3 exclusive public toilets for transgender individuals inaugurated in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh
Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Three exclusive public toilets for transgender individuals have been opened in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district in a bid to prevent discrimination and provide a safe space to members of the community, an official said on Saturday. The toilets were inaugurated at Ramgarh district collectorate park, Sadar hospital and bus stand on Friday, he said. “The transgender community has long faced social neglect and inconvenience, and the administration is committed to removing these barriers. The establishment of transgender toilets is an important step in this direction. It will ensure their comfortable presence in public places and prevent them from facing any kind of discomfort,” Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz said in a statement. The administration’s objective is to provide the transgender community with a dignified life, equal opportunities, social security, and self-reliance, he said. The DC directed all departmental officials concerned to ensure the effective implementation of the schemes being run in the interest of the transgender community and to work with sensitivity for the prompt resolution of their problems, the statement said. Members of the transgender community in Jharkhand have long been demanding separate toilets in public places. They had held a march in Ranchi last year to raise awareness about their rights and press for their demands, including employment opportunities, access to education, housing, separate toilets in public places and equal healthcare facilities. This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tarique Rahman puts Bangladesh first in foreign policy; Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal row; & more
BNP chief Tarique Rahman pledges Bangladesh first foreign policy after landslide win. Piyush Goyal hits back at Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal, says pact will boost textiles and farmers. Metro Line-4 parapet collapse in Mulund kills one, injures three; CM Fadnavis orders probe. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha revives handshake row ahead of India–Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. US secretary Marco Rubio questions Russia’s intent on Ukraine peace ahead of fresh Geneva talks. Here are the top news of the day: BNP’s Tarique Rahman puts Bangladesh first in foreign policy after landslide win Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman said Dhaka’s foreign policy would prioritise national interest and Bangladesh first principles, including in ties with India, after securing a sweeping electoral victory. The BNP-led alliance won over two-thirds of seats, marking a major political shift after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Read full story Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal row Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal intensified his attack on Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over criticism of the India–US trade deal, accusing him of “fearmongering” and spreading misinformation. Goyal said the pact and recent FTAs would boost textile exports and farmer incomes, dismissing claims that zero-duty imports would hurt domestic producers. Read full story One killed after Metro Line-4 parapet segment collapses in Mumbai’s Mulund A 6×4 ft concrete parapet segment from the under-construction Metro Line-4 viaduct collapsed onto vehicles on LBS Road in Mumbai’s Mulund (West), killing one person and injuring three. The victims were rushed to hospital, where one was declared dead. Authorities launched rescue operations and cordoned off the area, disrupting traffic. Read full story T20 World Cup: Pakistan captain reignites handshake row ahead of India–Pakistan clash Ahead of the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reignited the handshake controversy, saying, “We’ll find that out tomorrow” when asked if India would shake hands. He hoped the game would be played in true sportsmanship. Read full story Marco Rubio questions Russia’s intent as US pushes Ukraine peace talks US secretary of state Marco Rubio cast doubt on Moscow’s seriousness about ending the Ukraine war, ahead of fresh US-brokered talks in Geneva. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio said there was no clarity on Russia’s willingness to negotiate, even as fighting continues in Odesa and Belgorod. 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
2 journalist bodies condemn Rahul Gandhi talk on media impartiality
NEW DELHI: Two journalist bodies on Saturday criticised Congress neta Rahul Gandhi for questioning the impartiality of mediapersons, saying political leaders must use respectful language while addressing the press, especially in public spaces like the Parliament. The reaction came after Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside the Parliament earlier in the week, asked journalists to be more objective in their coverage. Responding to queries on the treasury benches considering a privilege notice against him over his recent speech on the Budget, the LoP said media should not merely repeat what it is told. Condemning the remarks, National Union of Journalists and Delhi Journalists Association issued a joint statement calling Gandhi’s comments inappropriate. “The LoP targeting and insulting media personnel in such a manner is highly condemnable,” NUJ president Ras Bihar said. He added that such statements amount to an attack on press freedom and undermine the role of media in a democracy. DJA president Rakesh Thapliyal and general secretary Pramod Kumar Singh said journalism exists to question those in power and provide accurate information to the public. Associating the media with any particular political party, they said, harms the professional dignity and independence of journalists. Rahul Gandhi had told reporters, “You are not totally employed by BJP. At least try a little bit of objective stuff. It gets really shameful. It’s too much.” 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
Govt cheating cotton farmers, textile exporters in US trade deal, says Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress minister Rahul Gandhi Saturday accused the govt of “cheating cotton farmers and textile exporters in the country through the India-US interim trade deal” and alleged that the agreement “is likely to inflict deep damage on both sectors”. “18% tariff vs 0% — let me explain how the PM and his cabinet are spreading confusion on this issue. And how they are cheating India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal,” he said on X. “Bangladesh is being given zero % tariff benefit on garment exports to US — the only condition is that they import American cotton,” he said. “After the announcement of 18% tariff on Indian garments, when I raised the question in Parliament about the special concession being given to Bangladesh, the reply from a minister of Modi govt was: ‘If we also want the same benefit, we will have to import cotton from America’,” Gandhi said. “Why was this fact hidden from the country till now? And what kind of policy is this? Is this really any kind of choice, or is it a trap designed to push us into a ‘well in front, ditch behind’ situation?” he asked. “If we import American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don’t import it, our textile industry will lag behind and get destroyed,” Gandhi claimed. Highlighting the importance of textile industry and cotton farming, he said that “attacking these sectors means pushing millions of families into the pit of unemployment and economic crisis.” He further said, “A visionary govt that thinks in the national interest would have negotiated a deal that protects and ensures the prosperity of both cotton farmers and textile exporters. But exactly the opposite has happened…” 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
In a first for the state, transgender woman elected in Chityala municipality
Hyderabad: For the first time in municipal elections in the state, a transgender woman has won a seat, with Nagilla Sudhakar elected from Ward 1 of Chityala municipality in Nalgonda district. The independent candidate defeated nominees of major political parties with a majority of over 100 votes. Sudhakar, alias Kaveri, secured 429 votes, while CPM’s Jitta Nagesh polled 327 votes. BRS candidate Rudravaram Yadaiah and BJP’s Rudravaram Linga Swamy secured 198 and 45 votes respectively. A resident of Shivanenigudem in Chityala municipality, Kaveri works as a labourer to earn her livelihood. “I will work for the development of the ward,” said the 45-year-old, adding that there are several problems in her ward that require immediate attention. “There is a dumping yard, because of which many residents in the ward are falling ill. I will ensure that it is relocated. Also, there are a few stretches without street lighting. I will also stand by the girl child by providing 10,016 at the time of their marriage,” she added. Kaveri also highlighted the monkey menace in her village. “Farmers and villagers are suffering because of the monkey menace. I will work towards finding a solution to address this problem as well,” she said, adding that she would stand by the villagers who supported her and ensured her victory. Kaveri studied at ZPHS, Chityala, but did not clear her class 10 examination. Chityala municipality has 12 wards. Of these, Congress candidates won nine wards, BRS won two wards, and the independent candidate, Sudhakar, won one seat. In Nalgonda district, there are six municipalities, including Miryalguda, Devarakonda and Chandur. 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
Tamil Nadu: 360 Dalit families forced to live in darkness for 40 years, now announce election boycott due to lack of amenities
The plight of Tirthakadu village in Madurai: Three generations are suffering in the struggle for land leases, even in the minister’s constituency, far from development, now the slogan is “No facilities, no vote.” Madurai: For approximately 360 Dalit families living in Tirthakadu village, located near Vandiyur within the Madurai city limits, the past four decades have been spent in the midst of government file-sharing and darkness. The ongoing tussle between the Municipal Corporation and the State Revenue Department over the issuance of land leases has directly impacted the lives of ordinary people. As a result, for more than 40 years, residents have been forced to live without basic amenities like electricity, drinking water, paved roads, drainage, and sanitation. Administrative Neglect and Public Suffering Surprisingly, this area falls under Ward 38 of the Madurai City Corporation and is part of the Madurai East Assembly constituency, represented by Commercial Tax Minister P. Murthy. Despite this, the suffering of the 1,200 residents living here remains untold, unheard, and ignored by the authorities. The New Indian Express reported that, according to local residents, several poor Dalit families settled on barren plots of land on the outskirts of the city years ago. They were promised leases for nine acres and 13 cents of land by various governments. However, in reality, only 68 families were issued e-pattas by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in December last year. This delay in issuing the leases has stalled development work, as the Revenue Department is stuck in the process of transferring the common land area to the city corporation for the development of amenities. “Enough is enough”: Election boycott decision Determined to no longer tolerate government apathy, the Tirthakadu SC Residents Protection Welfare Association has taken the firm decision to boycott the upcoming elections. Posters with slogans like “Enough is enough” have been pasted in and around the village, clearly stating that they will not vote in any election until basic amenities are provided. Expressing their anger, Muthamil Pandian, president of the association, said, “We have decided to boycott the assembly elections to protest this neglect that has continued for 40 years. We also plan to take out a rally to the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai in the next few days.” Expensive water and the fear of darknessMullikodi, 35, a resident of the village, said that more than 350 Scheduled Caste (SC) families have been living here since 1983. Expressing their anguish, they said, “We have built houses, but the corporation has refused to provide basic amenities. Due to the lack of water pipelines, we have to pay Rs. 80 for a 100-liter barrel of non-potable borewell water and Rs. 15 for a pitcher of drinking water.” The lack of electricity also poses a serious security threat in the village. Mullikodi alleged that anti-social elements take advantage of the darkness to carry out illegal activities. He said, “We are daily wage laborers and cannot rent a house elsewhere. Due to the darkness in the neighborhood, we cannot go to work before sunrise and return home after sunset. There is also the danger of poisonous insects and snakes at night.” Furthermore, due to the lack of toilets, women and girls face harassment while defecating in the open. The darkness of education: Free laptops given to students go to waste The lack of electricity has also put a shadow on the future of children. Another woman from the village, 30-year-old Renuka, said, “Due to lack of proper lighting, students are forced to study by candlelight. We cannot use any electronic devices, and even the free laptops given to students by the government are lying idle or have been sold because they cannot charge.” The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that not a single child from this village has graduated in the last 40 years. Renuka explained that they have to spend money even for basic needs. People go to nearby areas where there is electricity to charge their phones, paying Rs. 5 per device. Officials’ View On this serious issue, a senior revenue official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We are looking into the matter and taking steps to meet the villagers’ demands, including electricity and water connections.” Meanwhile, when District Collector K.J. When Praveen Kumar was contacted, he said he would speak to the Municipal Commissioner regarding the matter. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Right-wing group forces Dalit woman to‘postpone’ her interfaith wedding in UP
Bareilly: An interfaith couple’s planned wedding in Meerut was “postponed” following threats and protests by members of a right-wing group. An FIR was also registered against the groom under the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act following allegations of “love jihad”. TOI had reported about the FIR earlier this week. The couple — Akanksha Gautam, who follows Buddhism and works in the private sector, and Shahvez Rana, a medical professional — was scheduled to marry on Friday. Both belong to Meerut city. Following news of their wedding a few days ago, members of Hindu Suraksha Sangathan protested and, accompanied by Akanksha’s uncle, Premchand Gautam, filed a complaint at the city’s Ganga Nagar thana. Speaking to TOI on Friday, Akanksha said, “My wedding is a non issue. This (right-wing) group wants to make it a national headline. I want to ask who are these men to take a decision on my behalf, and how can they thrust their decision on me? My life has turned into a complete chaos, but the man I chose to marry still stands by me. I gave my statement to the court, and I want to marry him. Our marriage has been postponed, not cancelled.” The 29-year-old added: “My father passed away in 2023, after which my uncle, who filed this complaint against Rana, wants to grab our property. We have a house and other properties in my mother’s name, which he wants to be registered in his name… When my mother and sister are happy for me, why is he (uncle) creating a problem?” The woman’s mother, Lata Rani, meanwhile, said, “We’re Buddhists and not Hindu. This is open bullying… Whatever we’re doing is within the framework of the Indian Constitution. I fully stand by my daughter and Shahvez. They will get married, come what may.” In his complaint, Akanksha’s uncle alleged deception. “Shahvez Rana deceived her with the intention of grabbing property. He conspired after manipulating and brainwashing her,” he stated. Meanwhile, the right-wing members failed to go ahead with their ‘maha panchayat’ at the wedding venue in Meerut on Friday after police locked up the place and prevented them from reaching the venue. 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
Villagers allegedly stop sending children to Kendrapara Anganwadi after Dalit cook’s appointment
Families in Nuagaon village, Kendrapara district, Odisha, have reportedly ceased sending their children to a local Anganwadi following the appointment of Sarmistha Sethi, a Scheduled Caste cook, in November last year. Sarmistha Sethi stated she began working at the Anganwadi on November 20, but children have not attended since because of her caste. “I joined on 20 November last year. Students are not coming here because I belong to the Scheduled Caste. It has been three months like this. Something like this should not happen in the education sector. I am a cook here. The sub-collector officer and tehsildar also know about this issue,” she said. Sub-Collector of Kendrapara, Arun Kumar Nayak, said he visited the Anganwadi and discovered villagers refusing to accept the cooked food, although no formal complaint regarding caste discrimination has been filed. He assured that the matter will be resolved promptly and that action will be taken if civil rights violations occur. “I went there yesterday and inquired with a few villagers and the candidate herself. Although it was not clear from anyone, we have not received any complaint regarding any kind of caste issue. I came to know that villagers are not taking any cooked food from that Anganwadi centre. We will sort out the issue very soon. Tomorrow we will do a massive campaign. If it is a case of violation of civil rights, then we will act accordingly,” he stated. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, raised concerns on February 14 about alleged caste discrimination at workplaces. Referring to the incident in Odisha during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, he highlighted that some families refused to allow their children to eat food prepared by a Dalit Anganwadi worker. Kharge remarked that such discrimination undermines social reform and unity in the 21st century, noting that the Anganwadi centre had been boycotted for three months. He emphasised that Anganwadis are fundamental to children’s physical and cognitive development, asserting that these discriminatory practices affect their growth and infringe upon the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsmill.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Govt is compromised’: Congress seeks Hardeep Puri’s resignation over Epstein link
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday demanded the resignation of Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri over his alleged links to the Jeffrey Epstein case, intensifying its attack after the minister acknowledged meeting the disgraced financier several times in a professional capacity. Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the party believes Puri has no right to remain in office. Speaking to reporters, Khera said, “Clearly, the Congress party is demanding the resignation of Hardeep Singh Puri. This person has no right to remain in his position. In the last 48 hours, he has only lied. We will raise this issue before the people of the country that this government is compromised, and that too with a person like Jeffrey Epstein.” — ANI (@ANI) The demand comes after Puri, at a press conference on Wednesday, said that he had met convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein “three or four times” over eight years in what he described as a “professional capacity”. Responding to allegations raised by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi, Puri said that the interactions were limited and already in the public domain following the release of millions of emails by US authorities. At the press conference, he stated, “There are references to possibly three or four meetings in eight years… Any contact I had with him has no connection to the serious allegations of sexual abuse filed by victims.” He further clarified, “My interaction had nothing to do with that,” stressing that the meetings were linked to his tenure as India’s Ambassador to the United Nations and later engagements with the International Peace Institute. Explaining the context, Puri said his former superior at the International Peace Institute, Terje Rod-Larsen, knew Epstein and that he met him as part of official delegations. He maintained that the interactions were entirely professional and predated his entry into the Union Cabinet in 2017. However, the Congress rejected the minister’s explanation. Earlier, Khera raised a series of questions regarding an alleged 2014 email exchange that forms part of documents released by the US Department of Justice. He questioned why Puri referred to Epstein as a “friend” in an email and why he sought “advice” from him if their association was only incidental. In another post, Khera accused Puri of trivialising Epstein’s crimes, writing that reducing the conviction to “soliciting favours of a woman who was underage” downplayed the gravity of sexual exploitation of a minor. The controversy began after Rahul Gandhi claimed he had “verified information” and alleged that “there are Department of Justice files on Epstein naming Hardeep Puri.” Gandhi also alleged broader pressure on the government in the context of international developments, including the India-US trade deal. Puri dismissed Gandhi’s remarks as “baseless allegations” and described parts of his speech in Parliament as having “elements of buffoonery” and “entertainment value”. He insisted that his name appearing in released documents does not imply wrongdoing and that his meetings were unrelated to the criminal charges against Epstein. The exchange has triggered a sharp political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the Congress, with the opposition demanding accountability and the minister defending his record. As the row escalates, the Congress has said it will continue to raise the matter publicly, while the government has maintained that there is no wrongdoing on the part of the minister. 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
Khaira meets Rahul Gandhi with farmer leaders to oppose proposed India-US interim trade deal
Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader, MLA from Bholath and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with leaders of various farmers’ organisations from across the country at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. During the meeting, the farmer delegation expressed deep concern over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, which they warned could severely threaten the livelihoods of Indian farmers and farm labourers by opening the doors for large-scale agricultural imports. The delegation highlighted the potential adverse impact on key crops, including corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts, and cautioned that such a move could destabilise India’s agricultural economy and weaken the country’s food security. Gandhi assured the delegation of his full support and reiterated his firm commitment to stand with the farming community against any policy that harms their interests. He emphasised that any trade agreement that compromises farmers’ incomes or the nation’s food security was unacceptable and assured that the Congress party would strongly oppose such anti-farmer measures both inside and outside Parliament. Khaira, while briefing the media after the meeting, said there was a broad consensus on launching a nationwide movement to oppose the proposed trade deal and to safeguard the interests of farmers and agricultural workers across the country. He said the farming community viewed the agreement as a serious threat that could expose Indian agriculture to unfair competition from heavily subsidised foreign produce. Khaira further said that the All India Kisan Congress, in coordination with various farmer unions and like-minded organisations, will mobilise farmers across states to build a strong democratic movement to protect their livelihoods. Khaira urged the Union govt to immediately make the full details of the trade negotiations public and refrain from signing any agreement that compromises the economic security of Indian farmers. 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