‘Remarks made with evil intention’: Allahabad HC says Rahul Gandhi must face trial over Indian Army remarks
LUCKNOW: Allahabad high court’s Lucknow bench has dismissed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi ’s plea challenging a summons in a defamation case linked to his remarks about the Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra held between Sept 2022 and Jan 2023. Justice Subhash Vidyarthi ruled on May 29 that Gandhi must stand trial, observing a prima facie case exists against him. “Freedom of speech is subject to reasonable restrictions and does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to any person or to the Indian Army,” the court said. The case was filed by retired BRO director Udai Shanker Srivastava, who alleged Gandhi made derogatory comments in Lucknow on Dec 16, 2022, days after a face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh. Gandhi had said, “People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra… but they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2,000 sqkm of Indian land, killing 20 Indian soldiers, and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh… Don’t pretend people don’t know.” Srivastava called the remarks “false and baseless”, made with an “evil intention of demoralising the Indian Army and damaging public faith”. He cited the Army’s official Dec 12 statement, which described the Dec 9 clash in Arunachal as involving “minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides”. On Feb 11 this year, a Lucknow magistrate had summoned Gandhi under Section 500 (defamation) of IPC, saying his comments were not made in discharge of official duty and could demoralise armed forces. Gandhi’s lawyer Pranshu Agarwal said in high court the case was politically driven and Srivastava lacked standing under Section 199 CrPC, as the Army—not the petitioner—was the target. Justice Vidyarthi rejected the claim, saying Srivastava was an “aggrieved person” under the law. The judge said the lower court’s summons was based on a “judicious application of mind” after reviewing complaint details and witness statements, not issued mechanically. 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.
No Third-Party Role in Indo-Pak Ceasefire: Tharoor Blunts Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Surrender Jibe at PM Modi
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shuts down Rahul Gandhi’s “Narender Surrender” claim, affirming there was no third-party role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire after Operation Sindoor. Speaking from Washington D.C., Tharoor clarifies that India acted on its own terms, offering to halt military strikes only if Pakistan ceased hostilities first. He emphasized India’s readiness to respond with force to future terror threats and highlighted the strength of India-US strategic ties. Milind Deora echoed: “He puts country before party.” 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.
Uma hits out at RaGa over ‘PM surrender’ dig
Bhopal: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti has criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his remark that PM Narendra Modi “surrendered” during Operation Sindoor after a phone call from US President Donald Trump. “Indian Army has never surrendered to Pakistan. Does Rahul Gandhi not know even that much English? He should understand the difference between surrender and ceasefire,” she said. 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.
Judge rules federal prisons must continue providing hormone therapy to transgender inmates
WASHINGTON: The federal Bureau of Prisons must continue providing hormone therapy and social accommodations to hundreds of transgender inmates following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that led to a disruption in medical treatment, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. US District Judge Royce Lamberth said a federal law prohibits prison officials from arbitrarily depriving inmates of medications and other lifestyle accommodations that its own medical staff has deemed to be appropriate. The judge said the transgender inmates who sued to block Trump’s executive order are trying to lessen the personal anguish caused by their gender dysphoria, which is the distress that a person feels because their assigned gender and gender identity don’t match. “In light of the plaintiffs’ largely personal motives for undergoing gender-affirming care, neither the BOP nor the Executive Order provides any serious explanation as to why the treatment modalities covered by the Executive Order or implementing memoranda should be handled differently than any other mental health intervention,” he wrote. The Bureau of Prisons is providing hormone therapy to more than 600 inmates diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The bureau doesn’t dispute that gender dysphoria can cause severe side effects, including depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, the judge said. The Republican president’s executive order required the bureau to revise its medical care policies so that federal funds aren’t spent “for the purpose of conforming an inmate’s appearance to that of the opposite sex.” Lamberth’s ruling isn’t limited to the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit. He agreed to certify a class of plaintiffs consisting of anyone who is or will be incarcerated in federal prisons. Trump’s order also directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure that “males are not detained in women’s prisons.” In February, however, Lamberth agreed to temporarily block prison officials from transferring three incarcerated transgender women to men’s facilities and terminating their access to hormone therapy. The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the Transgender Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union. Lamberth, a senior judge, was nominated to the bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. 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.
Dalit rights and political tensions: Why is Mevani at odds with Congress leadership?
While I have known Jignesh Mevani, one of the dozen-odd Congress MLAs from Gujarat, ever since my Gandhinagar days—when he was a young activist aligned with well-known human rights lawyer Mukul Sinha’s organisation, Jan Sangharsh Manch—he became famous following the July 2016 Una Dalit atrocity, in which seven members of a family were brutally assaulted by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes while skinning a dead cow, a traditional occupation among Dalits. Also a lawyer, Mevani emerged as a prominent leader in the aftermath of the Una incident. He organized the Dalit Asmita Yatra, a protest march from Ahmedabad to Una, mobilizing thousands to demand justice and land rights for Dalits. The powerful movement, which made him famous across the country, prompted Rahul Gandhi to ensure that Mevani, unwilling to join the Congress at the time, contested as an independent MLA from Vadgam in the 2017 assembly elections. Let me recall, during my Gandhinagar stint (1997-2012), Mevani used to visit me at the *Times of India* office with detailed facts and figures on how dominant caste groups had deprived Gujarat Dalits of cultivating the land allocated to them during the heydays of land reforms. Ever since, I found that Dalit land rights were close to his heart. At that time, Mevani didn’t seem eager to enter politics—he joined the Congress only in 2021. After my retirement, I wrote a detailed article in my blog, Counterview, highlighting a book published by the Gujarat chapter of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in 2014 on the organisation’s history. It controversially mentioned that RSS’ Gujarat mouthpiece, Sadhana, was a “fearless” journal, yet ironically omitted the contributions of human rights leaders Achyut Yagnik, Martin Macwan, and Gagan Sethi. On reading my blog, someone from the national PUCL called me, asking who could revive a “defunct Gujarat PUCL,” and I promptly named Jignesh Mevani. Too outspoken, a perpetual rebel, Mevani’s name wasn’t accepted, with the reason given that he was “too young” and “unpredictable.” Even after joining the Congress, Mevani, I find, hasn’t changed a bit. Despite being an MLA, his public stance suggests he remains a perpetual rebel. As before, he still believes in advocating for what he considers Gujarat’s most vulnerable populations—Muslims and Dalits—insisting that not only has the BJP failed to provide them relief, but atrocities against them have dramatically increased. Indeed, one of his passions remains standing up against atrocities, at a time when opposition parties—be it Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party—remain silent for fear of losing non-Dalit, non-Muslim votes. He not only tweets when such incidents occur but also visits affected locations and organizes demonstrations. He once told me, “Unless the Congress stands by the oppressed and fights for their rights, it won’t revive in Gujarat.” A recent incident (December 2014) involving Payal Goti, a Patel community girl from Amreli district, demonstrated how political leaders, including Congress’ Paresh Dhanani, stood by her and even organized protests when she was allegedly mistreated by police investigating a fake letter issued in the name of local MLA Kaushik Vekariya. However, when a much worse incident occurred in the same district—when a 20-year-old Dalit youth, Nilesh, was murdered simply for calling a non-Dalit boy “my son” this May—none, including Paresh Dhanani, are known to have spoken up. To quote a Dalit leader from Amreli: “There is a reason for Jignesh Mevani to feel suffocated. Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil lent his support (both when the incident occurred and later in Parliament) to Payal Goti, which is commendable. But why has none, including Gohil, spoken out on the Dalit boy’s murder?” The frustration seemed to reach a peak when, without directly naming Congress leaders, Mevani tweeted a few days ago: “Now even the leader of the other party has said that you’re filled with dud (exploded) cartridges. Remove them—what are you waiting for? B-Team, dud cartridges, those who are making deals with the opposing camp, wedding horses—why hesitate to remove all these? If not for me, at least listen to Rahul ji!!” This led to outrage within the Congress, with a social media post by Hemant Parmar protesting how even respected alternative media outlets were suggesting Mevani might join the BJP. According to Parmar, it all started when “Mevani alleged that certain Congress leaders—those selectively chosen and those acting in favor of the BJP—as well as MLAs and MPs who won from reserved seats, have remained silent on Dalit atrocities.” Parmar laments that media outlets have twisted the narrative, implying he is “strategically benefiting the BJP.” He argues these outlets are “discussing the possibility of Mevani joining the BJP” and asks, “Who are they trying to benefit? After Mevani’s allegations against Congress leaders aiding the BJP from within, why is the effort now to turn the accusations back on him?” While sources in the BJP have told me there is “absolutely no possibility of Mevani joining us,” a Congress insider claimed that some within Shaktisinh Gohil’s circle have been planting stories suggesting he may be drifting toward the BJP. “It is the same people who secretly intend to join the BJP when the time is right,” I was told. Given ongoing speculation about who from Congress might join the BJP—especially since figures considered deeply committed to Congress ideology, like Arjun Modhwadia, have switched sides—Parmar insists: “In today’s Congress: the loudest voice against the BJP is Mevani; the strongest voice for the marginalized is Mevani; the boldest leader is Mevani; the only leader in Gujarat Congress who can directly take on the BJP is Mevani.” Courtesy : Rajiv Shah, Counterview Note: This news is originally published on https://counterview.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Ex-AAP leader Rajendra Pal Gautam appointed chairman of Congress SC department
Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader from Delhi, was earlier associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and served as the Minister for Social Welfare in the Delhi government. New Delhi- The Congress on Wednesday appointed former Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam as the new Chairman of its Scheduled Caste (SC) Department, replacing senior party leader Rajesh Lilothia. The move comes as the party looks to reinvigorate its social justice plank and deepen its connect with Dalit communities across the country. The appointment was made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and announced in an official statement by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal. “The Hon’ble Congress President has appointed Shri Rajendra Pal Gautam as the Chairman of the SC Department, AICC, with immediate effect. The party appreciates the contributions of the outgoing Chairman, Shri Rajesh Lilothia,” the statement said. His appointment came at a time when the Congress party is pushing for its social justice agenda. Gautam, a prominent Dalit leader from Delhi, was earlier associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and served as the Minister for Social Welfare in the Delhi government. However, he resigned from AAP in September 2024. He formally joined the Congress citing disillusionment with AAP’s approach towards social justice and accusing the party of sidelining Dalit issues under pressure from the BJP. “I joined Congress because I believe it has a historic commitment to social justice and empowerment of the marginalised. My aim is to build a strong, grassroots-level Dalit movement within the party structure and fight for equality and dignity,” Gautam had said at the time of his induction. The Scheduled Caste Department of the Congress plays a key role in shaping the party’s policies on Dalit welfare and also in outreach initiatives to SC communities across states. With Gautam now at the helm, the party is expected to take a more assertive stand on issues related to Dalits, representation in government services, and access to education and healthcare.(IANS) Courtesy : The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https://themooknayak.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Bihar News: Chirag Paswan Slams CM Nitish Kumar Over Law & Order In Muzaffarpur Dalit Girl Gangrape-Murder Case
The relationship between Nitish and Chirag had soured after LJP leader, son of late Ram Vilas Paswan, fielded candidates on a number of seats against JD (U) candidates in the last assembly election, hitting latter`s chances in 36-40 seats. Patna: Union Minister Chirag Paswan has written to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, raising questions on the state`s law and order situation and public health infrastructure even as LJP (RV) chief attacked the state government at a time when assembly polls are only months away. Chirag has lashed out at the Nitish government against the backdrop of a 9-year old Dalit girl losing her life following a brutal rape. The Dalit girl who was raped and brutally assaulted by the accused in Bihar`s Muzaffarpur district had succumbed to her injuries at the state-run Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday. She was allegedly being made to wait in an ambulance for hours before she was finally admitted to the state`s premier public hospital on Saturday. The hospital administration has rejected these allegations. The relationship between Nitish and Chirag had soured after LJP leader, son of late Ram Vilas Paswan, fielded candidates on a number of seats against JD (U) candidates in the last assembly election, hitting latter`s chances in 36-40 seats. However, both leaders buried the hatchet as their recent ‘bonhomie’ in public suggested. Earlier, senior leaders of RJD and Congress had lashed out at Chirag and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi (both Dalit leaders) for keeping mum on the rape-murder incident. Both parties also demanded resignation of state health minister and senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey. While the accused has been arrested, a probe has been ordered into what happened at PMCH. The heart-rending incident of Dalit girl`s rape and murder exposes the failure of Bihar’s law and order, social awareness and public health, Chirag remarked, who is likely to make a formal announcement about contesting assembly election at a public rally, to be held in Ara on Sunday. He is also expected to contest assembly election from the state`s Shahabad region. Chirag in his letter pointed out that the victim had to wait for six hours before she was admitted to the hospital. He said that doctors, and administrative staff of the hospital were as guilty as the accused in the heinous crime. “They did not provide prompt treatment and lost precious time. This is not just negligence, but a crime against humanity,” he wrote. Chirag said his party’s leaders have met the victim’s family and assured them justice. “But justice will be incomplete and unacceptable unless strict and transparent action is taken against the accused at the administrative level.” He said that an inquiry should be conducted into the alleged negligence of the medical staff. “It is not simply a matter of death as it has become a symbol of the failure of our social system and a failure of our constitutional responsibility. If the administration stays silent, this silence will become the biggest crime,” he asserted Courtesy : Dheeraj Kumar, TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https://thefreepressjournal.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
3 injured in attack on Dalit wedding procession in U.P.’s Amroha; caste abuse alleged
Police said they had to resort to mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order; in view of the heightened tensions, a police force has been deployed to maintain law and order At least three people were injured on Tuesday (June 3, 2025) after a wedding procession by members of a Dalit community was pelted with stones and hit with rods and sticks in Rahdra village in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Two daughters of Rampal, a local belonging to the Jatav (Dalit) community, were getting married. Of the two wedding processions on Monday, the first was from Hasanpur, and the other, from Moradabad, arrived later. The baraat (wedding procession) of Sonam Kumari, the older daughter, arrived from Moradabad. The incident took place during the second procession. “On June 2, a wedding procession was being carried out around 5.30 p.m. Around 15-20 people from the same village, belonging to the Yadav community, forcefully entered the wedding procession and stopped us from dancing. When we opposed it, all the above people used casteist words and attacked us with sticks, rods, knives, and sharp-edged weapons to kill us. I, too, received an open injury on my head and many other small injuries,” Kanhaiya, the complainant, and a resident of Rahdra, said. He said many in the procession received knife injuries. “The Yadavs said, ‘how can people from our [Dalit] community take out wedding processions’?” Mr. Kanhaiya, who belongs to the Jatav community, alleged. Charges have been filed under Sections 191(2) (rioting), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 109 (attempt to murder), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have also invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Amendment 2015). The case was registered at the Gajrala police station. A video purported to be of the chaotic scene has surfaced on social media. Police said they had to resort to mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order. In view of the heightened tensions, a police force has been deployed to maintain law and order. A senior police officer said that the incident had occurred because the road was narrow, loud music was playing in the background, and the people in the wedding procession could not provide space for the Yadav vehicles to pass. “This led to an argument, which later turned into an altercation,” the officer said. Courtesy : Samridhi Tewari, The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https://thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
15 sent to jail for imposing social boycott on Dalit family
Hyderabad: A special court in Nizamabad on Tuesday sentenced 15 individuals to imprisonment in connection with a social boycott imposed on a Dalit family by members of a so-called village development committee (VDC) in Kolipaka village of Jakranpally mandal. The special judge for SCs/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act cases and II additional district and sessions judge pronounced the verdict, convicting eight individuals to five years in jail with a fine of ₹5,200 each, while seven others received three years’ imprisonment along with a fine of ₹4,200 each. It was in April 2020, when Errolla Hanumandlu and his family lodged a complaint with the Jakranpally police, alleging that the VDC had issued a social boycott order against them. It all began when Mekala Bablu and his family objected to Hanumandlu’s family using a tractor in front of their house. Bablu later took the matter to the VDC, which demanded a monetary fine from Hanumandlu. When the family refused to pay, the VDC allegedly enforced a social boycott. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case under section 3(1)(zc) of the SCs/STs Act, various sections of the Indian Penal Code (341, 323, 290, 506, 248 r/w 34), and section 4 of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. Those who were sentenced to five years’ imprisonment include Golla Boddu Thirupathi, Ravutla Bakkanna, Papai Gangadhar, Boddu Naveen, Kalakadi Muthenna, Bolli Ranjeeth, Wadla Srikanth and Arepalli Esthari. Among those sentenced to three years’ imprisonment were Mekala Bablu, Mekala Kavitha, Muvvala Poshanna, Mala Chinna Rajanna, Dasari Surender, and Vankayala Gangadhar. 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.
Evening news wrap: National census to begin from 2027; Allahabad HC rebukes Rahul Gandhi, and more
A tragic turn of events took place during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s victory parade as a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium. At least seven were killed over 25 injured in the stampede. The celebration quickly descended into chaos as crowd control efforts failed. The government announced that the next nationwide Census will begin on March 1, 2027, and, for the first time in decades, will include caste enumeration. Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Ladakh will begin the process earlier, from October 2026. The Centre has announced the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which will be held from July 21 to August 12. Key legislative matters, including discussions on the budget and pending bills, are expected to be taken up. Here are the top five stories of the evening: Stampede at RCB victory parade kills 7 At least seven people died and over 25 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium during RCB’s IPL victory parade. The incident reportedly occurred due to overcrowding and poor crowd control. Live updates National census to begin from 2027 The next nationwide census will start on March 1, 2027, and will include caste data for the first time in over 70 years. Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand will begin the process early from October 2026. Read full story Nine Pakistani aircraft were taken down during Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack killed 26 civilians, dealt heavy blows to Pakistan’s military. Indian Air Force strikes destroyed key assets, including six fighter jets, two surveillance aircraft, and over ten drones. Read full story Rahul Gandhi rebuked by Allahabad HC The Allahabad high court criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying that freedom of speech does not extend to defaming the Indian Army. The comments were made during a case related to his remarks against the military. Read full story Parliament’s monsoon session dates announced The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run from July 21 to August 12, with major legislation, including budget discussions, expected on the agenda. The announcement was made earlier today. Read full story 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.