Andhra Pradesh Home Minister responds to the “kilograms of makeup” remark, saying she was targeted for being a woman and a Dalit.
Vangalapudi Anitha Makeup Row: Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha has broken her silence and issued a strong response to the comments made against her. She said that the comments were not only offensive but also a caste-based attack because she was a Dalit and a woman. Anitha is considered a confidante of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister responds to the “kilograms of makeup” remark. Amaravati: Vangalapudi Anitha, who holds the responsibility of Home Minister in Chandrababu Naidu’s government in Andhra Pradesh, has responded to the “kilograms of makeup” remark. Andhra Home Minister Anitha said that she was targeted for being a woman and a Dalit. Gudivada Amarnath, a leader of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP party in Andhra Pradesh, had made the offensive remark. Amarnath had said that Home Minister Anitha wears kilograms of makeup. I was attacked in a casteist manner… A controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after a Jagan Mohan Reddy party leader’s “kilograms of makeup” comment. The Deputy Chief Minister and the YSRCP have condemned the remark. Speaking at a public meeting on Wednesday, Amarnath reportedly claimed that TDP leader Anitha wears kilograms of makeup. Speaking to NDTV, Home Minister Anitha described the remark as more than just a personal insult, saying that what the YSRCP leader said about me on camera, at a public meeting, was not just an insult. It was a vile, casteist attack aimed at demeaning a woman and a Dalit woman holding a constitutional position. Home Minister Anitha demanded an apology. The remark has also drawn strong reactions from TDP leaders, who have criticized the YSRCP leader’s misogynistic and derogatory remarks. TDP leader Nara Lokesh also condemned the remark and accused the YSRCP of promoting a toxic political culture. He said that the shameful and anti-women comments against Vangalapudi Anitha Garu expose the true character of the YSRCP. Home Minister Anitha has been quoted as saying that targeting a woman and a Dalit leader is unacceptable and demanded an apology from the YSRCP. Comments on a woman’s appearance are an insult In response to this incident, TDP women leaders protested and pelted the Gudivada Amarnath flex banner with eggs and slippers, demanding an apology for the alleged remarks. Deputy Chief Minister and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan also criticized the incident. He said that the comments made against Home Minister Anitha were objectionable. Commenting on a woman’s attire and appearance is an insult to every ordinary woman. Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders have rejected the allegations and accused the government of diverting public attention from law and order issues. Curated by: Achalendra Katiyar About the Author Achalendra Kumar Katiyar covers the events in western states for Navbharat Times Online based in Gujarat. He has over 17 years of experience in print, digital, and electronic media, as well as teaching. During this time, he has worked as a reporter and editor in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana. Courtesy: Hindi News
India’s education system crushes children: Rahul Gandhi at Kota rally
KOTA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India’s education system puts immense pressure on children and “crushes” them, while calling for collective efforts to ensure that no student feels the way many young aspirants do today. “This is not good for the country. I want all of us to work together to ensure that no student in this country ever feels what this girl felt,” Gandhi said while addressing the “Chhatron ki Goonj” Maha Rally in Kota. He said, “the event was not a political meeting but a platform to discuss the struggles faced by students.” “This is a meeting about you, about the young people who are struggling to get a future. This evening is about you, the challenges that you are dealing with every single day,” he added. Five students — three girls and two boys — were invited on stage after Gandhi’s opening remarks. The students, who are preparing for NEET, JEE and civil services examinations, spoke about their aspirations, challenges and the money spent on coaching. While interacting with students, Gandhi said the biggest weakness of India’s education system was that it failed to encourage children’s dreams and aspirations. Chhatron Ki Goonj in Kota “The biggest weakness of India’s education system: it does not nurture the dreams of our children. It does not respect the options and aspirations they truly want to pursue. After that, I began thinking more deeply about the education system. Several questions came to mind. One was why the public-sector education system had declined. Another was why private education had become so expensive,” he said. Recalling his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Gandhi said he met thousands of young people and noticed a pattern in their career choices. “Some time back, I walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering 4,000 kilometers. Along the way, I met lakhs of young people like you and had discussions with thousands of them. I would always ask them one simple question: ‘What do you want to become?’ Almost every time, I received the same five answers, engineer, doctor, lawyer, IAS officer, or joining the armed forces. There was never a sixth answer.” “This made me wonder why our education system, when young people are the future of the country, seems to offer them only five options. I asked this question many times and always received the same responses…The truth was that there was a big difference between their real aspirations and the five standard options they had mentioned,” Rahul added further. The Congress has projected the Kota rally as the beginning of a nationwide student convention series focused on issues including paper leaks, unemployment and education reforms. The BJP has criticised the outreach, alleging that such programmes could distract students preparing for competitive examinations. Kota, one of India’s biggest coaching hubs, has around 1.2 lakh students preparing for NEET and JEE exams across various institutes. The Congress said Gandhi’s national education campaign will focus on highlighting students’ concerns, seeking accountability and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The campaign will be carried forward by Congress units, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress, with conventions planned in Allahabad, Patna and Delhi, according to the party. 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
UP: Encounter with two accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman; police shot one in the leg, arrested both.
Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, have taken major action and shot the accused in the leg of a gang-rape victim. Police have arrested two accused in this case. Muzaffarnagar: Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, engaged in an encounter with the accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman. During this encounter, police shot one accused in the leg and arrested both. What is the whole matter? A joint team of Charthawal police station and the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested two notorious criminals wanted in the gang-rape case of a Dalit woman after an encounter on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. One accused was injured in the police retaliation. Two illegal pistols, four live and one empty 315-bore cartridge were recovered from the arrested accused. It should be noted that on June 13th, in the Charthaval police station area of Muzaffarnagar, the plaintiff filed a complaint at the Charthaval police station, stating that the accused, Umar, son of As Mohammad, a resident of Dadhedu Khurd, along with his associates, drugged his daughter, rendering her unconscious. They then took her to the forest on a motorcycle and gang-raped her. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police registered a case and began searching for the accused. Under the direction of Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma, teams were formed under the supervision of Superintendent of Police City Amrit Jain and the leadership of Circle Officer Sadar Vinay Kumar Dwivedi. On June 16th, a team led by Station House Officer Satyanarayan Dahiya and Special Operations Group (SOG) in-charge Mohit was on patrol. Two suspects were spotted standing on the road leading to Dadhedu Khurd near the Dadhedu Bridge. Upon seeing the police, they opened fire and fled onto a dirt road. The police team surrounded them and warned them to surrender. The accused opened fire again. In retaliation, police fired controlled fire, in which Umar alias Salim, son of Aas Mohammad, age 25, was shot in the left leg. He was arrested while injured. The second accused, Maulana Abdullah, son of Matloob, resident of Bagowali, age 22, was apprehended during the combing operation. The injured Umar has been admitted to the hospital. A case has been registered against both accused. Umar already has a rape case registered against him. Police are taking further legal action in the matter. A statement from Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Sanjay Kumar Verma has also been released. Written By: Rituraj Tripathi (Report by Yogesh Tyagi) Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana man booked for sexually exploiting Dalit domestic help
The elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. Hyderabad: A young man has been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly sexually exploiting a 20-year-old Dalit woman who worked as a domestic help in his house in Kosgi town of Narayanpet district, Telangana. The incident came to light when the accused, Sai Kiran, refused to marry her after she told him she was three months pregnant with her child and called her casteist names. The matter soon reached both families. The victim and her father reached out to the village elders. There, she stated that Sai Kiran allegedly promised to marry her. When she came to know about her pregnancy, she proposed marriage to him, which Kiran vehemently refused. Instead, the elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. The victim lodged a complaint with the Narayanpet Police and on Sunday night (June 14), Sai Kiran was booked. The woman has been sent for a medical examination. Sair Kiran’s family has a gold trade business. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shivani, killed by her father at a police station for marrying a Dalit man
Controversy and outrage mount across the country over the latest femicide committed within the family. Fuelling the controversy is the fact that it occurred under the eyes of police officers who were supposed to protect the victim. Activists blame the killing on a mix of patriarchy, caste, and failure to enforce the law in Uttar Pradesh. Delhi – Patriarchy, the (sick) logic of caste, and a systematic failure to enforce the law and human rights in the heart of India are the main ingredients in the tragic and brutal death of Shivani Chauhan, a 19-year-old woman, killed by her own father inside a police station (pictured, police source). This is the latest episode of violence against a young woman in Uttar Pradesh, a state ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where minority and marginalised communities remain vulnerable even when they are supposed to be under state protection. The tragic murder of Shivani Chauhan – stabbed to death by her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, while her mother held her down, at the Badausa police station in Banda District – highlights the persistent threat of honour killings. Such a practice is still widespread in the country, but this time, what shocked public opinion is the location where it occurred: inside a government facility, where the victim should have been under government protection, not in danger and defenceless. The young woman belonged to an Other Backward Class (OBC) community and had freely chosen to marry her neighbour, 20-year-old Lalit Verma, even without her parents’ approval. Since Verma was a Dalit, the marriage crossed rigid socio-religious caste boundaries, sparking strong opposition from the young woman’s family. Following the couple’s escape to Madhya Pradesh, Shivani’s family filed a kidnapping complaint against Verma. Uttar Pradesh police then tracked down the couple and took them to the Badausa police station for legal statements and a mandatory medical examination. During a formal counselling session at the police station, Shivani repeatedly maintained her initial position, declaring that she had married voluntarily and would remain with her husband. As tensions reached a fever pitch, Shivani’s mother, Ranno, reportedly pinned her arms from behind while her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, 55, stabbed her with a knife he had hidden under his clothes. As a result of the attack, Shivani suffered multiple severe stab wounds to her abdomen and upper limbs and died hours later from her injuries as doctors at Banda Medical College desperately tried to save her life. The incident highlights the limitations of the state’s “counselling” system for cross-caste couples. Instead of prioritising physical safety, police routinely engage families to mediate, exposing vulnerable people to hostile environments and family contexts. The state’s failure to ensure a safe environment on the premises of a police station triggered widespread condemnation from the Indian public. Although her father has been arrested and faces charges of murder under Section 103 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS),[*] institutional responsibility remains unaddressed and a source of debate. Shivani Chauhan’s death, finally, highlights the reality that adult franchise and legal registration do not guarantee the safety of inter-caste couples. When the state fails to ensure security even in its own police stations, activist groups argue, the promise of constitutional freedom remains out of reach for vulnerable citizens. By Nirmala Carvalho Courtesy : Asia News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit vegetable vendor assaulted for demanding repayment of a loan: Three accused booked under SC-ST Act in Greater Noida
A Dalit vegetable vendor has been assaulted and subjected to casteist remarks in the Rabupura police station area of Greater Noida for demanding repayment of a loan of 150 rupees. Police have registered a case against three accused, including a woman, and have begun an investigation. According to police, Jawahar, a resident of Bhekanpur village, travels from village to village selling vegetables. On Tuesday, he went to Bhoira village to sell vegetables. He then asked Om Prakash, a resident of the village, for repayment of an old loan of 150 rupees. Om Prakash became angry at the demand and began abusing Jawahar. The victim alleges that the accused insulted him using casteist slurs. When he protested, Om Prakash called his family members, Maya and Meghraj. The three attacked Jawahar with sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Bystanders intervened and rescued him. It is alleged that while leaving, the accused also threatened to kill the victim if he returned to the village. The injured Jawahar has been admitted to the hospital for treatment, where he is undergoing treatment. On Tuesday, based on the victim’s complaint, Rabupura police registered a case against Omprakash, Maya, and Meghraj under relevant sections and the SC/ST Act. Police say the matter is being investigated and further action will be taken based on the investigation. Courtesy: Hindi News
Devika first trans gender to get Bismillah Khan Samman
Lucknow: In a story of grit and perseverance, transgender Kathak dancer and cultural activist Devika Devendra S Manglamukhi became first from the community to be selected for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Samman-2025, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Currently a state executive member and adviser to the UP Transgender Welfare Board, Devika said the recognition marks a significant milestone not just in one’s artistic journey but also for the transgender community. Devika’s achievements include Rajkiye Meera Samman (2016) and the National Samrasta Samman (2025). Having performed across 22 states, the exponent finds Kathak inseparable from life and identity and said, “I dedicate this award to my guru, the transgender community and everyone who supported me in my lowest moments.” Hailing from Dholpur in Rajasthan, the journey to national recognition was marked by hardship, social exclusion and years of struggle and first brush with the dance form, was as a four years old watching a Kathak concert on Doordarshan, inspiring to participate in school competitions. At 14, Devika left home to live according to gender identity and “My mother wanted to hide me. I left with just Rs 20.” In 2001, Devika reached the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi. “I was crying bitterly. I had nowhere to go and to survive, I began begging, till a woman from the Valmiki community gave me the job of cleaning toilets in exchange for food,” recalls SNA awardee. A turning point came when Kathak guru Kapila Raj Sharma noticed Devika practising mudras on a Delhi street and offered to guide. In 2004, Devika moved to Lucknow and began training under Sharma and performed formally for the first time at Sharad Mahotsav in Dholpur in 2005. Devika has completed all education through distance mode and was nominated to the UP Transgender Welfare Board for work done for the uplift of the transgender community. 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
Garima Grih rolled out in Dhanbad for transgenders
Dhanbad: In a step towards ensuring dignity, safety and empowerment of the transgender community, a Garima Grih (shelter home) was inaugurated in Dhanbad on Tuesday. The shelter home is being operated by non-profit organisation Manthan Sanstha under the direction of DC Aditya Ranjan. The inauguration was carried out by district social welfare officer Sneh Kashyap, who said that every individual in society has the right to live with dignity and respect. She stated that the initiative would provide members of the transgender community with safe shelter, social security, counselling, skill development opportunities and support to connect with mainstream society. Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted that the transgender community has long faced social discrimination and exclusion. In such circumstances, the Garima Grih will not only offer secure accommodation but also facilitate access to education, healthcare, legal aid, mental health counselling and vocational training. The initiative is expected to help community members become self-reliant and lead a dignified life while actively participating in society. During the programme, guests inspected the shelter home and reviewed the facilities being provided there. They appreciated the initiative and stressed that joint efforts by the govt and social organisations are essential for the protection of transgender rights and their holistic development. Representatives of Manthan Sanstha informed that several welfare and empowerment programmes would be conducted through the Garima Grih to create a safe and supportive environment for transgender persons. They added that the objective of the shelter home is to strengthen confidence among community members and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihood and social inclusion. Members of the transgender community who attended the programme welcomed the initiative and described it as a positive step towards bringing meaningful change to their lives. They expressed hope that the shelter home would help them gain social acceptance and access better opportunities in the future. Sharad Chandra 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
DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi for ‘dishonesty,’ ‘immaturity’ that harmed INDIA bloc
CHENNAI: DMK’s official organ ‘Murasoli’ on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, charging that his “political immaturity” and “dishonesty” were the reasons for the criticism faced by Congress from its allies at the recent INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi. In an editorial, Murasoli accused Congress of repeatedly undermining its alliance partners in states while seeking their support during parliamentary elections. “In state after state where assembly elections are held, Congress has done everything possible to prevent fellow INDIA bloc partners from coming to power. Yet, when parliamentary elections arrive, it seeks their support in the name of fighting BJP,” the editorial said. Questioning Congress leadership’s approach towards its allies, the DMK mouthpiece asked, “Isn’t Congress ashamed to first weaken alliance partners and then seek their support when the need arises?” Referring to the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election, Murasoli alleged that Congress had betrayed DMK despite remaining in the alliance. “The acts of betrayal committed by Congress while remaining in alliance with DMK were carried out with Rahul Gandhi’s blessings,” the editorial alleged. The editorial came days after Rahul Gandhi released the audio of his speech at the June 8 INDIA bloc meeting, in which he stressed the need for opposition unity. According to Murasoli, Rahul was now attempting to project himself as a unifying force after the party with which Congress has aligned in Tamil Nadu refused to join the INDIA bloc. The DMK organ said several leaders of INDIA bloc, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and VCK leaders, had expressed dissatisfaction over Congress’s handling of its allies. “Rahul Gandhi apparently did not anticipate such criticism. At a meeting convened to discuss opposition unity against BJP, Congress itself became the principal target of criticism. The responsibility for that lies with Rahul Gandhi’s political immaturity and dishonesty,” the editorial said. While noting Rahul’s remark that Congress should accept criticism from its allies, Murasoli said it was immaterial whether he accepted criticism at this stage. Responding to Rahul’s comparison that Congress would absorb criticism just as Lord Shiva consumed poison, the editorial said Hindu mythology speaks of Shiva consuming poison to save the world, not creating it. “But who was responsible for churning the poison within the INDIA bloc?” the editorial asked. 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
PU launches admission helpline for transgender students
Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) has launched a dedicated admission helpline for transgender students for the academic session 2026-27 to assist applicants during the admission process. The initiative has been introduced through the Permanent anti-discrimination cell for transgender students (PADCTS), functioning under the centre for human rights and duties. According to Dr Upneet Kaur Mangat, coordinator of PADCTS, the helpline will provide guidance and support to transgender applicants regarding admissions and related procedures. Applicants can seek assistance through helpline numbers 8437807999, 8437220625 and 9815064997, or via email at transgendercell@pu.ac.in. The PADCTS office is located at the Emerging Areas Building, Centre for Human Rights & Duties, Panjab University, Sector 14. The university currently provides one additional seat in each course for transgender students, a provision approved by the PU Syndicate in 2023 and implemented from the 2024-25 academic session. The provision applies across teaching departments, regional centres, constituent colleges and affiliated colleges. Admission-related guidelines for transgender students are available in the PU Handbook of Information (HBI-2026) on the university admission portal. 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