Dalit fault lines are resurfacing for BJP. Case studies: IPS suicide to shoe thrown at CJI Gavai
These incidents and the way they were handled have once again put spotlight on what is being seen as BJP’s deficiency in addressing Dalit concerns & integrating them in Hindutva family. New Delhi: Over the past month, instances of alleged atrocities against Dalits—from abuse, to targeting, to discrimination leading to suicide—have been reported in BJP-ruled states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. These incidents, and the way they have been handled, have once again put the spotlight on what is being seen as the ruling party’s deficiency in addressing the concerns of backward communities in India and the challenges of integrating Dalits into the broader Hindutva family, especially at a time when Bihar elections are around the corner. A shoe thrown at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, a Dalit, in the national capital; a Haryana IPS officer’s alleged suicide due to caste discrimination; a Dalit man accused of theft lynched by villagers in UP; a Dalit youth urinated upon in MP. Four incidents in four BJP-ruled regions, where the government’s handling has been perceived as inadequate and lethargic. In the CJI’s case, the shoe-throwing was defended by some Hindutva supporters; in Haryana, the government was criticised for not immediately taking action against the DGP named in the suicide note; in UP, the police allegedly watched as a Dalit ‘thief’ was lynched. In MP, police are yet to make arrests after a Dalit man was urinated upon for opposing illegal mining, and he was allegedly pressured against escalating the matter. Just a few days before the shoe-throwing incident, the RSS—BJP’s ideological fountainhead—had invited CJI Gavai’s mother to their Vijayadashami celebration in Nagpur. While she declined, former President Ram Nath Kovind attended the event to bolster the RSS’s efforts to incorporate Dalits into the larger Hindutva identity. In his annual address, the RSS chief warned against attempts to disrupt the country’s diversity and called for the embracing of societal differences. But within a week of Bhagwat’s speech, the fault line in Hindutva unity with regard to Dalits became evident when advocate Rakesh Kishore openly defended his act of flinging a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, and many who identified as BJP supporters justified his actions on social media, blaming the CJI for allegedly insulting Sanatana Dharma in his remarks on 16 September. This came even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident. Among those who came out in support of Kishore was YouTuber Ajeet Bharti, who was accused by some social media users of inciting people against the CJI. The Noida Police took him in for questioning regarding certain remarks he made about the shoe-throwing incident, and then released him. This was perceived by many as the state government going soft on those openly abusing the chief justice. Contacted by ThePrint for comment, Lucknow University professor Shashikant Pandey said, “The memories of the Hathras incident remain vivid, where a Dalit girl was gang-raped and the authorities cremated her against her family’s wishes. This indicates that despite seven decades of independence and the Constitution established by Ambedkar, societal and authoritative perspectives towards Dalits have not evolved.” Referring to the incident of the Dalit youth lynched in UP, Pandey said: “The Hariom (Balmiki) case reveals new evidence that the RSS’s broader agenda of Hindutva unification is still incomplete, as upper caste groups continue to maintain their dominance in society and compete with Dalits.” According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 57,789 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) were registered in 2023, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for the highest share of cases at 15,130. Rajasthan came next with 8,449 cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh (8,232) and Bihar (7,064). ‘Hum baba ke log hain’ On 7 October, a day after the attack on the CJI, in BJP-ruled Haryana, senior IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar died by apparent suicide, detailing alleged instances of discrimination and humiliation over his caste in an eight-page note. A week after the IPS officer’s death, amid mounting pressure from Dalit organisations and opposition parties, and the officer’s wife’s demands for the arrest of the DGP accused in the suicide note, DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapur was sent on leave. This was seen as a reaction without real will for justice. A BJP leader from Haryana told ThePrint: “(Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh) Saini was awaiting approval from central leaders and did not anticipate larger implications; that is why he was making decisions slowly. However, when the Centre instructed him to act swiftly due to the potential disruption of the Bihar elections, the DGP, who is close to a central minister, was sent on leave.” This leader further said: “The BJP had lost two SC reserved seats, Ambala and Sirsa, in the Lok Sabha, and it was essential (that it) be seen addressing the case of Dalit officers, as we lost the narrative in the first few days.” In Uttar Pradesh, a 38-year-old Dalit man called Hariom Balmiki was allegedly lynched on 2 October by villagers for being a “drone chor”. This, as the police allegedly watched. After meeting the victim’s family, UP Congress chief Ajai Rai said: ‘Hariom Balmiki was on his way to meet his wife when he was beaten in front of the police, who could have intervened. When he mentioned Rahul Gandhi’s name, the attackers responded, ‘hum bhi baba ke log hain’, indicating that such incidents are occurring repeatedly under Baba’s jungle raj.” Subsequently, the UP DGP suspended three police personnel for negligence. Following the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sent Rakesh Sachan and Asim Arun, two of his ministers, to meet the bereaved family and assure them of strict action against the perpetrators. Following the alleged suicide of the Dalit IPS officer in Haryana, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “Between 2013 and 2023, there has been a 46 percent increase in crimes against Dalits, while crimes against Adivasis have surged 91 percent.” “Caste discrimination faced by an IPS officer in Haryana, the harassment of Hariom Valmiki, the assault on
MP News: Crimes Against Dalits, Clashes Rising In State; The Campaign Launched For Samrasta Comes To Naught
The caste conflicts are rising in the Gwalior-Chambal region in the state Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Samrasta, or equality, is the most important of all issues that the RSS is highlighting in its centenary year. The leaders of the BJP and the Congress are often seen taking snaps and making reels after having meals at the residences of the people belonging to the SC/ST community. The rising incidents of crime against Dalits in the state in one month have raised a question mark on the government. A fresh case of torturing a Dalit has been reported from Surpura village in Bhind district, where a Dalit youth who refused to drive a car on the occasion of Diwali was picked up from his in-laws’ house, beaten up, and forced to drink urine. Six days ago, some people beat up a Dalit youth and urinated on him for protesting against illegal mining in the Slimabad area in Katni district. Before this, there were many incidents of crime against Dalits. According to NCRB data, MP is the third state in the country in terms of incidents of crime against Dalits. Over 8,232 cases were registered in connection with crimes against Dalits in 2023. The caste conflicts are rising in the Gwalior-Chambal region in the state. Statements were issued against the installation of a statue of BR Ambedkar on the premises of the court. Several statements were recently issued against Ambedkar. The Gwalior district administration closed the schools because of the protest. An upper-caste lawyer has opened a front, and the Bhim Army has swung into action in favour of Dalits. There are many cases for which the police reports were not lodged. The same situation cropped up in the region nearly seven years ago. In April 2018, seven people lost their lives in caste-related clashes, and over 100 people sustained injuries. Gwalior was under the curfew for nine days, and the BJP had to bear severe consequences because of the caste fight. According to sources, the RSS, also worried about the caste fight, is trying to quell the flame of anger. MPCC president Jitu Patwari said the incidents of crime against Dalits were rising in the state. A Dalit youth has been inhumanly treated in Bhind just after a week of the Katni incident, but the government is barely paying attention to such incidents, Patwari said. Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Uproar over elder from SC community forced to lick ground as Opposition alleges display of casteism
60-year-old man from the Scheduled Caste community was forced to lick the ground near Sheetla Maataa Mandir in Kakori area on the outskirts of the State capital on Deepavali after accidentally urinating near the temple; Congress and AAP call for justice for victim After uproar over an elderly man from the Scheduled Caste community allegedly forced to lick the ground after accidentally urinating near a temple in Lucknow, Opposition parties on Wednesday (October 22, 2025) described the incident as a “naked display” of the anti-SC mindset of casteism and feudalism. The parties have demanded protection, support, respectable compensation, and medical facilities for the victim. “Forcing a Dalit elder to lick urine is not just a crime, but a naked display of the age-old anti-Dalit mentality of casteism and feudalism. We have come to know, the person accused in the case belongs to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), this is the pattern in Uttar Pradesh, where Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits are being humiliated in every possible way. In Uttar Pradesh, from vandalised statues of Ambedkar to casteist slurs against OBCs, Dalits, a full display of anti-constitutional Manusmriti-centric mindset is at display. This is not only a disgrace to humanity but also an attack on the very spirit of the Constitution,” said Anil Yadav, a senior Uttar Pradesh Congress leader. Mr. Yadav demanded a judicial enquiry into continuous incidents of atrocities on people and identities belonging to Scheduled Caste communities across U.P. In the Lucknow incident, a 60-year-old man from the Scheduled Caste community was allegedly forced to lick the ground near Sheetla Maataa Mandir in Kakori area on the outskirts of the State capital on Deepavali. While the accused has been arrested, the senior citizen’s grandson claimed his grandfather has breathing difficulties, and he had accidentally urinated while coughing. In the complaint, the victim alleged that the accused started hurling casteist words against the elderly man. Lucknow Police registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and under provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to police, the accused has claimed that the man from the Scheduled Caste community was only forced to touch the ground. “My grandfather did not tell anyone about the incident in the night. After he narrated the incident, we lodged a police complaint,” said the grandson of the victim to local reporters. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh termed the incident a blot on our society. “Humanity is above caste and creed. The inhuman treatment meted out to a Dalit elder in Lucknow, the disgusting thought of making him lick urine and asking him to “purify” the temple is a blot on our society. Today, a delegation of Aam Aadmi Party Uttar Pradesh met the victim’s family. I myself spoke to the victim, listened to his pain and assured him of all possible support in his fight for justice,” Mr. Singh posted on X. Mayank Kumar 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
BJP insensitive towards crime against Dalits: SP
Lucknow: Reacting to an ailing Dalit elderly made to lick his urine in Lucknow temple, Samajwadi Party accused BJP govt of being insensitive towards crime against Dalits. “One must not be humiliated and handed out inhumane punishment for a mistake committed unknowingly. Change (of BJP govt) will bring the transformation,” SP president Akhilesh Yadav wrote on X, posting a video in which the victim was narrating the horror he underwent. “UP tops the list of states with maximum number of cases of crime against Dalits. What happened in Kakori (in Lucknow) is a result of the mindset that is finding resonance in the corridors of power,” said an SP functionary. He recalled how the CM’s residence and a temple in Kannauj were “purified and washed with Gangajal” because SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had visited the two places to claim that the BJP’s mindset against Dalits stems from its hate towards the Backward classes and the deprived. 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
In Uttar Pradesh, an entire family was beaten up after they spoke out against the molestation of a Dalit girl: Police said the dispute was over firecrackers, misleading news on social media!
Regarding the dispute in village Bharsen, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Auraiya police station, the city area officer stated that the matter stemmed from a dispute over children lighting firecrackers. An FIR has been filed against both sides, and two people from each side have been arrested and further action has been taken. Auraiya – A brutal incident involving a Dalit family has unfolded in a village in Auraiya district, Uttar Pradesh, which paints an ugly picture of society. The entire family was “punished” for protesting against the molestation of a young woman. Unruly men entered their home, brutally beat them, and, boasting of their government and caste, threatened to kill them. The victim’s family alleges that the accused openly declared, “This is our government, the Chief Minister is ours.” Following the incident, the police are reluctant to register an FIR, forcing the victim’s family to appeal to higher authorities in hopes of justice. The molestation of a Dalit girl in the district’s village of Bharsen and the subsequent family dispute have escalated. The victim’s family alleges that members of the opposing party not only sexually assaulted the girl but also threatened to kill her family members by beating them with a mob. The most serious allegation is that the accused, claiming power and caste dominance, are openly threatening to shoot them. After a copy of the girl’s written complaint and photos of the victim’s families went viral on social media, the Auraiya police denied the case and attributed the dispute to the firecrackers lit by children on Diwali night, leading to a physical altercation and injuries. According to the victim, her neighbor, Kshitij alias Heeru alias Veeresh, casts lewd glances at her and makes obscene gestures. Out of fear, poverty, and caste pressure, the family did not oppose the attack. On October 20th, at around 7:00 pm, when the victim went to the fields to relieve herself, Kshitij suddenly grabbed her and molested her. She ran home crying and informed her mother of the incident. The victim’s father then complained to the accused’s family. However, the opposing side, in turn, taunted him for being of the “Chamar” caste, accusing him of making false accusations, and said, “It’s our government, the Chief Minister is ours, what is your status?” Then, at around 10:30 pm, a group of nine men arrived at the victim’s home armed with pistols and sticks. The attackers broke down the door and shouted, “Teach these Chamars a lesson today, kill them.” They beat the victim’s brothers, Deepak and Sushil, and another man, creating an atmosphere of terror. In her written complaint, the victim stated that the accused declared that if they wanted to live in the village, they should keep their heads bowed, or they would be shot in public. They threatened, “The Bahujan Samaj Party will no longer rule the state; only our Yogi will rule, and Thakurism will prevail.” Several people in the vicinity witnessed the incident. According to the victim, a complaint was lodged at the police station, but the station in-charge only conducted a medical examination and refused to register an FIR. Allegations are that the police are taking the matter lightly and are bowing to the influence of the accused. The victim has now appealed to higher authorities for justice. Journalist Gaurav Pal shared the victim’s written complaint on x, along with photographs of the injured family members, writing, “Caste and casteism have reached such a level in Uttar Pradesh that when people of the Bharsen Kshatriya caste assault Dalits in Auraiya, no FIR is filed. Why are the police shying away from taking action against people of the Chief Minister’s caste? The family alleges that their case was not registered and they were chased away from the police station.” Police said the news on social media was misleading. Regarding the dispute in the village of Bharsen, under the jurisdiction of the Auraiya police station, the Circle Officer stated that the incident stemmed from a dispute that began on Diwali day over children lighting firecrackers. Both sides exchanged abusive language and pelted stones, resulting in injuries. Medical examinations were conducted and an FIR was filed against both parties. Further action was taken by arresting two people from each side. The Circle Officer denied the news circulating on social media, calling it misleading. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Chhatarpur: Dalit woman’s demand for 10,000 rupees back proves costly; Sarpanch representative beats her publicly; video goes viral
Taken 10,000 rupees in the name of a government housing scheme, brutally assaulted in the middle of the street when she asked for her money back; no action taken against the accused even after the video went viral. Chhatarpur (Madhya Pradesh): An incident that shames humanity has come to light in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh. A Sarpanch representative brutally beat a Dalit woman when she asked for her money back. This incident occurred on Thursday. A video of the entire incident is rapidly going viral on social media, shocking viewers. The viral video clearly shows the woman lying on the ground, with a man (the accused) holding both her arms with one hand and repeatedly slapping her with the other. What is the whole matter? According to reports, this incident occurred in Manetha village, Prithvipur district, Niwari district, Madhya Pradesh. According to reports, the victim, Shanti Ahirwar, had given ₹10,000 to Rajkumar Sahu, the husband and representative of the village sarpanch, in exchange for a house under a government housing scheme. When the woman hadn’t received the benefits of the scheme even after a considerable period of time, she demanded her money back from Rajkumar Sahu. It is alleged that an argument broke out between the two over this issue, and the dispute escalated to the point where Sahu began beating the woman in the middle of the street. No action taken despite complaint According to a report in the Free Press Journal, the victim has filed a formal complaint with local authorities. However, shockingly, despite the complaint, no action has been taken against the accused. This horrific video has caused widespread anger and outrage among the public. People are strongly condemning the sarpanch representative’s violent and abusive behavior and demanding strict legal action against the accused. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
UP shocker: Dalit man forced to ‘clean temple floor with tongue’; accused booked
LUCKNOW: A 60-year-old Dalit man in Lucknow has alleged that he was humiliated and forced to lick the floor of a temple after being accused of defiling it. The man, identified as Rampal, said he was sitting inside the Sheetla Mata temple in the city’s Kakori area when he accidentally spilled some water. The spill, he said, was mistaken for urine by another man, who allegedly began shouting casteist abuses. Police said the accused, identified as Swami Kant — also known as Pammu — is the son of a local resident, Shiv Dayal. Rampal alleged that the accused forced him to lick the liquid and “clean the floor with his tongue.” In his complaint to the Kakori police, Rampal, who suffers from a respiratory ailment and works as a daily wager, said the man hurled caste slurs at him, using derogatory language about his Dalit identity. The accused has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “The accused has been booked and further investigation is underway. The incident is being taken very seriously,” said Satish Chandra Rathore, Station House Officer of Kakori police station. “The victim’s statement has been recorded and legal action is being initiated.” Human rights groups have condemned the incident, describing it as a disturbing reminder of caste-based discrimination that continues to plague parts of India. Rampal said he remains deeply shaken. “I just want justice so that no one else faces such humiliation,” he told police. 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
Lucknow: Dalit elder forced to lick urine, SP leaders meet victim, Chandra Shekhar says anti-Dalit mentality
An elderly Dalit man was forced to lick his own urine at a Lucknow temple. Police have arrested one of the accused in this case. The matter has now escalated and is becoming politically charged. Samajwadi Party leaders have met with the victim, Rampal. The case of an elderly Dalit man being forced to drink his own urine in Kakori, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is gaining momentum. This incident occurred at the Sheetla Mata Temple complex in Kakori. The victim, Rampal, admitted that out of fear, he initially claimed it was water, but he had actually urinated. He was then forced to lick it and was threatened. After the incident came to light, a Samajwadi Party delegation led by MP RK Chaudhary visited the victim. A brief altercation ensued between Samajwadi Party leaders and the police at Kakori. Former MP Kaushal Kishore and Malihabad MLA Jai Devi Kaushal also visited Rampal’s family. Delegations from political parties have been visiting the victim’s family since morning. Public anger has been building up over the incident. Community members have been gathering outside the temple premises since morning. The incident occurred on Diwali night. The accused, Swami Kant alias Pammu, is the brother of the temple manager. Police have arrested him. The victim, Rampal, said, “I was drinking water in the temple when Swami Kant alias Pammu came and accused me of urinating. I said I hadn’t urinated; water had just fallen there. But he refused and used casteist slurs. He threatened me and forced me to lick the ground.” Coughing led to urine leakage. The victim’s grandson, Mukesh Kumar, told news agency PTI-Bhasha that his grandfather had trouble breathing. If he didn’t take medication, he might not survive. He started coughing in the temple and passed a small amount of urine. Pammu then came and started using casteist slurs against him. The grandfather was frightened and when asked to lick the urine, he licked it. He was then asked to wash the area, and he did so with water from the pond. Mukesh explained that the main temple is at least 40 meters away from the spot where his grandfather accidentally urinated. The police have filed a case against Pammy. Hatred towards Dalits is in the blood: Congress Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that someone’s mistake does not mean that they should be subjected to humiliating and inhuman punishment. The Congress party said in a post that in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker forced an elderly Dalit man to lick his own urine. The elderly man was sitting in a temple courtyard when, due to illness, he accidentally urinated. The enraged RSS worker arrived at the scene, hurling casteist slurs at him, and forced him to lick the urine. This incident is a blot on humanity. The culprits should be punished severely. This incident symbolizes the anti-Dalit mentality of the RSS-BJP. Hatred towards Dalits runs in their blood, which is why they want to abolish the Constitution and implement ‘Manuism’ in the country so that they can exploit people on the basis of caste. However, the police stated that the accused has no connection to the RSS. A naked display of anti-Dalit mentality: Azad Bhim Army chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Azad said on this matter that the RSS worker forcing Dalit elder Rampal Pasi to lick urine is not just a crime, but a naked display of the age-old anti-Dalit mentality of casteism and feudalism. This is not only a blot on humanity but also an attack on the very soul of the Constitution. Power exerts influence on the body, the poison of casteism on the soul. We demand the government immediately arrest the accused and give him the harshest punishment under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The victim Rampal Pasi should be provided government protection, respectful compensation, and medical treatment. Abhijeet Thakur Courtesy: Hindi News
A brutal attack on a four-year-old Dalit girl in Jodhpur has sparked tension, and the police are on high alert.
Jodhpur: A major incident of brutality has occurred in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, involving a four-year-old Dalit girl. The victim has been referred to a higher facility in critical condition. Upon learning of the incident, the Dalit community has been enraged, and a large number of people gathered at the hospital and began protesting. Tension has erupted in the victim’s village and surrounding areas. In response to the situation, the police have been put on high alert and are monitoring the mob’s activities. According to the police, this heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday in the Bilara police station area of Jodhpur district. A four-year-old girl was brutally assaulted. Upon learning of the incident, the victim’s family was horrified. They immediately rushed the girl, who was bleeding profusely, to Bilara Hospital. Upon learning of the incident, a large number of Dalits gathered at the Trauma Center in Bilara. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. Due to the girl’s critical condition, doctors at Bilara Hospital provided first aid and referred her to Jodhpur. News of the brutality spread rapidly throughout her village and surrounding villages. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. The police were overwhelmed by the large crowd of angry people who had gathered at Bilara Hospital. Senior police officers arrived and brought the situation under control. Demand for the arrest and death penalty for the accused The angry crowd is demanding the arrest and death penalty for the accused. In view of the crowd’s anger, the police have been put on high alert. They are trying to pacify the crowd and assuring them of the imminent arrest of the accused. However, the police are investigating the entire matter. Reported by: Chandra Shekhar Vyas Edited by: Sandeep Rathore ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sandeep Rathore Sandeep Rathore began his journalism career in 2000 with the Bhaskar Group in Jaipur. He later served as the resident editor of Rajasthan Patrika in Kota and Bhilwara. In 2017, he began a new journey with News18. Courtesy: Hindi News
In Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth was severely beaten for drinking water from a hand pump and threatened with shooting if the government came to power.
A Dalit youth, who was coming to pick up his sister from Chhibramau in Kannauj, drank water from a hand pump. The enraged hand pump owner first hit him on the head with a brick and then beat him, injuring him. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Correspondent, Chhibramau. A Dalit youth, who was coming to pick up his sister from Chhibramau, drank water from a hand pump. The enraged hand pump owner first hit him on the head with a brick and then beat him, injuring him. The youth threatened to shoot him if the government came to power. Based on the victim’s complaint, police are now investigating the matter. Amit Kumar, son of Devendra Kumar, a resident of Nagla Jor village in the area, stated that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste. On the evening of October 19th, he was traveling from his village to Chibramau to pick up his sister. On the way, he stopped to drink water from a hand pump. A young man from Asalat Nagar became angry at his drinking, hurled casteist slurs at him, hit him on the head with a brick, and then assaulted him, injuring him. Heard of the commotion, several people came to his rescue. The accused threatened to shoot him when the government arrived. The victim went to the police station and filed a complaint with the police. Inspector-in-Charge Vishnukant Tiwari stated that the matter is being investigated. BY SOHAM PRAKASH, EDITED BY: NITISH KUMAR KUSHWAHA Courtesy: Hindi News