RSS must realise that permissions come from constitutional provisions, not from shouting Jai Shri Ram, says Dalit Sangharsha Samiti
For the first time in its 100-year history, the RSS had to follow the Constitution and the law when its route march was allowed in Chittapur on November 16, 2025, as per court directions Criticising the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti alleged that the organisation is consistently working against the spirit of the Indian Constitution and democratic values, but was forced to follow the Constitution during its patha sanchalana (route march) held at Chittapur town in Kalaburagi district of Karnataka on November 16. Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on November 24, Samiti State Convener Arjun Bhadre said that, for the first time in its 100-year history, the RSS had to follow the Constitution and the law when its route march was allowed in Chittapur on November 16, 2025, as per court directions. He stated that the organisation must realise that permissions come from constitutional provisions, not from raising slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram’. He took exception to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent clarification on the organisation’s registration status, accusing him of making disparaging and irresponsible comments that undermined the Constitution. Bhadre said that India’s constitutional framework is built on tolerance, pluralism and equality, but these values are being weakened by communal forces aligned with the RSS, he alleged. Mr. Bhadre said the RSS continues to support caste divisions and spread harmful ideas that threaten social harmony and democracy. “Recently a group of Maoist members in Maharashtra gave up their weapons. They accepted the Constitution and the national flag during a government rehabilitation programme. If armed rebels can follow the Constitution, why can’t the RSS?” 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
Comparing Dalits to animals, using terms like “handicapped” and “crutches”: A new Supreme Court report reveals shocking changes in judicial perspectives on caste over 75 years!
Learn about the highlights of the Supreme Court’s recent report on caste by the Center for Research and Planning. New Delhi: The Center for Research and Planning (CRP), the research arm of the Supreme Court, has released a landmark and comprehensive report on the caste system, the judiciary’s language and thinking toward Dalits and backward classes. The report presents an in-depth analysis of significant Supreme Court judgments delivered by Constitutional Benches consisting of five or more judges. Titled “Judicial Conceptions of Caste,” the report was released three days ago and its primary objective is to sensitize judges, legal researchers, policymakers, and the general public on the issue of caste and to promote the use of inclusive and dignified language. Published in November 2025, this report focuses on decisions of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, covering matters related to affirmative action, personal law, and atrocities. The report is authored by Dr. Anurag Bhaskar (CRP Director), Dr. Farah Ahmed (Professor at Melbourne Law School), Bheemraj Muthu (Doctoral Researcher at Oxford University), and Shubham Kumar (CRP Consultant). The report aims to sensitize the judiciary, legal scholars, policymakers, and civil society about judicial language related to caste, in order to promote inclusive discourse consistent with constitutional values. The report reveals that earlier decisions used terms like “handicap” and “crutch” to describe the Dalit community and even compared them to animals. The 1964 T. Devadasan case used the metaphors of “race horse” and “ordinary horse” to explain reservations. The 1992 Indira Sawhney case described reservations as “a career-long crutch.” These terms are not considered in keeping with constitutional dignity. However, the report also points out that the judiciary’s language has improved over time. Newer judgments acknowledge historical discrimination while emphasizing the rights and dignity of Dalits. The report is divided into three major sections. The first section, “Judicial Discourse on the Caste System,” focuses on judicial discourse on the caste system. It covers subtopics such as the varna system, the relationship between caste and occupation, concepts of the sacred and the profane, the supposedly “auspicious” origins of the caste system, the view of caste as an association, and the presence of caste in various religions. The report finds a clear confusion in the court’s understanding of caste. Some judgments have accepted caste as a rigid, hereditary hierarchy based on notions of purity and pollution. On the other hand, some judgments have portrayed it as primarily a benign occupational system or an autonomous group. These divergent perspectives highlight an unresolved tension between sociological realities and the concept of caste as described in religious texts. The report also cites Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy’s statement that Dalits and backward classes “need assistance, facilities, launches… their needs are their demands. Demands are for rights, not charity.” Convergent Views on Caste in Non-Hindu Religions According to the report, there is a fundamental tension in the judiciary’s understanding of caste: some consider it a religious construct limited to Hinduism, while others recognize it as a social institution that transcends religious boundaries. Justice Kuldip Singh’s minority judgment in the Indira Sawhney case traced caste’s origins to Hinduism, calling it “sui generis” for Hindu orthodoxy, and cited the Rig Veda and Manusmriti as its foundational texts. In contrast, Justice Chinnappa Reddy, Justice Ratnavel Pandian, and Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan took a different approach. They recognized that while caste may have originated in Hindu religious ideology, it has long since transcended its religious origins to become a widespread form of socio-economic organization in non-Hindu religions as well. They documented how caste-like hierarchical systems exist among Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, manifesting through occupational and regional groups. Changes in judicial language toward the Dalit community The second major section of the report, “Judicial Discourse on Oppressed Class People,” focuses on judicial language regarding Dalits and oppressed caste people. This section highlights how judicial language has oscillated between metaphors and descriptions affirming the dignity of Dalit communities and stigmatizing them. Previous judgments have used terms like “handicap” or “crutch” to describe Dalits, and even compared them to animals. For example, in the T. Devadasan case (1964), Justice K. Subba Rao used the metaphors of “racehorse” and “ordinary horse” to explain reservation. In the Indira Sawhney case (1992), Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy called reservation “a career-long crutch.” According to the report, such language is inconsistent with constitutional dignity and reflects a perspective of individual deficiency rather than structural inequality. However, the report also acknowledges that over time, the Court has distanced itself from such language and has adopted statements recognizing historical discrimination, the socially constructed nature of merit, and the constitutional demand to eliminate caste prejudice. The report also cites Justice O. Chinnappa Reddy’s statement that Dalits and backward classes “need assistance, they need facilities, they need launching… their needs are their demands. Demands are those of right, not charity.” Early judgments such as State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951) and T. Devadasan (1964) criticized reservation as discrimination against “meritorious” candidates and a threat to efficiency. However, in later judgments, such as N.M. Thomas (1976) and Indira Sawhney (1992), the Court viewed reservation as a means of constitutional repair and a means of increasing power sharing. Questions on Merit and Efficiency According to the report, judicial decisions questioned the “merit” and “competence” of Dalits and described reservation as a threat to administrative efficiency. In the M.R. Balaji case (1963), the court stated that reservation “is bound to lead to some lowering of standards.” In the N.M. Thomas case (1976), Justice H.R. Khanna warned that reservation would be “clearly detrimental to the ideals of supremacy of merit and efficiency of services.” In the same case, Chief Justice A.N. Ray stated that “efficiency of administration is so paramount that any reservation at the expense of efficiency would be unwise and impermissible.” The report rejects these arguments, stating that such language portrays historically disadvantaged communities as weak rather than competent. However, the court changed this view in subsequent decisions. In the Indira Sawhney case, Justice B.P. Jeevan
Delhi: 153 Dalit families are still searching for the land allotted to them in 1983. Will the wait ever end?
The government’s new proposal to families dreaming of a 120-yard plot near Vasant Kunj: Buy a flat in Narela or pay Rs 17 lakh; find out what the court said. New Delhi: The dreams of 153 landless Dalit families in Rangpuri village, adjacent to Vasant Kunj, a posh area in the national capital, have been entangled in files and court dates for the past four decades. In 1983, these families were allotted 120-square-yard plots each under a central government scheme. But even 42 years later, the reality is that wild Kikar trees have grown on the vacant land, and transporters park their buses and trucks there. A portion of the land acquired by the Delhi government in 2012 for staff quarters remains unbuilt. Meanwhile, the families fighting for their rights remain hopeful for justice. A three-decade-long battle in court This case has been pending in court for over 30 years. Nearly a decade and a half ago, the Delhi High Court made it clear that beneficiaries should receive their dues. Following the Supreme Court’s directive, in 2016, the High Court initiated contempt proceedings against the officials, taking suo motu cognizance. Despite this, the government has now argued in court that the allotted land is unavailable. In lieu of the plots, the government has proposed to provide these 153 families with a small flat (EWS category) in Narela, about 35 kilometers from Rangpuri. If they do not want the flats, they have been given the option of accepting ₹1.7 million as compensation. The High Court is strict on the government’s procrastination. Hearing the case on November 10, a bench of Justices Nitin Vasudev Sambre and Anish Dayal expressed displeasure with the government’s attitude. The court said that the government should not try to “obstruct or nullify” the judicial orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court by resorting to “administrative decisions.” However, the court also advised the petitioners not to adopt an adamant attitude and be prepared to consider the government’s “reasonable proposal.” Meeting with the LG also inconclusive On November 17, senior advocate Sanjay Jain, the Delhi government’s lawyer, informed the court that given the contempt proceedings that had been ongoing for almost a decade, a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) had been scheduled for November 21, 2025, to resolve the issue. However, sources present at that meeting on Friday say that no concrete results were achieved. How did this entire matter begin? The legal battle began in 1993, when a beneficiary, Nand Kishore (now 67 years old), approached the High Court through his lawyer, Rakesh Saini. He had sought possession of a plot allotted to him in 1983 under the Prime Minister’s Twenty Point Programme (TPP). This scheme was launched by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975 with the aim of providing land to underprivileged and landless families. In 2011, a single bench of the High Court ruled in Nand Kishore’s favor, stating that it was the government’s “legal obligation” and “social responsibility” to provide land for housing to landless residents of Rangpuri village. However, because the allotment did not require prior approval under the Delhi Panchayat Raj Rules, the court directed officials to find alternative land to fulfill the TPP’s purpose. Land Swap and a Game of Promises After the government’s appeal was dismissed in July 2012, the Supreme Court also rejected the government’s petition in January 2013 and threatened contempt proceedings if the High Court order was not implemented. A series of promises and U-turns followed: 2016: The administration told the High Court that it had no land in Rangpuri, but offered 25 bighas and 5 biswas of land in the nearby village of Rajokri. March 2017: The administration changed its stance and said that land had been identified in Kheda Dabar village in Najafgarh. 2018: The administration again backtracked, stating that land from any other village could not be allotted to Rangpuri residents. What is the current situation? In October 2024, the administration informed the High Court that the government had no land available. Under the policy decision, claimants could be given 153 EWS flats measuring approximately 35.50 square meters in Sector G-7, Pocket 4, Narela, or an ex-gratia amount of ₹17 lakh. In March of this year, petitioner Nand Kishore appealed to the court to either cancel the acquisition of land in Malikpur Kohi and Rangpuri, or grant him the 120-yard plot in Rajokri previously mentioned by the administration. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for December 1st, and all eyes are on it. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Were Hindu and Dalit homes demolished in Malavani to “polarize votes”? Mumbai Congress levels serious allegations against BJP
Conspiracy to polarize ahead of BMC elections? Sachin Sawant claims families living there for 25 years were rendered homeless by branding them Rohingyas Mumbai: The Mumbai Congress on Monday leveled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the ruling party destroyed the homes of poor families in the Malavani area of Malad for political gain. The Congress claims that in an action taken earlier this month, the homes of several Hindu and Dalit families were demolished on the false accusation that they were Rohingyas or Bangladeshis living illegally in India. Describing the BJP’s claims as fabricated Addressing a press conference on Monday evening, Mumbai Congress chief spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “The BJP’s allegation that the residents of Malvani are Rohingyas or Bangladeshis is completely fabricated.” To prove his point, Sawant also brought with him victims of Hindu and Dalit families whose homes were razed during the campaign. Sawant alleged that the BJP is attempting to polarize voters in view of the upcoming BMC elections. He said that labeling poor families in Malvani as foreigners is a deliberate conspiracy to target a particular community for political gain in the elections. Actions were carried out on November 3, 4, and 11. It is noteworthy that the Suburban Collectorate carried out demolitions of slums in Malvani on November 3, 4, and 11. The administration claimed that the residents were illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants. According to the Congress, this action was taken following instructions from BJP minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who is also the co-in-charge guardian minister of Mumbai along with Ashish Shelar. Sawant commented, “Lodha is not the head of the Revenue Department, nor is he the full-time guardian minister, yet he directly ordered officials to demolish the houses.” Allegations of Violation of Supreme Court Rules The Congress leader claimed that this demolition action blatantly violated Supreme Court guidelines. He said, “People were not even given a chance to present their documents. This entire drive should be thoroughly investigated.” The Congress demanded that the officials responsible be immediately suspended and the Governor should dismiss Minister Lodha from the state cabinet. People Living There for 25 Years Sachin Sawant also rejected the BJP’s claim that only “illegal Muslim residents” were evicted during the drive. He pointed out that the homes of Hindus and Dalits living there for the past 25 years were also demolished. Sawant strongly stated, “Denying an opportunity to prove their legitimacy shows that the BJP’s agenda is solely a conspiracy designed to polarize.” The Congress chief spokesperson also alleged that the BJP is specifically targeting Malwani and its MLA, Aslam Shaikh, because he represents a minority community. “As always, they are playing their dirty game of inciting Hindu-Muslim hatred,” he said. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Films can change transgender struggles’
Panaji: People aren’t exposed to the struggles of transgender individuals, which has the potential to be changed through cinema, said Vietnamese actress Can Quan, starring in the movie ‘Skin of Youth’, on Monday at the International Film Festival India. “When I was young, I saw people from the transgender community in nations such as the US and Hong Kong expressing their individualities through art, fashion, and music. So this movie was my chance to express my individuality through the character,” said Quan Tran. Ashleigh Mayfair, the director of the movie, said that they hope to release the movie in Vietnam as well. “The movie has been welcomed internationally and other film festivals and gave value to the existence of transgender communities worldwide. We hope that this movie helps the Vietnamese audience understand the perspective of a transgender individual. 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
MPs from T’gana must raise BC quota issue in Parl: KTR
Hyderabad: Alleging that the Congress govt had betrayed the BCs by not providing 42% reservations in local bodies, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the BRS would expose the Congress party’s U-turn on enhanced BC reservations. He said that they would confront the Congress party everywhere for trampling on the promises made under the ‘Kamareddy BC Declaration’ before the 2023 assembly elections and for deceiving BCs at every step. “The party will go to the people and expose the injustice done to Telangana BCs by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. Rahul is touring the nation claiming that 42% reservation has been given to BCs in Telangana, even though no such increase has actually been implemented in the state,” the BRS leader said at a meeting of BC leaders on Monday. A meeting with BC public representatives, former MLAs, MLCs, and senior party leaders was held at Telangana Bhavan on Monday. During the meeting, MLC Dr Dasoju Sravan gave a PowerPoint presentation on what he described as the fraud being committed by the Congress party in the name of 42% reservations. Speaking at the meeting, KTR demanded that if Rahul Gandhi were truly sincere, he should use his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to ensure an immediate discussion on this issue in Parliament. He questioned why, if the BJP govt at the Centre was not cooperating with the Congress govt in Telangana on BC reservations, Rahul was not raising the issue in Parliament. He added that if Rahul were genuinely committed to the 42% BC quota, he could introduce a Private Member’s Bill. He demanded that BJP and Congress MPs elected from Telangana raise this issue in the Lok Sabha during the upcoming Parliamentary sessions. KTR criticised the BJP, saying that while they repeatedly speak about BCs, they are betraying them in all aspects — from reservations to fund implementation and the creation of an OBC welfare ministry. He remarked that people are observing the BJP’s deception as well. 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
‘Don’t respect Ambedkar, Samvidhan’: BJP slams Rahul for skipping CJI’s oath taking; calls it ‘boycott’
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Monday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for not attending the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, alleging his absence reflected “disrespect” towards B R Ambedkar and the Constitution. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Congress leader of “skipping and boycotting” a key constitutional event attended by the country’s top leadership. Poonawalla, addressing reporters, said, “Today, when the entire country was in a sense celebrating, particularly Haryana, the Chief Justice of India’s oath ceremony and the entire government led by Modiji was present at the event, he skipped it, boycotted it.” He further remarked, “Instead of attending this solemn programme, Rahul Gandhi may be on some foreign trip or jungle safari.” Justice Surya Kant, known for being part of landmark benches including the rulings on the abrogation of Article 370 and the revision of Bihar’s electoral rolls, was administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior dignitaries were present. Justice Kant, who succeeds Justice B R Gavai, will serve until February 9, 2027. The BJP leader alleged that Gandhi and his party places “parivaar tantra” above democratic and constitutional norms, adding, “It shows that his family, particularly him, talk about ‘samvidhan’, but they don’t respect Ambedkar and ‘samvidhan’.” Justice Kant took the oath in Hindi in the name of God and will now head the Supreme Court for nearly 15 months. 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
Shivakumar camp ramps up pressure as Rahul Gandhi returns to Delhi
Bengaluru/New Delhi: The tussle at the top in Karnataka again played out in Delhi Monday, as deputy chief minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar and his supporters stepped up efforts to push for a change of chief minister. Shivakumar and his supporters, who reportedly sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi to press for his elevation as CM for the remaining two-and-a-half-years of this govt, have made multiple trips to the capital in recent days. Two separate groups of his supporters are currently in Delhi seeking meetings with senior party functionaries. But Rahul refused to meet any of them, prompting the deputy CM to return to Bengaluru, party sources said. Meanwhile, the Siddaramaiah camp is said to be running its own low-key manoeuvres — by seeking permission for cabinet rejig — to counter demands that he step down. Amid the churn, MLC and former AICC general secretary BK Hariprasad — regarded as close to the Gandhis — met Rahul privately in Delhi around noon. His meeting took place even as Shivakumar was denied time. Sources say Hariprasad briefed Rahul on the political situation and urged early intervention to prevent further escalation. He is believed to have told Rahul that repeated visits by Shivakumar’s supporters to the capital could trigger counter-pressure from Siddaramaiah’s camp, deepening internal rifts. Hariprasad declined to reveal details, saying only that “everything is fine”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who Siddaramaiah privately met on Saturday at his residence in Bengaluru, has expressed frustration over the persistent factional divide but suggested that he can’t resolve the impasse immediately. Kharge, who has remained in Bengaluru since Saturday, is expected to travel to Delhi on Tuesday to discuss developments with Rahul and review implications of either retaining or altering the present arrangement. Sources say a final decision from the central brass may be imminent. On Monday, a second batch of MLAs backing Shivakumar including HC Balakrishna (Magadi), KM Uday (Maddur), Nayana Motamma (Mudigere), Iqbal Hussain (Ramanagara), Sharath Bachegowda (Hoskote) and Shivaganga Basavaraj (Channagiri) flew to Delhi to meet senior party functionaries. Last week, some 10 legislators led by agriculture minister N Cheluvaraswamy met Kharge in Delhi and reportedly pressed for Shivakumar’s elevation in line with what they claim is an understanding that the chief minister post would change hands at the halfway mark. Simultaneously, the Siddaramaiah camp has continued to push for a cabinet rejig. Sources say that if the high command approves a reshuffle, it will signal that Siddaramaiah will continue for the full five-year term, narrowing the scope for Shivakumar to take over. Siddaramaiah, who earlier asserted that he would complete a full term as CM and present two more budgets, struck a more moderate tone Monday. “We will abide by the high command’s decision. If they decide I should continue (as CM), I will continue. Ultimately, whatever the high command decides, I should accept it. Shivakumar should also accept it,” he said in Chikkaballapur. Sharing the stage with him, Shivakumar responded that Siddaramaiah’s statement was ‘Veda Vakya’ (sacrosanct) for him. 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
Caste Discrimination in US: Dalit Activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan’s Groundbreaking Survey and Advocacy
In 2015, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a young activist, scholar, and co-founder of Equality Labs — a dalit civil rights organisation — spearheaded the first nationwide survey on caste discrimination in the US. The survey found that one in four dalits had faced physical or verbal assault, one in three reported discrimination in education, two in three encountered workplace bias, and more than half lived in fear of being ‘outed’. It emerged from repeated testimonies from dalit Americans even as dominant-caste South Asians insisted caste “was not an issue”. “These numbers showed what many denied: caste isn’t confined to South Asia. It exists in 21st-century America,” says Thenmozhi, who was conferred the Vaikom Award last month, which recognises contributions to caste justice and dalit civil rights. “Dalits faced slurs, physical threats and even organisational crises from those who didn’t want us to ask these questions,” says Thenmozhi, who wrote about it in ‘The trauma of caste’, published in 2022. Born to parents from Coimbatore, who later migrated to the US, Thenmozhi says she was driven by the suffering she witnessed in her family and among caste-oppressed communities. “It wasn’t one moment. It was the weight of intergenerational trauma in our diaspora and the silence that allowed caste harassment to be recreated in our homes, schools and workplaces,” says the US-based activist, who also co-founded ‘Dalit History Month’, celebrated globally. The ‘Lakireddy Bali Reddy’ case in the early 2000s in Berkeley shook her, she says. Reddy, a wealthy landlord, brought dalit women and girls from India on fake visas, exploited them for labour, and sexually abused minors. The crimes surfaced after a 13-year-old victim died in one of his buildings, leading to federal charges, a prison sentence and reforms in California’s anti-trafficking laws. “I recall letters from dominant-caste supporters asking for leniency. The impunity was devastating. We deserve a diaspora that heals together, stands with survivors, and refuses to repeat the injustices we inherited.” ‘We must de-brahminise technology and prevent a digital apartheid: Thenmozhi’ What were some of the other findings of your caste in the US report? We found 60% experienced caste-based slurs and derogatory comments; 40% felt unwelcome at their place of worship; 20% reported discrimination at a place of business. More than 40% said they had been rejected in a romantic partnership because of caste. In 2015, many US academics did not support this work. When working on the report, we were met with caste slurs. One organisation convened a board meeting to debate whether sharing our survey would “divide the community”. The truth is, the community was divided by caste; the survey revealed what had long been hidden. Your advocacy triggered support for anti-caste legislation across US cities. Our caste report, initially dismissed by many academics, mainly from dominant castes, became a foundational text for congressional briefings, institutional reforms and the legislative fight for SB 403, a bill in California to ban caste discrimination. In 2023, Senator Aisha Wahab championed SB 403, a bill that sought to add caste to California’s existing anti-discrimination laws, making it illegal to deny someone housing, employment or educational opportunities because of their caste. While SB 403 passed both houses, the governor, under pressure from dominant-caste Hindus, vetoed the bill. However, while vetoing the bill, the governor confirmed that caste discrimination is already against the law. In that sense, we still won: Californians who are denied housing, harassed at work, or subjected to physical or verbal abuse because of caste have clear pathways to redress, and our communities have stronger tools to live together with respect. Your work focuses on the tech industry. Tech companies are not neutral meritocracies; they are powerful corporate institutions that often protect dominant-caste networks. They benefit from public subsidies while funding anti-democratic political agendas. We must regulate tech, not worship it. Companies should explicitly include caste in anti-discrimination, vendor and harassment policies; provide caste-awareness training for HR, managers and staff; and audit datasets and algorithms to identify caste-coded biases. Just as earlier generations fought to de-brahminise access to public space, we must now de-brahminise technology and prevent a digital apartheid. Why must caste be considered in conversations about AI? If datasets, training corpora and annotation labour are marked by caste bias, and they often are, then AI will reproduce caste discrimination at scale. Caste must be included in algorithmic auditing, dataset review and ethical governance. The future must be built with caste-oppressed engineers, researchers, linguists and ethicists at the table. Where is the anti-caste movement today? Dalit art, literature, music, film, and political thought are shaping global culture. Our voices are visible. But visibility is not enough. This moment calls us to look to our ancestors such as Periyar, Iyothee Thass, Savitribai and Jyotiba Phule and Ambedkar. The next phase of our movement is about institution-building, not just reacting to harm, but designing the world that comes next. 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
Education, unity path to progress for Dalits: Min Satish
Pic: Public works minister Satish Jarkiholi inaugurates the student talent awards and Kannada Rajyotsava programme organised by the Karnataka Rajya Sa-Abhivruddhi Sangha at Kannada Bhavana in Belagavi on Sunday Belagavi: District minister Satish Jarkiholi stressed that the progress of the Dalit community depends on unity, education, entrepreneurship, and strong social and political representation. “Our future rests on the Constitution given to us by BR Ambedkar,” he said, while inaugurating the Student Talent Awards and Kannada Rajyotsava programme organised by the Karnataka Rajya Sa-Abhivruddhi Sangh at Kannada Bhavan on Sunday. Jarkiholi said that understanding history is essential for building an equitable society. Acts such as segregating Dalits or humiliating them, he said, must end. “The injustice suffered by our ancestors should not be repeated for future generations. Education is the only way forward,” he added. He cautioned that without the Constitution, historically marginalised communities might still be denied basic rights. “Ambedkar’s contribution is the foundation of the community’s growth,” he noted. The minister pointed out that while the govt has implemented several initiatives to promote education among the poor, challenges persist. He suggested that financially stable individuals and govt officials adopt underprivileged students and support their higher education to bring meaningful social change. Jarkiholi also referred to a recent meeting in Hubballi, regarding issues faced by the community, and assured that the demand for land for the Karnataka Rajya Sa-Abhivruddhi Sangh in Belagavi would soon be addressed. Attempts to erase the history of great social reformers, he said, must be countered with awareness and education. Quoting Ambedkar, he said, “Those who know history can create history.” He urged the youth to draw inspiration not from film stars or sports icons, but from social reformers like Buddha, Basavanna, and Ambedkar, whose ideals can eliminate caste and religious conflicts and ensure the country’s progress. MLA Raju Sait, writer UR Patil, folk singer Jyotirling Honakatti, association president Subhash Netrekar, Bhimrao Pawar and Sukumar Dodamani 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