Tamil Nadu: Case filed against woman and her family for obstructing Dalit students
An FIR has been filed against an elderly woman and her family for obstructing Dalit students from using a “public path” in Thanjavur; villagers were forced to walk 1.5 km. Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu: Local police have filed a case against an elderly woman and her family for obstructing Dalit students from using a “public path.” They are accused of allegedly preventing a group of students belonging to the Dalit community from using a nearby public path. The obstruction is visible in the video. The incident occurred on Friday morning in Kollangarai village in Thanjavur taluk. A video that surfaced on social media clearly shows some students wearing school uniforms and carrying school bags walking through a street. An elderly woman, holding a stick in her hand, steps in to stop them. She shouts, warning them not to use that path. Police launch investigation Given the seriousness of the matter, a senior Thanjavur taluk police official confirmed that an FIR has been registered. “An FIR has been registered against the woman and her family members. However, no arrests have been made so far. The investigation is ongoing,” the official told news agency PTI on Saturday. Dispute over ‘vehicle route’ Villagers complained that they were being prevented by family members from using the common path, locally known as ‘vandi pathai’ or ‘vehicle route’. Previously, villagers alleged that they were forced to take a longer route. They had to travel an additional distance of approximately 1.5 kilometers by circling a water body to reach their destination. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Demand for a 1% Separate Quota: Karnataka’s Nomadic, ‘Untouchable’ Communities to Take to the Streets of Delhi on October 2
The protest is being organized by the Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka, which represents 59 communities whose traditional livelihoods often still depend on begging, street art, and nomadic labor. New Delhi—Thousands of members of Karnataka’s most disadvantaged communities will gather in the national capital on Gandhi Jayanti to demand the implementation of a separate 1% reservation quota originally recommended by a state-appointed committee. The protest is being organized by the Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka, which represents 59 communities whose traditional livelihoods often still depend on begging, street art, and nomadic labor. This gathering in Delhi is the latest chapter in the fight for reservation within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category in Karnataka. The focus of the controversy is the Karnataka government’s recent internal reservation policy, implemented on August 19th. This policy divided the SC quota into: Category A (SC Left): 6% Category B (SC Right): 6% Category C (Touchable SC): 5% Nomadic communities have been placed in the 5% “Touchable SC” category (Category C). They argue that this contradicts the Justice Nagmohan Das Committee’s recommendation, which specifically recommended creating a separate 1% reservation for them within Category A, ensuring them first priority in government jobs and educational admissions. The communities allege that by placing them in Category C, the state government has effectively deprived them of their legitimate share and priority, forcing them to compete with larger, more influential groups. Frustrated by what they call the “helplessness” of the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the communities are now taking their petition to the national opposition. The federation said, “The Delhi mission is a final appeal to the conscience of the nation. This gathering is not just a peaceful delegation; it is a final appeal.” On October 2, the delegation will march to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office to submit a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders. The memorandum will urge them to intervene to ensure the implementation of the separate 1% reservation originally recommended in Karnataka. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Ignorant of how ignorant she is: JK Rowling slams Emma Watson amid trans rights row
JK Rowling publicly responded to Emma Watson’s comments on their relationship and transgender rights, calling her ignorant. The ‘Harry Potter’ author accused Watson of fuelling controversy during a period of personal threats and heightened security. JK Rowling issued a pointed response to recent remarks by Emma Watson regarding their differing views on transgender rights, reigniting a public dispute between the author and the actor. In a long post on X, Rowling said that the actor is “ignorant of how ignorant she is.” The author, whose statements on gender identity have previously sparked controversy, accused Watson of pouring “petrol in the flames” at a time when Rowling faced significant personal threats. Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the ‘Harry Potter’ film series, has publicly expressed support for transgender rights while also emphasising her ongoing respect for Rowling. Rowling addressed Watson’s approach to the controversy, stating, “Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.” She also added, “I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should hold these days.” She acknowledged it had been “hard to shake a certain protectiveness” after knowing Watson since she was ten. Rowling reflected on her longstanding relationship with Watson and described a “turning point” in her feelings after a moment during the 2022 BAFTA awards show, when Watson expressed solidarity with the trans community. She recalled, “Until quite recently, I hadn’t managed to throw off the memory of children who needed to be gently coaxed through their dialogue in a big scary film studio.” After the event, Rowling said she received “a postscript that hurt far more than the speech itself” from Watson, in the form of a note stating, “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.” The author described a hard period when she received threats. “This was back when the death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak, at a time when my personal security measures had had to be tightened considerably, and I was constantly worried for my family’s safety,” she stated. Rowling criticised Watson by saying, “Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames, yet thought a one line expression of concern from her would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy and kindness.” The ‘Harry Potter’ author also commented on single-sex spaces, highlighting Emma Watson’s privileged upbringing. “Emma was ‘never likely to need’ to use the types of single-sex spaces she has campaigned against trans people having access to, such as changing rooms and public toilets,” she remarked. Explaining further, she wrote, “She’ll never need a homeless shelter. She’s never going to be placed on a mixed sex public hospital ward. I’d be astounded if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood. Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door. Has she had to strip off in a newly mixed-sex changing room at a council-run swimming pool? Is she ever likely to need a state-run rape crisis centre that refuses to guarantee an all-female service? To find herself sharing a prison cell with a male rapist who’s identified into the women’s prison?” Reflecting on her own background, she said, “I wasn’t a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous,” and asserted, “I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.” Watson, in a podcast last week, discussed her outlook on differences with Rowling, saying, “It’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.” Expressing her support to the community, she had previously stated, “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.” Addressing Watson’s recent comments, Rowling, reiterating her stance, said, “a change of tack I suspect she’s adopted because she’s noticed full-throated condemnation of me is no longer quite as fashionable as it was.” She continued, “Adults can’t expect to cosy up to an activist movement that regularly calls for a friend’s assassination, then assert their right to the former friend’s love, as though the friend was in fact their mother. Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public – but I have the same right, and I’ve finally decided to exercise it.” Watson, on the podcast, spoke about her connection to Rowling, stating she will always “treasure Jo” and expressed gratitude for the “kindness and words of encouragement” Rowling gave her during her formative years. Watson explained, “There’s just no world in which I could ever cancel her out, or cancel that out, for anything,” and added, “It has to remain true. It is true.” She concluded, “I just don’t know what else to do other than hold these two seemingly incompatible things together at the same time and just hope maybe they will one day resolve or co-join themselves, and maybe accept that they never will, but that they can both still be true.” Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe were among the stars who publicly disagreed with Rowling following the author’s comments on gender identity and biological sex, which sparked widespread debate. The author was criticised for being transphobic, but she denied the tag and said that she was worried about the effect of women in single-sex spaces. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
After speaking to Stalin, Rahul calls Vijay
Chennai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had a telephonic conversation with TVK chief and actor Vijay on Sunday evening to extend his condolences in the wake of Karur stampede, in which 41 people, including women and children, died. Vijay and Rahul last met in 2009, amidst speculation that Vijay had expressed keenness to join Congress. “Rahul spoke to Vijay on Sunday. During his brief conversation, the Congress leader conveyed his condolences following the tragic deaths of his supporters,” said a senior Congress leader. Rahul spoke to Vijay after he spoke to chief minister M K Stalin. Congress sources indicated Rahul informed CM Stalin of his intention to speak to Vijay, considering the gravity of the incident. Acknowledging the call from Rahul Gandhi, Stalin posted on X, “Thank you, my dear brother Thiru. @RahulGandhi, for reaching out to me over phone, conveying your heartfelt concern over the tragic incident in #Karur, and sincerely inquiring about measures taken to save precious lives of those under treatment.” AICC TN in-charge Girish Chodankar on Monday visited Karur at behest of Rahul. Chodankar said Rahul’s calls should not be interpreted as political. “He spoke to both (Stalin and Vijay). He wanted to speak to people of TN in the wake of the tragedy that claimed many lives. His intention was to inquire, and there was nothing beyond that,” Chodankar told TOI. He said Rahul’s actions were entirely based on humanitarian concerns. TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai accompanied Chodankar on his visit. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal will visit Karur on Tuesday to provide financial aid of 1 crore to bereaved families. Selvaperunthagai came down hard on opponents for politicizing the tragedy. “Govt has constituted a one-person inquiry commission headed by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan, who also headed the inquiry commission constituted by the previous AIADMK regime to probe Tuticorin police firing. Let us wait for interim report of the commission,” he told reporters in Karur. 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
Rahul Gandhi on South America tour: Congress leader reaches Columbia; set to interact with students, political leaders
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, as a part of his South America tour. He is set to interact with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community. Congress shared a video of his arrival, in which, he could be seen interacting with several people. “Today, LoP Shri @RahulGandhi reached Bogota, Colombia. He is on a tour of South America, where he is scheduled to engage with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community across four countries,” the post said. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed the tour saying that he is “building a global alliance” to “fight the Indian state and Indian democracy!” “Rahul Gandhi goes on yet another foreign visit! Rahul Gandhi departs to South America! Wonder who will be the next anti-India element that Rahul will meet behind closed doors! Rahul wants to fight the Indian state and Indian democracy! He is building a global alliance for it. George Soros, his mentor, might be directing him! In the past, he has asked for foreign interference in Indian democracy, met anti-India elements like Ilhan Omar, and even got the endorsement of Khalistani terrorist Pannu,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said. “Note the timing: Just after his ideological anarchist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the NSA, Rahul Gandhi has departed!” he added. — pradip103 (@pradip103) 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
PM Modi’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ post: Congress takes ‘3rd umpire’ jibe, says battlefield comparison not appropriate
NEW DELHI: A day after the Indian cricket team won the Asia Cup Championship, political row erupted over PM Modi’s congratulatory remarks, with Congress terming the Operation Sindoor mention “inappropriate”.Soon after the win, PM Modi posted on X last night saying, “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.” The post drew flak from Congress, with Pawan Khera writing a direct post to PM Modi saying, “Prime Minister, firstly, comparing a cricket match to a battlefield is not appropriate.” Further taking a jibe at the PM and indirectly hinting at Trump’s repeated ceasefire claims, Khera added, “Secondly, if you must make such a comparison, you need to learn from the Indian team that when you’re close to victory, good captains don’t call for a ceasefire just because a third umpire says so.” — Pawankhera (@Pawankhera) This was the latest in series of back and forth among politicians. Earlier in the day, other Congress leaders had also taken jabs at the Prime minister. “”Sometimes I doubt if PM Modi has any knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. If we played, we should have played with sportsman spirit,” Atul Londhe Patil told news agency PTI. “”If Operation Sindoor is ongoing, then we shouldn’t have played. And if discussions are ongoing to normalise the situation, then sports can be a medium to improve it, but linking everything with Operation Sindoor is not right,” Patil added. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sakpal also reacted to the Prime Minister’s post. He said: “It is clear from his tweet that, be it air, water, or sports, he brings politics into everything to polarise. We take pride in India’s victory, but we haven’t won the Asia Cup for the first time. There is a certain dignity of a country which he doesn’t maintain, and I regret this.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for linking India’s Asia Cup victory over Pakistan with Operation Sindoor, warning that tournament proceeds could be diverted to fund terror activities across the border. Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi had said that the Asia Cup games between India and Pakistan “should not have happened” in the first place, questioning why India chose to play Pakistan despite its stated “zero tolerance for terror” policy. “In the first place, this match should not have happened. The cricket match that BCCI played for the benefit of PCB… the match that took place for the revenue of the broadcasters. The 140 crore people of the country did not want this match to happen,” she added. On the other hand, BJP had also taken jabs at Congress for not making a statement on India’s win. “It seems India’s stunning win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final has left Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress in a comatose state. Just like after #OperationSindoor, when they couldn’t bring themselves to congratulate the Indian Army for its stupendous strikes, they now appear to be waiting for permission from Mohsin Naqvi and their other handlers in Pakistan before joining the nation in celebrating the Indian cricket team’s success,” said Amit Malviya. “Put that aside — not even a single social media post from Congress congratulating our national team for thrashing Pakistan thrice in the tournament and bringing the Asia Cup home. Once again, Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress find themselves on the same side of the divide,” he further added. India won the Asia Cup with the final against Pakistan on Sunday by 5 wickets. 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
Rajasthan: ABVP beats Dalit student for not attending Satish Poonia’s event; case filed under SC-ST Act
Kamal Kishore suffered a fractured finger and deep injuries to his ribs and abdomen in the attack. He is currently undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. Upon receiving news of the incident, members of Dalit organizations also reached Bhagat Ki Kothi police station to register their protest. Rajasthan: A Dalit student living in a hostel on the New Campus campus, located in the Bhagat Ki Kothi police station area of Jodhpur, has been assaulted. The victim has filed a report against former student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and others at Bhagat Ki Kothi police station. The incident occurred at the New Campus of Jai Narayan Vyas University in Jodhpur. According to reports, the student suffered severe consequences for not attending a political meeting. Students affiliated with the ABVP assaulted him. The victim has filed a complaint against the accused, which the police have filed under the SC-ST Act. Student leader Ravindra Singh Banta attacked Kamal Kishore, a resident of Jaisalmer, said that he is a final-year B.Sc. student at the New Campus of Jai Narayan Vyas University. This morning, around 10:30 a.m., while he was lying in his hostel room, students affiliated with a party entered the hostel and called everyone to welcome BJP leader Satish Poonia. During this time, many students left the hostel, but for some reason, Kamal Kishore was unable to go. Meanwhile, student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and three or four of his associates attacked Kamal Kishore. Fractured finger and deep injuries to the ribs and abdomen Kamal Kishore suffered a fractured finger and deep injuries to the ribs and abdomen in the attack. The injured Kamal Kishore is currently undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. Upon learning of the incident, members of Dalit organizations also reached Bhagat Ki Kothi police station and lodged a protest. Kamal Kishore says that he had not attended the event due to personal reasons, but was attacked with casteist slurs. A case has been registered under the SC-ST Act. The police calmed the students on the spot and, after receiving the victim’s report, began investigating the matter. Bhagat Ki Kothi police station officer Rajiv Bhadu stated that Kamal Kishore, a final-year BSc student living in the New Campus hostel of Jai Narayan Vyas University, filed a report. He accused former student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and others of assaulting him with casteist slurs. Considering the matter serious, the police have registered a case under the SC-ST Act and initiated further action. Reported by: Arun Harsh, Edited by: Iqbal Khan Courtesy: Hindi News
ETV Bharat Impact: Govt Grant Revives Durga Puja Of Dalits In Malda
For decades, the marginalised Harijan para had kept the tradition alive under a dilapidated tin shed, often bringing priests from Bihar to perform rituals. Samsi (Malda): A century-old Durga Puja of the Harijan community in Ratanpur village, Ratua Block No.1, has been revived after government funds arrived at the eleventh hour. Thanks to an ETV Bharat report highlighting the Durga Puja’s imminent closure. For decades, the marginalised Harijan para, a locality of Dalits, had kept the tradition alive under a dilapidated tin shed, often bringing priests from Bihar to perform rituals. But this year, the puja faced cancellation as donations dried up. Locals alleged they were shunned by other communities, who refused to contribute because of caste bias. On September 11, ETV Bharat reported the crisis. Within days, the administration stepped in, and the puja was brought under government grant. On Saturday, Ratua MLA Samar Mukherjee and Maltipur MLA Abdur Rahim Bakshi inaugurated the puja by handing over a cheque of Rs 1.1 lakh to the organisers. Panchayat members, police officials, and community leaders were also present. “In Bengal, no one is left behind. If Muslim families can celebrate Durga Puja in Malda, why should Harijans be deprived?” MLA Mukherjee said. The revival has sparked unprecedented enthusiasm in the village. Women have been decorating the altar daily, an unsold idol was sourced locally, and a new pandal now stands where only a shed existed before. Community members expressed gratitude both to the government and to ETV Bharat. “Earlier, no one gave us donations because we were lower caste. This time, thanks to Didi’s help, we are celebrating the biggest puja of our lives,” said Sunita Harijan, who rushed from her in-laws’ home to join the festivities. Another villager, Bibha Harijan, said, “Had the problem not been raised, the puja would have stopped forever.” Started nearly 100 years ago by Radhika Harijan, the tradition has now been restored to full glory to add dash to Bengal’s festive spirit. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress seeks Basavaraj Patil Yatnal’s apology for offending Dalit women
President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s SC/ST Cell R. Dharmasena sought an apology from MLA for Vijayapura Basavaraj Patil Yatnal for his statement offending Dalit women. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Dharmasena, a former MLC, said Mr. Yatnal has stated that the right to shower flowers on Goddess Chamundeshwari vested with a ‘Sanatani’ and even an ordinary Dalit woman has no right to shower flowers on the Goddess. Mr. Yatnal’s statement was in the context of State government inviting International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to launch this year’s Mysuru Dasara in Mysuru. “When there was a lot of criticism over his statement, Mr. Yatnal gave a rejoinder that his statement was wrongly interpreted and that he wanted Dalit woman to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara,” Mr. Dharmasena said. He said that Mr. Yatnal should apologise for his statement, which has hurt many Dalits. If he fails to do, then the SC/ST cell will stage protests at all public functions that will be attended by Mr. Yatnal. Raghava M Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit student assaulted at Jodhpur University hostel; ABVP leader among accused
Jodhpur: A Dalit student at Jai Narayan Vyas University’s New Campus in Jodhpur was allegedly assaulted inside the university hostel, with an ABVP leader named among the accused. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim, Kamal Kishore, a final-year B.Sc student from Jaisalmer, alleged that the attack occurred after he chose not to attend a welcome event for BJP leader Satish Poonia. While many students participated, Kishore remained in his hostel room. According to his complaint, ABVP leader Ravindra Singh Banta and three to four associates forcibly entered the hostel and physically attacked him, hurling casteist slurs. Kishore sustained a finger fracture and serious injuries around his ribs and stomach. He is undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. The incident sparked protests by Dalit organizations, who gathered at Bhagat Ki Kothi police station demanding strict action. Station officer Rajeev Bhadu confirmed that the case has been registered and that investigations are underway. Courtesy : Vartha Bharati Note: This news is originally published on https:/varthabharati.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights