Tamil Nadu: Dalit outfit seeks aid, job for Kodaikanal murder victim’s wife
According to sources, V Ramar (28), a daily wager from Poombarai panchayat in Kodaikanal, was deployed at farmland in the hill region. DINDIGUL: Alleging delay in providing compensation to the family of a Scheduled Caste murder victim in Kodaikanal, a Dalit outfit sought a government job for the victim’s wife in accordance with her qualifications along with the immediate dispersion of the compensation. According to sources, V Ramar (28), a daily wager from Poombarai panchayat in Kodaikanal, was deployed at farmland in the hill region. On July 30, a group of members from the dominant community allegedly hacked him to death. An FIR was registered at the Kodaikanal police station on July 31. Speaking to TNIE, Dalit Liberation Front (DLM) state president C Karuppiah said that under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Rules, 2016, `6 lakh should be provided as compensation after the postmortem, while the remaining `6 lakh should be given after the chargesheet is filed in court. “Ramar’s postmortem was conducted on July 31, but the first instalment has not been given. Apart from this, the victim’s wife was offered a job within a week. But she was given a cook’s job at an Adi Dravidar Welfare School in Kodaikanal. The eligibility for a cook is no formal education, whereas she has completed Class XII. She could have been given a clerk or assistant position in the district administration,” he said. An official from the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, Dindigul, said the job vacancy was within the purview of the department, and the cook’s post was offered as the victim’s wife had sought immediate employment for survival. “Based on the approval of the collector, the appointment was sanctioned. Other government job vacancies come under the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), and it takes time for the victim’s family to get such a job,” the official said. Regarding the compensation, the official said there are five legal heirs. “The `6 lakh compensation will be settled in two instalments. `1.88 lakh will be given on Tuesday and the remaining amount within a week. Since one part comes from the state government and the other from the Union government, the process is being carried out accordingly,” the official said. 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
HC seeks compliance report from TN on rehabilitation scheme for transgenders
Madurai: Madras high court has directed Tamil Nadu chief secretary to file a compliance report to an order passed by the court directing the state to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for transgender persons at the taluk level. In April, the court observed that members of the transgender community continue to face entrenched social stigma, resulting in deprivation of basic dignity and meaningful livelihood opportunities. Hence, the court directed the state to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme, ensuring avenues for self employment and sustainable livelihood and restoring dignity and ensuring meaningful inclusion of transgender persons in society along with necessary welfare schemes tailored to their specific needs. The court directed the chief secretary to coordinate with all relevant departments to ensure effective and time-bound implementation of the aforesaid measures. The court passed the order while hearing the anticipatory bail petition filed by a YouTuber, V Sarathkumar, who is to have published a video on digital media concerning an incident of self-immolation by a transgender within the precincts of Srivilliputhur Town police station in Virudhunagar district. When the case was listed before the court for reporting compliance, Justice K K Ramakrishnan took note of a status report filed by the state where there was no compliance of the directions issued by the court. Hence, the judge gave the direction to the chief secretary. 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 youth in Tamil Nadu killed over horse grazing on an upper-caste man’s land
The organisation called for the immediate arrest of all the accused, statutory compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his wife, educational assistance for his two children, and advanced medical treatment for Prasanth. A 26-year-old Dalit man was allegedly hacked to death in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district after being lured out of his home over a dispute involving a horse, with the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) describing the incident as a brutal caste-based murder and demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved, along with police protection for the surviving victim and his family. According to TNUEF, the deceased, Ramar (26), and Prasanth (20), both residents of Poombarai village in Kodaikanal taluk, earned a living by transporting vegetables from the hills using horses before loading them into vehicles, Maktoob Media reported. The organisation alleged that on the night of July 30, a man identified as Raghu, who belongs to a dominant caste community, came to Ramar’s house claiming that their horse had grazed on his land and took him to the location. TNUEF claimed that Ramar was then attacked by a group of five men armed with sickles, sustaining multiple cut injuries that proved fatal. It added that Prasanth, who had accompanied him, suffered serious injuries in the attack and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, TNUEF said that only one accused has been arrested so far, while the remaining suspects are yet to be apprehended. The organisation called for the immediate arrest of all the accused, statutory compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his wife, educational assistance for his two children, and advanced medical treatment for Prasanth. According to TNUEF, Prasanth’s mother informed a delegation that the family continued to receive threats after the attack and feared for her son’s safety. TNUEF state president K. Sellakkannu urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide permanent police protection to Prasanth and his family, arrest all those allegedly involved in the murder and attempted murder without delay, and invoke stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused. Meanwhile, TNUEF and the CPI(M) have been staging protests outside Dindigul Government Hospital, demanding the arrest of all the accused and justice for Ramar’s family. The organisations also alleged that district authorities attempted to pressure Ramar’s parents into accepting the body. Courtesy : Madhyamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
₹13,177 crore from SC-ST funds diverted to women’s scheme, Tamil Nadu government under scrutiny | TM Special
Social activists say that diverting special funds reserved for the development of SC-ST communities to any other general scheme violates the principles of social justice. Chennai – A major revelation has been made under the Right to Information Act. A total of ₹13,177.53 crore from the special component fund reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been used over the past three financial years for the Tamil Nadu government’s ambitious scheme, ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ (Women’s Monthly Assistance Scheme). This information was provided by the Commissionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management in Chennai in response to an RTI application filed by S. Venkatesan, a resident of Chunampet in Chengalpattu district. Venkatesan is the state coordinator of the SC-ST Vimochana Morcha. The Assistant Commissioner-7 of the Commissionerate (who is also the Information Officer) provided a detailed breakdown of the allocation for the scheme and the amount utilized from the SC-ST Fund in his letter dated July 21, 2026. According to the RTI reply, a total of ₹18,509 crore (₹1,85,09,05,05,000) has been allocated for the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme for the financial year 2025-2026. However, the most shocking fact is that ₹6,191.67 crore (₹6,19,16,73,20,000) has been allocated for the scheme from the SC-ST Special Component Fund in the same year. According to the year-wise details provided by the Commissionerate: ₹2,568.81 crore (₹2,56,88,17,22,264) from the SC-ST Fund in the financial year 2023-2024 ₹4,417.04 crore (₹4,41,70,46,37,000) in the financial year 2024-2025 ₹6,191.67 crore (₹6,19,16,73,20,000) in the financial year 2025-2026 Thus, a total of ₹13,177.53 crore (₹13,17,75,36,79,64) has been spent on this scheme from the SC-ST Fund in three years. The RTI reply also mentioned the total annual allocation for the scheme: 2023-2024: ₹5,812 crore 2024-2025: ₹5,138 crore 2025-2026: ₹18,509 crore However, the Commissionerate clearly stated that details of the number of SC/ST women benefiting from the scheme are not available in their office. They refused to answer the applicant’s query seeking this information. Venkatesan filed this RTI application on February 14, 2026. After reference to the government letter dated June 19, the letter was received at the Commissionerate on July 1, and a reply was finally sent on July 21. This revelation has sparked strong reactions from social activists and social justice advocates. They say that diverting special funds reserved for the development of SC/ST communities to another general scheme violates the principles of social justice. This violates the constitutional mandate that ensures dedicated funds for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This revelation raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of the underprivileged. The Maharashtra government also diverted funds in this manner. In July, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) strongly protested the Maharashtra government’s approval of financial assistance of ₹2.80 crore from the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department’s budget for the Ashadhi Ekadashi festival through the Chief Minister’s Warkari Mahamandal. The party alleges that the budget allocated for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste community is being continuously diverted for other schemes, adversely affecting the rights and development of the Dalit community. Previously, on May 20, the Maharashtra government’s Social Justice and Special Assistance Department issued an executive order approving the use of funds allocated under the Scheduled Caste (SC) component scheme for the Chief Minister’s Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana. Under this decision, a provision of ₹3,000 crore was made for the 2026-27 fiscal year, of which a total of ₹730.51 crore (₹365.2550 crore each month) was distributed to the Women and Child Development Department for March 2026 and April 2026. In February, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat expressed dissatisfaction with his own government’s policy and reiterated that his department’s funds were being used for schemes like “Ladki Behen,” which was unacceptable. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Anti-poor, anti-Dalit’: Chennai hunger strikers demand NEET abolition
A group of hunger strikers in Chennai are on an indefinite fast, demanding a complete ban on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and demanding that education be moved from the concurrent list to the state list. The protest, led by S Manirathinam — brother of the late S Anitha — is taking place at Thiruvaliur Illam in Koyambedu, even as nationwide student protests that forced the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have been called off. The Ban NEET Movement – Tamil Nadu released an official statement hailing Pradhan’s resignation on July 25 as “the triumph of the people and the principles of democracy over an autocratic government.” The movement, which describes itself as fighting for a “deeply unequal and corrupt education system,” acknowledged the symbolic weight of the resignation but warned that it brings “no concrete change” for students. The context for this achievement was a remarkable wave of student protests led by the self-styled “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP), sparked by the leak of the 2026 NEET medical entrance exam paper. The movement forced an unprecedented political concession in India: Dharmendra Pradhan became the first cabinet minister to resign due to social protests in recent history. In his resignation letter, Pradhan stated he stepped down “considering the situation” and to ensure that “anti-national forces should not take advantage,” urging students to focus on their studies. Despite the victory in Delhi, the Ban NEET Movement insists the struggle is far from over. Their statement expresses deep disappointment that protests were dispersed before concrete policy changes were enacted. They have now escalated their campaign with an indefinite hunger strike, which began on August 1. The movement states, “We have two demands. 1) The union government must ban NEET and allow states to evaluate medical college entrances on the basis of 12th standard/plus two marks. 2) The union government must move education from the concurrent list to the state list, allowing states to shape their own education policy. The strike will continue until these demands are met.” The movement also invokes the memory of S Anitha, a student who died by suicide in 2017 after failing to secure a medical seat under the NEET system, a tragedy that has become a rallying cry for opponents of the exam. The hunger strikers are drawing attention to the findings of the Justice AK Rajan Committee, a government-commissioned body in Tamil Nadu that studied the impact of NEET. According to the movement’s statement, the 2021 report provides “abundant proof” that NEET has had a devastating effect in the state. The movement alleges that NEET reduces access for students from poor, rural backgrounds and those educated in government schools, drastically reduces access for SC, ST, and OBC students, has led to the suicide of almost 100 young Indians (most of them Dalits) who dreamed of becoming doctors, and forces students to depend on a “new ecosystem of costly private coaching centres,” making wealth a barrier to education. The AK Rajan Committee, as reported by The Hindu, concluded that NEET is “anti-poor, anti-social justice and favoured students from affluent families” and those who could afford expensive coaching. The movement has framed its struggle as a constitutional and federalist issue. They argue that NEET “prevents states of the Indian union from deciding how their own educational institutions are run and therefore stands in violation of the principle of federalism.” This echoes the long-standing position of the Tamil Nadu government, which has consistently sought an exemption from NEET. The activists’ second demand — moving education from the concurrent list to the state list — is a fundamental restructuring of India’s federal system that would grant states the sole power to shape their education policies. In their statement, the Ban NEET Movement is urgently reaching out to “all movements, political parties, unions, student organizations and individuals interested in protecting our democracy” to join them. They are calling for supporters to come to the protest site at Thiruvaliur Illam in Koyambedu, spread the word through social media, and organize solidarity protests across the country. As the hunger strike continues, the movement’s stance poses a fundamental challenge to the Indian government. While the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is a major victory for the youth protest movement, the activists in Tamil Nadu insist that until NEET itself is abolished and states gain full control over education, the fight for a “democratic” and “equal” education system is not over. By A Representative Courtesy : Counterview Note: This news is originally published on https:/counterview.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
DMK slams Congress for ‘trading trust for berths’
NEW DELHI: DMK Sunday mounted a furious pushback against Rahul Gandhi’s describing any support to govt’s widely speculated move to revive the bill to increase Lok Sabha’s strength, coupled with delimitation of constituencies, as a betrayal of Tamil Nadu amid buzz in political circles that the regional party may come around to backing the measure. A day after Rahul, during his visit to Tamil Nadu, said any party supporting the constitution amendment bill in Parliament will be a 21st century Ettappan, a historical figure reviled for treachery, senior DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran came out with a blistering retort. “These are the people who traded our trust in them for mere ministerial berths,” he said, lashing out at “poisonous snakes” which sell trust to “buy” power, a reference to Congress’s decision to snap ties with DMK and TVK. Maran’s strongly worded rejoinder captured the lingering sense of betrayal within the Dravidian party over Congress’s swift embrace of its rival after the national party went to the poll as DMK’s ally and was fully backed by the latter on all key issues, including Rahul’s leadership, in national politics through its years in office. BJP is hopeful that DMK’s bubbling anger with Congress will help its bid to win over the party’s support for its key legislative measures, especially delimitation, in Parliament, even though govt has so far not taken any official step to revive the bill that was defeated by a united Opposition in the last session. DMK has anyway indicated its openness over the issue, saying it will take a call after studying the bill and insisting that the proposed law should not harm south India’s interests. Rahul’s comments are also a nod to the acknowledgement in Opposition camp of the possibility of DMK revising its stand on a bill which, opposition parties have alleged, will allow BJP-led governing alliance to reconfigure constituencies to its advantage for the 2029 Lok Sabha poll. Targeting Rahul, Maran added, “Those who come to Tamil Nadu and stay silent about Cauvery rights are traitors. Those who only talk about irregularities in the exam, rather than insisting on completely abolishing NEET are traitors. Those who condemn BJP’s horse-trading but ignore TVK’s disgusting horse-trading are merely continuing that betrayal.” 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
Kodaikanal: 26-year-old Dalit youth allegedly hacked to death; TNUEF issues condemnation
Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to TNUEF, one accused has been arrested so far, while the remaining suspects are yet to be taken into custody. Synopsis: TNUEF alleged that Ramar was then attacked by a group of five men armed with sickles. Ramar sustained multiple cut injuries and died, while Prasanth, who accompanied him, suffered serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital. A 26-year-old Dalit youth was allegedly hacked to death in the Kodaikanal taluk on Wednesday night, 30 July. According to a statement issued by Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), the deceased, Ramar (26), and injured Prasanth (20), both from Poombarai village in Kodaikanal taluk, were engaged in transporting vegetables from the hills using horses before loading them into vehicles. The organisation alleged that on the night of July 30, Raghu, a man belonging to a dominant caste community, came to Ramar’s house claiming that their horse had grazed on his land and took him to the spot. TNUEF alleged that Ramar was then attacked by a group of five men armed with sickles. Ramar sustained multiple cut injuries and died, while Prasanth, who accompanied him, suffered serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to TNUEF, one accused has been arrested so far, while the remaining suspects are yet to be taken into custody. The organisation demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved, advanced medical treatment for the injured Prasanth, statutory compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his wife, and government support for the education of his two children. TNUEF state secretary Se. Muthurani, Dindigul district secretary K.T. Kalaichelvan, state committee member Vanaja, and CPI(M) district executive committee member Ajay Ghosh visited Ramar’s family at Dindigul Government Hospital and assured them of support in their pursuit of justice. In the statement, TNUEF state president T. Sellakkannu and general secretary P. Sugandhi strongly condemned the alleged caste-based murder and said the organisation would continue its legal and democratic struggle until justice is secured for the victim’s family. Courtesy : TSF Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesouthfirst.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Opposition parties up in arms against CM Vijay’s Karnataka visit plan
AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran also opposed the reported visit, saying it would serve no purpose as Karnataka had openly rejected the CWMA’s direction. CHENNAI: The ‘proposed visit’ of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to Karnataka to discuss the Cauvery water dispute has come under criticism from opposition parties in Tamil Nadu. Leaders of the AIADMK, PMK, AMMK and the NTK said the visit, if it happens, would not help Tamil Nadu secure its share of Cauvery water, and urged the CM to drop the plan. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the CM for not convening an all-party meeting on the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues. He also questioned the government’s silence over the union minister’s recent statement on the Mekedatu project and Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s refusal to release water despite the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) order. In a statement, he demanded that an all-party meeting be held immediately to discuss the issues affecting TN farmers. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said Karnataka has decided to challenge the CWMA order to release water to TN and has called an all-party meeting on August 2. He questioned how the talks, if any, between the two CMs could succeed when Karnataka had already refused to follow the CWMA order, and warned that such a meeting could weaken Tamil Nadu’s stand against the proposed Mekedatu dam. Similarly, AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran also opposed the reported visit, saying it would serve no purpose as Karnataka had openly rejected the CWMA’s direction. In a statement, he urged the state to focus on legal action, consult farmers’ associations and raise the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to put political pressure on the Congress government in Karnataka. The politcal leaders had made the remarks ahead of the Karnataka CM deferring the bilateral talks with Vijay. Following Shivakumar’s announcement, NTK chief coordinator Seeman said Tamil Nadu was handling the Cauvery issue in a slow and careless manner. In a statement, he said it would be a “historic mistake” for the CM to visit Karnataka for talks. He argued that TN should instead continue its legal and political fight to protect its water rights. 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
Rahul Gandhi leaves for Tamil Nadu tour, will meet the families of three students who committed suicide over the NEET controversy.
Rahul Gandhi left for Tamil Nadu on Saturday morning. He will meet the families of three students who committed suicide in Chennai over the NEET controversy. Tamil Nadu unit president B. Manickam Tagore stated that there is no plan to meet with Chief Minister Vijay. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, left for Tamil Nadu on Saturday from his residence in New Delhi. Today in Chennai, he will meet with three families whose children allegedly committed suicide during the NEET paper leak controversy. Rahul Gandhi will also discuss with party officials under the “Sangthan Srujan Abhiyaan,” an initiative to strengthen the party at the grassroots level in Tamil Nadu. However, no meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thalapathy Vijay is currently planned. According to reports, Rahul Gandhi will meet with three families in Chennai whose children committed suicide due to irregularities in the NEET UG exam regarding the NEET paper leak. Regarding Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Thalapathy, the party stated that “there is no plan for Rahul Gandhi to meet Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during his visit to Tamil Nadu.” Will Address Officials Congress General Secretary and Tamil Nadu in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir and the party’s Tamil Nadu unit president B. Manickam Tagore told reporters in Chennai that Rahul will address officials on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 10-day training camp for District Congress Committee presidents held from July 23 to August 1 in Mamallapuram. Initiative to Strengthen the Party at the Grassroots Level Rahul is expected to arrive in Chennai at 11 a.m. on August 1, where he will preside over a party event held there, and then depart for Delhi at 6 p.m. The training camp for the Chennai Congress Committee presidents is an initiative to strengthen the party at the grassroots level under the “Organization Creation Campaign.” When asked about the possibility of Rahul Gandhi meeting Chief Minister Vijay, Tagore said that the top leader’s Chennai program is related to party organization. Congress is part of the Tamil Nadu coalition government led by the Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). Curated by: Abhishek Pandey About the Author Abhishek Pandey is a digital journalist at Navbharat Times. He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times of India Group, in July 2025. He currently covers news for the National and Delhi desks. Courtesy: Hindi News
TVK betraying farmers, DMK to hold stir in Thanjavur on August 3: MK Stalin
He added that the protest on Monday will demand firm steps to protect Cauvery water rights and a special relief package for delta farmers. CHENNAI: DMK president MK Stalin on Thursday accused the ruling TVK government of betraying farmers on multiple fronts. He announced a massive protest led by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in Thanjavur on August 3, the day Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to meet his Karnataka counterpart DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru for talks over Cauvery. Reacting to it, TVK headquarters accused the DMK leadership of speaking “as though the party is still in power” and asserted TVK “will never allow the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farmers and people to be harmed.” In his statement on X, Stalin listed four grievances against the state government: disappointment over crop loan waivers, lethargic approach to the Mekedatu dam issue, damage to kuruvai cultivation because Mettur dam has not been opened, and delay in convening an all-party meeting on Cauvery-related matters. He added that the protest on Monday will demand firm steps to protect Cauvery water rights and a special relief package for delta farmers. Stalin also warned of larger agitations ahead. TVK headquarters responded with an unnamed statement issued on X, dismissing the DMK’s charge of inaction on Mekedatu as self-indictive. “If the DMK leadership claims the Mekedatu issue arose only after May 10, 2026, isn’t it confessing as to who was actually sleeping on the issue?” the statement said. “Even after being thrown out by the people of Tamil Nadu, speaking as though he (Stalin) is still the CM is what being out of touch with reality looks like – but as usual, there seems to be no one in the DMK to point this out to its leadership,” the statement read. Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered notice to the state assembly secretary and the other respondents directing them to file a counter-affidavit to the petition filed by AIADMK challenging the amendment made to the June 19 Assembly resolution on Mekedatu issue, for adding a clause on the demand for setting up a tribunal to resolve the issue. The first bench of CJ Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan directed the respondents to file the counter-affidavits within two weeks and adjourned the hearing in the petition filed by the party’s Whip Agri SS Krishnamurthy. Don’t hold talks with Karnataka: Anbumani to CM Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay not to hold talks with the Karnataka CM on the proposed Mekedatu dam project, saying such a move would weaken Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the project. Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport before leaving for New Delhi, Anbumani challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to clearly state his stand on the issue. “If Rahul Gandhi says in one sentence that Karnataka should not build the Mekedatu dam, we are ready to quit the NDA alliance,” the RS MP stated. 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