When Dalits Own Temples: The Politics Behind Rajasthan’s Khakul Dev Dispute
The Balai family is not demanding admission into someone else’s temple. It claims with historical authority that its ancestors established, maintained and served as hereditary priests of the shrine for centuries, and that these rights are now being challenged by people associated with the RSS. Khakul Dev Temple of Barana village in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district. In frame, a member of the Balai family, who is the acting priest to the temple. Photo: By arrangement When Vishnu Kumar Balai, the hereditary priest of the Khakul Dev Temple of Barana village in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district, wrote to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat in May this year asking, “Are we not Hindus?”, his appeal was widely understood as only an instance of caste discrimination and exploitation. But that reading misses what makes the Barana dispute historically and socially significant. This is not a story about Dalits seeking entry into Brahminical temples or demanding the right to perform rituals in Brahminical spaces. It is about a Dalit family which founded, owned and served as hereditary custodians of a temple for nearly four centuries, and whose assertions whose claims are supported by a body of historical material preserved by the family. Per the evidence furnished by the family, their position as priests and owners was recognised through a tamrapatra (copper-plate grant), issued by Maharana Karan Singh II of Mewar, grandson of Maharana Pratap, in 1624 CE. That historical continuity makes the present controversy all the more remarkable: a custodianship they say was acknowledged under a 17th-century Mewar ruler now finds itself challenged in 21st-century democratic India. The Khakul Dev dispute, therefore, raises a question that extends far beyond one village: why has a centuries-old Dalit temple ownership become the subject of contemporary political contestation? The tradition The Balai priestly family traces its association with Khakul Dev to Ghasiramji Balai, who, according to family tradition, discovered the deity in the early seventeenth century near present-day Hadkiya village. The shrine was subsequently established at Barana and gradually developed into an important regional place of worship. The family preserves a body of historical material – including genealogies, temple records, inscriptions and the 1624 tamrapatra – which it documents uninterrupted hereditary succession. The tamrapatra, as attested by the family, recognises their custodianship and ownership over both the temple and land attached to its maintenance, including their right for hereditary priesthood. Taken together, these records suggest that the family’s claim is rooted in a long tradition of hereditary custodianship rather than being a recent assertion. Rajasthan’s forgotten non-Brahmin religious landscape Many of Rajasthan’s most-revered folk shrines evolved outside the framework of orthodox Brahmanical institutions. Rajputs and Meghwals have historically performed hereditary ritual roles at the shrine of Baba Ramdevji, a 14th century Tomar chief whose cult transcends caste boundaries. In fact, the main temple of Baba Ramdev houses the samadhis of both Ramdevji and Dalibaiji, his Meghwal dharmbehan. Baba Ramdev Tomar, although a Rajput, is viewed as an important figure in the tradition founded by Meghrishi, a Dalit saint. Likewise, the traditions surrounding Pabuji Rathore, another Rajput folk hero, have long depended upon Nayak Bhils and Bhopa communities as hereditary ritual specialists and custodians of oral epics. Most temples dedicated to Gujjar deity Devnarayan are found in Mewar and built by Mewar’s rulers. The current Gogaji shrine at Gogamedi was built by the Bikaner’s rulers, but its tradition of Muslim priests has persisted till the modern era. Seen in this context, Khakul Dev is less an exception than a surviving example of a much older religious tradition. Recent scholarship has also questioned the assumption that Rajasthan’s religious institutions were historically organised according to a single Brahmanical model,showing that many Lok Devta traditions were sustained through the ritual practices of Bhopas, Bhils, Dalits and other non-Brahmin communities . In Merchants of Virtue, historian Divya Cherian shows how the increasing Brahminisation of Rajput courts during the 18th century reshaped social hierarchies and forms of social legitimacy. The persistence of non-Brahmin hereditary priesthoods at shrines such as Khakul Dev, Ramdevji, Gogamedi and Pabuji points to an older and more socially diverse religious landscape. Ownership, not entry Speaking to The Wire over email, social activist and Ambedkarite thinker Bhanwar Meghwanshi, said, “The Khakul Dev temple dispute also brings to light a striking historical irony. The feudal state, notwithstanding its own drawbacks and criticisms, not just recognised Dalits as hereditary priests but also granted them rights over the temples and the land attached to them. Yet, in contemporary democratic India, such hereditary rights are increasingly being challenged. In many places, dominant caste groups, including those classified as OBCs, have sought to wrest control of temples, offerings and attached lands from Dalit custodians, while simultaneously subjecting them to caste-based humiliation and violence.” Much of the discourse on caste and temples has understandably centred on temple entry – the struggle of Dalits to access spaces from which they were historically excluded. Khakul Dev presents an altogether different question. The Balai family is not demanding admission into someone else’s temple. It claims with historical authority that its ancestors established, maintained and served as hereditary priests of the shrine for centuries, and that these rights are now being challenged by people associated with the RSS. The issue, therefore, is not access but owner. It concerns hereditary priesthood, temple management, ritual legitimacy and institutional control. That distinction makes the dispute historically significant. Pamphlet published by the Dalit villagers for mobilisation against forceful takeover of the temple. Amid the ongoing dispute, the local Balai community have published and circulated pamphlets. For instance, this publication by the community was intended both, to mobilise support against what they view as an attempt by dominant castes to take over the temple and to document the historical and legal basis of the family’s claim. Photo: By arrangement The conflict According to Vishnu Kumar Balai, the conflict began in 2023, when influential villagers questioned the family’s exclusive custodianship of the temple. He has alleged that Sampat Jat, along with others, attempted to alter
‘Who Killed My Family?’: Rajasthan Court Acquits All 40 Accused in 2015 Dangawas Dalit Massacre, Cites Police and CBI Probe Failures
A special court in Rajasthan’s Merta has acquitted all 40 accused in the 2015 Dangawas massacre case, in which six people, including five Dalits, were killed, citing serious lapses in the police and CBI investigation. The court held that while the massacre was proven, the prosecution failed to establish the involvement of any particular accused beyond reasonable doubt. Court Says Investigation Failed to Link Accused to Crime Delivering its verdict after an 11-year trial, the Special Court for SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act cases observed that investigators failed to conduct a Test Identification Parade (TIP) after the arrests and did not collect DNA samples from the accused to match blood recovered from the crime scene. The court also noted delays in forensic examination and said investigators could not establish any forensic connection between the recovered weapons and the accused. Although forensic reports confirmed the presence of human blood on some seized weapons, the blood groups could not be conclusively matched with the deceased or injured victims. “It is not proved which party initiated the incident… The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the absence of the right of private defence,” the court said, adding that the evidence did not meet the required legal standard for conviction. 2015 Dangawas Massacre The violence took place on May 14, 2015, in Dangawas village of Rajasthan’s Nagaur district over a decades-old land dispute. According to the CBI charge sheet, nearly 200 people travelling on tractors and motorcycles allegedly attacked members of the Dalit Meghwal community who had set up a camp on disputed agricultural land. Five Dalits — Ratnaram, Pokharram, Pancharam, Khemaram and Ganpatram Meghwal — were killed, while 11 others, including five women, sustained injuries. Another man, Rampal Goswami, also died during the violence in a separate incident that remains subject to a different criminal case. The dispute centred around a 23-bigha plot of land allotted to Dalit farmer Bastaram Meghwal in 1961. The ownership was later transferred to his adopted son Ratnaram. The CBI alleged that tensions escalated after Ratnaram attempted to reclaim possession of the land, culminating in the deadly attack. Court Highlights Multiple Procedural Lapses The court pointed to several deficiencies in the investigation, including the failure to conduct identification parades, recover weapons from the accused, and seize or forensically examine tractors allegedly used during the attack. It also noted that no witness identified all 40 accused and that several witnesses admitted they knew only a few members of the alleged mob. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory visited the crime scene 21 days after the incident, by which time no weapons were recovered. In its judgment, the court remarked that the incident itself was beyond dispute but the prosecution failed to legally establish who was responsible. “What occurred on 14.05.2015… was beyond any doubt a heinous and heart-wrenching mass violence. What has not been proven is the connection, beyond reasonable doubt, of any particular accused to that violence,” the court observed. It further clarified that the acquittal did not mean the crime never occurred, but only that the perpetrators could not be identified through admissible evidence. Victims’ Families Question Verdict Speaking to The Wire after the verdict, Arjunram Meghwal, whose father Ratnaram was among those killed, said he was devastated by the acquittal and questioned how no one could be held responsible for the massacre. “I had hoped that those who murdered my father and other relatives would be punished. But today, after the court’s decision, I don’t know what to do. If nobody is guilty, then who killed my family? Did they die themselves?” he said. Arjunram, who was also injured in the attack, said he witnessed the killings and could not understand how the accused had been acquitted. His family has said it will challenge the verdict before the Rajasthan High Court. Victims’ counsel Abdul Salim Ansari alleged that the investigation had been weak from the beginning, claiming that the police omitted names mentioned by eyewitnesses in the FIR and later added others, creating inconsistencies that persisted throughout the trial. Activists, Congress Criticise Verdict Dalit rights activist Bhanwar Meghvanshi told The Wire that the acquittal exposed the difficulties Dalits face in securing justice. He argued that despite the CBI filing chargesheets, the prosecution failed to establish the case in court. “This shows how difficult it is for Dalits to get justice. This is eroding trust in the justice system and the constitutional guarantee of justice,” he said, urging the Rajasthan government to challenge the trial court’s judgment before the High Court. Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also criticised the verdict, questioning how all 40 accused could be acquitted when six people had lost their lives. He said the outcome highlighted serious shortcomings in the investigation and prosecution and demanded accountability from the BJP government. Meanwhile, counsel for the accused welcomed the verdict, maintaining that the investigation had not been fair and asserting that the accused had no role in the violence. The defence also claimed the disputed land belonged to their clients and rejected allegations that a large armed mob had gathered before the incident. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi steps in to pacify disgruntled Karnataka Congress MLA M Krishnappa
Supporters of Krishnappa and his son and Govindraj Nagar MLA Priya Krishna have been protesting after the duo was denied a place in the Shivakumar cabinet. BENGALURU: The Congress state leadership, led by state unit chief BK Hariprasad and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, appears to have, to some extent, pacified the disgruntled legislators who were denied cabinet berths. But it looks like the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is being forced to deal with Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa, who has made it clear that he is unwilling to accept anything less than a ministerial post. Supporters of Krishnappa and his son and Govindraj Nagar MLA Priya Krishna have been protesting after the duo was denied a place in the Shivakumar cabinet. According to Congress sources, Priya Krishna was in New Delhi to meet Rahul and, in all probability, his father is likely to be inducted into the cabinet. “Politics is a game of possibilities. Nobody knows what will happen,” remarked KPCC president BK Hariprasad, who met Krishnappa in Bengaluru on Friday. Hariprasad confirmed that Krishnappa’s “pain” has been conveyed to Rahul and the latter will speak to the former soon. Shivakumar had earlier sent ministers HC Balakrishna and N Cheluvarayaswamy, both Vokkaligas, to pacify Krishnappa. AICC General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, while reaching out to the upset MLAs, also met Krishnappa on Wednesday. Shivakumar, too, was present at the meeting. “Krishnappa, a five-time MLA, is an influential leader in Bengaluru and the Congress leadership does not want to ignore him ahead of the crucial polls to the Greater Bengaluru Authority,” said a political analyst. Krishnappa hails from the influential Vokkaliga community. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge echoed Hariprasad. “We need Krishnappa sir’s experience as well as Priya Krishna’s youthful energy. Not only them… but we need hundreds of them to join hands together… only then can we build the party,” Priyank told reporters. Meanwhile, Shivakumar is also likely to visit Delhi on Saturday to discuss political developments in the party after the cabinet expansion and to conduct a “minor surgery” by dropping ministers to placate unhappy legislators, sources said. Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna, also a Vokkaliga, may have to sacrifice his ministerial post to help the Congress douse the fire for the smooth sailing of the State Government, sources said. Meanwhile, the allotment of portfolios to the newly appointed ministers is likely to be completed before the commencement of the monsoon session of the legislature on August 13. “When the Chief Minister is our man, why should I ask for a portfolio?… What should I do with it? What is paramount for me is the work I do in my constituency and my district. Even with sleepy eyes, I will go and get the necessary work done (by the CM),” Balakrishna said, hinting that he is ready for any consequence. It remains to be seen whether the Congress high command will drop some ministers to make room for disgruntled legislators, ensuring adequate representation for different castes, communities and regions. The leadership will also have to address the lack of women’s representation, as the cabinet currently has no woman minister and one berth is still vacant. Ready to resign if top brass asks me to: Priyank Home Minister Priyank Kharge said he is ready to resign as a minister if the Congress high command asks him to and will work for the party. “There are close to 140 Congress MLAs in Karnataka and 33 ministerial posts. Satisfying everyone is a difficult job. Even though there are challenges in ensuring social justice and regional representation, party leadership has made an honest effort,” Priyank Kharge told reporters, adding that he will always abide by the decision of the high command. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, minister BZ Zameer Ahmed also said he is ready to quit the cabinet and work for the party. Later, in Chitradurga, he said the recent cabinet expansion was based on the findings of an internal survey, which suggested that giving cabinet berths to leaders with a strong influence in their respective communities would benefit the party. CM answers political questions with sarcasm CM DK Shivakumar on Friday responded with a pinch of sarcasm to a series of questions on the issues related to the recent cabinet expansion and political developments, brushing aside concerns over internal discontent and portfolio allocation delays. When asked about Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa seeking a ministerial berth, Shivakumar said, “There is nothing wrong, everyone asks.” On reports that he had called Chintamani MLA MC Sudhakar and other leaders to his office to pacify them, he denied any unrest, stating, “No one is upset. There are some senior leaders. They will have to be given responsibility. We will sort everything out.” Responding to a question on when the possibility of the cabinet having women ministers, he said, “They will be sworn in after informing you (media).” When asked about speculation of a “minor surgery” in the cabinet, Shivakumar retorted, “We thought the media should have a surgery”. On delays in portfolio allocation, he drew comparisons with previous governments, saying, “How long did Yediyurappa run the government alone? How long did the government run in Delhi?” To a question on whether bringing the party back to power in 2028 was the agenda, he countered, “Everyone has agreed, have you (the media) agreed?” Not resigning, want portfolio changed: Muniyappa Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister KH Muniyappa on Friday has dismissed reports claiming that he will resign from the cabinet and pave the way for his daughter, KGF MLA, Roopakala Shashidhar, to become a minister. In a statement, Muniyappa’s office said the senior Congress leader remains committed to the party and has served it loyally for over five decades. It highlighted his political career, including seven consecutive terms as MP from the Kolar Lok Sabha constituency and three terms as a Union Minister. The statement clarified that Muniyappa has only sought a change of portfolio
Cong mobilises students ahead of Rahul’s Prayagraj event
Prayagraj: A day after the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) authorities restored permission for Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme, preparations gathered pace across Sangam City on Friday, with senior Congress leaders camping in the city and youth workers reaching out to students to ensure a large turnout. The Congress MP is scheduled to interact with students at KP Ground on Saturday evening on issues related to education, employment and recruitment. While the state and district Congress leadership is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the participation of the maximum number of youths from Prayagraj and adjoining districts, the entire city has been flooded with posters and banners of “Chhatron Ki Goonj”. The event in Prayagraj, often referred to as the students’ hub of eastern UP, will be the third in the country after Kota and Dehradun, as the Congress campaign focuses on the future of the youth, transparency in recruitment examinations, employment and reforms in the education system. Rahul is scheduled to reach Prayagraj around 3.15 pm on Saturday and will head to Swaraj Bhawan, where he will meet people, including senior leaders and party workers. He will interact with students at KP Ground between 5 pm and 7.30 pm and later leave for Delhi around 10 pm. Mohd Farhan, organiser of the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event, told TOI, “Over 1.74 lakh students have registered for the event.” He added that senior Congress functionaries, including Aradhana Mishra (member of the UP Legislative Assembly), Rajendra Pal Gautam (AICC in-charge for UP), UPCC chief Ajay Rai and others, are camping in the city to make the event a grand success. Rai said that Rahul is visiting Prayagraj to stand in solidarity with the students. He clarified that it is not a political event and that there will be no party flags or political activities, but only discussions on issues concerning students. The Kayastha Pathshala authorities had cancelled the venue for Rahul Gandhi’s event on Wednesday. However, KP president Chaudhary Jitendra Nath Singh, in response to an undertaking submitted by UPCC chief Ajay Rai, revoked the earlier decision and permitted the event at KP Ground with a seven-point directive. The Kayastha Pathshala granted permission after taking note of the approval issued by the district administration. The Indian Youth Congress on Friday announced that it will set up ‘Students Goonj Parks’ at more than 250 locations across the country on August 8, where students will gather to watch Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj live. According to an official statement, large LED screens will be installed at designated student hubs and other high-footfall locations to livestream Gandhi’s interaction, with the initiative aimed at taking the conversation beyond Prayagraj and creating spaces for students to discuss issues related to education and examinations. 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
Bengaluru’s LGBTQIA+ athletes return from Gay Games
The athletes also highlighted the lack of inclusive sports policies in India, particularly for transgender and non-binary sportspersons. BENGALURU: Fresh from representing India at the Gay Games 2026 in Valencia, Spain, Bengaluru’s LGBTQIA+ athletes on Wednesday called for greater institutional recognition, financial assistance and inclusive sports policies, saying the country’s queer athletes continue to overcome significant barriers to compete internationally. The athletes were felicitated at Celebrating Queer Excellence, organised by the All India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) LGBTQIA+ and Sports Domain in collaboration with Queer Nilayam and Dark Vibe Society. Among those felicitated was Gowthami Kandhasami (Goaty), who emerged as one of India’s top performers at the Gay Games. Competing in the women’s 25-29 years category, she won gold in high jump, 5-km run, 10,000-metre indoor run and 42-km marathon, besides securing silver in the 10-km run. She also bagged silver in the women’s overall 42-km marathon and was part of the mixed 4×400-metre relay team that won silver. Sumit Pawar, competing in the 35-39 years category, won the gold medal in the javelin throw and called for greater recognition and support for LGBTQIA+ athletes representing India. However, they said reaching the games itself was a struggle. Months of rigorous training had to be accompanied by fundraising, personal savings and support from friends, mentors and community members to cover travel and participation expenses. They urged governments and sport bodies to introduce scholarships and financial assistance for athletes representing India internationally, regardless of whether they win medals. The athletes also highlighted the lack of inclusive sports policies in India, particularly for transgender and non-binary sportspersons. 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
10 Years of the Una Dalit Incident: The victim’s family, desperate for justice, seeks community support in the High Court.
10 Years of the Una Incident: After disappointment in the lower court, the victim’s family seeks financial assistance from the community. Gujarat: A decade has passed since the highly publicized Dalit harassment case in Una, Gir Somnath district. Ten years ago, four Dalit youths were publicly beaten after being falsely accused of cow slaughter for skinning dead cows. Now, the victims of this horrific incident are pleading for financial support from the community to continue their fight for justice. In March of this year, a lower court in Veraval acquitted 35 accused in the case. The victims have appealed to the Gujarat High Court to challenge this decision. The next hearing on the appeal is scheduled for August 25th. According to the Indian Express report, Vashram Sarvaiya, one of the victims of the public beating, says that over the past ten years, he has incurred significant debt and expenses to fight his case. His sources of income are extremely limited. He did not seek help for a decade, but now he desperately needs financial support from society to continue his legal battle. Vashram explained that he will need funds to pursue justice in the High Court and, if necessary, the Supreme Court. The last hearing on Vashram’s appeal pending before the Gujarat High Court was held on July 20. That day, a division bench of the High Court directed the registry to summon the entire record of the lower court proceedings and listed the case for August 25. To seek justice, Vashram has been sending WhatsApp messages to his acquaintances since July 11, 2026, appealing for financial assistance directly to his bank account via UPI. He has also contacted people through phone calls and messages. His Gujarati message is deeply moving. It states that today his family is completely financially ruined. If society unites and supports this fight, even if only by a small amount of a flower petal, they will be able to win this battle for self-respect in the High Court and Supreme Court. The message further states that higher courts are highly expensive, so society should consider it its collective responsibility to help the victim’s family get justice. According to Vashram, since July 11, 2026, he has sent such messages to approximately 30 people in Gujarat, 10 of whom have contributed financially. He urgently needs at least two lakh rupees to fight the case. Depending on how long this legal battle drags on and whether the case reaches the Supreme Court, this expense could increase significantly. This entire incident has also severely affected the employment opportunities of the affected youth. Vashram explains that whenever he goes out to ask for work, people look at him as if he himself had slaughtered a cow. Due to this constant humiliation and discomfort, they have now stopped looking for work. Skinning dead animals has been a traditional occupation of the Dalit Sarvaiya community. On July 11, 2016, Vashram and two of his relatives were skinning dead cows outside Mota Samadhiyala village in the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district. One of the cows had been killed by a lion. When some people claiming to be cow protectors arrived in two vehicles, they accused them of cow slaughter. The Dalit youths were then tied up and brutally beaten with sticks and iron rods. Vashram, along with Bechar, Ashok, and Ramesh, were taken to Una town, where they were publicly flogged and tortured again. After the video of this brutal attack went viral on social media, widespread outrage spread across the country. The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, visited the Sarvaiya family. Following this incident, Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani organized a massive protest, which later catapulted him to the Gujarat Assembly. A total of 41 people, including four policemen from the Una police station, were prosecuted in this serious case. During the trial, then-Police Inspector Nirmal Singh Jhala died. On March 16th of this year, Veraval Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya delivered the verdict. He acquitted 35 accused, including three policemen who faced serious charges of abetment to crime, negligence, and falsification of government records. The court found only five people guilty of intentionally causing hurt with dangerous weapons, hostage taking, insulting with intent to provoke breach of peace, and insulting members of the Scheduled Castes. Those convicted include Ramesh Jadhav, Rakesh Joshi, Nagjibhai Vaniya, Pramodgiri Goswami, and Balwantgiri Goswami. Disappointed with the verdict, Vashram Sarvaiya told the media at the time that he would challenge this unsatisfactory decision in higher courts. Today, they are seeking help from everyone who believes in humanity. On July 11th, marking the 10th anniversary of the incident, a state-level “Justice and Solidarity Conference” was held at the Mangal Pandey Auditorium in Ahmedabad. There, Balu Sarvaiya, the father of Vashram and Ramesh, declared that he would continue his fight for justice as long as he lived. He said that after ten years of struggle, their case was suppressed in the lower court, but he would go to the Supreme Court and, if necessary, even protest against the government. Vashram also alleged that the accused have created a fund to continue their legal battle and are receiving covert support from political organizations. In response, the Sarvaiya family is also gathering support from members of the Dalit community and other humanitarian communities. He said that if needed, they can also seek support by posting videos on social media. Vashram’s family is landless. Their only reliable source of income is selling milk from their one cow and one buffalo. The family consists of Vashram, his wife, a daughter, younger siblings, and parents. They earn only ₹350 per day from milk sales. A few months ago, one of the two cows they reared was killed by a lion, further reducing their income. It is noteworthy that the lion population has increased significantly in the areas surrounding the Una tehsil of Gir Somnath district since the early 2000s, as lions are now moving out of the Gir protected forests
A Dalit fourth-grade student was brutally beaten for touching a water bottle. The NHRC issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government.
The NHRC has taken a strong stance on the assault and caste-based abuse of a Dalit student in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, for drinking from a water bottle, and the death of a girl in Haryana due to contaminated water. It has issued notices to both state governments. New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a strong stance on the incident of assault and caste-based abuse against a Dalit fourth-grade student in a government school in Madhya Pradesh. The Commission has issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh government and police officials seeking responses in this serious matter. This inhumane incident occurred on July 28th in Ukawal village, Shivpuri district. It is reported that a primary school teacher saw the child drinking from his bottle. Enraged, he not only brutally beat the innocent student but also hurled casteist abuse at him. The Commission took suo motu cognizance of this incident through a news report published on August 1st. The human rights panel has clarified that if this report is true, it represents a very serious case of gross human rights violations. The victim child recounted his ordeal to his parents upon reaching home, following which the family filed a police complaint. Given the seriousness of the matter, the NHRC has requested a detailed report from the state Chief Secretary and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Shivpuri within two weeks. The Commission has also directed that this report should clearly state the statutory compensation and relief provided to the victim student. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission has also issued a notice to the Haryana government in another tragic incident. This case is from Shahzadpur in Ambala district, where a 12-year-old girl died tragically after allegedly drinking contaminated water due to jaundice. Local residents allege that the drinking water supplied from public taps in the area is completely contaminated. This toxic water has also caused several other children to contract jaundice and fall ill. In light of this alarming situation, the Commission has sought a response from the Chief Secretary of Haryana within two weeks. Based on the report, which was released on August 3rd, the Commission has asked the administration what concrete steps are being taken to address the contaminated water problem. The report also sought information on the current health status of other sick children undergoing treatment. The deceased girl was initially undergoing treatment for jaundice at a local hospital. When her condition worsened, doctors referred her to PGIMER, Chandigarh, where she succumbed to her injuries. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul proposes INDIA bloc visit to injured Bihar student protesters
While there was broad consensus on the proposal, the bloc is yet to finalise the date and composition of the delegation, sources said. NEW DELHI: As the deadlock in Parliament continues over the NEET row, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday proposed that leaders of the INDIA bloc jointly visit students in Bihar who were allegedly assaulted during recent protests, sources said. The proposal was discussed at an INDIA bloc meeting, where leaders agreed that such a visit should take place during the ongoing Monsoon Session to keep the issue at the centre of the Opposition’s campaign both inside and outside Parliament. While there was broad consensus on the proposal, the bloc is yet to finalise the date and composition of the delegation, sources added. Last week, Gandhi attacked the Modi government over allegations that AK-47 rifles were used against protesting students in Bihar and demanded action against those responsible for the alleged attacks. According to leaders present at the meeting, the Opposition believes the alleged police crackdown on students should remain one of its principal political issues both inside and outside Parliament. The proposal comes a day after the venue provider in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, revoked permission for Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj event, scheduled for Saturday, citing an Allahabad High Court order. However, Gandhi said that no matter how hard the BJP government tries, it cannot stop him from raising students’ voices. Ask Me Anything In another outreach to Gen Z, Gandhi on Thursday launched an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram, inviting students to interact with him directly. Sharing a link to the initiative on X, Gandhi wrote, “Students, Gen-Z — I’m here to listen. Ask me anything on Instagram, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can.” On Wednesday, Gandhi met a group of students who had protested last month, demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak issue, and who allegedly faced police excesses on July 20. Preetha Nair 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
Jharkhand student protest Day 14: Hunger strike continues as BJP, Rahul Gandhi back students
NEW DELHI: The protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Thursday, with students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, while political pressure on the Hemant Soren government intensified. The protest, launched on July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has grown into one of Jharkhand’s largest student-led movements in recent years. Protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, an independent probe into alleged irregularities, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC. Here are the top developments: BJP MLAs protest outside Assembly BJP MLAs on Thursday staged a protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly, on the first day of the Monsoon Session, over alleged irregularities in the state competitive examinations. Speaking to ANI, BJP MLA Alok Chaurasia said, “The Bharatiya Janata Party stands firmly and vocally with the students regarding the functioning of Jharkhand government agencies such as JPSC, JSSC, and CJL, as well as the widespread corruption across the state, particularly the fraud committed against students…” The legislators raised slogans against the government, with chief whip Naveen Jaiswal alleging it was “selling” Jharkhand’s youths’ future and demanding a CBI probe, saying, “nobody trusts your CID and committee.” Rahul Gandhi speaks to aspirants Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to JPSC-JSSC aspirants over the phone on Thursday. Student leader Piyush Kumar said the students raised their demand for cancellation of the examination, an investigation and reforms. “We told him of our demands, that exam should be cancelled, regarding investigation and reforms. He said that he stands with our demands, and that they will take it up with the Govt. He said that he stands with and supports students…We are yet to get any official information regarding the date and time of meeting (with the government),” Kumar said. Student leader Ravindra Paswan said Gandhi enquired about the situation at the protest site. “He asked us about the situation here. We told him about the irregularities in exams here. We told him that Congress is in the government in Jharkhand and they should help us. He told us that he stands with students,” Paswan said. 11-member delegation finalised According to JPSC JSSC Reform Manch, protesting students have finalised an 11-member delegation for talks with the state government. The group comprises eight student representatives, one lawyer and two technical experts. The eight student representatives are Piyush Kumar Singh, Ravindra Paswan, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Kartik Soren, Ravindra, Ankit Kumar and Shalu Singh. Students have also demanded that any dialogue with the government be held in the presence of the media. Officials reach protest site Ranchi Sadar SDO Rajat Kumar and ADM Dhananjay Kumar reached Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to hear the grievances of the protesting aspirants. “We came to speak with our younger brothers about how we can assist them in their preparations for the future,” Rajat Kumar said. A protester said there had been a suggestion that a four- or five-member delegation should participate in talks, but students insisted on a transparent process. ‘Assembly gherao’ on Monday Amid the continuing agitation, students announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met. Protester Radhe Kumar said the decision was taken after the government initiated contact with the students. JMM MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato urged the government to immediately open talks, warning that “something untoward will happen” if the situation remains unresolved. Hunger strike continues Activist Sonam Wangchuk rejected reports that student leader Devendra Nath Mahato had ended his hunger strike after speaking with him. A total of six demonstrators are presently on a hunger strike. In a video message on X, Wangchuk said, “He consumed water, not food; I want to clarify this.” He added, “He was fasting without water and without food, which is, in a way, like suicide. So, I only urged him to consume water and salt now and continue his fast.” Mahato began his indefinite hunger strike on August 2 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. He is now continuing the fast on water and salt. Minister claims 19 arrested Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said on Thursday that the government was investigating the allegations and that 19 people had been arrested. 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
Two days after getting doxed, Telugu Dalit content creator’s account suspended by Instagram
Following the doxing, Ajay approached the Panjagutta police station to register an FIR. While Ajay’s complaint petition has been noted, the FIR is yet to be lodged. A day after Telugu content creator Ajay Radha Kumar was doxed by a Hindutva digital creator, his account was suspended by Instagram on Wednesday, August 5 for not following Instagram’s “Terms of Use on intellectual property.” Ajay, a 23-year-old content creator who has amassed over 1 lakh followers, is well known in the Telugu media landscape for posting feminist, Ambedkarite content. Over the past few weeks, Ajay has been posting videos related to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests and public dissatisfaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government. He has also posted videos criticising the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government’s push for data centres and the privatisation of medical colleges in Andhra Pradesh. Since Saturday, August 1, a Hindutva digital creator identified as TD Rakesh Sharma has made a series of videos criticising Ajay. “I can only assume this is in response to a video I did regarding posters at the CJP protest where PM Narendra Modi’s face was morphed and affixed on women’s bodies,” Ajay, a Dalit residing in Hyderabad, told TNM. In his video, Ajay is criticising the posters for the underlying sexism of correlating the Prime Minister’s inefficiency with womanhood. In response to that video, Rakesh Sharma posted another stating that Ajay could lodge a complaint against him to the police if he wanted to. “But then you also have to explain how you justified PM Modi being presented as a woman,” Rakesh said. It is unclear how Rakesh arrived at this conclusion, as Ajay’s video does not justify the posters in question. “He doesn’t seem to understand what I was saying. I spoke in Telugu, but still it was lost on him and other right-wing supporters,” Ajay said. In a second video published on Sunday, August 2, Rakesh can be seen abusing Ajay for criticising PM Modi and Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan. Things, however, took a turn on Monday, August 3, when Rakesh put out a reel on Instagram accusing him of duping women. “He (Ajay) targeted women students at law colleges and converted one such Hindu woman in Badhrachalam into an atheist,” Rakesh can be seen saying. Ajay told TNM that the woman in question was a friend of his who had her own political views. Rakesh also accused Ajay of making ‘anti-Hindu videos’ and made casteist remarks against him. But without stopping there, Rakesh put Ajay’s phone number on the video. “On Monday evening alone between 6 pm and 12:30 am, I got at least 100-120 calls,” Ajay told TNM. “I started to block them because I kept getting calls and messages incessantly,” he said. TNM also saw a few screenshots sent to Ajay which included messages from strangers abusing Ajay, his family and making outright casteist and communal remarks. Addressing the doxing, Ajay added that Rakesh had put out a lot of information about his identity. “A lot of information about me is factually incorrect. For instance, he said my mother is a Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) member, which is untrue, and made misleading statements about my family,” Ajay added. Following the doxing, Ajay approached the Panjagutta police station to register an FIR. While Ajay’s complaint petition has been noted, the FIR is yet to be lodged. Rakesh also posted further videos accusing Ajay of “using women” and making further videos on Ajay’s caste location. At the time of writing this article, Rakesh has posted 11 videos targeting Ajay. Written by:Anjana Meenakshi Edited by:Nandini Chandrashekar Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights