Ayodhya News: Three-and-a-half-year sentence for Dalit harassment
Ayodhya. The court has convicted Prem Nath Mishra, the accused, in a case of assaulting a Dalit man and using casteist slurs. Special SC-ST Act Judge Deepak Yadav on Monday sentenced the accused to three years and six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 14,000 rupees. The case occurred in Sumerpur village, under the Kumarganj police station area, in 2012. According to the prosecution, Hub Lal was returning home from the fields at around 8 a.m. on December 9th. Prem Nath Mishra chased him, assaulted him with sticks, and insulted him with casteist slurs. He was also allegedly threatened with death. Hub Lal’s nephew Vinod and his brother’s wife, Dhela, who tried to intervene, were also assaulted, resulting in injuries. During the trial, the 73-year-old victim, Hub Lal, recorded his statement in court. The prosecution presented seven witnesses. Based on the statements of witnesses and the available evidence, the judge convicted Prem Nath Mishra and sentenced him. Courtesy: Hindi News
FIR against 2 for molesting Dalit woman
Pilibhit: An FIR was registered against two men for allegedly molesting a 30-year-old Dalit woman, hurling casteist slurs at her and threatening to kill her in Pilibhit, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Oct 23 when the woman had gone with her cousin to use a toilet near a village pond, about 700m from her home. The accused, both farmers from the Thakur community, allegedly caught hold of her and molested her. Hearing her cries for help, two women from the village rushed to the spot, prompting the men to flee. The accused also allegedly hurled casteist slurs at the survivor and threatened to kill her. The woman’s father, an ITBP constable posted in New Delhi, returned to his native village after learning about the incident and approached police on Oct 26. The survivor also submitted a written complaint, following which the FIR was registered on Monday evening. The father told TOI that theirs was the only Dalit household in the village, where most residents belonged to upper castes, and that the family had faced repeated harassment by influential villagers. Officiating station house officer Neeraj Singh Tomar said, “An FIR was registered against the accused under BNS Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 352 (intentional insult), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and relevant sections of the SC/ST Act.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mahua Moitra defends Kharge’s remarks against PM, accuses BJP of double standards
Sharing a video of Amit Shah’s remark that Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother cannot stop the Citizenship Amendment Act, she accused the BJP of double standards in its response to political attacks. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Monday backed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sharing a video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remark that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother cannot stop the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), she accused the BJP of double standards in its response to political attacks. A controversy erupted after Kharge, at an event in Patna on Sunday, said, “Modi ka baap bhi jayega, baap bhi jayega (Even Modi’s father would go),” while responding to an audience member who said Modi would not go. Moitra posted a series of messages on X. “Why only the father? Even the father’s father will go. Well said, Kharge ji. We assure you that we will fight this till the end,” she wrote in a post. Taking a swipe at the BJP’s slogan, she wrote further, “BJP: Modi will come to power. India: Modi and his father will go.” The Trinamool Congress MP also shared a video in which Amit Shah is heard saying that Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother could not stop the CAA. “The BJP and Godi media loved it. Today Kharge said Modi’s father will also go (and yes, Adani will go). Accept it, folks. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” Moitra said. In another post apparently directed at Shah, she said, “Go and steal some more votes and come back. You’ll remember.” Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP Police constitute SIT to probe accident involving vehicles in Rahul Gandhi’s convoy
The investigation will examine the circumstances and causes of the accident and determine whether there was any negligence or lapse in security, escort arrangements or traffic management The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the accident involving vehicles trailing the convoy of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Sultanpur. The investigation will examine the circumstances and causes of the accident and determine whether there was any negligence or lapse in security, escort arrangements or traffic management, a statement said. The SIT has been directed to conduct a comprehensive probe into all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report to the police headquarters at the earliest. The probe team will be headed by Inspector General of Police, Lucknow Range, Kiran S. Additional Superintendent of Police, Sultanpur, Brij Narayan Singh, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Sultanpur, Ram Krishna Chaturvedi, will also be part of the SIT. The SIT was constituted on the directions of UP Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident, officials said. The team has also been tasked with suggesting measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, the statement said. Some vehicles in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s convoy collided on the Purvanchal Expressway on Monday while he was on his way to Sultanpur for a court hearing in a defamation case against him, a police officer said. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was safe, the officer said, adding that the incident was not serious and no major injuries were reported. The incident occurred around 10.15 am when a private vehicle at the front of the convoy, belonging to local Congress leaders, suddenly applied the brakes for an unspecified reason, causing vehicles behind it to collide with one another, the officer told PTI. The vehicles involved in the pile-up had joined the convoy midway with passengers, including Congress workers from neighbouring Amethi district, police said. Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
June 2025 decision to hold SIR taken unanimously, EC tells SC
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission Monday filed an affidavit in SC that the chief election commissioner and the two election commissioners had unanimously taken the decision on June 24, 2025 to conduct nationwide SIR of electoral rolls and that there was no difference of opinion. The affidavit by deputy EC Bhanu Prakash Yeturu came with an unusual declaration that it was being filed with the approval of the CEC and the two ECs. “At the very outset, I state that the present affidavit has been approved for filing before the SC by a unanimous decision of the three members of the Election Commission, that is the 2 election commissioners and the chief election commissioner,” the affidavit said. The assertion contradicts the charge that CEC Gyanesh Kumar, at Modi government’s instance, unilaterally decided to conduct SIR of electoral rolls — the mainstay of the opposition’s “vote chori” campaign. The affidavit was filed in response to petitions, including one filed by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders, following a news report that the two ECs — S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — had approached the cabinet secretary because of their differences with the CEC over SIR-related issues. “Allegations based on the communication between ECs and the cabinet secretary are misconceived,” the EC said, adding that the letters by Sandhu and Joshi pertained to administrative matters. No substance in claim that Form 6 was amended by SIR orders: EC An office order came to be issued on July 28 by an IAS officer of the rank of additional secretary who had been posted on deputation to the commission pertaining to internal work allocation. On July 29, the two election commissioners wrote separate letters to the cabinet secretary in relation to this order and the conduct of the officer. In view of the joint direction of July 30 by the two ECs, the order of July 28 was never implemented,” the commission said. Responding to the petitions by Rahul and other INDIA bloc netas, the EC said all the petitions were based on a news article alleging that the commission had not been functioning in accordance with the procedure mandated in law, and allegations were also made questioning the integrity of the commission. It also issued a strong denial of the allegation, another key plank of the opposition’s offensive, that Form 6, as provided under Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, was amended by the commission by the SIR orders of June 24 and Oct 27 last year and May 14 this year. “There is no substance in the contention that Form 6 has been amended by the commission vide the SIR orders.” EC said Form 6 could be amended only by the Centre and what was changed was the introduction of a declaration to “enable the person seeking registration as a voter to dispense with the need for filing documents during the claims and objections period”. The ‘declaration’ was a document provided by the SIR orders and was not a part of Form 6, which was the statutory form for inclusion in the electoral rolls, it said, adding there was no significant change in the earlier and present declaration. The declaration that the affidavit was approved by the two ECs is significant because of the charge that the CEC’s “unilateral” calls on SIR-related issues were violative of the law, which required the poll body to take decisions unanimously or, when not possible, by majority. The opposition has demanded removal and prosecution of Gyanesh Kumar for violating the law. Denying the charge, the affidavit said that while the CEC, the ECs and even other officers may have expressed different views during deliberations, the decisions were taken in accordance with law. “The views by ECs/CEC of the commission during the decision-making process on the subjects before them are considered for arriving at the decision. It is upon consideration of all the views placed before the commission that the decision is taken and the orders are issued in accordance with the process,” the EC said. Explaining the process of decision-making in which views of all divisions concerned with the subject are considered in detail, the EC said, “In any such decision-making process, any suggestion, observation or query by the CEC or ECs either to the ECs or CEC or to any officer of the commission does not constitute a decision of the commission under Section 18 of the CEC and ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.” It said the statute prefers a decision by unanimity but also provides for decision-making by majority in the three-member EC. The commission said the CEC and ECs had taken a unanimous decision on June 29 that “in case any person to whom notice has been issued during the ongoing SIR, for being unmapped and/or logical discrepancies, BLOs will visit the homes of such persons for collection of documents and thereafter upload them in the ECINet, for decision by the ERO”. “Such person shall not be called for hearing to the ERO/AERO officer. Only in exceptional circumstances, as defined by the ERO/AERO, will the hearing be held, preferably online. Any adult member of the family can be authorised by the elector to attend the hearing on their behalf,” EC said. Referring to the allegation relating to deletion of 97 voters in Goa, the commission said it had directed that no eligible voter should be left out of the rolls and pursuant to this, the BLOs conducted a house-to-house visit and found that 88 of the 97 had already filled Form 6 for inclusion of their names. Of the remaining nine, six were out of the country and three were Portuguese passport holders. 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
‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’: Rahul Gandhi becomes active ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on SIR, invokes ‘Mahakal’
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear petitions filed against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and the decisions of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar today. Ahead of this hearing, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shared a picture of Mahakal with the words “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” written on it. It should be noted that Rahul Gandhi is going to protest at Ramlila Maidan from November 1. New Delhi: On Tuesday, ahead of the crucial hearing on SIR in the Supreme Court, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, shared a special picture. It shows three white lines and a vertical red line, symbolizing Mahakal. He also wrote “Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram.” It should be noted that there is a heated debate between Rahul Gandhi and the government regarding SIR. The way Rahul Gandhi wrote “Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram” seems to indicate his enthusiasm. What they mean is that something good and auspicious is about to happen. In Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Satyam means the victory of truth. Shivam means well-being and auspiciousness. Sundaram means not only external but also internal beauty, symbolizing joy and divinity. Hearing of petitions against SIR and Gyanesh Kumar in the Supreme Court today The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear petitions against SIR and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar today. A bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is hearing these petitions. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has filed a 28-page affidavit and presented various arguments in its defense. The Election Commission of India presented several arguments in its defense on Monday. The Election Commission of India stated that it took decisions unanimously. The Election Commission of India categorically rejected media reports and opposition allegations that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar took unilateral decisions despite objections from the other two Election Commissioners. According to the Commission, all orders related to the SIR were passed unanimously by all three members. Curated by: Sanjeev Kumar About the Author Sanjeev Kumar (Senior Digital Content Producer) Sanjeev Kumar currently serves as Senior Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times. He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times of India Group, in May 2025. He has six years of experience working on the online news desk in journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News
Transgender protesters remove clothes, hurl abuses at police on busy Jhansi road; 5 held
JHANSI: More than half a dozen transgender persons staged a protest on a busy road near Jhansi’s Police Lines on Saturday evening, allegedly removing their clothes, using abusive language and raising slogans against the police. The protest lasted over an hour and disrupted traffic in the area. Five people were arrested and produced before a remand magistrate on Sunday. — jhansipolice (@jhansipolice) According to reports, the protest stemmed from a long-standing dispute between two groups of transgender persons over the allocation of areas where they work. Members of the two groups have clashed several times in the past. On Saturday evening, members of both groups gathered near the Police Lines and began protesting on the road amid heavy rush-hour traffic. The protesters were seen pulling down their clothes, running on the road, raising slogans against the police and using abusive language. They later blocked both sides of the road with police barricades, bringing traffic to a halt. They also clashed with commuters, while police personnel struggled to bring the situation under control. At the time of the protest, a high-level crime review meeting was underway at the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office. After considerable efforts, the police brought the situation under control and arrested five people. SP City Preeti Singh said the arrested accused were Anshika alias Abhishek, a leader of one of the groups; her mother, Mamta; Russian Kinner; Pooja; and Balbir alias Babli. All five have been booked under Sections 151(2), 285, 296, 293, 121(1), 132, 221 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why were Dr. Sequeira, who left Mumbai to serve tribal communities and Dalit activist Laxman Naik arrested? What do civil society groups say?
Doctor and community health worker Randall Sequeira and Dalit activist Laxman Naik were arrested on October 16th amid anti-bauxite mining protests in Odisha. New Delhi – Dr. Randall Sequeira and Dalit activist Laxman Naik, who provide health care to tribal communities in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, were arrested on the night of October 16th. Both are currently in judicial custody at the Rayagada sub-jail. Police have charged them with connection to a violent clash in April 2026. Police say Sequeira was inciting tribals against the government and Naik was misleading people, while human rights organizations and civil society groups have questioned the process and motive behind the arrests. On October 16th, around 10:45–11:00 pm, police arrived in two jeeps at Dr. Sequeira’s home in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, where Naik was also staying. According to the Orissa Post, police, acting on a tip-off, arrested the two men from their rented house on the night of October 16th. Several officers were in civilian clothes. Their mobile phones were snatched and they were taken to the Bhawanipatna Town Police Station. Their whereabouts were unknown to their families and lawyers from 6 a.m. until around 6:30 p.m. on October 17th. That evening, they were produced before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate of Rayagada and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days. According to the police, the arrests were made in connection with Case No. 85/2026 of the Kashipur Police Station. The case relates to a violent clash that occurred on the night of April 6–7, 2026, in Kantamal (Kutamal) village in Rayagada district. Police entered the village in connection with a road project for Vedanta’s proposed Sijimali bauxite mine. Villagers alleged lathicharge and tear gas, while police claim protesters attacked them. According to the police, lathicharge and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd, injuring several people and police officers. The incident was related to a protest against the construction of an access road to the Sijimali bauxite reserve. Police say Dr. Sequeira and Laxman Nayak were not named in the original FIR, but their role emerged during the investigation. Dr. Sequeira and Laxman Nayak face charges of attempt to murder, rioting with a deadly weapon, robbery, and criminal intimidation with a threat to kill. A police officer also stated that a case has been registered under the attempt to murder, rioting, and the Arms Act. Human rights and tribal rights organizations have called the arrests wrong and illegal, demanding their release. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), the Concerned Citizens Committee Odisha, the Medico Friends Circle, and other organizations have condemned the arrests. They allege that the arrests were made without a warrant or reason and are part of a conspiracy to suppress the protests against Sijimali bauxite mining. They say that dozens of cases have been filed in the area in the past three years, and hundreds of tribal and Dalit people have been jailed. According to a statement from the Medico Friends Circle, both were held overnight without a warrant, arrest memo, or reason, and were denied access to lawyers or family. According to the organization, neither was named in the original FIR, and Sequera already has anticipatory bail in another case. PUCL condemned the arrests. It says this is the latest in a series of arrests of Dalit and tribal leaders protesting against Vedanta’s mine in Sijimali. Activists claim that more than 100 Dalit and tribal people have been arrested and 43 cases filed since the protests began in 2023. Southwest Range DIG Akhileshwar Singh told PTI that the arrested people were not innocent. According to him, Dr. Sequera was inciting tribals against the government instead of providing medical services, and Naik was misleading people. He said that many doctors work in Kalahandi and Rayagada, but only Dr. Sequeira was arrested. Regarding the allegations of torture, he said that neither of them filed any such complaint with the magistrate in court. Another official said that the two were not named in the FIR, but their involvement came to light during subsequent investigations. According to RTFC, an organization based in Rayagada-Kalahandi, the Odisha High Court had previously quashed the district order prohibiting Sequeira from entering Rayagada. Sequeira’s mother, Nancy Sequeira, said that her son was fighting for the rights and dignity of tribals and she hopes for justice. The Sijimali hill region has been in dispute over bauxite mining since 2023. Local communities have been claiming to protect their rights to water, forest, and land. Background of the Sijimali Dispute In 2023, Odisha auctioned the Sijimali bauxite block, spread across Rayagada and Kalahandi, to Vedanta Limited. According to a report, the lease covers approximately 1,549 hectares and is expected to produce approximately 9 million tons of bauxite annually for 50 years. Villagers allege that the Gram Sabha’s consent was obtained through forged signatures. According to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, the resolutions from the alleged Gram Sabha meetings of December 8, 2023, were forged. A Worrying Trend of Criminalizing Democratic Protest Dr. Sequeira (39) was born in Karnataka and grew up in Mumbai. He completed his MBBS from St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. He moved to Kalahandi in 2017. He organized health camps in remote tribal villages, treated pregnant women and malnourished children, and helped local students prepare for medical entrance exams. He was involved with the Medico Friend Circle and the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. Laxman Nayak is a Dalit activist associated with the Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch and the Samajwadi Jan Parishad. He is also a martial arts trainer. The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemned the arrests of Dr. Randall Sequeira and Laxman Nayak. The organization stated that these arrests should be seen in the context of the continued imprisonment of Lada Sikaka, president of the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, and Lingaraj Azad, advisor to the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti and Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch. The detention of several activists associated with movements protecting tribal land and natural resources reflects a worrying trend of criminalizing democratic
Holiday on Valmiki Jayanti in UP: A Strategy to Strengthen Outreach to the Dalit Community Before 2027?
The Dalit vote bank has long played a decisive role in Uttar Pradesh politics. With the 2027 Assembly elections in sight, the BJP is also eyeing this major social segment. The Yogi government’s major decision regarding Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is considered significant from a political perspective ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. With the announcement of a public holiday today, the government will celebrate Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti in all 75 districts. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend a program organized in Kanpur on this occasion. Focus on the Dalit Community The Dalit vote bank has long played a decisive role in Uttar Pradesh politics. With the 2027 Assembly elections in sight, the BJP is also eyeing this major social segment. The statewide celebrations of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti can be seen as an attempt to strengthen socio-cultural ties among the Dalit community. The Special Significance of Valmiki Jayanti Maharishi Valmiki holds a special place in Indian tradition, and his birth anniversary holds special significance among the Valmiki community. Therefore, organizing events in all 75 districts of the state, and the Chief Minister personally attending the events, reflects the government’s priority. All Eyes on Dalit Voters Winning Dalit voters will be crucial for all major political parties in the 2027 elections. While the BJP may seek to expand its reach through social representation and cultural events, the SP is relying on its PDA alliance, and the BSP on its traditional Dalit base. Tough Competition in the 2027 Elections Ahead of the 2027 elections, all major parties are competing to woo Dalit voters: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Attempts to unite Dalits under a broader Hindu identity and development agenda through cultural events, development of the Valmiki Circuit/Bithoor, and social harmony. Samajwadi Party (SP): Under its PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) alliance, it is engaged in organizing the Dalit community on the issue of social justice and representation. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The BSP is continuously emphasizing cadre camps and organizational expansion at the grassroots level to keep its traditional Dalit core vote bank united and prevent it from shifting. Congress: The Congress is also trying to reconnect with Dalits and underprivileged communities through programs in the districts on the occasion of birth anniversaries of great personalities. Pankaj Chaturvedi | Edited By: Prashant Kumar Singh Pankaj Chaturvedi has over a decade of experience in journalism. He has been covering national and Uttar Pradesh politics. His journalistic journey began with Amar Ujala and Punjab Kesari in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Youth in Kerala Alleges Police Assault During Theft Probe
The family of a Dalit youth in Peringalam, Poonjar, in Kerala’s Kottayam district, has accused the Erattupetta police of assaulting him during questioning in connection with a suspected cable theft. The youth, identified as Abhilash, is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam. According to a report by The Hindu, Abhilash was taken from his home by a police team on Friday morning, October 23, as part of an investigation into the theft of electricity wires. His brother, Vineesh, alleged that police personnel assaulted Abhilash at their home and later inside a vehicle while taking him to the Erattupetta police station. He claimed that the personnel slapped him and hit him on his legs and head. Vineesh also alleged that the police team did not identify themselves when they arrived at the house and used abusive language while taking his brother away. He has filed a complaint with Pala Deputy Superintendent of Police T.M. Varghese. Youth Taken to Hospital After Release Scheduled Caste promoter Jishnu Thankachan said Abhilash was released after his statement was recorded at the police station. However, the youth reportedly complained of weakness and a headache after returning. He was initially taken to Pala General Hospital and later shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam for further treatment. Thankachan said he would submit a report on the incident to the Scheduled Castes Development Department. Police Deny Custodial Assault Allegations Deputy Superintendent of Police T.M. Varghese denied the allegations of custodial assault and said Abhilash had been summoned to record his statement in connection with the suspected theft of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) wires. The police were investigating the theft of electricity wires following a landslip in the Poonjar area last month. Abhilash was questioned because he was believed to have information about those allegedly involved in the theft, the officer said. According to Varghese, a four-member police team visited Abhilash’s house on Friday and found him heavily intoxicated. The team initially took him in a private vehicle before shifting him to a police jeep. “He was taken to a hospital for a medical examination before being brought to the police station,” Varghese said. The officer added that the police recorded Abhilash’s statement and called the Scheduled Caste promoter to the station. Abhilash and the promoter were allowed to go out for lunch before returning to complete the statement. Abhilash was later sent home with the promoter, he said. Varghese maintained that investigators had not established Abhilash’s involvement in the theft and that further investigation was needed to determine whether he had any role in the offence. Abhilash works as a casual labourer for a KSEB contractor. The allegations of assault have not been independently established. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights