UP govt teacher assaults 10yo Dalit girl for refusing toclean toilet, threatens to strike her name off school
Agra: A govt primary school teacher at a village in Aligarh allegedly threatened to strike a 10-year-old Dalit girl’s name off the rolls if she did not clean the toilet. When the Class 5 student still refused, citing ill health and her father’s objection to do such work, she was allegedly thrashed by the 40-year-old woman teacher. The incident took place at Aligarh’s Karsua village in Lodha area on Thursday, and came to light after a local villager recorded a video of the girl’s experience at school and uploaded it online, triggering public outrage and a police inquiry. In the short video, the girl could be heard saying the teacher asked her to clean the toilet and fill buckets with water. When she refused, the teacher became angry and started beating her, she alleged. She also claimed that other children at the school were routinely made to clean furniture and perform chores. “The teacher sometimes even asks the students to massage her feet,” the student says in the video clip. Later when the 10-year-old’s father, Joginder Singh, a daily wager, confronted the teacher in school, the latter called her brother, who then allegedly assaulted him on its premises. “The teacher thrashed my daughter and the teacher’s brother thrashed me; so I decided to approach the cops. When some elderly villagers requested me to withdraw my complaint, I agreed to do so, only in my case. But, I won’t compromise in my daughter’s case,” the father said on Saturday. He added: “A sub-inspector visited my house on Saturday and asked me to file a fresh police complaint.” DSP (Gabhana) Dhananjay Singh said that they had taken note of the video, and local cops had initiated an inquiry and were in touch with the family. “We’re exploring the necessary legal steps in this matter. We’re also corresponding with the education department,” Singh added. SHO (Lodha), Hemant Mavi, said that a case will be registered under relevant sections once they receive a written complaint. 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
JNU VC’s remarks on Dalits sparks criticism from legal fraternity
Senior advocate Jayaraju says such statements undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice Kurnool: Senior Advocate Y Jaya raju has sharply condemned recent remarks by Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, who stated that ‘Dalits and Blacks cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.’ In an interview with The Hans India on Saturday, Raju called the comments deeply disturbing, casteist, and antithetical to constitutional principles. He argued that labeling Dalit assertion as mere ‘victimhood’ trivialises the enduring realities of structural oppression faced by historically marginalized communities. Such statements, he said, undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice. The advocate emphasised that social justice is a core constitutional imperative, not sentiment. He invoked key provisions of Indian Constitution—guaranteeing equality (Article 14), abolishing untouchability (Article 17), and providing for affirmative action for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Articles 15, 16, 46)—as evidence of the State’s recognition of systemic injustice and its duty to implement corrective measures. He also highlighted a troubling pattern during Pandit’s tenure, including her reported opposition to UGC equity regulations aimed at curbing caste discrimination, perceived alignment with RSS-affiliated student groups, and statements perceived to downplay caste-based bias. These, he noted, have fuelled concerns among faculty and students about eroding democratic spaces, ideological bias, and inconsistent application of disciplinary norms—contrary to JNU’s tradition of robust, open debate. Drawing on BR Ambedkar’s vision, Raju stressed that constitutional morality must supersede entrenched social hierarchies. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to issue a public apology, recommit to equity policies, bolster anti-discrimination mechanisms, and ensure institutional neutrality. Raju framed the issue as transcending party politics: safeguarding Dalit dignity is integral to upholding Indian democracy itself. Failure to address such remarks, he warned, risks further eroding public trust in premier institutions. By V Narendra Kumar 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
Kanpur clash turns violent: Tractor dispute leaves 5 seriously injured, Dalit family’s hut burned
The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. In Sargaon village of Ghatampur, a minor disagreement over moving a tractor escalated into a violent clash between two groups. What began as a heated argument quickly turned into a physical fight involving sticks, rods, and even axes. At least five people were reported seriously injured in the incident. The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. The police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident and managed to control the situation. The injured were first admitted to the community health center (CHC) in Ghatampur and later referred to a major hospital in Kanpur for advanced treatment. MLA Saroj Kuril visits victims Upon learning about the attack, Saroj Kuril, MLA of Ghatampur, visited the hospital to meet the victims and inquire about their condition. The injured told the MLA that the attack was carried out by the son of the Sargaon village head along with his associates. According to the Dalit family, the attackers used sticks, rods, and other weapons, pulling hair and physically assaulting them. The family claims that the tractor dispute was only an excuse, and the attack was premeditated. The hut being set on fire destroyed all their belongings, causing severe financial and emotional loss. MLA Saroj Kuril condemned the incident. She said she was informed while attending a wedding ceremony and immediately rushed to the hospital upon learning about the atrocities and the fire. She spoke to DCP South, Deependra Nath Chaudhary, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The MLA also instructed the officer in charge of Sajeti police station to take immediate steps. The DCP assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and the guilty would be arrested and punished. Police investigation underway The police confirmed that the case falls under the jurisdiction of Sajeti Police Station. Complaints from both parties are being recorded, and an investigation is ongoing. Initial findings suggest that the clash may be linked to an old rivalry between the groups. With inputs from Anurag Srivastav Edited By: Isha Bhandari Courtesy : India TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka man held for shooing away Dalit couple from temple
The accused pretended as if he was possessed by a deity, Arasamma, and drove the Dalit couple, Pankaja and Puneeth, out of the temple. TUMAKURU: Police arrested a man for allegedly ousting a newly-wed Dalit couple from a temple at Goni Tumakuru village in Turuvekere taluk. The police booked the accused Narayanappa under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Six other persons in the village who had allegedly backed the accused in practising untouchability against the couple were also booked. The accused pretended as if he was possessed by a deity, Arasamma, and drove the Dalit couple, Pankaja and Puneeth, out of the temple. A video in which the accused is seen yelling at the couple saying that Dalits are not allowed to enter the temple went viral on social media. Perform rituals elsewhere, go away, says the accused in the video. The priest was found performing the pooja while the accused created the scene. Upset by the behavior of the accused and other villagers, the younger brother of Pankaja, Jagadish, had lodged a complaint with the Turuvekere police. An FIR was filed against Narayanappa, Prabha, Kanthanna, Amulya, Puttegowda, Padma and others. Police are on the lookout for the remaining accused. Meanwhile, tahasildar NA Kunhi Ahmed and DySP Omprakash held a peace meeting involving the Dalits and other members of the village in the temple premises on Friday evening to create awareness about untouchability which is an offense. 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
AIADMK MLA’s son, Dalit leader’s daughter among new TVK joinees
Logesh was AIADMK’s candidate from Nilgiris constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, contesting against DMK’s A Raja, but failed to sceure a victory. CHENNAI: Son of former assembly speaker and AIADMK MLA P Dhanapal, Logesh Tamilselvan, was among the three who joined TVK on Saturday in the presence of actor-turned politician Vijay. Chackravarthy, grandson of civil rights activist Immanuel Sekaran, and Catherine, daughter of Dalit leader Ezhumalai, also joined the party. Logesh was AIADMK’s candidate from Nilgiris constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, contesting against DMK’s A Raja, but failed to sceure a victory. In a post on X, addressed to party cadre, Vijay named general secretary N Anand, former minister and head coordinator of the party’s executive committee KA Sengottaiyan, and general secretary for election campaign management Aadhav Arjuna as principal observers for the Assembly election. At the district level, former MLA JCD Prabhakar has been appointed for Tiruvallur; former MP Sathyabama will oversee Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode and Tiruppur districts; former IRS officer KG Arun Raj has been assigned Salem and Namakkal, while CTR Nirmal Kumar will monitor Madurai, Theni and Dindigul. Other functionaries have been appointed for the remaining districts. 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
14-Year-Old Dalit Girl Dies by Suicide in Meerut After Accused Molester’s Release From Jail
A 14-year-old Dalit girl died by suicide in Lakhimpur Kheri near Meerut. Her family alleges that she was under immense stress after the man accused of molesting her was released on bail and threatened to kill her. The Incident The teenager was found hanging from the roof of her house on Wednesday afternoon. Her parents were not at home at the time, with her father working as a farm labourer and her mother collecting firewood. When they returned from work, they discovered their daughter’s body. Speaking about the circumstances leading to his daughter’s extreme step, the victim’s father recounted the traumatic events of the past month. He explained that on January 10, his daughter had gone to a nearby field to collect fodder when the accused, identified as 25-year-old Lavlesh Kumar, dragged her into the bushes and molested her. “When she raised an alarm, the accused hurled casteist slurs and fled,” the father said. Legal Action and the Accused’s Release Following the incident, the girl returned home and informed her parents about the assault. They immediately filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report. The accused was arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, the situation took a devastating turn after Lavlesh Kumar secured bail approximately one week ago. According to the family, his release from prison marked the beginning of fresh terror for the teenage survivor. “After getting bail, Lavlesh met my daughter when she had gone out to a nearby shop and threatened to kill her if we did not take back the case,” the grieving father told reporters. Mental Trauma and the Aftermath The father described how his daughter was deeply affected by this encounter. “My daughter then told us that she was terrified and was under mental stress. But before we could do anything, she took the extreme step,” he said, his voice filled with grief and helplessness. The family maintains that the constant fear of the accused and his threats pushed the teenager to take her own life. The incident highlights the vulnerability of survivors, particularly those from marginalised communities, even after they muster the courage to report sexual crimes. Police Response and New Charges Following a fresh complaint lodged by the family, police registered a case against Lavlesh Kumar on Thursday. Circle Officer Shivam Kumar provided details about the legal action taken. An FIR has been filed under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide, and section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “The accused was arrested and sent to jail on Friday,” Kumar confirmed. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
DSS marks 20 years of struggle for equality
Vijayawada: Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS), which has been championing the rights of Dalit and Adivasi women for the past two decades, celebrated its 20-year journey here on Friday with the slogan ‘Justice, Equality and Self-Respect’. Addressing the gathering, national convener Geddam Jhansi described the occasion as a milestone in DSS’s sustained efforts to achieve social, political and economic equality for Dalits and Adivasis. She said the organisation has consistently worked to protect vulnerable communities from atrocities and to ensure access to quality education for Dalit and Adivasi children. Jhansi thanked the Social Welfare Department, the PCR Department, the Directorate of Prosecutions and the media for their continued support. She also expressed gratitude to her team members for their relentless commitment. Senior IAS officers B Rajasekhar, Kaki Sunitha and Udayalakshmi, Director of Prosecutions Byra Ramakoteswara Rao, Dr Swarajya Lakshmi, Ramadevi, Dr Tabitha, AP Transco Divisional Engineer Anuradha and the Resident Editor of ‘The Hans India’ attended the event. Ex-officio principal secretary of Agriculture B Rajasekhar lauded DSS for undertaking initiatives that often extend beyond the government’s reach and urged women to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance employment prospects for Dalit and Adivasi youth. He also encouraged a shift towards natural farming for sustainable outcomes. Kaki Sunitha highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, noting that legal loopholes sometimes hinder justice under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Coordinators Satyakama Jabali, Roja, Prasanna, Hemalata and Sara were also 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
JNU VC’s ‘Dalit Victim Card’ Statement Sparks Row On Campus, JNUSU Demands Resignation
JNU VC Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit remarked that Dalits “cannot always progress by portraying themselves as victims or playing the victim card,” leading to student protests. JNU VC Dalit Statement Controversy: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice Chancellor Shantishree Dhulipudi Pandit has sparked significant controversy on campus with a statement made in a podcast. She remarked that Dalit and Black communities “cannot always progress by portraying themselves as victims or playing the victim card,” leading to student protests and calls for her resignation. The Vice Chancellor clarified that her statement had been misunderstood, noting that she herself is from the Bahujan Samaj. What is the whole matter? The statement was made in a podcast released on February 16. The Vice Chancellor was discussing the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Equity (Anti-Discrimination) Rules of 2026, aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. However, following protests from some upper caste groups, the Supreme Court has currently stayed these rules. In the podcast, the Vice Chancellor described the UGC regulations as “unnecessary and irrational.” She mentioned that “it’s not easy to move forward by demonising someone or constantly portraying yourself as a victim. It’s like a temporary addiction.” This statement quickly went viral on social media, sparking controversy. What explanation did the Vice Chancellor give? As the controversy grew, the Vice Chancellor clarified that her statement had been misrepresented. She asserted that she did not intend to imply that the Dalit community always plays the victim card. She said that some people use such language as part of a “woke” ideology. She also expressed that unnecessary controversy had been created in this matter and that due care had not been taken in formulating the rules. She reiterated, “I myself am a Bahujan.” Protest on campus, demand for resignation The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) labelled the Vice Chancellor’s statement as “blatantly casteist.” The student union demanded her resignation and called for nationwide protests on Saturday. They argued that such statements promote caste discrimination and inequality in universities. The student union also criticised the Vice Chancellor’s affiliation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In the podcast, she had expressed pride in her RSS affiliation, saying it provided her with insight into diverse views and diversity. Following this statement, the atmosphere on the JNU campus has become tense. Student organisations have stated that protests will continue until the Vice Chancellor apologises or resigns. Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor maintained that her words were taken out of context. The matter remains a topic of discussion within academic and political circles. Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
15-year-old Dalit in Rajasthan assaulted for entering temple bookmark_border text_fields
The complaint further alleges that the man continued to hurl casteist abuse, threatened to kill the minor if he returned to the temple, and then assaulted him by slapping, kicking and punching him. Chittorgarh: A 15-year-old Dalit boy from Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district has alleged that he was verbally abused and physically assaulted on caste lines at the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Ghosunda village. In his complaint, Chetan Prakash Regar, the son of Mangilal Regar, said the incident took place on the morning of February 7 when he went to the temple to pray. While he was returning, an upper-caste man, identified as Shubham Sukhwal, allegedly stopped him and used caste slurs, objecting to his presence in the temple. The FIR accessed by Mooknayak states that the accused questioned how someone from the Dalit community could enter the temple and reacted aggressively when the boy asserted that the place of worship was open to everyone. The complaint further alleges that the man continued to hurl casteist abuse, threatened to kill the minor if he returned to the temple, and then assaulted him by slapping, kicking and punching him. It also names another man, Pawan, as having joined in the attack and allegedly attempted to cause serious harm, Siasat Daily reported. The boy told the police that even as he managed to escape, the accused continued issuing threats warning him and others from his community against visiting the temple in the future. The FIR also mentions the temple priest, alleging that he too used caste-based threats against the minor. Police have registered a case under sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115(2) (intentionally causing harm) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Atrocities) Act. However, the family has said no arrests have been made so far and that they feel unsafe following the incident. Chetan belongs to the Regar community. Local Dalit organisations, including the Dr Ambedkar Civil Association in Rajasthan, have submitted a memorandum to the State Human Rights Commission through the district administration, condemning the attack and calling for strict action against those accused. Courtesy : Madhyamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalits’ land in Madhapur Maujpur, Hapur: Questions raised about administrative negligence, and powerful people are issuing threats.
Hapur. A case of illegal occupation of agricultural land belonging to seven Dalit families by powerful people has come to light in Madhapur Maujpur village, within the Simbhaoli police station area of the district. The affected families allege that they are being prevented from accessing their fields and are being threatened with death. Meanwhile, the families are angry over the lack of concrete action at the administrative level to free the land from encroachment. Ceiling leases were granted in 1972 According to victim Gyan Chand, in 1972, the government allotted leases of ceiling land to seven members, including his family, for their livelihood. Since then, all the families have been cultivating these lands to support their families. He says that this land is their sole source of livelihood. Allegations of illegal occupation by a powerful man The families allege that after the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government in the state, Kaluram Tyagi, a local strongman, illegally occupied these leases. It is alleged that Kaluram Tyagi, in collusion with revenue officials, filed a lawsuit in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, to have the leases cancelled. Won the case in the ADM Court The affected families say they fought a legal battle and won the case in the court of the Additional District Magistrate, Hapur, on May 31, 2025. Despite the court order, they have not been given back possession of the land. The families allege that even after losing the case, the powerful party is threatening to kill them if they enter the fields. Forced to run around officials The Dalit families say they have been making frequent rounds of the SDM Sadar and the Simbhaoli police station to free their land from encroachment, but no concrete solution has been found. They allege that they are unable to get justice due to administrative apathy at the local level. Police said the matter is revenue-related. Simbhaoli police station in-charge Suresh Kumar stated that no one can be given possession of land without the presence of a revenue department team. He explained that the matter is revenue-related and action will be taken as per the rules. Meanwhile, the state government has been making public claims that Dalits’ land will not be illegally occupied. In such a situation, this case in Madhapur Maujpur raises questions about administrative claims. Currently, the affected families are looking to the authorities for justice and the hope of getting their land back. Pitam Singh | Buxar (Garhmukteshwar), Hapur Courtesy: Hindi News