Dalit girl taps down mom’s folded hands, faces HM’s ire; found dead next day
Madurai:: A 16-year-old dalit girl from Madurai was found hanging at her home on Aug 25, a day after a headmistress ordered her out of school for tapping down her mother’s folded hands while she was seeking admission there. Her mother P Thavamani told police that her daughter P Nijanthi was deeply distressed after Vimala, headmistress of Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, who belongs to a dominant caste, rebuked her over the gesture. Thavamani, from Ambedkar Nagar, said Nijanthi completed Class X at Thottappanayakkanur before joining a nearby govt school in Poochipatti. She attended the first group there for 20 days but discontinued because she wanted to pursue the nursing group. She remained home for a month. Later, Thavamani took her to TELC Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, where they submitted an admission form. According to the police FIR, the school sought Rs5,000, which Thavamani could not pay immediately. So, they approached Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti. Its headmistress questioned Nijanthi and telephoned her former headmaster. Speaking over a loudspeaker, the former headmaster described her as disciplined and good at studies. As Thavamani listened with her hands folded, Nijanthi tapped them down. The model school headmistress allegedly questioned the teenager over her action. She accused her of arrogance and claimed such behaviour may have led to her leaving the earlier school, the FIR said. “She made a casteist remark, asking, ‘Why can’t people like you keep your hands folded?’ She then berated the child and ordered her out. The humiliation left her distressed,” said Selvam, a relative of the girl. Nijanthi ran from the campus and walked five kilometres towards Nallamalpatti. Her mother located her and brought her home by autorickshaw. Thavamani said her daughter skipped dinner and remained distressed. Returning from work around 5.30 pm the next day, she found the bedroom locked. A neighbour broke open the door, and Nijanthi was found dead. “She cried throughout the night after the humiliation. Police are refusing to invoke SC/ST Act and appear to be protecting the headmaster, who belongs to the Kallar community,” Selvam said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Caste-Based Attack on Dalit Youth in Moradabad: Hit on Head with Sharp Weapon for Watching DJ, Case Filed Against Five
In Sabjipur village, under the Pakbara police station area of Moradabad, a Dalit youth was attacked with a sharp weapon while being hurled caste-based insults. The youth, who had returned from work in Kerala, suffered serious head injuries. Based on the victim’s complaint, police have registered a case against five accused under serious sections and the SC/ST Act. The victim, Ajit Kumar, son of Balram, stated in his complaint to the police that he returned home from Kerala on August 17, 2026, at around 8 p.m. After returning home, he went to a mechanic to pick up his bike, which had been given for service. While returning home, a DJ was playing on the road. Ajit parked his bike to watch the DJ. It is alleged that some boys came from behind the DJ and surrounded him shortly after. According to the victim, the accused used casteist slurs and abused him, saying, “You are a Chamar and a Bhimta, you believe in Bhima, what business do you have here?” They then surrounded him and attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon on his head, causing serious injuries. The accused also said, “Son of a Chamar, what can you do?” In the complaint, the victim named the accused who assaulted him as Bablu, son of Sher Singh, Akash, son of Ramavatar, Akash, son of Prakash, Chandrasen, son of Karan Singh, and Jain, son of Netrapal. Based on Ajit Kumar’s complaint, the Pakbara police station in-charge has registered a case under the SC/ST Act and relevant sections and has begun an investigation. Police say they will investigate the matter and take strict legal action against the culprits. Shrikant Sharma | Moradabad Courtesy: Hindi News
TVK, DMK MLAs trade barbs over social justice
The minister also cited a reported 67% increase in atrocities against SCs in TN between 2019 and 2023, claiming it was the highest in the country. CHENNAI: The Assembly on Thursday witnessed fiery exchanges between members of the ruling coalition and the DMK over Dalit empowerment. PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna, responding to DMK’s claims of championing Dalits and minorities, questioned its alliance with the BJP between 1994 and 2003. He asked why the DMK did not withdraw support for the BJP after the 2002 Gujarat riots. The minister also cited a reported 67% increase in atrocities against SCs in TN between 2019 and 2023, claiming it was the highest in the country. Referring to CAG observations on SC and ST welfare funds remaining unspent, he said, “BR Ambedkar’s vision was to give authority to Dalits, not stop with providing them houses and water.” Rejecting the criticism, DMK MLA KN Nehru said it was common for governments to leave around 6%-7% of funds unspent and for such amounts to be flagged in CAG reports. He added that the same could happen to the present government “if it lasts for a year”, triggering protests from TVK members. Speaker JCD Prabakar intervened and said the people’s mandate was for five years. DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan then accused Arjuna of trying to create an impression that the party had done nothing for Dalits. He credited Karunanidhi with introducing concrete houses for Dalits and bringing legislation to enable people from all communities to become temple priests. Arjuna questioned whether the scheme to appoint temple priests had been implemented for the entire five years of DMK rule. Former HR&CE minister PK Sekar Babu said the DMK government had issued appointment orders for 32 people, but the process was halted following a case in the Supreme Court. Arjuna then accused the DMK of taking credit for schemes it could not implement fully. Aadhav also questioned why the DMK had not conducted a caste survey. DMK MLAs responded that the Supreme Court had not permitted the state to conduct one. School Education minister A Rajmohan accused the DMK of portraying Dalit rights as achievements granted by the party rather than rights secured through the Constitution. He also referred to RS Bharathi’s controversial remark that Dalits becoming judges were “alms” granted by the Dravidian movement. DMK members objected to the reference, pointing out that Bharathi had already been reprimanded by the party. Joining the debate, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu questioned why the DMK had not shared power with the VCK when the latter had four MLAs supporting the DMK in the previous Assembly. Drawing a parallel with VCK’s representation in the TVK-led government, he said the DMK could not accept a VCK leader becoming a minister. He also took exception to the DMK’s description of the TVK government as a “sofa model government”, saying the remark could be compared to dominant caste people mocking Dalits for wearing good clothes or buying a car. Responding to statements that Dravidian parties had fielded Dalit candidates in general seats, Arasu said the move appeared to have been driven by “pity rather than principle”. ‘Assembly not a forum for political fights’ Chennai: The Assembly is a legislative forum meant to discuss people’s issues, not a battleground for political fighting, DMDK MLA Premalatha Vijayakant said on Thursday, urging the Speaker to given an opportunity for all MLAs to speak. She also singled out Aadhav Arjuna, saying his interventions were prolonging debates. ENS Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit woman returning home for Rakshabandhan in Firozabad died under suspicious circumstances; murder alleged.
Firozabad (UP), A Dalit woman returning to her village from Gurugram to celebrate Rakshabandhan died under suspicious circumstances. The woman’s body was found in the Shikohabad police station area. Family members suspect murder, police said on Friday. Police said a case has been registered and an investigation has been initiated based on a complaint from the woman’s father. Shikohabad Station House Officer (SHO) Anuj Kumar Singh said Aarti (21), daughter of Rakesh Singh, a resident of Kutukpur village in the Nasirpur police station area, worked as a nurse at a hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. According to family members, she left her village on Wednesday night, August 26, to celebrate Rakshabandhan. During a phone call at around 8 p.m., she told them she was returning with a young man from Vijendra Colony in Shikohabad. Her mobile phone then went off. Meanwhile, police received information about the discovery of a young woman’s body in the Shikohabad area on Thursday. The Inspector-in-Charge arrived at the scene with police force. The body was identified based on documents found near it and the family was informed. The police sent the body for post-mortem and registered a case based on the father’s complaint. Several people are being questioned in connection with the case. The deceased’s elder sister, Lalita, also alleged that upon arriving in Shikohabad, Aarti had told them that since it was night, she was staying with her friend near Pratappur intersection. Police were informed of the incident in the morning, but her friend has been untraceable since then. The family has also expressed doubts about her friend’s role. Courtesy : Hindi News
Akash’s Dalit identity known to cops who tortured and killed him, finds CB-CID
The chargesheet says the six policemen knew Akash Delison belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Devendrakula Velalar community when they took him to a secluded spot and beat him, causing injuries that led to his death. The CB-CID chargesheet in the custodial death of 26-year-old Dalit youth Akash Delison says the six policemen accused in his death knew that he belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Devendrakula Vellalar community and assaulted him with the intention of causing his death. All six have been charged with offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akash, from Sivaganga district, died on March 8 while under treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, two days after his arrest by the Manamadurai police. Police had arrested Akash and another man, Guna, on March 6, in connection with an attempted murder case. Even though the chargesheet on Akash’s custodial torture and murder was filed before the III Additional District Judge for Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) cases in Madurai on June 18, Akash’s parents received a copy only recently. It names Inspector Dileepan, Sub-Inspector K Guhan, Grade-I Constable S Kaleeswaran, driver constable P Mahendran, constable L Deivendran, and constable B Palaniyappan as accused. The CB-CID has charged all six under section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which applies when a person who is not a member of an SC or ST community commits an offence against an SC/ST person knowing their caste or tribal identity, along with the charges of murder and causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender. Dileepan, the first accused, has additionally been charged with knowingly recording or framing an incorrect document or electronic record as a public servant, with the intention of causing injury to another person. The caste identities of both the victim and the accused have been specifically recorded in the chargesheet. Akash is identified as belonging to the Hindu Devendrakula Vellalar community, which comes under the SC category. The chargesheet says Dileepan belongs to the Hindu Piramalai Kallar community, which is classified as Other Backward Class (OBC), and, in specified districts including Sivaganga, also as a Denotified (DNT) community. Guhan belonged to the Hindu Kallar community. Kaleeswaran belonged to the Hindu Tuluva Vellalar community. Mahendran belonged to the Hindu Gounder community and Deivendran and Palaniyappan to the Hindu Agamudayar community. All are categorised as in BC Tamil Nadu. ‘Fully aware that Akash belonged to Scheduled Caste’ The chargesheet explicitly links the alleged assault to the policemen’s knowledge of Akash’s caste identity. “The investigation conducted so far reveals that the accused, fully aware that the deceased Akash Delison belonged to the Hindu Devendrakula Velalar community, took him in a police vehicle on March 6, 2026, around 5.30 pm to a secluded, low-lying area full of eucalyptus trees, off the road to Maanambathi village,” the chargesheet states. It says that the accused took Akash there “with the intention of causing his death” and that all six beat him with an iron rod below his right knee and above his ankle, causing severe fractures. The chargesheet says the injuries resulted in fat embolism, which directly caused Akash’s death. The allegation under the SC/ST Act is significant because section 3(2)(v) applies when a person who is not a member of an SC or ST commits an offence punishable under the IPC/BNS against a person or property knowing that such person is a member of an SC or ST. In this case, the CB-CID has specifically stated that the six policemen were aware of Akash’s SC identity. Chargesheet details alleged plan to break Akash’s leg The chargesheet also gives a detailed account of how Akash was allegedly taken to the location where he was assaulted. According to the chargesheet, Inspector Dileepan told Sub-Inspector Guhan that Akash’s leg had to be broken because he was allegedly involved in criminal cases and instructed him to identify a suitable location. The chargesheet says Guhan, along with constables Deivendran and Palaniyappan, selected a secluded spot near a mud road surrounded by eucalyptus trees on the road from Manamadurai to Maanambathi. Dileepan allegedly then travelled to the location in a police vehicle with Kaleeswaran and Mahendran. Akash, who was allegedly blindfolded, was taken out of another vehicle and placed in Dileepan’s vehicle. The chargesheet says Dileepan, Kaleeswaran, and Mahendran subsequently took Akash to a government eucalyptus grove where Guhan, Deivendran, and Palaniyappan were already waiting. There, according to the CB-CID, all six assaulted Akash on his right leg with an iron rod, causing a fracture. The document says the fracture was so severe that the bone was visible. The injured Akash was then allegedly helped back to the police vehicle by Deivendran, Palaniyappan, Kaleeswaran, and Mahendran, with Dileepan also accompanying them. Police allegedly created false account of injuries The chargesheet also accuses the policemen of concealing the iron rod used in the assault and creating a false account of how Akash sustained his injuries. According to the document, Inspector Dileepan recorded that Akash had sustained the injuries after jumping from the Melappasali bridge near Manamadurai. The CB-CID says Dileepan knew that Akash had not jumped from the bridge but nevertheless recorded the false version in his capacity as a public servant. This allegation forms the basis for the additional charges under sections 201 and 238 of the BNS against Dileepan. Akash was taken to Manamadurai Government Hospital after the alleged assault and later shifted to the Sivaganga Medical College Hospital. He was subsequently admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai while in judicial custody. He died on March 8 while undergoing treatment, and Akash’s family had alleged custodial torture. Akash, a resident of Krishnarajapuram near Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, was arrested on March 6 along with another man, Guna, in connection with a case relating to an alleged attack on two men. Police had initially claimed that Akash sustained his injuries after jumping from
Dalit man held hostage, beaten, car snatched in Nawabganj: An additional 50,000 rupees demanded after repaying a loan of 100,000 rupees
A case has come to light in Gulshan Nagar Basti of Nawabganj where a Dalit man was allegedly held hostage, beaten, and his Eco car snatched. The victim has alleged that an additional 50,000 rupees was demanded from him despite repaying a loan of 100,000 rupees. In a complaint filed with the police, a Dalit man named Shankar Lal has accused a man named Badan Singh of demanding additional money in the name of interest and assaulting him. According to Shankar Lal’s wife, Reena, about six months ago, Shankar Lal borrowed 100,000 rupees from Badan Singh on interest for his Eco car. It is alleged that he has repaid approximately 1.5 lakh rupees including interest. Despite this, Badan Singh is demanding an additional 50,000 rupees. Reena alleged that on August 21st, between 2 and 3 pm, Shankar Lal was repeatedly summoned to Bhagyashree’s house via phone. When Shankar Lal did not return home for a long time, Reena went to look for him. There, she learned that Shankar Lal had allegedly been held hostage and beaten. It is alleged that the miscreants also took possession of Shankar Lal’s Eco car and promised to return it only after paying 50,000 rupees. Reena has filed a complaint with the police, demanding action against the accused and the return of the car. The police are investigating the matter. Station in-charge Arun Kumar Srivastava stated that the complaint has been received and an investigation will be conducted. Further action will be taken based on the investigation. Riyaz Ahmed | Nawabganj, Bareilly Courtesy: Hindi News
Village funds worth crores, yet drain constructed through donations: Villagers in Nizamabad’s Fariha Dalit settlement constructed the drain themselves, alleging discrimination.
In the Fariha Gram Sabha Dalit settlement of the Rani Ki Sarai block in Azamgarh’s Nizamabad tehsil, villagers collected donations and repaired a drain that had been broken for five years. The villagers allege that despite having a village fund worth crores, they had to do the work themselves. Sunil Kumar, Ganesh Kumar, Sarvesh Kumar, Amresh Kumar, Jaswant Lal, Abhay Kumar, Manichandra, and Rustam, along with other villagers, reported that 90 percent of the settlement’s sewage and rainwater flowed through this drain to the Kunwar River. This drain had been severely damaged for approximately 100 meters for the past five years, causing sewage to overflow onto the road and flood the fields. According to the villagers, they contacted the Fariha village headman dozens of times to get the drain and 300 meters of road constructed. The headman asked them to submit a written complaint, but the drain remained unconstructed. Forced to do so, the residents of the settlement collected donations of one thousand rupees per household, raising approximately one and a half lakh rupees. With this money, a hundred meters of drain was constructed, and new slabs were cast and placed on the drain. However, due to a lack of funds, some slabs remain to be laid. The villagers alleged that after becoming a village head, a person becomes the head of the entire village council, not of any particular community. They said that for the past ten years, no village head has shared their joys and sorrows, let alone the construction of basic amenities like drains, roads, housing, or toilets. The villagers questioned the use of the crores of rupees of funds allocated to the village council by the government for development. They alleged that officials from the block level to the Vikas Bhawan did not even once visit to inspect the work or listen to people’s problems, raising suspicions that officials from the lowest to the highest levels are involved in the embezzlement of crores of rupees. He also reported that approximately 300 meters of the road is in a dilapidated condition, causing dozens of schoolchildren to stumble and fall on their way to school. Shah Alam | Fariha (Nizamabad), Azamgarh Courtesy: Hindi News
The road to the Dalit settlement in Palhanpur is in a dilapidated condition: No repairs for three five-year periods; villagers appeal to the administration.
Villagers in Jhaliyahawa, a Dalit settlement in the Palhanpur Gram Sabha under the Bhadaiyan block of Sultanpur district, are upset by the poor condition of the road. This road is located near the Ramganj Rajbaha Canal, and its poor condition is causing significant inconvenience to local residents. Villagers allege that the road has not been paved with soil or repaired for the past three five-year periods. The condition of the road has worsened after the rains, leading to accumulation of mud and water at various places. The poor condition of the road has made it difficult for villagers to walk. Incidents of people slipping and falling in the mud have become common, causing daily problems. Children, the elderly, and women face particular difficulties in commuting during the rainy season. Rajendra, Dharamraj, Ramgulam, Mahendra, Suresh Kumar, and other villagers have demanded the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the administration immediately fill the road with soil to restore traffic. They have requested a permanent solution to the problem by repairing the drain or constructing a new one. In-charge ADO Panchayat Sangeeta Saroj stated over the phone that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken. Villagers are distressed by the poor condition of the road in Jhaliyahawa, a Dalit settlement in the Palhanpur Gram Sabha under the Bhadaiyan block of the district. This road is located near the Ramganj Rajbaha Canal, and its poor condition is causing significant inconvenience to local residents. Villagers allege that neither soil has been filled on this road nor has the drain been repaired in the last three five-year periods. The condition of the road has worsened after the rains, leading to accumulation of mud and water at various places. The poor condition of the road has made it difficult for villagers to walk. Incidents of people slipping and falling in the mud have become common, causing daily problems. Children, the elderly, and women face particular difficulties commuting during the rainy season. Rajendra, Dharamraj, Ramgulam, Mahendra, Suresh Kumar, and other villagers have urged the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the administration to immediately fill the road with mud to ensure smooth traffic flow. They have requested a permanent solution to the problem by repairing the drains or constructing new ones. In this regard, Sangeeta Saroj, the ADO in charge of the Panchayat, stated over the phone that the matter will be investigated and necessary action will be taken. Surendra Kumar | Balampur (Lamhua), Sultanpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Gorakhpur’s Dalit settlement deprived of basic amenities: Roads and drains in Kharpothara hamlet of Pali block are in poor condition.
Kharpothara hamlet of Madar Gram Panchayat, located in Pali block of Gorakhpur, still lacks basic amenities. Nestled amidst the marshland, this hamlet comprises approximately 25 houses, mostly inhabited by Dalit families. An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar revealed a dire situation. The hamlet’s roads are in a dilapidated state, disrupting traffic during the rainy season. Due to the lack of regular cleaning of drains, problems of filth and waterlogging persist. There is no proper sanitation system. Local villagers Balchand, Santosh, Prince, and Aman reported that officials do not regularly visit to address their concerns, nor does the government or administration take any action. Expressing their views, the villagers stated that they, too, are citizens of the country and the Gram Panchayat, and therefore, they should also have access to basic amenities like roads, drains, and sanitation. They have demanded a permanent solution to the problems of the Kharpothara hamlet from the government. In this regard, Secretary Arvind Chaudhary stated that this department does not fall under his jurisdiction, but rather under Assistant Development Officer Dharmendra. Assistant Development Officer Dharmendra assured that sanitation workers would be sent to the site to clean the area and repair the drainage system. He also promised to take care of this in the future. Gorakh Singh | Palikhas (Sahjanwa), Gorakhpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Dissidents push for Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee chief to end Punjab crisis
NEW DELHI: Congress is again mulling the idea of appointing a Hindu state president in Punjab amid a push from dissidents for a compromise to end the turmoil in the state unit. Well-placed sources said the deadlock in the dissidence-ridden organisation has cast a cloud over the upcoming election campaign, and the party brass is cut up about the unsuccessful fire-fighting efforts of key managers. A group of dissidents that includes senior netas like Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa has been seeking the replacement of state chief Amarinder Raja Warring ever since the AICC announced a clutch of poll-related panels while sticking with Warring at the helm two months ago. Now, sources said, the dissidents themselves have proposed that a Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief be appointed. This group has also conveyed that they will be on board with such a replacement, even though each one of them has been fancying their chances till now, they added. With the state chief and the leader of opposition both belonging to the Jatt Sikh community, the idea of a Hindu PCC chief is meant to bring balance to the organisational set-up. This was the original idea before the AICC decided to retain Warring at the top. An insider said the party is looking at its options and may have to make some change in the leadership position — either the Punjab chief or AICC in-charge, or both. While it is too close to the elections for such an organisational overhaul, the sources said the crisis has to be defused. Sources also dismissed the notion that Rahul Gandhi will soon kickstart the state campaign in the form of a bus journey, arguing that the bus would bring all the squabbling netas together and, thereby, enforce peace. A party manager said Rahul will only start the bus journey after the organisational bickering is over. “The campaign will be about the state and state Congress. It needs an agenda so that the party can set a narrative for voters,” he said. “The state netas will have to come together and draw up a plan for winning the election together. Only then will Rahul get into it,” the party functionary said. Also, Rahul will be a part of the bus campaign for 2-3 days, and state netas will steer the rest of it for around 20 days. While Congress was hopeful of its chances in the AAP-governed state, persistent infighting in the local unit has raised concerns about its prospects. Inputs that forces like jailed MP Amritpal Singh’s “Waaris Punjab De” may be gaining ground have further alarmed some strategists. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights