Dalit Youth Attacked in Rae Bareli Over Loan Dispute, Faces Caste-Based Abuse
A Dalit youth was allegedly attacked in Ali Nagar Askaranpur village in Rae Bareli district after asking for money he had lent. The victim, Ashish, said he had lent ₹100 to a villager named Dheeraj, who refused to repay him. According to Ashish, Dheeraj lured him to a garden under false pretences, forced him to drink alcohol, and then attacked him with a sword used in a gimmick. During the assault, Ashish said he was subjected to caste-based abuse and received death threats. He sustained serious injuries in the attack. Ashish’s family immediately alerted the police by dialing 112. Officers reached the spot and took him to Community Health Center (CHC) Unchahar, where he received first aid. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed of CHC Unchahar confirmed that Ashish was treated and stabilized. Kotwali in-charge Sanjay Kumar said that the police have received a complaint and the matter is under investigation. “A case will be registered against the accused, and legal action will be taken,” he added. 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
Three arrested in Chittoor gang-rape case of minor Dalit girl
The accused, employed as loan recovery agents, used to target lone women and couples in secluded parks, secretly recording them to extort money, says the SP Chittoor district police on Friday arrested three men in the gang-rape case of a minor Dalit girl at Murakambattu city park on September 25. Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi said the accused targeted women and couples in secluded parks, filming them to extort money. In some cases, they also resorted to sexual assault. On September 25, the trio, Mahesh (21), Kishore (31), and Hemant Prasad (27), all residents of Chittoor and working as loan recovery agents in a private firm—attacked a girl and her friend, both students, at the park. They assaulted the duo, robbed them of valuables, injured the boy, and raped the girl. The incident came to light on September 29, when the victim lodged a complaint at the Chittoor Taluk Police Station. Cases were filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the POCSO Act, and the SC/ST (POA) Amendment Act, 2013. Special teams tracked the absconding accused across Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Acting on a tip-off, police apprehended them at an isolated spot on the outskirts of Chittoor and seized their mobile phones. The accused were paraded from the AR Grounds junction to the Chittoor court complex, drawing crowds along the roadside, before being remanded to the sub-jail. The SP directed the Forest Department to strengthen security in isolated parks, install CCTV cameras, and coordinate with the police to prevent such crimes. K. Umashanker 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
Uproar over death of Dalit youth in Jaipur: Naresh Meena, accused of ‘slap incident’, camps in Raisar, protest continues with body
The suicide of Vikram Meena (26), a Dalit youth in the Jaipur rural area, has gained momentum. Naresh Meena arrived in Raisar to protest for justice for Vikram’s family. Along with his supporters, he announced that the protest will continue until Vikram Meena’s family’s demands are met. Jaipur: The suicide case of a Dalit youth in the Jaipur rural area has gained momentum. On Thursday, October 2, 26-year-old Vikram Meena hanged himself from a tree 100 meters away from the police station. The family alleges that Vikram was stripped and beaten by forest officials. Frustrated by the lack of police action, Vikram took his own life. Naresh Meena has now set up camp in Raisar to seek justice for Vikram’s family. Late last night, Naresh Meena arrived in Raisar with his supporters and began a sit-in protest. Naresh Meena announced that they would continue the protest until the demands of Vikram Meena’s family were met. Police fired in the air to disperse the crowd. Vikram Meena’s death angered villagers. They attacked and vandalized the forest office, forcing forest officials to flee. Later, the family and dozens of villagers reached the Raisar police station, demanding action against the forest officials who assaulted Vikram. Former Jamwaramgarh MLA Gopal Meena also joined the protest. A large crowd of villagers gathered outside the police station. Later, when BJP MLA Mahendra Pal Singh arrived, people began protesting. Stones were pelted at the police station. Subsequently, the police resorted to lathi charge, firing several rounds in the air, and dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas shells. Former MLA injured in lathicharge, detained Former MLA Gopal Meena, Aandhi Pradhan Mansi Meena, District Congress Treasurer Bhagwan Sahay Mukkad, District Councilor Vijay Meena, along with several villagers and family members of the deceased Vikram Meena, were injured in the lathicharge by the police. Villagers also pelted stones at the police in protest against the lathicharge. Police subsequently detained former MLA Gopal Meena and Pradhan Mansi Meena. Regarding the seriousness of the incident, several Congress leaders arrived at the scene. Congress MLAs Manish Yadav, Prashant Sharma, former MLA Indraj Gurjar, and Anil Chopra, the Congress candidate from the Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency, also reached Raisar. Family and villagers put forward these demands to the administration: Family and villagers are sitting on a protest with Vikram Meena’s body. Several leaders, including Naresh Meena, are present with them. The family and villagers demand a judicial inquiry into Vikram Meena’s death. The forest officials who assaulted him should be immediately arrested and strict action taken against them. Action should also be taken against the policemen who threatened and drove Vikram away from the police station when he went to lodge a complaint. Action should also be taken against the police officers responsible for the lathicharge on those peacefully protesting demanding justice. Naresh Meena stated that Vikram’s family will negotiate with the administration. When the family agrees, they will end the protest and leave. Edited by: Sudhendra Pratap Singh•Reported by: Ramswaroop Lamrod About the Author Sudhendra Pratap Singh, Principal Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. His journalism career began in Agra. He began his journey with the local newspaper Agrabharat. From there, the caravan grew through Kalpataru Express, Hindustan Newspaper, and News18, and then reached NBT.com. He currently covers politics, crime, current affairs, and off-beat news in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Punishment’ for visiting a temple: Enraged after seeing the surname on an Aadhaar card, a Dalit laborer was beaten and asked, “How dare you?”
38-year-old Shailesh Solanki, who was visiting the Kaal Bhairav temple near Himmatnagar, Gujarat, was brutally assaulted. The accused assaulted him after seeing his surname on his Aadhaar card; a case has been filed under the SC/ST Act. Ahmedabad: A Dalit laborer in Himmatnagar, Gujarat, was allegedly beaten and threatened simply because he expressed his desire to visit a temple. After the victim showed his Aadhaar card for identification, the accused asked his caste and then attacked him. According to a complaint filed with the Himmatnagar rural police on Thursday, the accused hurled casteist slurs at the victim, beat him, and warned him not to enter the area again. What is the whole matter? Shailesh Solanki, a 38-year-old daily wage laborer from Khedawada Laxmipura village, stated in his FIR that the incident occurred on the evening of September 26th. He was waiting for a vehicle near an intersection in Balochpur to go to the Kaal Bhairav Temple. At that very moment, a man named Bharat Patel, a resident of Dhanupura, arrived on a scooter. He stopped Shailesh, accused him of moving suspiciously, and asked for his identification. When Shailesh explained that he was going to the temple, Patel did not believe him. When Shailesh gave his name, the accused asked him whether he belonged to the general category or the Scheduled Caste. When Shailesh showed his Aadhaar card to confirm his identity, Patel checked his surname. Upon learning that Shailesh was a Dalit, the accused became enraged and began abusing him. Shailesh stated in his complaint, “He asked me why I, a Dalit, had come to visit the temple after dark. He then slapped me several times, using casteist slurs.” Two people intervened Shortly after the attack, Narendra Singh Parmar and Jagat Singh Parmar, residents of Titpur village, arrived on a motorcycle. They intervened and stopped the fight. Despite this, Patel allegedly forced Shailesh onto his scooter, took him a short distance, and dropped him off near Ghorawada. He threatened Shailesh with dire consequences if he was seen in the area again. Shailesh said he informed his family about the incident and later contacted Narendra Singh and Jagat Singh, who offered to be witnesses. Based on Shailesh’s application, Himmatnagar Rural Police registered an FIR against the accused under sections of the Indian Penal Code for assault and intimidation and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Further investigation is underway. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Her mother worked as a farm laborer, her father passed away, and she overcame poverty, thus becoming a Dalit daughter, Maheshwari, a DSP officer!
Modumpally Maheshwari of Karimnagar, Telangana, overcame poverty and hardship by passing the TGPSC Group I exam. Learn about her inspiring story. Telangana/Karimnagar: Modumpalli Maheshwari, a 29-year-old Dalit woman from Manakondur in Karimnagar district, has proven that determination and hard work can achieve anything. Overcoming poverty and hardship, she successfully passed the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGPSC) Group I exam and secured the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Maheshwari’s achievement is a major step towards fulfilling her late father’s dream of seeing his daughter become a civil servant. Maheshwari credits her success to the Telangana SC Study Circle in Hyderabad, where she received coaching for the civil services exam. Maheshwari’s journey has been full of challenges, but financial constraints never hindered her educational and career goals. She completed her undergraduate studies from the Government Women’s Degree College in Karimnagar and then pursued an M.Sc. in Physics from the Satavahana University PG College in Godavarikhani, Peddapalli district. Her father, Lakshmana, worked as a migrant worker in the Gulf and passed away in 2021 due to a heart attack. After her father’s death, her mother, Shankaramma, a farm laborer, inspired her to continue her studies. “My father’s memories always inspire me and give me the strength to work hard to realize my full potential,” Maheshwari says. Maheshwari believes that the key to success in competitive exams is hard work, perseverance, and self-motivation. She explains that joining the Telangana SC Study Circle after her postgraduate studies was a turning point in her career. Speaking about her future plans, Maheshwari wants to promote cybersecurity awareness and work towards women’s empowerment through education. Her next goal is to pass the Civil Services Examination. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
No Dalit-Tribal Child in Kerala to be Left Behind in Knowledge-Based Progress: CM Vijayan
Over 13 lakh students, including 4.5 lakh SC and 80,000 ST students, currently benefit from various pre- and post-matric scholarships under the state’s e-Grants programme, regardless of family income. Kasaragod- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that no student from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or other marginalised communities should be left behind in the state’s march towards a knowledge-driven new Kerala. Speaking at the event at Durga Higher Secondary School Auditorium, Kanhangad, the Chief Minister said the government’s primary goal is to integrate marginalised sections into the mainstream and provide equal opportunities in education, employment, and social welfare. The campaign, which begins on Gandhi Jayanti, is under the motto: “Leap towards knowledge and employment”, reflecting Gandhiji’s vision of social inclusivity. CM Vijayan highlighted the state’s flagship initiatives aimed at empowering marginalised communities. The Unnathi Scholarship has already enabled over 1,000 SC/ST students to pursue higher education abroad. Technical training programmes under the government’s skill development schemes equip students from these communities to secure employment within six months of course completion. He also pointed to Palakkad Medical College, which admits 72 SC/ST students annually. Since 2014, 413 SC and 15 ST students have graduated as doctors, serving Kerala’s healthcare system. Additionally, the Training for Career Excellence (TRACE) programme provides stipendiary training to more than 5,000 youths in engineering, law, nursing, paramedical, management, and journalism. The CM underlined the Smart Study Room initiative, offering Rs 2.5 lakh per unit, and highlighted the state’s LIFE and SAFE housing schemes, ensuring that marginalised families receive secure homes. Over 13 lakh students, including 4.5 lakh SC and 80,000 ST students, currently benefit from various pre- and post-matric scholarships under the state’s e-Grants programme, regardless of family income. The CM also stressed the importance of ongoing campaigns, covering sanitation, anti-drug drives, healthcare, employment, rights awareness, and disaster preparedness. He said the government’s commitment is to ensure that “the taste of development and touch of welfare reaches every region, leaving no one behind”. (IANS) The CM stressed the importance of ongoing campaigns, covering sanitation, anti-drug drives, healthcare, employment, rights awareness, and disaster preparedness. Courtesy : The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https:/themooknayak.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
1 dead after Dalit community centre collapses in Muzaffarnagar
Agra: A 55-year-old man, Deshveer Singh, was killed after the lintel of a Dalit community chaupal in Chandedi village of Muzaffarnagar collapsed on Wednesday night, said police on Thursday. Three others, who were present at the time, escaped unhurt. Ajit Singh, a villager, said, “First, the wall of the centre collapsed, after which the roof came down. Deshveer was sitting in the room and was buried under the debris. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead. The body was sent to the post-mortem house.” The chaupal, a recently constructed community centre used for social and religious gatherings, was built around five months ago. The incident has sparked outrage among villagers, who are demanding accountability for the poor construction quality. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. DSP (Budhana), Gajendra Pal Singh, said, “The body was handed over to the family after post-mortem. The SDM and Tehsildar have inspected the spot. Further investigation is on, and action will be taken accordingly.” 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
Tamil Nadu has worst discrimination record against Dalits: Governor RN Ravi
“In our state (TN), this issue remains, and every time, at every forum, I raised this issue. I will continue raising it,” Ravi said. CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi, who has been claiming that the crime against SCs were rising and that they face persistent hardships, on Thursday charged that TN has the “worst record” as far as social discrimination against Dalits is concerned. The governor made these remarks while speaking at the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations here. “In our society, there were a lot of distortions, and many sisters and brothers were treated as untouchables. They were not allowed to share public space. And we moved forward. We have done significant work. But, in our state (TN), this issue remains, and every time, at every forum, I raised this issue. I will continue raising it,” Ravi said. “There are schools where there are partitions – one side Dalit students and the other side non-Dalit students. Where are we? In this social discrimination against Dalits, our state has the worst record. And we must wake up, and it is possible (to change this),” he added. He said while the rest of the country has, by and large, addressed this problem, in Tamil Nadu it is an everyday affair. 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
Supreme Court to Decide if 50% Quota Cap Applies to Colleges Built Exclusively for SCs
This case stems from an Allahabad High Court decision that struck down 70% reservation for Scheduled Castes in four SCP medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. The High Court, citing the limit set in the Indra Sawhney case (1992), termed this 70% reservation as unconstitutional. New Delhi- The Supreme Court has decided to consider a very important question. The question is whether the 50% ceiling on reservations also applies to medical and educational institutions created specifically for Scheduled Castes (SCs) under the Special Component Plan (SCP). This case stems from an Allahabad High Court decision that struck down 70% reservation for Scheduled Castes in four SCP medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh. The High Court, citing the limit set in the Indra Sawhney case (1992), termed this 70% reservation as unconstitutional. Students affected by the High Court’s decision approached the Supreme Court. A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran has issued notices to the central and state governments, seeking their responses on the petition. What is the complete issue? The Special Component Plan (SCP) was launched in 1979 for the educational and social upliftment of backward classes, especially Scheduled Castes. Under this, separate hostels, scholarships, and even universities were established specifically for SC students. Four medical colleges were built under this plan in Ambedkar Nagar, Kannauj, Jalaun, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, where 70% of the seats were reserved for SC students. Funding for these colleges comes from a special central government scheme (DAPSC), which is meant solely for the welfare of the SC community. What do the petitioners say The petitioners argue that the High Court made a mistake. Their main point is that the Indra Sawhney case dealt with reservations in general institutions, not in institutions created specifically for the advancement of SC/STs. They warn that if the High Court’s decision is upheld, the consequences will be severe: It would endanger not only these four colleges in UP but also similar schemes running in states like Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. It could raise questions about special hostels, scholarships, and even central universities like Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) built for SC/ST students. It would deal a blow to decades of affirmative action meant to uplift marginalized communities. The Supreme Court’s ruling on this matter will have far-reaching implications. If the Court upholds the High Court’s decision, educational opportunities for students from backward classes could shrink. On the other hand, if the Court rules in favor of the petitioners, it would affirm that reservation exceeding 50% is constitutional in institutions created exclusively for disadvantaged groups. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court’s next hearing. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy : The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https:/themooknayak.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BANAE Convention: The New Dalit Intellectuals Are Asking a Different Question Beyond Reservations
Engineers from 23 States Converge at BANAE Meet, Question Gap Between Policy and Reality New Delhi: In a powerful display of collective concern, engineers and professionals from the Dalit community gathered recently from across India at the national convention of the Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE). The two-day event, held on 21-22 September at New Delhi, to mark the organization’s 38th foundation year, became a platform for a data-driven critique of the implementation of government policies, highlighting a stark gap between planning and ground-level execution. The convention saw participation from nearly 350 engineers and professionals from 23 states, who engaged in intense discussions on critical issues like education, employment, health, and economic empowerment. Speaking with The Mooknayak, BANAE’s Secretary General, Sanjay Sagar, outlined the primary goal of the gathering. “Our issue was to understand the role of our intellectual group, our engineers,” Sagar stated. “They have gathered from 23 states. Their role is to figure out how we can approach society and the government to further the idea of inclusive growth, so that society can benefit. We have problems, and we want solutions.” He emphasized that the focus was on a factual analysis of government action. “Our aim has been to make people understand what the government’s planning and policies are, what the framework is, and what the implementation status is. We discussed the facts and deliberated on how to develop society, how to develop the mindset of the society, and on many student-related issues.” Sagar detailed that the discussions were comprehensive, covering the intended role of the community, the government’s responsibilities, and constitutional provisions. The underlying theme was to bridge the disconnect between policy intent and outcomes. The convention saw participation from nearly 350 engineers and professionals who engaged in intense discussions on critical issues like education, employment, health, and economic empowerment. For Two Dalit Students, a Dream Was Denied by a Technicality. Here’s How Delhi HC Stepped In. The “Shocking” Education Data: Rising Population, Falling Enrollment A central and alarming point of discussion was the recent data on education. Sagar presented an analysis based on figures from UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education), calling the trends “shocking.” “The data that emerged shows how, for decades, the rights of the Dalit, oppressed, and backward classes are being usurped,” he asserted. “This discussion is based on the government’s own data.” He provided a detailed breakdown: “In 2018-19, the total number of children aged 3 to 17 was 37 crore 83 lakh, but the enrollment was merely 26 crore 3 lakh. And by 2023-24, this enrollment dropped to 24 crore 80 lakh. The straightforward point is, if the population is increasing and enrollment is decreasing, it is a major cause for concern.” This data analysis led to a key resolution emerging from the convention. Sagar explained, “The main topic of discussion was that if the population is growing, we must approach the government to establish more and better schools for our children’s education and facilities, so that they can get opportunities for education. This was our aim.” The convention saw participation from nearly 350 engineers and professionals who engaged in intense discussions on critical issues like education, employment, health, and economic empowerment. Supreme Court to Decide if 50% Quota Cap Applies to Colleges Built Exclusively for SCs A positive development at the convention was the presence and commitment of Faggan Singh Kulaste, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “The most positive aspect was that Mr. Kulaste attended our event,” Sagar shared. “He answered questions on many issues with candour and assured us that he is always with the society. He said he would act as a medium between us and the government to find solutions to these problems.” When asked about the way forward, Sagar was clear about the strategy. “In our future strategy, we want to approach the current government. We want to create a pressure group and tell them that your planning and policies are very good, but inclusive growth is not happening at the grassroots level.” He pinpointed the problem at the implementation stage. “The people who are implementing these policies have a mindset of exclusivity, and they are creating exclusion. Because of this, the implementation at the ground level is not being completed.” Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he added, “The constitution will prove good if the people implementing it are good. In today’s date, where the implementers are good, we have seen good implementation of government policies. But in many places, most places, there are people with an old mindset who are not giving opportunities to others, which is creating a hurdle in systemic change.” The convention saw participation from nearly 350 engineers and professionals who engaged in intense discussions on critical issues like education, employment, health, and economic empowerment. Ashoka Vijaya Dashami: Ambedkar’s Historic Explanation on Why He Chose Buddhism Over Hinduism- “We Have Come Out of Hell” Concluding his perspective, Sagar made an appeal to view the nation’s youth as a vital asset. “If the population is increasing and enrollment is decreasing, the government should reassess and review the gap between the Right to Education and the National Education Policy,” he urged. He highlighted the demographic dividend, stating, “In our country, if 66%… two-thirds of the population is under 34 years of age, and our country is called Youth India… if we capitalize on this youth, give them good training and good education, then why can’t we capitalize on them, send them abroad and earn revenue from them, just like other countries are doing? We will try to work on this as well.” The BANAE convention has marked a significant moment, presenting the organized, data-driven, and strategic voice of the educated Dalit professional class, a voice that is no longer limited to grievances but is moving forward with a clear agenda for policy reform and effective implementation. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy : The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https:/themooknayak.com/bha and