Dalit Woman Alleges Custodial Assault, Caste Abuse in MP’s Sidhi On Ambedkar Jayanti
Dalit woman in Sidhi accuses constable and others of assault and caste slurs during Ambedkar rally. A serious allegation of custodial assault and caste-based abuse has emerged from Sidhi, where a Dalit woman has accused a police constable and three others of brutally attacking her during an Ambedkar Jayanti event. The incident, reported on April 14, has triggered public outrage and renewed concerns about police conduct and caste sensitivity in the region. What the complainant alleges The victim, identified as Pankali Saket, said she had gone to the Amaliya police station area to take part in an Ambedkar Jayanti rally when she was allegedly surrounded and attacked. According to her complaint, a police reservist and three men in civilian clothes assaulted her with sticks, causing injuries to her head, back, hands, and legs. She also alleged that casteist slurs were used during the attack. If proven, the allegations would fall under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Medical and procedural concerns The woman further alleged that she did not receive proper treatment at a local hospital and had to purchase medicines herself despite visible injuries. She reported symptoms including dizziness and vomiting following the assault. A written complaint has been submitted to the Superintendent of Police in Sidhi, along with photographs of her injuries. Names of accused and investigation status One of the accused has been named as Saurabh Shukla, while the identity of another person remains unknown. The woman has also alleged involvement of a police personnel, identified as Abhishek. As of now, police authorities have not issued an official response or confirmed the registration of an FIR, which has added to public concern. Political and social reactions The case has gone viral on social media, drawing criticism from activists and political leaders. Sunil Asteya of the Azad Samaj Party questioned the state government, pointing out the contradiction between welfare schemes for women and alleged violence against Dalit women. He has demanded strict action under the SC/ST Act and warned of protests if no action is taken. 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
Police rescue dalit woman trying to end life after rape
Rural police saved a 26-year-old dalit woman from Paratwada who attempted to commit suicide on Monday by jumping in Wazzar Dam after allegedly being raped on the pretext of marriage. This was her sixth or seventh suicide attempt, said rural LCB PI Kiran Wankhade, reports Anil Jadhav. According to him, the woman was in a relationship with the rape accused. But when he refused to marry her, the woman lodged a complaint with Paratwada police who registered a case of rape and arrested the accused. Later, the accused assured to marry the woman. After woman’s submission, the court granted bail to the accused. But the accused backtracked soon after coming out of jail. As a result, the woman slipped into depression. SP Vishal Anand said the case has no connection with Paratwada sexual exploitation case which the rural police are investigating. 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
Amravati: Dalit Woman Rescued After Suicide Attempt Following Alleged Rape
Police rescued a 26-year-old Dalit woman from Wazzar Dam in Amravati after an alleged suicide attempt linked to rape and promise of marriage case. A 26-year-old Dalit woman from Paratwada in Maharashtra’s Amravati district was rescued by rural police after she allegedly attempted suicide by jumping into Wazzar Dam on Monday. Police said this was reportedly her sixth or seventh suicide attempt. According to officials, the woman was in a relationship with the accused, who allegedly raped her on the promise of marriage. When he later refused to marry her, she filed a complaint at Paratwada police station, following which a rape case was registered and the accused was arrested. Accused Promised Marriage, Then Backtracked After Bail Police said that after the arrest, the accused assured the woman he would marry her. Based on her statement, he was granted bail by the court. However, once released, he allegedly withdrew from the promise again. A senior police officer, Rural LCB PI Kiran Wankhade, said, “The woman was in a relationship with the accused. After he refused to marry her, she lodged a complaint. The accused was arrested, but later assured marriage. After his bail, he backtracked, which led to her depression.” Following this, the woman reportedly slipped into severe mental distress and repeatedly attempted suicide. Police Rescue and Ongoing Investigation Rural police managed to rescue her in time before the suicide attempt at Wazzar Dam. Authorities confirmed that she is now safe and under observation. Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand clarified that the case is not connected to any other ongoing investigation in the region, including separate allegations of sexual exploitation being probed by rural police. Officials also said that counselling and further support are being provided to the woman. 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
Opposition netas denied women their rights: CM
Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad as their parties did not support the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha last week to implement 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies. Addressing the ‘Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan’, organised by BJP at Gandhi Maidan here on Monday, Samrat said: “The opposition leaders want their own daughters and wives to become members of the Lok Sabha, whereas (PM) Modi Ji thinks of the women of the entire nation. Had the Women’s Reservation (Amendment) Bill been passed, 122 women from Bihar would have been elected as legislators.” He alleged that certain politicians desire only their own women family members to gain entry into Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, for instance, wishes for his sister alone to become a member of Parliament; similarly, in Bihar, Lalu Prasad desires for his wife to become the leader of the opposition and his daughter to become an MP. He also took aim at the Samajwadi Party (SP) for promoting women from the party chief’s family. CM Samrat said there would be absolutely no compromise regarding the dignity and respect of “Nari Shakti”. He emphasised that the NDA has been committed to the cause of women’s empowerment from the very beginning and will continue to strive towards this goal in the future. He said the opposition’s stance exposed their anti-women face for all to see. The CM also highlighted how the NDA govt in Bihar gave 50% quota to women in panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies. Samrat said anyone who attempts to instil insecurity among women in Bihar will be hunted down. The CM assured the women that PM Narendra Modi’s govt would enact the necessary legislation for the welfare of women and would actively work to ensure they receive justice. He noted that in 1977, when India’s population stood at 70 crores, there were 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. “PM Modi sought to increase the number of seats reserved for women by granting “Nari Shakti” a 33% reservation. Had the elections in Bihar been conducted based on the new delimitation boundaries, the current count of 29 women MLAs would have surged to at least 122. However, individuals associated with the Congress and the RJD deprived women of these rightful entitlements. BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi said the NDA would stage protests at all district headquarters to expose the opposition. Braving the summer heat, thousands of women attended the rally. Former minister Shreyasi Singh said the INDI Alliance leaders have lost all respect in the eyes of women. JD(U) leader and former minister Leshi Singh said by failing to pass the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” , the opposition has snatched away the rights of women. BJP leader Renu Devi said the opposition’s double standards have been exposed. Rashtriya Lok Morcha MLA Snehlata Kushwaha said the women of the country will never forgive the opposition. HAM(S) MLA Jyoti Devi said the opposition has never harboured the mindset to empower or propel women forward. Targeting RJD, she said, “What would they know about the meaning of respect for women? Their very identity is defined by the humiliation of women.” 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
Book Excerpt: Documenting Lived Experiences In ‘Dalit Women And The Fullness Of Life’
Blending memoir with social inquiry, this book moves beyond dominant representations to delve into the lived experiences of Dalit women across identity, sisterhood, desire, and faith. Almost a decade after I finished college, I came out as Dalit to a colleague of mine. I didn’t need to, but it felt important then to contextualize my politics to someone I considered a friend. A part of me was also tired of hiding this aspect of my identity at work; by then, I had started writing publicly and was scared that someone would discover it. So, one Friday evening in Bengaluru, I gathered up some courage and told my colleague that I was Dalit. She looked at me quizzically for a second and blurted, ‘Oh, you don’t look like one.’ If this moment had been filmed, the camera might have aptly caught the expressions of my part-embarrassed, part- crestfallen face. ‘But what does a Dalit look like, Aditi?’ I asked. She did not know what to say. Her liberal image notwithstanding, her mind—conditioned by caste—equated Dalit to a stereotype, one that can only be recognized through certain markers, which in my case didn’t seem to apply. So she did what she thought was the right thing to do: assure me that I was not like the rest of them. Dirty, poor, uncultured. I did not feel the need to come out when I was younger. Not only did I lack the political impetus to do it, I also didn’t have to. My socio-economic markers were far less ambiguous back then. I was dark- and dry-skinned, Christian and poor. And if that was not enough, I also spoke broken English and Chennai Tamil. Years later, someone mentioned that my bulbous nose was a dead giveaway. Paara mooku. For Dalit women who grew up with visible caste markers, navigating savarna-dominated spaces can be demanding. Suspended between the pressures to come out as Dalit, the very real possibility of repercussions on account of coming out, and the gnawing suspicion that coming out is just another performative gimmick, Dalit women can be left feeling helpless. This is especially true for those who did not grow up in contexts that were openly anti-caste and/or are operating in spaces that are outwardly caste-blind but inwardly casteist. Indian institutions, for example—whether government, academic, corporate or non-profit—can be made up of populations with varying degrees of caste consciousness. Some are extremely adept at identifying caste markers and, if they hold any kind of power and harbour a caste bias, could sabotage a Dalit worker’s career prospects. Some are like my colleague Aditi—who may readily profess caste-blindness but still believe in caste-based stereotypes. Some are proficient in the language of caste politics, and may even be scholars of caste, while concealing a deep disgust for Dalits. Coming out is therefore a risk, the cushioning of which requires one or more of the following: a higher socio-economic status; anti-caste politicization; adjacency to savarna or white lineage; and an upbringing in, or migration to, a geographical context that is not caste contoured. It is far more challenging to be vocal about one’s Dalit identity if one’s life is in immediate danger; or there is not enough social and economic capital to buffer casteist onslaughts; or there is no lineage to fall back on when one’s Dalit identity is attacked; or one’s anti-caste education has not equipped them with the political ammunition required to defend themselves. Several contemporary Dalit women have, however, openly self-identified—even in the absence of protections and politicization. Yashica Dutt, the award-winning author of Coming Out as Dalit, has spoken at length—both in her book and outside of it—about the struggles with hiding and the complicated but necessary freedom she felt when she came out. To many readers, particularly those who have not had an Ambedkarite upbringing or other types of scaffolding, this was an experience we could relate to. Like my parents, I too made efforts, as an adult, to hide my caste location—not by saying I was Indian Christian, as they did, but by carefully camouflaging my caste markers. At work and at school, I adopted English accents that sounded American and British—at one point, even Australian. There was also my surname—or rather the lack of it—which helped me in some ways. Because of a clerical error, I grew up without a surname or initials. ‘Dhanuja’, one of my middle names, became a proxy for my surname at work, and ‘Dhanaraj’—my father’s name, which should have been my official surname— became a pseudonym. As I began writing on caste, I added a middle name to my pseudonym: Thomas. Christina Thomas Dhanaraj. Malayalee-ish? Maybe. Ambiguous? Absolutely. I had to quit my corporate job, marry into a Dalit family and move countries before I could fully and publicly come out as Dalit. Had I not left India, I would have continued to keep my Dalit identity hidden. Being out as Dalit now feels freeing. It is even more so when the world around me seems to accept it—albeit a carefully curated world, occupied only by those who appear to denounce caste; who listen with rapt attention to my emphatic bashing of savarna arrogance and respond with delightful candour to my self-deprecating humour. It’s sweet relief to be on this side of the bridge— where it appears that I’m celebrated not in spite of being Dalit but because of it. But I’m also convinced that Dalit women—including those who keep their caste location hidden for the sake of self- preservation—should not be under any pressure to come out. Because, one, the act of coming out in and of itself doesn’t guarantee societal acceptance. And two, there is nothing inherently Dalit about any of us that mandates a broadcast. Christina Dhanuja Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Attempted Abduction of Dalit Woman in Gorakhpur: Woman Heading to Market Rescued by Bystanders; Case Registered
A case involving the attempted abduction of a young Dalit woman has come to light in Gorakhpur. The woman was on her way to the market to shop for her wedding when a young man attempted to forcibly pull her into his vehicle. Thanks to the timely intervention of passersby, the woman managed to escape unharmed. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Barhalganj police station. In her complaint to the police, the woman stated that her family had scheduled her *Tilak* (engagement ceremony) for April 21 and her wedding for April 28. She was heading to the market for wedding shopping when a young man named Dayanand, a resident of Semra Bujurg village, intercepted her on the way. The accused, Dayanand, physically assaulted the woman and attempted to forcibly drag her into his vehicle. When the woman screamed for help, several passersby began chasing the vehicle. During this ordeal, the accused threatened the woman, warning that if she did not accompany him, he would shoot her entire family. Due to the persistent pursuit and questioning by the passersby, the accused abandoned the woman and fled the scene. The woman remarked that had the bystanders not come to her aid, anything could have happened to her. She also revealed that the accused had previously physically assaulted members of her family. Based on the woman’s complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused, Dayanand, under Sections 140(1), 126(2), 115(2), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Sections 3(2)(v), 3(2)(va), 3(1)(c), and 3(1)(d) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Gopal Tripathi | Gola Courtesy: Hindi News
Fall of constitutional amendment bill a defeat for delimitation, not women’s reservation: Opposition
NEW DELHI: A triumphant opposition hailed the fall of the constitutional amendment bill as a defeat for delimitation, and not women’s reservation. After the opposition prevailed in voting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke with TMC heir apparent and MP Abhishek Banerjee and thanked him for the support. There was concern that only a few of the 28 TMC MPs may turn up in Parliament because of the election campaign in Bengal. But TMC sent 21 MPs after repeated requests from INDIA bloc leaders who impressed upon Mamata Banerjee that presence in debate and voting was important to thwart the Modi govt’s plan on delimitation. According to sources, Banerjee told Rahul, “The tide is turning against the BJP”. Akhilesh Yadav called it a defeat of BJP’s malice. RSP’s N K Premachandran said the bill’s failure to pass shows that BJP must consult with the opposition on important issues concerning the nation. “This defeat is not of women’s quota, but of delimitation by the backdoor,” he said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused PM Narendra Modi of maliciously linking the women’s quota to delimitation based on 2011 Census. “But his hollow attempt to pose as messiah of women has failed today,” she remarked. Priyanka said if the three bills had passed in Parliament, democracy in India would not have survived. Rahul Gandhi said, “They used an unconstitutional trick in the name of women to break the Constitution.” Congress whip Manickam Tagore said, “We have defeated arrogance.” CPI MP Sandosh Kumar said the fall of the govt legislation shows that there is a strong opposition to any attempt to change the balance of representation in the country. He said the women of the country must see through the BJP’s approach of delaying women’s quota by linking it to census and delimitation. “This defeat is similar to what we saw during the farmers’ movement, when people’s unity forced the govt to repeal the farm laws.” DMK chief M K Stalin, who led the protests in Tamil Nadu, said his party’s concern was about delimitation, “which requires careful thought to ensure it is fair, especially for southern states”. He said the govt should have delinked women’s quota from delimitation. 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
BSP Chief Mayawati Backs Women’s Quota, Seeks Separate Reservation For Dalit And OBC Women
BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday supported the proposed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies but demanded a separate quota for Dalit and OBC women. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, she said ensuring representation of marginalised sections is crucial and reiterated her party’s long-standing demand for 50% reservation in legislatures. BSP Chief Mayawati Backs Women’s Quota, Seeks Separate Reservation For Dalit And OBC Women | Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday welcomed the decision to provide 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but demanded a separate quota within it for women from Dalit and Other Backward Classes. Addressing a press conference, Mayawati said her party has consistently advocated 50 percent reservation for women in legislatures. She said that while the BSP supports the proposed 33 percent quota as a step towards improvement, it is equally important to ensure representation for marginalised sections among women. The BSP supremo also targeted the Indian National Congress, alleging that it had not taken concrete steps to introduce women’s reservation during its time in power. She accused the party of attempting to stall the reform now by raising new issues. Reiterating her party’s stand, she said the BSP supports the decision in principle but will continue to press for sub-categorisation to protect the interests of Dalit and OBC women. Referring to the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar observed across the country on Monday, Mayawati said she paid tributes to the architect of the Constitution. She also criticised other political parties for what she described as attempts to woo Dalit voters by adopting symbols associated with the BSP. She said several parties have recently used the colour blue in their programmes to attract Dalits, but asserted that the community remains aligned with the BSP’s ideology and such efforts would not succeed. BISWAJEET BANERJEE Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit woman’s suicide: Anbumani demands ban on DMK’s Rs 8,000 coupon campaign
CHENNAI: A political firestorm has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the suicide of a young dalit woman at Manachanallur in Trichy, allegedly after being harassed and insulted by DMK workers. The incident has prompted PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss to demand an immediate ban on the DMK’s controversial “Rs 8,000 coupon” campaign, labelling it a fraudulent election manoeuvre. In a post on X, he said the victim, identified as Sindhuja of Manachanallur, reportedly entered into an argument with local DMK functionaries over the distribution of “model coupons” for the proposed Illatharasi (homemaker) scheme. When Sindhuja questioned why she had not received the coupon being distributed in her area, DMK workers allegedly targeted her with “obscene language” and intimidated her. Distressed by the humiliation and the verbal abuse, the young woman reportedly took her life by hanging. The scheme, a key promise in the DMK’s 2026 manifesto, pledges a Rs 8,000 coupon for non-income tax-paying households to purchase home appliances. In another post on X, he said a college student was brutally attacked with a sickle by a gang of drug addicts at her residence in Vallur village near Minjur. Anbumani while condemning the incident alleged that even women inside their homes are no longer safe under the current DMK regime. The victim, a college student, was at home preparing for her upcoming examinations. A three-member gang, allegedly under the influence of ganja, barged into her house. The gang members attempted to sexually assault the student. When she resisted and fought back, the assailants hacked her with a sickle, inflicting severe injuries. The student has been hospitalized in a critical condition. Anbumani linked the assault directly to the widespread availability of narcotics. “This horrific event is a grim testament to the uncontrollable spread of drugs like ganja under the DMK rule,” he stated. “Until now, there was a sense of fear regarding women’s safety in public spaces. But now, the situation has deteriorated to a level where women are not safe even within the four walls of their homes,” he said. 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 dies by suicide allegedly after assault by DMK members over election gift items
A 25-year-old Dalit woman, Sindhuja, died by suicide in Tiruchirappalli after allegedly being assaulted by DMK workers who refused to give her gift items. Nine people have been booked, and six have been arrested so far. A 25-year-old Dalit woman died by suicide on April 14 following an attack allegedly by DMK members who were angered after she questioned the bias in distributing utensils as gift items. The incident took place in Valaikattai village in Tiruchirappalli district. The deceased has been identified as Sindhuja. She was married to Prashanth and is survived by her daughter. According to the police, on the night of April 13, at around 7.30 pm, local DMK workers campaigning for their candidate, S Kathiravan, were distributing gifts on behalf of the party. However, when Sindhuja requested one, the DMK members allegedly refused, stating that the gifts would be distributed only to their associates and party members, police said in a statement. Objecting to this, Sindhuja reportedly threatened to raise the issue when the DMK candidate visited the village seeking votes. Angered by her response, the accused allegedly pulled her hair and her churidar, abused her using obscene language, and assaulted her with a broomstick. According to the police, Sindhuja’s husband, Prasanth, who works as a driver, was out of town at the time of the incident. The following day, Sindhuja reportedly confronted her husband for not taking action against the accused. She then pushed him out of the house, locked the door from inside, and attempted suicide. With the help of neighbours, Prasanth broke open the door and tried to rescue her. Although she was rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. On Wednesday, Sindhuja’s family and relatives blocked the Trichy–Lalgudi Road, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators. Subsequently, following a complaint by Sindhuja’s mother, a case was registered against nine individuals—Raja, Rajendran, Ravikumar, Rajkumar, Sureshkumar, Pushpam, Rajeswari, Karthiga, and Angumani—under Sections 296 (obscene acts), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (criminal intimidation), 79 (insult to the modesty of a woman), and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Representation of the People Act. Among the accused, six were arrested, produced before a court, and remanded in judicial custody, while the remaining three are absconding. Superintendent of Police Selvanagarathinam stated that efforts are underway to arrest the other accused soon. Meanwhile, several political leaders condemned the incident on social media, including TVK president and actor Vijay, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, former BJP state president K. Annamalai, AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, and the AIADMK IT wing. Written by:TNM Staff 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