Rahul addresses Congress training camp in Kurukshetra, shares ‘Guru mantra’ with cadres
Kurukshetra: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday addressed an organisation-building training camp of Congress district presidents from Haryana and Uttarakhand, held at Punjabi Dharamshala in Kurukshetra. He gave clear guidance as Guru Mantra (master’s guidance) on strengthening the party organisation in their respective states and enforcing discipline at all levels. Sources said that 33 Congress district presidents from Haryana and 27 from Uttarakhand attended the camp. Rahul stayed in Haryana for nearly 6 hours, from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. He arrived in Kurukshetra at about 11:20 am from Ambala by road, and took off from Ambala at about 5:30 pm after attending the training camp. As per sources, Rahul Gandhi arrived in Kurukshetra in the same vehicle with former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rao Narendra Singh and AICC general secretary B K Hariprasad. Earlier, the three leaders, along with MP Deepender Singh Hooda, Ambala City MLA Nirmal Singh, and other senior leaders received Rahul Gandhi at the Ambala airport. On his return from Kurukshetra as well, Rahul Gandhi travelled with Hooda and Rao Narendra Singh. Sources privy to the camp said that during his address, Rahul Gandhi briefed all district presidents in detail about the Congress party’s history, ideology and future strategy. He urged them to work with full dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to strengthen the party, while taking proper guidance from the senior leaders. He also met the family members of the district presidents individually, who were specially invited by the Congress leader to talk to him if they wanted to say something. “Rahul ate lunch with district presidents and held separate discussions with them. Strict discipline was maintained at the training camp, and no media or other people were allowed inside. Rahul Gandhi also held discussions with Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Rao Narendra Singh and B K Hariprasad, during which he took detailed inputs on the political situation and ongoing developments in Haryana. He directed the state leadership to implement discipline within the party and the organisation with seriousness and strictness. He specifically instructed Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the state Congress president to take action against leaders indulging in anti-party statements and activities. In an indirect but clear message, Rahul Gandhi also cautioned those leaders who were not participating wholeheartedly in programmes announced by the party high command,” said a source. The district presidents, in their interaction with Rahul Gandhi, provided feedback regarding state leaders. They pointed out that frequent irresponsible statements by certain leaders damaged the Congress, while benefiting the BJP. The district presidents emphasised that it was essential to curb such statements in the larger interest of the Congress. Sources said that Rahul told district presidents, “The prevailing empire of corrupt power poses a major challenge,” but stressed that party workers must confront these challenges with courage and further reinforce the organisation. “No one can suppress your voice because a strong organisation like the Congress stands with you. You are capable and empowered. There is no need to take decisions under pressure—work independently. We will periodically assess your progress and continue to provide guidance and support whenever required,” Rahul said. A district president who joined the training said, “District presidents of Uttarakhand and Haryana were called for a meeting. Families of district presidents were also called, and Rahul Ji held individual meetings with them. During the training session, we ate lunch together. A group discussion on how to strengthen the party and organisational structure was also held.” “Rahul Ji gave instructions to take forward policies of the party to every household and also to give respect to every party worker. He directed that the district presidents and party workers should hold more meetings with the general public, rather than party leaders,” said a district president. Congress MPs Kumari Selja, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Deepender Hooda, Uttarakhand chief Ganesh Godiyal, co-in-charges Jitendra Baghel and Prafulla Gudde were present. 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
Poor family’s house gutted by fire in Sattichaura area: Household belongings reduced to ashes, entire family forced to live under the open sky
A thatched house belonging to a Dalit family in the Sattichaura area of Ayodhya caught fire on Monday afternoon. The entire household of Vijay Kumar Raidas, son of Rambaksh Raidas, a resident of Sundari Talab Haribandhanpur, was reduced to ashes, leaving the family homeless and forced to live under the open sky. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon. The elderly grandmother, Ramkala, who was present in the house with four young children, tried her best to extinguish the fire, but was unsuccessful. Upon receiving the information, PRV police arrived at the spot, and with their help, the fire was brought under control. The thatched house and all the belongings inside were completely destroyed by the fire. Approximately half a dozen family members, including young children, were forced to spend the entire night under the open sky in the biting cold. Even 24 hours after the incident, the family has not received any assistance. Satyam Singh | Ramnagar Dhaurahra (Sohawal), Courtesy: Hindi News
Coast Guard Academy project in Mangaluru triggers row as dalit colony loses only access road
Residents of Moodubalike, a small habitation located close to the academy site, claim that a kaccha road that provided the sole access to their colony was blocked around two months ago. MANGALURU: The construction of India’s first Coast Guard Academy (CGA) at Kenjar on the outskirts of Mangaluru has run into controversy, with Dalit families living in the vicinity alleging that the compound wall being built for the project has cut off the only access road to their colony, affecting their daily lives. The CGA has been allotted 159 acres of land by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), and work is currently underway on laying the foundation for the compound wall. However, residents of Moodubalike, a small habitation located close to the academy site, claim that a kaccha road that provided the sole access to their colony was blocked around two months ago due to the construction activity. Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) district convenor Sadashiva Padubidri said that around 10 Dalit families have been living in the area for nearly 70 years and were granted title deeds under the government’s Ashraya housing scheme in 1994. Despite having legal ownership of their homes, the families are now facing isolation due to the loss of road access, he said. Padubidri explained that the colony is surrounded by private properties on three sides, leaving only a mud road adjoining Survey No. 116/7 as the lone access route. “This road has been crucial for all daily needs, including travel to workplaces, schools, markets and hospitals,” he said, adding that the problem will become more acute during the monsoon, when the entire area gets waterlogged. According to DSS leaders, repeated appeals to Member of Parliament Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MLA Umanath Kotial, the Deputy Commissioner, Coast Guard officials and the Tahsildar have failed to yield any concrete response. “The MP expressed helplessness and did not even accept our memorandum. He later asked the Tahsildar to conduct a spot inspection, but the inspection was carried out without informing the local residents,” said Raghu K. Yekkar, another DSS leader. He added that Coast Guard officials had earlier orally assured the residents that the road would not be blocked. “We have no alternative access as the remaining three sides are private lands and the owners will not permit passage. From an existing concrete road, our houses are barely 50 metres away. If the Coast Guard gives up just a few cents of land, a proper access road can be provided to our habitation,” he said. The DSS has demanded an immediate halt to the compound wall construction and urged the MP and the Deputy Commissioner to intervene and ensure an alternative access arrangement. Stating that access to a road is a fundamental right, the organisation warned that if the alleged injustice to the Scheduled Caste families is not addressed, it will be forced to launch protest demonstrations. Meanwhile, a Coast Guard official, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied the allegations and said there was no question of blocking any road, as no road is shown at the location in the panchayat records. Vincent D’ Souza 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
Attack on Dalit labourers condemned
Vijayawada: Alleging that barbaric and anarchic incidents are occurring across the State under the coalition government, CPM State Secretary V Srinivasa Rao has demanded stringent action against gambling organisers who allegedly assaulted Dalits and members of weaker sections. Such incidents reflect a breakdown of law and order, he said. Demanding strict punishment for those involved in the assault on Dalits and weaker sections at a cockfighting camp in Uppuluru village of Kankipadu mandal in Krishna district, and seeking the registration of cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the CPM organised a protest at Besant Road here on Tuesday. CPM leaders and cadres raised slogans against the illegal activities and attacks on Dalits in the state. Addressing the gathering, Srinivasa Rao said labourers belonging to Dalit and weaker sections from Thotlavalluru were taken to work at a cockfighting camp in Uppuluru. Following a dispute over money, the organisers allegedly tied them up, brutally assaulted them throughout the night, and threatened to throw them onto railway tracks. He expressed shock that such a grave incident occurred close to the State capital, yet no serious action was taken by officials, public representatives, MLAs, or ministers. He alleged that attempts were being made to protect the accused. He criticised the police for registering only a token case and demanded that cases be booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He said the victims were being falsely branded as thieves, causing them humiliation and fear, and that gambling organisers had even warned them not to speak to anyone. Despite videos of the assault being circulated on social media, the accused were not arrested, which he termed illegal and undemocratic. Srinivasa Rao further alleged that while the government was going soft on those indulging in illegal gambling, liquor, and cockfighting, it was invoking the PD Act against those fighting for public issues. He warned that the coalition government, which came to power opposing the previous YSRCP regime, was behaving in an even more oppressive manner and would meet the same fate if such practices continued. He demanded police protection for the victims and severe punishment for the culprits. CPM Central Committee member D Ramadevi alleged that the government had lost moral authority by allowing cockfighting, liquor, and gambling in the name of Sankranti. She criticised Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subhash for allegedly participating in recording dances and questioned the government’s silence on incidents of caste-based violence in Bapatla district. CPM State Secretariat member Y Venkateswara Rao, KVPS State Secretary Andra Malyadri, CPM Corporator Boyi Satyababu, CPM leaders B Tulasidasu, AV Nageswara Rao, Ramana, Durgarao, Seetharamulu, Murali, Someswara Rao, and others were present. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Casteism in Himachal: Thakur girl marries Dalit man, faces ostracism from her own family; read the heartbreaking truth
Himachal News: A living example of how deeply rooted casteism still is in society has come to light. A young woman from a general category (Thakur) family married a man from a Scheduled Caste (SC) community, and she became a victim of taunts and discrimination from her own relatives and society. The woman shared her pain on social media, describing how her parents fully supported her, but after their death, all limits of discrimination were crossed. This story exposes the double standards of a society that prioritizes caste over humanity. Court marriage performed with the Constitution as witness In her post, the woman stated that she and her husband had a court marriage with the Indian Constitution as their witness. This is an inter-caste marriage. The woman belongs to a Thakur family from the general category, while her husband comes from the SC community. After the marriage, some relatives and villagers protested. They tried to instigate the woman’s parents, saying that their daughter had brought shame to the family. However, the woman’s parents and brother and sister-in-law ignored these remarks and strongly supported their daughter’s decision. The real struggle began after the parents’ death The victim said that as long as her parents were alive, no one dared to say anything in front of them. Her parents said that there was no greater happiness than their daughter finding a life partner of her choice. But after the death of her parents, the attitude of relatives and acquaintances completely changed. Those who used to speak respectfully before now started practicing untouchability and discrimination. The woman said that fed up with this behavior, she has distanced herself from her relatives. Even childhood friends and landlords discriminated against her The poison of casteism is not only spread among illiterate people but also among educated people. The woman shared a shocking incident. Her childhood friend, who had grown up with her, also started practicing untouchability towards her children. Moreover, she was asked about her caste when she was looking for rented accommodation in Rampur and Shimla. A landlady even prevented the children from putting up charts on the walls and discriminated against them. This incident shows how deeply ingrained caste-based mentality is, even in cities. A strong reply to the trolls After sharing her story on social media, a woman from Sirmaur (Rekha Sharma) tried to troll the young woman. The troll alleged that she had eloped from college and had dishonored her father. The young woman gave a strong reply, stating that she had married legally, not eloped. She clarified that she had never tarnished her family’s honor. She is very happy with her husband, who cherishes her and her children. The young woman clarified that her fight is not against the general category, but against the ‘Manuvadi’ ideology that spreads hatred in society. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala Assembly polls: UDF eyes Dalit thinker Sunny M. Kapikad to challenge LDF hold in Vaikom
When contacted, Kapikad confirmed that informal discussions have taken place regarding his possible candidature, though he said no formal communication has been received from the UDF leadership As discussions on candidate selection gather momentum among the coalitions for the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, speculations are rife over the United Democratic Front (UDF) looking to field Dalit thinker Sunny M. Kapikad in the Vaikom constituency. When contacted, Mr. Kapikad confirmed that informal discussions have taken place regarding his possible candidature, though he said no formal communication has been received from the UDF leadership. “The UDF has openly acknowledged its commitment to expand its base by bringing in different sections of society. I am therefore inclined to support any proposal that aligns with the interests of the Dalit community,” he said. Vaikom, a long time stronghold of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), last witnessed a Congress victory in the 1991 Assembly elections, when K. K. Balakrishnan won by a narrow margin of 376 votes. Banking on its success in wresting the Velloor district panchayat division, which falls within the Vaikom Assembly segment, during the recent local body elections, the UDF is now keen to reclaim the constituency. The coalition is exploring whether the influence wielded by Mr. Kapikad, who is also a voter in the Assembly segment, among Dalit voters in the region, would be sufficient to secure a victory. Mr. Kapikad, a well known Dalit thinker and social critic, was among the early activists of the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha led by C.K. Janu and M. Geethanandan and has played a key role in several Adivasi Dalit movements in the State. The UDF has already inducted the Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha, led by Ms. Janu, as an associate member of the coalition. Meanwhile, debates over his possible candidature has sparked a major discussion in social media. Leaders of Dalit organisations say they are receiving enthusiastic support from various parts of the state in favour of his candidature. The sitting MLA from Vaikom is CPI leader C.K. Asha, who has held the seat for two consecutive terms. In the 2016 Assembly election, she secured 61,997 votes, while Congress candidate A. Saneesh Kumar polled 37,413 votes. In 2021, Ms. Asha retained the seat with 71,388 votes, compared to 42,266 votes secured by UDF candidate P.R. Sona. Her vote share in the 2021 election stood at 55.96%. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Punjab Congress in damage control mode after Channi’s Dalit representation demand
Days after Congress leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi called for greater Dalit representation in the party, which had brought the internal party discord into public view, the State unit on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) moved into damage control mode. Cracks appear in Punjab Congress over calls for Dalit representation in party by Channi Denying that there was any factionalism in the State Congress, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the Congress does not practice caste or communal politics, even as he asserted that there may are some minor differences among the leaders. Talking to media persons here during an informal interaction, he said, “Unlike the BJP, the Congress does not believe in polarising and dividing people in the name of caste or religion. Punjab in particular never believed in caste or sectarian divisions.” Responding to a question on factionalism in the Punjab Congress, he said, the party was completely united in the State. He added, “May be there are some minor differences among the leaders which are part of every organisation and even a family. But tell me where our leaders have worked on cross purposes against each other or against the party?” he quipped. He said even though there are 34 assembly seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes in Punjab, in case there are more deserving candidates from the SC community, they can still be accommodated. “If there are fifty deserving SC candidates, they will all get the tickets irrespective of the fact that only 34 are reserved for the SCs”, he said. To a question about the recent remarks made by Mr. Channi, the State president said he would not like to comment on that, pointing out that “Channi was made the Chief Minister after the removal of an upper caste Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and earlier he was made the Congress Legislature Party leader after the removal of an upper caste leader Sunil Jakhar.” “Channi was specially picked up to be the Chief Minister of Punjab in 2021 when no party MLA had supported him. Despite that, every leader and legislator welcomed the party’s decision,” he said. Recently, speaking during a meeting of the party’s SC wing, Mr. Channi stated, “In Punjab, if you accept that there is a 35-38% population of Dalits, which is there, then why are we not getting representation. Punjab Congress president is from upper caste, CLP leader is from upper caste, women wing of Punjab Congress from upper caste, Punjab Congress general secretary is from upper caste? Where do we go? Where will these people go?” said Mr. Channi, who is currently a Lok Sabha MP from Jalandhar. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Four transgender persons from UP to attend Republic Day parade as special guests
Gorakhpur (UP), Jan 20 (PTI) Four transgender persons from Uttar Pradesh will attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi as special guests, marking a significant moment of recognition and inclusion for the community. They are associated with the Garima Grih shelter home in Gorakhpur and will travel to the national capital on January 24 following official protocol, District Magistrate Deepak Meena said. “I received the information through an official email. It is a proud moment for us,” Garima Grih founder Ekta Maheshwari, who has been invited to the parade, said. Ekta, 38, a native of Lakhimpur Kheri, came to Gorakhpur in 2007 and started the shelter home in 2011. “I am happy that through this shelter home, in collaboration with the central government, I am able to help transform the lives of people like me,” she added. Among the invitees is Deepika (34) from Kushinagar, who trained as a makeup artist after working with an NGO in Delhi. Heer, 21 also from Kushinagar, shared a story of her childhood struggle, social stigma and the depression before discovering her identity as a transgender person. Another invitee, Gorakhpur’s Lado, 20, who joined Garima Grih in 2019, credited her supportive family and professional training for helping her build an independent identity. PTI COR ABN PRK PRK 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
Rahul Gandhi will try to persuade the rebellious Bihar Congress MLAs; a meeting will be held on January 23.
Amidst speculations that all six Congress MLAs from Bihar might leave the party, these MLAs have received a summons from Delhi. A meeting will be held with Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge at Indira Bhavan in Delhi on January 23. Patna: All six Congress MLAs from Bihar have been summoned to Delhi. This summons is very significant amidst speculations that all six Congress MLAs from Bihar might leave the party. A crucial meeting will be held at Indira Bhavan on January 23 in the presence of Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The main objective of this meeting is to strategize on strengthening the organization in Bihar and to elect the leader of the legislative party. Congress MLAs may switch sides It is noteworthy that for the past month, there have been speculations that Congress MLAs in Bihar might switch sides. Several leaders of the ruling party have claimed that all six Congress MLAs will leave the party. It is also being claimed that the Congress MLAs might join the JDU. These speculations gained further momentum when not a single party MLA attended the Congress’s Dahi-Chura feast on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Now it is believed that Rahul Gandhi and party president Kharge in Delhi might try to dissuade these MLAs from leaving the party by holding talks with them. The Bihar Congress held a meeting with its MLAs on Monday. In this meeting, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee in-charge Krishna Allavaru and state president Rajesh Ram met with the chairmen of various party cells, departments, and MLAs to discuss the future strategy. Along with strengthening the organization, the responsibility of ensuring the strong implementation of the MNREGA law in the districts was also assigned. Protest against the rape and murder of a student Meanwhile, the Congress staged a strong protest against the government in Bihar over the rape and murder of a NEET student. The protesting women activists carried bangles for the Home Minister. They also burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram and in-charge Krishna Allavaru also participated in this protest. Krishna Allavaru said, “The police tried their best to suppress the case. An FIR was registered due to public pressure. An SIT has been formed, but the investigation should be conducted properly.” The meeting in Delhi will prove crucial in deciding the Congress party’s future strategy in Bihar. The election of the legislative party leader is expected to give the party a new direction. Plans are being made to work at the grassroots level to strengthen the organization. Emphasis is also being placed on effectively implementing the MNREGA scheme so that common people can benefit from it. Authored by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been working in journalism for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in India and around the world. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Decision at right time’: DK Shivakumar’s brother namedrops Rahul Gandhi in CM row; Siddaramaiah puts it to ‘high command’
NEW DELHI: The ongoing tension over the Karnataka chief minister’s post resurfaced on Tuesday after DK Shivakumar’s brother said Rahul Gandhi had assured the deputy chief minister that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.Former MP DK Suresh described Shivakumar as a committed party functionary and said the Congress leadership, including Gandhi, had asked him to exercise restraint while assuring him that the matter would be resolved in due course. “The party has already asked him to be patient. Rahul Gandhi, during the meeting in Mysuru, also said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time,” news agency PTI reported him as saying. He also said that Shivakumar’s approach was guided by the need to keep all 140 Congress legislators together and maintain stability in the government. Emphasising that political authority requires perseverance, he added, “In the interest of the party and legislators, and with the goal of keeping all 140 legislators together, he is patiently waiting for the party’s decision.” With an eye on the 2028 assembly elections, Suresh also stressed that unity within the Congress would be critical. “He is also the party president and should maintain discipline first, which he is following diligently,” he said refering to Shivakumar. The leadership churn in Karnataka intensified after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation centres on a reported power-sharing understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023. Shivakumar has previously said discussions on the issue were held with the Congress high command and that while a decision had been taken, its timing is yet to be finalised. Suresh indicated that the upcoming legislative session, scheduled from January 22 to 31, could be a reference point, after which the party leadership’s stand may become clearer. Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said he would travel to New Delhi if called by the Congress high command to discuss the leadership issue. He reiterated that any such engagement would depend on a formal summons from the party leadership. “I will go if I am called by the Congress high command,” he said. Siddaramaiah also sought to shift focus to governance, noting that the joint session of the state legislature would be held from January 22 to 31, alongside a special session on MGNREGA. He said preparations for the 2026–27 state budget would begin after the session, with official ANI sources indicating that the budget is likely to be presented in March. Siddaramaiah had previously said he intends to present his 17th state budget next year, adding to his record as finance 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