YSRC Resolves To Protect Dalit Rights
The SC Cell resolved to staunchly oppose the privatisation of the iconic Dr. BR Ambedkar statue. Vijayawada: The YSRC’s SC cell, under the leadership of state president T.J.R. Sudhakar Babu, convened the districts’ SC Cell presidents’ meeting here on Saturday to address critical issues affecting the Dalit community. The meeting, attended by central office incharge and MLC Lella Appi Reddy, SC Cell Working President Kommoori Kanakaraju, and district SC division presidents, outlined a robust action plan to safeguard Dalit rights and counter challenges posed by the coalition government. The SC Cell resolved to staunchly oppose the privatisation of the iconic Dr. BR Ambedkar statue at Swaraj Maidan in Vijayawada, a landmark established with pride by the Y.S. Jagan government. Sudhakar Babu, addressing the media, declared, “We will not allow the privatisation of this symbol of Dalit pride. Protest programmes will be organised in front of Ambedkar statues across all districts to protect this legacy.” The Cell directed district leaders to respond swiftly to atrocities and harassment faced by Dalits under the coalition government, ensuring immediate action to address community grievances. Emphasising proactive advocacy, the SC Cell committed to coordinating efforts at the state level to fight for justice on various Dalit issues. “Our leaders will lead from the front to ensure justice for our people,” Sudhakar Babu asserted, urging district leaders to strengthen the SC division by expediting committee appointments and amplifying the community’s voice through social media. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Bulandshahr News: Poor Dalit’s plea to PM Modi.. Government, get an engine worth 17 crores installed.
Bulandshahr News: Osteogenesis Imperfection Type-B is a disease. Which has no cure in India. Only an engine worth 17 crores from abroad can give life to Duggu. Bulandshahr News: For the poor, the government has made treatment facilities available under Ayushman Yojana for treatment up to Rs 5 lakh. For major treatment, there is a facility of treatment on the recommendation of MP MLA from CM and PM Relief Fund. But how can this disease be treated, how can the 17 crores engine be given to the innocent Duggu of Syana so that he can get well, can stand and walk on his own, can read and write with his hands. Duggu’s parents claim that their innocent son has a disease called “Osteogenesis Imperfection Type-B”. Which has no cure in India. Only an engine worth 17 crores from abroad can give life to Duggu. That’s why Now, Duggu’s Dalit parents have appealed to PM Modi and CM Yogi to get their son treated as well. Is there no treatment for Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type-B in India? Actually, auto driver Akash Gautam, who lives in Syana of Bulandshahr district, has two sons. The younger son Duggu is 3 years and 10 months old. He is suffering from a fatal disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta type B. It is said that in this disease, the bones of the child do not develop, and due to this disease, the bones of the child become weak, that is why Duggu can neither sit nor stand. It is as if the hands and legs are hanging from the joints. Innocent Duggu seems mentally ill, he understands the questions and answers them properly. But he cannot stand on his own. Duggu cannot go to school due to his illness. But he still has to face the Prime Minister of the country, the CM of UP, the Constitution. The names of the creator Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Savitri Bai Phule who lit the flame of women’s education are well known. Not only this, innocent Duggu has appealed to PM Modi that the government should also get him treated, so that he can also stand on his own feet and grow up to serve the society and the nation. Duggu’s father even sold his auto to test the treatment of his son, now along with the treatment of Duggu, the crisis of daily bread has also started to arise for the family. Although Mukesh manages to arrange for two meals a day by driving an e-rickshaw, but he is disappointed about the treatment of his son. According to Akash, when Duggu was born, he had difficulty in breathing, after keeping him on oxygen for about 2 hours continuously, Duggu regained breath. A wave of happiness ran in the family. The father told that during that time he was crying more than other newborns. Three days later, when the family saw Duggu, marks of injury were visible on his body. When he was more than one and a half years old, Duggu started speaking but he was still not able to sit. Since then till today he is neither able to sit nor stand. Both the parents are illiterate, so no one in the world tells them about Duggu’s disease or its treatment. However, they have met many people who claimed that Duggu’s treatment is possible but its cost is in crores. Now you can understand how Akash, an auto driver living in a one room house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, will be able to get his son treated. Courtesy: Sandeep Tayal, Hindi News
10 Dalit professors from Bangalore University resign from administrative roles alleging caste discrimination
Ten Dalit professors at Bangalore University have resigned from their additional administrative responsibilities, alleging caste-based discrimination in role allotments, being relegated to mere “in-charge” positions as a deliberate attempt to curtail their authority, and the denial of earned leave benefits. The professors stated that while they were previously entrusted with meaningful administrative responsibilities alongside their academic duties, they are now being assigned only “in-charge” roles—something they see as a deliberate attempt to curtail their authority. The professors, including Prof. C. Somashekar, Director of the Ambedkar Research Centre; Nagesh P.C., Director of Student Welfare; Sudesh V., Co-ordinator of PM-USHA; and Muralidhar B.L., Director of the Distance and Online Education Centre, alleged that the university is denying them earned leave benefits linked to their additional responsibilities. In a letter addressed to the Registrar (Administration) of Bangalore University, the professors expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, “While giving additional administrative responsibilities, it is just mentioned as ‘in-charge’, and there is also an attempt to avoid crediting our Earned Leaves.” They further alleged that “despite repeated requests regarding this issue, there was no response from the university authorities.” Citing these ongoing concerns, they said, “Hence, we are all submitting resignations for the additional responsibilities given to us.” Many believe this incident reflects a pattern of exclusion, harassment, and denial of opportunities for Dalit professors, often exacerbated by institutional failures to implement anti-discrimination policies effectively. Earlier in 2024, a Dalit associate professor at IIM Bangalore filed a complaint of caste-based discrimination, which was later confirmed by the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, citing public caste disclosure, denial of opportunities, and lack of grievance mechanisms. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Aurangabad Bench directs FIR in Dalit law student’s custodial death case
Bombay High Court observes prima facie custodial torture; orders Parbhani police to register case within a week In a significant development in the case concerning the alleged custodial death of 35-year-old Dalit law student Somnath Suryawanshi, the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday (July 4, 2025) directed the Parbhani police to register a First Information Report (FIR) within a week, noting prima facie evidence of custodial torture and violation of fundamental rights. A Division Bench comprising Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Sanjay A. Deshmukh passed the interim order in response to a petition filed by Mr. Suryawanshi’s 61-year-old mother, Vijayabai Vyankat Suryawanshi. The petitioner alleged that her son was subjected to brutal torture during his illegal detention following a protest in Parbhani on December 11, 2024, and that authorities subsequently attempted to cover up his death as a cardiac incident. Mr. Suryawanshi, a final-year law student and a member of a Scheduled Caste family from Latur, was reportedly arrested while filming a protest against the desecration of a replica of the Constitution near a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The petition alleged that despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, he and several others were picked up during an indiscriminate police crackdown, subjected to custodial assault, and denied timely medical attention. The petition stated, “In the videos, it could be seen that Somnath was carrying the book of the Constitution of India and recording the incident in the protest. His arrest was illegal and then he was subjected to inhuman atrocities. He as well as other persons were produced before the Magistrate on 12.12.2024. The others were also subjected to brutality and their injuries were visible, swollen, however, they were afraid to speak to the Magistrate due to the threats those were given. The Court had granted police custody of two days. Further brutal assault was given to Somnath. His situation had worsened when he was again produced before the Magistrate on 14.12.2024. Thereafter, his custody was transferred to Magisterial custody. Around 6.49 a.m. suddenly Somnath died on 15.12.2024, while in judicial custody.” It was further submitted that police claimed Mr. Suryawanshi had complained of chest pain prior to his death. “The police had then informed around 9.00 a.m. of 15.12.2024 that whether Somnath was her son and what his caste is. It was then informed to her that Somnath passed away due to heart attack. In the post-mortem primary reasons were assigned by the concerned Doctor as ‘shock due to multiple injuries’,” the petition stated. The petitioner also alleged that on reaching Parbhani, she was taken by Police Officer Ashok Ghorband to the Inspector General of Police, where she was informed that Somnath’s brothers could be offered police jobs and was advised to perform the last rites in Latur instead of Parbhani. She further claimed she was offered ₹50 lakh to refrain from filing a complaint. She declined, demanding that her son’s death be acknowledged as custodial murder and not classified as death by natural causes. The court noted that the post-mortem, conducted by a seven-member medical team, had recorded 24 visible injuries and concluded that the cause of death was “shock following multiple injuries”. A judicial inquiry under Section 196 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) also reportedly found gross human rights violations and directly linked the death to custodial assault. “This Court cannot remain a mute spectator when constitutional rights of a person in custody are prima facie violated,” the Bench observed, criticising the State for failing to register a cognisable offence despite substantial evidence from the post-mortem, inquest report, and the magistrate’s findings. The Bench further questioned the delay by the CID in acting on the findings and expressed concern over the credibility of the internal inquiry, which bypassed the autopsy doctors and instead sought a second opinion from J.J. Hospital, Mumbai. The court has directed that an FIR be registered based on the petitioner’s complaint dated December 18, 2024, and that the investigation be handed over to a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The prior order restraining CID officer D.B. Talpe from submitting a final report has been vacated following this direction. While passing only an interim order with respect to the FIR, the court has kept the remaining prayers – including demands for the suspension of officers involved and the framing of custodial death guidelines – pending for further hearing on July 30. Courtesy : Purnima Sah, The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Tamil Nadu: Dalit sanitation workers allege casteist abuse, forced to clean faeces; probe underway
Four Dalit sanitation workers from Melpathi Village in Villupuram district have alleged that they were verbally abused and forced to clean faeces with bare hands. Following this, the government has ordered an inquiry into the allegations. One of the workers alleged that he and three of his colleagues were repeatedly abused by Melpathi panchayat president and a few Hindu residents. The workers alleged, “We were humiliated, intimidated and forced to do demeaning jobs making us feel like we didn’t belong here.” The workers also said that they were forced to sign blank papers that were later used to withdraw the complaints the workers had made. The complaint was filed in May this year. As stated by the workers, the officers forced them into signing fake documents to make it appear that they have dropped the case. They also alleged that the police supported and aided one of the accused, Maniv who assaulted one of the workers. The workers have now been removed from working in Caste Hindu areas. They also demanded that action be taken against the accused and the police who helped them. No action has been taken since the complaint was withdrawn in the presence of Koliyanur Block Development Officer, said Villupuram SP Sarvanan. Courtesy : Muslim Mirror Note: This news is originally published on https:/muslimmirror.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Sudesh Kataria launches next phase of Dalit outreach in Haryana
Nambardar meet in Yamunanagar and student felicitation in Kapalmochan to strengthen grassroots engagement and showcase government efforts in Dalit welfare Chandigarh: Sudesh Kataria, Chief Media Advisor to Union Minister for Energy, Housing, and Urban Development Manohar Lal, is expanding his community outreach initiative in Haryana. After successfully organizing Dalit conferences in 12 districts under the ‘Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhiman’ campaign, Sudesh Kataria will now begin engagement programs with key social groups, starting with a Nambardar Milan Samaroh this Saturday. The interaction will take place in village Sabilpur, Bilaspur block, Yamunanagar district. Nambardars (village headmen) play a vital role in the implementation and awareness of government schemes at the grassroots level, and their inclusion marks a strategic next step in the campaign. The initiative aims to further engage the state’s nearly 22% Dalit voter population, with the goal of strengthening ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by showcasing central and state government efforts in Dalit welfare. The remaining 10 districts will also host Dalit conferences in the coming weeks. Full reports of each program are being sent to Union Minister Manohar Lal. Following the Nambardar conference, a Dalit Student Felicitation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, July 6 in Kapalmochan. The event will honor meritorious students from the Dalit community and take place at Dera Baba Laldas Ji, located at the Guru Ravidas Temple, beginning at 11:30 AM. A Satsang (spiritual session) will also accompany the ceremony, where community members will gather to honor the teachings and contributions of Saint Ravidas. Sudesh Kataria emphasized that these initiatives not only uplift community pride but also effectively communicate the government’s commitment to Dalit empowerment, aligning with the broader vision of inclusive governance. Courtesy : The Ipressive Times Note: This news is originally published on https:/theimpressivetimes.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘We want eggs, that too on credit’… Dalit family refused, goons chased and beat them; one in critical condition
In Sultanpur, UP, a Dalit family was brutally attacked in Firihiri village of Karaundikala police station area for not giving eggs on credit. People named Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav beat many people with sticks and injured them. The video of the incident is going viral on social media. In Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in Firihiri village of Karaundikala police station area, goons attacked people of Dalit community and beat them with sticks for not giving eggs on credit. When local BJP MLA Rajesh Gautam came to know about the case, he reached among the victims and assured them of justice. Police have registered a case in this matter after receiving complaints from both sides. Actually, this case is of Firihiri village of Karaundikala police station area. Dalit Shiva, a resident of this village, runs an egg shop. It is alleged that on Wednesday, Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav of the village reached his shop and started asking for eggs on credit. When Shiva refused, everyone got furious and started beating him. During this, when people there intervened, Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav called other family members and associates. Dalit family beaten with sticks After which the family members of Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav arrived with sticks and beat up Shiva and his family members. About half a dozen people including a woman were injured in this fight. Everyone was taken to the hospital for treatment, where seeing Dheeraj’s condition critical, the doctors referred him to Lucknow. During the fight, the people present at the spot made a video and made it viral on social media. BJP MLA assured to get justice In the video, it can be seen how the family members of Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav are brutally beating Shiva and his family members. The family members of Suraj Bhan Yadav and Vivek Yadav together beat the victim Shiva and his family members with sticks. Despite the video coming out, the police have registered a case against both the parties. When Kadipur MLA Rajesh Gautam came to know about the harassment of Dalits, he reached among the victims and took stock of the entire incident. He also assured the victim families that the case will be investigated impartially and justice will be provided. (Input- Vishnu Kumar/Sultanpur) Courtesy: Hindi News
UP News: Deadly attack on Dalit family by entering the shop
UP News: A very shameful and horrific incident related to caste hatred has come to light in Firihiri village of Karaundikala police station area of Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Where a Dalit family was beaten up just because they refused to lend eggs. According to information received from sources, the victim Prince Kumar told that his brother Dheeraj Kumar runs a small egg shop in the village. On Wednesday evening, some influential people of the village, Suraj Bhan Yadav, Vivek Yadav and their other companions came to the shop. They had borrowed earlier, but again started asking for eggs on loan. When Dheeraj refused, those people got angry and started abusing casteistically. After this, they entered the shop and attacked Dheeraj with hockey, sticks and axe. Seriously injured, referred to Lucknow In the attack, Dheeraj Kumar suffered serious injuries on his head and body. He fainted there. The villagers immediately took him to CHC Hospital in Karaundikala. From there, when his condition became critical, he was referred to Sultanpur District Hospital and then Lucknow. After the incident, CO and BJP MLA Vinay Gautam reached the spot. BJP MLA Rajesh Gautam slammed the police officials and demanded strict action. Under pressure, the police registered FIR no. 0138. The FIR mentions sections 3(5), 115(2), 352, 351(3), 110 of the IPC and sections of the SC/ST Act. The accused include Suraj Bhan Yadav, Vivek Yadav, Amarnath Yadav, Umashankar Yadav, Satyaprakash Yadav, Uday Yadav and 8 other unidentified people. After this incident, there is an atmosphere of fear and tension in the entire village. The victim’s family has not been given any security yet. People are scared and demanding justice. Courtesy : Hindi News
Dalit leader Armstrong murder case:
A year later, no headway in probe BSP and Armstrong’s family are pushing hard for a CBI probe, alleging Tamil Nadu police can’t conduct a fair probe due to political compulsions Mahalingam Ponnusamy A year after the brutal murder of K Armstrong, Tamil Nadu president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the investigation remains mired in controversy, with activists and political leaders and senior lawyers questioning the state police’s handling of the case. Despite a 5,200-page chargesheet and the arrest of 28 suspects, the failure to arrest key figures and persistent doubts about the motive have kept the case under intense public scrutiny. On July 5, 2024, Armstrong, 52, was hacked to death by a group of assailants near his under-construction home in Chennai’s Perambur. The killing sent shockwaves across Tamil Nadu, prompting swift action from the police. Special teams, led by Joint Commissioner Vijayakumar, arrested 28 individuals, including a rowdy Nagendran, identified as the mastermind, and his son Aswathaman. A cache of weapons, including country bombs, was recovered, and a chargesheet naming 30 accused was filed within 90 days. Probe runs into hurdles However, the investigation has hit huge roadblocks. A key suspect, ‘Sambo’ Senthil, listed as A2, remains at large despite a year-long manhunt across places like Karnataka, Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, and an Interpol lookout notice. Senthil, a fugitive for over 15 years, continues to evade capture, fuelling public outrage. Social media platforms are abuzz with criticism, with many questioning the Chennai police’s competence or the lack of it. Porkodi, Armstrong’s widow, is inconsolable. “The grief hasn’t left us. My daughter still can’t forget her father; she keeps asking for him. Every day, she believes he will return. She hasn’t recovered from his loss, and neither have I. I live with the thought that he is still alive, just to get through the days.” Senior advocate Ilangovan has raised serious concerns about the Tamil Nadu police’s handling of the case, questioning why the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was not invoked, given Armstrong’s Dalit identity. “The investigation seems to mirror social media narratives rather than a thorough probe,” Ilangovan said. “The police have named every suspect as accused, resulting in a massive 5,200-page chargesheet that has left the case hanging. The inclusion of 27 suspects, including notorious rowdy Nagendran and his son Aswathaman, appears more sensational than substantive.” Ilangovan pointed to inconsistencies, such as the initial claim that ‘Sising Raja’ was involved, only for the police to later retract this. Encounter killing raises suspicion The encounter killing of suspect Thiruvengadam on July 14, 2024, has also sparked suspicion. “Why was Thiruvengadam killed in an encounter, and why wasn’t it properly investigated? If fugitives like ‘Sambo’ Senthil and Mottai Krishna can still contact rowdies in Chennai and operate, why haven’t the police apprehended them?” he asked. The advocate further alleged that the case is being used to target certain individuals. “Some seem to be using this case to eliminate their rivals, which raises serious concerns about the investigation’s impartiality,” Ilangovan said. He noted that even among those who surrendered early, it remains unclear who the actual culprits are. The invocation of the Goondas Act against some suspects, including Nagendran, has not advanced the case, with no significant progress made in the trial or investigation. The involvement of suspects linked to major political parties — DMK, AIADMK, BJP, and Tamil Maanila Congress — has intensified calls for a CBI probe. Armstrong’s brother, Keenos, has filed a petition in the Madras High Court, with a hearing scheduled for July 21, 2025, alleging political interference and the police’s failure to capture key fugitives. Police gear up for protests? As the first anniversary of Armstrong’s death falls today (July 5), tensions are high. The police have heightened security, denying permission for a memorial event at the murder site in Perambur but allowing one in Pothur, Tiruvallur, where Armstrong was laid to rest. 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.
Bihar polls: Free sanitary pad packs with Rahul Gandhi’s photo sparks row; ‘this is nothing but an insult,’ say women
PATNA: Congress’s announcement that it would distribute five lakh sanitary pad boxes under its “Priyadarshini Udaan Yojana” triggered a political storm in Bihar on Friday after images of party MP Rahul Gandhi appeared on the boxes. NDA criticised the move, calling it a “direct insult” to women, who have emerged as key voters in recent state elections. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar, speaking in the presence of All India Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba, said the scheme was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene awareness among rural women. “We have a special plan for womenfolk in Bihar. We plan to provide free sanitary napkins to women for which we will launch an intensive campaign,” Kumar told reporters. However, controversy erupted when he held up a sanitary pad box displaying Rahul’s photo alongside the INDIA bloc’s proposed “Mai-Bahin Maan Yojana”, which promises Rs 2,500 monthly to women if voted into govt. JD(U) MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accused Congress of degrading the dignity of women. “Congress seems to have taken a leaf out of the book of its ally, RJD, which has been known for a lumpen style of politics. Our leader Nitish Kumar has been working tirelessly for women’s empowerment and the results are for all to see. But Congress has insulted the dignity of women,” he said. BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishna echoed the sentiment. “Whatever needs to be done for women in Bihar is being done by govt. But Congress, which is worried about its prospects in the upcoming assembly polls, has shown its ideological bankruptcy. Its leader, Rahul Gandhi, has been notorious for lacking a sense of propriety. The trait seems to have afflicted the party, in which sycophancy reigns supreme,” he said. Women expressed disapproval of the design. “This is nothing but an insult to women who will find the image of a male while using the sanitary pads… Congress is stooping too low to win the support of women voters,” said Pinki Kumari of Muzaffarpur. “If Congress thinks it will get support from women by distributing free napkins with the image of Rahul, then it is sheer stupidity,” she added, arguing the focus should have been on women’s safety. “Rahul is trying to emerge as a ‘Pad Man’ but that is not the way to launch a party campaign,” said Sunita Singh of Vaishali. Defending the campaign, Lamba said, “In the modern era, the question should not be why Rahul-ji’s photo was put on the sanitary napkin box, the real question is why our daughters in Bihar are still forced to use cloth during menstruation and become victims of serious diseases?” She also criticised BJP’s response. “From a ‘sindoor box’ to vaccine certificates, BJP, which prints Modi-ji’s photo on everything, is now troubled by Rahul-ji’s photo. The work that govt should have done, we have started,” Lamba said, crediting Rahul’s “inspiration and visionary thinking” for making the campaign possible. (With PTI inputs) 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.