“You Bairwas, sit on the floor”: FIR after Dalit men forced off chairs at Rajasthan Independence Day event
The FIR was filed following a complaint by Rameshwarlal Bairwa, 35, and Gopilal Bairwa, 37, who alleged that they were subjected to caste-based discrimination while attending the programme. Rajasthan Police have registered an FIR after two Dalit men alleged that they were forced to vacate chairs and sit on the floor during an Independence Day function at a government school in Bhakliya village of Bhilwara district. The FIR was filed following a complaint by Rameshwarlal Bairwa, 35, and Gopilal Bairwa, 37, who alleged that they were subjected to caste-based discrimination while attending the programme. According to their complaint, the two were sitting on chairs arranged for the event when some people allegedly approached them and abused them using caste-based slurs. They alleged that they were told, “You Bairwas, sit down below . If you sit on the chairs, where will we sit? What right do you have to sit in front of us?” The complainants alleged that they were intimidated and forced to leave the chairs. They also claimed that the accused threatened to shut down the Anganwadi where two women from their community worked. The alleged incident took place in front of schoolchildren, teachers and other villagers, which the complainants said caused them “mental trauma” and hurt their self-respect and social standing. Videos of the incident have since circulated online. One video recorded by resident Badri Lal Bairwa shows a verbal confrontation between a group of people at the school while children sit on the ground. Badri Lal can be heard saying, “We are celebrating Independence Day, but look at this mentality,” before saying, “You are educated… this is the condition.” A demonstration was held at the Bhilwara district headquarters, with protesters submitting a memorandum to the District Superintendent of Police seeking the arrest of the named accused, protection for the victims’ families and an end to the alleged social boycott. Bagor police station SHO Bachhraj Choudhary said the investigation was underway and had been handed over to Deputy SP Rahul Joshi, Circle Officer for Bhilwara’s Mandal. The FIR names five accused and has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why Kharge ‘Purification’ Row Has Become A Caste And Political Fight
Kharge told party colleagues that he was “hurt” due to lack of action from the senior Congress leaders in the Haldwani incident Mallikarjun Kharge told the CWC he was “hurt” by the muted response from some Congress leaders to the Haldwani “purification” row. The controversy began after a havan was held at Ram Lila Ground two days after Kharge addressed a rally there. Kharge said the ritual humiliated him as a Dalit and raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha. The controversy over a “purification” ritual held at a rally venue used by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has now travelled from Uttarakhand to Parliament and into the Congress Working Committee (CWC), turning what began as a local event into a wider political battle over caste, dignity and untouchability. At the CWC meeting on Wednesday, Kharge told party colleagues that he was “hurt” due to lack of action from the senior Congress leaders in the Haldwani incident, The Indian Express reported. Without naming anyone, Kharge reportedly expressed disappointment that several members, particularly the “good-looking people” who frequently appear in the media, had not spoken forcefully against the ritual. AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal responded that the Congress had condemned the incident, though Kharge was reportedly unconvinced. The episode has become politically potent because Kharge, a Dalit and the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has interpreted the ritual through the history of caste-based notions of purity and untouchability. The BJP has rejected allegations that it was involved. What Happened At Haldwani Rally Venue? Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Haldwani’s Ram Lila Ground on August 8 as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election. Two days later, on August 10, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted a havan at the venue as part of what they described as a “shuddhikaran”, or purification, ceremony, according to The Times of India. Videos of the ceremony subsequently circulated online, triggering allegations from the Congress that the ritual had been performed because a Dalit leader had occupied the stage. Those involved in the ceremony have offered a different explanation. Girish Chandra Pandey, identified as a member of the organisation, said the Ram Lila Ground had religious and cultural significance and should not have been used for political programmes. He also claimed some slogans during the Congress event “sounded like Islamic slogans”, The Times of India reported. Kharge Call It An Insult To Dalits For Kharge, the political question is not simply that a ritual followed a Congress rally but what the language of “purification” signifies when applied to a space immediately after a Dalit leader has used it. Raising the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, Kharge said he had never sought protection or sympathy because of his Dalit identity but felt personally humiliated by the incident. “There were lakhs of people present at the time. I did not name any community or religion. I only spoke about the problems faced by the people there. But after my speech, BJP workers performed a havan,” he said, according to reports. “Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP… I never wanted to politicise these issues,” he added. Kharge demanded legal action against those responsible, saying: “I am saying register a case, arrest them… This is what we demand.” He argued that the incident made him experience the “pain of untouchability”. Who Carried Out The “Shuddhikaran” Ritual? Reports have allegedly identified Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan as the group that organised the ceremony. Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the organisation was associated with the BJP. The BJP has categorically denied any connection with the group. No evidence establishing that the ceremony was officially organised or directed by the BJP has so far been publicly established. ‘BJP Does Not Subscribe To Such Activities’ BJP president and Union minister JP Nadda distanced the party from the ceremony when Kharge raised the issue in Parliament. “Please don’t say repeatedly that we (BJP) did. The BJP does not subscribe to such activities,” Nadda said. He also described the episode as regrettable and promised that it would be examined. “It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt,” he told Kharge. Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson and minister Khajan Das, however, told PTI that slogans raised at the Congress rally may have offended members of the Sanatan community because of the religious significance attached to the ground. The BJP’s position, therefore, has been to reject responsibility for the ritual while acknowledging that the incident should be looked into. Why Has The Issue Reached Parliament? Kharge is both Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, giving the controversy a national institutional dimension. When he raised it on the final day of the Monsoon Session, Congress MPs protested in the House. Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said there could be no justification for untouchability. “It should be condemned. Those who have done it should be caught. There is no two opinions on this,” he said. The row consequently moved beyond a Congress-BJP dispute in Uttarakhand into a debate about constitutional equality, caste discrimination and the treatment of the country’s principal Opposition leader. Why Is Caste Becoming A Sharper Political Faultline? The Congress and several Opposition parties have increasingly framed their politics around representation, social justice and protection of constitutional safeguards for Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs. The BJP, meanwhile, has built its own substantial support among sections of these communities and rejects the Opposition’s accusation that its politics undermines them. The coming caste enumeration has raised the stakes further. The Centre has confirmed that Census 2027 will enumerate caste for all individuals — the first such exercise in a post-Independence national Census. Congress is already challenging aspects of how that enumeration will be conducted. For the Congress, “purifying” a venue after Kharge’s presence invokes a history in which Dalits were treated as
Dalit Women Attacked, Denied Entry At Odisha Temple; NCSC Summons Collector, SP
Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has initiated suo motu proceedings into an alleged incident in which a group of Dalit women were barred from entering a Shiva temple in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.Andhra Pradesh news The statutory body intervened following media reports detailing the August 10 altercation at Atimati village under Erasama police limits when a group of women from the Dalit community had visited a local Shiva temple to perform traditional rituals and offer holy water on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Somvar. Discover soft, comfortable and stylish shoes for you. Loose‑cut, skin‑friendly fabrics, perfect for daily wear, gatherings and casual shoes. The Commission has issued summons to the Jagatsinghpur district collector and the SP, directing them to submit a detailed action-taken report within three days. The required documentation must detail the exact number of arrests made, the date and number of any chargesheet filed, compensation provided to the victims, and other steps taken in the matter. The collector and SP have been asked to appear either in person or through authorised representatives. The Commission has indicated that failure to respond within the stipulated period could lead it to exercise the powers of a civil court conferred upon it. According to reports, several villagers carrying sticks allegedly blocked the entrance and prevented the women from entering the temple. The victims alleged that they were subjected to abusive and casteist remarks and threatened with violence if they did not vacate the area. When the women stood their ground, the villagers reportedly threw their bhog offerings to the ground. During the confrontation, one of the accused is alleged to have attacked one of the women with a knife, causing serious injuries. Following the assault, the women were forced to leave without offering prayers and subsequently lodged a complaint against eight individuals at the local police station. Following which, police registered cases under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Erasama police station IIC Parthsarthi Beura confirmed that police had received the NCSC notice and were taking steps to comply. He added that one accused had been arrested, and further investigation was under way. To ease tensions and uphold constitutional rights of access to public places of worship, police later facilitated the Dalit women in completing their darshan at the temple in the presence of officials. Additional police personnel were deployed in the village to maintain order, with authorities stating that the situation remained under control. Courtesy : Odisha Bytes Note: This news is originally published on https:/odishabytes.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Voice sample is not required’: Rahul Gandhi’s counsel opposes plea in Savarkar defamation case
NEW DELHI: The defence counsel for leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday opposed a plea seeking his voice sample in the defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, grandson of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, in a Pune court. Congress MP’s lawyer Milind D Pawar argued that the case had not yet reached the stage where the defence would examine whether the alleged speech was actually made with a defamatory intention, and therefore a voice sample was not required at this stage. Speaking to news agency ANI, Pawar said the special MP/MLA court in Pune has directed the defence to file its formal response to the application by September 1. According to Pawar, the application was moved after Rahul’s appearance in Pune on August 22, with the complainant seeking to have his voice sampled. “A deformation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar against Rahul Gandhi. On 31st of December 2025, the chief examination of Satyaki Savarkar has been completed and thereafter on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, cross examination is going on,” Pawar said. He added, “Yesterday the complainant has filed an application that Rahul Gandhi came in Pune on 22nd of August, 2026 and therefore, he may kindly be called for voice sample.” Pawar said the court accepted his argument that the voice sample was premature. “Still we are not come on that defence that whether we have really given that speech where our intention is defamation that defence is not yet to be came before the court and therefore at this stage voice sample is not required,” he said. Satyaki Savarkar’s deposition brings Godse-RSS links into focus The voice sample plea came amid further cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar, during which he made statements about the relationship between the Savarkar and Godse families and the latter family’s links with the RSS. According to the deposition cited by ANI, Satyaki said, “It is true to say that my grandfathers Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.” Satyaki identified Gopal Godse as his maternal grandfather and Sindhu Godse as his maternal grandmother. His mother was Himani Savarkar. He also acknowledged that the Savarkar and Godse families were related, although he said he did not have complete information about their historical relationship or whether relevant records were available in government archives. Satyaki said his mother died in Pune in 2015 and Gopal Godse died there in 2007. He also said that both his mother and grandfather worked for the Hindu Mahasabha until their deaths. The cross-examination also touched upon the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 and the historical roles of the people involved. Some questions concerning the RSS and Digambar Badge were objected to by the complainant’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar. The court recorded that the objections would be dealt with at the time of the final decision. Case stems from Rahul’s 2023 London remarks Satyaki Savarkar, a grandson of one of V D Savarkar’s brothers, filed the defamation case against Rahul over remarks the Congress leader allegedly made about Savarkar during an Overseas Congress event in London on March 5, 2023. Satyaki subsequently approached a magistrate court in Pune in April 2023, alleging that former Congress president’s remarks were false and defamatory and had damaged the reputation of Savarkar and caused distress to his family and supporters. The case is currently at the stage of cross-examination of the complainant. Pawar said the chief examination of Satyaki had been completed on December 31, 2025, while his cross-examination by Rahul’s legal team is continuing. The proceedings were deferred to September 1, when the defence is expected to respond formally to the voice sample application. 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
Congress Working Committee discusses Vande Mataram, firm on singing just 2 stanzas
NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee Wednesday directed the party’s chief ministers to come up with a concrete plan to revamp education and examination systems in their states, which the party can showcase across the country – in an imaginative bid to tap into the restive youth sentiment. Congress also decided to hold nationwide protests at the village level to highlight the Ram temple “Chanda Chori” under BJP govt.CWC demanded that Lok Sabha be frozen at the present 543 MPs for the next 25 years and women’s quota be implemented from the 2029 national elections. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy is learnt to have said that the party should declare Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate for the 2029 polls. He also warned against allowing outfits like Cockroach Janta Party to spread on Congress turfs. The party has also decided to expand its “Chhatron ki Goonj” students’ conventions led by Rahul to 800 towns and cities. Sources said Rahul directed the CMs to revamp the education system, arguing that the party should be able to hold them up as examples in the country. The CMs have been asked to submit a plan, based on inputs from experts and students’ bodies, within a month. The CWC meeting was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul, Sachin Pilot, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, CMs DK Shivakumar, Revanth Reddy, Sukhwinder Sukhu and VD Satheesan, among others. Rahul expressed an optimistic picture of the future, saying PM Modi has lost his sheen and the mood of the country is changing. He referred to the PM’s Independence Day speech to claim that he has lost confidence. The meeting also witnessed a discussion on the raging controversy around Vande Mataram. Kharge detailed the issue by reading the 1937 CWC resolution to argue that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose had approved Vande Mataram on the advice of Rabindranath Tagore. Venugopal told reporters that Congress will sing only two stanzas, as approved by the Constituent Assembly and the 1937 resolution. CWC also expressed concern over reports of Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and over the E-20 ethanol policy. It called Modi govt’s foreign policy a “surrender policy”, be it with the US or China. On Ram temple “Chanda Chori”, Congress demanded an SC-monitored probe while stating the PM cannot call it a state subject after having appropriated every step leading to the temple’s construction, including the announcement of the Ram Temple Trust. 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 political rule in final phase, successor search under way’: Rahul Gandhi at CWC meet
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Wednesday, reportedly said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political rule is in its “final phase” and that a search for his successor is already underway. “Narendra Modi ka siyasi ant ho chuka hai. Inka waqt khatam ho gaya hai. Modi ka shasan aakhiri daur mein hai. Inke uttaradhikari ki talash chal rahi hai (Narendra Modi’s political end has come. His time is over. Modi’s rule is in its final phase. A search for his successor is underway),” sources quoted the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as saying. Rahul Gandhi also described the government as being “completely on the back foot” and urged Congress leaders to adopt a more aggressive approach in taking on the government. The remarks were made during the CWC meeting at the Congress headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in Delhi, where senior party leaders discussed the political situation in the country and the party’s strategy on key issues. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who also addressed the meeting, alleged that the Centre had “devastated the future of the youth” over the past 12 years. He claimed that 94,000 schools had shut down in recent years and called for a clear, comprehensive and time-bound “Education-to-Employment Roadmap” for young people. Kharge also questioned the money, gold and other donations received by the Ram Mandir trust. He said people had the right to know how the donations were being accounted for and used, and called for any financial wrongdoing to be properly investigated and those responsible to be held accountable. The CWC meeting was attended by Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among other senior party leaders. 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’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune gets nod with 30 conditions; CM Fadnavis reacts
NEW DELHI: Police have granted permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s August 22 ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune, subject to 30 conditions, including a ban on “objectionable” banners and images. The police have also directed organisers to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt during the event. The event, billed as the ‘voice of students’, is dedicated to female students and will focus on education, safety, equality, competitive exams and career opportunities. According to the permission order issued on Wednesday, the programme will be held from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm at the SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk. Police expect 8,000 to 10,000 people to attend. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the campaign, said the event appeared to be a “monologue” rather than a dialogue with students. The CM told PTI, “Whether it is ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme or Rahul Gandhi is trying to find his political ground, I cannot say. But from what I understand, if they had held an open event of this kind, perhaps it would have been a dialogue with students.” Fadnavis alleged that entry to the event would be restricted to registered girls from Congress-affiliated educational institutions. “An attempt is being made to ensure that only people who subscribe to their ideology attend the event,” he said, adding, “Therefore, we may call it ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, but at the same time, I would say that, with those who have been invited through Congress, this is more of a monologue than a dialogue.” Meanwhile, among the conditions, organisers have been told not to display “objectionable images, pictures or banners”. They will also be responsible for any untoward incident that results in a law-and-order situation, the order said. “No one’s religious sentiments should be hurt during the programme and responsibility for ensuring this will be on the organisers,” it stated, according to news agency PTI. Maharashtra congress vice president Mohan Joshi confirmed that permission had been granted and said the organisers would comply with all 30 conditions. Police have also directed organisers to provide adequate security, separate arrangements for men and women, sufficient entry and exit gates, drinking water, toilets, fire-safety equipment and parking facilities. Private security personnel, including women guards, and volunteers, particularly women, are to be deployed. CCTV cameras covering the venue must remain operational during the day and night. The organisers have also been directed to comply with Supreme Court directions on permissible noise levels, as well as the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Drones have been prohibited for photography at the venue, while emergency access for police, medical and fire services must remain available. The permission is subject to a no-objection certificate from the traffic department and can be cancelled if any illegal activity affecting law and order is detected, police said. Any dispute over the venue will also lead to immediate cancellation of the permission. The restrictions come as Pune police have imposed 14-day prohibitory orders across the city from Tuesday until August 31, citing security concerns linked to upcoming festivals and protests. Congress leader Pawan Khera has alleged that the restrictions were imposed to disrupt Gandhi’s programme. Police, however, have cited security requirements. Gandhi launched the student-focused campaign in Kota on June 17 and later addressed its second and third segments in Dehradun and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8. 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
‘I stand with them’: Rahul Gandhi backs protest by Bundelkhand tribals against ‘Ken-Betwa project’
NEW DELHI: Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday backed tribal residents of Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region protesting against the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, saying the Congress stands with them and promising to visit the protest site to pressure the government over their demands for compensation and rehabilitation. Rahul shared a video on X featuring accounts from tribal residents affected by the project and said, “The problems, demands, struggles, and personal ordeals of the tribal brothers and sisters who are carrying out a satyagraha against the Ken-Betwa project–their own account. For years, these residents of Bundelkhand have been enduring injustice and oppression solely for their rights; they deserve respect and support,” he said. “In this fight of our tribal brothers and sisters, I and the Congress stand with them,” he said. In the video, a tribal representative claimed that the project would affect 21 tribal-dominated villages and lead to the loss of around 4.6 million trees, besides affecting the Panna Tiger Reserve. The representative also claimed that around 11,500 acres of land belonging to nearly 7,000 families would be affected. The residents urged Rahul to raise their concerns about alleged administrative harassment in Parliament and join their movement. Rahul assured them that he would visit the site and put pressure on the government. The tribal residents have been holding a Satyagraha against the project, demanding adequate compensation and dignified rehabilitation for people whose land is being acquired. Rahul had also supported the agitation earlier in July. Sharing a poem and visuals from the protest, he said the tribal residents were demanding fair compensation through non-violent means and described tribal people as the “original owners of the country”. “The tribal brothers and sisters of Madhya Pradesh had sat on a water satyagraha and hunger strike because their land was taken away for the Ken-Betwa project, but they received neither fair compensation nor dignified rehabilitation. The ‘truth’ is that tribals are the original owners of the country–the first right to water, forests, and land belongs to them alone. And their ‘satyagraha’ is because that very right is being snatched from them today.” “In their unique way, their demand is simply this: provide a proper means of livelihood–or else life is no different from a funeral pyre. But even this is unacceptable to the BJP government. Instead of listening to them, their peaceful protest is being crushed with police force. We stand with our tribal brothers and sisters. We will secure justice for them–compensation and rehabilitation will have to be provided,” he added. The Ken-Betwa Link Project is a major river-linking initiative aimed at transferring surplus water from the Ken river in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa river through a 221-km-long link canal. The project is being implemented in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Rs 44,605-crore project is the first river-linking project under the National Perspective Plan. According to the government, it is expected to irrigate 1.062 million hectares, provide drinking water to around 6.2 million people and generate hydropower. The project involves construction of the 77-metre-high Daudhan Dam and two tunnels in the Ken river basin in Panna. The government says the project will enable irrigation across 8.11 lakh hectares in 2,000 villages across 10 districts and benefit around seven lakh farmer families. It is also expected to provide drinking water to 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh, while generating 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy. 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
SP-Congress’s new plan! Dalit youth to be in charge of general constituencies as well; will the political equation change before 2027?
Political parties in Uttar Pradesh have already intensified their preparations for the 2027 assembly elections. Following the BJP, efforts to balance social equations have begun in the opposition camp as well. The Samajwadi Party and Congress have begun giving Dalit and backward class youth key organizational responsibilities. Significantly, Dalit youth are also being appointed in-charge of general assembly constituencies. Both parties are attempting to connect with youth influenced by socialist and Ambedkarite ideology. These youth are being given the responsibility of strengthening the organization in various assembly constituencies and connecting new members to the party. Dalit youth given responsibility for general seats As part of this strategy, the Samajwadi Party has appointed Dalit youth as assembly in-charges for several general seats. Manoj Paswan has been appointed in Unchahar, Shivshankar Saroj in Babaganj, and Ram Karan Nirmal in the Kaushambi-Fatehpur region. Meanwhile, Vineet Kushwaha from Madhuban and Rahul Raj from Kushinagar have also been assigned organizational responsibilities. These leaders have been primarily tasked with expanding their reach among youth, engaging new workers, and strengthening the party’s ideology. This initiative by the SP is being considered an important step towards strengthening the PDA (Backward, Dalit, and Minority) social equation. Congress also focusing on youth Congress has also planned to activate youth at the assembly level. The party has assigned the responsibility of strengthening the organization among youth to Shailendra Dhruv Yadav in Ballia, Murali Manohar in Velthara Road, Subhash Pal in Bilgram, and Tarun Patel in Gaura. The strategy of opposition parties is not limited to reconnecting with their traditional voters. They are also targeting youth who were once with the BSP or are reportedly dissatisfied with the current political situation. BSP’s focus on the old Brahmin equation On the other hand, the Bahujan Samaj Party is also trying to re-establish its old social equation for 2027. Mayawati’s party is once again eyeing the Brahmin community. However, several prominent Brahmin leaders of the BSP have left the party in recent years. Antu Mishra’s expulsion is considered the latest in this trend. Discussion of the 2007 formula is rekindled. In the 2007 assembly elections, the BSP fielded a large number of Brahmin candidates. The party gave tickets to over 80 Brahmins, of whom 41 won the elections and reached the assembly. This social equation played a key role in the BSP’s formation of a full majority government. Now, ahead of 2027, while the SP and Congress are busy strengthening the PDA through Dalit and backward youth, the BSP faces the challenge of recapturing its old Brahmin base. Consequently, social equations may play an even more important role in Uttar Pradesh’s electoral politics in the coming days. By Asha Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News