Dalit athletes who brought glory to Jharkhand by winning medals now need shelter: Who will help the athletes from the Nayak community of Bhusur Kocha?
Most of the families living in the Bhusur Kocha settlement belong to the Nayak community, which falls under the Scheduled Caste (SC) category in Jharkhand. Many of the families living here are originally from Gumla. Their ancestors came to work decades ago and later settled in this area. Ranchi: Recently, the district administration launched an anti-encroachment drive in the Bhusur Kocha settlement near Birsa Chowk in the city to remove settlements built along the main road from DPS School to Birsa Chowk Highway in the Bhusur area. During this, several houses were demolished, leaving the poor families living there homeless. The encroachment removal drive has left many Dalit athletes who won medals for Jharkhand in national and state-level competitions while living in these huts. However, amid public protests following this action, the Jharkhand High Court ordered an immediate halt to the anti-encroachment drive on September 18th. The court directed the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police to halt the ongoing action. The court also gave the alleged encroachers until December 31st to vacate the government land on their own. Geographical Context Hearing the case, Justice Anand Sen’s bench stated that, given the upcoming festival season, any immediate action by the administration should be postponed. Following the High Court’s intervention, the bulldozing operation has been halted, but the residents will have to vacate the settlement within three months. The medals and certificates scattered among the dilapidated huts here tell the story of the children who, despite poverty and limited resources, brought glory to Jharkhand and the country in the sports arena. But after the destruction of dozens of families from the Nayak community during the encroachment removal operation, these athletes now face the challenge of both advancing in their sports and maintaining their homes. This settlement has produced approximately seven to eight national-level and over 12 state-level athletes. These include kho-kho players Shivam Nayak, Ayush Nayak, and Rohan Nayak, as well as mallakhamb player Rakesh Nayak and national player Anushka Lohara. The athletes’ medals and certificates, standing amid the slum’s dilapidated houses, bear testimony to their achievements. But with the very homes from which they achieved these accomplishments destroyed, they now face the challenge of survival and continuation of their sports. A settlement settled for 50-60 years, now questions about the future Most of the families living in the Bhusur Kocha settlement belong to the Nayak community, which falls under the Scheduled Caste (SC) category in Jharkhand. Many families living here are originally from Gumla. Their ancestors came decades ago for labor and later settled in the area. According to locals, many families had been living here for 50 to 60 years. Documents like electricity bills, Aadhaar cards, and voter ID cards also prove their long-standing connection to the settlement. However, the administration demolished the houses, claiming the land belonged to the government and the HEC. This action has left many families facing a housing crisis. Following a court order, further demolitions are prohibited until December 31st. Consequently, the families living in the houses threatened with action are also in uncertainty. Sunny Sharad of The Follow-Up visited the site and understood the plight of these athletes from the Nayak community. National-level Mallakhamb player Rakesh Nayak explained that he grew up in the sports world while living in this hut. He said, he represented Jharkhand in various competitions and won medals for the state. Rakesh said, “I earned my name from this hut. My name was known everywhere, and so was Jharkhand’s name. But today the Jharkhand government has treated us unfairly.” Rakesh, upset by the demolition of his house, said that the administration should have made arrangements for his accommodation before demolishing it. He said, “If they had provided him with housing before demolishing his house, and then demolishing it later, it would have felt somewhat like they had provided housing before demolishing it. He didn’t get even that.” According to Rakesh, his family and other players from the slum have made a name for themselves in sports while living with limited resources. He said that approximately seven to eight national-level players lived in his hut, while the number of players playing at the state level was over 12. Rakesh, a native of Gumla, said that his family has lived here since childhood. His ancestors came here in search of work and later settled here. Rakesh said that he started playing at the district level, then progressed to the state and national levels. His next goal was to play internationally. He said that he won over 15 medals at the national level and approximately 18 at the state level in his athletic career. Kho-kho player Shivam Nayak is among those who began their careers in this slum and represented Jharkhand in various competitions. His medals and certificates demonstrate his achievements, but his house has also been demolished. Shivam’s fellow Kho-kho player, Ayush Nayak, explained that his own house is currently intact, but it is also at risk of demolition. He said that he has been given three months to rebuild his house. Ayush explained that the players in the slum whose houses have been demolished have also been struggling during the rains. If his teammates had come to stay at his house, he would have taken them in. When asked where he would go if his house was also demolished, Ayush said, “If it gets demolished, we will stay here.” Ayush also explained that he plays Kho-kho alongside his studies and has traveled to Rajasthan and Bokaro for competitions. At present, he has not received any information about any assistance from the government. This action has affected not only the players but also their families. Shivam Nayak’s mother sits on the threshold of her ruined home. The biggest question before her is where the family will live now and what will be her son’s sporting future. She explained that the family worked hard to make their son an athlete with the hope that he would progress and improve
Tirunelveli Honor Killing: Madras High Court quashes chargesheet against parents of accused in Kavin Selvaganesh murder case
The court quashed the chargesheet against the parents citing insufficient evidence, while proceedings against Jaipal will continue. Madurai. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has quashed the chargesheet filed against Saravanan and Krishnakumari, the parents of the main accused, Surjeet, in the murder case of Dalit IT employee C. Kavin Selvaganesh, which took place on July 27, 2025, in KTC Nagar, Tirunelveli. Justice R. Vijayakumar issued the order while dismissing a petition filed by Jaipal, Surjeet’s relative, seeking quashing of the chargesheet against him. Kavin Selvaganesh, approximately 25 years old, was a resident of Arumugamangalam village in Tuticorin district. He belonged to the Devendra Kula Vellalar (Scheduled Caste/Pallalar) community. After completing his engineering studies, he worked as a software engineer at an IT company like TCS in Chennai. He was a university gold medalist and the first-generation graduate in his family. His mother, Tamilselvi, is a government school teacher. On July 27, 2025, Kavin went with his mother to a private Siddha clinic in KTC Nagar, Tirunelveli, where his girlfriend, Subhashini (a Siddha practitioner), worked. Subhashini belongs to the Maravar (Mukkulathor/Thevar community, MBC). Her brother, Surajit, allegedly called Kavin out of the clinic, saying that their parents wanted to meet him. While escorting him on a bike, Surajit hurled caste-based slurs and stabbed him multiple times with a sickle hidden behind his back. Kavin tried to escape but succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The murder occurred in broad daylight. Kavin’s mother, Tamilselvi, filed a complaint. According to the police, this was a caste-based ‘honor killing’ due to an inter-caste love affair. Surjeet surrendered. Both his parents were sub-inspectors in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force, who were suspended. Saravanan and Jaipal were arrested first, while Krishnakumari was arrested later (in May 2026). The prosecution alleged that the parents were aware of the plan and assisted. The case was handed over to the CBI-CID. The CBI-CID filed a charge sheet in October 2025 based on the statements of 83 witnesses. Kavin’s family had demanded the arrest of the accused’s parents before accepting the body. The High Court had previously ordered an examination of CCTV footage (from the Tirunelveli-Sivalaperi NHAI stretch). In the latest order, the court dismissed the charge sheet against the parents, citing insufficient evidence, while proceedings against Jaipal will continue. This decision raises questions about the quality of investigation and evidence in cases of caste-based violence. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Ramji Lal Suman arrives in Sambhal: Says, “If we want to defeat the BJP in 2027, the SP is the only option; Dalit convention to be held in Agra on November 15th.”
Samajwadi Party National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman arrived in Sambhal on Tuesday afternoon. He held a meeting with party workers at the SP district office located at Chandausi intersection in the Raisatti police station area. The meeting discussed preparations for the Western Uttar Pradesh Dalit convention scheduled for November 15th in Agra. Suman called on party workers to mobilize to make the convention a success. He stated that he is visiting various districts in Western Uttar Pradesh to contact workers. He claims that a climate of excitement is building among the Dalit community regarding the 2027 assembly elections, and the SP is being considered an option to defeat the BJP. Regarding the ongoing rhetoric regarding an alliance between the Congress and the SP for the 2027 assembly elections, Ramji Lal Suman stated that an alliance will be formed. He added that under the current circumstances, both parties should work together. He stated that the Samajwadi Party has authorized National President Akhilesh Yadav to negotiate the alliance. According to him, talks regarding the alliance will take place between Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Akhilesh Yadav. Suman appealed to leaders making statements regarding the alliance to exercise restraint. He said that such statements should not be made that could affect the alliance’s position. On the SP’s absence from the India Alliance meeting, he said, “There must have been a reason.” Regarding the SP’s absence from the India Alliance meeting in Delhi, Suman stated that the Samajwadi Party is part of the alliance. He stated that Akhilesh Yadav had stated his busy schedule and that a representative from the party had agreed to attend the meeting. Regarding the question about campaigning with Priyanka Gandhi and Dimple Yadav, he stated that the party leadership would decide where and with whom to campaign. Serious allegations leveled against the Chief Election Commissioner Regarding the question about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Ramji Lal Suman questioned the functioning of the Election Commission. He alleged that the Chief Election Commissioner had made decisions in favor of the BJP and said that the Samajwadi Party (SP) has long questioned the Commission’s impartiality. His statement comes amid reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections to the Commission’s decisions and procedures at least 14 times in the past 10 months. The Election Commission responded by stating that the Commission’s decisions were made with the consent of all three Election Commissioners. Around 200 workers were present at the meeting. Around 200 workers, including SP District President Asgar Ali Ansari, Sambhal MLA’s son Suhail Iqbal, Gunnaur MLA’s son Akhilesh Yadav, former Chandausi candidate Vimlesh Kumari, District General Secretary Krishnamurari Shankhdhar, Syed Akhtar Israeli, Ajay Kumar, Munshi Wahid, and Councilor Mohammad Rehan, were present at the meeting. Sunny Gupta, Sambhal Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Leniency will create lawlessness’: 4 get life for gang-raping Dalit woman at crematorium 12yrs ago
Agra: A court in Aligarh has sentenced four men to rigorous life imprisonment for gang-raping a 21-year-old Dalit woman at a crematorium in 2014. The court also imposed Rs 63,000 fine on each convict. Cautioning against showing leniency in such cases, special court (SC/ST Act) judge Pratibha Saxena observed: “If a lenient view is taken, it will create a state of lawlessness in society and strengthen the morale of criminals involved in heinous crimes like gang rape. Also, women will not only feel unsafe, but lose faith in the judicial process.” Special public prosecutor Chaman Prakash said, “While rejecting the defence plea for leniency, the judge further observed that the crime was ‘grave in nature’ as the accused had gang-raped a young Scheduled Caste woman, assaulted and humiliated her with casteist slurs.” The crime took place in 2014 when the woman had gone to collect dung cakes. The convicts were Manish Kumar (34), Sachin (30), Anju (35) and Vijay (25), all from the survivor’s village. Prosecution examined six witnesses, including the survivor and the investigating officer, during the trial. The accused were convicted under IPC 376D (gang rape), 323/34 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 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
‘Why did Kumaraswamy’s family acquire land in NICE area?’ asks DK Shivakumar
Shivakumar said the NICE project should serve the interests of Mysuru, Mandya, Ramanagara and Channapatna and promote development in the region. BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy over the NICE project, alleging that the latter was now raking up the issue after his own efforts to deal with the project had failed. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar questioned why Kumaraswamy had remained silent on the NICE project all these years if there were serious irregularities, pointing out that his father, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, had signed the NICE agreement and that Kumaraswamy himself had been CM when attempts were made to resolve issues relating to the project. “He himself tried to get it taken in the name of someone called Gandhi. He got the tender done, and the Supreme Court brought the tender matter to an end,” Shivakumar said, alleging that there had been several dealings connected with the project, including transactions in benami names. “Something went wrong in their dealings with them, and now the father and sons are doing all this,” Shivakumar thundered. Saying that Kumaraswamy was unable to tolerate the popularity of the Congress government, the CM said, “He has become very desperate… there is a big internal fight going on between him and the BJP.” Shivakumar said the NICE project should serve the interests of Mysuru, Mandya, Ramanagara and Channapatna and promote development in the region. Shivakumar also questioned the land holdings of Kumaraswamy’s family members within the NICE’s BMIC planning area. “Then why did all his brothers acquire land in it? Ask him,” he said. On Kumaraswamy’s claim that he could have resolved the NICE issue had his party won 134 seats, Shivakumar said the former CM had an opportunity to act when he was in power. “When he had power in 2007, he auctioned it and gave it to somebody else to acquire. Why couldn’t he do this through Nikhil Gandhi? There is a BJP government (at the Centre) now. Let them acquire it,” the Chief Minister said. On Kumaraswamy’s demand for stopping toll collection, Shivakumar said, “Let him go and tell Modi and stop all tolls in Bengaluru and across the country.” Shivakumar also rejected Kumaraswamy’s challenge to debate the issue on the steps of Vidhana Soudha, saying the matter could be discussed inside the Assembly. “Why settle it there? Ask him to come inside. Ask him to come inside the Assembly. Let us discuss it there. Let anyone resign as an MLC or resign from the Assembly and he come inside the Assembly and debate,” he said. ‘My properties are declared’ CM DK Shivakumar also hit back at allegations concerning his properties, saying their present market value could not be treated as evidence of wrongdoing. “Whether I have property worth Rs 1,400 crore or Rs 40 crore, it is there at today’s value. I am the son of a farmer, and I am a businessman,” Shivakumar said. He said his children also had the legal right to acquire property and conduct business. Shivakumar said all his assets had been declared before the Election Commission and other agencies. “If they want to bring some other big agency and examine it now, let them do so,” he said, questioning if KUmaraswamy is an IT officer. Referring to a site, he said former CM S Bangarappa had allotted to him. Shivakumar said he had purchased it for about Rs 99,000 and its value had now risen to around Rs 20 crore. “Did I take a bribe from anyone? No. Did I get involved in any scandal? Nothing at all. I have every right to do business. I have the capacity to make my children do business, and I have the capacity to acquire more,” Shivakumar said. ‘More stings may come’ On the alleged “AK-DK jugalbandi” narrative and the possibility of further allegations against him, Shivakumar said he expected more videos and audio recordings to surface. “Not Part One. One, two, three, four. There will be more stings, videos, audios, Artificial Intelligence and whatever else they have. I know whatever they have,” he said. On a Lokayukta complaint alleging irregularities of around Rs 444 crore in the allocation of two tenders involving minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, the CM dismissed the allegations. 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
Deputy CM Bhatti calls for struggle to protect self-respect of Dalits
Vikramarka also criticised the action taken against Rahul Gandhi when he protested demanding registration of an FIR over the incident involving Kharge. HYDERABAD: Condemning the alleged insult to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Tuesday called for a united nationwide struggle to protect the self-respect of Dalits and Adivasis. Addressing a Dalit-Adivasi Self-Respect Conference organised by the Congress SC and ST MPs Forum in New Delhi, he said it was the responsibility of every citizen to protect the Constitution that established the values of equality, liberty, fraternity and the abolition of untouchability in the country. He recalled that the first resolution against untouchability was adopted under the leadership of the Congress, followed by the adoption and implementation of the Constitution. Vikramarka alleged that the BJP does not have faith in the Constitution. He criticised what he described as attempts to promote the ideology associated with the Manusmriti and Manu Dharma Shastra in place of constitutional values. “The Indian Constitution is what binds every citizen of the country together. Violating the Constitution means weakening the very foundations of the nation,” he said. He said that the “purification ritual” conducted in Haldwani following Kharge’s public meeting was a serious issue concerning the self-respect of Dalits. Vikramarka also criticised the action taken against Rahul Gandhi when he protested demanding registration of an FIR over the incident involving Kharge. He said that instead of taking action against those responsible, a case was filed against Rahul Gandhi. Stating that governments have a responsibility to implement the constitutional guarantees that ensure equal rights and dignity for all citizens, he said: “We cannot accept a situation where crores of people, including SCs, Adivasis and minorities, are treated as second-class citizens. We must all come together and fight for our self-respect.” 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
Rahul Gandhi backs Gen Z protests: ‘Stop punishing women for crimes against them’
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday backed the ongoing student-led protests over women’s safety, accusing the government of responding to violence against women by restricting their movement instead of making public spaces safer. His remarks came amid renewed protests in Delhi following the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in south Delhi. Hundreds of students, many of them women, have taken to the streets over the past week demanding safer public spaces, stronger policing and greater accountability. “Stop punishing women for the crimes committed against them,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “Across our country, women are afraid to walk the streets, afraid of being harassed, afraid of being raped. And the government’s answer: stay at home,” he said. Rahul Gandhi argued that asking women to restrict their movement amounted to victim-blaming instead of addressing the conditions that make public spaces unsafe. “This is patriarchy at work: a system that blames the victim and shields the criminal. It is time to smash it,” he said. The Congress leader said the focus should instead be on making streets safer, challenging attitudes that enable violence against women and ensuring swift punishment for offenders. “The solution is not to lock women inside. It is to make our streets safe, to confront the mindset of men who mistreat women, and to punish those who attack them, swiftly and without exception,” the Congress leader said. Protests over the Aastha Kunj case have grown across Delhi University. Students from institutions including Lady Shri Ram College, Miranda House, Gargi College and BR Ambedkar University have participated in demonstrations, raising concerns over harassment, poorly lit streets and restrictions imposed on women because of safety fears. The issue has also reached the Supreme Court. On Monday, the court questioned the Delhi government and police over recent crimes against women and girls in the national capital and sought accountability over what it described as failures in ensuring public safety. Rahul Gandhi urged more young people, particularly women from Gen Z, to join peaceful protests. “Thousands of students and young people are on the streets demanding safety for women. I urge even more young women, especially GenZ across India to come out in stronger numbers,” he said. “This government is deaf to your pain and will only listen when it’s under pressure. Peaceful protest is your democratic right, and I stand with you wholeheartedly,” he added. Creative placards and slogans such as “Abort Patriarchy”, “My favourite season is FALL of patriarchy”, “Bas bohot ho gaya” (enough is enough), and “Bade bade shehron mein aisi chhoti soch nahi chalegi” (such a narrow mindset will not work in big cities) stood out as protesters marched through the campus amid heavy police presence. 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
Not just CEC, PM Modi and Shah should also resign for ‘vote chori’, says CWC
NEW DELHI: Raising the stakes in the ongoing controversy over special intensive revision (SIR) of poll rolls, the Congress Working Committee on Tuesday demanded that PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah resign on moral grounds, accusing them of being orchestrators of ‘vote chori’ through CEC Gyanesh Kumar. CWC, chaired by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, also demanded the CEC’s resignation, a halt to the SIR process, and restoration of over 13 crore voters deleted from the rolls.The meeting saw LoP Rahul Gandhi take the lead in arguing that the country now believes what the party and he had been saying for over two years: that the electoral rolls and EVMs were compromised by EC. He lamented that there were “non-believers” in Congress even when evidence was given about “vote chori”. Referring to a meeting involving him, PM Modi and Shah, Rahul said the PM told him that after they lose, the Congress government will come in. Rahul had questioned how some appointments were being made despite his opposition, to which the PM had said Indira Gandhi also did that. Rahul said he had replied that Indira was voted out, after which PM Modi made the remark that Congress would follow BJP to office. Sources described the remark’s context as Rahul’s bid to rally non-believers within by mentioning that even the “BJP mascot” believes Congress will come to office. Rahul is learnt to have said the “big fishes” (PM Modi and Shah) know they are going to lose in future. He said that while there are questions about the 2014 and 2019 elections, the 2024 LS polls were unambiguously “match-fixed”, and termed PM Modi as the “illegal PM”. He repeatedly stressed “resistance” against the government. Putting Rahul’s imprimatur on exposing “vote chori”, the CWC resolution, read to the media by KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh, noted, “what began as one man’s solitary warning is now a national demand for transparency and accountability”. CWC stopped short of deciding an action plan, leaving it to the INDIA bloc, which will meet Wednesday. CWC meeting was attended by Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sachin Pilot, Shashi Tharoor, Abhishek Singhvi, Manish Tewari, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Jitendra Singh, Prakash Joshi, CMs DK Shivakumar, Sukhwinder Sukhu, VD Satheesan, and Revanth Reddy, among others. Many CWC members and the four CMs are learnt to have argued that agitation in Delhi is important to having an impact. Kharge said, “Like in British times, Congress again has to shoulder the responsibility… we snatched the right to vote from the British and now fight to save that right.” When Tharoor said the party should support the CJP agitation called on Oct 2, Kharge caustically asked the Keralam MP if he would be seen only in newspapers and on TV, or would join the street battle against the EC. 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 Funds a paper game or reality? BJP attacks Congress in Telangana, demands a white paper
The BJP SC Morcha has directly attacked the Congress government in Telangana for neglecting the Dalit Welfare Fund and election promises, demanding a white paper on the fund’s expenditure. Politics has heated up in Telangana over the issue of Dalit welfare. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha has threatened to surround SC Corporation offices in all districts on Tuesday, calling the Congress government’s policies anti-Dalit. The organization directly alleges that the state government has completely failed to fulfill its election promises. It has also strongly demanded the release of a white paper on the use of funds allocated for Dalit development. SC Morcha State President Kanthi Kiran has launched a scathing attack on the state government. He alleged that the government is ignoring the welfare of Dalits and diverting their share of funds elsewhere. According to Kiran, the Congress government is falsely claiming Dalit development by juggling figures on paper. The ground reality is that unemployed Dalit youth are not receiving any concrete benefits and are still forced to wander in search of employment. Kanthi Kiran attacked the government, citing statements made by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka in the Assembly. He reminded that the government had claimed to allocate approximately ₹1.20 lakh crore under the Scheduled Caste Special Development Fund (SCSDF) during the financial years 2024, 2025, and 2026. This amount amounts to approximately ₹40,000 crore each year. However, the BJP leader said that this huge amount is not visible anywhere on the ground improving the lives of people. Caste and Identity Groups Serious questions were also raised regarding the Congress’s famous Chevella Declaration. This manifesto promised financial assistance of ₹12 lakh to every Dalit family. Kiran claimed that approximately 500,000 applications have been received so far under the ‘Rajiv Yuva Vikasam’ self-employment scheme. Despite receiving such a large number of applications, not a single one has been approved, nor has the scheme been properly implemented. Questioning the transparency of the administration, the BJP leader stated that three RTI applications were filed with the Hyderabad District SC Corporation and the District Collectors. Despite this, the government has failed to provide details of expenditure, raising serious doubts. He demanded that the proposed white paper provide a complete breakdown of department-wise allocations from the SC Development Fund. The actual expenditure and the exact number of beneficiaries receiving benefits under self-employment schemes should also be made public. Meanwhile, Telangana politics has heated up over a rally against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Several prominent leaders, including BJP spokesperson N.V. Subhash, Vice President B. Narsaiah Goud, and Legislative Party leader A. Maheshwar Reddy, have strongly condemned this “anti-CEC rally.” BJP leaders have made serious allegations against the state government of misusing the police machinery. They say the government is using the police to suppress the opposition, while Congress-backed protests against a constitutional institution are being given free rein. These leaders alleged that the Congress is deliberately targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The main reason for this is that the Congress is feeling uncomfortable with the steps being taken to ensure transparency in the voter list. Dr. Gaur directly challenged the Congress, saying that if the Congress has so much doubt about the election process, its governments in various states should immediately resign. Meanwhile, Maheshwar Reddy demanded evidence to prove the allegations against the Election Commission. He clarified that recent clarifications have further strengthened public confidence in constitutional institutions. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Took turns shooting’: Trans NYT executive killed by in-laws amid anti-LGBTQ+ allegations
A trans New York Times engineering executive was shot dead in broad daylight at a California sports complex, allegedly by his elderly in-laws, with witnesses saying the couple took turns shooting him before calmly walking away from the scene. Jonathan McKinsey, 40, director of engineering for New York Times Games and Player Experience, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California, shortly after 3pm Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested his in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, near the scene and booked them into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder and other charges. Witnesses had alerted police after seeing the shooting, and the couple remained in the area when officers arrived. Police have not publicly established a motive. Man Killed In-Laws Arrested Transgender identity at centre of family dispute McKinsey was transgender, and court filings show that his gender identity became part of the wider conflict with his wife and her family. In a petition seeking a domestic violence protection order, McKinsey alleged that his mother-in-law, Chen, had directed anti-LGBTQ+ slurs at him and one of their children, according to court records cited by The Mercury News and AP. He also made allegations against his wife involving medical procedures related to his transition. The court-document-based report reviewed also stated McKinsey transitioned from female to male in 2010. It also describes a bitter dispute between him and his in-laws over his being transgender. The allegations were part of a much broader legal battle between McKinsey and his wife, Candice Jang. They had three young children and were involved in divorce and custody proceedings when he was killed. Jang had sought a domestic violence protection order against McKinsey, while McKinsey later sought one against her and filed for divorce. Custody fight turned increasingly bitter Court records show that Jang had accused McKinsey of physically disciplining their children. He was charged with misdemeanor child abuse and was out on bail while seeking entry into a mental-health diversion programme, according to AP. He had been limited to supervised visits with his children and was seeking greater access to them. Jang’s court filings also alleged that McKinsey had threatened to kill her and her parents. In one filing, she described a children’s book about a mother dying as frightening because of those alleged threats. Those claims remain allegations contained in the family’s legal proceedings. The couple’s legal battle was still active when McKinsey was killed, with a court hearing scheduled shortly afterward. His death therefore came against the backdrop of an increasingly bitter dispute over their children, allegations of domestic and child abuse, and McKinsey’s claims of anti-LGBTQ+ hostility within the family. Police have not said that McKinsey’s transgender identity or the allegations surrounding it were the motive for the shooting. Zhang and Chen are due to appear in court Wednesday, where the charges against them are expected to be formally addressed. 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