VCK to elevate non-Dalit MLAs in key party roles as 2026 TN Assembly polls near
Chennai, (IANS) In a significant move aimed at broadening its social base and countering perceptions of being a Dalit-only party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is set to elevate two of its non-Dalit legislators to key organisational posts. Nagapattinam MLA Aloor J. Mohamed Shanavas, a Muslim and current deputy general secretary, is expected to be promoted as one of the party’s general secretaries. This move will fill a long-vacant slot specifically reserved for a non-Dalit in accordance with the party’s by-laws. The post has remained unoccupied since former general secretary Kalaikottu Udhayam left the VCK to join the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). Thiruporur MLA S.S. Balaji, a non-Dalit, is likely to be appointed as the party’s treasurer. The position has been lying vacant since the demise of former treasurer Yusuf. Both appointments are expected to be announced ahead of the party’s internal elections, signalling a deliberate effort by the leadership to promote inclusivity and representation of diverse social groups. Party insiders view these elevations as a strategic step to enhance VCK’s appeal among religious minorities, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and other non-Dalit communities. The leadership believes that widening the social representation at the top will strengthen the party’s political positioning in Tamil Nadu’s complex caste and community matrix. These changes are part of a broader internal restructuring exercise being undertaken by the VCK. The party has expanded its district units from 144 to 234, aligning them with the number of Assembly constituencies in the state. To oversee this expansion, the party has appointed 83 senior functionaries tasked with forming new district-level teams. Each district unit will now comprise a district secretary, four deputy secretaries (including one woman and one non-Dalit), two executive members, and four additional office-bearers. The party has also mandated that 10 per cent of district secretary posts be reserved for women and non-Dalits, while 25 per cent will be allocated to youth under the age of 35. With four MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the VCK’s latest organisational shake-up is being seen as a clear attempt to position itself as a more inclusive and politically versatile force ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Courtesy : Ten News Note: This news is originally published on https:/tennews.in/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
When the police once again put him under house arrest, the Dalit MP of SP became emotional, said- ‘Get us shot’
Agra News: SP MP Ramji Lal Suman under house arrest in Agra! Stopped from going to protest against the breaking of Ambedkar statue in Etah. Police deployed heavy force outside the residence, SP workers gathered. Agra News: Samajwadi Party’s Dalit MP from Rajya Sabha Ramji Lal Suman was once again put under house arrest in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This action was taken when he was about to leave for a dharna at the Collectorate in protest against the breaking of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s statue in Etah. The police, acting on the instructions of the DIG of Aligarh, stopped the MP from leaving his residence. Heavy police force and PAC were deployed on the spot. Barricades were put on the road so that no one could go in or out. A large number of SP workers gathered outside his residence in support of the MP. Angry with this entire action, MP Ramji Lal Suman gave a sharp reaction. He said, “Shoot us, send us to jail. We are not criminals, yet we are being treated like terrorists.” Suman alleged that the police and administration are protecting criminals, but public representatives are not being allowed to discharge their constitutional duties. He said that this is like murder of democracy. This house arrest of the MP is not the first time. Earlier also he was prevented from participating in public movements in Mathura and Aligarh. There is anger among the Dalit community and SP workers after the incident of breaking the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Etah. The SP MP was going to meet the victims in this case and join the protest. SP workers have termed this action as anti-Dalit mentality. They say that the government is suppressing the voice of dissent. Arvind Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit pradhan dies after being pushed down by a strongman
Etawah. In Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit pradhan died after being pushed by a strongman during an altercation while demanding a toilet in Dugawali village under Thana Basrehar area. The police reached the spot and took the body of the deceased pradhan into custody and arrested the accused Mukesh Kumar Yadav and sent him to jail. Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said that on Tuesday, Mukesh Yadav went to the house of Gram Pradhan Shambhu Dayal Balmiki (85) in Dugawali village under Thana Basrehar area and demanded a toilet. The Gram Pradhan told Mukesh Yadav that the site has not been opened yet. You will get a toilet as soon as applications are taken. Angry with this, the accused Mukesh Yadav pushed the Gram Pradhan. Due to this, the pradhan fell down and died. The police reached the spot and took the body of the Gram Pradhan into custody and arrested the accused and sent him to jail on charges of unintentional murder. After the death of the village head, the Bharatiya Janata Party called the accused youth a Samajwadi Party worker and said that Dalits have always been insulted in the Samajwadi Party. Today, BJP’s State Women Commission Vice President Aparna Yadav and Sadar MLA Sarita Bhadoria visited the deceased’s house and assured all possible help. By Mahi Khan Courtesy : Hindi News
Dalit wedding procession attacked by Muslims: Violent brawl breaks out over DJ near Mosque in Deoband; Several injured
A wedding procession in Saharanpur’s Deoband turned violent after an argument over DJ music near a mosque led to a clash between Dalit and Muslim youth. The incident left several injured and the police have arrested five individuals What began as a joyous wedding celebration in Saharanpur’s Deoband spiralled into chaos and violence when a dispute over the volume of DJ music led to a fierce clash between members of the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community and the local Muslim community. The brawl, which broke out in Garhi Isarpur village under Deoband police station limits, left at least four people injured and has since sparked outrage as visuals of the street fight went viral on social media. The incident took place on the evening of July 6, when a Dalit wedding procession from Sadhauranpur village was making its way through Garhi Isarpur. The procession was accompanied by DJ music, with the wedding guests dancing in high spirits. As the procession passed by a local mosque, some Muslim youths reportedly asked the wedding party to lower the music volume, citing the ongoing namaz. What started as a verbal disagreement over the music quickly escalated into physical violence. Tempers flared, and within moments, both sides armed themselves with sticks, batons, and even belts. A violent clash erupted in the middle of the road, with blows being exchanged openly. Visuals from the incident, now circulating widely on social media, show young men chasing and attacking each other in the streets as chaos unfolded. Four individuals sustained injuries during the brawl, prompting the immediate intervention of the local police. Upon receiving the information, a police team from Deoband arrived at the scene to bring the situation under control. The injured were promptly taken to a government hospital for medical treatment. A case was registered based on the complaint of the injured parties, and CCTV footage of the incident was reviewed as part of the investigation. Speaking to the media, the Deoband police confirmed that five individuals from the Muslim community have been arrested so far in connection with the violence. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Abuzar, Asjad, Israr, Sadiq, Fahim, and others. They were produced before the court, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the clash. The incident has once again brought to light the underlying social tensions in the Saharanpur district, which has witnessed similar disputes in the past. A comparable episode took place some time ago in Chhachhauli village under Nanauta police station, where members of the Muslim community objected to a Dalit wedding procession during the time of Iftar, leading to unrest and confrontation. Police officials emphasised that strict action will be taken against all individuals found guilty of inciting or participating in the violence. “The law will take its course. No one has the right to take matters into their own hands and disturb public order,” a senior police officer stated. The police have assured that further arrests will be made based on the evidence and that surveillance footage is being thoroughly examined to identify all participants in the clash. Both sides have been advised to cooperate with the investigation. The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with many expressing concern over rising intolerance and the misuse of religious or caste identity to justify violence Courtesy : Organiser Note: This news is originally published on https:/organiser.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Case registered against six people of Dalit community for trying to occupy land
Bhadohi (UP), (language) A case has been registered against six people of Dalit community in Bhadohi city of Uttar Pradesh for trying to occupy the land of a person and threatening to implicate him in a false case under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) Act. Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Mangalik said that on the complaint of the victim Vishal Singh, a case has been registered in the city Kotwali on Tuesday against Rampur resident Dase Harijan, Jhoril Harijan, Manju Harijan, Rajkumar Harijan, Raju Harijan and Shiv Pujan Harijan under sections 324 (4) (mischief with intent to damage property), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation) and 191 (2) (punishment for giving false evidence or statement) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). He said that Vishal Singh, a resident of Carpet City area of City Kotwali area, has six biswa land in Rampur area where these six people of Dalit community allegedly demolished the boundary wall of the land with the intention of occupying it. He said that later these accused threatened Vishal Singh to implicate him in a case under SC/ST Act. Courtesy : Hindi News
‘Saheli Smart Card’: Women, Transgender Commuters To Get Free Bus Travel As Delhi Government Plans To Roll Out Smart Card From August 15
Delhi government will be rolling out the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender people, allowing them to travel the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses for free of cost. According to sources, the Saheli Smart Card scheme is expected to be rolled out on August 15, Independence Day. New Delhi, July 8: Delhi government will be rolling out the ‘Saheli Smart Card’ for women and transgender people, allowing them to travel the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses for free of cost. According to sources, the Saheli Smart Card scheme is expected to be rolled out on August 15, Independence Day. The scheme is meant to replace the ‘Pink Ticket’ system which was launched by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government. Pink passes were given to the resident women of Delhi and bus operators were compensated according to the number of tickets sold. “Women and transgender persons residing in Delhi aged 12 and above will be able to travel free of cost on DTC and Cluster buses,” according to the source. Ban on End-of-Life Vehicles: Delhi Govt To Make Changes to Vehicle Policy, To Scrap Only Polluting Vehicles. The ‘Pink Ticket’ scheme was launched by AAP in 2019. According to the Delhi government’s own data, a total of 100 crore pink tickets had been issued to women till the end of January 2023. By November 2024, over 150 crore pink tickets were issued. “In 2022, free travel for women via Pink tickets contributed to nearly 32 per cent of the total number of passengers travelling in a month,” the statement said. “In 2019-20, Delhi buses had a ridership of more than 160 crores. Due to COVID in the years 2020 and 2021, it dropped to 71 crores in 2020-21, slightly recovering to 93 crores in 2021-22. Since April 2022 till today, it has reached nearly 125 crores, almost 75 per cent of the pre covid numbers,” the statement added. However on March 29, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government had claimed that the scheme had been mismanaged, along with the whole Delhi Transport Corporation, which led to a loss of Rs 70,471 crore. Delhi Govt Plans to Relieve Fire Service of Inspection, Issuing NOC Tasks. “They (AAP) turned a profitable department into a loss-making one. DTC suffered a loss of Rs 70,471 crore. There was an operational loss of Rs 14,198 crore. Buses were run on only 468 routes out of 814. Money was spent only on advertisements. Even the Rs 233 crore received from the Centre was not spent. There used to be 4344 buses, but during their tenure, the number reduced to 3937,” Delhi CM said in the Assembly. CM Rekha Gupta was referencing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which suggested that due to the government’s mismanagement and negligence, crores of rupees from Delhi taxpayers have been wasted. This report is now being referred to the Committee on Government Undertakings with instructions to submit its report within three months. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
One state, 8 crore voters, one big fight: Bihar’s ballot battle explodes; SIR controversy explained
NEW DELHI: A storm is brewing in Bihar’s political landscape months ahead of the assembly election as Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is facing fierce opposition from INDIA Bloc. Opposition parties in the state have alleged that the SIR is designed to “benefit NDA” in the elections, a charge the Election Commission has denied. The controversy has now landed in Supreme Court, which will hear petitions on July 10 challenging the exercise by EC. Bihar Bandh RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and Congress’s Rahul Gandhi joined the Bihar Bandh rally on Wednesday in Patna to oppose SIR. Speaking at the Bihar Bandh rally, Yadav said, “Today, the Bihar Bandh has been called to address how the Election Commission has become ‘Godi Aayog’. NDA is losing, so they are using the Election Commission. Preparations have been going on to remove the names of Bihar’s poor people from the voter list under the directions of Modi ji, Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar ji.” “This is a conspiracy to cut off the votes of almost crores of voters, who belong to the poor community, who are standing at the bottom steps of society like the Dalits, backwards class, or extremely backwards class,” Yadav added. SIR: What is it and why now? SIR is a door-to-door verification drive by the Election Commission to be conducted across Bihar to update its electoral rolls. This is the first such intensive revision in the state since 2003. Under this drive, over 8 crore people will be asked to fill out forms with photographs and address proof. Over 3 crore people, who are estimated not to have been listed in 2003, will be asked to provide additional documentation. According to the official notification of EC released on June 24, new voters born after 1987 are required to furnish their parents’ birth details, provided the parents weren’t listed in 2003. INDIA bloc raises alarm The political storm was triggered after opposition INDIA bloc alleged that this drive is designed to “benefit the ruling NDA.” They also accused the poll panel of trying to “wrongfully delete” the voters’ names who are unlikely to vote for the ruling dispensation. The opposition INDIA bloc, led by Tejashwi Yadav, moved the Supreme Court against the SIR. A protest march led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also organised on Wednesday. — ANI (@ANI) Amid this, a clause that states EROs “will refer cases of suspected foreign nationals to the competent authority under the Citizenship Act, 1955” is also under the radar. — ANI (@ANI) Their concerns include: Timing & targeting: Why is this massive revision being done only in Bihar and just before state elections? Exclusionary tactics: Over 3 crore people face tougher documentation if their names didn’t appear in the 2003 rolls. Youth under scrutiny: Voters born after 1987 must prove parental citizenship history. ID limitations: Aadhaar and MNREGA cards are reportedly not accepted as valid proof. Citizenship clause fears: EROs can flag “suspected foreign nationals” — a clause feared to be misused, especially in Seemanchal. The timing of SIR opposed “Why has this exercise been ordered only in Bihar when in 2003 a similar revision of electoral rolls was undertaken for the entire country? And why just before the assembly polls? If it was so urgent, why was the work not started immediately after last year’s Lok Sabha elections,” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said. General secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation Dipankar Bhattacharya, while criticising the move, said that EC has opted for a “logistical nightmare”. He added that it is almost impossible to complete the drive by July 25. On opposition bloc’s Bihar Bandh, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Today, the opposition parties have called a Bihar Bandh against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Bihar LoP and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the INDIA bloc have come down to the streets… I want to bring to the attention of the country some important issues. In our country, citizens of India vote to form MPs and MLAs. Also, they cast their votes from where they live. So what is their problem if a revision of voter lists is done?” Voices from the ground: Errors, confusion, and chaos In Muzaffarpur, a resident claimed her son’s address was bizarrely listed as a shamshaan ghat (cremation ground), while her daughter-in-law’s address was left blank, according to a news report from PTI. EC stands its ground Meanwhile, the Election Commission said that 2.88 crore voters, nearly 36.5%, have been covered in the door-to-door exercise. It also rejected the opposition’s allegations, saying that the revision is “lawful and constitutional.” Supreme Court steps in The apex court is scheduled to hear multiple petitions, including a joint plea by Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT), Samajwadi Party, JMM, CPI, and CPI(ML) on July 10. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Snubbed? Security stops Pappu Yadav, Kanhaiya Kumar from entering Rahul, Tejashwi’s van
NEW DELHI: A video from Wednesday’s Bihar Bandh protest seemingly showed Congress leaders Kanhaiya Kumar and Pappu Yadav being stopped from boarding a protest vehicle carrying Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and other senior INDIA bloc leaders in Patna. The leaders were participating in the ‘Bihar Bandh’ rally, organised to oppose the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls ahead of the state assembly elections. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Visuals from the protest show Kumar and Yadav being stopped by security from joining the truck carrying Gandhi, Tejashwi and other top Mahagathbandhan leaders. Meanwhile, responding to the incident, Pappu Yadav said it was not an “insult.” “I fell and got hurt. One leader from each party was present there, but this is not an insult. Nothing is greater than the public; it is acceptable to be insulted for them, not just once but even a million times,” the Purnia MP said while talking to news agency ANI. — ANI (@ANI) Earlier in the day, several opposition leaders gathered at the Sachiwalay Halt railway station, where Congress workers blocked railway tracks and shouted slogans such as “Chunav Aayog hosh mein aao” (Election Commission, come to your senses). Among the prominent faces at the protest were CPI general secretary D. Raja, CPI (ML) Liberation leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram, and Sanjay Yadav. Independent MP from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, also took part in the demonstration. At the centre of the protest is the ECI’s June 24 notification announcing the SIR of Bihar’s electoral rolls. The ECI maintains that the revision is in line with Article 326 of the Constitution and Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950. These provisions define who is eligible to vote and the grounds for disqualification. However, critics, including Swaraj India member Yogendra Yadav and the Association for Democratic Reforms, argue that the move violates universal adult suffrage. They have filed a petition in the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the on Thursday. To counter rumours, the ECI issued a statement last, affirming that no changes have been made to the SIR process and dismissing claims of manipulation. The Election Commission also shared Article 326 on social media, highlighting that every Indian citizen aged 18 or above is entitled to vote unless legally disqualified. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul joins protest march, targets EC against roll revision
Patna: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday alleged that the special intensive revision (SIR), ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, was just an extension of the “Maharashtra model” of “fudging electoral rolls”. His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP, who said that Rahul was allegedly attempting to pressure the judiciary ahead of a key Supreme Court hearing over the issue. Rahul had come from Delhi to join the protest march, which began from the Income Tax roundabout. The march was meant to reach the office of the chief electoral officer, Bihar, when the police stopped it near the assembly. On being stopped, the leaders addressed the gathering there. He alleged that the election commissioner was not only “stealing” votes but also the future of the younger generation. He warned that the law wouldn’t spare the EC for indulging in such an act. Leading the opposition’s protest march in Patna, Rahul alleged that the “Maharashtra assembly elections were rigged to favour the BJP and now attempts are on to repeat the same in Bihar, though in a different manner.” RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, CPI-ML and CPI general secretaries Dipankar Bhattacharya and D Raja respectively and VIP’s Mukesh Sahani, joined the protest. “Maharashtra me janadesh chhina, ab Bihar me matadhikar—tarika naya, sajish purani (In Maharashtra, the people’s mandate was snatched and now in Bihar, attempts are being made to rob the right to vote. The method could be new, but the conspiracy is old),” Rahul alleged, waving a copy of the Constitution. He said the EC’s job is not to work for the BJP but to protect the Constitution, which it is not doing. According to Rahul, the scene changed after the BJP made certain changes in the selection process of the EC. “Earlier, the BJP (ruling party), opposition parties, and the Chief Justice would together select the Election Commissioner, but now the thing has changed,” Rahul said, warning they would have to face the consequences. Alleging the SIR is an attempt to disenfranchise the poor voters, Tejashwi warned of revolution over the issue. Bhattacharya claimed the people of Bihar are in the mood to teach a lesson to the 20-year-long NDA BJP-Nitish govt this time, but the Election Commission is engaged in misleading the public and conspiring in voter selection. Reacting sharply, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the motive behind the protest, asking if the opposition is trying to pressure the judiciary by such tactics. “All these leaders have approached the Supreme Court, which is their right, and when the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow, why are they engaging in street politics today to exert pressure?” he said. Deputy CM, Samrat Choudhary, said Rahul came here only for a picnic. “Rahul came here just for a picnic; he has nothing to do with Bihar’s problems,” Choudhary alleged. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Change of chief minister whispers grow louder as Shivakumar meets Priyanka
Bengaluru/New Delhi: Amid increasing speculation over a possible change in chief minister and a cabinet rejig, deputy chief minister and president of the Karnataka Congress unit DK Shivakumar Wednesday met Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the national capital. With Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi occupied with poll rallies in Patna ahead of elections in Bihar, Shivakumar met Priyanka at the residence of former Congress national president Sonia Gandhi. Sources say the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, focused on the political climate in Karnataka. Shivakumar refused to divulge details of the meeting, merely saying he “visited the place”. Asked if he met Sonia, he said, “I did not meet Sonia Gandhi.” He admitted that he had sought an appointment with Rahul. “Let us see. I have asked for time from his office to meet him on Thursday, if he is back by then,” he said. The meeting comes at a time when murmurs are intensifying within Congress of Shivakumar possibly replacing Siddaramaiah as CM as part of a rotational agreement. While both have denied any formal arrangement, talk of a mid-term switch — in Nov — continues to persist within party ranks. It is said Shivakumar, credited with playing a pivotal role in the party’s resounding assembly victory in 2023, is pushing for the top post based on an “understanding” that he would take over midway through the five-year term. But dismissing reports of cabinet changes, Shivakumar, said, “No cabinet reshuffle is on the cards. The chief minister and I are meeting central ministers to discuss various state issues.” He also supported Congress national general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala’s meetings with MLAs, saying, “Feedback from legislators is primarily to strengthen party organisation in Karnataka. Even the state unit was contemplating changing faces at the district level of the party.” He went on to say: “We formed teams and sent them to all 31 districts to make changes in the district Congress committees. We want to make changes in at least 20 of the 31 districts and give opportunities to fresh faces.” He said another AICC general secretary, Vijay Inder Singla, had also visited Karnataka to review progress on setting up 100 party offices. “We will request Rahul and Mallikarjun Kharge to inaugurate these 100 new offices,” he said. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Surjewala denied reports of a meeting between Rahul, Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah in Delhi as “purely imaginary”. He said, “I have no knowledge of any such meeting of Rahul with the Karnataka CM and deputy CM. Yes, the CM and deputy CM are in Delhi to raise issues concerning people of Karnataka and the state govt.” Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar occupied a suite reserved for the CM at the new Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri, triggering political chatter. CM Siddaramaiah had used the suite on an earlier visit but shifted to an annexe building citing poor ventilation. Sources say Shivakumar sought Siddaramaiah’s consent to use the vacant suite. Shivakumar dismissed any political significance, saying: “The CM post is not vacant. There is no need to discuss such issues now.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.