Dalit Groom Rides Horse Holding Constitution in MP Village, First Such Wedding Procession in 75 Years
A Dalit groom in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district took out a horse-mounted wedding procession for the first time in 75 years in his village. The incident took place in Kuankheda village of Patera tehsil, where Nandu Bansal from the Bansal community rode a horse through the village streets amid music, dancing and celebrations.Photo journalism course What made the procession even more symbolic was that the groom was holding a copy of the Constitution of India in his hands while riding the horse. As drums played and relatives danced, the moment turned into a powerful assertion of equality, dignity and constitutional rights. Community members said the procession was not just a wedding ritual but a matter of self-respect. “This was about our dignity. Holding the Constitution showed that we are equal citizens of this country,” a member of the Bansal community said. They also thanked the police and local administration for ensuring that the procession passed peacefully without any trouble. The groom’s family had earlier expressed fear of possible opposition from influential villagers. On Wednesday, members of the Bansal community, along with the SC Mahasabha, submitted an application to Superintendent of Police Shrut Kirti Somvanshi, seeking protection for the horse-mounted procession. They said there was apprehension that some people might try to create disturbances. Taking the request seriously, the SP directed the Hata police station to maintain law and order. On Wednesday night, Patera Tehsildar Umesh Tiwari and police personnel reached the village and held talks with the groom’s family and other villagers. During the discussions, villagers from other communities assured the administration that they had no objection to the Dalit groom taking out the procession.Women’s sports merchandise Following this, the wedding procession went ahead smoothly on Thursday. Groom Nandu Bansal performed rituals with his family before mounting the horse, after which the procession moved through the village under police presence. SC Mahasabha president Akash Bharti said, “The SP extended full support, due to which the procession was conducted peacefully. The police and administration cooperated at every step.” The groom’s brother, Jeevan Bansal, said the event should become an example for the future. “Such harmony and brotherhood should always remain in the village so that everyone can live with dignity and mutual respect,” he said. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender spits on woman at metro station after she refuses to give money
A video capturing a heated exchange between a transperson and a young woman at a metro station has surfaced online after the latter was spat on. A video recorded at a metro station has triggered widespread discussion after a woman alleged she was spat on by a transgender person for refusing to give cash. The incident, whose exact location remains unverified, has drawn attention to issues of harassment and accountability in public spaces. According to the woman recording the video, a transperson approached her at the station and offered blessings in exchange for cash, an interaction familiar to many commuters in public spaces. When the woman declined, the situation escalated. In the video, the transperson is heard saying, “Kinnar ki baddua lagegi,” which translates to, “You will be cursed by a transgender person,” moments before allegedly spitting on her. The footage shows the woman confronting the transperson immediately. “Record hua hai isme,” she says, meaning, “This has been recorded.” She then questions the attempt to hide her face, adding, “Ab toh viral ho gaya, aapne mere upar thuka kaise? (It’s already gone viral, how could you spit on me?)” Her voice reflects visible shock and anger. In a subsequent clip, the trans woman is seen asking the victim to delete the recording. Bystanders at the station can be heard commenting on the incident, with some pointing out that the spit had landed in the woman’s hair. The argument grows increasingly heated as raised voices and verbal threats are exchanged. The video has sparked a broader discussion online around public safety, harassment in shared spaces, and accountability. Many users noted that while the transgender community continues to face discrimination and marginalisation, acts of harassment or assault, if proven, cannot be excused. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Modi teri kabr khudegi’: PM Modi accuses opposition of masking hate behind ‘Mohabbat ki dukaan’
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday mounted a sharp offensive against the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, accusing it of cloaking hostility and divisive slogans in the rhetoric of “Mohabbat ki dukaan,” a phrase frequently used by Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi. However, he did not provide any evidence of opposition chanting the slogan.”They are moving with the mantra of ‘Modi teri kabr khudegi’. They dream of this and speak of democracy. They put up signboards of ‘Mohabbat ki dukan’. Is such hatred harboured in public life?” PM Modi said in his motion of thanks speech. “The Congress has a deeper problem, they cannot digest how Modi has reached this position, and their worry keeps growing… For them, it seems there is only one way out: to chant, ‘Modi, teri kabr khudegi (Modi, your grave will be dug).’ They (Congress) seem to assume that democracy and the Constitution exist only for their benefit. They believe that the Prime Minister’s post belongs to their family as a matter of right. And so, they go around spreading slogans about digging Modi’s grave,” he added. — ANI (@ANI) Continuing his attack on the opposition, he said that unlike past governments run by a “remote,” his authority flowed directly from the mandate of 140 crore people. “Their govt used to operate with a remote. My govt operated with a remote too. 140 crore people are my remote,” he said. He further blamed the opposition for weakening institutions, prioritising political survival over governance, and pushing agendas that, he said, compromised national security and public trust, accusing them of shielding illegal infiltrators while ignoring the aspirations of the youth and the long-term interests of the country. “A significant part of our energy is being spent on correcting the mistakes of the past. It takes great effort to erase the image that was created in the minds of the world during that period, they left things in such a damaged state. That is why we have placed strong emphasis on future-ready policies. Today, the country is being governed on the basis of policy and strategy. Global trust in India is growing. Guided by the mantra of ‘reform, perform, transform,’ we have moved forward, and the reality today is that the nation has boarded the Reform Express,” he said. His speech comes a day after his Lok Sabha address was cancelled amid protests by the opposition inside the House. 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 Rajya Sabha, Kharge refers to LS row, draws BJP fire
NEW DELHI: In a rare development in Parliament Thursday, standoff between treasury and opposition benches in Lok Sabha became a subject of debate in Rajya Sabha as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the governing alliance for allegedly not allowing Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lower House. Kharge’s reference to LS proceedings drew a sharp response from BJP, with Leader of the House in RS JP Nadda mocking Rahul as “abodh balak (ignorant child)” and reminding Kharge that events of one House cannot be debated in another. However, Congress chief Kharge insisted that as both Houses are pillars of democracy, he was raising the issue in the Upper House as LS was not functioning for the past four days because its LoP, Rahul, was not being allowed to speak. Opposition members staged a walkout over the issue from Rajya Sabha. Nadda asked Kharge not to let Congress become “hostage” to Rahul and said arrogance and ignorance should not dictate actions. Kharge condemned use of the term “abodh balak” and alleged that BJP MPs cannot speak their minds without directions from top leadership. Congress did not want to disturb RS but LS had not functioned for four days because Rahul was not being allowed to speak, he alleged. 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
‘Scared of truth, sought refuge in lies’: Rahul Gandhi reacts to PM Modi’s RS speech
NEW DELHI: Congress Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he “sought refuge in lies” while addressing the Rajya Sabha. After PM Modi address, the Congress leader took to X and said, “Just so much panic from a few questions? Modi ji, so scared of the truth, sought refuge in lies.” “Well, did what seemed right,” he added. In his much-anticipated speech in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi targeted the UPA regime and claimed that a significant part of the NDA regime, which has been in power for over a decade now, has gone in “correcting the mistakes of the past”. As PM Modi started his speech, loud sloganeering of “Let the LoP speak” and “tanashashi nahi chalegi (dictatorship will not be tolerated) by the opposition MPs. The opposition also staged a walkout shortly after the speech began. During his nearly 100-minute speech, PM Modi took many Gandhi family and accused them of ‘stealing’ Mahatma Gandhi’s surname. “For some people, stealing is a family profession. What’s shocking is that those habitual thieves have also stolen surname of a Gujarati, Mahatma Gandhi,” PM Modi said. Further taking a “start up” dig at the Congress party, and and its leadership Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister alleged that the party “cannot even lift their own startup.””Congress never promoted startup culture… They cannot even lift the startup of their own house,” PM Modi said. He also targeted Rahul for calling BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu a traitor and accused the Congress leader of insulting the Sikhs. “What happened yesterday — the ‘Yuvraj’ of Congress, who has a ‘shaatir dimaag’ called a member of this House a traitor. His arrogance is at its peak. He did not call others who left Congress traitors, but he said it to this MP because he is a Sikh,” Prime Minister Modi said in his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Rajya Sabha. Rahul Gandhi had on Wednesday exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu in Parliament premises. In videos released by the Congress, Gandhi was heard calling Bittu “a traitor” and the minister retorting with “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation) jibe. 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
Naravane memoir row: Kiren Rijiju cites book to target Nehru, counter Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday defended the Centre’s decision to keep the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report on the 1962 India-China war classified, as a political row erupted in Parliament over Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi being stopped from quoting the “unpublished memoir” of former Army Chief General MM Naravane.In a post on X, Rijiju described the report as a sensitive defence document and said it should not be used for political purposes. He wrote, “Our Govt is led by a matured leader. Since 1962, the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report has remained secret. It indicted the Nehru Govt for the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chinese PLA. Our Govt has never declassified it as a defence matter that can’t be used as a political tools.” — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) The Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report was prepared by Lieutenant General Henderson Brooks and Brigadier General Premindra Singh Bhagat and was commissioned by then Acting Army Chief General JN Chaudhuri to review the Indian Army’s operations during the 1962 war with China, reported ANI. The report continues to remain classified. Rijiju also reshared a post from 2024, in which he highlighted India’s border infrastructure development. The minister’s comments follow a row that erupted after Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the “unpublished memoir” of former Army Chief General MM Naravane during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha. The Congress leader was referring to the 2020 India-China military standoff in eastern Ladakh when he cited the memoir, drawing strong objections from BJP members. During his remarks, Gandhi accused PM Modi of “not fulfulling responsibility” during the 2020 clashes along the Line of Actual Control Gandhi continued to raise the issue of the August 2020 India-China confrontation but was repeatedly interrupted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and later by Home Minister Amit Shah, who asked him not to quote from any unverified source. General Naravane was the Army Chief at the time of the Ladakh standoff. The excerpts cited by Gandhi were recently published by an online portal. 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 woman’s suspicious death aparks allegations of caste, dowry abuse
According to her family, the marriage was conducted in the presence of the groom’s family and was kept undisclosed from Priya’s relatives. VILLUPURAM; A 22-year-old Dalit Christian woman died under suspicious circumstances at Soranavur village in Villupuram district on Monday, with her family alleging dowry harassment and caste-based abuse by her husband and in-laws. The deceased, A Devajessi Priya, had allegedly married her long-time college friend M Vasantha Kumar (24), who belongs to the Hindu Vanniyar community, around three months ago. The couple had been living in Soranavur village near Valavanur in Villupuram district. According to her family, the marriage was conducted in the presence of the groom’s family and was kept undisclosed from Priya’s relatives. Based on a complaint lodged by her elder brother A Richard (26), Priya was allegedly subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband, his parents Murugan and Lakshmi, and his elder brother Bhakthavachalam. On January 31, Priya allegedly called her aunt and said she was being assaulted and harassed for dowry. About an hour later, her husband informed the family that she had died. Richard has alleged that his sister was murdered and that the incident was made to appear as a suicide, claiming that injuries were found on her body. Speaking to TNIE, Richard said, “We want the police to investigate the case with due sensitivity to caste discrimination and dowry harassment. My sister was subjected to severe torture and was killed.” Priya, a Christian convert, was a native of Alagappa Samuthiram in Panruti taluk of Cuddalore district. She lost her parents at a young age and was brought up by her elder brother with the support of their grandmother Josephina Mary and aunts at Madampattu village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district. She had completed a BSc in Microbiology from Periyar Government Arts College, Cuddalore, and was employed with a private firm in Sunguvarchatram near Chennai. Family sources said she had been in a relationship with Kumar since her college days. Though Kumar later dropped out of college, the relationship continued, culminating in their marriage three months ago. Despite the complaint seeking action for dowry harassment and caste abuse, Valavanur police registered a case only under Section 194 (3) of BNSS and arrested Kumar on Tuesday. Family members of the deceased have refused to receive Priya’s body, demanding the arrest of Kumar’s parents and other relatives. The body has been kept at the Government Medical College Hospital in Mundiyambakkam, where an autopsy was conducted. Krithika Srinivasan 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
Video of inhumane treatment of a Dalit youth goes viral in Morena; accused Dharmendra Tomar arrested in 7-month-old case
7-month-old video exposes the truth: Dalit youth forced to perform obscene acts under the influence of alcohol; Amba police arrest accused Dharmendra Tomar Morena (Madhya Pradesh): A case that shames humanity has come to light in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Police immediately swung into action after a video of a Dalit youth being assaulted and subjected to abusive behavior went viral on social media. Acting swiftly, the police arrested the 30-year-old accused on Tuesday. According to police officials, this incident is not recent, but about seven months old. The arrested accused has been identified as Dharmendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Amba. What is the whole matter? Morena Superintendent of Police (SP) Sameer Saurabh, while providing information about the incident, said that the accused Dharmendra and the 20-year-old victim were part of the same friend circle and often spent time together. The Hindu quoted the SP as saying, “These two people used to drink alcohol together, and this incident occurred while they were drunk. A third friend present there recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone. Later, when that third friend had an argument with the accused, Dharmendra, he circulated these videos on social media to take revenge.” Brutality shown in the videos Two videos that went viral on social media have shocked people. In one video, the accused, Dharmendra, is seen forcing the victim to squat and questioning him about the return of his money. In the second video, the accused is seen crossing all limits, slapping the victim and pressuring him to perform obscene acts. Swift police action SP Sameer Saurabh stated that a minor financial transaction has also emerged in the case, although it does not appear to be the main reason for the incident. He said, “The victim also denied that the assault was solely for money. He was so scared that he neither told his family nor mustered the courage to file a police complaint. Even when the police contacted him, he was unwilling to file a complaint.” Despite this, given the seriousness of the video, the police took cognizance and registered a case. Within just two hours of the case being registered, the police arrested the accused. Case registered under these sections Ambah Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ravi Singh Bhadoria, providing details of the legal proceedings, said that an FIR has been registered against the accused at the Ambah police station under Section 296 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3(1)(e) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Bhadauria also informed that the victim previously lived in a rented house in the same street as the accused Tomar, but after this humiliating incident, he left that house and moved to another location. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
FIR Names Entire Brahmin Community in Bihar Village After Dalit Family Alleges Assault
FIR Names Brahmin Community After Dalit Assault Claim An FIR has been registered against almost all adult male members of the Brahmin community in Harinagar village of Darbhanga district in Bihar under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, following allegations of assault and abuse against a Dalit family.Photo journalism course More than a dozen people have been arrested so far. What has raised serious questions is that the FIR names 70 accused persons and also mentions around 100 to 150 unidentified individuals. Together, this roughly equals the entire adult male Brahmin population of the village. Many of those named are reportedly working in other states, such as Delhi and Mumbai, to earn a living and have not lived in the village for years. The complaint was filed by Asarfi Paswan in connection with an incident that allegedly took place on January 31 in Harinagar village under the Kusheshwar Asthan police station area. The dispute is linked to pending wages owed to his son Vikram Paswan, who had worked for Hemkant Jha for nearly five years. According to the complaint, a village-level settlement meeting was held on January 30 but ended in arguments and unrest. The next morning, Vikram Paswan was allegedly attacked while returning home after buying vegetables. Asarfi Paswan alleged that Hemkant Jha and others abused his son using caste-based slurs and chased him with sticks, iron rods, axes, bricks and stones with the intent to kill him. He claimed that the attackers followed Vikram into his house, dragged him to the ground and assaulted him severely. The complaint further alleged that Phulkant Jha instigated others to kill Vikram, after which he was hit on the head with iron rods and lost consciousness. Asarfi’s other son, Rajgir Paswan and three other villagers who tried to intervene were also allegedly beaten and suffered head injuries. Asarfi Paswan also alleged that his wife, Ramtara Devi and granddaughter Komal Kumari were assaulted. He claimed that his wife was beaten and her clothes were torn, while his granddaughter suffered a fractured hip. He further stated that gold and silver ornaments, cash worth two lakh rupees kept for his granddaughter’s marriage, household items and mobile phones were looted. Four motorcycles were allegedly damaged, and a nearby roadside restaurant was vandalised. The family was also allegedly threatened with eviction from the village. Based on the complaint, FIR number 22 of 2026 was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC ST Act. Kusheshwar Asthan police station in charge, Ankit Choudhary, said that the dispute was originally related to money and claimed that some anti-social elements were trying to give it a caste angle. He confirmed that 12 people have been arrested so far and said further action would depend on evidence collected during the investigation. The case has drawn attention from the National Crime Investigation Bureau, a civil society organisation, which expressed surprise over the inclusion of the entire Brahmin community in the FIR. The organisation said that not a single Brahmin family in the village appeared to have been spared and pointed out that many of those named were not even residing in the village. Meanwhile, tension continues in Harinagar village. Additional police force has been deployed and authorities say they are recording statements from both sides and examining videos and other evidence. Police officials have stated that no innocent person will be harassed and that further arrests will be made strictly on the basis of evidence. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Gujarat: ‘Punishment’ for riding a horse – Dalit groom attacked with swords, wedding celebrations turn into terror
The cruel face of casteist mentality in Chandrumana village of Patan; hooliganism over ‘riding a horse’ continues despite the SC/ST Act. Patan: On one hand, where India is presenting itself to the world as a technological superpower and a progressive nation, on the other hand, a village in the Patan district of Gujarat has reminded us of the bitter reality of how deeply rooted casteism still is in the interior parts of the country. Monday should have been the happiest day of Vishal Chavda’s life, but the regressive thinking of society turned it into a nightmare. As Vishal, who belongs to the Dalit community, mounted a horse to take his wedding procession (varghoda) through the streets of Chandrumana village, the sounds of wedding music were drowned out by the clanging of naked swords. The ‘crime’ of equality According to local eyewitnesses, as the procession moved forward, a group of people from the dominant community blocked their path. These people were allegedly enraged that a groom from a “lower caste” dared to perform a tradition that they considered their privilege—that is, riding a horse. The attackers shouted, “How dare a Dalit ride a horse in this village?” The situation quickly turned violent. This mob, armed with swords, allegedly unleashed a wave of hooliganism. They not only threatened the groom but also assaulted the people in the wedding procession. For them, a Dalit riding a horse was not a celebration of marriage, but a challenge to the centuries-old social order. An atmosphere of terror despite the law This incident is not an isolated case, but part of a shameful story that is repeatedly played out in Gujarat. From Gandhinagar to Banaskantha, the simple custom of a Dalit groom riding a horse during his wedding procession often leads to violence. Despite stringent laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the “ban on riding a horse” is still used by upper castes as a violent tool of social control to keep the marginalized sections “in their place.” However, the local administration has acted promptly, registering an FIR and deploying police forces to maintain law and order. But the wounds inflicted on Vishal and his family will take a long time to heal. Similar attacks have happened before Statistics show that this hatred is not new. In February 2024, in Chadasana village of Gandhinagar, another Dalit groom, Vikas Chavda, was pulled down from his horse and slapped by four people. Earlier, in 2020, a wedding procession of an army soldier, who was serving the country, was also pelted with stones simply because he was riding a horse. These incidents raise the question of whether we are truly moving towards a modern society. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News