New caste census faces resistance from sections of OBCs
Bengaluru: The govt’s decision to commission a new socio-economic and educational survey, commonly known as the caste census, has drawn mixed responses from communities. While a section of backward classes has voiced strong opposition, politically dominant communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas have welcomed the move. Some representatives of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are urging the govt to implement the recommendations of the original report drawn up by the Kantharaj Commission, which was submitted to the govt by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (BC commission) last year. This report favours OBCs, especially communities like Kurubas, who were classified under a separate 1-B category with 12% reservation. The report also proposed doubling reservation for Muslims from 4% to 8%, a recommendation that has reportedly disappointed some in the Muslim community due to its perceived insufficiency. The Shoshitha Vargagala Maha Okkota (Great Federation of Exploited Communities), an umbrella organisation representing OBCs, backward classes, and minorities, has threatened a statewide agitation against a new census. K Ramachadrappa, president of the Maha Okkota and former head of Karnataka Pradesha Kurubara Sangha, criticised the govt for discarding the Kantharaj Commission report after spending Rs 168 crore on it. “The govt claims the survey must be conducted once every 10 years, but that is irrelevant since the Kantharaj report was never implemented,” he said. “Our demand is to implement its recommendations. We will meet on Friday (June 20) to decide on modalities of the agitation.” In contrast, Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, which had opposed the Kantharaj report, have expressed support for a fresh enumeration. B Kenchappa Gowda, president of Vokkaligara Sangha, said the Sangha plans to conduct an online survey of Vokkaliga communities to “complement” the govt’s proposed census. Similarly, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha is preparing an outreach programme to spread awareness on the upcoming survey. Officials indicate that the official order to commence the census may be issued on Thursday (June 19), the birthday of Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha LoP and senior Congress functionary. Rahul, a major proponent of social justice through caste-based surveys, is said to have encouraged the state govt to adopt a model like Telangana’s survey. Backward classes welfare minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said: “Procedure will be followed. We are considering suggestions on the survey’s modalities and schedule. I will consult chief minister Siddaramaiah, and an order will be issued soon based on his directions.” The cabinet has set a 90-day timeline to complete the enumeration. However, the govt is yet to nominate members to the BC commission. Moreover, the involvement of schoolteachers in the survey may disrupt the academic calendar. Madhusudan R Naik, chairman of the BC commission, confirmed that preliminary work on the survey has begun, with efforts underway to fill the commission’s vacant positions. 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.
Rahul’s vision of social justice to reflect in UP block and nyay panchayat, says Pande
Lucknow: As part of its ongoing organisation-building campaign, the UP Congress will strengthen the block-level network across all 823 blocks of the state. They will also work to create units at the level of the Nyay Panchayats. AICC in charge for UP, Avinash Pande, who issued the instructions, said, “Understanding grassroots issues from the grassroots level, such as block and Nyay Panchayat level, will enable us to fight for public interests against the anti-people BJP govt.” He also said that the organisational units at the block and Nyay Panchayat will reflect Rahul Gandhi’s vision of social justice, where every section of society must get a place in the party hierarchy. State president Ajay Rai said that by connecting workers at the block level, the party can perform better in panchayat and assembly elections. He stressed the importance of addressing key issues related to Bundelkhand and fighting for the people at the grassroots level. He also instructed all coordinators to establish coordination with senior Congress leaders and workers in their respective areas to achieve the goals of the organisation creation campaign within the set timeframe. 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 family in Odisha faces social boycott for refusing child marriage
Prasant Bar, his wife, and daughter have been socially boycotted by villagers denying them access to water, firewood, village temple, local shops, marketplaces, and agricultural fields. BALASORE: A scheduled caste family has been facing social boycott since last three years after refusing to marry off their minor daughter in Balia Pati village under Singla police limits of Balsore district. Prasant Bar, his wife, and daughter have been socially boycotted by villagers denying them access to water, firewood, village temple, local shops, marketplaces, and agricultural fields. Three years back, Prasant’s daughter studying in class-IX was abducted by a youth from Jambhirai and was later rescued. After her return to home, villagers and the youth’s parents pressured Prasant and his wife to accept the girl’s marriage with the youth. But, Prasant refused citing she was a minor and that she desired to pursue higher education. Since then, a number of meetings were held between both parties, as well the villagers on this matter. However, Prasant stood firm by his decision. Subsequently, a kangaroo court imposed social boycott on the family as villagers’ decision was not accepted. A video of the event circulating on social media shows the village head visiting local market and announcing about the social boycott of Prasant’s family. Meanwhile, the youth who had abducted the minor three years back is now married, but the villagers continue the boycott. At present, the situation has escalated to the extent resulting in mental torture for the couple. Prasant’s daughter, who studies in college, filed a complaint at Singla police station on June 14 seeking justice for her parents but no FIR has been registered yet. Talking to TNIE, inspector-in-charge of Singla police station Kamalini Tandi said, the girl’s complaint was received by police officials while she was on duty in Balasore. Action would be taken after verifying details with the complainant. 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.
UP News: Chandrashekhar Azad on the target of Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, said – it is a question of Dalit daughter… FIR should be registered immediately
Brijbhushan Sharan Singh targeted MP Chandrashekhar Azad. On the allegations made by the Dalit daughter, he said that an FIR should be registered immediately in the matter. The government should take cognizance of this. Former MP of Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh has given a big statement about Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad. On the serious allegations made by the Dalit girl on Chandrashekhar, he said that an FIR should be registered immediately in the matter. The government should also not remain silent. Action should be taken by taking cognizance of this matter seriously. The voice of the Dalit daughter should not be suppressed. Her voice should come to the fore. The former MP further said that in January 2023, when some people had made allegations against me, Chandrashekhar Azad had said that if the society allows, I will drag them away. Today I want to ask him, an FIR has been lodged against me. I am facing the judiciary. The truth will come out. I had said on camera in front of the media that the day even a single allegation is proved against me, I will hang myself or commit suicide. Today I want to ask Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad, where did that strength of yours go? At that time it was a question of Jat daughters. Now it is a question of Dalit daughters. Will Chandrashekhar Azad open his mouth on this in front of the media? What does he have to say, he should answer the allegations she is making. He further said that today I want to ask those people who are big contractors of justice, why are they silent today? Why is the Congress silent? Why is the Aam Aadmi Party silent? Why are the farmer leaders silent? Why are Mamta Banerjee, Ashok Gehlot silent? Why are these people sitting silent today? Shouldn’t an FIR be filed against them? I am not saying that they should be hanged. But, today it is a question of a Dalit daughter. In fact it is a question of a daughter of a weaker section. I believe that the government should pay serious attention to this. An FIR should be filed. Action should be taken after whatever comes out in the investigation. Published by: Bhupendra Singh Courtesy: Hindi News
Demand for Dalit CM is not under discussion for now, says Satish Jarkiholi
It has been put on a pause for over a year, according to Public Works Minister Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has clarified that the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka is currently not under discussion. It has been put on a pause for over a year, he added. Addressing the media in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Mr. Jarkiholi said that the matter may be seriously revisited and discussed during the 2028 State elections. When questioned about the growing calls for a Dalit Chief Minister, Mr. Jarkiholi responded, “as of now, this issue is not in discussion within our party as we have put a full stop to it. Let us take it up seriously during the 2028 elections.” He emphasised that the topic has not been active for the past year. Responding to BJP leader H. Vishwanath’s recent remark suggesting a change in Chief Minister in November, Mr. Jarkiholi dismissed it outright, stating that Mr. Vishwanath is not a member of the Congress and hence, his statement holds no relevance. “Why should I respond to comments made by someone from another party?” he questioned. Taking a dig at the BJP’s repeated criticisms over the implementation of the Congress-led government’s guarantee schemes at the cost of development, Mr. Jarkiholi said that development projects and welfare schemes are going on hand-in-hand. “The BJP has been claiming for two years that there is no development because of the guarantee schemes and they will continue to do so for the next three years. However, in reality, all development works are progressing effectively alongside the guarantee programmes,” he said, urging people to compare department allocations under the previous BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai and the current government led by Siddaramaiah to understand the difference. On the issue of GST compensation, the Minister criticised the Union government for withholding Karnataka’s dues. “We contribute ₹2 lakh crore in GST to the Centre. At the very least half of that should be returned to the State. So far, we have received only ₹36,000 crore,” he said and added that Karnataka’s tax money is being diverted to fund infrastructure projects such as the Yamuna and Ganga expressways in States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “Our money is being used to build roads in other States,” he added. Courtesy : The Hindu Bureau, 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.
Dalit CM not on cards till 2028: Satish Jarkiholi
KALABURAGI: There will be no more discussion on a Dalit chief minister in Karnataka, and the issue will be looked into after the 2028 Assembly elections, said PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi here on Sunday. Reacting to BJP leaders’ criticism that the Congress government is not implementing the five guarantees properly, he said the opposition parties are making the allegation for the last two years and will continue with it for another three years. People are happy with the guarantees and the government is also implementing several development works, he justified. Jarkiholi asked people to look at the budget presented and implemented by the previous Basavaraj Bommai government and the one by the Siddaramaiah government. He said Karnataka is giving Rs 2 lakh crore as GST to the Union government, but in return getting only Rs 37,000 crore. “The Centre is utilising our share of GST to build the Ganga-Yamuna Highway which would benefit UP and Bihar,” he alleged. On BJP MLC AH Vishwanath’s statement that the chief minister would be changed in September, Jarkiholi declined to comment. But Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa said that as per his knowledge, the Congress High Command is not proposing to replace Siddaramaiah. In a tongue-in-cheek commented, Mahadevappa said he is not aware of the Congress high command informing Vishwanath about the change in leadership. “Siddaramaiah is the chief minister and will continue to be the CM,” he added. On BJP president BY Vijayendra’s allegations that the CM and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were responsible for the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives on June 4, he termed the accusation “childish”. “The incident is deeply painful and should not have happened. Judicial and magisterial inquiries have been ordered, and we must wait for their findings to know who is responsible,” he said. “Similar incidents have occurred in Uttar Pradesh and also a plane crashed in Ahmedabad. Did anyone demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation over those incidents? Politics should not be involved in such tragedies,” he added. 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.
Man ‘Urinates’ On Dalit Woman’s Face After He Fails To ‘Rape’ Her In Uttar Pradesh
The alleged rape attempt was made when her in-laws were away from home and the woman was at home with her two-month-old daughter. Barabanki: A youth in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district allegedly made a rape attempt on a Dalit woman in the absence of her elderly family members and urinated on her face after he failed to do so. The incident occurred on Tuesday at a village that falls under Ramsanehi Ghat police station limits. Police have registered a case on the complaint of the victim. In the FIR, she alleged that on the evening of June 10, when her mother-in-law had gone to visit relatives and her father-in-law was out for some work, Abhinav Verma entered the house and found her alone. He allegedly started molesting her. When the woman shouted, the accused stuffed a cloth in her mouth and tried to rape her. When the victim tried to push the accused and run away, he threatened to pick up and throw her two-month-old daughter. The woman has told the police that she lives with her two-month-old daughter, her mother-in-law, and her father-in-law. Her husband works in Surat. According to the FIR, the accused abused the victim using casteist language. He also threatened to kill her, she alleged. When the victim’s father-in-law returned, she told him about the incident. Police Inspector Ankit Tripathi stated that a case has been registered based on the victim’s complaint, and action is being taken. An investigation is in and the accused will be arrested soon, Tripathi said. Courtesy : ETV Bharat 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.
Why is Prashant firing ‘shells’ on Rahul instead of Lalu? Is there any sign of a big stir in Bihar politics?
It is an election year in Bihar, so political shells are being fired on anything. Prashant Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Yadav for insulting Ambedkar. Patna/Muzaffarpur: Former election strategist Prashant Kishore claimed that the Congress has made itself a stooge of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Prasad Yadav for keeping Ambedkar’s statue (photo) near his feet. Prashant Kishore’s new party ‘Jan Suraj’ wants to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was talking to the media in Muzaffarpur. Challenge to Rahul on Ambedkar photo controversy Responding to a question about Congress’ prospects, Kishore said, ‘Congress has limited itself to being a stooge of RJD in Bihar. Earlier the state Congress was grateful to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav (Lalu’s younger son and his potential successor). I ask Rahul Gandhi to do one small thing to prove me wrong. He should just issue a statement criticizing Lalu Prasad for keeping Ambedkar’s picture near his feet.’ What is the Ambedkar photo controversy related to Lalu? Actually, on June 11, 2025, RJD chief Lalu Yadav celebrated his 78th birthday. On June 14, a video surfaced in which Lalu Yadav is sitting on a chair. He is keeping his feet on another chair in front. Meanwhile, a supporter comes with Ambedkar’s picture in his hand. Starts getting photographed with Lalu Yadav. The way the photo has been taken, it seems that Ambedkar’s picture is near Lalu Yadav’s feet. Now there is a political controversy over this. On this whole matter, Prashant Kishore is firing political shells at Rahul Gandhi. Prashant Kishor is raining political shells on Rahul Prashant Kishor targeted the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha and said that he never attacked the Chief Minister of Congress-ruled Telangana who had mocked the people of Bihar and said that doing small jobs (labor) is in their DNA. The founder of Jan Suraj Party also demanded the resignation of the state Health Minister and senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey over the recent death of a minor Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur. The victim died a few days after being brutally sexually assaulted. Tiff with Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary too Prashant Kishor also targeted senior minister and Janata Dal-United (JDU) national general secretary Ashok Chaudhary. Ashok Chaudhary has filed a case against him for the allegation that his (Ashok Chaudhary’s) daughter Shambhavi, who is an MP from Samastipur, got a ticket from Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) after money transaction. The founder of Jan Suraj Party alleged, ‘Ashok Chaudhary and his daughter should tell the people of Bihar what they have done for Dalits? They have always used their Dalit identity for their own benefit.’ Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey Currently fulfilling his passion for journalism in Navbharat Times. He has held important positions in many institutions including ETV News, Zee Media, News18. He is considered an expert in reporting/editing on ground and research stories. He has a good grasp on political and social issues. Courtesy : Hindi News
Lalu’s health deteriorated, now some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag’, PK said- If Congress has the guts, then it should fight the elections alone
Bihar Politics: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore attacked the Mahagathbandhan. He made sharp attacks on Congress and Tejashwi Yadav. Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to contest the elections alone. He also questioned the statement made by the Chief Minister of Telangana on Biharis. Kishore announced that Jansuraj Party will contest elections on all 243 seats. Muzaffarpur: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore fired many sharp questions, especially taking on RJD-Congress and Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. Prashant Kishore was talking to journalists at the Circuit House in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. When Lalu’s health deteriorated, some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag Prashant Kishore said- ‘Lalu ji’s health has deteriorated, so some people have now started carrying Tejashwi’s bag. What is the status of Congress in Bihar? If Congress has the guts, if it has the political guts (courage), then it should fight the elections alone in Bihar.’ He said- ‘Rahul Gandhi says ‘don’t be afraid’, so we also want to say to Rahul Gandhi, don’t be afraid, fight the elections alone.’ He also commented on Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that the person who was sitting with his feet in front of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s picture, should show the courage to make a statement on him. If labour is in the DNA of Biharis, then why do they come to ask for votes? He also reacted to the video of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in which it was said that labour is in the DNA of Biharis. On this Prashant Kishore raised the question- ‘If the Chief Minister of Congress insults Biharis like this, then Congress should tell what action did they take on this? If labour is the DNA of Biharis, then why do you come to Bihar to ask for votes? Go to Telangana and ask for votes.’ The party will contest elections on all 243 seats Prashant Kishore made a big announcement and said that it has already been announced that the party will contest elections on 243 seats. For this, two potential candidates have been fielded on each seat by taking Rs 21,000. These candidates themselves are declaring themselves as potential candidates by putting up posters and banners in their area.’ Those who are not associated with any political party will be made candidates He clarified that the party will make only those people as candidates who are not associated with any political party and who are actively working in the Jansuraj movement. Prashant Kishore said- ’90 percent of the candidates will be like this, there can be only two-four exceptions.’ He claimed that the public will now decide who is the better candidate. Everyone in the whole of Bihar knows that no one can buy the idea of Jansuraj. We have so much transparency and public support that no political power can buy us. Edited by: Ravi Sinha• Reported by: Sandeep Kumar Ravi Sinha Working in the Bihar-Jharkhand team of Navbharat Times Digital. Got the opportunity to work as Jharkhand representative in Rajasthan Patrika from December 2005 to April 2020. Worked as a casual assistant editor in the regional news section of Doordarshan Ranchi and Akashvani Center. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Sidekick of RJD’: Congress has bowed to Tejashwi, says Prashant Kishore; dares Rahul to slam Lalu over Ambedkar row
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing them of political subservience. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarpur, Kishor said that Congress in Bihar had reduced itself to a “sidekick” of RJD. “Earlier, Congress was beholden to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav,” he remarked. He also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to publicly criticise RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for placing a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar at his feet. “I ask Rahul Gandhi to do a small thing to prove me wrong. Let him issue just one statement criticising Lalu Prasad for having a portrait of Ambedkar placed at his feet,” he said. Kishor also took a swipe at Gandhi for not reprimanding Telangana’s chief minister for allegedly mocking Biharis by saying “menial jobs were in their DNA”. He questioned Gandhi’s silence on the remark, which drew widespread criticism. The Jan Suraaj leader further demanded the resignation of Bihar health minister and BJP leader Mangal Pandey following the death of a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur after a brutal sexual assault. 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.