Bihar SIR: Rahul Gandhi repeats voter theft charge; asks if EC is now BJP’s ‘election chori’ branch
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday accused the Election Commission of acting as the BJP’s “election chori wing,” claiming it is helping the saffron party commit voter fraud ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. He reposted a video on X, which claims that government officials were filling out voter forms and signing them without the knowledge of the voters. Rahul Gandhi's post on X Rahul Gandhi questioned whether the Election Commission is still neutral or has become BJP’s “Election Theft” wing.In a post on X, he wrote, “In Bihar, the Election Commission was caught red-handed stealing votes in the name of ‘SIR’. Their job is just theft, named ‘SIR’ – an FIR will be filed against those who expose them! Is the EC still the ‘Election Commission’ or has it completely become BJP’s ‘Election Theft’ wing?” This is not the first time former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has questioned the poll body. He has done so on multiple occasions. Referring to Maharashtra election results, he even wrote a detailed article in a daily newspaper, sparking widespread debate over the credibility and impartiality of the EC. On July 10, the Supreme Court allowed the poll body to continue with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The top court advised the EC to consider accepting Aadhaar, ration card, and voter ID as valid proof of identity. The court said in its order, “We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc. It is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay.” According to the EC, by Saturday evening, 80.11 percent of voters in Bihar had submitted their forms. The commission is aiming to complete the process before the deadline of July 25. The Bihar assembly elections are expected to take place in October or November this year, but the EC has not yet announced an official date. In the upcoming elections, the NDA alliance, made up of BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will try to retain power. The INDIA bloc, consisting of RJD, Congress, and Left parties — will try to defeat CM Nitish Kumar. At present, the Bihar Assembly has 243 seats. The NDA holds 131 of these, BJP has 80 MLAs, JD(U) has 45, HAM(S) has 4, and there are 2 independent MLAs. The INDIA bloc has 111 members — RJD with 77, Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2. 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 woman brutally murdered in Hardoi, head and face were crushed in an attempt to erase identity
Dead body found in field near Gaura Road, mobile and purse missing, forensic investigation underway Hardoi/UP. A case of brutal murder of a Dalit woman has come to light in Madhoganj police station area of the district. The body of the woman was found on Monday morning on the way to the fields about 120 meters inside Gaura Road. The condition of the body was so horrific that her face and head were badly crushed, making it very difficult to identify. According to media reports, the deceased has been identified as Rani alias Ganga (48) wife of Ram Autar, resident of Axiya village. On Sunday morning around 9 am, she had gone to see her nephew at Singh Hospital in Sandila. While returning, she also contacted her husband Ram Autar on phone till Baghauli on the way. After this, there was no contact with him. On Monday morning, when the villagers saw the body of the woman lying on the way to the fields near Gaura Road, sensation spread in the area. On receiving the information, the police reached the spot and took the body into custody and sent it for post-mortem. The deceased’s slippers were found at the scene, but her mobile phone, purse and Aadhar card were missing. The body was found just one kilometer away from the house The deceased’s body was found just one kilometer away from her village. Vimala Guest House is also located about 100 meters away from the scene. In the initial investigation, the police suspect that the woman’s murder was planned and the head and face were crushed with the intention of erasing the identity. Rani was the mother of 8 children There is chaos in the family. The deceased Rani has 8 children, including two sons and six daughters. Five daughters are married, while one daughter and both sons are still unmarried. Husband Ram Avtar takes care of his family by farming. Police started investigation As soon as the information of the incident was received, the police and forensic team reached the spot and collected evidence. SHO Vijay Kumar said that the body has been sent for post-mortem and the forensic team has also examined the spot. All aspects of the murder are being seriously investigated and the incident will be revealed soon. This heinous murder has spread panic and anger in the area. Local people are demanding immediate arrest and strict punishment of the accused. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Dalit artist abused and beaten up? Serious allegations against Kannada Culture Department Director, case registered under SC/ST Act!
Dalit artist alleges caste-related abuse and assault on demand for remuneration pending for three years, FIR lodged with police. Bengaluru – A case has been registered against Kannada and Culture Department Director K.M. Gayatri under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). The action came after a Dalit artist complained that he was abused on caste-related grounds and behaved indecently on demand for pending payments. This complaint was lodged by 55-year-old Jogila Siddaraju at SJ Park Police Station in Bengaluru. According to Siddaraju, he had gone to the director’s office to get the remuneration of a group of artists pending for the last three years released. The complaint states that during the conversation, when the director came to know about his caste, the atmosphere deteriorated. Siddraju alleged that when he threatened to report the matter to higher authorities, Gayatri threw a computer mouse pad at him and also snatched the mobile phone of his colleague, who was trying to record the incident. The complaint also said that the director used casteist slurs against him, which caused him humiliation and mental agony. Police have registered an FIR under several sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and sections of the BNS that deal with voluntarily causing hurt and insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace. Police officials said a detailed investigation into the case was underway. There was no public response from KM Gayatri till the time of writing the report. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Caste violence in Gujarat: Sarpanch and his associates beat up Dalit family for requesting them not to damage drain
Casteist men came together and attacked a Dalit family, using weapons like sticks and gadda patu. The attackers also pelted stones and tried to break the door of the family’s house. Patan: A minor dispute took a violent turn when the village sarpanch and his associates launched a deadly attack on a Dalit family in Datrana village of Santalpur taluka in Patan district of Gujarat on July 16. The incident started when a Dalit man requested them not to damage the drain constructed in front of his house. Enraged over this petty issue, the sarpanch and his associates not only used caste-related slurs but also attacked the family members with weapons like sticks and gadda patu. The incident is yet another example of rising caste violence against the Dalit community in Gujarat, highlighting social inequality and the apathy of the local administration. According to the information given in the FIR, on July 16, around 6:30 pm, Sarpanch Jeevanbhai Savabhai Ahir was removing mud from the road with a JCB machine in Datrana village. During this, Madevbhai Dhawal of the Dalit community requested him not to damage the drain built in front of his house, so that water does not spread on the road and dirt can be avoided. The Sarpanch got angry at this and started abusing Madevbhai, which included caste-related slurs. After this, the Sarpanch attacked Madevbhai with a gadda paatu (a type of tool). When Madevbhai’s family members Muljibhai Danabhai Dhawal, Naranbhai, his wife Upaben, Mayurbhai and Vinodbhai etc. intervened to save him, the Sarpanch called his companions. These included Kishanbhai Jeevanbhai Ahir, Bhachabhai alias Bhappu Patabhai Ahir, Virambhai Savabhai Ahir, Parbatbhai Lalabhai Ahir, Savabhai Lalabhai Ahir, Dalabhai Lalabhai Ahir and other unidentified persons. These people jointly attacked the Dalit family, using weapons like wood and gadda pattu. In the attack, Naranbhai, Upaben, Muljibhai, Mayurbhai and Vinodbhai suffered serious injuries, especially on the back and head. The attackers also pelted stones and tried to break the door of the family’s house. The attackers threatened that “today we have escaped, but next time we will kill you.” The injured were taken to the government hospital in Santalpur through 108 ambulance, where they were given first aid. Following this, Muljibhai Danabhai Dhawal lodged a complaint at the Santalpur police station. The complaint has been filed under sections 3(1)(r) (intentional insult of a person belonging to SC/ST) and 3(1)(s) (using caste-based slurs against a person belonging to SC/ST) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) along with sections of the BNS. The FIR names sarpanch Jeevanbhai Savabhai Ahir, Kishanbhai Jeevanbhai Ahir, Bhachabhai alias Bhappo Patabhai Ahir, Virambhai Savabhai Ahir, Parbatbhai Lalabhai Ahir, Savabhai Lalabhai Ahir and Dalabhai Lalabhai Ahir. Social activist Narendrabhai M Parmar from Patan says the incident in Datrana village is proof that caste mentality is still deeply rooted in society. Caste-based violence against Dalits has been reported repeatedly in Gujarat. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 1,500 cases were registered under the SC/ST Act in Gujarat in 2023, reflecting rising atrocities against the Dalit community. In many cases, especially in rural areas, Dalits are subjected to social boycott, humiliation and violence. Such violence often starts from petty disputes, such as personal lifestyle or participation in social activities. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy : Hindi News
Siddaramaiah challenges BJP to name Dalit leader as PM Modi’s successor
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday suggested to the BJP that it now had a golden chance to name a Dalit leader the next PM as Narendra Modi has turned 75 years and “RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat has signalled at the PM’s political retirement. “ Siddaramaiah, in a media statement addressed to BJP Karnataka President BY Vijayendra, said he must reflect on his own party instead of wasting time talking about Congress. “Let that initiative start with you. Rather than giving lectures to others, why don’t you propose a Dalit leader as BJP’s Prime Ministerial face? Whether it is Govind Karjol or Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, if you propose their names, I will be the first to congratulate you,” the CM said. Karjol and Narayanaswamy are BJP leaders from the SC communities. The CM lashed out at Vijayendra, who, he said, cannot even secure the stability of the very chair he occupies, but was showing the “audacity” to advise the Congress on who should be our Prime Ministerial candidate. “This is not just a display of his ignorance and self-deception, but also an exhibition of his arrogant entitlement.” If Vijayendra has even a habit of reading, let him acquaint himself with the history of how the BJP has treated the backward classes, Dalits, and minorities of this country. Let him reflect on the shameful episode of Bangaru Laxman, a Dalit leader whom the BJP elevated as the party’s national president only to disgrace him with corruption allegations and send him to jail, a humiliation that eventually led to his death, the CM’s statement said. “The BJP never fails to flaunt the name of President Droupadi Murmu. But why has the same BJP never projected her as the Prime Minister of this country? The party brags about making APJ Abdul Kalam the President, yet can Vijayendra answer why the BJP, in the current Lok Sabha, does not have a single Muslim MP? Why was not even a single Muslim leader given a ticket in the last parliamentary election?” Siddaramaiah added: “If evidence is needed on how BJP systematically undermines backward class leaders, look no further than Karnataka. S. Bangarappa, a prominent backward class leader, was politically finished by your father B.S. Yediyurappa. And now, Mr. Vijayendra, you are attempting to end the political career of his son, Kumar Bangarappa. Both father and son have made this their family mission…Let me tell you, be it Bangarappa or Narendra Modi, their safety in BJP exists only as long as they remain subservient to the casteist Hindutva agenda. Mr. Modi must be aware of this uncomfortable truth himself.” He asked Vijayendra to step aside and offer his post to a Dalit leader, if he was truly concerned about the dignity of Dalits and backward classes. “In case you are struggling to find a name, let me suggest one name, which is Govind Karjol. Though he now parrots your party’s tunes, having worked with him, I can vouch that he is fundamentally a decent man. If you or your party have the courage and conviction, declare Karjol as BJP’s State President and your Chief Ministerial face for Karnataka…. But I know you won’t. BJP’s sole purpose is to use Dalit leaders to defame those in other parties while ensuring they never rise to positions of real power or respect within the BJP itself.” The CM added that Mallikarjun Kharge was not just the AICC President but a respected statesman of this country. He did not rise playing a ‘Dalit card’ but through decades of dedication, integrity, and commitment to public service. “His journey never needed any political patronage. And let me be very clear, in Congress, it is our party that decides who our Prime Ministerial candidate will be, not the BJP.” Courtesy : TET Note: This news is originally published on https:/theeconomictimes.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit activists protest against Cong leaders, demand apology
Office-bearers and activists of various organisations working for the welfare of the scheduled castes organised a protest against Congress leader and MLA Junior Henry for allegedly making derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Manwinder Singh Giaspura during the Vidhan Sabha session on Tuesday. Besides organising protest rallies and marches across the Payal Assembly constituency the protestors burnt effigies of Henry. Speakers alleged that the Congress leaders had no respect for Dalits as even their Leader in Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, had insulted them by calling them “material” and making a mockery of them through his jokes in the session. Protestors said that in a democracy, all, including elected representatives, must be treated with respect and derogatory language on a constitutional platform like the Vidhan Sabha must not be tolerated. They demanded that Henry and Bajwa apologise to the Sikh community and MLA Giaspura. Article_Author Our Correspondent 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.
Dalit textile worker dies by suicide in Tiruppur after employer’s threats over alleged theft
Family alleges employer assaulted him, forced land transfer, and police failed to act on complaint TIRUPPUR: A 39-year-old dalit knitwear company employee in Tiruppur killed himself allegedly after he got embroiled in a suspected theft at his workplace. The city police has ordered a detailed probe into the death after his family claimed the company owner threatened and attacked him over the missing of fabric worth Rs 40 lakh from the company. K Dhayalan of Valayankadu in Tiruppur, who was a fabric in-charge in a knitwear company in Kumar Nagar, took own life by consuming poison on Tuesday night, a week after a failed similar bid. He had returned home after treatment following the first poisoning attempt only three days earlier. The Anupparpalayam police have registered a case. The company management had fired him from his job last month after he was blamed for the theft of fabric. Thereafter, the company owner forced him to part with 2.25 cents of land belonging to his family in Pongalur, said police sources. On July 8, Dhayalan’s wife Gomathi filed a complaint at the Tiruppur city police commissioner’s office claiming the company owner had called Dhayalan in person on July 3 and attacked him. “They continue to threaten us even after we gave up our land. Due to this, Dayalin attempted suicide by consuming poison on July 5, and the police should take appropriate action in this regard,” the complaint stated. However, allegedly, the police did not take any action on the complaint, she stated. Speaking to TNIE, S Rajendran, Commissioner of Police, said, “The deceased belonged to a Scheduled Caste community. So I have ordered a detailed investigation into this matter. Appropriate action will definitely be taken against the owners of the knitwear company if the investigation finds any wrongdoing.” Dhayalan is survived by his wife Gomathi and a seven-year-old daughter. 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.
“State Has Been Downgraded…” Rahul, Kharge Write to PM Modi Demanding Statehood for J&K
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. They called the demand a “legitimate” and “constitutional” aspiration of the people. The letter highlights that J&K’s downgrade from a state to a Union Territory is unprecedented in independent India’s history. The Congress leaders also reminded the Prime Minister of his past promises and statements assuring statehood for the region. The letter comes just ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, intensifying pressure on the Centre to act 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.
Should ghosts vote in Bihar, BJP asks Rahul
Patna: The BJP has taken a swipe at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. BJP state spokesperson Neeraj Kumar on Wednesday questioned the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, asking whether he wanted “bhoot-pret” (ghosts) to vote in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. While addressing a rally in Assam on Wednesday, Rahul alleged that a new voter list was being prepared in Bihar by removing the names of lakhs of people. “I want to warn the people of Assam that what they (BJP) did in Maharashtra and what they are trying to do in Bihar, they will try to do the same in Assam as well. It is the responsibility of all of you and us that we do not let them do this,” Rahul said. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) report released on Wednesday, more than 35 lakh (35,69,435) of the total 7.90 crore voters in Bihar were not found at their addresses. “Probably 12,55,620 (1.59%) of them were deceased electors and 17,37,336 (2.2%) have probably shifted permanently so far,” the ECI stated. The BJP’s Neeraj claimed the Congress and RJD wanted even the dead to vote. “The names of those who have died in the last 22 years are still present in the voter list. Should the ECI not remove their names? Does Congress want infiltrators and illegal citizens to vote too? Congress wants to win elections with the help of fake voters,” Neeraj alleged. “Article 326 makes it clear that only Indian citizens have the right to vote. But Congress is constantly opposing constitutional institutions,” he said. BJP ally HAM(S) national president and minister Santosh Suman also criticised the RJD, claiming they had no remorse for the 15 years of jungle raj and were once again trying to scare the people of Bihar to garner votes. 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.
Minor Dalit girl in UP’s Badaun alleges rape main accused arrested
Budaun (UP), (PTI) A 15-year-old Dalit in the Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh has accused a young man of raping her and his three companions of molestation, a police official said on Tuesday. The official added that a case has been registered in this connection and the main accused has been arrested. SHO of Alapur police station Udayveer Singh told PTI that the case has been registered against the accused for molestation, tearing the clothes, indulging in violence, hurling abuses and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. When asked whether the section of rape has been added against the accused, the SHO said that action will be taken on the basis of the statement given by the minor girl. According to police sources, the victim’s father filed a complaint alleging that his daughter had gone to dump garbage at 5.30 pm on July 14, when Mohit and Nanhe (brothers) and their two other companions, who were already sitting there, molested and hurled casteist slurs at her. “Meanwhile, Mohit raped my daughter, while Nanhe and two other boys beat and molested her while using casteist slurs,” the father said in his complaint. Hearing the screams of the girl, the villagers reached there and caught Mohit and handed him over to the police, while his three companions managed to escape. Circle Officer (CO), Dataganj, KK Tiwari said that the girl’s statement is being recorded and she has been sent for medical examination. “As of now, a case has been registered on the basis of the complaint,” Tiwari said. He also said that main accused Mohit (21) has been arrested, and Nanhe (19) and his two companions are being searched for. (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/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.