Karnataka: Parents boycott School over Dalit cook
Chamarajanagar: A concerning incident has come to light from Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka, where parents have allegedly withdrawn their children from a government school following the appointment of a Dalit woman as the head cook. The incident has been reported from the Government Higher Primary School in Homma village in Chamarajanagar district. Of the 22 students enrolled, parents of 21 students have withdrawn their children, leaving only one student currently attending the school. According to the head cook and the kitchen staff, only seven out of the 22 students used to eat the Mid-Day Meals prepared at the school. Sources indicated that the appointment of a Dalit woman as the head cook had triggered dissatisfaction among some parents. Reportedly, several parents unhappy with the appointment collected Transfer Certificates (TCs) for their children and admitted them to other schools. As a result, the school is now on the verge of closure, sources added. Local residents allege that caste-based bias is the sole reason for withdrawing the children, pointing to the cook’s Dalit identity. In the academic year 2024–25, the school initially had 22 students. Of these, 12 have already taken TCs, and withdrawal applications have been submitted for the remaining students. With no students left, the school now faces imminent closure, sources said. Currently, the school has just one student attending the classes and two teachers. The parents of the remaining student have also requested a TC to transfer their child elsewhere, according to sources. After the development went viral on social media, the district administration rushed to the school on Wednesday and held a series of meetings with teachers and parents. Officials from the Education Department and the Department of Social Welfare also visited the Homma village school. Chamarajanagar SP, B.T. Kavitha, Zilla Panchayat CEO Mona Roat, and DDPI Ramachandra Raje Urs personally spoke to parents and teachers regarding the development. Parents told CEO Roat that they had withdrawn their children due to the poor quality of teaching at the school. However, the team of officials managed to convince the parents of eight children to re-enroll them in the school. SP Kavitha stated that a comprehensive investigation will be undertaken to determine why the children were not consuming meals at the school. “If it is found that untouchability was practiced and a complaint is lodged, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” she said. Roat noted that the preliminary report suggested the students were withdrawn due to poor education quality, but new claims have emerged. “We are receiving conflicting reports regarding the students’ transfer. We have assured the parents that qualified teachers will be posted at the school and action will be taken wherever necessary,” she said. Posted by Marziya Sharif Courtesy : Siasat Note: This news is originally published on https:/siasat.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
13-yr-old Dalit raped at Meerut government hospital; authorities show no concern
“It is expensive to deploy guards at each of these wards in three shifts,” local media reports quoted the official. A 13-year-old Dalit girl, who was undergoing a knee surgery at an orthopaedic department in the Meerut government hospital in Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly raped by an attendant of another patient The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, June 20. The teenager, accompanied by her mother, was admitted to the general ward for the surgery. According to the police complaint filed by her mother, the accused, Rohit Kumar, 20, followed her daughter to the washroom and committed the crime. He threatened to kill the minor if she told anyone of the incident. “Rohit Kumar hails from Kashipur district in Uttarakhand. He was arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), the Sc/St (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and section 65 (1) (rape) of the BNS. He was produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody,” informed Meerut superintendent of police (SP), Ayush Vikram Singh. Following the incident, the hospital authorities set up a panel to investigate the matter and prevent such crimes in the future. However, in a blatant display of apathy, a top health official casually remarked on the hospital’s security. “Thousands of people visit the hospital every day. We have 42 wards. It is expensive to deploy guards at each of these wards in three shifts,” local media reports quoted the official. Notably, the hospital has employed retired Army personnel as part of its security system. The hospital has a history of unauthorised entries, consumption of alcohol on premises, and even brawls with senior doctors. At one point, 250 doctors had threatened mass resignation, protesting for better security, the Times of India reported. Posted by Veena Nair Courtesy : Siasat Note: This news is originally published on https:/siasat.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
UP: Dalits assaulted, humiliated by Upper Caste Hindu men for attending religious event
A shocking incident of caste-based violence has emerged from Etawah district in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, where members belonging to the Bahujan community were severely assaulted by upper caste men, who brutalised them and forcefully tonsured their hair, urinated on them, for taking part in a religious event. The incident occurred in Dadrapur village, within the limits of Bakewar Police Station, where a group of Brahmin men attacked a Katha Vachak (religious preacher) and his aides for organising Baagavat Katha in the village after discovering that he belongs to a lower caste. Devotees gathered there, including a woman, were also attacked, forced to rub their noses on the bare ground, and severely humiliated. The attackers allegedly sprinkled urine on them while forcing them to bow to the villagers’ feet, and stole ₹25,000 and a gold chain before expelling them from the village. This brutal assault, which took place around 6 p.m. on 22nd June, came to light after a video recording of the incident went viral through social media platforms, showing the preacher’s head being forcefully shaved and the mob tearing his clothes. The victim, Mukutmani Singh Yadav, a native of Kanpur, has reportedly named around five known individuals and 50 others responsible for the attack against him, under the leadership of Pappu Baba, who is also the organiser of the seven-day religious event conducted in the village. According to Etawah SSP, a case was registered at Bakewar Police Station following the incident, and four persons involved, including the main accused, have been arrested. The perpetrators can be heard saying, “You are getting punished for coming to the village of Brahmins,” in the video clip, which was later shared by many political leaders demanding justice for the victim. Bhim Army Chief and Nagina MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad has posted videos of the assault on X, calling for immediate action from the UP Government in this shameful attack. Chandra Shekhar Aazad on X: He also demanded that the government ensure the security of the victims and provide compensation of at least ₹10 lakh. He posted on X that “the Bhim Army, Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram), Etawah team reached the spot as soon as they received information about the incident and stood with the victims.” He warned that “if concrete action is not taken within two days on this inhumane casteist attack, the Bahujan community will be compelled to launch a large-scale movement in a constitutional manner”, and added that “the administration will have to take full responsibility for this.” Akhilesh Yadav, MP and President of the Samajwadi Party, also posted on X, stating that “our Constitution does not permit caste-based discrimination; this is a crime committed against the fundamental right to live with dignity and respect.” He demanded that “all the accused should be immediately arrested, and a case should be registered under appropriate sections,” warning that “if strict action is not taken within the next 3 days, we will call for a major movement to protect the dignity and honour of PDA,” as he sought justice for the victims. 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.
Uttar Pradesh: Stone pelting on Dalit wedding procession, caste tension in Etah village
Though marriage rituals were completed under supervision of the police after the episode on Saturday evening, the situation remains tense at Dhakapura village. Agra: Caste divisions reared its head last week at a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district as fighting and stone pelting took place after upper caste residents objected to a Dalit wedding procession. Though marriage rituals were completed under the supervision of the police administration after the episode Saturday evening, the situation remains tense at Dhakapura village. No case has been filed, so far. A constable was injured while a Dalit youth suffered serious injuries, Station House Officer (SHO) of Awagarh police station, Akhilesh Kumar Dixit, said, adding the injured policeman was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The marriage of Premkishore’s daughter Aarti, a resident of Dhakapura, was fixed with Vikas of Sahapau area in Hathras district, according to the locals. The wedding procession reached the village in the evening. When the procession began passing through the village late at night, upper caste residents allegedly refused to allow it to pass through, saying a Dalit’s wedding procession could not be allowed. As tempers rose, the SHO reached the spot with the force and tried to convince both parties but to no avail. The Dalit community alleges that the Thakurs attacked the women in the presence of the police. Amidst the stone pelting and fighting, the women alleged that they were dragged out of homes and beaten and caste-specific abuses were hurled at them. They further accused the police of remaining mute spectators and of not making an effort to stop the violence. However, police have denied the allegations. The bride’s cousin claimed the preparations for welcoming the wedding procession were going on when the attack took place. She somehow managed to run to safety. “There was a minor altercation and light stone pelting between the two parties, but later the marriage was completed peacefully and after reconciliation between the two parties in the morning, the wedding procession was sent off to Hathras,” the SHO said. Anger is simmering among the Dalits but villagers say no one is coming forward openly. Villagers say that due to the police not taking proper action, the men are silent and an atmosphere of fear prevails. “This incident has once again uncovered the reality of caste inequality in rural areas, which needs to be addressed through education and dialogue, not force,” social activist and Hindustani Biradari vice-chairman Vishal Sharma said. Amir Qureshi, (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
First transgender woman to earn PhD in Tamil Nadu appointed assistant professor
N Jency became Tamil Nadu’s first transgender woman to earn a PhD and secure Assistant Professor position at Loyola College, Chennai. Her achievement draws state recognition and highlights educational excellence as a pathway to transgender community advancement. In a groundbreaking achievement for transgender representation in higher education, N Jency has become the first transgender woman in Tamil Nadu to complete a PhD and secure an appointment as Assistant Professor in the English Department at Loyola College, Chennai. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AGAINST ALL ODDS Jency’s journey from a village in Tiruvallur district, Tiruttani, to the halls of one of Chennai’s most prestigious institutions represents years of perseverance through significant challenges. Her academic record includes gold medals in both her undergraduate and master’s degree courses, demonstrating consistent excellence throughout her educational career. Her appointment has drawn recognition from the highest levels of state government, with Chief Minister MK Stalin publicly congratulating Jency on her achievement. “Congratulations Dr Jency. Let several hundreds more reach success through education, as you serve as a guiding light. Let the mighty force called education win over hurdles and rejections,” Chief Minister Stalin stated in his official response to the appointment. During a meeting with the Chief Minister, Jency expressed her gratitude for the government’s support of social justice initiatives while sharing her broader vision for transgender inclusion in education. A VOICE FOR COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION Jency emphasised that her success extends beyond personal achievement. “This is not my own victory but one that belongs to my trans community,” she said. “I did suffer a lot to reach this position. Education is the modification of human behaviour, and that is what brought me to this position.” Her message to society was direct and compelling: “I urge society not to treat a transgender person differently or chase them away from home, but to educate them. Take me as an example — I was a gold medallist in UG and MA. I reached this position while my family was not initially able to accept me. When you accept nature, why can’t you accept us who are also part of nature?” A CALL FOR PERMANENT POSITIONS Jency has also requested Chief Minister Stalin to consider her for a permanent staff position at a Tamil Nadu government college, viewing such an appointment as a powerful example for other members of the transgender community. “I don’t have a father, but I ask the CM, thinking of him as my father, to allot a permanent staff role in a Tamil Nadu government college, as it would become an example for those in my community to concentrate on education,” she said. This appointment at Loyola College marks a significant step forward for transgender inclusion in Tamil Nadu’s academic institutions. Courtesy : Pramod Madhav, 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.
Assam CM announces 50% reservation in supervisor posts for Anganwadi workers; transgender community to get OBC status
NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced two key cabinet decisions — a significant increase in reservation for Anganwadi workers in supervisor posts and the grant of social and backward classes (OBC) status to the transgender community in the state. “Earlier, 25% of the supervisor posts were reserved for Anganwadi workers. Now, 50% of the supervisor posts will be reserved for Anganwadi workers. The remaining 50% posts will be recruited through the state-level recruitment process,” Sarma said. In another major decision aimed at social inclusion, the Assam cabinet approved OBC status for the transgender community. “Today, the Assam cabinet has approved to provide social and backwards classes status to the transgender community. We will provide identity cards only to those people in the transgender community who are the original inhabitants of Assam,” the chief minister added 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.
Out on bail, MP men fire shots, assault Dalit family over old feud
The accused allegedly used the butt of their guns to beat a woman and a young man. A disturbing case of caste-based violence has emerged from Lalpur village in Karera tehsil of Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district, where four upper-caste men who were recently released on bail allegedly attacked the home of a Dalit former sarpanch, fired multiple rounds into the air, and assaulted two family members. The incident took place at the residence of Ajmer Singh Parihar, former sarpanch of Lalpur, and is reportedly linked to an old feud between the families. The accused have been identified as Nahar Singh Thakur and his three brothers, who had previously been jailed for an earlier assault on the same family and allegedly launched this fresh attack soon after securing bail. According to an NDTV report, the conflict began nearly 18 months ago over a dispute involving DJ music at a local event and has since escalated due to land-related tensions. On the day of the latest attack, the four men stormed the house and opened fire in the air, creating panic. They then allegedly used the butt of their guns to beat a woman and a young man, both of whom were injured and required medical attention. Local police confirmed that a case has been registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for attempt to murder. Further investigation is ongoing. Courtesy : Siasat Note: This news is originally published on https:/siasat.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Congress’s 3-day campaign for Ambedkar statue in Gwalior, MP chief shares meal with Dalit family
Jitu Patwari & other senior party leaders are scheduled to hold a fast Wednesday, demanding the installation of an Ambedkar statue on HC premises. Bhopal: The controversy surrounding the installation of the Ambedkar statue in Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken a political turn with Congress state chief Jitu Patwari embarking on a three-day ‘Samvidhan Satyagrah’. On Tuesday, the second day of the protest, Patwari along with senior Congress leaders including former MLA Sajjan Singh Verma and former minister P.C.Sharma reached the Buddha Vihar in Bhopal’s Panchasheel Nagar and shared a meal with a Dalit family from Buddha Vihar. The Congress leaders are scheduled to reach Gwalior the next day and hold a fast demanding installation of the statue. The controversy began in February a group of lawyers had approached the Madhya Pradesh Chief Justice for approval to install the statue at the premises of the court. The proposal was met with opposition from another faction of lawyers, who alleged that the decision to install the statue was taken without consulting the larger bar association of the state and that it lacked basic building permission. In May, arguments broke out with one faction demanding hoisting of the national flag to commemorate Operation Sindoor, while the other seeking the installation of the Ambedkar statue. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Mayawati had written to MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in May, urging him to ensure that there is no hiccup in the plan. Earlier this month, the Bhim Army Bharat Ekta Mission, too, had demanded the statue be installed at its designated spot. Patwari, meanwhile, referred to Amit Shah’s remark in Parliament that had put the Union Home Minister in a tight spot in December. “On one hand, the Prime Minister does ‘Jai-Jai kaar‘ (hail) of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and then on the other hand, his Home Minister says, ‘Ambedkar-Ambedkar-Ambedkar, itna bhagwaan kaa naam lenge toh bhagwaan mil jaate‘ (Ambedkar-Ambedkar-Ambedkar, if you take God’s name so much, you will meet God’). … But Ambedkar is God for us,” the Congress state chief said in his address to party workers. He then went on to highlight the involvement of BJP workers and leaders at the district- level in atrocities against the Scheduled Castes (SCs). Between 2023 and 2025, Patwari alleged, there was at least 50 cases of murder and rape in which the victime were Dalits. He sought accountability from Mohan Yadav for the “failure” of the police to protect the SC communities. “When there is a crime, instead of protecting the victims, the police and the administration get busy in protecting the perpetrators,” he alleged. In response, BJP state president V.D.Sharma accused his Congress counterpart of indulging in vote bank politics and using the Scheduled Caste community for the purpose. “What has the Congress party done for Ambedkar, apart from using his name? It was the BJP who honoured Ambedkar’s legacy by honouring him with Bharat Ratna posthumously,” he told ThePrint. Iram Siddique, (Edited by Tony Rai) Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
UP govt against backwards, Dalits: Akhilesh on Etawah preachers’ ‘tonsuring’
The dominant people are constantly threatening and intimidating the people of the PDA family, alleges SP chief Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday condemned the alleged tonsuring of two Katha Vachaks (narrator of holy texts) by a group of upper caste men in Etawah district’s Dandarpur village on Sunday night, alleging the ruling party has a mindset against backwards and Dalits. “The BJP government is undemocratic and heartless. It supports every undemocratic act. If the government were to follow the Constitution and its preamble, then poor people living in villages, people from PDA — ‘pichchde’ or backward, Dalit and ‘alpsankhyak’ or minorities families would start getting justice. The dominant people are constantly threatening and intimidating the people of the PDA family. They are insulting them,” Yadav alleged at a press conference at SP headquarters in Lucknow. “The question is, Bhagwat Katha is for everyone, if everyone can listen, why can’t everyone speak? Bhagwat Katha is related to Lord Krishna. If true devotees of Krishna are stopped from narrating Katha…why would anyone tolerate this insult,” the SP chief said. Referring to the Etawah incident, he alleged: “Some dominant people want to maintain their monopoly over Bhagwat Katha and have turned it into a business.” “If they have so much aversion to the PDA community, dominant people should declare that they will never accept the offerings, donations and charity given by the PDA family. “If they want to have a monopoly — their claim from time to time that they have abolished Article 370 — then bring a law in the country that only they are allowed to be Katha Vachak,” Yadav said. He alleged people were “mentally harassing and humiliating” PDA families, sometimes by “sprinkling Ganga water” on homes and temples and now even shaving heads. Meanwhile, issuing a clarification on the Etawah incident, UP Police said, “It is to be informed that on 23.06.25 at 08:24 am, the social media team of the headquarters received a tweet through X, in which a video of the incident of cutting the hair of a storyteller was attached. Taking cognizance of the said tweet, police was immediately sent to Etawah district for necessary action.” “On receiving the information, the additional superintendent of police (rural) and the CO Bharthana immediately went to the spot and it was found that on 21.06.2025, a mass Bhagwat Katha was organised by the villagers in Dandarpur village. The villagers objected to the fact that Katha Vachak Mukut Mani of Etawah had declared himself as Brahmin before organising the Katha whereas he is a Yadav. On this issue, the villagers thrashed Katha Vachak Mukut Mani Yadav and his associate Sant Kumar Yadav, misbehaved with them and cut their hair,” the UP Police said. “On the basis of the viral video, the local police identified the victim, obtained the complaint from the victim Sant Kumar Yadav and registered a case at Bakewar police station on 23-06-2025 at 15:00 hrs* FIR No. 169/2025 under Section 115(2)/309(2)/351(2)/352 BNSS. On the basis of the viral video, four accused were identified and immediately arrested. Those arrested included Ashish Tiwari, 21, Uttam Awasthi, 19, Pratham Dubey, 24, and Nikki Awasthi, 30, all from Dandarpur village,” the UP Police said in a statement. Courtesy : HT Note: This news is originally published on https:/hindustantimes.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Two Dalit men in Odisha’s Ganjam district were tonsured, forced to eat grass and drink sewage water on the charge of smuggling cattle, which later turned out to be a false alarm.
The two victims, Babula Nayak, 53, and Bulu Nayak, 42, are from Singhipur village in Ganjam. The cattle were to be given as dowry to the son-in-law of Babula, a year after his daughter’s wedding. The incident that took place at Khariguma village under Dharakote police station in Ganjam on Sunday has been condemned, among others, by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Locals in Ganjam alleged that the attack was carried out by Bajrang Dal activists, though the outfit denied it. The Dalit Mahasangha on Tuesday gheraoed the office of the revenue divisional commissioner in Berhampur to protest the atrocities committed against its members. Sangram Nayak, convener of the Ganjam district Dalit Mahasangha, and the national secretary of All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha, Bhalu Chadra Sarangi, said in a statement: “Members of the Bajrang Dal have perpetrated the crime. In the name of protecting cows, they are torturing people. Hundreds of incidents take place every day, but only a few come to light.” Sources said a mob surrounded the two Dalits in Khariguma and demanded ₹30,000 as penalty for cattle smuggling. When the men refused to pay, they were allegedly beaten up, tonsured and forced to drink sewage water. They were caught by the mob when they were carrying a cow and two calves on a cargo autorickshaw from Haripur to Singhipur. Babula told The Telegraph: “I bought the cow for ₹6,300 and the two calves for ₹7,800 from Haripur. I wanted to give it as dowry that I had promised during my younger daughter’s wedding last year. However, I couldn’t manage my finances over the last year. “After I arranged some money, I decided to buy a cow and two calves that I wanted to give to my son-in-law. But we were confronted by a mob midway at Khariguma and accused of cattle smuggling. I pleaded with them. They took us to a saloon in Jahada and tonsured us. When we asked for water, they forced us to drink sewage water and eat grass. I demand justice.” A video of the two men crawling with clumps of grass stuck in their teeth went viral, sparking widespread outrage. Eight persons have been arrested after the victims lodged an FIR. “This incident reflects the reality for those who deny the persistence of caste injustice in India. Such incidents are becoming common in BJP-ruled states because their politics is based on hate and discrimination,” Rahul wrote on X. Courtesy : The Telegraph Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetelegraph.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.