Dalit Christian teacher buried after 3-day standoff over cemetery rights
Trichy: The body of an 89-year-old retired Dalit Christian teacher was laid to rest in a common cemetery near Thuraiyur on Sunday, three days after his death, after officials brokered a settlement between rival groups locked in a dispute over burial rights. A Raju, a retired government schoolteacher from Kottapalayam village, died of age-related ailments on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery attached to St Mary Magdalene Church, but members of other Christian communities objected, claiming that dalit Christians should use a separate cemetery affiliated with St Sebastian’s Church. The dispute is rooted in a long-standing row over burial rights. In 2014, Raju and four others moved the Thuraiyur civil court seeking equal access to the common cemetery for Scheduled Caste Christians. In 2024, the court ruled that the St Mary Magdalene Church cemetery is open to all Christians, irrespective of caste. Despite the court order, opposition from non-dalit Christian groups delayed the burial, forcing Raju’s family to keep his body at home for three days. The standoff heightened tensions in the village, prompting police deployment. Sub-collector Sushree Suvangi Khuntia, additional superintendent of police R Dhanarasu and DSP N Muthumar held marathon talks with representatives of both sides. After nearly nine hours of negotiations at the Musiri sub-collector‘s office, an agreement was reached late on Sunday, following which Raju’s body was buried in the common cemetery around 1am on Monday. 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
Dalit man laid to rest after 3-day standoff over cemetery rights in TN
Dispute arose after A Raju, a retired government school teacher and Dalit Christian, died of age-related illness on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery, citing the civil court decree. TIRUCHY: A Dalit Christian, whose body remained at his residence for three days allegedly over a dispute on burial rights at a common cemetery in Kottapalayam near Thuraiyur, was laid to rest in the early hours of Monday after district officials brokered a peace agreement between representatives of Dalit Christian and non-Dalit Christian communities. The burial was carried out with police protection following the peace meeting chaired by Musiri Sub-Collector Sushree Suvangi Khuntia. According to officials, Dalit Christians are allowed to use the village’s 0.55-acre common cemetery in line with a 2024 decree of the Thuraiyur District Munsif Court. The minutes of the Sunday meeting said both communities should continue to abide by the court’s order. Officials also decided the funeral mass should be conducted at St Sebastian’s Church, while the burial would take place under the supervision of the parish priest. Dispute arose after A Raju, a retired government school teacher and Dalit Christian, died of age-related illness on July 17. His family sought to bury him in the common cemetery, citing the civil court decree. However, non-Dalit Christians opposed the move, contending that Dalit Christians already had a separate burial ground, leaving the body at the family’s residence for three days. Revenue and police officials held talks with both communities for nearly five hours on Sunday, but failed to break the deadlock. Fresh negotiations on Monday resulted in an agreement, paving the way for the burial. J Doss Prakash, a resident of Kottapalayam, said Dalit Christians had fought for several decades to secure equal burial rights in the common cemetery, which is over 100 years old. He alleged that Dalit Christians were denied access because of caste-based discrimination and said Monday’s burial was carried out by enforcing the civil court’s order. “Several members of the non-Dalit Christian community also stood with us and extended their support during the peace talks. It is only a few groups that continue to raise objections and create divisions within the village,” he said. Pearson Lenekar SR 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
‘Power does not last forever’: Rahul Gandhi’s warning to police after tear gas, lathicharge on student protesters
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday warned police officers that ‘power does not last forever’ and ‘accountability will certainly be enforced’, saying the Constitution, not the government is their ‘master’. His remarks came after police used tear gas and lathi-charged protesters during the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) march towards Parliament over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. In a post on X, Rahul said peaceful protest was a fundamental right and warned officials against ‘blindly following orders’ to act against students. Delhi Police used tear gas and mild force to disperse protesters who attempted to march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The protest was organised by the CJP, which has been demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In his post on X, Congress MP wrote, “Peaceful protest is an inviolable and fundamental right.” Addressing police personnel and government officials, he added, “Every police officer and government employee blindly following orders to attack India’s innocent students should keep this in mind: The Constitution is your master. Power does not last forever. Accountability will certainly be enforced.” Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha LoP also shared a video message in which he criticised the police action against the protesters and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being ‘the most anti-youth Prime Minister in India’s history.’ He said the students protesting in Delhi were not criminals but were demanding a fair and functioning education system. “Tear-gassing students, lathi-charging students is not democratic. It’s not India’s way and it is not the way this should be done. They have legitimate demands. The prime minister should accept these demands and do something about it,” Rahul said in the video. He also alleged that repeated paper leaks had affected millions of students and claimed the government had failed to hold those responsible accountable. The remarks came after police cleared the month-long protest site at Jantar Mantar by Monday evening following clashes during the march towards Parliament. The stage, tents and other structures at the site were dismantled, while police and paramilitary personnel remained deployed in the area. Despite the crackdown, protesters continued gathering on nearby roads and said the agitation would continue until their demands, including the resignation of the education minister, were met. Several protesters alleged they were injured in the police action, while others claimed they were briefly held inside Metro stations and faced restrictions on access to water during the protest. The protest was launched by the CJP over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities. Thousands of demonstrators attempted to march towards Parliament on Monday, but security personnel stopped them near Parliament Street, leading to clashes and the use of tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. 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
HC resumes hearing on plea against Rahul Gandhi’s ‘illegal’ assets
Lucknow: A Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court on Monday conducted two-hour long hearing in the chamber on a plea seeking CBI and ED inquiry into the allegations that Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has amassed disproportionate assets. The order was not available on the high court website till filing of the story, but the website showed the case was listed for next hearing on Aug 20. A bench of Justice RS Chauhan and Justice BR Singh passed the order on a criminal writ petition moved by a Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir. The petitioner has accused Rahul of accumulating disproportionate assets. During the previous hearing in the case on May 12, the bench had observed that “if complaint of the petitioner Shishir was received, the allegations of the complaints may be verified as per law. It is needless to say that the CBI or ED may take appropriate steps which are permissible under the law.” Besides CBI and ED, the bench had directed the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) , the revenue department, ministry of finance, ministry of corporate affairs and the Director of Serious Fraud Investigation Office to file their responses to the allegations levelled by the petitioner against Rahul within eight weeks . The bench had conducted the previous hearing too in the chamber. The order had stated that the CBI informed the bench that the agency had received the petitioner’s complaint and would file its response within 8 weeks. Similarly, the ED had informed the bench that it had received the complaint and might verify the allegations and apprise the court on July 20 . While seeking replies from several govt agencies, the bench said, “By filing response in form of counter-affidavit, the progress in respect of complaint submitted by the petitioner to the aforesaid agencies may be apprised to the court.” To a query whether the petition was maintainable, the bench said this submission would be tested after receiving the counter-affidavits of the respective parties and the rejoinder affidavits thereof. Furthermore, the court had ordered its senior registrar that the paper-book and the loose documents provided by the petitioner be kept in a sealed cover to be opened on July 20. 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 claims PM Modi ‘most anti-youth PM India has seen’
NEW DELHI: Congress’s Rahul Gandhi slammed PM Narendra Modi as the “most anti-youth PM India has ever had” as opposition jointly condemned BJP for crackdown on the “paper leak” protest march to Parliament Monday. Rahul said the young protesters are not criminals and Modi should accept their legitimate demands. “It is disgusting what govt and police are doing. Tear-gassing and lathi-charging students is not India’s way… all they believe in is ‘asatya’ and ‘hinsa’, which are anti-Indian principles,” he said in a video statement, adding, “Modi disrespects all the young people of this country.” He said there is general outrage against RSS having captured the education system. With state action against students coupled with viral visuals dominating the headlines, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut said “paper leak” and “donation scam” will dominate Parliament in the coming days. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said the large youth turnout proves the failure of BJP regime in conducting NEET and other exams. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, rebuking govt for police action, said, “It’s ridiculous… They are the future of the country. This Parliament belongs to them. It’s no one’s personal fiefdom.” DMK MP Kanimozhi dubbed the protest the most democratic form of expressing people’s opinion. 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
Another Mumbai Local Train Shocker: Transgenders Brutally Assault Passenger; Video Goes Viral
A series of violent incidents in Mumbai local trains has raised concerns over commuter safety, security measures, and growing fear among daily travellers. In the incident, a passenger and transgender persons were reportedly involved in a physical altercation inside a local train. Mumbai’s suburban local trains have once again come under scrutiny after a video showing a violent clash inside a late-night local train went viral on social media. In the incident, a passenger and transgender persons were reportedly involved in a physical altercation inside a local train. The viral footage shows two transgender passengers allegedly assaulting a passenger during the confrontation. The reason behind the fight remains unclear. ALSO READ: School Holiday: Are Schools & Colleges Closed In Mumbai, Thane And Palghar As Heavy Rains Continue? The video has triggered discussions about passenger safety and security in Mumbai’s suburban railway network, which witnesses heavy daily footfall. Railway authorities have taken note of the incident and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the clash. Officials are investigating the video to determine what led to the confrontation. The incident comes days after two separate cases of violence on Mumbai locals, including the attack on two youths and another video showing a fight between two groups, sparked concerns among passengers. Previously, a video showing a violent clash between passengers in a Churchgate-Virar local train went viral on social media. The incident reportedly took place inside a crowded men’s compartment, creating panic among fellow commuters for some time. The video shows passengers involved in a heated argument, which soon escalated into a physical fight involving kicks and assault. While the exact reason behind the dispute is unclear, it is suspected that the argument may have started over limited standing space or accidental pushing in the crowded compartment. Other passengers were seen attempting to intervene and calm the situation. The repeated incidents of violence inside local trains have raised questions about maintaining security and preventing such conflicts during journeys. Author: Aishwarya Singh Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ahead of Monsoon Session, Opposition targets Centre over Ram Temple donation scam, delimitation
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh shared Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge’s joint letter to PM Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” they sought answers on the Ram Temple donations row. NEW DELHI: A day ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress intensified its attack on the Narendra Modi government over alleged financial irregularities in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, urging the Prime Minister to respond to allegations of fund misappropriation and order an independent probe. Separately, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) sought an all-party meeting on the government’s proposed delimitation exercise and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a joint letter written by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to Prime Minister Modi, saying it was “only appropriate” that the two Opposition leaders had sought answers on what the party described as “chanda chori, aastha se dhokha” (donation theft, betrayal of faith). Ramesh also invoked Modi’s statement in Parliament on February 5, 2020, announcing the formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust following the Supreme Court’s Ayodhya verdict. “In one of his rare token appearances in the Lok Sabha on February 5, 2020, the PM had taken full credit while announcing the establishment of this Trust, which has betrayed the faith and devotion of crores of devotees across the country. Pradhan Mantri Chuppi Todo!” Ramesh said in a post on X. In their July 18 letter, Gandhi and Kharge alleged that devotees who contributed to the construction of the Ram Temple had been let down by the alleged diversion of funds. “You are aware of the theft of thousands of crores in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Lakhs of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion and trust are feeling betrayed,” the letter read. The two leaders noted that while the Supreme Court had directed the creation of the Trust, its members were appointed by the government. Alleging that several trustees were associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and affiliated organisations, they argued that the Centre was accountable for ensuring transparency and proper oversight. Describing the Prime Minister’s silence as “unacceptable”, Gandhi and Kharge called for an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Trust’s finances, including donations received in cash, gold and silver. They also demanded that the Trust’s accounts and the findings of the inquiry be made public, saying devotees had a right to know how their contributions had been used. The Congress is expected to raise the issue during the Monsoon Session, which begins on Monday. In a separate development, TMC MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Prime Minister on July 19 seeking an all-party meeting before the government proceeds with proposed legislation on delimitation and amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. He noted that while the parliamentary bulletin for the Monsoon Session does not currently list a Bill on delimitation, the Opposition remained apprehensive because of what he termed the government’s “dubious record” of introducing significant legislation without adequate notice. Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, O’Brien alleged that the legislation had been introduced in the Rajya Sabha before the supplementary list of business was circulated to MPs. He urged the government not to adopt similar “cloak and dagger tactics” on an issue as significant as delimitation. On the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, O’Brien said the legislation, listed for consideration and passage during the Monsoon Session, would weaken institutions working among the country’s poorest and most marginalised communities. He alleged that the amendments would adversely affect thousands of educational institutions run by the Christian community, as well as internationally reputed charitable organisations, by giving the executive excessive control over their functioning. Mukesh Ranjan 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
CM DK Shivakumar insists on ground report from officials
“I have to submit a report on the drought situation to the Central government. When the Centre’s team visits for an assessment, BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said his government will ensure that a comprehensive and authentic ground report on the drought situation reaches the Centre before the central team arrives for its own assessment. He said officials were asked to visit fields before filing their reports. “I have told officials I don’t want only paper reports. Your own eyes should be your evidence. Every official must visit farms in their respective taluks and submit reports based on the actual ground conditions within the next 15 days,” he said. “I have to submit a report on the drought situation to the Central government. When the Centre’s team visits for an assessment, we should have all the necessary information ready, and provide accurate data,” he told the media after the cabinet meeting. “I have already requested the Prime Minister to send a Central team to assess the drought situation. Parliament will also begin shortly, and I will brief our Members of Parliament about the ground reality,” he added. He claimed to have held a four-hour special meeting to review the drought situation, and directed officials to remain in their headquarters. The government plans to utilize alternative schemes to keep villagers employed during this period. He appealed to farmers not to sow crops, assuming that water will be released later. “Hydropower reservoirs have 23 per cent storage. In the Cauvery basin, storage levels are also low, while the Krishna basin reservoirs stand at around 48 per cent. Of 3,817 minor irrigation tanks, 3,235 have less than 50 per cent storage,” he said. Start VB-G work to stop migration: DCM Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara expressed concern over the slow implementation of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), stating that work has not begun in most parts of Karnataka despite worsening drought conditions. Reviewing the drought situation, Parameshwara, who also holds the revenue portfolio, said 2,443 of the state’s nearly 5,000 gram panchayats are yet to start work under the employment scheme, with only four or five districts making progress. He directed all Zilla Panchayat CEOs to immediately commence the work to curb distress migration from districts such as Ballari, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir and Vijayanagara. Parameshwara said Karnataka has recorded a 68 per cent rainfall deficit, while groundwater levels have fallen by around four metres in 88 taluks. Reservoir levels are declining rapidly and the number of villages dependent on tanker water supply is increasing. Document all VB-G work: CM Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said amid the state’s continuing agitation against the Centre’s VB-G RAM G, the state has prepared to bear 40 per cent of its share. “The Centre has approved several schemes and informed us about works that can be taken up. As far as possible, we should focus on community development, infrastructure works and certain individual beneficiary schemes. Every work must be properly documented with all supporting records. Officials should be extremely careful and leave no loopholes,” he warned. He stressed that the state’s priority is to ensure that people do not migrate to other states in search of work. “They should be provided employment locally,” Shivakumar said. ENS Rahul Gandhi to visit soon The CM said LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Karnataka soon and address students, besides performing the bhoomi puja (foundation stone laying) for the new Congress office in Bengaluru. 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
CM Revanth Reddy to Congress leaders: Stay off Gandhi Bhavan, hit the field for SIR
Revanth warned Congress leaders against skipping SIR form campaign work, saying inactive leaders would lose chances for nominated posts. HYDERABAD: In a blunt ultimatum to underperforming party workers, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Congress leaders to stay away from Gandhi Bhavan and take to the field during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, warning that those who remained inactive would not be considered for nominated posts. In a no-holds-barred Zoom meeting on Sunday, Revanth told party leaders not to visit the state Congress headquarters until the August 3 deadline for submitting SIR Enumeration Forms. Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of field-level participation, he said chairmanships and other nominated posts would not be given to leaders who remained inactive during the campaign. He also announced that the 100 best-performing BLAs would be given an opportunity to click a photograph with Rahul Gandhi. Revanth directed the in-charge ministers to supervise the SIR exercise and said a constituency-wise review would be held on July 30. He warned MPs appointed as SIR in-charges that strict action would be taken if they failed to discharge their responsibilities. With the deadline extended to August 3, he said the additional time should be used to intensify outreach. A separate review with the 10 in-charge ministers will be held on Monday, while MPs have been asked to conduct periodic reviews even during the ongoing session. Revanth said the Congress had organised 489 SIR meetings across the 119 Assembly segments but stressed that attention was needed in the weakest-performing ones. He told MLAs, constituency in-charges and corporation chairpersons to scrutinise reports submitted by BLAs instead of relying solely on BLO reports. Stating that the presence of party leaders in the field was mandatory, he directed ministers, MLAs, corporation chairpersons, constituency in-charges and SIR coordinators to tour their respective areas over the next 10 days. 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
How did the opposition’s plan fail? A single move by Asim Arun quelled the Meerut Dalit student Lalita Gautam murder case.
The BJP quelled the Meerut Dalit student murder case as quickly as the opposition had raised it. Minister Asim Arun was behind this thorough planning. The opposition was constantly cornering the government The victim’s family met with CM Yogi Asim Arun kept an eye on the entire case Shadab Rizvi, Meerut: The atmosphere created by the opposition against the government and police regarding the murder of Lalita, a Dalit student in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has cooled just as quickly. Lalita’s family’s anger has suddenly subsided. This was made possible by the strategy of Asim Arun, a former bureaucrat and minister to the UP CM. Asim Arun’s sympathy maneuver, arranging a meeting with the CM and securing help, defeated all the opposition politicians who had appeared aggressive on the issue. A Look at the Opposition’s Strategy The family of Lalita Gautam, the student, wanted strict action against the murderer. The family was upset with the delay in arresting the accused. The police’s handling of the situation had angered the district police as well as the government. Dalit leaders from opposition parties and organizations called a Mahapanchayat to address Lalita’s family’s anguish. Everyone expressed their displeasure with the government and police. The situation escalated to a confrontation. Police and protesters clashed. FIRs were filed, and arrests were made. The issue became a topic of discussion across the country. BSP chief Mayawati, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Azad Samaj Party President Chandrashekhar, and numerous other leaders attacked the government and police. Leaders from several parties, including Chandrashekhar Azad and Congress state in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, attempted to visit the village and meet the victim’s family. SP President Akhilesh Yadav met the victim’s family in Delhi and provided assistance of two lakh rupees. This move and assistance from the opposition unnerved the ruling BJP. Aseem made his move and made things easier. Aseem Arun, Minister of Independent Charge in the UP government, is also the Minister in charge of Meerut. He is pursuing politics after resigning from the post of ADG in the police department. His father, Shriram Arun, was the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh. At the time when Meerut was in turmoil over the Lalita incident, with people demanding the summoning of the minister in charge, Minister Aseem Arun was constantly having three BJP leaders send every media report on the incident to Lucknow. He is working on a strategy to ensure that the anti-Dalit atmosphere does not harm the BJP. According to a BJP leader close to Aseem Arun, the minister had asked everyone not to issue statements, to remain calm, and to monitor every activity. By demanding a report from the Meerut police on the very first day, he sent a message to the public that he was active. To appease the family, he issued a statement alleging a lapse on the part of the Meerut police. He also sent a message to the family through Dalit leaders associated with the party in Meerut that the government would soon help them and provide justice. He did not fall for anyone’s deception. The script for meeting and helping the CM was written like this: According to a state BJP official, Aseen Arun spoke with the CM and arranged a meeting with the victim’s family in Lucknow. However, due to the CM’s frequent visits to West UP districts like Bijnor, Shamli, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Amroha, and Sambhal, the family’s trip to Lucknow was postponed. It was decided to arrange a meeting in a district closer to Meerut. Before the Bijnor-Shamli visit, Minister-in-Charge Aseem Arun arrived in Meerut. He spoke with officials about the Lalita case, met with BJP Dalit leaders, assured the victim’s family of justice, and convinced them to meet the CM. Initially, a meeting in Shamli was discussed, but after Shamli, the CM had to travel to Bijnor. Due to his busy schedule, it was decided that the CM would stay in Ghaziabad and arrange the meeting there before heading to Bulandshahr for a public meeting. This is exactly what happened. In Ghaziabad, the victim’s family met with the CM along with Aseen Arun. The CM approved Aseem’s plan. On Aseem Arun’s recommendation for financial assistance, the CM ordered a grant of five lakh rupees, which was disbursed within a few hours. The student’s uncle and father were promised a house under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme, and two private sector jobs for the family. The CM also allayed their grievances with the police by promising strict punishment for the culprits. After arranging a meeting with the CM and providing financial assistance, the victim’s family was given a statement in the media, conveying that they no longer have any complaints and are satisfied. Political analysts believe that this move by Yogi’s former bureaucrat minister has thwarted the campaign launched by opposition parties and organizations against the government. Edited by: Vivek Mishra About the Author Vivek Kumar Mishra is a Senior Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online (NBT.Com). He monitors the political developments in Uttar Pradesh. He provides UP political analysis and tracks events in Uttar Pradesh. Courtesy: Hindi News