Tamil Nadu: Dowry or Casteism? Dalit daughter dies just three months after marriage. Love marriage:
A tragic end to a love marriage in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. A Dalit woman’s death comes amid allegations of dowry and caste-based harassment. Villupuram (Tamil Nadu): A shocking incident has emerged from Sornavur village in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, where a 22-year-old Dalit Christian woman has died under suspicious circumstances. The deceased’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of harassing her for dowry and using caste-related abuses. What is the whole matter? The deceased has been identified as A. Devjessy Priya (22), who had a love marriage with her college friend, M. Vasanth Kumar (24), about three months ago. Vasanth Kumar belongs to the Hindu Vanniyar community. After marriage, the couple lived in Sornavur village near Valavanur in Villupuram district. Priya’s family says the marriage took place in the presence of the groom’s family, but Priya’s relatives were not even informed of it. According to a complaint filed by Priya’s elder brother, A. Richard (26), Priya was subjected to constant mental and physical abuse since the wedding. According to the allegations, in addition to her husband Vasantha Kumar, her parents, Murugan and Lakshmi, and her elder brother, Bhaktavachalam, were also involved in this abuse. The last phone call The incident occurred on January 31st, when Priya called her aunt. She told her that she was being beaten and harassed for dowry. Ironically, just an hour after this call, her husband informed the family that Priya had died. Richard has claimed that his sister did not commit suicide, but was murdered, and that an attempt is being made to pass it off as a suicide. He stated that injuries were found on Priya’s body, indicating assault. Speaking to the media, Richard said, “We want the police to investigate this case with the sensitivity of caste discrimination and dowry harassment in mind. My sister was brutally tortured and then killed.” Priya’s life has been full of struggles. Priya originally hailed from Alagappa Samudram in Panruti taluk, Cuddalore district. After losing her parents in her childhood, she was raised by her elder brother, grandmother Josephina Mary, and aunts in Madampattu village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district. A bright student, Priya earned a B.Sc. degree in Microbiology from Periyar Government Arts College, Cuddalore, and was working at a private company in Sunguvarchatram, near Chennai. According to family sources, she had been in a relationship with Vasanth Kumar since her college days. Although Kumar later left college, their relationship continued and they married three months ago. Police Action and Family Protest Despite complaints of dowry harassment and caste abuse, the Valavanur police registered a case under Section 194 (3) of the Indian Penal Code (BNSS) and arrested husband Kumar on Tuesday. However, the deceased’s family is not fully satisfied with the police action. They have refused to accept Priya’s body and are demanding that Kumar’s parents and other relatives also be immediately arrested. Currently, the body is being held at the Government Medical College Hospital in Mundiambakkam after the post-mortem, where the family is pleading for justice. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
In a 1st, transgender to be face of Haridwar’s cleanliness drive
Haridwar: In a “first-of-its-kind initiative” in Uttarakhand, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation on Wednesday appointed a transgender woman, Sonia Bua, as the brand ambassador of its citywide cleanliness drive, a move officials said was aimed at promoting inclusivity while strengthening public participation in sanitation campaigns. Municipal authorities said that “the appointment of the 57-year-old social activist was intended to convey that transgenders are an integral part of society and that individuals contributing positively to the community should be recognised, irrespective of their gender identity”. As brand ambassador, Sonia will take part in awareness campaigns, public outreach programmes and community events to encourage residents to keep the holy city clean. Municipal commissioner Nandan Kumar, while handing over the appointment letter to Sonia, said cleanliness should be seen as a shared social responsibility rather than just a govt campaign. He added that the municipal corporation plans to involve other transgender groups in Haridwar in cleanliness awareness programmes in the coming months. “The participation of the transgender community will send a strong and positive message to society and will give fresh momentum to the cleanliness drive. Their social circle is wide and influential, which will help us reach more people and make residents aware about the importance of cleanliness,” the commissioner said. A resident of the Bahadrabad area of Haridwar, Sonia moved to the city at the age of 20. Speaking to TOI, she said, “Life as a transgender person is difficult as we are often abandoned by society and even by our families. My initial years, too, were very tough. Now that the municipal corporation has entrusted me with this responsibility, I will perform my role with full honesty.” She added that she would spread messages on cleanliness at religious and social functions where transgender groups traditionally go to offer blessings. Welcoming the decision, social activist Ratan Mani Dobhal, said, “The move would help both the cleanliness campaign and social acceptance. It is a good initiative and will definitely help in spreading awareness in society. Making Sonia the brand ambassador will also increase acceptance of transgender persons.” 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
‘BJP’s poster boy’: Punjab ex-minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu slams Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu Bittu over ‘enemy of state’ remark for Rahul Gandhi
Ludhiana: Senior Congress member and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched a blistering verbal counter-attack on Wednesday against Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, labelling his recent comments against Rahul Gandhi as “deeply irresponsible” and “unfortunate”. The friction follows Bittu’s controversial branding of the Lok Sabha’s leader of the opposition as “Desh ke Dushman” (enemy of the country), a statement that has ignited a firestorm within Punjab’s political circles. Ashu reminded Bittu, a three-time Member of Parliament, that his political foundations were built entirely on the support of the Gandhi family. Ashu noted that the Congress party had nurtured Bittu’s career, providing him with repeated opportunities and trust. “Just because you have become a poster boy of the BJP today does not mean you forget those who helped you rise in public life,” Ashu said, accusing Bittu of abusing his former mentors for “political convenience”. The Legacy Contradiction The former minister drew a sharp contrast between Bittu’s current rhetoric and the legacy of his grandfather, the late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. “It is ironic that a person who claims to inherit Beant Singh’s legacy has abandoned the very principles his family stood for,” Ashu remarked. He pointed out that Beant Singh had sacrificed his life fighting the very “divisive forces” that the Congress alleges the BJP represents. Ashu argued that by switching sides for power and questioning the patriotism of others, Bittu has exposed a “lack of conviction.” ‘Sacrifice vs Rhetoric’ Ashu underscored the historical weight of the Gandhi family’s contributions to India, framing Bittu’s comments as a sign of political frustration rather than truth. Ashu reminded the Union Minister that both the Gandhi family and Beant Singh fought for the same cause — the unity and integrity of India. In a call for introspection, Ashu added: “Before pointing fingers at Rahul Gandhi, Bittu should remember that both Beant Singh and the Gandhi family laid down their lives for this country.” The Congress member concluded by stating that such reckless personal attacks serve only to lower the dignity of public life. 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
M R K Panneerselvam sparks row with ‘North Indians clean tables’ in Tamil Nadu remark; BJP hits back
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday hit out at a Tamil Nadu minister over remarks about North Indian migrant workers, accusing the ruling DMK of repeatedly targeting migrants and fuelling social divisions in the state. The BJP was reacting to comments made by DMK agriculture minister M R K Panneer Selvam at a party event in Chengalpattu, where he referred to North Indians working in low-paying jobs. “People from the North are coming here to clean tables, engage in construction works, sell pani puri. Because he learnt only Hindi and had no job opportunity there, he has come here,” the minister said. In a post on X, the BJP said the remarks were derogatory and reflected a broader pattern within the DMK. “At a party event in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, DMK agriculture minister Shri MRK Panneer mocked North Indian migrants as “table cleaners and pani puri sellers.” In today’s India, people from every state work everywhere – North, South, and across the world. No job is small. No citizen is inferior,” the party said. — BJP4TamilNadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) The BJP alleged that such comments were particularly dangerous at a time when incidents of violence against migrant workers were being reported in Tamil Nadu. “This isn’t an isolated slip; it’s a pattern. DMK leaders have repeatedly derided migrant workers, especially for being North Indian or for speaking Hindi. At a time when violence against innocent migrant workers in Tamil Nadu is rising, such statements are reckless and dangerous, branding an entire community as “low standard” and fuelling hate on the streets,” the post said. The party also questioned the silence of leaders from the opposition INDI alliance over the controversy. “Now a direct question to the INDI alliance: if you claim to stand for unity, human dignity, and social justice, why this deafening silence? Is alliance compulsion more important than national unity? Do Shri RahulGandhi, Priyanka Gandhi , Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav endorse this hatred by staying quiet? Is this your idea of justice which is dividing Indians for votes? Complete shame!” the BJP said. There was no immediate response from the DMK or the leaders named by the BJP on the issue. Meanwhile, Tamilnadu BJP president in a post on X said, “Leaders of Arivalayam who incite hatred against North Indians! Even as attacks on North Indians are already rampant under the DMK regime, I strongly condemn the Minister of DMK, Mr. MRK Panneer ,for mocking them at a meeting held in Maduranthakam in Chengalpattu district by saying, “North Indians come to Tamil Nadu only to sell pani puri, work in construction, or wipe tables.” The DMK Minister must immediately seek a public apology from the people for his arrogant speech. In our Tamil land, which has upheld equality and brotherhood through the life philosophy of “Yadhum Oore, Yaavarum Keleer,” it is not only deplorable but also dangerous that DMK leaders continue to sow seeds of hatred against North Indians. Do the Congress and Communist parties, as alliance partners of DMK, endorse this divisive politics of the DMK, which strives to divide people ethnically into North and South? In our Bharat, which shares a unified cultural heritage “from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari,” the people will uproot and cast away this venomous creeper called DMK—which toils to seize power and authority by using North Indian people as scapegoats—in the upcoming Assembly elections!” — NainarBJP (@NainarBJP) 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
PM’s reply deferred as protest stalls Lok Sabha; scared Modi ran away, says opposition
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday could not deliver his customary speech during the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address because of the adjournment forced by the opposition, whose women members charged towards the treasury benches raising slogans and holding banners. Modi was scheduled to reach Lok Sabha when presiding officer Sandhya Rai, in for Speaker Om Birla, adjourned the House for the day to avert a clash that had seemed imminent because of counter-mobilisation of members, especially women, by the governing side. Modi is now expected to speak in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The adjournment was a fallout of the stand-off between the two sides over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on citing the unpublished book of former Army chief, Gen M M Naravane. The confrontation intensified due to what was seen as a tit-for-tat response by BJP member Nishikant Dubey, who sought to quote from books replete with unflattering references to members of the Gandhi-Nehru clan. Though the chair adjourned the House for the day, several opposition MPs questioned why Dubey was allowed speak. Congress members later met Speaker Birla and demanded his suspension. Speaker slams oppn MPs for Naravane banners The House witnessed similar protests during the question hour, and amid din, Speaker Om Birla adjourned proceedings till 12 noon. When the House re-assembled, opposition MPs were on their feet raising slogans against the govt over the issue of stand-off with China in 2020, referring to certain matters related to the unpublished “memoir” of General Naravane. Congress members had brought banners and posters featuring Naravane and defence minister Rajnath Singh, while Rahul was seen flashing a book in the House. The Speaker urged members to maintain dignity of the House and slammed the opposition for displaying banners and posters. The House was then adjourned till 2 pm. Later, the House was adjourned till 5 pm following an uproar over Dubey’s remarks targeting the Gandhi family. It was adjourned for the day by Rai. Scared Modi ran away from House, claim oppn MPs After the PM’s no-show in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said Narendra Modi feared being gifted General M M Naravane’s memoirs that narrate his account as Army chief during the 2020 Chinese aggression. Rahul remarked, “As I had said, PM will not come to LS because he does not want to face the truth.” Earlier Wednesday, Rahul dramatically posed in the Parliament complex with Naravane’s book “Four Stars to Destiny” that he was not allowed to cite in his speech on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, telling reporters, “I don’t think the PM will have the guts to come to LS today. If he comes, I will give him this book so that… he knows his reality.” After three days of logjam, the anti-BJP camp was excited that the PM had to back down from his scheduled speech for fear of disruptions. After the abrupt end to the evening’s proceedings, Trinamool Congress’ Kalyan Banerjee said, “He ran away for fear of the opposition.” Congress MP K C Venugopal said govt was making a mockery of Parliament, and the PM should be asked why he did not come for his speech. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said since the LOP was not allowed to speak in LS, the PM’s address too had to be cancelled. “This is the first time in parliamentary history… The united voice of 239 MPs will make India stronger,” he said. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also said Modi was too scared to come to the House. “The rail minister and Nishikant Dubey ran away like a bullet train,” she mocked. Quoting from the book to reporters, Rahul alleged Modi had abdicated responsibility during the Ladakh crisis. He said Naravane has said that he felt abandoned. He said the govt was now trying to deny the very existence of the book despite it being in the public domain. Rahul added that every young Indian should read the retired General’s detailed first-hand account of events in Ladakh. 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
BJP to invoke legacy of Dalit icons, including Kanshi Ram, before UP polls
Lucknow: The BJP has identified more than a dozen prominent Dalit icons, including BSP founder Kanshi Ram, whose legacy it plans to invoke as part of a larger plan to consolidate the SC community in the run-up to the high-stakes 2027 state assembly elections. UP BJP sources said the party has prepared a calendar marking the birth and death anniversaries of at least 15 Dalit ideologues who played a key role as social reformers by awakening the consciousness of socially deprived sections of society. Besides Kanshiram, the Dalit figures who will feature in the BJP’s future Dalit-centric campaigns include Sant Ravi Das, Sant Gadge, BR Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Gangu Baba, Uda Devi, Jhalkari Bai, Veera Pasi, Lakhan Pasi, Savitri Bai Phule, Tilka Manjhi, Rama Bai Ambedkar, Swami Acchutanand and Narayan Guru. Confirming the development, UP BJP SC Morcha chief Ram Chandra Kannaujia said the idea was to give due respect to every Dalit icon and to spread their ideas and teachings far and wide. He said that the BJP acknowledges Kanshiram as a powerful voice of Dalits, the underprivileged, and the exploited. “We also greeted BSP chief Mayawati on her birthday on January 15,” he said, while speaking to TOI. The development, experts said, aligns with the BJP’s concerted attempts to make deeper inroads into the Dalit vote base amid a steep decline in the political graph of the BSP.The move is also seen as the BJP’s bid to maintain continuous engagement with different Dalit sub-castes throughout the year, while preventing opposition parties from monopolising the social justice narrative. Analysts said that the measure marks the saffron outfit’s attempt to counter the opposition’s Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative, which is said to have dented the saffron outfit in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, pulling its tally down from 62 to 33. On Feb 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders celebrated the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, emphasising his teachings of equality and social harmony. PM Modi also visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Punjab and renamed Adampur Airport after Sant Ravidas. At the same time, the BJP SC Morcha launched various programmes aimed at honouring the spiritual leader and reaching out to the Ravidasia community. The BJP, however, faced criticism from BSP supremo Mayawati, who charged the saffron outfit with not reverting the name of Bhadohi to Sant Ravidas Nagar. Ravidas is said to have been born in the Gobardhanpur village on the outskirts of Varanasi. The party next plans to celebrate the birth anniversary of Sant Gadge on Feb 23 on a grand scale. Gadge, born as Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar in Amravati in 1876, belonged to the Parit/Dhobi community. He conducted his discourses in the form of kirtans, in which he emphasised values such as service to humanity and compassion. By publicly acknowledging figures such as Kanshi Ram and even extending greetings to Mayawati, the BJP, sources said, attempts to soften its image among the BSP’s core Dalit voters. The BJP would subsequently celebrate the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule on April 11, BR Ambedkar on April 14, and Ahilyabai Holkar on May 31. Ambedkar was always part of the BJP’s social narrative, even as the BJP moved closer to the Dalit community since its astronomical rise under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi after 2014. The BJP also plans to invoke the legacy of Dalit leader Gangu Baba. Born in Bithoor, Baba was a participant in the India rebellion of 1857. He was hanged by the British in 1859. While his birth anniversary is now widely known, local Dalit groups and activists hold a tribute and honour ceremony for Gangu Baba in Chunniganj (Kanpur) on June 5 every year, which functions as his birth anniversary observance in community memory. 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
Muslim Girl Marries Dalit Boy in Haryana, Now Seeks Protection, Says MLA Maman Khan is Threatening Her
A Muslim girl in Haryana’s Nuh district has married a Dalit boy. Now she has released a video appealing for security. Nuh: The controversy surrounding an inter-caste marriage in a village in the Firozpur Jhirka area is deepening. The girl, Najrana, has alleged that after her inter-caste marriage, which she entered into of her own free will, the boy’s family was subjected to social boycott and forced to leave the village. In her statement, Najrana said that she married Mohit with her full consent and desire and that she is happy and safe with her husband. She clarified that she is of legal age and her statements have been recorded in court. The girl alleged that her family members presented a fake birth certificate in court, even though she is an adult. Family Forced to Leave Village Najrana says that because Mohit belongs to the Dalit community, some people in the village and allegedly MLA Maman Khan socially boycotted Mohit’s family, due to which the family had to leave the village of Patla Shahpuri. Regarding the matter, the SHO of City Police Station Firozpur Jhirka said that the girl is an adult and her statements have been recorded in court. He said that a case was registered on the complaint of the girl’s family members, but during the investigation, the girl stated that she had a court marriage and is living under police protection. Najrana has demanded that the administration provide security to Mohit and his family and resettle them safely in the village. Clarifying the allegations made by her family, the girl said that she did not bring any gold or silver with her, only her essential documents and Aadhaar card. Girl Says: MLA Maman Khan is My Relative A video of the girl, Najrana, has surfaced on social media. In this video of about one and a half minutes, the girl says that her name is Najrana, her father’s name is Junaid, and she is from Firozpur Jhirka. I want to marry Mohit, I am happy with him, and I want to live with him. I have come with Mohit of my own free will, and there is no pressure on me from Mohit or his family. In the video, the young woman, Najrana, also says that MLA Maman Khan is related to my family because he is my grandfather’s aunt’s son. My family, in collusion with Maman Khan, presented a false birth certificate in court. This certificate is completely false; I am of legal age. The young woman also alleges in the video that MLA Maman Khan is threatening and intimidating my husband Mohit’s family and trying to force them out of the village because Mohit belongs to the Dalit community. Due to the threats from MLA Maman Khan, Mohit’s family has left the village. SDM Laxmi Narayan said the entire matter is being monitored. To investigate these allegations, Tehsildar Ravi Kumar reached Padla village and spoke to the villagers. During the investigation, the women and people of the Hindu community in the village clearly stated that there is no atmosphere of social boycott or pressure in the village. According to the villagers, the young man, his father, and uncle left the village on their own in January without informing anyone, while peace prevails in the village and there is no dispute. SDM Ferozepur Jhirka, Laxmi Narayan, said that the entire matter is being monitored and necessary steps will be taken to maintain law and order. No case of migration from the village was observed. Curated by: Rahul Mahajan About the Author Rahul Mahajan is a Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has 12 years of experience in the field of journalism. He has worked with organizations like ETV and News18 (Digital) in his journalistic career. Hindi News
Madhya Pradesh: Upper Caste Man Humiliates Morena Dalit Youth Who Refused To Pay For Alcohol
After video of torture went viral on social media Tuesday, police arrested the accused, “a habitual offender” and put him in custody. Morena: A video of a Dalit youth being subjected to humiliating torture by an upper caste man in Ambah town of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh, has gone viral, sparking outrage among the public. It is alleged that the local tough, Dharmendra alias Pui Tomar, a resident of Retkapura, demanded money from the victim to buy alcohol. When refused, he brutally beat the youth, then forced him into a humiliating posture (squat like a chicken), before subjecting him to more shameful acts, all purposefully recorded on video. Following the outrage, Ambah police registered a case against the accused and arrested him. The video went viral on social media on Tuesday afternoon. It clearly shows the inhumane treatment of the Dalit youth. When the police took notice of the video and launched an investigation, the incident was traced to the Janpad Panchayat office premises in Ambah town. The investigation revealed that the victim is a Dalit youth from Katare Wali Gali. He was called to the police station for questioning, where he recounted the entire ordeal, saying that two days before, he was going to the market for some work, when he met Dharmendra alias Pui Tomar, near the district office. The accused demanded money from him to buy alcohol. When the young man refused, the accused became enraged. Dharmendra then brutally beat up the young man and forcibly made him hop like a chicken. When even this did not satisfy him, he committed a “more shameful and humiliating act” on the victim. Someone, allegedly an accomplice, recorded the incident on video that has now gone viral on social media. As soon as the video surfaced, pressure mounted on the police to take action, so, Ambah police registered a case against Dharmendra under relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) by Tuesday evening and arrested him. Ambah SDPO Ravi Prakash Bhadauria said, “As soon as the video came to our attention, we registered a case, arrested the accused and put him in custody. The accused is said to be a habitual offender. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police have taken suo motu cognisance, registered an FIR and started a probe. Strict legal action will be taken against the arrested accused.” Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
IndiaTamil Nadu Dalit Man Alleges Honour Killing After Girlfriend’s Death, Cites Threats Over Inter-Caste Marriage
The death of a young college student in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district has triggered serious allegations of an honour killing, even as the police say early findings point towards suicide and that the final cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem report.News subscription service The woman, identified as Sivamathi, was 19 years old and studying in her second year of college. She belonged to an upper-caste family and was in a relationship with Ananthakrishnan, a Dalit man who works with a mobile phone company. Sivamathi was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Pettaipuli area of Tirunelveli. In his complaint, Ananthakrishnan alleged that Sivamathi’s family strongly opposed their inter-caste relationship and plans to marry. He said the couple had decided to get married on February 6 and had already started the process of obtaining a marriage certificate. According to him, the family’s opposition was entirely based on caste. He further alleged that Sivamathi was threatened by her maternal uncle, who warned her that she would be killed if she went ahead with the marriage. Ananthakrishnan also claimed that her family had taken away her mobile phone to cut off contact between them and that Sivamathi had earlier told him about being assaulted and repeatedly threatened at home. Police officials said that while these allegations are serious, initial inquiry and evidence from the spot suggest that Sivamathi may have died by suicide. A senior police officer said, “We will confirm everything only after the post-mortem report. All angles are being investigated.” Statements from Sivamathi’s family members, friends and her fiancé are currently being recorded. Given the sensitivity of the case and the caste-related allegations, the investigation has been transferred to an Assistant Commissioner of Police. Officers said that if evidence emerges showing that Sivamathi was driven to take her life due to threats, pressure or harassment, her family members could be booked for abetment of suicide. The case has revived painful memories of earlier caste-related violence in southern Tamil Nadu. Many have drawn parallels with the murder of Kavin Selvaganesh, a Dalit software engineer who was hacked to death in July 2025 for being in an inter-caste relationship. That case had led to widespread protests and demands for a strong law to prevent honour killings. 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
Dalit student assaulted at BHU: Case registered against 4 students, incident at Rajaram Hostel
Varanasi: The student movement at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, stemming from the new law introduced by the UGC, appears to be taking a violent turn. A case of assault and threats against a Dalit student has come to light at BHU’s Rajaram Hostel. The police have registered a case against four named students and other unknown individuals in this matter. The victim, Adarsh Kumar, is a first-year MA (History) student at BHU. In his complaint filed at Lanka police station, Adarsh Kumar stated that on February 3, 2026, between approximately 7 and 7:30 PM, some students who were lying in wait at the Rajaram Hostel mess attacked him in a pre-planned manner. Life-threatening attack on the head, mobile phone snatched According to the complaint, the attackers included Abhay Chaturvedi (MA second year Sociology), Ashu Singh (MA second year Political Science), Amit (MA second year Political Science), Ankit Singh (MA second year Political Science), along with four unknown individuals. It is alleged that the attackers launched a life-threatening attack on Adarsh Kumar’s head, causing him serious injuries. In addition, the accused snatched his mobile phone and threatened to kill him if he was seen again on the university campus. The victim also alleged that the attackers tried to intimidate him by claiming to be the “biggest goons” of the university. Following the incident, Adarsh Kumar is in a state of fear and anxiety. Dispute over social media post The injured student, Adarsh Kumar, stated in his statement that he had shared a post on social media supporting the UGC Act as upheld by the Supreme Court. Some students, angered by this post, attacked him. According to Adarsh, “We expressed our views democratically, but some people could not tolerate it and chose the path of violence.” Allegations and counter-allegations regarding the FIR The case took a new turn when the students against whom the FIR was registered accused the police and the university administration of deliberately framing them. They claim that they had filed a complaint earlier, but no action was taken. Subsequently, a case was registered unilaterally, which has increased resentment among the student community. Demand for impartial investigation Student organizations and the aggrieved parties have demanded an impartial investigation into the matter from the university administration and the police. They say that the guilty students should be identified and strict action should be taken against them so that such incidents do not recur in the future. Currently, the police say that the matter is being investigated and statements from all parties will be recorded. A tense calm prevails on the university campus. Courtesy: Hindi News