‘Dalits refused booking of wedding halls in Tiruppur’s Sivanmalai foothills’
Hall owners fear people from other castes will not book their halls if they allow people from scheduled castes. TIRUPPUR: Wedding hall owners at Sivanmalai in Kangeyam of Tiruppur district are suspected of caste discrimination against Scheduled Castes. Officials from the district administration said an investigation into the matter is underway. It has been alleged Dalit people are finding it difficult to book wedding halls located in the foothills of Sivanmalai to hold auspicious events, including weddings. P Kalimuthu, district secretary of the Aathi Thamizhar Munnetra Kazhagam, said, “People from not only Tiruppur district but also from nearby districts come to the Murugan Temple at Sivanmalai. There is a belief among the public that if auspicious events, including marriages, are held at Sivanmalai, they will get the grace of Lord Murugan. But SC people are refused booking of private halls in the foothills of Sivanmalai.” “Out of the 20 wedding halls two belong to the trusts of two specific castes. All other halls are private halls. The norms for halls state that all castes should be allowed. But these halls do not allow people from Scheduled Castes to hold auspicious events. The situation is similar in Kangeyam city. Hall owners fear people from other castes will not book their halls if they allow people from scheduled castes,,” he added. “Scheduled Caste people are facing great difficulty in booking halls for auspicious days. Sometimes, they hold weddings in their village temples and host receptions and other events by setting up tents in their homes. Only a few socially minded people provide halls to SC people. The state government should conduct an investigation and take appropriate action in this regard,” Kalimuthu further said. A Dalit villager said: “There is a private hall on the Kangeyam-Tiruppur road, one kilometre from the foothills of Sivanmalai. SC people are allowed there because its contractor is also a Dalit.” However, the hall owners denied the allegations. PS Chellamuthu, a wedding hall owner, said, “The rent in the halls ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Some halls in Kangeyam are charging even Rs 4.5 lakh. They cannot afford to pay these charges and ask for a lower amount. But we can’t reduce the charge. Some people are falsely complaining that we are refusing to book halls for SC people. We do not discriminate on the basis of caste when booking halls. We provide the hall to whoever pays our charges.” KS Mani, another hall owner, said, “My hall is a small one. I am providing it to all community people. I will provide the hall to whoever pays the charge.” Officials from the district administration said, “We also received a complaint regarding this. An investigation into the matter is underway. Appropriate action will be taken after the investigation.” P Srinivasan Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Expert group submits report on caste survey to Telangana govt
HYDERABAD: The Independent Expert Working Group (IEWG), led by former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy, submitted its 300-page report to the state govt on Saturday. The group termed the methodology of the Congress govt-conducted Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey as scientific, authentic, and reliable, stating that it will become a role model for the nation. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, along with deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, some ministers received the report at a programme at MCRHRD Institute. The CM said the report would be placed in the next cabinet meeting, likely to be held on July 25, for discussion. The 300-page report assumes significance as the govt is set to earmark 42% reservations to the Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies and is awaiting approval of the ordinance it sent to the governor. The high court had directed the state govt to complete the election to panchayats by Sept 30, including fixing reservations in a month. CM Revanth said, “This is not just data but Telangana’s mega health check-up X-ray. As promised by Rahul Gandhi, we successfully conducted a caste survey in the state. This report will be useful for the uplift of the weaker sections in the state and for implementing social justice.” Revanth further requested the expert group to study the differences between urban and rural areas and the reasons for them. “We request the committee to identify the needs of the people and give appropriate suggestions,” he added. Sources told TOI that the report submitted by the expert group calculated a composite backwardness index (CBI) for each of the 242 castes in the SEEEPC survey. The report presents a first-of-its-kind analytical model to measure socio-economic backwardness and assigns a CBI score and rank for all 242 castes. The expert group was tasked to study, verify, analyse, and interpret the SEEEPC survey data of various castes. It was appointed on March 12, 2025. Kancha Ilaiah (vice chairman), Praveen Chakravarthy (convenor), Prof Shantha Sinha, Sukhadeo Thorat, Himanshu, Nikhil Dey, Prof Bhangya Bhukya, and Prof K Purushottam Reddy, among others, comprise the expert working group that studied, verified, analysed, and interpreted the SEEEPC survey. Meanwhile, Telangana BC Commission chairman G Niranjan on Saturday said the independent expert group has submitted its report on the caste survey to the state govt, adding that it will serve as a valuable tool for advancing social justice. He recommended that the report be made public to ensure transparency. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Cong may announce district prez appointments by month-end
Bhopal: The AICC is likely to clear the list of district presidents for the state by the end of the month. Sources in the state Congress office said the final discussions were between PCC chief Jitu Patwari, AICC general secretary for Madhya Pradesh affairs Harish Chaudhary and national party organisational general secretary KC Venugopal. “Reports submitted by the central observers and state observers are being matched to select the final names for 60 organisational district presidents for Madhya Pradesh,” a source said. Meanwhile, Patwari, LOP Umang Singhar and a few more senior functionaries from the state have visited New Delhi to speak to central leaders on their choice of district presidents. However, the AICC officially asked state leaders not to come to Delhi. Instead, they have been asked to send letters if they have suggestions. So far, district president appointments were influenced by recommendations of senior leaders. But on June 3, Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi launched the CWC-approved Sangathan Srajan Abhiyan, the restructuring of the Congress party organization in the state. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to undergo the remodeling of the party after the pilot project has been completed in Gujarat. At the CWC meeting in Ahmedabad in April, the Congress’ highest decision-making body decided to restructure the organization and match up with the BJP’s organizational strength. It was decided to start with Gujarat as the model state. After Rahul Gandhi’s visit, it was decided that the first phase of organizational restructuring would start with the appointment of Congress district presidents. AICC general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh affairs Harish Chaudhary had claimed that appointment of district president would be completed by June 20. However, a month has passed since the deadline and the party is still discussing names of candidates and matching the ground reports prepared by AICC observers and state Congress observers who went to the districts and spoke to party workers. Speaking to TOI, state Congress media cell chief and former minister Mukesh Nayak denied the district president appointments have been delayed. “We are not running late. The AICC sent central observers to the districts and thereafter, the state observers also visited the grassroots to ask party workers to name suitable district presidents,” Nayak explained. “The reports of the AICC observers and the state observers are being matched. The meetings are in the final stages, and we can expect the list of district presidents to be released by the AICC soon,” he said. Party spokesman Abbas Hafeez argued, “Madhya Pradesh is a big state. And there are districts with two organizational presidents’ posts – one for rural and the other for urban areas like Bhopal city Congress president and Bhopal rural district president. The democratic process takes time. And unlike the BJP, the Congress will not announce district presidents one by one. The high command will announce the names soon.” Ruling BJP took a dig. State BJP media department chief Ashish Agarwal took to X and said, “Congress district president appointment is not about capabilities but depends on a quota system. If a person fits the ‘quota’, only then will he get the district president’s chair. Democracy be doomed, here only the leaders’ recommendation prevails.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit student found dead on Armoor Social Welfare Residential College campus, family alleges negligence
Teen from Dalit family found hanging in Telangana welfare college; staff under scanner after family questions handling NIZAMABAD : Intermediate second-year student Gaddam Santhosh (19), studying at the Social Welfare Residential College near Pipri road under Armoor police station limits, tragically died by suicide on Saturday morning. He was found hanging from a tree on the college premises. After the morning physical exercises, college staff and students noticed Santhosh was missing. A search led to the heartbreaking discovery, and police and family members were immediately informed. Santhosh’s body was shifted to the government hospital for a postmortem and later handed over to the family. A resident of Arepally in Nizamsagar mandal and belonging to the Dalit community, Santhosh came from a financially constrained background. His father is employed in Dubai, while his brothers work in Hyderabad. According to G Punachandar Rao, Incharge Regional Coordinator of Social Welfare Residential Junior Colleges, Santhosh had returned to the Velpur College (which shares a campus with the Armoor College) on July 9 after the summer break. He had attended morning exercises and was last seen heading to the bath around 6:40 am. He was found dead around 7:40 am. Punachandar Rao added that Santhosh was not academically weak but had passed only four subjects in his first year. The transition from Telugu to English medium may have affected his academic comfort, and students suggested that limited friendships might have contributed to his emotional struggles. However, no direct evidence supports these speculations. Santhosh’s brother, Sreenu, lodged a police complaint, expressing doubts about the role of the principal and physical education trainer. Armoor Police Officer Satyanarayana Goud confirmed that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Neha’ was Abdul all along: Bangladeshi arrested after 28 years in India
Widely known as ‘Neha Kinnar’ in the locality where he was staying, Abdul Kalam entered India at the age of 10 and went on to spend nearly 20 years in Mumbai before moving to Bhopal. He maintained the identity of a transgender woman for at least eight years in Bhopal to avoid detection by local authorities.Amritanshi Joshi After at least eight years of living under the guise of a transgender woman—and nearly three decades in total of residing in India undetected—Bhopal Police have arrested a Bangladeshi man, Abdul Kalam, who was living under the alias Neha. During an ongoing crackdown on illegal migrants, Bhopal police officials discovered that Abdul had carefully constructed a false identity as an Indian citizen, having forged documents including an Aadhaar card, voter ID, and even a passport. Police further found that Abdul had made multiple visits to Bangladesh during his nearly thirty-year stay using the forged passport. Abdul was arrested in the intervening night between Monday and Tuesday, following a coordinated, intelligence-led operation. Widely known as “Neha Kinnar” in the locality where he was staying, Abdul entered India at the age of 10 and went on to spend nearly 20 years in Mumbai before moving to Bhopal, sources close to the investigation told India Today TV. They further revealed that he maintained the identity of a transgender woman for at least eight years in Bhopal to avoid detection by local authorities. The accused had lived in various houses within Bhopal’s Budhwara locality. Residents recognised him solely by this identity. Authorities have confirmed that Abdul also travelled to and from Bangladesh using his counterfeit Indian passport, raising significant concerns about the integrity of national documentation systems and border security. Police have seized multiple falsified documents from his possession, and an investigation is currently underway to determine the extent of the document fraud and whether he was assisted by a broader network. The Intelligence Bureau and the Anti-Terrorism Squad have joined the investigation, given the serious national security implications of the case. Cybercrime specialists are analysing Abdul’s seized mobile phone, mining call logs, messaging history, and data connections to uncover potential co-conspirators or a deeper syndicate facilitating such identity fraud. “We received credible information through a confidential informant, which led to his identification and subsequent arrest. He has been residing in Bhopal for nearly a decade, but prior to that, he lived in Maharashtra. During this time, he had also returned to Bangladesh, which he managed to do using forged Indian credentials. The investigation is ongoing, and we are closely coordinating with central agencies,” said senior police official Shalini Dixit. She added that the matter is extremely serious, which is why the details of the operation have been kept completely confidential. Interrogation of the individual posing as a transgender woman is currently underway. Meanwhile, police are now preparing to conduct a gender verification test to determine whether Neha is biologically transgender or had been disguising himself as one to conceal his identity. Abdul has been placed under 30-day detention while the authorities initiate formal deportation procedures. Police are also probing whether his transgender identity was genuine or adopted purely as a means of deception. Investigators are examining whether any members of the local transgender community knowingly or unknowingly assisted him. A separate team from the Crime Branch is questioning his known associates. Officials have restricted access to Abdul, allowing only the station in-charge and two designated female officers to interact with him. The Centre has also been notified of the arrest, and multiple intelligence wings are actively involved in reviewing the data and evaluating the potential breach. He is currently in police custody at the Talaiya Police Station, where he is being interrogated under high security. Edited By: Sayan Ganguly Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
From Catwalk to Caste War: Meet Sanjeev Dom, Bihar Model-Turned-Dalit Rights-Champ
From a decorated stage to dusty village lanes, Sanjeev Dom emerged as a real changemaker. The transformation is made through toil, sweat, and purpose. Khagaria: He set the ramp on fire with his flamboyant and sashaying moves in numerous fashion shows till he found an inner sense of purpose, responding to the call of his soul. Leaving the world of glam and glitz for a social cause may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for Sanjeev Kumar, who loves to be called ‘Sanjeev Dom,’ the exit came easily. Sanjeev showed a deep sense of purpose and urgency for fighting caste discrimination in Bihar’s most neglected corners. With stars in his eyes, Bihar native Sanjeev Kumar moved to Delhi dazzled in Delhi ramps model from Delhi who traded the glamour of the runway for the gritty, soul-testing mission of fighting caste discrimination in Bihar’s most neglected corners. A wedding that charted a new course What was the trigger? Soon after he returned to his ancestral village Parbatta, in Khagaria district, for his sister’s wedding, he witnessed something that changed his heart forever. “How do you feel when guests from the upper caste are served food in neat and clean rows, while members of the Dom and Musahar communities are left to pick up leftovers from soiled banana leaves?” he asks. He continues, “I couldn’t ignore it. It shook my soul. It’s like dignity was being dumped on the ground and trampled,” Sanjeev recalls. According to Kumar, he made a promise to himself that he would fight for the justice of those who are discriminated. Becoming a funeral worker Though he was born into an upper-caste family, Sanjeev did the unthinkable just to fight the discrimination. He also added “Dom” to his name. It wasn’t a show but a rebellion in the true sense of the term. “In the eyes of the Constitution, all humans are equal. Why is there so discrimination then?” he asks. Carrying forward the conversation, he says, “This question arose in my mind. I felt that now someone should come forward and raise a voice for these deprived communities. I thought I should be that person, so I started adding ‘Dom’ to my name. He continues, “The only purpose of adding Dom to my name is to give society a signal that this caste deserves respect and not shame. I started teaching their children by bathing them, dressing them, and making them sit with dignity. I tried to send them to school. Gradually, awareness came.” Building the trust among the outcast & shared struggle In 2006, Sanjeev formed the Outcast Welfare Organisation. It was not an NGO, but a ‘people-oriented platform’. It began with a humble note and not with foreign funds. Gradully, the organisation spread its wings in 18 districts of Bihar, bringing education, dignity, and opportunity for the grassroots and neglected people. Satyamev Jayate & Aamir Khan The first big recognition came when Aamir Khan’s iconic show ‘Satyamev Jayate’ featured his story in 2012. Aamir’s team scanned through the areas of Parbatta and Khagaria. They closely observed Kumar’s team’s work and took visuals. Khan was deeply moved by Sanjeev’s story, his struggle and dedication. Kumar was invited as a special guest at the Mumbai studio, where he shared his experiences. Awards and recognitions Sanjeev was awarded the Karmaveer Chakra by the United Nations and Icongo for his social work for social change. In 2021, the then Vice President Venkaiah Naidu honoured him. His story of struggle found a place in the book ‘The Vision of Antyodaya’ published by the Ministry of Culture. Even during the Covid outbreak, instead of retreating, Kumar conducted tests, ran vaccination and awareness campaigns in Dalit settlements. For his extraordinary contribution, he was also awarded a gold medal by the United Nations and iCONGO. A special appreciation came from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2024. Speaking at the launch ceremony of RSS’s book ‘Seva Samarpan’, he lauded Sanjeev’s work. A new dawn in Dalit colonies Sanjeev empowered those who once languished in despair. They are now brimming with joy and recognition. Girish Malik, once neglected, is now a government supervisor. Santosh, a former sanitation worker, is pursuing his MA. Pratap, who once struggled to survive, now works at Bandhan Bank. Once condemned to leftovers, these young men and women are now writing their futures. From a decorated stage to dusty village lanes, Sanjeev Dom emerged as a real changemaker. The transformation is made through toil, sweat, and purpose. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
TN Dalit temple entry row undermines DMK’s social justice claims
Activists say denial of temple access to Dalits remains a serious issue in many villages While DMK leaders are actively promoting social justice and equality in their election campaigns ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, their alliance partners are upset over the insensitivity shown by authorities in handling cases related to Dalit temple entry. In a recent verdict on a case involving the denial of temple entry to Dalits in Ariyalur, the Madras High Court warned officials of legal consequences if they failed to ensure Dalit participation in the annual car festival of the Puthukudi Ayyanar Temple, from July 16 to 31. Serious issue Justice Anand Venkatesh, ruling on a petition filed by A Venkatesan, who alleged that Dalits were prevented from entering the temple by a dominant caste group in 2019, made it clear that officials are duty-bound to implement the court’s order both in letter and spirit. Activists say that the denial of temple access to Dalits remains a serious issue in many villages. For instance, in January 2023, around 250 Dalits entered the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kallakurichi district for the first time with police protection. In the same month, Dalits also entered the Sri Muthalamman Temple in Tiruvannamalai district for the first time in 70 years. In both cases, Dalits had to move the court to secure access. Several such incidents have come to light only after legal intervention. Dalit rights activist A Kathir told The Federal that 35 temple entry-related cases were filed in various Tamil Nadu courts over the past three years. According to him, officials often call for peace committee meetings merely to delay Dalit entry. VCK slams DMK govt D Ravikumar, general secretary of VCK, a Dalit party and DMK ally, slammed the government for failing to sensitise officials to caste discrimination. “Why do officials remain insensitive in addressing caste discrimination in a timely manner? They cannot claim ignorance. It is unfair that Dalits must approach the courts to exercise their constitutional right to enter temples even after 75 years of independence,” Ravikumar told The Federal. He questioned why officials act swiftly to remove political party flags but hesitate to take action against dominant caste groups that practice untouchability. “Practising untouchability is a crime. Officials can register cases under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, against individuals or groups that prevent Dalits from accessing public places. The punishment includes up to five years of imprisonment. But I haven’t heard of anyone being imprisoned for blocking temple entry since the Act was enacted,” he added. What DMK said Other alliance leaders of the CPI and CPI(M) too criticised the DMK government’s handling of caste discrimination. CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan told The Federal that officials with casteist mindsets must be identified and reformed. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said repeated failures by officials to file cases against those who deny Dalits entry into temples and other places of worship. When The Federal contacted DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan about the issue, he said officials in Ariyalur had been instructed to ensure Dalit participation in the temple festival without further delay. “The DMK government has shown great commitment to implementing social justice policies. We have enacted special laws to empower Dalits and members of all castes to become temple priests. Some incidents still occur due to the regressive mindset of caste groups,” he said. On allegations of negligence by authorities, Elangovan added, “There have been many instances where authorities have intervened in support of Dalits accessing temples and other public spaces. Some cases may require more focused attention. But, overall, the DMK government is sensitive to Dalit concerns and does not ignore instances of caste discrimination.” Pramila Krishnan Courtesy : The Federal Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefederal.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
AAP failed Dalits, showing bias in sacrilege law: BJP leader
Ludhiana: Former MP and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Rinku has accused AAP govt of cheating the Dalits of the state. In a press conference at the BJP office here Friday, Rinku said AAP made several commitments to woo the state’s 31% dalit population before elections. Among them were the appointment of a deputy CM from the Dalit community if AAP were to form its govt in Punjab. But three-and-a-half years have passed since it came to power, and a deputy CM has not been appointed, he alleged. Rinku said AAP’s prominent leaders had also promised the formation of a special SIT to address atrocities and false cases against Dalits, recommending strict punishments. He described the sacrilege law as politically motivated, stating that he has suffered its consequences for three-and-a-half years. The former (Jalandhar MP said, “All this while they did not remember to bring a sacrilege law. Now that the elections are near, the govt has suddenly remembered this law.” Criticising the bill for its “selective and biased approach towards protecting religious texts”, he said while it includes Guru Granth Sahib, Gutka Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, it disregards the holy texts of Buddhism, Jainism and Parsis. tnn Rinku argued that this bias reflects religious discrimination and violates the spirit of equality under the law. Additionally, he pointed out that the bill ignores the rich folk traditions and culturally significant religious practices of Punjab, which are integral to the people’s identity. By focusing solely on mainstream religious texts and overlooking diverse spiritual expressions, Rinku claimed the bill demonstrates a narrow vision and flawed intent. BJP district president Rajnesh Dhiman was also present at the presser. Senior BJP leaders Dr D Khosla, District General Secretary Yashpal Janotra, Vice President Dr Nirmal Nayyar, SC Morcha President Ajay Pal Disawar, District Press Secretary Dr Satish Kumar and SC Morcha District General Secretary Vijay Khatak attended the press conference. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Shobha questions Cong commitment to promoting Dalit leadership
Mysuru: Union minister of state Shobha Karandlaje on Friday questioned Congress’ commitment to promoting Dalit leadership. Speaking to reporters, she attacked Congress functionaries for asking BJP to appoint a Dalit to the post of state party chief. “Congress leaders, including chief minister Siddaramaiah, are trying to divert the attention of people by questioning BJP’s commitment to promoting Dalits. Congress failed to initiate development works and fulfil the guarantee schemes,” she said. “Let Congress leaders concentrate on the development of the state instead of diverting the people’s attention,” she added. Shobha said she doesn’t know for what purpose Congress leaders are holding Sadhana Samavesha in Mysuru. “On the one hand, people of the state are cursing govt for the collapse of law and order, increasing crime, rape against women, and attacks on police stations. On the other hand, they are upset over not implementing the development works,” she said. “The state govt has no money to clear the transportation bills of contractors supplying Anna Bhagya rice to KFCSC warehouses and ration shops. It has no money to repair KSRTC buses and to release salaries for the govt staff,” she charged. “Moreover, several Congress MLAs openly raised their voice against their govt for not providing funds for development works in their constituencies,” she claimed. She accused Congress functionaries of neglecting the development of the state but fighting for the CM’s post. However, she refused to comment on the change of CM in the state, describing it as an internal issue of Congress. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
AAP govt ignored Dalit community on desecration issue, says BJP
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader SR Ladhar on Friday slammed the AAP government over the anti-sacrilege Bill, saying it lacked a provision to punish desecration of idols and scriptures revered by the Dalit community. “This omission clearly reflects AAP’s disregard for Dalit religious sentiments,” he told reporters here, adding that the Bill omitted any reference to works and idols of Guru Ravidas, saint Kabir and Bhagwan Valmiki, saint Kabir and saint Nabha Das. He alleged that while the Bill was cleared by the Cabinet and tabled in the Vidhan Sabha, none of the Dalit ministers or AAP MLAs raised any objections to the omission. “Despite having representation from the Valmiki Samaj, Ravidasia Samaj, Kabir Panth and Mahasha Samaj, no leader spoke out. They have forgotten their responsibilities towards their communities,” said Ladhar. Ladhar also alleged that the government was using such legislation to divert public attention from pressing issues in the state, including the failure of the land pooling scheme, the worsening drug crisis, and deteriorating law and order. Meanwhile Punjab Minister Balbir Singh said the Bill was “all-inclusive and democratic in nature”. Article_Author Mohit Khanna Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.