Congress claims Rahul Gandhi stopped by police from entering Ambedkar hostel in Bihar’s Darbhanga
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by police on Thursday while trying to enter the Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, where he was scheduled to interact with students under the party’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ initiative. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, was denied entry into the hostel premises by local authorities, sparking protests from senior Bihar Congress leaders who demanded that the gates be opened. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) The Congress had planned the event at the Ambedkar hostel, but the district administration reportedly shifted the venue to Town Hall late Wednesday night, after initially denying permission. Congress leaders, however, insisted that Gandhi would speak to students at the original venue. “The administration in Darbhanga is acting at the behest of the JD(U)-BJP combine,” senior Congress leader Abhay Dubey said at a press conference in Patna. “Hundreds of students from nearby districts like Madhubani and Samastipur are being stopped from entering Darbhanga. But the administration should realise that Rahul Gandhi enjoys the support of the deprived sections of this country.” While police restricted entry, Bihar Congress leaders accused the administration of obstructing their outreach programme and questioned claims that prior permission to hold the event at the hostel was never requested. Dubey dismissed the administration’s claim and called it an excuse to suppress the voice of students. “It’s unfortunate that such tactics are being used to silence a dialogue meant to address education inequality,” he said. The ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ is a Congress-led public outreach campaign focused on educational justice, and Darbhanga was one of the key stops in Bihar. 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.
Koovagam festival celebrates transgender identity and the legend of aravan
In the Mahabharata, when the five Pandavas decided to sacrifice Aravan to ensure victory over the Kauravas in battle, Aravan expressed his wish to marry. No one stepped forward, knowing Aravan would be sacrificed the next day. According to legend, Lord Krishna transformed into a woman and married him. Every year, Koovagam village in Kallakurichi district comes alive with the Koothandavar temple festival, which, over 18 days, commemorates the epic battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas. Thousands of transgender people come together at the temple dedicated to Koothandavar (Aravan), the son of Arjuna. On Tuesday, the penultimate day, devotees donned elaborate costumes, wore their favourite jewellery, and queued up at the temple to have their thalis tied, marking their symbolic marriage. On Wednesday, the final day of the festival, devotees broke their thalis and bangles, wiped off their sindoor, and mourned the sacrifice of their husband, Koothandavar, before taking a holy dip in the lake. A beauty contest was also held as part of the festival. “I’m fortunate to have been accepted by my parents, and it’s something I hope for others as well,” says S Renuga, crowned Miss Koovagam 2025. The 24-year-old model from Chennai, originally from Tirunelveli, says though she missed out on the title the previous year, she was determined to win this time. Email your feedback with name and address to southpole.toi@timesofindia.com 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.
NMC Builds First Transgender-Friendly Units
Nagpur: In a pioneering initiative, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is constructing seven public toilets with dedicated facilities for transgenders, a first of its kind in the city. Simultaneously, 36 high-tech smart toilets are being developed in six phases. Currently, Nagpur has only 58 public and 36 community toilets, falling short of the required 150 public toilets based on population density. To bridge this gap, the civic body has identified spaces in markets, gardens, and grounds, including Dhanwantari Nagar, Sugat Nagar, Futala, and Motibagh. Three of the seven public toilets with transgender facilities are nearing completion at locations such as Gorakshan, Mangalwari Bazaar, and near Futala Lake. The remaining ones will be constructed in Satranjipura, Pardi, Mankapur, and Gandhibagh. These toilets, estimated to cost Rs 5 crore, will also serve men and women and include commode facilities tailored for transgenders. This initiative, driven by municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, has been welcomed by the transgender community, which has long demanded such facilities. Meanwhile, the NMC is spending Rs 17 crore to construct 36 smart public toilets with modern amenities like mobile-based location tracking, baby changing stations, and feeding rooms. Some smart toilets are already operational, and the NMC plans to incorporate transgender-specific facilities wherever possible in ongoing phases like Walkers Street and Mor Bhavan bus stand. Officials believe these upgrades are essential for improving sanitation and upholding the dignity of all citizens. The NMC aims to fast-track completion and make public sanitation in Nagpur more accessible, inclusive, and future-ready. 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.
Ceasefire at the border rekindles conflict within Karnataka Congress
Bengaluru: With tensions between India and Pakistan easing with the declaration of a ceasefire, conflicts and internal bickering has resumed in the two major national parties — governing Congress and principal opposition BJP — in Karnataka. Some members in both parties are pressing for a change at the helm. Senior Congress functionaries say the decision to go ahead with the Sadhana Samavesha event — scheduled for May 20 in Hospet, Vijayanagara district to mark two years of the party in office — has kicked off rivalries between camps led by chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. Besides talk over the unofficial “pact” that Shivakumar would replace Siddaramaiah as CM at the halfway mark of this govt’s five-year tenure, there is also bickering on the appointment of a new KPCC president and an impending reshuffle of the cabinet. Functionaries claim the party high command had promised to induct a new batch of MLAs into the cabinet after the govt crossed the halfway mark. They say this is why Siddaramaiah filled all 34 ministerial berths when he formed the govt in May 2023. Seniors including Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Shivakumar, also KPCC president, had previously suggested as much when they said in public forums that the current set of ministers must make way for those who did not get an opportunity earlier. A large section of MLAs intends to remind Rahul and the party’s high command of this promise when he visits for the Sadhana Samavesha. “As elected representatives, we obviously aspire for ministerial posts so that we serve our constituents better,” said PM Narendra Swamy, Malavalli MLA and chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. “We will raise the issue at the proper forum. However, we will abide by the decision of the high command.” While a huge contingent of fresh faces is hoping for a ministerial berth, many seniors, including UT Khader, currently serving as speaker of the assembly, former minister RV Deshpande, former deputy chief minister Lakshman Savadi and legislators like Shivalinge Gowda, Vinay Kulkarni, and Appaji Nagagouda are also hoping to make the transition. However, the hitch is that incumbent ministers are unwilling to vacate their posts. While Shivakumar’s supporters like Channagiri MLA Shivagganga Basavaraj insist Siddaramaiah will have to make way for “their leader”, the CM’s loyalists, including urban development minister Byrathi Suresha, have said Siddaramaiah will continue in his present position for the full term. “As ministers, we cannot comment on a cabinet reshuffle or appointment of CM since it is the high command’s decision,” said food and civil supplies minister KH Muniyappa. “However, I think all of us, except a few first-time ministers who need more time to prove their mettle, may consider making way for others.” In BJP, the friction over the state president is intensifying as the detractors of incumbent BY Vijayendra are still pressing for his replacement, while his supporters maintain that the high command has promised to reaffirm his position. 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 young man stopped from entering temple in Karnataka
When the man protested, reminding the upper caste man of being a hindrance in exercising his constitutional rights, others joined in, abused him with casteist slurs, and forced him to leave. Tension broke out in Karnataka’s Kavanadala village of Madhugiri taluk on Saturday, May 10, after a Dalit young man was allegedly stopped from entering a local temple by members of the temple committee. Swaminatha, who was visiting relatives, went to the Ramanjaneya temple to perform a pooja but was denied entry by Shivananda, who curtly told him that Dalits were not allowed inside. When Swaminatha protested, reminding the upper caste man of being a hindrance in exercising his constitutional rights, others joined in, abused him with casteist slurs, and forced him to leave. The Dalit young man filed a police complaint with the Badavanahalli police station. On information, officials from the Police, Revenue, and Social Welfare departments visited the village and a peace meeting was held where they said practising caste discrimination is against the rule of law. After the intervention, Swaminatha was allowed to enter the temple. Authorities assured that Dalits in the village would no longer face such discrimination. Superintendent of Police Ashok KV said the issue was resolved peacefully, but an investigation is ongoing and legal action will follow based on the findings. Posted by Veena Nair Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https://thesiasatdaily.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Today is a mega-show of Dalit politics in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi will roar with his entire army, the program will range from dialogue to cinema
Congress is putting in all its efforts to win the Bihar assembly elections in its favour. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is entering the battlefield of Bihar on Thursday with his entire army of leaders. Actually, Rahul Gandhi is trying to get 17 percent Dalit votes with him, for which he is continuously visiting Bihar. This is Rahul Gandhi’s fourth visit to Bihar in five months. As the Bihar assembly elections are getting closer, the political heat is increasing. The issues of migration and employment have become the center of the campaigns of political parties. All the parties of the ruling and opposition are making these issues the main basis of their strategy. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is entering the battlefield of Bihar on Thursday with his entire army of leaders, where the Dalit community is going to be at the center of his political agenda. Rahul Gandhi has made a strategy from communicating with Dalit students to watching movies. Congress’s youth leader Kanhaiya Kumar has led the ‘Palan Roko, Naukri Do’ Yatra and has already brought the issues of migration and unemployment to the political centre stage in Bihar. Now Rahul Gandhi is coming together with senior Congress leaders to give it a political edge and set the political equations. In all the districts of Bihar, Congress leaders will discuss the issues of employment and education with Dalit and backward class students through the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program. Rahul will start ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ Rahul Gandhi will start the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program from Darbhanga, Bihar. This program of Rahul was to be held in Ambedkar Hostel, but permission was not given. In such a situation, Rahul Gandhi will communicate with Dalit students in Darbhanga’s Nagar Bhawan. During this time, more than 60 national level leaders of Congress will participate in the dialogue program at about 75 places in different districts of Bihar. They will visit colleges, universities and hostels and communicate with the students. The purpose of this program is to spread awareness among students and youth about the right to education and social justice. Congress national secretary and co-in-charge of Bihar Sushil Pasi says that the biggest problem in Bihar is of better education and employment. Students of Bihar are constantly migrating for better education and jobs, in which the biggest problem is being faced by the people of Dalit society. Economically and socially, the people of Dalit society are very weak, due to which they are neither able to provide better education to their children nor are they able to get employment. Due to this they have to migrate, Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders will also do Shiksha Nyay Samvad to know and understand the problems of Dalit society. The purpose of Congress’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’? Sushil Pasi told that the Congress’s ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program means to provide social justice in education and jobs to Dalit, backward and extremely backward class people. Through ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, Congress will loudly raise issues like delay in academic session, question paper leak, crumbling education system. Congress’s Shiksha Nyay Samvad can be understood in five points… The aim is to remove the 50 percent limit of reservation. The limit of reservation is 50%, and the Supreme Court is stopping any further increase. Congress is demanding to abolish this limit and increase it. Congress wants that reservation should be given to people as per their participation in the society. Implement sub-plan on Dalits and tribals. To achieve the goals set by the Constitution for the development of SCs and STs as per Articles 46 and 47. To promote socio-economic development of SCs and STs and provide social justice. To ensure participation of SCs and STs in development plans and provide equal opportunities. Such as education, health, employment and social security. Demand to improve education infrastructure- Congress is demanding to strengthen and improve the education system in Bihar. Congress leaders will raise this demand through Shiksha Nyay Samvad. Give jobs, not loans- Congress leaders will raise the demand through Shiksha Nyay Samvad that give jobs, not loans. Through this, the strategy of Congress leaders and Rahul Gandhi is to target the BJP’s Modi government. Give 3-year degree in 3 years only- Congress leaders will raise the demand in Bihar that the exams should be conducted on time and there should be no delay in the results. In recent times, it has been seen that exams are being delayed in many universities of Bihar. It is taking four to five years to complete a three-year degree. Students of Bihar have been continuously raising demands regarding this. Rahul Gandhi will watch Phule film in Patna Rahul Gandhi will reach Patna directly after inaugurating the Shiksha Nyay Samvad program in Darbhanga, Bihar. In Patna, he will first interact with the representatives of various social organizations. Representatives of the civil society ‘Phule’ based on EBC thinker Jyotirao Phule will be seen with the people of the Dalit community at P&M Mall. This film is based on the life of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule, who have deeply hurt the caste system of the society. Jyotiba Phule has his own political importance among Dalits and backward classes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will try to give a political message by watching the Phule film with social justice activists in Bihar. Bihar has been the land of the social justice movement. Jyotiba Phule may have belonged to Maharashtra, but he has his own political importance in Bihar, especially the Dalit and extremely backward communities consider him their messiah. Jyotiba Phule used to play an important role in the politics of BSP founder Kanshiram. He is considered the pivot of social justice. Congress will give edge to Dalit politics Congress is focused on students and youth, but its eye is on wooing Dalits. Congress is busy preparing for the Bihar assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi is busy in reviving the Congress organization in Bihar. He wants to make the organization sharper. In such
Rampur News: Uproar over beating of Dalit youth
Maswasi. There was a ruckus late on Wednesday night over the beating of a Dalit youth resident of Mohalla Chaupura in the city. Last Tuesday, a group of some youths had beaten up the Dalit youth. When the victim gave a complaint to the police post, he was taken into custody, although after some time the police released him. Angry with this incident, on Wednesday night at around 9:30, people of the Dalit community started marching towards the post in large numbers for protest, but the police stopped them in the middle of the market. During this, there was a long argument between the police and the protesters. Meanwhile, people of the other group also reached the post and they also started a ruckus there. The atmosphere became tense due to sloganeering and debate of both the sides. Due to the protest, the road was blocked and long queues of vehicles were formed on both sides. The situation remained chaotic for about an hour. Later, the police tried to pacify both the parties by explaining. During this time, the people of the Dalit community who had marched to the police post returned, but the other group continued to create a ruckus at the police post. An atmosphere of tension has prevailed in the area since the incident. Courtesy : Hindi News
Budaun News: 20 Dalit villages will be transformed, four crore rupees will be spent
Add Your Heading Text HereBudaun. 20 Dalit dominated villages of the district have been selected for PM Adarsh Gram Yojana. Development work will be done in these villages at a cost of four crores. The survey report has been sent by the Social Welfare Department for carrying out development work. Work will be started as soon as the budget arrives. Advertisement: 0:18 Development work is to be done in 34 Scheduled Caste dominated revenue villages of the district under PM Adarsh Gram Yojana. Facilities like road, water, electricity, toilets etc. will be provided in these villages. This will lead to the development of Scheduled Caste dominated villages. Assistant Manager of Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation Santosh Diwakar said that under the scheme, integrated development of villages with more than 50 percent Dalit population will be done. He said that work will be done in the direction of poverty eradication and education in the selected villages of the district. Rs 20 lakh will be spent on each selected village. He said that the file has been sent to the government regarding the demand for budget. Development work will be done in these villages Jarawan, Harpalpur, Mirzapur, Jajpura, Mugarra Jarasi, Sakhamai, Dandah, Koda Gujar, Tikai Kham, Mary Bajar Mary, Atsena, Bijauri, Daulatpur, Harnathpur Mustakharj, Kaur, Mallamai, Nainamai, Nizampur Mazra Midoli, Paharpur, Sahaspur. Courtesy : Hindi News
Ludhiana News: Sexual harassment and assault case against AAP Dalit wing chief
Halwara. A case has been registered against Aam Aadmi Party’s Dalit wing chief Meva Singh, a resident of Halwara, from Raikot assembly constituency, under sections of sexual harassment and assault of his former female employee at Thana Sudhar. Police is raiding in search of the accused. It is alleged that Meva Singh also beat the mother of the victim woman. Mother and daughter are admitted in the civil hospital of Raikot. Police have registered a case on the complaint of the victim woman and the MLR. The victim Amandeep Kaur said in the complaint that she was working in Meva Singh’s photography studio since 2021. He had contracted to pay a salary of Rs 10,000 per month, but used to pay only Rs 5000 per month. During this time, Meva Singh touched her inappropriately. He mentally harassed her to have sex. Fed up with this, on November 6, 2024, she left her job from Meva Singh’s studio and took up a job somewhere else. She pleaded with Meva Singh several times to pay her her six months’ salary, but he would refuse by threatening to kill her. Now Meva Singh called her to his M-10 restaurant near Rajoana Chowk to pay her the salary. She reached there with her wife. Meva Singh, along with his wife and two other female employees, beat her up. He also tried to kill her by strangulating her. On the other hand, the victim has accused the Sudhar police of being biased in registering a case against only Meva Singh. On the other hand, Jaswinder Singh, in-charge of Sudhar police station, said that if the role of anyone else comes to light, he will also be named in the case. Courtesy : Hindi News
Siwan mourns BSF jawan Rambabu Singh killed in cross-border firing during Operation Sindoor
PATNA: An eerie silence prevailed in Siwan’s Wasilpur village on Tuesday as news spread of the martyrdom of 28-year-old BSF jawan Rambabu Singh, who succumbed to injuries sustained in Pakistani cross-border firing during Operation Sindoor in Jammu & Kashmir. “Rambabu, originally posted in Jammu, had been transferred to Rajasthan but was asked to remain due to the ongoing operation,” said his cousin Pritam Kumar. Speaking over the phone from Wasilpur, Pritam added that Rambabu had briefly spoken to a relative at 11.43am on Monday. “Bhaiya told him to call later. Bhabhi had asked him in the morning to recharge their mother’s phone, which he did. At 4pm, Akhilesh bhaiya got a call from the BSF about his death,” he said. Rambabu’s mortal remains are expected to arrive in the village on Wednesday morning. His father-in-law, Subhash Chandra, told reporters that Rambabu had spoken to his wife, Anjali, till 11am on Monday. “What is worrisome is the fact that he got injured in shelling from the Pakistan side despite a ceasefire announced Sunday evening,” he said. Local police officers, including SHO Ritesh Kumar Mandal and DSP Vinod Kumar, said they had only received confirmation of Rambabu’s martyrdom and were unaware of the exact location of the incident. CM Nitish Kumar expressed deep condolences and announced Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the martyr’s family. “The country will always remember his martyrdom,” he said, adding that Rambabu would be cremated with full police honours. Rambabu’s wife Anjali Devi, who was at her paternal home in Dhanbad, was devastated by the news. The couple had married on Dec 14 last year. His mother, Sumitra Devi, unaware of the tragedy, questioned the crowd outside their house until she was informed, said neighbour Umesh Prasad. Mukhiya Kamleshwar Singh, overseeing preparations at the cremation ground, said, “The whole panchayat is proud of Rambabu’s sacrifice. He came from a humble background. The govt should support his family.” Rambabu’s father, Ram Vichar Singh, passed away two years ago, and his brother, Akhilesh, recently joined the railways as a loco pilot. “His sudden departure has left his grandfather, Jagdish Prasad Singh, speechless,” the mukhiya 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.