised serious questions about the silence of the government and political parties, warning of a major movement if the culprits are not immediately arrested. Shimla: The tragic incident of caste-based harassment of a 12-year-old Dalit boy in Limbara village, Rohru, has spread like wildfire throughout the region. The boy was allegedly locked in a cowshed, after which he took his own life by consuming poison. The Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch has expressed strong objection to this serious incident and demanded immediate and strict action against the culprits. The Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch strongly condemned the incident and said that the accused should be immediately arrested and the strictest possible action should be taken against them under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act). The Manch also expressed concern about the safety of the victim’s family. They demanded that the victim’s family be given adequate compensation and full protection, so that they are not pressured to withdraw the case or tamper with evidence. Questioning the government’s attitude, the forum stated that the government’s lack of will to effectively implement the SC/ST Act is contributing to the rise in incidents of caste-based atrocities in the state. The forum also expressed deep disappointment over the silence of major political parties like the Congress and BJP on this issue. The forum believes that these parties prioritize vote bank politics over social justice. Suggesting a concrete solution to prevent caste-based atrocities, the forum said that just as awareness campaigns are run against smoking, a comprehensive campaign needs to be launched about the provisions of the SC/ST Act. Jagat Ram, state convener of the Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch, said, “It is the need of the hour to protect the rights of Dalits and stop their exploitation. We want to ensure that those who commit caste-based atrocities are brought to justice.” He also announced that the Manch would launch a massive mass movement against the increasing caste-based incidents and to uphold the Constitution. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
SC/ST court sentences 16 men to 7 years in jail for attacking Dalit settlement
Jodhpur: Jodhpur: A special court for SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act cases in Jodhpur sentenced 16 men to seven years’ imprisonment for assault, arson, firing and damaging properties and valuables at a Dalit settlement in Padasla village near Osian town more than 13 years ago. Police presented strong evidence against a total of 19 accused in their chargesheet, three of whom died during the trial. The other 16 accused were convicted and sentenced on Friday. Pronouncing the sentence, special judge Garima Sauda said punishment must always be handed in proportion to gravity of the crime, and must not be determined by religion, caste or socio-economic status of the victim or accused. The convicts had attacked the Dalit settlement on the night of Jan 31, 2012, accusing members of the community of encroaching on their lands. The victims alleged in their complaint that about two dozen persons arrived in three vehicles, vandalised and set ablaze their huts, assaulted them and opened fire. The SC/ST court noted that a case pertaining to the land dispute between the victims and the accused was pending in a civil court, but abstained from interfering in that matter and limited itself to the case at hand. 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
Dragged by her hair, verbally abused… Dalit engineering student assaulted at Garba event in Gujarat
Mahisagar District Superintendent of Police Safin Hasan stated that the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the SC/ST Cell is investigating the matter. Statements of the victim and the accused are being recorded. Mahisagar: A case of assault on a Dalit student at a Garba event has been reported from Mahisagar district, Gujarat. The incident occurred in Bharaudi village, Virpur taluka. Police have registered a case of assault, derogatory behavior, and casteist slurs against the Dalit girl. Police have filed a case against four women involved in the incident. The accused women include Loma Patel, Roshni Patel, Vrishti Patel, and Meena Patel. The matter came to light when 25-year-old female engineer Rinku Vankar filed an FIR. Rinku is a fourth-year student at the Government Engineering College (GEC) in Gandhinagar. What’s in the complaint? In her police complaint, Rinku stated that on Friday night, she had gone with a friend to attend a Garba event in the village. However, the women present there tried to stop them and used abusive language. Loma, Roshni, and Vrishti Patel first scolded her and then used casteist slurs. They allegedly said that these people were not equal to them and could not participate in Garba. Rinku then had the event’s sound system turned off and complained to Praveen Narsingh Thakor, who was present there. Meena Patel then arrived, and the four women attacked Rinku. Dragged by the hair The complaint states that the accused dragged Rinku out by her hair and when she tried to film the incident, she was stopped. Furthermore, she was hurled casteist slurs and threatened with dire consequences if she returned to Garba. Police have registered a case against the accused under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 54 (offence committed in presence of abettor), 351(1) (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked. Curated by: Rahul Mahajan About the Author Rahul Mahajan is the Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 12 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with organizations such as ETV and News18 (Digital) during his journalistic career. Courtesy: Hindi News