RTIH inks pact with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation to empower women entrepreneurs
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Vijayawada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation (DPF) at the NTR District Collectorate on Tuesday. According to a press release, the partnership aims to promote women entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, livelihood development, and social enterprises, with a special focus on empowering marginalised and underserved communities. Through this collaboration, both organisations will work together to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, facilitate capacity-building initiatives, provide mentorship opportunities, and support sustainable livelihood interventions. Dalit Philanthropy Foundation executive director Santosh Kumar Samal and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub CEO G. Krishnan exchanged the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the representatives of both organisations emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating equitable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala offers free KSRTC rides to women and transgender people
From June 15, women and transgender people in Kerala can hop on select KSRTC busses without paying a fare. This move, part of the Priyadarshini scheme and a big UDF election promise, is all about making public transport easier and more affordable for women and transgender people on select KSRTC busses. Seven KSRTC types covered and stickered The free rides cover seven types of busses, including Ordinary, City Ordinary, Limited Stop Ordinary, Fair-Stage Ordinary, Town-to-Town, Point-to-Point, and Gramavandi services. Launching in Thiruvananthapuram with Chief Minister V D Satheesan leading the way, eligible busses will have special stickers so you can spot them easily. The state government will cover any extra costs to keep the service running smoothly. Courtesy : NewsBytes Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsbytes.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit woman and son assaulted, caste-related abuse alleged: Victim’s family demands action from Superintendent of Police
A woman in Bairaspur village, under the jurisdiction of the West Sharira police station in Kaushambi, has accused some villagers of using caste-related abuse, assaulting her, and threatening to kill her. The victim has submitted a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, demanding action. According to the complaint, Bairaspur resident Seema Devi stated that the incident occurred on June 12, 2026. She was at home with her son that day. It is alleged that a young man from the village arrived at her house and began calling her son out, using caste-related abuse. When Seema Devi’s son protested, the accused called other family members. The victim alleges that the accused attacked her son with a stick, causing serious head injuries and causing him to fall unconscious. Seema Devi, who tried to intervene, was also assaulted. Residents from the vicinity arrived at the scene, after which the situation was resolved. The woman says that after the incident, the accused threatened to kill her entire family if she complained. The victim also alleged that these men had previously assaulted her family. Seema Devi has urged the Superintendent of Police to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter, file a case against the accused, and take legal action. Jitendra Kumar | Manjhanpur, Kaushambi Courtesy: Hindi News
‘He Abused Me With Caste Slurs’: Dalit Woman Alleges Assault by Village Head Representative in UP; Court Orders FIR
A Dalit woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj district has accused a village head representative of assaulting her, abusing her with casteist slurs, and threatening to kill her. After allegedly receiving no help from the police, the woman approached the court, which has now ordered registration of an FIR in the case. The incident was reported from Lalkarpur village under the Bhitauli police station area. According to court documents, the complainant, Leelavati, wife of Deenanath and a resident of Lalkarpur, alleged that the incident took place on January 8, 2026, when she was travelling to her daughter’s in-laws’ house in Rajmandir. Dispute Over Money Led to Assault, Woman Claims Leelavati alleged that she met village head representative Ajay Patel, also known as Pintu, near a canal during her journey. She claimed that she had previously given ₹30,000 to the accused and had asked him to return the money. According to the woman, Patel became angry when she demanded the amount back. In her complaint, Leelavati alleged that the accused abused her using casteist remarks and verbally insulted her. “When I asked for my money, he got angry, abused me using caste-related words, and assaulted me,” the woman stated in her petition before the court. She further alleged that when she protested, the accused physically attacked her by kicking and punching her. Woman Says Accused Threatened to Kill Her The complainant said that a local woman reached the spot after hearing her cries and intervened, following which the accused allegedly fled. Before leaving, Patel allegedly threatened her with serious consequences. “The accused threatened to kill me before leaving the spot,” the woman alleged in her complaint. Police Allegedly Failed to Act Leelavati claimed that she immediately informed the local police about the incident, but no action was taken. She later sent a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, but she alleged that authorities still failed to respond. With no police action, the woman moved the Special SC/ST Act Court seeking legal intervention. Court Orders FIR Against Accused Taking serious note of the allegations, the Special Judge under the SC/ST Act in Maharajganj directed Bhitauli police to register a case and initiate legal proceedings. Confirming the development, Bhitauli Station House Officer (SHO) Satyendra Kumar Rai said action is being taken following the court’s order. 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
No police help, Dalit woman approaches court over casteist abuse
The incident took place in Lalkarpur village under the Bhitauli police station limits on January 8. Lucknow: A Dalit woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Maharajganj approached a court alleging that a village head representative assaulted her, used casteist slurs, and threatened her life after local police reportedly failed to take action on her initial complaint. The incident took place in Lalkarpur village under the Bhitauli police station limits on January 8. The woman complainant, Leelavati, wife of Deenanath, said she met village head representative, Ajay Patel, alias Pintu, near a canal on the way to her daughter’s in-laws’ house in Rajmandir. According to the complainant, she asked Pintu to return the Rs 30,000 she had earlier lent him. Angered by the demand, the accused began hurling casteist abuses at her. Subhan Bakery “When I asked for my money, he got angry, abused me using caste-related words, and assaulted me,” the woman said in her petition. When she protested against the verbal abuses, the accused physically attacked her by punching and kicking her, she alleged. The Leelavati wrote in her petition that local women came to her rescue after hearing her cries. The accused fled when the women intervened. However, before leaving, he issued severe threats against her. “The accused threatened to kill me before leaving the spot,” the woman claimed. Police fail to take action Following the incident, she promptly informed the police, but the authorities took no action. She later even sent a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, but the officers did not respond, the woman said. Seeing there was no serious action being taken in the case, the complainant approached the Special Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes Court seeking intervention. The Court noted the allegations and the Special Judge directed Bhitauli police to swiftly register a case under the SC/ST Act and start legal proceedings against the accused. Bhitauli Station House Officer Satyendra Kumar Rai confirmed the court’s order. “An FIR has been registered against accused Ajay Patel as per the court’s direction, and legal action is underway,” the SHO told reporters. 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
Dalit Woman in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri Alleges Assault, Caste Abuse and Death Threats; Seeks Police Action
A Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district has accused several people of entering her home, assaulting her family, using casteist slurs, and issuing death threats. The woman has appealed to the district police chief to register an FIR and ensure her family’s safety. The complainant, Usha Devi, wife of late Ram Kishan and a resident of Kashiram Awas in Kheri town, submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police alleging that the incident took place on June 3 at around 6 pm. According to her complaint, a group of people arrived at her house and started banging on the door. When the family opened the door, an argument allegedly broke out over stray dogs. Family Alleges Casteist Abuse and Violence Usha Devi alleged that when the family objected to the behaviour of the accused, they began abusing them and used caste-based slurs. The woman claimed that when her son asked the accused not to abuse them, the situation turned violent. “When my son objected to the abusive language, the accused entered the house and started assaulting family members,” she alleged in her complaint. According to the family, more people were later called to the spot and several members of the household were allegedly dragged outside and beaten on the road. The complainant further alleged that some of the accused were carrying sharp weapons during the attack. Video of Alleged Assault Emerges The woman said the incident was recorded on video and claimed she possesses footage of the alleged assault. A video related to the incident has also surfaced, though its authenticity has not been independently verified. Woman Alleges Police Did Not Register FIR Usha Devi said the matter was reported to Kheri police station soon after the incident. However, she alleged that instead of registering a criminal case, police booked both sides under preventive sections related to breach of peace. According to the complainant, the accused have continued to threaten the family, creating fear and insecurity in the household. The woman has now urged the Superintendent of Police to order a fair investigation, register an FIR against the accused, and ensure protection for her family. Police have not yet publicly responded to the allegations. 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
Free bus travel in Kerala: ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’ to begin on June 15, women and transgender individuals to benefit
The Kerala government has decided to implement the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, under which women and transgender individuals will travel free on KSRTC ordinary buses. The government will compensate for the revenue loss. Read the full story The Kerala government on Wednesday approved the ‘Priyadarshini Scheme’, which will provide free travel to women on KSRTC ordinary buses from June 15. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan made the announcement after the weekly cabinet meeting. He said there will be no eligibility criteria for the scheme, and there will be no age or income restrictions. Who will compensate? The government has decided to fully compensate KSRTC for the revenue loss caused by this initiative. It is estimated that this scheme will cost the state treasury approximately ₹800 crore annually, which will be transferred to KSRTC as compensation. “Currently, the state government will provide approximately ₹1,500 crore annually as financial assistance to the KSRTC,” Satheesan told the media shortly after the weekly cabinet meeting. “The additional burden arising from the free travel scheme will now be added to this assistance.” Review after six months The scheme will initially apply only to general service buses. The government plans to review it after six months. The KSRTC has been asked to increase revenue and strengthen its financial position during this period. Transgender persons will also benefit from the scheme, broadening its scope. This announcement is part of the government’s efforts to increase access to public transport and ensure mobility for women. The scheme is expected to become one of the new government’s major welfare initiatives, but its financial impact on the KSRTC and the state budget is likely to remain a major topic of discussion in the coming months. Responding to the discussion at a CPI-M party meeting, which analyzed the CPI-M’s crushing electoral defeat and suggested that a secret pact had been reached between the Congress and the BJP, which benefited both parties, Satishan said, “Was this the main point of discussion at their various party meetings? But from what we have read, the focus of the discussions at their meetings was that the main reason for their defeat was their leadership and their style of governance.” He also stated that no decision has yet been taken on the future course of action regarding the controversial PM-Shri project and the proposed high-speed rail project, which was discussed with Metroman. Published by: Asmita Tripathi Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman assaulted, FIR filed on court order: Accused of casteist slurs and assault
A case has been registered in Catholia Lala village, under the Basti Nagar police station area, for assaulting a Dalit woman and her daughter, using casteist slurs, entering their home, and threatening to kill them. The city police took this action on the orders of the Special Court under the SC/ST Act. The victim, Gujarati Devi, stated in her petition to the court that the incident occurred on the morning of January 27th. Village resident Shakeela was sweeping and throwing garbage in the courtyard in front of her house. When Gujarati Devi objected, Shakeela allegedly threw garbage at her and insulted her using casteist slurs. It is alleged that as the dispute escalated, Gujarati Devi’s daughter, Shalu, tried to intervene, but Shakeela began assaulting her. Shakeela then called her husband, Yusuf, and sons, Mubarak, Saddam, Salman, and Sameer. All the accused dragged Shalu to the street, kicked, punched, and beat her with shoes, and also made casteist remarks. The victim also alleges that when she protested, the accused entered her home and assaulted her as well. During this, the accused attempted to dishonor her daughter by tearing her clothes. Hearing the noise, nearby villagers rushed to the scene, saving the mother and daughter. In her petition, Gujarati Devi stated that the accused family had been pressuring her to occupy her courtyard land for a long time and had been repeatedly hurling casteist abuses and threatening to kill her. The victim had previously filed complaints at the city police station, the Superintendent of Police’s office, and through registered mail, but when no action was taken, she had to seek legal recourse. On May 8, 2026, the Additional District and Sessions Judge/Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Basti, registered an FIR under Section 173(4) of the BNSS and ordered legal action. Station House Officer Bhanu Pratap Singh informed that in compliance with the court order, a case has been registered under relevant sections and the SC/ST Act and investigation has been initiated. Mohammad Shakeel | Nagar Bazaar (Basti Sadar), Basti Courtesy: Hindi News
Doctor accused of raping Dalit woman on false promise of marriage, case registered
Bijnor (UP), A doctor running a private hospital in the district has been accused of raping a Dalit woman employee on the pretext of marriage and forcing her to have an abortion, police said on Saturday. Dhampur Station House Officer (SHO) Mridul Kumar said that a case was registered on June 2 based on a complaint from a woman living in a village in the area. Citing the complaint, he stated that the accused belongs to another community and is already married. He said that according to the allegations made in the complaint, he had physical relations with the woman while she was working at the hospital. He said that the doctor running the hospital allegedly had physical relations with her and when the victim became pregnant, he allegedly pressured her to have an abortion. The SHO said that the matter is being investigated. Meanwhile, local BJP MLA Om Kumar met the victim on Saturday and alleged that it was a case of gang rape. Speaking to reporters, the MLA claimed that the woman was pressured to convert her religion and eat prohibited meat. Expressing dissatisfaction with the initial police action, the MLA alleged that the police neither invoked the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act nor accepted the initial application from the victim’s family. He said the Superintendent of Police has assured him of strict and thorough action in the case. Zafar Amit Courtesy : Hindi News
Doctor booked for rape, forced abortion of Dalit woman employee in UP’s Bijnor
According to the complaint, the accused, who is married and belongs to another community, allegedly established physical relations with the woman while she was working at his hospital in Habib Wala. A doctor running a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district has been booked on allegations of raping a Dalit woman employee on the pretext of marriage and forcing her to undergo an abortion, police said on Saturday. The case was registered on 2 June based on a complaint filed by the woman, Dhampur SHO Mridul Kumar said. According to the complaint, the accused, who is married and belongs to another community, allegedly established physical relations with the woman while she was working at his hospital in Habib Wala. The woman alleged that the doctor pressured her to undergo an abortion after she became pregnant. Police said the allegations are under investigation. Meanwhile, local BJP MLA Om Kumar met the victim on Saturday and alleged that it was a case of gang rape. Speaking to reporters, the legislator also claimed that the woman had been pressured to change her religion and consume prohibited meat. Expressing dissatisfaction with the initial police action, the MLA alleged that the police had neither invoked the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act nor accepted the initial application from the victim’s family. He added that the superintendent of police has since assured him of strict and complete action in the matter. 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