‘Law of Jungle’: Shashi Tharoor, Shaina NC & more speak on Venezuela crisis; what they said after US strike
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday weighed-in on the US strikes on Venezuela, a day before, calling it “law of the jungle”. The US carried out multiple airstrikes on Venezuela early Saturday, triggering explosions across Caracas and paving the way for the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The dramatic escalation was confirmed hours later by US President Donald Trump. Venezuelan authorities declared a state of emergency as panic swept the capital following the attacks, which left at least 40 people dead. Talking about the situation, the chair of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, replied to a post by Indian author Kapil Komireddi, saying “International law and the UN Charter have for some years now been honoured in the breach. The Law of the Jungle prevails today. “Might is Right” is the new creed.” — ShashiTharoor (@ShashiTharoor) Congress general secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh also gave a statement on behalf of Congress saying, “The INC expresses very grave concern on US actions relating to Venezuela in the past 24 hours. Settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally.” — Jairam_Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) Meanwhile, Congress leader and Member of Rajya Sabha Abhishek Manu Singhvi called it “19th-cen imperialism”. “Regime change by cruise missile, democracy delivered by warship, & sovereignty rewritten under self-styled Doctrine? Not leadership, this is 19th-cen imperialism in 21st-cen jargon. If international law matters only to weak, UN should shut shop. world deserves rules, not lunatic rulers,” he said on X. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that US set an example that India should follow. “”Today we heard that US President Donald Trump’s forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and took him from his country to America. If US President Donald Trump can abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his own country, then you (Prime Minister Modi) can also go to Pakistan and bring back the mastermind of the 26/11 terrorist attacks to India,” he said. In response to Owaisi, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana said, talking to ANI, “The entire country has praised the Indian armed forces. The way terrorists were eliminated and neutralised under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, only Prime Minister Modi’s government could have done this. Were we supposed to bring them here and feed them?” Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also hit back at the AIMIM leader saying, “”Asaduddin Owaisi, don’t you worry. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy. We have demonstrated unparalleled strength through Operation Sindoor, we have launched missiles, we have eradicated terrorism from Pakistan… we have even secured the extradition of Tahawwur Rana… Unlike you, we do not engage in appeasement politics… You continue with your politics of appeasement, and we will continue doing our work.” Shaina NC also spoke about the escalating situation in Venezuela itself. “India has always maintained cordial relations with Venezuela, with strong diplomatic engagements over the years. This is a matter of grave concern, as ties with Latin America and South America have been carefully nurtured,” she said, while talking to PTI. Further referring to the MEA statement on the crisis she added, “The Ministry of External Affairs has advised that the safety of Indian nationals living there should be prioritised. No country can go around bullying the world; the situation must be viewed holistically. The global community today is worried about such actions, surgical strikes, and, above all, the safety of citizens, which must be seen from a collective global perspective.” The ministry of external affairs, in its official statement, reiterated India’s support for the safety of people in Venezuela. “Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation,” it said. “We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance,” it added. 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
BJP mocks Rahul after Priyanka gets key role in Assam elections: Will Congress move set stage for new power dynamics?
NEW DELHI: The Congress move to appoint Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of the candidate screening committee for the upcoming Assam elections has added to the murmurs of leadership debate within the grand old party, with the BJP-led NDA claiming internal conflict between the Gandhi siblings. Soon after Priyanka’s elevation, which was announced on Sunday, the BJP claimed that the Congress was divided between camps of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. The Congress, as expected, strongly rejected these claims and slammed the BJP for spreading “manufactured propaganda.” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “The Rahul vs Priyanka camp has been going on for a very long time in the Congress party. All the pressure was exerted by the Rahul camp. ‘Remove Rahul, bring Priyanka’ is happening in Congress. Now even their allies don’t trust Rahul Gandhi. Their own leaders don’t want him; instead, they want Priyanka Gandhi.” The Janata Dal (United) also reacted to Priyanka’s appointment, claiming that Rahul Gandhi’s frequent foreign trips had shifted responsibilities to her. “It is expected that legislative assembly elections will be held in five states. The Congress’s internal matters are handled by a screening committee. Who will handle this work when Rahul Gandhi is abroad? The responsibility has fallen on Priyanka Gandhi. However, this is their internal matter,” JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said. Congress dismisses ‘Rahul vs Priyanka’ The Congress has formally dismissed the NDA’s claims, insisting there is no Rahul vs Priyanka camp within the party. On Sunday, the party defended its decision to appoint AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as chairperson of the Assam screening committee, strongly criticising the BJP for attempting to “propagate” a false leadership contest narrative. The Congress asserted that this was not the first time Priyanka had been entrusted with such responsibilities, recalling that she had earlier served as an ex-officio member of the screening committee during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Congress MP Tariq Anwar told IANS, “Earlier, she was the general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh when assembly elections were held there. So we cannot say this is the first time. This is the second time she has been given charge of a state related to elections. She will use her political experience and capability in Assam. There is a strong possibility of a Congress comeback in Assam.” “Priyanka Gandhi has been serving as general secretary for the past five years. She has been given organisational responsibilities from time to time and has worked across the country. Therefore, the notion propagated by the BJP is incorrect,” he added. Congress leader Udit Raj also defended Priyanka’s appointment, citing her “wide influence and experience”. Speaking to IANS, Raj said, “She is our leader and has been made chairperson of the Assam screening committee. Her influence is quite wide. She will oversee elections and make selections. She already has experience, and that experience will increase further.” The great Rahul paradox Rahul Gandhi’s position within the Congress is currently stronger than it has been at any point since his resignation as party president in 2019. After years of refusing formal office while leading high-visibility foot marches such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra (2022–23) and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in early 2024, the Lok Sabha election results that year altered the equation. The Congress’s improved performance, winning 99 Lok Sabha seats and securing the Leader of the Opposition post, did something the party had struggled to achieve for a decade: it gave Rahul constitutional weight. That momentum, however, was not sustained. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA staged a strong comeback, winning assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Bihar. Rahul Gandhi led campaigns raising the ‘vote chori’ charge and spearheaded the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar, hoping to replicate the gains of his earlier mass movements. The narrative failed to resonate electorally, and the Congress emerged as the weakest link in the Bihar opposition, winning only six of the state’s 243 assembly seats. Priyanka steps forward At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has unmistakably moved out of the occasional-campaigner role. Once deployed sparingly for high-voltage rallies, she is now a constant presence, both in Parliament and on the streets. During the Winter Session of Parliament, the first-time MP from Wayanad assumed a leading role for the party. With a smile, she was seen patiently attacking the Modi government during the Vande Mataram debate. The Wayanad MP also was at the forefront when the opposition parties staged a walkout from Lok Sabha to protest against the VB-G RAM G Bill. She led the march within the Parliament premises while holding a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi. Despite Rahul Gandhi’s absence from Parliament, the Congress drew significant attention for its aggressive protests and Priyanka emerged as a prominent face of the party both inside and outside the House. At the end of the session, she also attended the customary tea meeting hosted by Speaker Om Birla and was seen chatting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders from across parties. Whispers within the chambers Though there has been no formal resolution, several reports have quoted “voices within the Congress” urging a larger organisational role for Priyanka, including suggestions that she could serve as party president or national face. After Rahul’s resignation as Congress chief, former MP Abhijit Mukherjee, son of former President Pranab Mukherjee, openly appealed for Priyanka to take over, saying she should heed the “clarion call of lakhs of Congress workers”. Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Anil Shastri has also said Priyanka Gandhi would be the best person to lead the party. Over time, and following successive assembly election losses, these whispers have grown louder. In December, former Odisha MLA Mohammed Moquim wrote to Sonia Gandhi questioning the current leadership and explicitly seeking a “greater central role” for Priyanka. MP Imran Masood has also pushed for her elevation, arguing, “Make her the Prime Minister and see how she responds, just like Indira Gandhi did,” signalling that she should be the party’s main face
Umar and Sharjeel denied bail, BJP calls it a slap in the face of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress.
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots case. The BJP has targeted the Congress on this. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the Delhi riots case. The BJP has targeted the Congress on this. The BJP said that the Supreme Court’s decision is a blow to Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress ecosystem. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “This is a slap in the face of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress ecosystem, which protected ‘tukde-tukde poster boys’ Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam as innocent victims… Rahul Gandhi’s urban Naxals have lost in the court of the people and the law. Will the Congress apologize to the country for portraying India’s enemies, the tukde-tukde forces, as victims?” The Supreme Court refused to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The court said that a prima facie case was made out against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa ur Rehman, Mohammad Salim Khan, and Shadab Ahmed, among other accused in the case. The bench said, “The court is satisfied that the material presented by the prosecution prima facie establishes the charges against the petitioners Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. The statutory test applies in respect of these petitioners.” It is not appropriate to release them on bail at this stage of the proceedings. On December 10 last year, the Supreme Court reserved its decision on the bail pleas of the accused after hearing arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Delhi Police, and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi, Siddharth Dave, Salman Khurshid, and Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the accused. Umar, Sharjeel, and other accused are accused of being the “main conspirators” of the February 2020 riots in Northeast Delhi. A case was registered against them under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Curated by: Varun Shailesh About the Author Varun Shailesh Varun Shailesh is an Assistant News Editor at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 15 years of experience in current affairs, politics, social issues, and features. Started her career with news agency IANS in 2009. She worked at the central desk of Hindustan (Hindustan Times Group) for over five years. After this, she handled the editorial page of Dainik Jagran’s national edition. After working in print media for over seven years, she joined Aaj Tak (website) in 2018, where she covered the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections 2018 and the Lok Sabha elections 2019. She led the International and Lifestyle team. In 2021, she joined the Dainik Bhaskar digital team, where she led the women’s team. During this time, she wrote on food, culture, and relationships. Now she is a part of the NBT digital team. She has studied journalism from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
BMC polls in Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announces support for Independent Dinesh Jadhav against Kirti Somaiya’s son in Mulund ward
Mumbai: Two days after BJP politician Kirit Somaiya expressed confidence that his son Neil would win the BMC polls a second time as there was no candidate from the main opposition parties against him from Mulund’s Ward No. 107, Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday declared independent nominee Dinesh Jadhav as the party’s official candidate. Calling Jadhav a hard-core Sainik, Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said he had filed his nomination as independent as a back-up. “During seat-sharing talks, our ally NCP (SP) had demanded Ward No. 107, saying they have good candidates. Reluctantly, we gave the seat to them…We all decided to stand behind the NCP (SP) candidate, but the ‘unopposed elected scam’ happened in Ward No. 107 too.” The nomination form of NCP (SP) candidate Bharat Vanani was rejected and he was disqualified. “Kirit Somaiya started dancing ‘unopposed, unopposed’ and saying ‘no one is contesting against my son’. But that’s not the case. Our hard-core Shiv Sainik, Dinesh Jadhav, had filled his nomination Ward No. 107. His nomination is valid. Uddhav Thackeray has issued a letter stating that Jadhav is the official Shiv Sena (UBT)-supported candidate from Ward No. 107,” Raut said. “Neil cannot be elected unopposed, he will have to fight with us. “Jadhav was not able to get the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s ‘flaming torch’ symbol. His symbol is a television set,” Raut added. Earlier in the day, Kirit said in a post on X: “It’s official. Election Commission final list of candidates for BMC ward 107 Mulund. Neil Kirit Somaiya – BJP. No candidates of Uddhav Thackeray UBT, Raj Thackeray MNS, Rahul Gandhi Congress, Sharad Pawar NCP.” In 2017, Neil had contested the BMC election from the adjacent Ward No. 108 and won. 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
Indian Man, 52, Beaten On Road Over ‘Unpaid Sex Service’ By Transgender Women In Thailand
The viral video shows a tense situation escalating when the women demanded money from the Indian tourist who allegedly declined to pay. An Indian tourist became the centre of a violent confrontation in Thailand’s Pattaya after he allegedly refused to pay for sexual services that left him injured. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 27, was caught on camera and shows the man being beaten by a group of transgender women in a public area. According to a report in Thaiger, the Indian national has been identified as 52-year-old Raj Jasuja. The video shows a tense situation escalating when the women demanded money from Jasuja who reportedly declined to pay. Transgender Women Beat Indian Man In Thailand In the video, three transgender women can be seen confronting Jasuja allegedly over payment for sexual services. When he attempted to leave in his car, one of the transgender women blocked the door to prevent him from driving away. With the assistance of a man nearby and some bystanders, the group pulled Jasuja out of the vehicle. He was then repeatedly kicked and struck by the group before emergency responders arrived at the scene. “No Money, No Honey.” Eyewitness Account As per the report, a local witness, 19-year-old Phongphon, told rescue workers that he saw Jasuja arguing with a transgender sex worker near the entrance to the walking street. The argument escalated and according to the witness, the woman then summoned several friends to assist her. Rescue And Medical Attention Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Dhammastan Foundation received a report at around 5:30 AM after which they immediately rushed to the scene. They found Jasuja with injuries to his face and the back of his head. He was administered first aid at the scene before being shifted to Pattamakom Hospital for further treatment. “Free s*x services give injuries.” What Are People Saying Online The video circulated online and received hundreds of comments with one user writing, “My guy really thought not paying was gonna work out fine.” Another said, “Well deserved,” while someone else remarked, “Someone’s husband and father btw.” Ariana Grande, Amanda Seyfried, Ethan Hawke, Kristen Bell Arrive At The Critics’ Choice Awards; N18G New Parents Sidharth Malhotra & Kiara Advani Glow As They’re Spotted Together Police Response Police later informed the We Love Pattaya Facebook page that they would request Jasuja to file a formal complaint once he fully recovers, Thaigar reported. Further investigation will then proceed according to Thai law. Curated By : Buzz Staff Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit woman’s murder causes tension in Hubballi
Hubballi: A tense situation prevailed at KMC RI Hospital, Indi Pump, and other areas in Hubballi on Sunday, following the murder of a Hindu-Dalit woman by a Muslim youth in Yellapur in Uttara Kannada. Ranjita Bansode,30, who was stabbed by Rafiq Imamsab in Kalammanagar, Yellapur, succumbed to her injuries on the way to KMC RI Hospital in Hubballi on Saturday night. Hindu organisations staged a dharna at the hospital on Saturday night, demanding the arrest of the accused. They warned that they will not allow the body to be taken to Yellapur until action was taken against the accused. Police commissioner N Shashikumar rushed to the hospital and tried to convince the protesters. However, when the report arrived that the accused, Rafiq, died by suicide in Yellapur, the protest was withdrawn on Sunday. After the postmortem, Ranjita’s body was handed over to her family members. Condemning her murder, Hindu and Dalit organisations staged a dharna at the hospital and took the body in a procession to Indi Pump on Karwar Road. They submitted a memorandum there to police commissioner N Shashikumar, demanding justice for Bansode’s family. Dalit leaders Sridhar Kandagal, Mahendra Koutal, Maruti Doddamani, and others said that Bansode’s family was under financial crisis, and that they should receive some financial assistance. Police arranged elaborate security along the procession route. Police commissioner Shashikumar said that over 1,000 personnel and officials were deployed to prevent untoward incidents. “Since some untoward incidents happened during such protests in the past, we made elaborate security arrangements,” he added. 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
New twist in Gwalior Ambedkar controversy: Dalit leader Makarand Maurya arrested in old case
In a major move in the Gwalior Ambedkar controversy, police have arrested the complainant, Dalit leader Makarand Maurya, in an old case. Meanwhile, Congress protested at the Collectorate demanding strict action against the removal of the Gandhi-Ambedkar exhibition. The ongoing Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar controversy in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has taken a new turn. While Advocate Anil Mishra, a leader of the upper castes and the Rakshak Morcha and former president of the High Court Bar Association, has been in jail for the past three days for raising objectionable slogans against Ambedkar and burning his portrait, the police have now arrested the complainant, Dalit leader Makarand Maurya. It is reported that three days ago, Advocate Anil Mishra had gone to the IG’s office to submit a memorandum. It is alleged that he subsequently protested outside the SP’s office without permission, raising slogans against Ambedkar, and burning his portrait. Upon learning of the incident, a large number of Dalits gathered at the Superintendent of Police’s office and demanded that a case be registered against the accused and they be imprisoned under the NSA. On the application of Dalit leader Makarand Maurya, the police registered a case against seven people, including Anil Mishra. Subsequently, the police arrested four of them while they were on their way to Morena. The next day, all the accused were produced before the JMFC court, where the court refused to grant bail and sent them to jail. Anil Mishra was later hospitalized for medical reasons, while the other three accused remain in jail. Meanwhile, Anil Mishra filed a petition in the High Court’s double bench, calling the case unfair and questioning the police action. Despite Saturday and Sunday being holidays, the hearing in the Gwalior High Court division bench failed, but the accused received no relief. During the hearing, Mishra’s lawyer argued that a case had already been registered against the complainant, Makarand Maurya, and an arrest warrant had been issued by the court. Despite this, the police did not arrest him. Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the Dalit community argued that the court cannot make a decision without hearing the complainant. The High Court issued notices to all concerned parties, including the complainant, Makarand Maurya, and set a hearing date for Monday. Just hours after the notice was issued, the police executed a warrant previously issued by the court and arrested Bhim Army leader and main complainant, Makarand Maurya. All eyes are now on the High Court hearing scheduled for Monday. Congress Protests Against the Removal of the Gandhi-Ambedkar Exhibition from the Fair Meanwhile, tension prevails in the city following the removal and vandalism of exhibitions depicting great men and freedom fighters, including Gandhi and Ambedkar, at the Gwalior Trade Fair. Calling it an insult to the Constitution and great men, the Congress protested at the District Collectorate and submitted a memorandum demanding strict action against the culprits. Congress leaders allege that this entire incident occurred at the behest of the BJP government. Congress says that since the BJP came to power, attempts have been made to weaken the Constitution. Congress has demanded that a case be filed not only under the NSA but also under sedition charges in this matter. Written by: Dev Shrimali, Edited by: Vishwanath Saini Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman murdered in Karnataka! Huge uproar over ‘love jihad’ claims; Rafiq stabbed her after she refused to marry him.
Dalit woman killed in Yellapur: Karnataka police said a 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Yellapur town, Uttara Kannada district. The victim has been identified as Ranjita Bhansod. The body of the accused, Rafiq Imamsaab, was also recovered. Dalit woman killed in Karnataka: A 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death on the street in Yellapur town, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It is alleged that the murder was committed by an acquaintance. Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepan MN said the body of the accused, Rafiq Imamsaab, was also found hanging from a tree in a forest near Yellapur on Sunday (January 4). The incident has sparked communal tension in the town. Several Hindu organizations called for a shutdown in Yellapur on Sunday, calling the murder a case of ‘love jihad’. The deceased has been identified as Ranjita Bhansod of Kalamma Nagar, Yellapur. According to police, Rafiq, a resident of the same area, was the main accused in the woman’s murder. Police said Rafiq and Ranjita were friends since school. A police officer said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the accused was pressuring the woman to marry him. When she refused, he allegedly attacked her with a knife in public.” The woman was married 10 years ago Police said on Sunday that the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when Ranjita was returning home from school. Police said Ranjita had married in Maharashtra about 12 years ago and they have a 10-year-old son. Police said she was living separately from her husband with her family in Yellapur, where she worked as a mid-day meal assistant at a government school. The accused often visited her home for meals, but tensions escalated when she insisted on marriage. However, Ranjitha and her family protested. Following the murder, angry residents and Hindutva activists protested in front of the Yellapur police station, alleging a delay in the arrest of the accused. The attacker also died. Meanwhile, Rafiq’s body was found hanging from a tree in the forest. Police said the circumstances of his death were being investigated. It is being claimed that he committed suicide. Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra attended the woman’s funeral. He demanded compensation of ₹50 lakh and two acres of land for the bereaved family. He also announced immediate assistance of ₹5 lakh from the party. Sri Ram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik said, “This is a clear case of ‘love jihad.’ In this, unmarried, widowed, or divorced women are targeted.” Security beefed up In view of the situation, police have tightened security by deploying additional forces in Yellapur and surrounding areas. Vijayendra condemned the incident and alleged that such crimes are recurring due to the inaction of the state government and the Home Department. He alleged, “Whenever such incidents occur, even before the police begin an investigation, the Chief Minister and Home Minister offer clarifications, saying it’s not a case of ‘love jihad.’” Vijayendra demanded a thorough investigation and justice for the victim’s family. The term ‘love jihad’ was coined by right-wing groups. It is used to allege that Muslim men conspire to lure Hindu women into relationships and marriages in order to “convert them to Islam.” AKHILESH NATH TRIPATHI Courtesy: Hindi News
Khaki uniform tarnished in UP! Policeman drugs Dalit woman and rapes her, court delivers justice
Uttar Pradesh News: A shocking incident that shames humanity has come to light from Ambedkar Nagar district. Here, the protector became the predator. A policeman drugged a Dalit woman and raped her. Surprisingly, the landlady also aided the accused in this heinous act. This case has become a topic of discussion in Uttar Pradesh News. Following a court order, the police have registered a case against the accused constable and the landlady. The conspiracy was hatched in a rented house The incident took place in the Jauhardih locality of Akbarpur Kotwali area. The victim, a Dalit student, lived there in a rented house while pursuing her studies. Constable Rajesh Yadav also lived in the same building. It is alleged that the constable obtained the victim’s phone number from the landlady. He started harassing her by sending her lewd messages. One day, Rajesh offered the woman food. When the victim refused, the landlady pressured her to eat it. The food contained a sedative, which caused her to lose consciousness. When she regained consciousness, her world had been shattered When the victim regained consciousness, she was naked. Constable Rajesh was present there. He threatened the woman and started blackmailing her. The accused said that if she told anyone, the consequences would be dire. The constable sexually exploited the woman for several months. When the woman protested, the constable told everything to her husband. After this, her husband also abandoned her. Police finally act after court’s reprimand The victim went from the police station to the SP’s office seeking justice. But the police department did not take any action against its own employee. Finally, the victim approached the court. Now, on the court’s order, the Akbarpur Kotwali police have registered a case against Constable Rajesh Yadav and the landlady. The police have registered a case under the SC/ST Act and sections related to rape and have started an investigation. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh to focus on Dalit-outreach in UP-polls:Will give tickets even on general seats, know what is the plan
The Samajwadi Party (SP) is preparing to make another major move in Uttar Pradesh politics, with a renewed focus on consolidating Dalit votes. As part of this strategy, the party is considering fielding candidates from the Dalit community on a large scale, even from general (unreserved) assembly seats. What is the thinking behind this move? Is the party conducting surveys on the ground? Which general seats could see Dalit candidates? Whose tickets may be cut to accommodate them? And what electoral equation did SP follow in the 2024 elections? This report looks for answers to these key questions. Why has Samajwadi Party adopted this strategy? In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, along with strong support from backward classes, a significant section of Dalit voters also backed the Samajwadi Party. This shift has caused concern within the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which is attempting to regain its traditional Dalit vote base in Uttar Pradesh. Over the past few months, BSP chief Mayawati has held several large rallies and organisational meetings to revive the party. Dalits constitute nearly 20 per cent of Uttar Pradesh’s population. While 84 assembly seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Dalit votes play a decisive role even in many general constituencies. SP’s strategy is aimed at making inroads into BSP’s core support base. A formula that worked in 2024 In the 2024 general elections, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav campaigned on the PDA slogan — Backward, Dalit and Minority. Under this formula, the party gave tickets to candidates from non-Yadav communities on a significant number of seats. Notably, Dalit candidates were fielded on two general Lok Sabha seats. In Faizabad, considered a BJP stronghold, SP nominated Awadhesh Prasad and went on to win. In Meerut, Sunita Verma was fielded, and the contest between SP and BJP was decided by a very narrow margin. The party is now preparing for the 2027 assembly elections along similar lines. Surveys underway at the ground level SP has deployed multiple survey teams across the state to assess the political mood on the ground. These teams are evaluating which candidates are strong in which areas, identifying general seats where Dalit candidates could be viable, and reviewing the performance of sitting SP MLAs. According to party sources, a recent survey report submitted to Akhilesh Yadav highlighted strong anti-incumbency against an SP MLA. The report also mentioned several general seats in western Uttar Pradesh where the party may consider fielding Dalit candidates. These include constituencies in Bijnor, Saharanpur, Ghaziabad and Hapur districts. Likely reduction in Yadav and Muslim tickets Sources within SP indicate that to accommodate more Dalit candidates, the party may reduce ticket allocations for Yadavs, Muslims and even some upper-caste candidates. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, SP largely restricted Yadav tickets to members of the Mulayam Singh Yadav family, all of whom won. The party also cut some Muslim tickets. For example, in Moradabad, sitting MP ST Hasan was denied a ticket, which was instead given to Ruchi Vira, who went on to win the seat. Kurmi community to get greater representation Alongside Dalits, SP is also focusing strongly on the Kurmi vote bank. In the 2024 elections, Kurmi support played a key role in the party’s performance against the BJP. Out of 62 Lok Sabha seats contested by SP, 12 candidates were from the Kurmi community, and seven of them won. Victories came from Kurmi-dominated constituencies such as Ambedkarnagar, Basti, Shravasti, Pratapgarh, Lakhimpur Kheri, Banda and Fatehpur. SP had fielded Kurmi candidates in all these seats. The party plans to replicate this approach in the assembly elections as well. This was also reflected in Akhilesh Yadav’s recent New Year visit to the residence of Pratapgarh MP SP Patel, which sent a clear political message. What party leaders and analysts say Shravasti MP Ram Shiromani Verma said, We are working at the grassroots level. Our workers have reached booth level during the SIR process and helped people. The Kurmi community stood with SP in 2024 and continues to do so. SP has given due respect to our community. In fact, Akhilesh Yadav is receiving support from people across castes and communities. Political analyst Hisam Siddiqui said the strategy draws directly from the success of 2024. Fielding Dalit candidates on general seats sends a strong message of social justice. It could also help address the long-standing Yadav–Dalit friction within SP. However, whether Dalit voters will fully back SP candidates in Yadav-dominated areas can only be assessed once candidates are announced. Senior journalist Virendra Nath Bhatt said SP’s primary aim is to increase its vote share while safeguarding the support it gained in 2024. “When SP formed the government in 2012, it had around 29 per cent vote share. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, SP and Congress together secured close to 44 per cent. If SP is able to reach a similar figure in the assembly elections, it will be well placed to form the government.” Syed Yasir Raza | Lucknow Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights