BJP vs Rahul on SIR: BJP Says DK Is Backing SIR, Questions Rahul’s ‘Vote Chori’ Charge
The Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision in Karnataka has sparked a fierce political war, exposing a sharp contradiction within the Congress party. Nationally, Rahul Gandhi aggressively opposes the drive, framing it as an unconstitutional tool for “voter theft” aimed at deleting minority and marginalized voters. However, the Congress-led Karnataka government, driven by CM D.K. Shivakumar, is actively executing the enumeration on the ground. The BJP has seized on this divergence, accusing Congress of blatant hypocrisy. BJP leaders argue that Shivakumar’s mobilization of 59,000 Booth Level Officers completely invalidates Gandhi’s national conspiracy narrative. Tension has intensified over Shivakumar’s heavy-handed execution, where he warned citizens that failing to verify their names could cost them vital state welfare rations. Ultimately, this friction highlights the widening gap between national opposition rhetoric and the practical realities of state governance. 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
‘We will fulfil resolve for social justice’: Rahul greets Akhilesh on 53rd birthday
AICC president Kharge also greeted Yadav and vowed to jointly continue advancing the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday greeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on his 53rd birthday, and said together they will fulfil the resolve for social justice. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also greeted Yadav on his birthday, and vowed to jointly continue advancing the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “Many happy returns of the day, @yadavakhilesh ji. Together, we will fulfil the resolve for social justice through the participation of the PDA (Pichra, Dalit, Alpasankhyak).” “Best wishes for good health and a happy life,” he said. Yadav, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017, turned 53 on Wednesday. In a post on X in Hindi, Kharge said, “Heartfelt birthday wishes to the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and national president of the Samajwadi Party, Shri Akhilesh Yadav. I wish you a bright future, excellent health, and a long life.” “Together, we will continue to advance the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution,” Kharge 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
Arun Yadav urges Rahul Gandhi to step in as Digvijaya Singh-Jitu Patwari row exposes MP Congress rift
Yadav’s post came a day after reports of infighting surfaced during the Madhya Pradesh Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting at the party headquarters in Bhopal. BHOPAL: Former Madhya Pradesh Congress president and ex-Union minister Arun Yadav has urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the party’s central leadership to intervene to strengthen organisational unity in the state unit. “Honorable Shri Rahul Gandhi, the BJP and its government are grappling with internal conflicts, failures, and other problems in Madhya Pradesh. Even in this period, the truly loyal workers of the Congress party organization (in MP) are struggling ideologically. During such times, certain individuals are making futile attempts to break the morale of those workers under a contrived conspiracy; there is no doubt in this. “It is only by combining the enthusiasm of the youth and the wisdom of the party’s experienced leaders that we can confront the fascist ideology. In such a situation, if responsible people try to exploit their personal grievances and animosity at the expense of the party’s workers, it will not be timely. Kindly intervene through the central leadership to prevent the morale of the struggling workers from breaking and graciously strengthen the organizational unity,” Yadav posted on X on Wednesday. Yadav’s post came a day after reports of infighting surfaced during the Madhya Pradesh Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting at the party headquarters in Bhopal. Former minister Sajjan Singh Verma, MLA Arif Masood and former MLA Pravin Pathak reportedly criticised senior Congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh for contradicting state Congress president Jitu Patwari’s stand on allegations relating to the allotment of land worth Rs 500 crore to a trust in Ujjain by the Mohan Yadav government. In a related development, Madhya Pradesh Congress general secretary Nidhi Chaturvedi, daughter of former MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi, launched a sharp attack on Digvijaya Singh in a social media post. “When will Congress be freed from ‘Naagpash’ of Digvijaya Singh. His (Singh’s) restlessness, anger, and indecorous conduct are nothing but a highly inappropriate, distressing, and condemnable step taken out of ‘attachment to his son.’ In his ambition to seat his son, Jaivardhan Singh, in the position of state party president, he has forgotten what party discipline means,” she wrote. The controversy stems from a June 24 press conference in New Delhi, where Patwari and Congress media department chairman Pawan Khera cited a national daily’s investigation into land purchases by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, his relatives and associated real estate firms in Ujjain. Patwari had also alleged that government land worth Rs 500 crore in Ujjain had been allotted to the Veer Bharat Nyas for a token amount of Re 1. “Its trustee is Shriram Tiwari, who is the Chief Minister’s cultural advisor. On what basis was such expensive land given to this trust?” he had asked. Days later, Digvijaya Singh publicly disputed the allegation while speaking to reporters in Ujjain and later in Barwani. “It is being alleged that land worth Rs 500 crore has been rendered to a private trust for Rs 1 only. But I’ve all relevant papers with me, which establish that the concerned land hasn’t been given to any private trust, instead the concerned trust is a government trust. I don’t speak on any issue without proper research… There isn’t a dearth of dalals (brokers), who make false accusations and then earn money,” Singh had said. His remarks, seen as contradicting the state unit’s allegations, were repeatedly highlighted by the BJP to target Patwari while praising Singh’s stand. The reported differences triggered resentment among several Congress leaders during Tuesday’s PAC meeting, prompting Digvijaya Singh and Patwari to jointly address the media later in the day. “Entire Congress party in MP is united in the fight against corruption of Dr Mohan Yadav government. All complaints related to land deals by the state’s CM and his family are being probed at our level. We all will unitedly fight a definite battle on the issue,” the two leaders said. Seeking to end speculation over differences, Digvijaya Singh added: “Confusion is being spread about differences between me and state party chief Jitu Patwari. He (Patwari) is like my son. I’ve spent more than half a century in the Congress party. I can never use the word Dalal for any leader of the party, including the state party chief. I used the word Dalal for a journalist, whose name is Bhupendra Dalal.” With the reports of infighting dominating television coverage, the Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday questioned why electronic media channels had not given similar prominence to the allegations over the chief minister’s land deals. “Instead of covering issues of burning public importance, efforts are being made to divert the public attention to other issues,” the party said. The state Congress has also announced a three-day Maun Satyagraha (silent protest). In an official statement, state Congress general secretary (organisation) Dr Sanjay Kamle said that, barring authorised press conferences and briefings, no Congress leader in the state would participate in television debates or give soundbites to TV channels during the next three days. 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
Kerala Governor clears Seshadrinathan’s posting as new state election commissioner
The appointment came despite stiff opposition from KPCC general secretary P M Niyas and a section of Congress leaders, as well as the Youth League, the IUML’s youth wing. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Rajendra Arlekar has approved the cabinet’s proposal to appoint N Seshadrinathan as the new State Election Commissioner. The official notification was issued on Wednesday. Speaking to TNIE, Seshadrinathan expressed happiness over the appointment and said he would assume charge at the earliest. Seshadrinathan has served as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Kavaratti, as CBI Court judge in Ernakulam, and in several other judicial positions. Following his retirement, he has been serving as a judge at the Irinjalakkuda Family Court. The appointment came despite stiff opposition from KPCC general secretary P M Niyas and a section of Congress leaders, as well as the Youth League, the IUML’s youth wing. They had questioned Seshadrinathan’s alleged past links with the CPM and the Sangh Parivar. Niyas had sought the intervention of Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, urging them to intervene. However, as he failed to garner enough support, the cabinet went ahead with the appointment. Seshadrinathan’s name was proposed by Local Self Government Minister K M Shaji, the Indian Union Muslim League’s representative in the cabinet. League sources said the decision had triggered differences of opinion within the party, with one section backing Shaji while another opposed the appointment. The decision has also led to discontent within the Youth League. However, those backing Shaji maintained that the allegations against Seshadrinathan remained unsubstantiated and had surfaced only after another aspirant for the post missed out. Meanwhile, the League’s stand has raised eyebrows among sections of the Muslim community. “We cannot dismiss suspicions of an understanding between a section of League leaders and the Sangh Parivar. Everyone knows how the Enforcement Directorate failed to pursue the AR Nagar Cooperative Bank scam after the Income Tax raid unearthed huge quantities of unaccounted money in 2021. Had there been a proper investigation, the League might have had different ministers in this government,” a leader of a Muslim community organisation told TNIE on condition of anonymity. 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
Groom Dragged Off Mare As Wedding Procession Sparks OBC Caste Clash
A wedding celebration in Gujarat’s Patan district turned violent after a 21-year-old groom was allegedly dragged off a mare and assaulted during his wedding procession. Unlike many past incidents involving upper caste and Dalit communities, this case involves two Other Backward Class (OBC) communities—the Patni (Devipujak) community and the Thakor community. Police have registered a case against five accused based on the complaint, while rights activists say the incident highlights how social hierarchy and caste-based discrimination can exist even within communities that fall under the same reservation category. Wedding Procession Began Peacefully According to the FIR, the groom, identified as Kaushik Patni, had earlier completed a pre-wedding procession in Patan city before returning to his native village, Hajipur, where another traditional wedding procession was organised. Family members said the procession initially passed through the Thakor locality after the groom briefly got down from the mare near a temple, following local customs. Once the procession reached the Patni locality, Kaushik mounted the mare again to continue the celebrations. Groom Allegedly Pulled Off Mare Police said the violence broke out at around 9:30 pm when Ramuji Thakor allegedly entered the procession, grabbed the groom by his suit, dragged him off the mare, and tore his clothes. The incident triggered chaos as family members and relatives rushed to intervene. Family Members Also Assaulted The FIR states that Sanjayji Thakor and Mehulji Thakor allegedly assaulted the groom’s uncle, Prakash Patni. When women from the family, including Nita Patni and the groom’s mother Kamu Patni, tried to stop the assault, they too were allegedly attacked. The complaint further alleges that Rahulji Thakor and Kaushikji Thakor joined the assault, used caste-based slurs against members of the Patni community, and objected to the wedding procession passing through the area. Threat Over Future Wedding Processions According to the complaint, the accused allegedly warned the family of serious consequences if anyone from the Patni community rode a mare during wedding processions in the future. The groom also reported losing a gold chain during the scuffle. Police Register Case Patan police have registered an FIR under relevant provisions related to assault, criminal intimidation, rioting, and the use of caste-based slurs. An investigation into the incident is underway. Experts Say Incident Reflects Social Hierarchies Beyond Traditional Divides Human rights activist Kaushik Parmar said the incident demonstrates that caste- or community-based assertions of social superiority are not limited to the traditional upper caste-Dalit divide. He said the Patan incident, involving two OBC communities, shows that informal social hierarchies continue to exist despite constitutional guarantees of equality. The episode has once again brought attention to caste-related tensions during wedding processions in Gujarat, with the latest case highlighting that such conflicts can also arise within communities belonging to the same social category. Courtesy : VOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/vibesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Odisha: Mob lynches Dalit man, family accuses police of assault
The police, who arrested two persons in connection with the lynching, rejected the allegation that Nayak was assaulted after the force rescued him. Bhubaneswar: A Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death by a mob, suspecting him of being involved in a theft case in Odisha’s Khurda district, police said on Tuesday, June 30. The family members of the deceased also accused the police of assaulting Tofan Nayak (32) after rescuing him from the mob attack and taking the injured man home instead of a hospital. The police, who arrested two persons in connection with the lynching, rejected the allegation that Nayak was assaulted after the force rescued him. The incident took place at Khanat village under Banpur police station area at about 4 pm on Sunday, June 28, where the villagers allegedly tied Nayak to an electric pole and physically assaulted him by several people. He was rescued by the police at about 6 pm and handed over to his family two hours later. The family took him to a hospital. Nayak died on Monday, June 29, during treatment at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Earlier, he was admitted to Banpur Community Health Centre (CHC). The cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem examination, the police said. Also ReadRapido driver beaten to death over Rs 8k, family left devastated Police reject allegations, CCTV footage to be examined Meanwhile, based on a preliminary investigation, the Odisha Police headquarters rejected the allegation of custodial violence by Banapur Police. “The allegation is not supported by the available materials at this stage. The Zimmanama (handing over) executed by the parents, their statement before the CHC Banapur doctor, photographs of Tofan with family members at the time of release, and available CCTV footage of the police station are being examined,” the police said in a statement. Banapaur Police Station inspector in-charge Jayprakash Parida said, “One can verify the CCTV footage of Nayak being brought to the police station. He was made to sit outside the police station and never taken to the lock-up. There was no assault on him in police custody. He was healthy when being handed over to the family, though intoxicated.” Two accused arrested The police have meanwhile arrested Pabitra Rout (51) and Sarat Kumar Swain (60), both residents of Khanat village under Banapur police station. Khurda Superintendent of Police Parmar Smit Parshottamdas said a detailed investigation into the incident is underway, and further action will be taken after the postmortem report is received. The police have registered a case of murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on the complaint lodged by Nayak’s wife, Sasmita. She alleged that her husband was beaten up by people at Khanta village as well as by the personnel at the police station. Bhikari Nayak, the father of the deceased, held the police responsible for the death of his son. “The police rescued him from the village where my son was being beaten up. It was the duty of the police to refer him to a hospital instead of forcing us to take my injured son home,” he said. Nayak’s mother Sachala demanded a high-level inquiry and strict action against both police personnel and villagers involved in the assault. The incident came in less than two weeks after a mob attack on two NGO workers, including a woman in Rayagada district. This is also the second mob lynching incident in Khurda district where a GRP constable was beaten to death at Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7. 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 groups plan statewide programme to mark 10 years of Una flogging atrocity in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Dalit leaders, social activists, and representatives of various organisations met at the Shahibaug Circuit House on Sunday to finalise plans for a statewide programme marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Una flogging atrocity on July 11. Those present included Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress SC cell chairperson Hitendra Pithadiya, social activists Dhruv Kalapi, Kamlesh Kataria, Subodh Parmar, Dikshit Parmar, and representatives of families affected by the atrocity. Attendees discussed the 2016 atrocity as a turning point for national discourse on caste discrimination, human dignity, and constitutional rights. Speakers also expressed concern over continuing incidents of atrocities, discrimination and social exclusion faced by Dalits, and stressed the need to uphold the constitutional values of equality, liberty, justice and dignity, stated a release by the group convened by activist Kanti Parmar. The leaders resolved that all future campaigns would remain peaceful, democratic and within the framework of the Constitution inspired by the ideals of Dr B R Ambedkar. Parmar said that a statewide programme will be organised on July 11 to commemorate the anniversary, with participation from Dalit organisations, youth, women, social activists and citizens committed to constitutional values. Organisers said the event would seek to highlight issues of social justice, protection of human rights, support for victims of atrocities and the promotion of equality and fraternity. They also appealed to people across Gujarat to participate in large numbers. Four Dalit youths were flogged in Una for skinning a dead cow by gau rakshaks on July 11, 2016. 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
Inter-caste lovers found hanging
Trichy: A 19-year-old dalit youth and a 17-year-old girl belonging to MBC (most backward class) were found dead in an alleged suicide near Tharangambadi in Mayiladuthurai district on Tuesday. The youth’s relatives claimed it was a ‘caste-related killing,’ and resorted to vandalism. Police have arrested five people, including the girl’s father, under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The bodies of the youth, identified as M Parthiban from Puthupalayam village, and the minor girl, a resident of Sathangudi, were recovered from a shed a few hundred metres from the girl’s house. Parthiban was a mason, while the girl had recently completed her Class XII and was preparing to join college. They were in a relationship for two years, but the girl’s family strongly opposed it. On Monday night, Parthiban filed a complaint at Poraiyar station, alleging that the girl’s father and her relatives had assaulted him and abused him with caste slurs. In the morning, the girl’s father, Lakshmikanthan, lodged a complaint stating that his daughter was missing. Later, the couple were found hanging inside a shed. Police sent the bodies to Mayiladuthurai Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. Parthiban’s relatives alleged that the girl’s family members had murdered him. Dozens of them gathered in Sathangudi and vandalised the girl’s house as well as the house of another relative. Acting on the instructions of Mayiladuthurai superintendent of police in-charge G Stalin, Poraiyar police arrested the girl’s father Lakshmikanthan and four of his relatives — Surya, Manimaran, Vasanthan, and Vijaya Kumar. The suspects were charged under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and presented before a magistrate who remanded them to judicial custody. VCK members joined Parthiban’s relatives in claiming that the couple had been murdered in a ‘caste killing’. “There were no external injuries on the victims’ bodies to confirm that they were murdered,” the SP in charge told TOI. Mayiladuthurai police have deployed personnel in Sathangudi in the aftermath of the deaths. In the evening, around hundred people including VCK, communist parties, Parthiban’s relatives and villagers from Puthupalayam were detained after they blocked the road near Tharangambadi seeking justice. The SP said they are monitoring the situation and increasing the police strength at night to prevent further violence. 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
Dispute over garbage dumping in Sakiat: Dalit woman attacked, several injured
Dalit community members were attacked in Urhana, under the Sakiat police station area of Etah, following a dispute over garbage dumping. One person was seriously injured in the incident, while several other women and men were also injured. The injured person has been referred to the medical college. According to locals, Jaswant Yadav, a resident of Naglan Qazi Mohalla, owns a road-breaking shop and a vehicle washing center in Urhana Mohalla. On Friday, the wife of Durbin, a watchman from the Jatav community, went to dump garbage on the roadside as usual. It is alleged that Jaswant Yadav abused her and prevented her from dumping. Following this, Jaswant Yadav called some people from his village. Upon arriving at the scene, these people began throwing bricks and stones. Durbin’s father, Neksu Lal, a Dalit, was seriously injured in the attack. Additionally, several women and men were also injured by bricks. Upon receiving information about the incident, police arrived at the scene. The seriously injured Durbin was admitted to the CHC Sakiet for treatment. Seeing his critical condition, doctors referred him to the medical college. The police have taken a written complaint from the victim’s family and assured them of action. Station in-charge Videsh Rathi stated that a dispute broke out between two groups in Mohalla Urhana, Sakiet town, on Friday evening, in which a watchman was injured. The injured person has been medically examined. He also stated that legal action will be taken against those who threw bricks and stones at the houses. The CO will investigate the entire matter. Vishal Kumar | Sakiet, Courtesy: Hindi News
Trump faces setback on birthright citizenship order, hails US Supreme Court ruling on transgender athletes as ‘Big win’
The US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship but upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. “BIG WIN”: Trump after US SC upholds state laws barring transgender athletes from women’s sports(Photo Credit: x.com/WhiteHouse) US President Donald Trump received both a setback and a victory as the Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down President Trump’s executive order and upheld birth right citizenship for all children born in the United States. Moreover, Trump also hailed the US Supreme Court’s decision upholding state laws that bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. Terming it a Big win, Trump wrote, “BIG WIN: The United States Supreme Court just RULED AGAINST MEN PLAYING IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.” “Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!” He made this announcement on the Truth Social platform. What did the Supreme Court rule on transgender athletes in women’s sports? Trump’s statement came after the US Supreme Court decision to uphold laws in Idaho and West Virginia that restrict transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports. The court held that Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education, permits schools to maintain separate sports teams based on biological sex. Read more: ‘Very possible that they will never…’: Trump breaks silence after US strikes Iran following attack on Panama-flagged tanker As per the Politico, the court’s conservative majority also denied claims that the laws infringe upon the constitutional rights of transgender individuals. This was a landmark decision in relation to the legal challenge pertaining to transgender athletes competing in schools. How did Donald Trump react to the Supreme Court’s two major rulings? Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, stated, “The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America.”The ruling came in challenges to laws enacted by Idaho and West Virginia, both of which argued that the measures are intended to protect athletes assigned female at birth from physical disadvantages arising from biological differences between males and females. The states also maintained that Title IX applies based on biological sex and that the laws do not discriminate against transgender women and girls, Politico reported. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the court’s liberal wing, argued that the court should have required states to justify the restrictions for specific sports and categories of transgender athletes rather than upholding broad bans.”To the majority, the fit here is simply good enough,” Sotomayor wrote, accusing the court of relying on “overbroad generalisations” instead of allowing lower courts to undertake a more detailed review, according to Politico. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the ruling, “Consistent with Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause, we hold that the states may maintain women’s and girls’ sports for biological females. They may determine eligibility for women’s and girls’ sports based on biological sex. The Constitution and Title IX do not require an overhaul of women’s and girls’ sports throughout America.” Written by: Sumaila Zaman Edited by: Sumaila Zaman Courtesy : India.com Note: This news is originally published on https:/india.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights