BJD questions Odisha govt’s grievance redressal mechanism as Dalit youth dies by suicide
Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main Opposition party in Odisha, has targeted the BJP government over the alleged suicide of a Dalit youth at the Collector’s office in Kendrapara. BJD MLAs Ganeswar Behera and Dhruba Sahoo alleged that the youth, identified as Srichandan Das, died by suicide at the Collector’s office as the officials concerned did to take any steps for redressal of his grievances. Das, a resident of Raytunidi village under Derabish block in Kendrapara, was found hanging at the Collector’s office on Friday. Preliminary investigation suggests that Das died by suicide by hanging himself from the railing of the staircase with the help of a cotton towel. Sources claimed that Das was under severe mental pressure over some issues related to his landed properties. He had reportedly approached the Sub-Collector’s office several times for resolution of the issues. “The Dalit youth was forced to take the extreme step as the officials did not take any step for redressal of his grievances. The incident has exposed how the BJP government, which claims to be a people’s government, has turned a blind eye to the problems of ordinary citizens. The incident raises serious questions about the administrative and security arrangements at the Collector’s office,” said Behera. Sahoo, meanwhile, raised questions over the grievance redressal mechanism of the state government. “The BJP government claims that it has resolved 96 per cent of the grievances through its grievance redressal mechanism. However, the suicide of the Dalit youth has exposed the reality,” he said. The Opposition party has sought a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the deceased’s family and a thorough probe into the incident. “The BJD will launch an agitation if the state government does not take immediate steps to conduct a high-level probe into the incident and initiate stringent action against the culprits,” Sahoo added By Priya Ranjan Swain Courtesy : Sambad English Note: This news is originally published on https:/sambadenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bus services restored to dalits populated Anna Nagar in Coimbatore after ‘long-standing’ caste issue
COIMBATORE: Bus services have been restored to Anna Nagar, a Scheduled Caste residential area near Kembanur in Coimbatore’s Thondamuthur block, after two years of alleged caste-based obstruction. More than 300 SC families live in Anna Nagar. Bus services were stopped two years ago after dominant-caste individuals in Kembanur village had opposed the buses travelling the extra 500 metres to dalit-populated Anna Nagar. The dominant community complained that if buses started from Anna Nagar, dalit people would occupy all the seats, forcing other community commuters boarding at subsequent stops to travel standing. This forced Anna Nagar residents to walk 500 metres either to board buses or to reach home after alighting from them at Kembanur. But now following directions from Social Justice and Empowerment minister Vanni Arasu, the Coimbatore district collector and the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation acted to reinstate bus services to Anna Nagar. The first service from Gandhipuram (Route 21) reached Anna Nagar at 8am on Saturday. Residents welcomed the bus and distributed sweets to the driver, conductor and passengers. Protests by Left and progressive organisations, media reports, petitions and intervention by the State Commission for SC/ST had increased pressure on the administration to act. The issue was resolved after residents raised the matter directly with the minister, who treated the denial of transport access as a form of untouchability and ordered implementation of the original route plan without yielding to caste-based pressure. 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
Doctor booked for rape, forced abortion of Dalit woman employee in UP’s Bijnor
According to the complaint, the accused, who is married and belongs to another community, allegedly established physical relations with the woman while she was working at his hospital in Habib Wala. A doctor running a private hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district has been booked on allegations of raping a Dalit woman employee on the pretext of marriage and forcing her to undergo an abortion, police said on Saturday. The case was registered on 2 June based on a complaint filed by the woman, Dhampur SHO Mridul Kumar said. According to the complaint, the accused, who is married and belongs to another community, allegedly established physical relations with the woman while she was working at his hospital in Habib Wala. The woman alleged that the doctor pressured her to undergo an abortion after she became pregnant. Police said the allegations are under investigation. Meanwhile, local BJP MLA Om Kumar met the victim on Saturday and alleged that it was a case of gang rape. Speaking to reporters, the legislator also claimed that the woman had been pressured to change her religion and consume prohibited meat. Expressing dissatisfaction with the initial police action, the MLA alleged that the police had neither invoked the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act nor accepted the initial application from the victim’s family. He added that the superintendent of police has since assured him of strict and complete action in the matter. 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
FIR against 10 for hanging Dalit youth upside down in well over theft suspicion
Hisar: A day after a video showing a Dalit youth hanging upside down in a well went viral, Hansi police booked 10 people, including five named accused, for assault, criminal intimidation and offences under the SC/ST Act. The FIR was registered after the victim, Baru of Sorakhi village, gave his statement following the circulation of the video online. Police named Deepak, Pawan, Joga and Surender among the accused, besides five unidentified persons. Bass police station SHO Pavitra said the investigation was underway and no arrests had been made till Friday evening. The incident reportedly stemmed from allegations that the youth stole a water pump motor and sold it to a scrap dealer. According to claims made in connection with the viral video, villagers allegedly caught him while disposing of the motor and subsequently subjected him to physical assault. The video shows a group of men tying him with ropes, hanging him upside down inside a well, and assaulting him to force a confession. The youth is heard screaming and pleading to be pulled out as he is lowered headfirst into the water-filled well. The attackers, however, continue lowering him deeper into the well for nearly a minute, until he appears to agree to give information on the alleged theft. He is pulled out, only to be thrashed with sticks. The video also shows attempts to restrain him further with ropes. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with demands for strict action against those involved. Police said further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation. 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
Kendrapara youth’s skeleton found stuffed in sack nine days after murder
Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested one Pratap Mahakuda of Mahadeipatana for his alleged involvement in kidnap and murder of the dalit youth. KENDRAPARA: Skeleton of a missing dalit youth was found stuffed in a sack near Petapada village under Aul police limits here on Friday. Police said 23-year-old Gouranga Sethi of Mahadeipatana village went missing on May 27. After two days, his father Arun Sethi filed a complaint in Aul police station alleging that Gouranga was abducted and killed by six persons. Acting on the complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested one Pratap Mahakuda of Mahadeipatana for his alleged involvement in kidnap and murder of the dalit youth. During interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted that he along with five others killed Gouranga and dumped his body in the bushes near Petapada village after packing it in a sack. Based on the information, police scouted the area and recovered the youth’s skeleton. A shoe was also found near the skeleton. Police said the flesh of the missing youth was completely consumed by jackals, dogs and other animals. His family members identified the skeleton through the clothes and shoe. Kendrapara SP Siddharth Kataria said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had damaged the glasses of four-wheelers of some villagers last month. Angered by the act, the vehicle owners hatched a plan to kill Gouranga. On May 27, six persons brutally assaulted the youth with iron rods and bamboo sticks, leading to his death. The skeletal remains will be sent to the FMT laboratory of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for autopsy. Officials will also collect DNA samples of the deceased’s family members to ascertain the identity of the skeleton, said Kataria. Police have registered a case under sections 103 and 238 of the BNS. Five other accused involved in the crime have fled the village. A team has been formed to trace and nab them. Further investigation is underway, the SP added. 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
Unable to sell land, dalit man ends life in Kendrapara collector’s office
26-yr-old Srichandan was trying to get permission to sell land to buyers from general category KENDRAPARA: A 26-year-old dalit man reportedly hanged himself in the Kendrapara collector’s office on Friday after being unable to sell his land to buyers from the general category. The deceased was identified as Srichandan Mallick of Raitundi village under Nikirei police limits. Police sources said Srichandan hanged himself from the iron railings of the collector’s office with a towel at around 1 pm. Due to morning office, a handful of people were present at the collectorate when the youth took the extreme step. Family members alleged that Srichandan was facing mental harassment at the hands of revenue officials. Since the last six months, the youth had been reportedly running from pillar to post to get permission from the revenue office to sell his land to buyers from the general category. Under section 22 of the Orissa Land Reforms (OLR) Act, 1960, a Scheduled Caste (SC) person cannot sell or transfer land to a general category person without prior written permission from a revenue officer. Dalit activist and former Zilla Parishad chairperson Gita Sethi claimed Srichandan was forced to end his life due to frustration over inordinate delay by revenue officers to grant him permission to transfer his property. Kendrapara IIC Suvendu Sahoo said after receiving information, police rushed to the spot and sent the deceased’s body to the district headquarters hospital for autopsy. “No suicide note was found at the spot. An investigation is underway to find out what prompted the youth to take the extreme step,” he said. Kendrapara collector Raghuram R Iyer said, “The district administration has launched an investigation into the tragic incident. We will take strict action against any official found guilty of wrongdoing and harassing the youth.” Sources said it is being alleged that cases related to land records are moving at a snail’s pace in the offices of the collector, sub-collector and revenue officers in Kendrapara. (Assistance for those having suicidal thoughts is available on helpline 104 or Tele MANAS 14416) 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
Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister, says Congress leader SR Patil
Senior Congress leader SR Patil stated on Sunday that it is natural for people from downtrodden and marginalised communities to aspire to have a Chief Minister from their fold, highlighting that Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister so far. Addressing reporters, Patil said, “The downtrodden people are protesting. It is quite natural for anyone to aspire to become the Chief Minister. Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister so far. Therefore, it is natural for people from the downtrodden and marginalised communities to hope that someone from their community becomes the Chief Minister and to express that aspiration through protests.” C Vijayabaskar denies AIADMK exit rumours amid ambiguous press encounter He further added, “I do not agree with the view that G Parameshwara has not been given importance. He is a senior leader of the Congress party and has been given due respect and an appropriate position both in the party and in the government. I am very proud of the government. The government is functioning well, and I am proud of its achievements.” Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is scheduled to meet the party high command in New Delhi on Monday to discuss cabinet appointments and other political developments, according to Congress sources. Earlier on Sunday, Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru that he did not know how many leaders would be inducted into his cabinet or who would take oath with him on June 3. He said, “I don’t know. Whatever the party high command decides will happen.” After serving three years as Deputy Chief Minister, Shivakumar is set to assume office as Karnataka Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is planned for June 3 at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. On Saturday, Shivakumar formally submitted a letter to Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot informing him about his unanimous election as Congress Legislative Party leader. This followed the voluntary resignation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 28. The Governor dissolved the previous Council of Ministers immediately but asked Siddaramaiah to continue until the new government is sworn in. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsmill.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘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