‘We never agreed to move’: Malayidom Thuruth’s Dalit families reject CM’s rehabilitation claim in assembly; CPM accuses govt of betrayal
Kochi: The controversy over the proposed eviction of seven Dalit families from Malayidom Thuruth in Ernakulam’s Kizhakkambalam has taken a fresh turn after Chief Minister VD Satheesan told the Kerala Legislative Assembly that the affected Scheduled Caste families had agreed to accept a government rehabilitation package. However, the residents alleged that they have never agreed to move out of their lands and urged the government to ensure their rights in the disputed land as assured earlier. The issue relates to a long-running land dispute involving 2.62 acres, for which the Supreme Court had upheld the Perumbavoor Munsif court’s eviction order in favour of a private individual named Kannoth Shankaran Nair four years ago. Residents and local leaders, however, contend that the disputed land forms nearly 19.98 acres of government Puramboke land and have demanded a proper survey and demarcation of the area. The Kerala High Court recently granted the state government a two-week extension to delay the eviction and comply with court directions. The matter is scheduled to come up again before the court on June 9. Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Kunnathunadu MLA VP Sajeendran in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government would stand by the affected families. “The government assures the assembly that the families will not be abandoned. Minister Roji M John and Kunnathunad MLA VP Sajeendran have met the residents and assured them of this. The government is also ready to construct houses for them, and the families have agreed to this,” Satheesan said in the assembly on Tuesday. However, the statement has been strongly disputed by the affected families and the Pariyathukavu Samara Samithi, which is leading the agitation against the eviction. Residents said no decision has been taken to relocate and maintain that they intend to remain on the land where their families have lived for generations. “We won’t move from here to live elsewhere; there is no such decision at all,” said Saji PT, a member of one of the seven affected families. “We have been living here for 130 years. Our ancestors are all buried right there, including my father, his father, and my mother. Thus, we hold that soil. Where are we supposed to go? Moving from there is not even on our minds. Even if it means dying, we will die right there. We are not going to leave,” he told Onmanorama. The families also allege that the government had earlier assured them that steps would be taken to determine the actual status of the land through an official survey. According to Saji, Minister Roji M John had conveyed such an assurance during a meeting convened by the district collector, while Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister KA Thulasi had reiterated a similar commitment during her visit to the settlement. “Minister Roji M John had initially assured us during a meeting convened by the district collector that the land would be surveyed to determine whether it was government Puramboke land. Later, Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister KA Thulasi gave a similar assurance when she visited the affected families,” Saji said. He questioned why the government had now shifted its focus to rehabilitation instead of pursuing a survey of theland. Samara Samithi questions government’s claims The Pariyathukavu Samara Samithi has also rejected the government’s assertion that the families agreed to relocation. KM Siraj, convener of the Samara Samithi, said neither the affected families nor the agitation committee had been consulted about any rehabilitation package. “The announcement that land and houses would be allotted to the affected families came as a complete surprise to both the families and the Samara Samithi, as neither was consulted on the matter,” Siraj said. “Providing a few cents of land to the families was an option that existed even under the previous government. Our consistent demand has been that the disputed 19.98 acres be surveyed and, if it is found to be government Puramboke land, ownership rights should be granted to the families who have lived there for generations,” he said. Siraj said that no discussions had taken place regarding relocation and accused the government of misleading the assembly. “To accept an offer, shouldn’t we at least know what the offer is? Just stating that they accepted it and misleading the Assembly. We are getting aware of such a plan only now, when we watched Tuesday’s assembly proceedings on Sabha TV,” Siraj said. According to him, the government’s latest position appears aimed at avoiding a survey of the disputed land, an issue that he noted had earlier been publicly supported by MLA VP Sajeendran. CPM launches offensive The CPM has seized on the issue, accusing the UDF government of abandoning the interests of Dalit families and shielding powerful land interests. Former Kunnathunad MLA and CPM leader PV Sreenijin alleged that the affected families had been misled during discussions with government representatives. “The Minister, Roji, and Sajeendran actually called them for a discussion and tricked them,” Sreenijin claimed. “The government’s land was encroached upon by a private individual. Why is that High Court verdict to measure and demarcate the land not being discussed in the Legislative Assembly? Instead of doing that, aren’t they now moving forward to evict these people? This information given in the Assembly is solely meant to mislead the public,” he added. CPM Ernakulam district secretary S Sathish also criticised the Chief Minister’s statement, alleging that it amounted to a betrayal of the affected families. “The Chief Minister has lied in the Assembly. This stance protects the land mafia and betrays the Dalit families. The demand of the families is that the land should be measured and demarcated, and its ownership rights must be granted to them. The Dalit families who have been living on that land for decades will not be allowed to be thrown out onto the streets. The CPM will protect and support the families until the residents of Pariyathukavu receive the ownership rights to their land,” Sathish said. With the temporary relief granted by the High Court
16-Year-Old Dalit Boy Allegedly Stripped And Beaten For Drinking Water In Kanpur
A 16-year-old Dalit boy in Kanpur was allegedly stripped and beaten for drinking water from a public handpump. Here is what happened. A bucket of water allegedly became the reason for a caste-based assault in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district. According to the NCRB report, Uttar Pradesh recorded over 14,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits in 2024, the highest in the country. The latest case from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district shows how brutal that reality can still be. On 2 May, A 16-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly assaulted after drinking water from a public handpump in his village. What allegedly happened next, according to the FIR, raised fresh questions about caste discrimination that still exists in everyday spaces. A Drink Of Water Became A Trigger On May 2, a Dalit minor was reportedly working in fields near his village in Kanpur’s Sachendi area when he stopped to drink water from a public handpump in Jhakhra-Sambharpur village. He used a mug kept inside a nearby bucket. That moment allegedly triggered the assault. The FIR states that four men confronted the teenager and hurled casteist abuses at him, accusing him of “polluting” the bucket because he belonged to a Dalit community. What followed, according to police records and local reports, lasted nearly 30 minutes. The accused allegedly beat him with sticks, kicked and punched him, stripped him and forced him to lick a shoe after spitting on it. Reports also state that water was poured into the shoe and the teenager was allegedly forced to drink from it. The boy reportedly suffered a fractured arm during the assault. When his father, a farm labourer, rushed to help him, he too was allegedly attacked. According to The Times of India, the father suffered broken ribs. Then Came The “Purification” One detail from the case has especially disturbed people online. After the assault, the accused allegedly sprinkled Ganga water around the handpump area to “purify” it because the Dalit boy had touched the bucket. That act reflects a form of untouchability that India’s Constitution outlawed decades ago. The Police Case Took Time Although the assault took place on 2 May, the FIR was reportedly registered only on 17 May. The family spent days recovering in hospital before gathering the courage to approach the police. According to The Times Of India, Police have now registered a case against four accused identified as Sanjay, Deepak, Sagar and Patiya under relevant sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said the matter is under investigation and action will be taken based on evidence. Vageesha Shrivastava Courtesy : Brut. Note: This news is originally published on https:/brut.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Indecent remarks against Dalit woman chairperson: Women protest, demand action
In Shivgarh, Rae Bareli, a case of indecent remarks against a Dalit woman chairperson of the Nagar Panchayat has surfaced. There has been widespread outrage in the area over this incident. The Nagar Panchayat chairperson, councilors, and women protested and filed a complaint at the police station, demanding legal action. Former MLA Ramlal Akela strongly condemned the remarks at a press conference held in the Nagar Panchayat auditorium, Shivgarh. In the presence of Chairperson Suman Gautam, councilors, and women, he stated that women have been given equal status in the BJP. Calling the publicly elected Dalit woman chairperson Suman Gautam a “maid” is an insult not only to her but to all voters and residents of the Nagar Panchayat. He also strongly condemned the insults directed at former MLC Raja Rakesh Pratap Singh on social media. During the press conference, everyone present in the auditorium raised their hands in support of filing an FIR. The angry women, led by Chairperson Suman Gautam, protested, demanding strict action against the culprits from the administration. Councilors Anil Kumar, Kripa Shankar, Santosh Kumari, Mamta Verma, Arvind Kumar, Kalavati, Pushpa, Shivdevi, and Tinu Chandra, along with many others, were present. Amit Srivastava | Shivgarh Bhawanigarh (Maharajganj), Rae Bareli Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman’s land grab attempt: Violent men brutally beat her for protesting in Chitrakoot
A Dalit woman was attacked in Chitrakoot district for protesting against illegal land grabbing. The incident occurred in Dhobi Purwa, a hamlet of Kalwara Buzurg village in the Pahadi police station area. According to the victim, Anju, some people were attempting to forcibly occupy her land by dumping soil on it at around 12 a.m. last night. When the woman resisted to protect her land, they allegedly attacked her. Anju alleged that the attackers brutally beat her with sticks and an axe. She said she was strangled and beaten until she lost consciousness. The victim also alleged that the attackers tore her clothes, used casteist slurs, and snatched a mangalsutra worth approximately 25,000 rupees from her neck. Upon receiving information about the incident, police and an ambulance arrived at the scene. The injured woman was admitted to the Pahadi Community Health Center. The victim alleges that despite a case being filed against the accused under serious sections and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST) Act, they have been released. The woman’s husband lives abroad, and she is alone at home with her two young children. Anju says the accused are constantly threatening to kill her, leaving her entire family terrified. She has appealed to the Superintendent of Police of Chitrakoot for justice and protection. Police stated that the investigation has been completed and presented to the court. The case is currently pending in court. Jitendra Kumar | Chitrakoot Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala Govt Assures Land, Houses for Dalit Families Facing Eviction in Ernakulam
Satheesan said the dispute was a private case and that eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier in compliance with court directives Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Tuesday assured that seven Dalit families facing eviction in Pariyathukavu in Ernakulam district following a court verdict would not be left homeless, promising them alternative land and houses. Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Congress MLA V P Sajeendran in the assembly, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government would stand by the affected families under all circumstances. “I assure this House that the government will not abandon these families for any reason,” he said. Satheesan said the dispute was a private case and that eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier in compliance with court directives. “The eviction process was initiated for the 15th time the day after our government assumed office. We intervened in the matter immediately,” he said. The Chief Minister said Higher Education Minister Roji M John, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, had visited the area and the government secured two weeks’ time from the High Court for further proceedings. He said the minister and the local MLA were making efforts to resolve the issue amicably. “The families have been informed that the government is prepared to provide them land and construct houses for them, and they have agreed to the proposal,” Satheesan said. Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar also said the government was making all possible efforts to find a solution to the issue. When Sajeendran raised concerns over cases registered in connection with protests against the eviction proceedings, the CM said the government would seriously examine the possibility of withdrawing them. Senior CPI(M) leader K N Balagopal alleged that although eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier, police action against protesters occurred only during the 15th attempt after the UDF government came to power. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala rejected the allegation, asserting that the police had not resorted to any excesses during the eviction process. The Pariyathukavu case relates to a long-standing land dispute near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district, where several Dalit families have been residing for decades on land claimed by private parties. A court has ordered their eviction based on ownership claims, triggering demands for rehabilitation and political debate over the issue. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit girl was given a Taliban-style punishment on suspicion of shoplifting. She was first dragged around by her hair, then tied to a tree and beaten.
UP Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A video from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, is going viral. A Dalit girl was dragged around by her hair and then tied to a tree and beaten to death on suspicion of theft. Deoria Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A sensational incident has emerged from Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. In Mishrauli village, under the Tarkulwa police station area, a Dalit girl was tied to a tree and brutally beaten on suspicion of theft. The video of the entire incident is rapidly going viral on social media. Following this, the police took immediate action, registered a case against the accused, and later arrested him. However, Inkhabar.com cannot confirm the viral video. The story is about Harikesh Gupta, son of Ram Ishwar, a resident of Mishrauli village, who runs a grocery store and accused the Dalit girl of stealing from the shop. Then, on Sunday, after capturing the girl, the accused allegedly grabbed her hair and paraded her around the village. Unsatisfied, he tied her to a tree and began beating her. Bystanders filmed the entire incident, which is now rapidly going viral on social media. After the video surfaced, police arrived at the scene and rescued the girl. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections and arrested him. Two youths tied to a tree and beaten in Pratapgarh A similar incident had previously surfaced in Pratapgarh. Villagers chased three youths, who were allegedly out to steal. However, one of the youths escaped while firing a weapon. The villagers caught the remaining two youths, tied them to a tree, and beat them. Police arrived at the scene after receiving information and detained both youths. While the villagers were claiming the case was a case of theft, they were still investigating the case. On the other hand, the police are saying this incident is related to a love affair. In this case too, a video of the young men being tied to a tree and beaten is going viral. By: Sohail Rahman Courtesy: Hindi News
2,700-year-old ‘Munivahana Seva’ replicated in Tirupati to promote caste equity
Government teachers carry a Dalit colleague into a Tirupati temple, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode linked to the Sri Vaishnavite saint Tiruppan Alwar Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. | Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar A government teacher carried a Dalit colleague on his shoulders into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode to make a point on caste equity. Mahesh Degala, founder-president of the Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi, led the move. The colleague on his shoulders was Munaswamy Nagarajan, a Dalit teacher who is also the State president of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, and the act drew cheers from fellow teachers and the public. 2,700 years ago The act was a re-enactment of an event believed to have taken place 2,700 years ago at the Srirangam temple, involving Tiruppan Alwar, a Dalit among the 12 Sri Vaishnavite saints, and a temple priest, Lokasaranga Muni. TTD effects changes in Srivani darshan tickets quota According to the account, the Alwar stood before the temple in a trance, singing hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha. The priest pushed him away for obstructing his path into the temple, causing him bleeding injuries. When the deity of Lord Ranganatha inside the sanctum sanctorum was also found bleeding, the shocked priest rushed out, apologised to the Alwar and carried him on his shoulder into the temple. Tirupati-Raxaul Express launches weekly service Replicating this event, Mr. Mahesh carried a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, who is also the state President of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, on his shoulders and entered the temple, amid cheers from fellow teachers and general public. Referring to the purpose behind the re-enactment, Mr. Mahesh called it an attempt to correct what he termed the distorted perspective attributed to Sanatana Dharma by “pseudo-secular” forces. Govindaraja Swamy’s chariot procession marks Tirupati Brhamotsavams “The Varna system (hierarchy by profession) mentioned in our ancient scriptures is different from the caste system in vogue today. We, the teachers, have a responsibility to present the correct picture to the society,” he said. Later, the members sat together for a community lunch. A.D. Rangarajan 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
21 seers meet Satish, push for OBC-Dalit representation in new Karnataka cabinet
The delegation is also understood to have assured support for efforts aimed at securing greater representation for Backward Class legislators in the cabinet and in the allocation of key portfolios. BELAGAVI: AMID intensifying speculation over the appointment of a new KPCC president and an impending cabinet reshuffle, senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi on Monday found himself at the centre of a significant socio-political mobilisation, as a delegation of 21 seers representing Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and various backward communities met him in Bengaluru and discussed issues of political representation within the Congress. The meeting, held at Jarkiholi’s official residence, assumes political significance at a time when the Congress high command in consultation with caretaker CM Siddaramaiah and CM-in-waiting DK Shivakumar in New Delhi is believed to be weighing crucial organisational and government-level changes following the leadership transition in the state. The delegation included seers associated with the Bovi community, Valmiki Peetha, Kuruba and Madivala communities, among others. Sources said the discussions focused on ensuring greater representation for backward classes, Dalits and tribal communities in both party organisation and cabinet. Sources said the seers strongly advocated that the next KPCC president should come from a backward community and conveyed their view that Jarkiholi, one of the Congress’ most influential OBC leaders, was a deserving candidate. The delegation is also understood to have assured support for efforts aimed at securing greater representation for Backward Class legislators in the cabinet and in the allocation of key portfolios.With the Congress preparing for a new political phase under Shivakumar, the question of balancing caste equations in both the government and the party organisation has assumed heightened importance. 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
NCSC issues notice to revenue dept over non-execution of Panchami land circular
Panchami land records should be on the notice boards of the taluk office and VAO offices, but these haven’t been done so far. MADURAI: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Monday issued a notice to the Secretary of the government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, for non-implementation of its 2004 circular for the identification of Panchami land during jamabandi proceedings. Dalit Liberation Movement President S Karuppaiah said the then director of NCSC, Kannegi Packianathan, issued a circular to all district collectors to identify the private individuals occupying Panchami land or Adi Dravidar land, and deputy tahsildars can take appropriate action against them under the SC/ST Act. But the important circular hasn’t been implemented for the past 22 years. He also said that all panchami land records, including the survey number and land segment of the village, should be on the notice boards of the taluk office and VAO offices, but these haven’t been done so far. Speaking to TNIE, Dr S Ravivarman, Director of NCSC, said the lack of implementation is a complete surprise. Revenue officials can determine whether the individual occupying the land is its legitimate owner or an encroacher. If it turns out that the land in question is panchami land and occupied by an encroacher, swift action could have been taken against them. He also added that he has requested senior officials to organise orientation programmes for the department since the jamabandi process is set to commence in all districts within a few weeks. 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
Dalit Youth ‘Stripped, Assaulted and Dragged by Tractor’ in Rajasthan; Main Accused Arrested
A Dalit youth was allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment and assaulted in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, following which police arrested the main accused, officials said. The incident took place in Jhajhadiya Ki Dhani in Khinwasar village under the Gudhagaurji police station area. Police have identified the accused as Rakesh Dadiya, who was arrested after the victim filed a complaint. According to police, the victim, Pawan Meghwal, a resident of Jhajhadiya Ki Dhani, lodged an FIR alleging that he was forcibly taken away and assaulted by the accused. Victim Alleges He Was Taken to Isolated Spot and Assaulted In his complaint, Pawan said he was sitting at a local shop in the village on Monday evening around 8:30 pm when Rakesh arrived and allegedly forced him onto a tractor. The accused reportedly took him to a deserted location where he allegedly stripped him, forced him to consume alcohol, and assaulted him. “The accused took me to an isolated place, removed my clothes and beat me badly,” the victim alleged in his police complaint. Gold Chain and Cash Also Allegedly Stolen The complaint further stated that the accused allegedly snatched Pawan’s gold chain and took money from his pocket during the incident. The victim also accused the man of tying him to a tractor and dragging him, causing serious physical injuries. After the assault, Pawan somehow managed to contact his family members, who later informed the police. Police Say Accused Confessed During Questioning Taking the matter seriously, police launched an immediate operation and arrested Rakesh Dadiya from Khinwasar village. A police official said the accused was questioned after his detention and allegedly admitted involvement in the incident. “Considering the seriousness of the matter, immediate action was taken and the accused was arrested. Further investigation is ongoing,” police said. Authorities have not yet shared details about the charges filed, but the investigation into the case is continuing. 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