Dalit youth in Tamil Nadu killed over horse grazing on an upper-caste man’s land
The organisation called for the immediate arrest of all the accused, statutory compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his wife, educational assistance for his two children, and advanced medical treatment for Prasanth. A 26-year-old Dalit man was allegedly hacked to death in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul district after being lured out of his home over a dispute involving a horse, with the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) describing the incident as a brutal caste-based murder and demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved, along with police protection for the surviving victim and his family. According to TNUEF, the deceased, Ramar (26), and Prasanth (20), both residents of Poombarai village in Kodaikanal taluk, earned a living by transporting vegetables from the hills using horses before loading them into vehicles, Maktoob Media reported. The organisation alleged that on the night of July 30, a man identified as Raghu, who belongs to a dominant caste community, came to Ramar’s house claiming that their horse had grazed on his land and took him to the location. TNUEF claimed that Ramar was then attacked by a group of five men armed with sickles, sustaining multiple cut injuries that proved fatal. It added that Prasanth, who had accompanied him, suffered serious injuries in the attack and is undergoing treatment at Theni Government Medical College Hospital. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, TNUEF said that only one accused has been arrested so far, while the remaining suspects are yet to be apprehended. The organisation called for the immediate arrest of all the accused, statutory compensation for Ramar’s family, a government job for his wife, educational assistance for his two children, and advanced medical treatment for Prasanth. According to TNUEF, Prasanth’s mother informed a delegation that the family continued to receive threats after the attack and feared for her son’s safety. TNUEF state president K. Sellakkannu urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide permanent police protection to Prasanth and his family, arrest all those allegedly involved in the murder and attempted murder without delay, and invoke stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused. Meanwhile, TNUEF and the CPI(M) have been staging protests outside Dindigul Government Hospital, demanding the arrest of all the accused and justice for Ramar’s family. The organisations also alleged that district authorities attempted to pressure Ramar’s parents into accepting the body. Courtesy : Madhyamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
₹13,177 crore from SC-ST funds diverted to women’s scheme, Tamil Nadu government under scrutiny | TM Special
Social activists say that diverting special funds reserved for the development of SC-ST communities to any other general scheme violates the principles of social justice. Chennai – A major revelation has been made under the Right to Information Act. A total of ₹13,177.53 crore from the special component fund reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been used over the past three financial years for the Tamil Nadu government’s ambitious scheme, ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai’ (Women’s Monthly Assistance Scheme). This information was provided by the Commissionerate of Revenue Administration and Disaster Management in Chennai in response to an RTI application filed by S. Venkatesan, a resident of Chunampet in Chengalpattu district. Venkatesan is the state coordinator of the SC-ST Vimochana Morcha. The Assistant Commissioner-7 of the Commissionerate (who is also the Information Officer) provided a detailed breakdown of the allocation for the scheme and the amount utilized from the SC-ST Fund in his letter dated July 21, 2026. According to the RTI reply, a total of ₹18,509 crore (₹1,85,09,05,05,000) has been allocated for the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme for the financial year 2025-2026. However, the most shocking fact is that ₹6,191.67 crore (₹6,19,16,73,20,000) has been allocated for the scheme from the SC-ST Special Component Fund in the same year. According to the year-wise details provided by the Commissionerate: ₹2,568.81 crore (₹2,56,88,17,22,264) from the SC-ST Fund in the financial year 2023-2024 ₹4,417.04 crore (₹4,41,70,46,37,000) in the financial year 2024-2025 ₹6,191.67 crore (₹6,19,16,73,20,000) in the financial year 2025-2026 Thus, a total of ₹13,177.53 crore (₹13,17,75,36,79,64) has been spent on this scheme from the SC-ST Fund in three years. The RTI reply also mentioned the total annual allocation for the scheme: 2023-2024: ₹5,812 crore 2024-2025: ₹5,138 crore 2025-2026: ₹18,509 crore However, the Commissionerate clearly stated that details of the number of SC/ST women benefiting from the scheme are not available in their office. They refused to answer the applicant’s query seeking this information. Venkatesan filed this RTI application on February 14, 2026. After reference to the government letter dated June 19, the letter was received at the Commissionerate on July 1, and a reply was finally sent on July 21. This revelation has sparked strong reactions from social activists and social justice advocates. They say that diverting special funds reserved for the development of SC/ST communities to another general scheme violates the principles of social justice. This violates the constitutional mandate that ensures dedicated funds for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This revelation raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of the underprivileged. The Maharashtra government also diverted funds in this manner. In July, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) strongly protested the Maharashtra government’s approval of financial assistance of ₹2.80 crore from the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department’s budget for the Ashadhi Ekadashi festival through the Chief Minister’s Warkari Mahamandal. The party alleges that the budget allocated for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste community is being continuously diverted for other schemes, adversely affecting the rights and development of the Dalit community. Previously, on May 20, the Maharashtra government’s Social Justice and Special Assistance Department issued an executive order approving the use of funds allocated under the Scheduled Caste (SC) component scheme for the Chief Minister’s Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana. Under this decision, a provision of ₹3,000 crore was made for the 2026-27 fiscal year, of which a total of ₹730.51 crore (₹365.2550 crore each month) was distributed to the Women and Child Development Department for March 2026 and April 2026. In February, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat expressed dissatisfaction with his own government’s policy and reiterated that his department’s funds were being used for schemes like “Ladki Behen,” which was unacceptable. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Justice after 19 years: Five convicts sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping a Dalit woman to prevent her from testifying; victim remains missing
A special court in Aligarh has sentenced five convicts to life imprisonment for kidnapping a Dalit woman in 2007 to prevent her from testifying in a rape case. However, even after 19 years, no trace of the abducted victim has been found. Uttar Pradesh: A special SC/ST court in Aligarh has sentenced five convicts to life imprisonment in a 2007 kidnapping case. These perpetrators abducted a 19-year-old Dalit woman solely to prevent her from testifying in a rape case. The court termed it a deliberate conspiracy to eliminate a key witness and derail the trial. However, the most tragic aspect is that despite nearly two decades of extensive search and investigation, the victim has still not been found. The perpetrators of this horrific crime are now between 40 and 50 years old. All of them were convicted and sentenced under Section 364 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with kidnapping with intent to murder, and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Delivering the verdict in this important case on Thursday, Special Judge II (SC/ST Act) Pratibha Saxena made a sharp remark. She noted that even after 19 years, the abducted girl has not been recovered. The court clarified that any undue sympathy in such serious cases would embolden the criminals and discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward. This tragic incident began on September 28, 2007. That day, the victim’s father filed a police complaint, stating that the accused had entered their village home in Aligarh district armed with weapons. These men, armed with country-made pistols, included Amar Singh, Lekhraj, Babulal, Suresh, and Usha Devi, all from Hathras. According to the father, these men forcibly abducted his daughter so that she could not testify against the accused in her own rape case. During the trial, the prosecution presented seven witnesses. Government lawyers strongly argued in court that the accused deliberately targeted this Dalit family to intimidate them and obstruct the course of justice. On Friday, Special Public Prosecutor Chaman Kumar Sharma shared a shocking fact while providing information about the case. He explained that the accused had been acquitted in the rape case related to this kidnapping earlier this year. The main reason for this was that the victim never appeared in court and the remaining witnesses recanted their statements. The father filed this kidnapping case just six months after the rape case was filed. Now, in this kidnapping case, the court has sentenced each of the accused to life imprisonment under Section 364 of the Indian Penal Code and the SC/ST Act, along with a fine of ₹10,000 for each offense. Meanwhile, a co-accused named Satish Pandey was acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. The accused pleaded for leniency in court, but the judge flatly rejected it. The court’s decision sent a strong message that the justice system must assure the vulnerable and vulnerable sections of society that crimes against them will result in the harshest punishment, no matter how influential the accused are. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
593 workers lost their lives in sewers, the government concealed 261 deaths: Safai Karmacharis took to the streets to protest false data and negligence.
The Safai Karmachari Andolan demanded that the government acknowledge the failure of the NAMASTE scheme and admit that despite the scheme, there has been an abnormal increase in deaths. New Delhi—On Tuesday, August 4, sanitation workers from more than 10 states, families of those killed in sewer and septic tank accidents, civil society members, writers, and students gathered in the capital to strongly condemn the illegal practice of forcibly pushing people to clean drains and septic tanks and the resulting deaths. The protest, organized by the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA) at Jantar Mantar, focused on the huge discrepancies in official data. On July 21, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ramdas Athawale told Parliament that 332 people died in sewer and septic tank accidents between January 2021 and June 2026. Meanwhile, according to the SKA’s own data, 593 people died during the same period. The organization alleges that the government concealed and underreported 261 deaths. According to the SKA, 113 people have died in sewers and septic tanks in the first 207 days of 2026, including 15 deaths in July alone. The organization stated, “The government’s brazen concealment of such a large number of deaths is criminal. Making 261 people and their families invisible is shameful.” The SKA has submitted these figures to MPs and urged them to raise the issue in Parliament. The organization calls the attempt to conceal the figures a national shame and an act of untouchability. It says that instead of preventing deaths, the government is focused on concealing the truth. The SKA has declared the practice illegal and linked the high mortality rate to caste-based work, despite the existence of laws prohibiting manual scavenging. The organization has made the following demands: The formation of a Parliamentary Standing Committee to investigate sewer and septic tank deaths, requiring the government to submit an annual report to Parliament on deaths, prosecutions, compensation, and rehabilitation. A time-bound national plan to immediately prevent sewer and septic tank deaths. Acknowledging the failure of the NAMASTE scheme and recognizing that despite this scheme, there has been an abnormal increase in deaths. National Convenor Bezwada Wilson said that the Prime Minister should acknowledge this failure and take immediate action. The protest ended with the slogan “#STOP KILLING US.” What is the NAMASTE scheme? The NAMASTE scheme is a central sector initiative to mechanize sewer and septic tank cleaning, eliminate hazardous cleaning tasks, and provide safety kits, skill training, and health insurance to Safai Mitras (sanitation workers). It is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It was launched as a central sector scheme in 2022. Its primary objective was to reduce deaths related to sanitation/cleaning work in India to zero, ensure that all sanitation work is carried out by skilled workers, and ensure that no sanitation worker comes into direct contact with human excreta. The Namaste scheme has not been completely shut down or declared a failure on paper, but it has faced significant criticism due to serious implementation gaps, sluggishness on the ground, and persistent sewer deaths. Despite stringent laws and the scheme’s claims, deaths of workers from toxic gases while cleaning septic tanks and sewers have not been completely stopped. According to reports from Parliament and parliamentary committees, far fewer than the designated sanitation workers have actually received PPE kits and modern safety equipment. The procurement and operation of modern machinery and robotic cleaning equipment in urban local bodies remains sluggish, leading to private contractors continuing to employ hazardous manual work. The rate of effective legal action or punishment for contractors and bodies that engage workers in illegal manual scavenging or hazardous work is very low. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Rajasthan Dangavas massacre: 40 accused acquitted after 11 years, Dalit community shocked; ‘Who killed our five people?’
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Dalit thinker and writer Bhanwar Meghvanshi said, “The acquittal of all the accused in the Dangawas massacre case is not just the end of a case, but a serious question mark on the right to justice for Dalits.” Nagaur – The memory of the brutal incident that occurred on May 14, 2015, in Dangawas village of Nagaur district due to a land dispute, in which six people were brutally murdered by being crushed by a tractor and attacked with sharp weapons, still haunts the Dalit community. These included five members of the Dalit Meghwal family. On Wednesday, August 5, the SC-ST Special Court in Merta acquitted all 40 accused named by the CBI in this case. A large crowd gathered outside the court premises when the verdict was announced. While the faces of the accused were filled with joy, the families of the victims were clearly filled with despair. This decision has come as a shock to the Dalit community. There is a wave of deep despair and grief. The victim’s family is asking, “When all the accused were acquitted, who killed our five people? We will go to the High Court.” Judge Ashish Bijaranian of the Merta SC-ST Special Court delivered the verdict, acquitting all 40 accused. According to Advocate Mahipal Latiyal, the plaintiff presented eight witnesses, while the prosecution presented 82 witnesses. After a lengthy trial, the court acquitted the accused. What was the dispute? This case involved a nearly 40-year-old land dispute. A dispute was ongoing between Jat and Dalit (Meghwal) families over 3.77 hectares of land in Dangavas village. The Dalit family claimed that they had borrowed 1,500 rupees from a Jat family about 40 years ago, giving them the right to cultivate the land. When they returned the money, they were not given back the land. Under Section 42 of the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955, Scheduled Caste land cannot be sold or transferred to a non-SC person. The dispute reached a head when Ratnaram Meghwal began building a house on the same land in May 2015. May 14 In 2015, more than 200 members of the Jat community allegedly attacked with sticks, sharp weapons, and tractors. Dalit women were molested, men were severely beaten, and several were crushed by tractors. Ratanaram Meghwal, Pokharram Meghwal, Pancharam Meghwal, Khemaram Meghwal, Ganpatram Meghwal, and Rampal Gosain were killed in the attack. A total of six people, including five Dalits, were killed. Given the gravity of the case, the Rajasthan government first handed over the investigation to the CID and then to the CBI. The CBI filed a charge sheet. In 2019, the Rajasthan High Court took a tough stand and ordered a three-month stay on the trial to apprehend the absconding accused. Subsequently, special police teams raided the premises, arrested all 40 accused, and sent them to jail. The trial had been ongoing in the Merta court since January 2018. When six people were brutally murdered, the entire country witnessed the brutality. For years, the victim families ran from court to court, hoping for justice. But ultimately, if no one is convicted, it signals a failure not just of the prosecution, but of the entire judicial process. – Bhanwar Meghwanshi, Dalit thinker The victim’s family has expressed deep sorrow over the verdict. They ask, “If all the accused were acquitted, who killed our five people?” They are preparing to challenge the verdict in the High Court. Dalit thinker and writer Bhanwar Meghwanshi, speaking to The Mooknayak, said, “The acquittal of all the accused in the Dangavas massacre is not just the end of a trial, but a serious question mark on the right to justice for Dalits. The question is simple: were those six innocent people not killed by anyone? Did they die on their own? When six people were brutally murdered, the entire country witnessed that brutality. For years, the victim’s families ran to the courts, hoping for justice. But ultimately, if no one is convicted, it signals a failure not just of the prosecution, but of the entire judicial process.” If the accused in such cases are acquitted in the absence of a fair investigation, bold evidence, and a fair trial, the biggest message it sends is that justice is becoming increasingly difficult for Dalits. This undermines the trust of marginalized communities in the judiciary. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was intended to provide effective justice to victims, but if convictions fail even in such heinous cases, it raises serious questions about the implementation of the law. The victims of Dangavas did not receive justice. This is not only a defeat for the victim families, but also a defeat of the promise of Indian democracy that the law is equal for all. This verdict forces us to introspect: where does justice lie for Dalits? This verdict reminds us of the many cases where victims of caste violence are denied justice even after a long wait. The wound of Dangavas has now been reopened. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Amit Shah responsible for violence against students, lacks courage to face Parliament: Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi said that raising concerns about the country’s education system was not a crime and argued that students were demanding reforms, not resorting to violence. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition members stage a protest demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Parliament. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition members stage a protest demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Parliament.Photo | PTI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of being responsible for the alleged police violence against students protesting the paper leak issue and claiming that he lacked the courage to explain the incident in Parliament. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha made the remarks after meeting a group of students who had protested last month, demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak controversy. The students have alleged police excesses during the July 20 protest. “I just met young protesters from various states and had a discussion. I want to thank them and I am proud of thousands of students like them as they fought for the Constitution, the education system and the future of India,” Gandhi told reporters outside former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence. “They mentioned to me how they were assaulted, beaten and threatened.They have defended the Constitution, protected the idea of India and the future of India,” Gandhi said, flanked by the students. He said raising concerns about the country’s education system was not a crime and argued that students were demanding reforms, not resorting to violence. “If anything, the system needs to be changed, it needs to be corrected and that is all they (the students) were asking for. They were not indulging in violence, they were not being aggressive or nasty. They were beaten, assaulted and threatened,” Gandhi alleged. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition members stage a protest demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi, Shah of intimidating Gen Z with FIRs, says they are ‘India’s past’ On the alleged police brutality student protesters, Gandhi said, “Forcing them, sending ‘goondas’ and forcibly taking their apology, taking apology from a 15-year-old and accepting that apology, is nonsense and unacceptable to us,” he said. Gandhi said the country needed an education system that worked and urged an end to exam paper leaks. He also directly targeted Shah, alleging that the Union home minister was accountable for the alleged violence against the protesters. “The person who is responsible for this violence is the home minister.” “The person who had pellet gun fired at this young lady, the person who had a pellet gun fired at that young man whom I brought before the press a few days ago, the person who has turned the police force against this young lady, is Amit Shah and he is the home minister of India,” Gandhi said. “He (Shah) does not have the decency to come to Parliament. He does not have the decency or the courage to comment on what has happened. “There are two possibilities, he did not know that violence was carried out on children, in which case he is incompetent; or he ordered that the pellet gun be fired and violence unleashed against youngsters, which means he is culpable. Either way, he is responsible,” the former Congress chief said. 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
‘No need to apologise’: Rahul meets student protesters, slams PM Modi, Shah over police brutality
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met five student protesters who he said were targeted during the Gen Z demonstrations that led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union education minister. Narrating their experiences, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said the students were assaulted during the protests and continued to face abuse on social media even after the demonstrations had ended. Addressing the youth of the country, Rahul said they had “done no wrong” and did not need to apologise. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to understand the youth’s concerns. “We had a freewheeling conversation with some of the young protesters. They mentioned to me how they were assaulted, breaten and threatened. I am very proud of them, very proud of what they have done, what thousands of young Indians like them have done. They have defended the Constitution, they have protected the idea of India, they have protected India’s future. Complaining about the education system, which is a flawed system, a collapsing system, a useless system is not a crime,” Rahul said. “If anything, the system needs to be changed, it needs to be corrected. That is all they were asking for. They were not doing violence, they were not being aggressive, they were not being nasty. They were beaten, assaulted and threatened. Forcing them first, sending gundas to their house, forcibly demanding apology of a 15-year-old girl and then accepting that apology is complete nonsense. We do not accept it, we want education system that works, we want exam leaks to stop and we want the future of this country to be respected and protected,” he added Rahul also launched a sharp attack on PM Modi Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. “They are young people who are standing here, in front of India’s press. But Amit Shah and the Prime Minister don’t have the courage to stand here,” Rahul said. Calling the students “exactly the type of youngsters that this country needs”, he said they had faced “harassment, violence and torture” for speaking out. “I am very proud that they have the courage to speak so eloquently,” he added. Rahul also accused Shah of being responsible for the alleged use of pellet guns against protesters. He said the home minister was either “incompetent” if he was unaware of the violence or “culpable” if he had ordered it, adding that “either way, he is responsible”. His remarks came after PM Modi released a video saying he had forgiven young protesters for allegedly using abusive language against him and his mother during the demonstrations. On Tuesday, the leader of the opposition had said students were in “severe pain” and needed an apology from the government, not forgiveness. He argued that they were protesting over unemployment, unfair examinations and a failing education system. Gandhi also alleged that the RSS was attempting to impose a single version of India’s history, saying every state had the right to preserve and express its own language, culture and traditions. He said the student protests reflected resistance to any attempt to undermine India’s diversity, adding that “India will not tolerate its history being trampled upon by anybody”. 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
With all eyes on delimitation & FCRA, Parliament monsoon session sinks deeper into deadlock
NEW DELHI: Parliament remained paralysed for the 13th consecutive day on Wednesday as relentless protests by Opposition parties forced repeated adjournments in both Houses, even as the government pushed through key legislative business. Amid the deadlock, efforts to break the impasse gathered pace with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju holding meetings with Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union home minister Amit Shah, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately met BJP MPs over breakfast. Opposition marches to Parliament Opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra marched from Prerna Sthal to Makar Dwar, demanding accountability from Amit Shah over the alleged police action against CJP protesters on July 20. They also raised the alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement issue and other matters. Priyanka Gandhi said those responsible for ordering the alleged use of pellet guns, tear gas and lathi charges against students must be held accountable, asserting that “This is a democracy, not a dictatorship; it is not someone’s royal court.” No special session Rijiju dismissed speculation that the Monsoon Session could be extended or that a special session might be convened later this month. He said there was no proposal before the government to either prolong the current session or hold a separate sitting in mid-August. His clarification came amid continued disruptions that have prevented the Lok Sabha from completing Question Hour since the session began on July 20. Despite the logjam, the Lok Sabha passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, by voice vote without discussion after Opposition members refused to end their protest. Rijiju accused Opposition parties of deliberately stalling the House despite time being allotted for debate. He also criticised the Congress, CPI and Samajwadi Party over their protests relating to the alleged Ram Temple donation theft, alleging they had disrespected Lord Ram through demonstrations inside the Parliament complex. Rahul-Rijiju meet In a significant political development, Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi in his Parliament office for nearly 50 minutes in what sources described as a confidence-building exercise aimed at ending the parliamentary deadlock. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was present throughout the meeting, while Gaurav Gogoi and K C Venugopal joined later. According to sources, discussions covered the proposed Delimitation Bill, the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Bill and other contentious issues that have fuelled the ongoing standoff. It was Rijiju’s second meeting with Rahul Gandhi in the past 10 days, signalling continued backchannel engagement between the government and the Opposition despite the public confrontation inside Parliament. Amit Shah likley to speak on FCRA Soon after meeting Rahul Gandhi, Rijiju met Amit Shah at Parliament House. Sources said the government is preparing to engage the Opposition on the proposed FCRA Bill and Shah is expected to address the issue in Parliament. Rijiju is also expected to reach out to leaders of other Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in an effort to build consensus and restore normal functioning of the House. The proposed FCRA amendments have emerged as one of the key flashpoints of the session alongside the protests over NEET, police action against students and the Ram Temple donation controversy. Derek blames govt disruption Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien accused the government of being responsible for the continued disruption in Parliament, alleging that Amit Shah’s prolonged absence from the House had worsened the situation. O’Brien maintained that Opposition MPs continued to perform their parliamentary duties despite the protests by raising public issues through Zero Hour notices and starred questions. He highlighted his own notices seeking national recognition of the 75th anniversary of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and raising concerns over the proposed FCRA Bill. TMC sources said the party had submitted more than 100 questions during the session on issues ranging from MGNREGA dues and manual scavenging to air pollution, bank frauds, the UDAN scheme and the Nirbhaya Fund. PM meets BJP MPs Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a breakfast meeting with 37 BJP MPs at his official residence as part of his regular outreach during Parliament sessions. The gathering included MPs associated with the NDA as well as former AAP leaders who later joined the BJP. Senior BJP leaders Tarun Chugh, Vinod Tawde and party chief Nitin Nabin also attended. Sources told news agency PTI said the Prime Minister shared personal experiences and discussed governance, parliamentary strategy and constituency feedback with the MPs. The interaction forms part of Modi’s practice of meeting smaller groups of BJP parliamentarians during every session to strengthen coordination and receive direct feedback from lawmakers. Bill on Supreme Court judges passed Despite the disruptions, the Rajya Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, completing Parliament’s approval of the legislation. The Bill raises the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges, including the Chief Justice of India. Replying to the debate, law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase was a “demand of the time” given the growing workload, rising pendency and the need for more Constitution Benches. He said the expansion would improve disposal rates and help ensure quicker access to justice. Meghwal also highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in expanding Supreme Court infrastructure and reiterated its commitment to judicial reforms and the independence of the judiciary. 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
Evening news wrap: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Centre; Rahul Gandhi meets student protesters, targets PM Modi & more
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Centre over CSAM, deepfakes. Rahul Gandhi meets student protesters, attacks PM Modi and Amit Shah over crackdown. Dramatic visuals show India-flagged ship ablaze before sinking in Red Sea attack. Rijiju holds talks with Rahul Gandhi to break Parliament deadlock. Trump-era crackdown detains families of active-duty US military personnel. Here are the top stories of the day: Meta apologises to Centre over CSAM, deepfakes; safe-harbour under scrutiny Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly apologised to the Centre over child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and platform moderation issues during talks with government officials. The Centre questioned Meta’s compliance with Indian laws and warned its safe-harbour protection under the IT Act could be at risk. Read full story Rahul meets NEET protesters, says students defended India’s future Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met five student protesters involved in the NEET agitation, praising them for standing up against what he called a “broken” education system. He alleged the students were assaulted during protests and later harassed online, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of failing the country’s youth. Read full story Visuals emerge of Indian tanker engulfed in flames before sinking off Yemen Dramatic visuals released by Iran’s Press TV show an India-flagged cargo vessel engulfed in flames moments after it was hit by a projectile in the Red Sea before sinking off Yemen’s western coast. The MSV Faize Noore Oliya was carrying 14 crew members, all of whom were rescued safely. Read full story Rijiju meets Rahul Gandhi as Centre seeks to break Parliament deadlock Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju held a nearly 50-minute meeting with Rahul Gandhi to discuss the ongoing Parliament logjam and the proposed Delimitation Bill amid repeated disruptions in the Monsoon Session. The talks came as the Lok Sabha was adjourned again over opposition protests on issues including the alleged police action against student protesters. Read full story Trump’s immigration crackdown hits US military families: Report The Trump administration has detained dozens of parents and spouses of active-duty US service members as part of its immigration crackdown, according to an AP investigation. At least 51 family members have been detained and six deported, reversing decades of practice that largely shielded military families. Read full story 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
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