BJP accuses Cong of defaming Dalit community over Ankita murder case
Dehradun, The Bharatiya Janata Party today accused the state Congress of tarnishing the reputation of Devbhoomi and the entire Dalit community through unverified and indecent social media posts. The party expressed outrage that although the court has already sentenced the culprits, the Congress continues to invoke new names conspiratorially, thereby insulting the soul of the departed daughter. The BJP suggested that the Congress Pradesh President raising this issue from Delhi points towards a political conspiracy. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, today, Rajpur Road MLA and former Cabinet Minister Khajan Das accused the Congress of indulging in negative and shameful politics. He stated that the Congress is using viral audio and video clips from social media, which lack any basis or decency, as political weapons for publicity. He asserted that under a deliberate conspiracy, a sin is being committed by insulting the entire Scheduled Caste community under the guise of these irresponsible statements. Das directly accused the Congress Pradesh President of holding a press conference in Delhi based on unconfirmed and obscene remarks, claiming this indicates the Congress’s intent to humiliate Devbhoomi and Dalit society, a move the BJP condemns in the strongest terms. Khajan Das asserted that as part of this planned conspiracy, the Congress is defaming a senior BJP leader who has dedicated his life to being a powerful voice for the underprivileged Scheduled Castes and their social upliftment. Though Das did not name the leader in question, but apparently he was referring to Dushyant Kumar Gautam who belongs to the SC community. Describing this as the height of shameful and unethical politics, he said the BJP strongly criticises and opposes such plots. Expressing shock, he noted that the oldest party in the country and the main opposition in the state is so frustrated by continuous electoral defeats that social media content created for cheap popularity and obscenity has become its main agenda. Das further alleged that their responsible senior leaders are deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the BJP and its leaders through evidence-less charges and baseless charges for immediate political gain. He claimed that targeting of a prominent BJP leader from the Dalit community is most unfortunate, asserting it is not just an attempt to demean one leader but an effort to cast aspersions on the character of the entire Dalit community that has progressed after long struggles. He also shared that legal action is currently under way regarding the so-called videos circulating on social media and expressed hope that the full truth would emerge soon. He described the continuous release of obscene and indecent social media posts concerning party leaders as deeply worrying, reflecting a social decline that requires serious contemplation by all. Furthermore, he suspected a massive conspiracy behind these developments aimed at creating social malice and spoiling the atmosphere of Uttarakhand. He remarked that it is tragic that the Congress is playing with the fire of social disharmony for political leverage, which will surely backfire on them. He assured that as a responsible political party, the BJP will not allow the Dalit community to be insulted or the state’s harmony to be disturbed at any cost. Regarding the tragic Ankita Bhandari murder case, he stated that the culprits have already been sentenced to life imprisonment, making the Congress’s baseless allegations shameful. He argued that the scenarios being presented by the Congress constitute a misdeed that insults the soul of the deceased girl. He noted that the opposition has previously made such disgusting attempts using various names and political deceptions. The truth, he asserted, is that the historic court decision resulted from the Dhami government’s transparent investigation, swift action, and strong advocacy. He reminded of the government’s quick decisions and clear policy, which led to the arrest and jailing of the accused within 24 hours of the incident and the formation of an SIT. He mentioned that while the SIT had requested the public to provide any evidence or information, those currently making allegations failed to present any proof to the SIT or the court. Instead, they continue to mislead the public by repeatedly chanting the “VIP” mantra for political reasons. He concluded that the government’s efforts and the court’s decision in this tragic event have restored public confidence and provided strength to the daughters of the state. BJP’s Pradesh Media In-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan, Co-in-charge Rajendra Negi, Pradesh Spokesman Mathura Dutt Joshi, and Kamlesh Raman were also present at the press conference. Garhwal Post Bureau Courtesy : Garhwal Post Note: This news is originally published on https:/garhwalpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Killing of Anjel in Dehradun horrific ‘hate crime’: Rahul
NEW DELHI: Expressing horror at the “hate crime” murder of Anjel Chakma in Dehradun, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday blamed the “hate spewing” leadership of BJP for normalising prejudice, which, he said, is being fed for years through toxic content and irresponsible narratives. Assam Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said Chakma was killed after being called a “Chinese” while the oldest tribe of Karbi are facing “Chinese go back” slogans in their own land of Karbi Anglong in Assam, as he accused the governing BJP of failing to celebrate the diversity of the country. Gogoi said there was a 12-day delay in filing the case in Chakma’s murder and the main accused has gone absconding. He demanded an inquiry into lax action and immediate arrest of the accused. The Assam Congress chief said the people of the North-East are facing prejudice on a daily basis across states while “our PM and the entire machinery supporting him is only focused on changing the mindset of India from one that celebrates its diversity to one that focuses only on one identity”. He said BJP govt is not able to understand the anger among the people of the North-East against the Centre. “Neither could they understand it in Manipur, nor in Karbi Anglong. They are also unable to understand the doubts in the minds of the people of the region in the Anjel Chakma case. The PM only uses people as a prop, who are collected during his trips and then sent back after a photo-op,” he said. Gogoi said he too was once asked at Agra where he hailed from and was asked to show his passport. “Only the people of the North-East understand this pain. And, it takes a lot of courage to proudly carry our country’s flag despite such experiences. This is evidence of our tolerance and our patriotism,” he said. Rahul said, “India is built on respect and unity, not fear and abuse. We are a country of love and diversity. We must not become a dead society that looks away while fellow Indians are targeted. We must reflect and confront what we are allowing our country to become.” 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 members protest ‘police inaction’ after assault on local leader in Roorkee
ROORKEE: Dalit community members gheraoed Roorkee police station on Sunday, protesting against the alleged police inaction in arresting those accused of assaulting a local leader from Shankerpuri in full public view on Friday. The injured Dalit leader was initially admitted to a local hospital, but due to severe head injuries, he was later shifted to a facility in Dehradun. The victim, Yogesh Kumar, 40, was attacked with sticks and iron rods by over 10 men when he was returning to his village from Haridwar in a car with four friends. The attackers allegedly dragged him out of his vehicle and brutally beat him. Reason behind the attack was personal enmity, locals said. Police, meanwhile, said multiple teams have been deployed to trace the culprits. An FIR was registered on the complaint of Kumar under BNS sections related to rioting and assault. “We have arrested two accused and have also seized the vehicle used in the crime. The remaining accused will be arrested soon,” said SP (rural) SC Suyal. Members of the victim’s group staged a protest at the police station on Sunday, accusing the police of inaction. “Yogesh Kumar was attacked. His life remains in danger as the perpetrators are roaming free. Police should have arrested all of them by now. We have given a 48-hour ultimatum; if all arrests are not made, we will hold a massive protest,” said a protester. Earlier this week, Yogesh and his associates reportedly clashed with the accused over a car parking dispute. Enraged by that incident and allegedly seeking revenge, the accused are said to have carried out the attack. Members of the victim’s group staged a protest at the police station on Sunday, accusing the police of inaction. “Yogesh Kumar was attacked with an intent to kill. His life remains in danger as the accused are still roaming free. The police should have arrested all of them by now. We have given a 48-hour ultimatum; if all arrests are not made, we will hold a massive protest,” said Lokesh Katariya. Police, however, said that multiple teams have been deployed to trace the culprits and that they are closing in on all the accused. “We have arrested two accused in the case and have also recovered the vehicle used in the crime. The remaining accused will be arrested soon,” said SP (rural) SC Suyal. 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
800 Dalit families without basic infra since ’75 in U’khand village; HC calls for action
Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court has asked the state govt to explain why no action has been taken to relocate around 800 Dalit families living without electricity, piped water, healthcare, or education in Sundarkhal village in Nainital district, which was given the status of forest village (van gram) in 1975. An HC bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra noted that despite a 2014 committee resolution recommending relocation, no steps were taken to implement it — not even identifying an alternative site. HC fixed June 27 as the date for the final hearing and instructed all parties to be prepared. The bench had earlier directed the forest secretary to submit a progress report in response to a public interest litigation filed by the Independent Media Society. Sundarkhal, in Ramnagar block, is a Scheduled Caste-dominated village that has long remained in administrative limbo. Most of its families rely on agriculture or daily-wage labour. Though residents have lived there for decades, the forest department classified the area as encroached land in 2003, after which the state stopped extending public services — citing legal constraints tied to forest conservation laws. Since then, residents have repeatedly petitioned the state for either relocation or essential services. In 2014, following protests and RTI campaigns, a committee was formed to look into the matter. While the panel submitted a resolution recommending relocation, the proposal stalled — no land was allotted and no budget allocated. The PIL, filed by the Dehradun-based advocacy group, cited human rights violations and chronic government inaction. It argued that the state’s failure to act amounted to systemic neglect of a marginalised community. “The residents have been forced to live without basic facilities for decades,” the petition said, urging the court to either order immediate relocation or instruct the state to provide basic infrastructure at the site. The court noted that no meaningful action had been taken despite the recommendation being over a decade old. It said the matter could not be delayed further and asked the state to clarify its stand in the next hearing. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.