Dalit boy stabbed by two classmates at Sivaganga school
Sivaganga: Police apprehended two 17-year-old Class XII boys on charges of stabbing a 16-year-old classmate belonging to the dalit community at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School in Mallal near Sivaganga on Wednesday. Police said the victim was admitted to the intensive care unit of Sivaganga Govt Medical College Hospital and his condition is stable. A senior police officer said the incident stemmed from bullying based on caste identity and that the attackers were thevar boys. Last week, the victim was provoked by one of the attackers who mocked him. The enraged boy inflicted a bleeding injury on him using an iron nail. Subsequently, the school administration took up the matter with the parents of the boys and decided to drop it with warnings to both boys. The injured 17-year-old boy was absent for the past week and returned to the school on Wednesday. Before the classes began, he along with another boy tried to attack the victim. “The two boys chased the victim around the campus and finally caught him inside the staff room. As one was holding him, another boy stabbed him using a blade at four places on his chest and back,” a police officer said. Sipcot police rushed to the spot and detained one of the attackers, who was captured by school staff. Another boy was detained in the evening. Police registered a case under sections 296(b), 115(2), 127(2), and 109 of BNS and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The boys were lodged in a govt observation home. The school education department has also initiated an inquiry. It may be recalled that the department last week sent an advisory to govt and private schools to avoid caste, religious, and political events in schools to strengthen the safety and unity among students. 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
Dalit woman gang-raped in Baheri, video captured and blackmailed: Victim went to village headman’s house, case filed against 3 under SC-ST Act, 2 detained
A Scheduled Caste woman in Gursauli village, under the Baheri Kotwali area, has accused three young men of gang-raping her, blackmailing her with a video, and threatening to kill her. Based on the victim’s complaint, police have registered a case under serious sections and the SC-ST Act. Two accused have been detained in the case. According to the police report, the victim’s 30-year-old husband is disabled and was away working. On the afternoon of July 6th, the woman went to the village headman’s house to inquire about a gas connection. The village headman’s son and several other young men were present. She was told the headman was not home and was asked to return later. The victim alleges that while returning, the three accused stopped her, forcibly took her inside a house, and raped her one by one at gunpoint. The accused also filmed the incident. The woman said that when she protested, the accused used casteist slurs. They also threatened to make the video viral on social media and kill her and her family if she complained. Police have registered a case against Ajay, son of Dayashankar, Guddu alias Tejpal, son of Nathu, and Shivam, son of Niranjan Lal. This action has been taken under relevant sections of the BNS and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Baheri Inspector Dinesh Kumar said that after preliminary investigations revealed Ajay and Shivam’s role, both have been taken into custody. Police are investigating the case based on the video and other evidence. Mumtaz Ali | Baheri Courtesy: Hindi News
Pawar vs power: NCP (SP) leaders push for BJP alliance as Sharad Pawar resists
As Supriya Sule categorically rejected reports of an NDA switch, sources say six of the NCP (SP)’s 10 Lok Sabha MPs and nine of its 10 MLAs favour joining hands with the BJP. MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) appears to be facing internal divisions over the prospect of joining hands with the BJP, with party sources indicating that while Pawar wants to keep his distance, several Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs favour exploring an alliance with the ruling party. According to party sources, the 86-year-old Pawar has categorically conveyed to senior party leaders that he is not comfortable joining hands with the BJP at the fag end of his political career. However, those in favour of the move believe they should initiate talks with the BJP and assess what it is willing to offer. The buzz in the Opposition camp comes weeks after six MPs of Maha Vikas Aghadi ally Shiv Sena (UBT) switched to ruling Shiv Sena. The NCP (SP)’s stand on the BJP’s proposed Delimitation Bill is likely to emerge as a litmus test for Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Supriya Sule, signalling where the party intends to position itself in Maharashtra’s evolving political landscape. The issue gained prominence on Wednesday after Sule, the party’s working president, said there would be “little reason to oppose” the Bill if it proposed a uniform 50% increase in seats across all states. Sule, however, said any decision on supporting the legislation would be taken only after discussions within the INDIA bloc. Rejecting speculation about the NCP (SP) joining the ruling alliance, Sule said the media had been predicting her swearing-in and ministerial portfolio for the past 12 years. Notably, the NCP (SP) has 10 Lok Sabha MPs. Of them, six are reportedly keen to join the BJP-led government at the Centre, while two — Sule and Amol Kolhe — are opposed to the move. Similarly, nine of the party’s 10 MLAs are said to favour joining hands with the BJP, with Rohit Pawar the lone dissenter. Interestingly, Rohit has conveyed to the party leadership that he is prepared to make sacrifices and continue fighting the BJP. He has also said that he is less concerned about three years in power than the next 30 years of his political future and that of Maharashtra. Rohit, the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, has also opened a channel with the Congress and is in direct touch with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should he decide to join the party. Rahul is also reportedly keen to induct Pawar into the Congress because of his willingness to take on the BJP. Meanwhile, senior NCP leader Jayant Patil has reportedly opened channels of communication with the BJP through two senior leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde. “Patil has the support of six Lok Sabha MPs and nine NCP SP MLAs to initiate the talks with the BJP. In this talk, there are two thoughts, one given by the BJP that the NCP SP should merge with the NCP, not to be a separate entity of the NDA, but others are not keen to be with the NCP. They want to keep their separate identity,” a source told TNIE. Patil, meanwhile, said he met Fadnavis only to discuss an issue in his constituency, and asserted that there was no discussion in the Sharad Pawar-led party about joining the NDA. “There are no discussions going on in our party about joining the NDA. I met the chief minister only to raise the issue of the Islampur municipal council president, whose election has been declared invalid. (Deputy Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde was in Delhi, so I sought the chief minister’s appointment. The meeting lasted barely five to ten minutes, and there was no political discussion,” he told reporters. Patil’s meeting with NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare in the presence of CM Fadnavis is understood to be part of the first proposal for a merger, sources said. However, Patil denied reports that he met Patel or Tatkare during his visit to the CM’s residence. Interestingly, Patel and Tatkare are also said to favour bringing Patil and the NCP (SP) into the NCP to curb the growing influence of Parth Pawar and make the party’s existing power structure more democratic. According to sources, the letter challenging Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar’s election as NCP national president is intended to convey that she can be replaced if required. Sudhir Suryawanshi 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
UP: Dalit priests may be appointed for the Sapta Mandapam, a decision on the recruitment of new priests is likely on July 22nd.
A decision on the recruitment of new priests for the Ram Temple complex is likely to be made at the meeting on July 22nd. According to sources, for the first time, qualified Veda-reading priests from the Dalit community may be offered the opportunity to serve in the Sapta Mandapam temples. This initiative is being taken keeping in mind the increasing number of devotees and social harmony. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is preparing to appoint new priests for the Ram Temple complex. According to sources, the new recruitment process for priests may begin after the proposed trust meeting on July 22nd. For the first time, priests from the Dalit community are also likely to be included in this recruitment. If this happens, it will be considered an important step towards further strengthening the message of social harmony in the Ram Temple complex. According to sources, the proposed appointments may include priests from the Dalit community, who may be responsible for performing pujas in the Sapta Mandapam temples located in the Ram Temple complex. The Sapta Mandapam houses temples dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vashistha, Maharishi Agastya, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Nishadraj, Mata Shabari, and Mata Ahalya. All these figures and sages are considered symbols of social harmony and inclusion in Indian tradition. Opportunities for priests being considered Sources indicate that given the growing number of devotees and the expansion of the temple complex, there is a need for new priests. Keeping this need in mind, along with social representation, opportunities are being considered for qualified priests from the Dalit community. Recently, the Trust appointed Dr. Krishna Mohan, a Dalit, as interim General Secretary. Consequently, the proposed priest appointments are being seen as aligned with the Trust’s vision of harmony and inclusion. However, no official announcement has been made by the Trust in this regard. A final decision is expected to be made at the July 22nd meeting Currently, 35 priests are serving at the Ram Temple. Currently, a total of 35 priests are serving at the Ram Temple complex. Of these, 20 perform puja at Ram Lalla and Ram Darbar. Ten priests are deployed in two shifts, morning and evening, each with 10 priests. In each shift, five priests perform puja at Ram Lalla and five at Ram Darbar, while the responsibility of aarti is assigned to all priests in turn. The remaining 15 priests perform puja at the fort and Sapta Mandapam temples. Nitin Mishra, Amar Ujala Network, Ayodhya Published by: Akash Dwivedi Courtesy: Hindi News
Immerse in this new book that dives into the life of a Dalit boy in Gujarat
This is most prominently witnessed in the chapter exploring his relationship to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas Title: Homes Without WindowsAuthor: Chandu MaheriaGenre: MemoirPublisher: JuggernautCost: Rs 699 Gujarati writer Chandu Maheria’s new book Homes Without Windows (Juggernaut), translated into English by Hemant Ashwinkumar, is an honest account of what it meant to grow up as a Dalit boy in the working-class suburb of Rajpur in Gujarat. We learn how several Dalit families left their villages after independence to settle in parts of Ahmedabad. Through 11 essays, Maheria helps readers draw a brief history of caste politics in Gujarat: from aggression in schools of the Khadol village in the 1960s, to the anti-reservation riots and the growing consciousness of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideology across the state in the 1980s. Through it all, Maheria’s tone is understated and nuanced. This is most prominently witnessed in the chapter exploring his relationship to Mahatma Gandhi and his ideas. He excavates the reasons why a majority of the Dalit community resents Gandhi and prefers to advocate Dr Ambedkar’s views. Without disagreeing with the concerns of the community on the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate, he argues that one cannot disregard Gandhi’s role in bringing the subject of caste to the forefront of public discussion and politics. Maheria’s most distinctive quality is how he examines everyday objects and gives evidence from his personal experience to portray how deeply entrenched the caste system is in India. Chapters like ‘Your Chappals, Our Skulls’, which highlights footwear, or ‘The Mayor’s Bungalow’, which looks at public toilets, become significant in this regard. For instance, he recollects being turned away at the school gate as a kid, on the first day of school, because he couldn’t afford footwear and reached barefoot. The final chapter on fighting rumours and sicknesses with multiple hospitalisations offers a poignant closing to a sensitive and necessary book Nandini Varma Courtesy : Mid-Day Note: This news is originally published on https:/mid-day.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
The road to the Dalit settlement in Gorakhpur is dilapidated and muddy: Villagers face difficulties commuting, demanding repairs from the administration.
The road leading to the Dalit settlement in Mainabhagar Gram Panchayat, in the Jungle Kaudiya development block of Gorakhpur, is extremely dilapidated and muddy. Local villagers allege that the condition of this road has been poor for a long time, causing significant difficulties in commuting. According to villagers, children, women, elderly people, and other villagers travel this route daily. The situation becomes even worse during the rainy season, as the entire route is waterlogged and muddy. Local residents reported that while other roads in the village are in good condition, the road to the Dalit settlement has not been repaired. Consequently, schoolchildren face particular difficulties commuting to and from school. Villagers say they have lodged complaints several times in this regard, but no action has been taken yet. They have demanded that the administration and public representatives resolve the transportation problem by constructing the road as soon as possible. Sugreev Kumar Yadav | Bhauramal (Gorakhpur Sadar), Gorakhpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman sarpanch alleges harassment, seeks arrest of accused
Rohtak: A woman sarpanch of Mokhra Khas village on Monday gave a representation to the Rohtak superintendent of police (SP), seeking the immediate arrest of two accused named in a case under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. She also sought permission to hold a peaceful dharna if no action is taken. In her representation dated July 13, sarpanch Manjubala stated that she belongs to the SC community, and became a permanent resident of Mokhra Khas after her marriage. She stated that she was elected as the village sarpanch in the 2022 panchayat elections from a general seat reserved for women, defeating her nearest rival by 32 votes. She added that all other candidates in the election belonged to the general category. The representation alleges that two villagers, identified as Rajnesh alias Dola and Manoj alias Bandu, have been hostile towards her and her family. Referring to an FIR registered in May 2026 under the SC/ST Act at Bahuakbarpur police station, Manjubala alleged that despite registration of the case, the accused have not been arrested so far. She claimed that the delay in arrest has created fear for the safety of her family. In the representation, she stated that if timely action is not taken, the accused may pose a threat to their lives, forcing them to leave the village. She also said she already met senior police officials twice regarding the matter, but no effective action has been taken. Speaking to TOI, Manjubala said she enjoys support from people of all communities in the village, but alleged that the two accused made caste-based and defamatory remarks against her. Meham DSP Tanuj Sharma confirmed that the representation has been received. 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
Maharashtra TET paper leak: Rahul Gandhi’s 3 demands to CM Fadnavis
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday intensified his attack on the Centre over recurring examination paper leaks, citing the cancellation of the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) and accusing the system of failing lakhs of candidates. In a post on X, Rahul made three demands to the Maharashtra government, urging an immediate announcement of a fresh examination date, strict action against those responsible for the leak, and relief measures for affected aspirants. “Maharashtra TET paper leaked, exam cancelled. 6 lakh candidates left in limbo. Two weeks have passed, no trace of a new date. The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty,” Rahul wrote. He said the affected candidates were future teachers who had spent years preparing for the examination, paid application fees, and travelled to distant examination centres, only to be left waiting “without a date, without answers.” “These are the country’s working and future teachers, the ones who hold India’s future in their hands – these are the very people who prepared year after year, filled out forms, paid fees, traveled to far-flung centers. And now they’re just waiting, without a date, without answers,” he wrote. Further addressing Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Rahul Gandhi issued a three-point demand, making an immediate announcement of a fresh Maharashtra TET schedule the centrepiece of his appeal. He urged the state government to announce the new examination date without further delay, take strict action against those responsible for the paper leak instead of penalising candidates, and grant age limit relaxations to aspirants whose eligibility may have been affected by the postponement. He wrote, “Chief Minister ji, three things, today itself: Timeline: Announce the new TET date right now; Accountability: Action against those responsible for the leak, not against the candidates; Protecting the future: Those whose year was ruined by this leak should get age limit relaxations.” Rahul said the government must act swiftly to restore confidence among lakhs of candidates left in uncertainty following the cancellation of the examination, arguing that the burden of administrative failures should not fall on those who had prepared honestly for years. He further said, “The mistake is the institution’s, the punishment the candidate’s, this is not justice.” He also announced that he would hold a public interaction on July 17 in Dehradun, where he would address the broader issue of paper leaks. “On July 17 in Dehradun, I will discuss the growing crisis of paper leaks with you in detail. The time has come for an education revolution, to build a system where the youth reap the rewards of their hard work, not the failures of the system.” Paper leaks have emerged as a recurring political issue in recent years, with opposition parties repeatedly accusing governments of failing to ensure the integrity of competitive examinations and recruitment tests, while demanding stronger safeguards and accountability. 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
Rahul Gandhi, Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt discuss strategy to strengthen party in state
CHANDIGARH: Haryana Congress in-charge Sanjay Dutt on Tuesday met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and discussed the political situation in the state, with the party deciding to intensify efforts to strengthen its organisation and expand outreach to workers. Dutt said Gandhi reviewed the political scenario in Haryana and gave guidance on building a stronger, more active and people-centric organisation. The discussions also centred on maintaining regular engagement with party workers and effectively raising public issues. Referring to his recent visit to the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Chandigarh, Dutt said he held meetings with office-bearers, district presidents, representatives of frontal organisations and party workers over several days. He said the interactions focused on strengthening the organisation down to the booth level, increasing workers’ participation and preparing them to take up public issues more effectively. Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Dutt said the Haryana Congress would emerge stronger and more responsive under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. He said the party would continue its organisational expansion drive across the state while maintaining close coordination with workers and office-bearers. The meeting comes as the Congress steps up organisational activities in Haryana ahead of its future political programmes and campaigns in the state. 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
Tehri Dalit Teen Murder Case: Case Registered Based on a Complaint from the Girl’s Mother
New information has emerged in the Tehri Dalit teen murder case. A case has been filed based on the girl’s mother’s complaint. Tehri: A new twist has emerged in the recent murder of a Dalit teen in Tehri district, Uttarakhand. According to the police, after the minor girl’s medical examination, a case has been registered at Lambgaon police station based on the girl’s mother’s complaint. A case has been filed under various sections, including the POCSO Act. The investigation will be conducted by female SI Hemlata. In fact, around 11 pm on the night of June 7-8, a minor teen from a village in the Lambgaon police station area went with his friend to a nearby village to meet his friend (a love affair case). The girl’s family members apprehended the two boys. It is alleged that the girl’s family members assaulted the two boys, leaving them seriously injured. Both were subsequently admitted to the hospital, where the minor girl’s friend (boyfriend) died. Based on a complaint filed by the deceased boy’s family, the police arrested four people, including the girl’s father and grandfather. The deceased minor boy’s friend is an eyewitness to the incident, and the police have now filed a case under the POCSO Act. The minor girl’s mother also filed a complaint with the police station, but the police did not register a case. However, the High Court later ordered the police to hear the minor girl’s side of the story. Following this, on July 11, the Lambgaon police station filed a case under the POCSO Act against the deceased’s friend, who was also an eyewitness to the incident. Investigating officer and CO Chandramohan stated that female SI Hemlata has been authorized for this purpose. Led by the former village head of the minor girl, people also met with Tehri SSP Shweta Choubey, demanding harsh punishment for the culprits and a change in the investigating officer. Courtesy: Hindi News