Police invoke SC/ST Act in Dalit youth’s murder; main suspect shot, arrested in TN’s Tiruchy
Palakkarai police shot the prime suspect R Sathishkumar in the knee and arrested him at Melur in Srirangam after he allegedly pushed down two police personnel and tried to escape. TIRUCHY: A day after 26-year-old youth from a SC community, Thamaraiselvan, was hacked to death by a gang inside the police residential quarters in Marsingpet, police invoked SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the suspects, following protests from his family members. Subsequently, Tiruchy West tahsildar S Prakash handed over cheque for Rs 6 lakh to the victim’s mother, B Parvathi, as compensation under the Act. The family then received Thamaraiselvan body from the hospital after autopsy and conducted the funeral. On Monday night, Palakkarai police shot the prime suspect R Sathishkumar in the knee and arrested him at Melur in Srirangam after he allegedly pushed down two police personnel and tried to escape. Sathishkumar and two injured policemen Mathavaraj (32) and George William (37) have been admitted in the Srirangam Government Hospital. Acting on information shared by Sathishkumar, a police team tracked his accomplices who were hiding near the Yatri Nivas in Srirangam. Upon seeing police, the group tried to flee and allegedly fell into a pit. Nandhakumar suffered fracture in his arm, while Prabhakaran and Ganesan sustained leg fractures. All three were taken to MGMGH. On Tuesday all of them were arrested under the SC/ST Act. One more suspect Ilamaran was detained by locals inside the police quarters on Monday and handed over to police. 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
Bihar exit polls: Looking back at past predictions across states; how close were they to actual results?
NEW DELHI: With the final phase of the Bihar assembly elections wrapping up on Tuesday evening, all eyes now turn to the exit polls — the political prelude to the much-anticipated counting day. The high-stakes battle, primarily between the ruling NDA alliance and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, also marks the debut of Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj, which has campaigned vigorously on promises of change. As Bihar waits for the first projections to roll in, here’s a look at how exit polls fared in five major elections held in the recent past — Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, and the Lok Sabha — and whether the predictions matched the final results. Maharashtra: Predictions underplayed a landslide Exit polls: Pollsters had predicted an edge for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena), projecting between 150 and 170 seats in the 288-member assembly. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was expected to secure 110 to 130 seats, while smaller parties were forecast to win 8 to 10. Results: The Mahayuti performed far beyond expectations, sweeping 235 of the 288 seats, handing a decisive victory to the BJP-led alliance. The scale of the win exceeded most projections, showing a clear miss for the exit polls. Delhi: Exit polls broadly accurate, with minor deviations Exit polls: Surveys predicted a strong lead for the BJP, while some overestimated AAP’s performance. Results: The final tally stood at BJP 48, AAP 22, and Congress 0. Pollster P-Marq proved most accurate, predicting AAP at 26 and BJP at 44, a deviation of just four seats per party. Poll Diary also closely matched the outcome, forecasting AAP’s 22 seats precisely and coming within two seats for BJP. Haryana: Exit polls misread the tide completely Exit polls: Predictions gave Congress a clear upper hand with 44 to 64 seats, while the BJP was expected to manage 15 to 32 seats. Results: The BJP stunned pollsters and opponents alike, winning 48 seats, an all-time best for the party in Haryana. The Congress managed 37, nine short of the majority mark. The outcome sharply contrasted with exit poll estimates, making Haryana one of the biggest misses for psephologists in recent elections. Jharkhand: Exit polls drowned in a political downpour Exit polls: Most surveys predicted a neck-and-neck contest between the NDA and the INDIA bloc, giving around 38 seats to the JMM-led coalition and 40 to the BJP-led alliance. Results: When the results were declared on November 23, the INDIA bloc led by Hemant Soren’s JMM swept 50 of 81 seats, a resounding mandate. The exit polls, almost unanimously, failed to anticipate the scale of the INDIA bloc’s win. Lok Sabha 2024: ‘400 paar’ predictions fall flat Exit polls: Predictions for the 2024 general elections had painted a landslide for the BJP-led NDA, with some pollsters going as far as forecasting “400-paar”. Results: The NDA won 293 seats, well below the forecast, while the BJP managed 240 seats, 63 fewer than in 2019 — losing its solo majority for the first time since 2014. The INDIA bloc, led by Congress, surprised observers with 235 seats, underlining the extent of the exit poll miscalculations. What to expect in Bihar As Bihar’s 2025 verdict inches closer, the spotlight is now on the exit polls — whether they will capture the pulse of the voter or once again misfire, as in several recent elections. With Nitish Kumar seeking to defend his legacy and Tejashwi Yadav attempting to unseat him, the political stage is set for another fascinating test. 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
“Unhappy with the Bihar ticket distribution, seniors are not respected in this Congress,” Shakeel Ahmed questions Rahul Gandhi
Shakeel Ahmad Resigns: Following Shakeel Ahmed’s resignation from the Bihar Congress, a new revelation has now emerged. This revelation was made by Shakeel Ahmed himself. He has raised questions about ticket distribution and the new Congress of Rahul Gandhi’s era. Patna: Senior Congress leader Dr. Shakeel Ahmed has resigned from the party’s primary membership. He stated, “I am saddened. I was also unhappy with the ticket distribution in the Bihar elections.” Shakeel Ahmed resigned from the Congress in a lengthy letter. Although he cited personal reasons in the letter, he later revealed the truth in a conversation. Shakeel Ahmed was unhappy with the ticket distribution Senior leader Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said, “The reason is that I am angry, and what happened in the elections, especially the ticket distribution, was disappointing.” Although I announced three years ago that I wouldn’t contest elections. People stay in the party for family, but none of my sons wants to join the party now. People also stay in the party for respect and recognition, and if that’s not provided, why would anyone stay? Seniors are no longer respected in the Congress – Shakeel Ahmed Taking a dig at the party, he said, “Only those created by Rahul Gandhi are left in the party today. Why should we stay where seniors are not respected? We are resigning from the party, but we still have full faith in it. It’s not so easy to say that Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is failing. If senior leaders, even those who have said they don’t want to become MPs or MLAs, nor do they want their children to become MLAs, are still in the party, it’s for respect and recognition.” The decision was made 15 days ago. He said, “I deliberately chose today because I had made the decision 15 days ago, but I didn’t want to send the wrong message by resigning in the middle of the elections. I didn’t want the party to lose even five votes because of me, so I didn’t resign earlier. The elections ended at 6 p.m., and I sent my resignation to the Congress President around 6:05-6:10 p.m.” Exit polls aren’t always accurate – Shakeel On the IANS-Matterize exit poll for the Bihar Assembly elections, Dr. Shakeel Ahmed said, “I haven’t seen any exit polls yet, but exit polls and opinion polls aren’t always accurate. Even in 2015, all opinion polls and exit polls failed. We don’t believe they are always accurate.” Edited by: Rishikesh Narayan Singh About the Author Rishikesh Narayan Singh is in-charge of Bihar-Jharkhand for Navbharat Times Digital. His 20-year journey in journalism spanned from Janmat TV, IBN7, ETV Bihar-Jharkhand, News18 Bihar-Jharkhand to Times Internet. After starting in the national capital, Delhi, he now works in Bihar. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman raped for eight years under false pretenses of marriage: Asif accused of forced religious conversion, feeding her beef, and forcing her to undergo an abortion
A Dalit woman in Akbarpur has accused a young man named Asif of raping her for eight years under false pretenses of marriage. The woman alleges that Asif forced her religious conversion, fed her beef, and forced her to wear a burqa. She has also alleged forced abortion and attempted murder. Police have registered a case of rape against Asif and attempted rape against his father and brother and have begun an investigation. In her complaint to the police, the woman stated that Asif, a resident of Miranpur in Akbarpur, has relatives in her village. They met about eight years ago and began communicating. During this time, Asif, under false pretenses of marriage, began raping her. According to the woman, on September 6, 2023, Asif took her to his home and raped her. When she resisted, he stabbed her in the hand, injuring her. After keeping her at his home for a few days, Asif took her to Ludhiana. When the woman became pregnant, Asif abandoned her and returned home. The woman somehow reached Asif’s home, where Asif, his father Jalaluddin, and brother Arif forcibly administered medication and caused her to have an abortion. After recovering, she was taken to a madrasa, where she was converted to Islam. She was then fed beef and forced to wear a burqa. When she protested, she was also subjected to casteist abuse. The woman stated that on October 30, 2025, Asif drove her out of his home and, despite repeated persuasion, refused to keep her with him. On Monday, the woman reported the matter to the police. Police Inspector Srinivas Pandey stated that based on the complaint, a case has been registered against Asif for rape under the pretext of marriage, and against her father and brother for attempted rape. He stated that both applications are being investigated, and one of the accused is being interrogated. Courtesy: Hindi News
Former IPS Dr. B.P. Ashok, who resigned in 2018 over changes to the SC/ST Act, said, “Like demonetization, a ‘caste ban’ law should be enacted.”
Dr. Ashok shared several experiences of caste discrimination during his police career. He claimed that despite his outstanding work, he was denied service medals, while officers with lesser qualifications received medals based on their caste and recommendations. Dr. Ashok offered a unique suggestion to empower the weaker sections of society, saying that at least one member of every family should study law. He said, “Knowledge of law gives a person respect and reduces the fear of injustice. No one asks a lawyer’s caste; it’s their status.” New Delhi – Dr. B.P. Ashok, a former senior officer of the Uttar Pradesh Police Service, social reformer, and founder of the ‘Caste Eradication Campaign,’ has said that true equality in the country can only be achieved when caste identification is completely eliminated. Describing the caste system as the biggest curse on society, he stressed the need for a “caste ban” law. In a candid conversation on the “Power Talk with Sanjeev” podcast, Dr. Ashok discussed his resignation to the President in protest of the Supreme Court’s decision on the SC/ST Act in 2018, the injustices he faced during his service due to casteism, and the issues of caste discrimination prevalent in society. Dr. Ashok recalled the 2018 incident when the Supreme Court, in a decision, weakened the provision for immediate arrest under the SC/ST Act and made investigation mandatory. Dr. Ashok was in the Training Department at the time. He explained, “This provision was made so that dominant classes could not oppress the weaker classes and force them into compromises. When this provision was abolished, there was anger among the Dalit and tribal communities across the country.” He further said, “Peaceful protests were planned across the country on April 2nd, but some people resorted to violence. Violence broke out in districts like Meerut, Agra, and Aligarh, resulting in the death of 13 young people in police action. Hurt by this incident and demanding strengthening of the law, I submitted my resignation to the President.” However, despite the intervention of then-Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and assurances that the law would be reinstated within a month, his resignation was not accepted. Dr. Ashok said that Parliament reinstated the law on August 9, 2018. Encountering Casteism During Service Dr. Ashok shared several experiences of caste discrimination during his police career. He claimed that despite his outstanding work, he was not awarded service medals, while less qualified officers received medals based on their caste and recommendations. He said, “When it came to getting shot, I was at the forefront, but when it came to receiving medals, I was not.” Regarding the recent suicide of IPS officer Puran Kumar, Dr. Ashok said the incident was shameful for both the police department and society. He said a strong individual like an IPS officer would only take such a step when their morale is repeatedly undermined. He demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. Citing the example of former IPS officer Prasad, he said Prasad returned with degrees after being suspended for 11-12 years. “Have willpower, don’t commit suicide.” There should be a caste-banning law, just like demonetization. Dr. Ashok stressed that a strict law is needed to end discrimination and atrocities based on caste. He said, “We should enact a ‘caste-banning’ law, just like demonetization. All traces of caste should be erased from people’s pockets, nameplates, homes, neighborhoods, and shops.” He praised the order of Justice Vinod Diwakar of the Allahabad High Court, which directed a ban on writing caste-based names on vehicles and shops. Dr. Ashok believes that casteism cannot be eradicated until interview-free examinations and a caste-banning law are enacted. He said, “Increase inter-caste marriages and conduct interview-free recruitment. If the Mandal Commission had been implemented, democracy would have been strengthened. If OBCs had received a share, bullying would have stopped.” Sharply criticizing the caste system, he said, “Even a 100-year-old Kshatriya is inferior to a Brahmin. The situation of women is even worse.” “Why should a Brahmin in Kashmir give a share to the SCs of Kerala?” He called reservations “share.” “If you don’t like reservations, then practice inter-caste marriages. The next generation will benefit.” Provide top-to-bottom reservations in the private sector, and a 5-10% tax exemption. “Conduct a caste census, and balance will be created.” Family Background: A Legacy of Education and Struggle Dr. Ashok was born in Siyana village (Laung Sarai) in Bulandshahr. His father, Dr. Devi Singh Ashok, is a retired IG who traveled from village to village, sending SC/ST children to school. He said, “My father removed the fear of chanting ‘Jai Bhim’. We celebrated Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and wrote books. There was a tradition of education at home.” Dr. Ashok himself earned a PhD and D.Litt. in Buddhist philosophy. His daughter is in the IRS, his son-in-law is also in the civil service, and his son is pursuing an IIT. He said, “Ambedkarism is our inspiration. Buddha, Phule, Savitribai, Ambedkar—these are our icons.” Be educated, fight, stay organized.” His village also boasts a 53-foot-high “Bahujan Kranti Stambh,” dedicated to the martyrs of April 2, 2018. Dr. Ashok advised the youth to abandon superstition and fatalism for success and adopt a scientific mindset. “We waste 60 hours a year on superstition. China invests in R&D, we invest in gurus. 111 people commit suicide due to superstition. Buddha said to be guided by logic. Invest 25% of your surplus in savings; don’t borrow during festivals.” He emphasized time management, STEM education (science, technology, engineering, math), English, internet usage, and financial literacy. He said that without these skills, progress is difficult in today’s times. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Bhadohi: Dalit women who went to relieve themselves were molested; a case was filed against two youths under the SC/ST Act on a court order.
Police did not register an FIR; the victim appealed to the court, and now a case has been filed against two youths under the SC/ST Act. Bhadohi: A shameful incident of ambushing and molesting Dalit women who were going to relieve themselves near a pond in Bhadohi district, Uttar Pradesh, has come to light. After accusing the local police of inaction, the victim’s family moved the court. Now, on the orders of a local court, a case has been filed against two youths under serious sections. Police stated on Monday that both accused are currently absconding and efforts are being made to arrest them. What is the whole matter? According to the police, this incident occurred in the Gyanpur Kotwali area. 60-year-old Raj Bahadur Gautam filed a petition in the court of Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Amit Verma on April 23rd of this year. Gautam stated in his petition that there is a pond in front of his house, where his family, as well as women and girls from several neighboring houses, go to defecate at night. The heinous acts were committed under the cover of darkness. The petition made the serious allegation that two young men, Ramesh Bind and Shyamdhar Bind, would hide near the pond under the cover of darkness. When women arrived, they would molest and engage in obscene acts. The victim’s wife was also abused. Petitioner Raj Bahadur Gautam alleged that on the evening of February 24th, when his wife went to the pond to defecate, the two accused subjected her to the same heinous acts. When his wife strongly objected, the accused not only abused her but also used casteist slurs and drove her away. Upon returning home, the woman narrated the entire ordeal to her husband. Husband beaten after complaining, police accused of inaction Gyanpur Kotwali SHO Manoj Kumar stated that after listening to his wife, Raj Bahadur Gautam went to confront the accused. It is alleged that the two youths also abused Gautam and beat him so severely that he had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The victim Gautam also alleges that when he complained to the police about the incident, his FIR was not registered. Failing to receive justice, he was forced to approach the court. Case filed on court order After hearing arguments in the case, Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Amit Verma on November 8th clearly ordered the police to file a case. The police stated that, in compliance with this court order, a case was registered against both accused—Ramesh Bind and Shyamdhar Bind—at the Gyanpur Kotwali on Sunday under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police are now searching for the absconding accused. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
How India’s Higher Judiciary Is Steadily Advancing Transgender Rights Amid Global Anti-Trans Backlash
Through several landmark judgments, India’s Supreme Court has redefined inclusion for transgender people Today, supposed good-faith debates around gender theory are too often recast as a moral panic around gender, specifically, around what many on the right wing pejoratively call “gender ideology.” To be clear, from the very outset, the non-duality of gender is not an ideology; it is both theory and fact. For instance, one of US President Donald Trump’s first actions after taking office for his second presidential term was to eliminate the word “transgender” from the official lexicon of the United States federal government. This came amid his administration’s broader efforts to scrap federal DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies and dismantle USAID projects around the world, which have had disastrous repercussions globally. That same year, the United Kingdom Supreme Court handed down a disappointing ruling that held that under the UK’s Equality Act (2010) — the primary anti-discrimination legislation in the UK — transgender women could be excluded from single-sex spaces and services. Across Europe and Central Asia, too, transgender people are witnessing a sharp erosion of their rights and protections under the guise of “protecting traditional values.” Thus, at a time when global backlash against transgender rights is surging, the Supreme Court of India is charting a totally different path, moving towards the “full realisation” of equality for transgender people under the law. A breath of fresh air The Supreme Court of India’s recent jurisprudence on transgender rights is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise polluted, anti-transgender global climate. More than 10 years ago, the Supreme Court of India, in NALSA v. Union of India (commonly known as the NALSA judgment), recognised the “third gender” as not only a legally distinct gender category under the law, but also endowed them with the same fundamental rights as everyone else. Then in 2019, the Indian government passed the much-contested Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the accompanying Rules, 2020, to codify the principles laid down in the NALSA judgment. Over the years, however, the on-the-ground impact of these progressive developments has remained limited, and transgender people continue to face multiple barriers in exercising their rights — including, and especially, in obtaining their official gender identification documents. Yet, amid this administrative ambiguity at home and rising anti-transgender sentiment globally, India’s constitutional courts have continued to (somewhat surprisingly) stand by the transgender community through progressive and expansive interpretations of the law. Recent progressive developments Most recently, on October 20, in Jane Kaushik v. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India handed down an important judgment that directed the formation of a high-level advisory committee tasked with drafting a practical policy framework to strengthen transgender rights and ensure the effective implementation of the beneficial provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Earlier this year, in June 2025, the Andhra Pradesh High Court issued a landmark judgment clarifying that transgender women were to be legally recognised as women under Indian law. This ruling further affirmed that transgender women in heterosexual marriages were entitled to the same legal protections as cisgender women under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (which criminalises cruelty, harassment, and domestic abuse by a husband or his relatives). It is worth noting that, unlike other jurisdictions that do not explicitly recognise the third gender as a distinct gender category, India’s constitutional position also means that transgender women are legally recognised in their own right, thereby ensuring that the advancement of their interests cannot be seen as an encroachment on or undermining of the rights of their female cisgender counterparts. A case in point is Shanavi Ponnusamy v. Ministry of Civil Aviation (2022), where a transgender woman seeking employment as a cabin crew member at Air India was forced to apply under the “female” category because no separate option existed for transgender applicants. Despite clearing all medical tests, she was ultimately denied employment. When she challenged the decision before the Supreme Court, the Court ruled in her favour. This was therefore not a case of a transgender woman attempting to unfairly “encroach upon women’s spaces,” as some right-wing activists might suggest, but rather an instance where the airline simply failed to provide a legally required, designated category or space for a transgender individual. Several other cases also echo this progressive judicial trend, including a widely reported 2023 same-sex marriage case. While the Supreme Court declined to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages, it nevertheless made an exception for transgender people in heterosexual marriages and extended legal recognition to them. This marked a significant expansion from an earlier, narrower interpretation of the law, which recognised only a limited subset of such relationships under Hindu personal law alone. While these cases collectively signal the higher judiciary’s proactive approach toward expanding the scope of transgender rights in India, there is still room for improvement. For instance, transgender people in non-heterosexual relationships cannot yet have their marriages legally recognised. Similarly, various petitions challenging certain provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, were filed before the Supreme Court years ago but are still awaiting adjudication. That being said, these judicial developments represent a promising trajectory, particularly when viewed in the troubling and volatile global context in which they are embedded. Therefore, there is reason to remain hopeful about India’s higher judiciary and its inclination to expand, rather than restrict, the scope of transgender rights under the law. This is a trend that activists can only hope continues in the years, if not decades, to come. By Kanav Narayan Sahgal Courtesy : The Good Men Project Note: This news is originally published on https:/thegoodmenoroject.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
IOC set to ban transgender women from all female events at LA 2028 amid fairness debate
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is planning a total ban on transgender women from playing in women’s events at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, is leading this move to “protect fairness in female sports,” according to Daily Mail Sport and AP News. Right now, every sport can make its own rules for transgender athletes, based on their testosterone levels. But the IOC now wants one rule for all sports, which would stop all transgender women from competing in women’s categories. Sources told Daily Mail Sport this new rule could be announced in early 2025 and might take six months to a year to fully pass. It will likely start before the Winter Olympics in Italy next February. IOC officials said this is the “direction of travel,” but no final decision has been made yet. An IOC statement to Daily Mail Sport said, “The working group is continuing discussions. No decisions have been taken yet.” Imane Khelif’s Paris 2024 boxing win sparks IOC debate on DSD and transgender athlete ban for LA 2028 The new rule also raises a big question, what happens to athletes like Imane Khelif from Algeria?Imane Khelif, who won boxing gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has what reports call a “difference in sexual development” (DSD). That means she has male chromosomes but was raised as female. Her win, and that of Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, caused a huge storm. Both had earlier been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for not passing gender tests. But the IOC still allowed them to fight in Paris, which led to global outrage. — dailymail (@dailymail) Now, the IOC is deciding if DSD athletes should also face limits like transgender athletes. But insiders told Daily Mail Sport that there’s internal opposition to banning them completely. The IOC’s medical chief, Dr. Jane Thornton, gave a report in Lausanne last week about transgender and DSD athletes. The report reviewed the latest science on hormones and performance. It showed how hard it is to set fair rules for everyone. President Kirsty Coventry, a former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe, promised to “protect the female category” when she was elected. Many think the upcoming rule will help her keep that promise, and also avoid clashes with U.S. President Donald Trump, who already signed an order banning transgender women from female sports earlier this year. For now, the IOC says no final decision has been made. But all signs point to a total ban coming before the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 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
NDA netas defend EC, say opposition has conceded defeat
Patna: The NDA on Monday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition’s chief ministerial face, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, saying they had “accepted defeat even before the second phase” of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled for Tuesday. Reacting to the Congress and RJD’s allegations against the Election Commission (EC), former Union minister and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said the opposition routinely questioned democratic institutions whenever outcomes did not favour them. “It is their habit to attack vital organs of democracy. How did they win in Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh? How did Rahul Gandhi win in Uttar Pradesh?” he asked, countering Rahul and Tejashwi’s charge that the EC was a “tool of the BJP”. Responding to Tejashwi’s question on why industries were being set up in BJP-ruled states and not in Bihar, Prasad said he knew Rahul Gandhi “does not do homework”. “It seems Tejashwi has fallen prey to the same condition after staying with the LoP. Seventeen ethanol projects have been started in Bihar. Textile and readymade garment factories have come up in Bettiah, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Begusarai and Hajipur. Biscuit and food processing units have been set up in Hajipur and Bihta. MoUs worth Rs1.8 lakh crore have been signed for investments in Bihar. We are winning even after 20 years of remaining in power because of people’s trust in the NDA,” he said. Senior JD(U) leader and minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that despite two decades of continuous rule, not a single voice had been raised against chief minister Nitish Kumar. “This is an incredible achievement. Nitish is the only CM whose popularity has increased as his tenure has progressed, and today he is even more popular than in 2010. No matter what the opposition may say in its discordant voice, the public has trust in Nitish Kumar,” he said. Choudhary added that the opposition’s entire campaign was based on “false and baseless” assertions. “Rumours were spread claiming the govt would withdraw Rs10,000 each given to Jeevika Didis. Similarly, the opposition questioned the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls just to appease the minorities,” he said. On Tejashwi’s allegation that security forces were being deployed only from BJP-ruled states, JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Choudhary clarified, “The EC calls in reinforcements from places where there is a surplus and no tension.” Referring to Tejashwi’s criticism of PM Narendra Modi for campaigning alongside strongmen, Ashok Choudhary asked, “Who is Ritlal Yadav? Is he the Shankaracharya? RJD chief Lalu Prasad campaigned for him. A criminal was murdered in Siwan, and you went there in a helicopter. What message were you trying to convey?” Regarding the Congress’s charge on Bihar’s backwardness, LJP (RV) Bihar incharge and Jamui MP Arun Bharti said the party should first present its own record. “Bihar had about 25% contribution to the country’s GDP, with around 40% sugar and 60% coal supplied from the state after independence. Patna University was among the top universities. Who snatched this advantage of Bihar?” he asked. RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha said the public mood clearly favoured the NDA. “The people’s sentiments visible everywhere clearly tell the opposition, ‘Kyon pade ho chakkar mein, nahin hai koi takkar mein (why are you so confused? No one is in competition).’ The atmosphere is completely in the NDA’s favour,” he added. 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
Rahul Gandhi spoke to Gen Z on reservations, business-education in Bihar, and the RSS, and made these remarks on politics.
While speaking to Gen Z children, Rahul Gandhi responded to a question about caste-based reservations by stating that he was not talking about reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but rather that he wanted every section of society to have access to the country’s resources according to their population. New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been frequently discussing the new generation recently. He also urged Gen Z to participate in the Bihar elections. In this context, on Monday, he spoke with some Gen Z children on a variety of issues. Responding to a question about caste-based reservations, Rahul Gandhi stated that he was not talking about reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but that he wanted every section of society to have access to the country’s resources according to their population, as advocated by the Congress party. Answering serious questions with a smile Congress released a 10-minute video on Monday, in which Rahul Gandhi appeared in a light mood while talking to children. The children, while laughing, asked him serious questions. The first question was about politics. Rahul Gandhi said he would simply share his own experiences. He said that responsibility and honesty are essential in politics. Everyone calls politics a dirty game…but in reality, it’s hard work. It’s real work. What did he say about reservations? A girl asked, “The BJP practices Hindutva politics, while the Congress talks about SC/ST reservations. What should we do?” To this question, Rahul Gandhi said, “Congress doesn’t talk about SC/ST reservations. Congress is saying that India’s wealth should be distributed honestly. Whether you’re a Dalit, an OBC, a Muslim, an EBC, or a tribal, you should all have equal opportunities. It shouldn’t be that two percent get all the wealth, while the rest are left screaming.” He further said, “If you say I fight for the rights of tribals, then you can say they vote for us (Congress). You wouldn’t call it a vote bank.” You can say this: whose rights are you working for? Rahul Gandhi said that while the term “vote bank” may sound appealing in the media, the real reason is that when you work for someone’s rights, that’s politics. He said this in response to a question about the Bihar elections. One question was, “In 2012, you went to Kashmir with several business tycoons and said you wanted to bring business to Kashmir. Do you have such a plan for Bihar?” Regarding this question about the Bihar elections, Rahul Gandhi said, “If I were to go to Bihar today with five businessmen, the state government would destroy the businesses. Nitish Kumar’s government has been in power in Bihar for 20 years. He has destroyed Bihar, and the education system in Bihar has also been destroyed. Education is almost nonexistent.” Rahul Gandhi alleged that young people in Bihar prepare for exams, but those who control the government leak the papers and give them to their own people. They appoint RSS chancellors to universities, who have destroyed the basic structure of education. There are professors who teach physics but don’t know physics. Those who teach biology don’t know biology. The healthcare system has also been destroyed. The healthcare system in Bihar has been privatized. Under the flyover at Delhi AIIMS, you’ll find many patients from Bihar who come to Delhi for treatment because they can’t be treated in Bihar. Curated by: Varun Shailesh About the Author Varun Shailesh is an Assistant News Editor at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 15 years of experience covering current affairs, politics, social issues, and features. He began his career with the news agency IANS in 2009. He worked on the central desk of Hindustan (Hindustan Times Group) for over five years. Courtesy: Hindi News