Dalit Groups Seek Judicial Probe Into Akiveedu Temple Demolition
Srinivasa Rao demanded that the government immediately withdraw the restrictions and reconstruct the temple with the participation of local residents VIJAYAWADA: Dalit and civil rights organisations on Saturday staged a protest near Ambedkar Smriti Vanam in Vijayawada, demanding a judicial probe into the alleged repression of Dalits in Pedapeta of Akiveedu in West Godavari district following the demolition of the Hindu Gonthenamma temple. Dalit Soshan Mukthi Manch national leader V. Srinivasa Rao alleged that the temple was demolished illegally at midnight without conducting a proper panchanama, despite constitutional provisions that disputed religious structures should not be disturbed. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. The protesters further alleged that severe restrictions had been imposed in the Dalit locality, with surveillance cameras installed and youth being harassed by police seeking Aadhaar details of residents and visitors. They claimed that outsiders were being prevented from entering the colony, creating fear among Dalits. Srinivasa Rao demanded that the government immediately withdraw the restrictions and reconstruct the temple with the participation of local residents. He also accused RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists of creating tension in the area with police support. KVPS state general secretary Andra Malyadri termed the demolition “a blow to democracy” and warned of intensified protests if action was not taken. 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
‘Farming for 30 Years’: Dalit Families Claim Forced Land Takeover Near Temple in Mathura Village
A land dispute near the Dauji Maharaj Temple in Aicha village, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked tension, with Dalit families alleging that their agricultural land is being forcibly taken over by people linked to a local religious figure. Two Dalit families, including Kewal Singh and Suresh Chandra, have accused individuals allegedly associated with Mahant Baba Shyam Das of trying to encroach on their land located behind the temple. “We have been farming this land for years, but now some people are trying to take it away forcefully,” one of the victims said. The families claim that the land is still recorded in their names in official revenue records. “Farming This Land for 30 Years” According to the families and villagers, they have been cultivating the disputed land for nearly three decades. “This land has been in our possession for the last 30 years. It is our only source of livelihood,” a family member said, adding that the sudden dispute has left them distressed. Allegations Against Mahant’s Supporters Villagers alleged that some individuals are attempting to take control of the land by using the name of Mahant Baba Shyam Das. “Some anti-social elements are trying to grab the land by misleading the Mahant. This has created tension in the village,” a local resident said. Administration Steps In, Orders Status Quo Following the complaints, revenue officials visited the site and conducted a measurement of the land. An official said, “Both parties have been instructed not to carry out any activity on the land for now. Status quo must be maintained until further orders.” Authorities said a detailed report will be submitted to higher officials before any final decision is taken. Victims Seek Justice, Allege Threats The affected families said they have approached multiple authorities but are yet to receive concrete relief. “We are going from office to office seeking justice, but no action has been taken so far,” Kewal Singh alleged. “We are also being threatened and not being heard.” Local residents have urged the administration to ensure a fair investigation and restore the land to the rightful owners. 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
Obscenity against Dalit girl in Kannauj: Accused sentenced to 5 years in prison, fined ₹10,000 under the POCSO Act
The court has sentenced the accused to 5 years in prison for sexually assaulting a Dalit girl in Kannauj district. A fine of ₹10,000 has also been imposed on the accused, which will be given to the victim as compensation. This incident occurred in Rooppur village, under the jurisdiction of the Saurikh police station. On September 10, 2020, Pappu Sharma, a resident of the village, lured a Dalit girl to his home. The accused stripped naked in front of the girl and sexually assaulted her. When the girl screamed, her mother arrived and managed to rescue him. When she protested, the accused also abused her mother. Subsequently, the victim’s mother filed a complaint against Pappu Sharma at the Saurikh police station under sections of the POCSO and SC/ST Acts. During the court hearing, accused Pappu Sharma defended himself, saying that he had not stripped naked in front of the girl, but that his towel had come loose. Government advocate Brijesh Shukla stated that based on the evidence and witness statements, Special Judge Ram Gopal Singh sentenced Pappu Sharma to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 rupees. However, due to lack of evidence, he was acquitted under the SC/ST Act. Vikas Awasthi | Kannauj Courtesy : Hindi News
In Morena, goons brutally beat a Dalit laborer, accused of making him wear a garland of shoes and parade him half-naked.
Goons in Morena a Dalit was allegedly abducted from a tractor-trolley, beaten with sticks, and paraded half-naked while wearing a garland of shoes. Police took action. Morena: The land of Chambal, once associated with tales of rebellion, is once again in the headlines, but this time it’s for violence. The Civil Lines police station area of Morena witnessed a brutal assault by goons that has raised many questions. A Dalit e-rickshaw driver, who was returning to his village on Saturday evening after picking up passengers for his livelihood, was kidnapped in a film-like manner on National Highway 44. He was then taken to Janakpur village, where he was not only beaten, but also made to wear a garland of shoes and paraded half-naked through the village. Bullies block e-rickshaw driver’s path 40-year-old Mohanlal (name changed), a resident of Jatawar village in the Civil Lines police station area, supports his family by driving an e-rickshaw along with his daily wages. As usual, on Saturday evening, he was returning to his village after picking up passengers from the bus stand. When his e-rickshaw arrived in front of Chambaldeep Hotel near the Sikroda Canal on National Highway 44, more than 24 bullies riding a tractor-trolley blocked his path. Kicked and beaten, garlanded with shoes, paraded half-naked through the village As soon as the tractor stopped, Dilip Gurjar, Bhura Gurjar, and Surendra Gurjar got off and forcibly pulled the laborer from the rickshaw and threw him on the road. The bullies then brutally beat him with kicks, punches, and sticks. Their rampage didn’t stop there; they put him in a tractor-trolley and took him to Gangapur, where they stripped him half-naked, and tied a garland of shoes around his neck. After this, they took him to Janakpur village, made him sit in the middle of the village, beat him up, and paraded him around the village. According to the victim, “The bullies held him hostage for about half an hour and humiliated him at gunpoint.” Police freed the laborer from the clutches of the bullies. Passengers in the e-rickshaw informed the police about the incident. Upon receiving the information, the Civil Lines police station arrived at the scene and freed the victim from the clutches of the accused. Based on the complaint of the victim, the police registered a case last night against Bhura Gurjar, Surendra Gurjar, Mahendra Gurjar, Dilip Gurjar, and Karua Gurjar. One of the accused has been arrested and jailed, while the search for the others is ongoing. Pressure for a settlement in an old case The victim has revealed a shocking reason behind this entire incident. He claims that he had a dispute with Dilip Gurjar, Bhura Gurjar, and Sheru Gurjar of Janakpur village during Diwali last year. The accused assaulted him at that time, after which he filed an FIR at the police station. According to the victim, they were continuously pressuring him to settle the old case. When he refused to compromise, the miscreants conspired and targeted him. The victim alleges that the entire incident, from kidnapping to parading him around the village, was a result of that pressure, designed to intimidate him into withdrawing the case. Police Reported a Dispute Between Two Parties Civil Lines Police Station Officer Udaybhan Singh Yadav has initially described the case as a simple scuffle. He said, “An old dispute has emerged between the two parties.” Police Station Officer Udaybhan Singh Yadav stated that the laborer’s family described the entire incident as an e-rickshaw driver. He was carrying a passenger, in which the same bullies were present. He dropped the passenger off near a canal. When the laborer asked for his money, they refused to pay. The people in the rickshaw assaulted him. Afterward, the laborer was left wandering around. Upon receiving the information, we brought the laborer here and filed a case against the accused. The station in-charge said, “It could be an old dispute, but if that were true, why would they get into his rickshaw? He told us they were pressuring him to compromise.” However, police have filed a case against five named accused involved in the incident, and one has been arrested. The search for the other accused is ongoing. Leaders of the Bhim Army, BSP, and Azad Samaj Party reached the police station. Officials and workers of the Bhim Army, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Azad Samaj Party reached the Civil Lines police station upon learning of the incident. They issued a stern warning to the police, demanding strict action against the accused. They also called for a fair investigation and justice for the victim, threatening to launch a protest otherwise. Courtesy: Hindi News
Three tombs demolished at the Balmiki community crematorium in Aligarh: Police file case against four people, including two women, for illegal encroachment.
A case of illegal encroachment has come to light at the Balmiki community crematorium in Dhori village, Akrabad, Aligarh. It is alleged that on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, a neighboring farm owner demolished three tombs with a JCB machine and annexed the crematorium land to his own. Police have filed a case against four people, including two women. Surendra Kumar Balmiki, a resident of Akrabad town, and his colleagues filed a complaint with the police. He explained that the Balmiki community has a centuries-old crematorium behind the Indian Gas warehouse in Dhori village. Previously, there were five permanent and two temporary tombs. According to Surendra Kumar, the neighboring farm owner took advantage of the darkness of the night and demolished the three tombs using a JCB machine. Subsequently, the cremation ground land was merged with their farm. Acting on a complaint from the Balmiki community, the police have registered a case number 201/2026 under sections 329(3), 301, and 324(4) against Ajay and Akhilesh (sons of Vinod Kumar), residents of village Dhori, Tulsi Devi (wife of Vinod Kumar), and Mithlesh Devi (wife of Tulsidas, resident of Badhari Khurd, Manaina Ummedpur, Aligarh). Station in-charge Vinod Kumar stated that it has been confirmed that a neighboring farm owner operated a JCB machine at the Balmiki community cremation ground. He added that a complaint was received against four people for demolishing three tombs, based on which a case has been registered and an investigation has been initiated. Zainul Abedin Khan | Akrabad (Kol), Aligarh Courtesy: Hindi News
Call to bring in law to end caste bias on campuses gets louder in Kerala
Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that a legal solution for all these issues was part of the University Laws Amendment Bill brought in by the LDF government, which had not been signed by the Governor. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One hartal and 19 days after the suicide of Nithin Raj, the BDS student from Anjarakandy Dental College, discussions seem to revolve around the incident alone, rather than the repeated incidents of caste-slurs and discrimination being faced by students in the higher education sector. Calling caste discrimination in higher education institutions a problem with multiple aspects involved, Kerala State Higher Education Council member secretary Rajan Varughese said that there is a critical legislative vacuum to prevent atrocities against students coming from marginalised communities inside college campuses. “The Rohith Vemula Act, which could have been a one-stop solution to all such issues, has been stayed by the Supreme Court after protests by people with supposed vested interests. Even though Kerala has a gross enrolment ratio of SC/ST students way higher than the national average, we cannot be certain that discriminatory practices do not exist in our higher education institutions — be it private or public,” he said. Pointing out that the Karnataka government passed the Rohith Vemula Prevention of Discrimination, Exclusion or Injustice) (Right to Education and Dignity) Bill, less than two weeks ago, Dalit activist K Santhosh Kumar questioned what is stopping Kerala from implementing such a legal framework in the state. “A legislative reform is the immediate solution, but it cannot be a silver bullet to eradicate the issue. But beyond that, the system needs to democratise higher education institutions by ensuring proper representation of people from all communities, which should not just be limited to students, but extended to teachers, non-teaching staff, and even those in the administration. If we are able to bring this to the aided sector as well, the representation itself can ensure justice,” he said. Santhosh also added that the number of SC/ST suicides in Kerala’s campuses may not be an alarming figure, but the number of dropouts from these communities, particularly from professional colleges, is a matter of concern. However, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said that a legal solution for all these issues was part of the University Laws Amendment Bill brought in by the LDF government, which had not been signed by the Governor. “The bill had put forward key suggestions, which also carry the spirit of addressing issues of students from marginalised communities. It suggested the mandatory formation of a Students’ Grievance Redressal Cell at both the university and institution levels, including self-financing colleges. Along with this, a Students’ Charter of Rights was also part of the bill presented in the legislative assembly,” Despite the emergence of multiple cases and allegations at different points in time, conclusive data on discriminatory incidents against students from SC/ST groups are not available. Officials from the SC/ST welfare departments said consolidated data is not available about atrocities against college students. “Even at the national level, we just monitor the number of campus suicides. No separate provision has been allocated to monitor the caste-based deaths,” a top official working in the higher education department said. However, some Dalit organisations claim that at least 12 students from backward communities were found dead in the state’s colleges in the last 10 years. Aswin Asok Kumar 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
Rajasthan: Dalit bride forced off horse, wedding attacked with stones
One of the accused, Takhat Singh, the family claimed, used a sword during the attack. Udaipur: Yet another Dalit wedding procession was attacked, this time in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, where the bride was forced off the horse and the family was abused using casteist slurs. The incident is from April 29 night in the Hariyav village as Pooja Meghwal’s procession was moving along the main road at around 10 pm when the attackers blocked their path and hurled casteist remarks. According to the complaint filed by Pooja’s father, Bhairulal Meghwal, the accused Laxman Singh, Madhu Singh, Kishan Singh, Uday Singh, Arjun Singh, Takhat Singh, Fateh Singh, Vikram Singh, and others, including women, were involved in the act. The accused reportedly grabbed one of the relative’s turban and said, “Chamar Meghwalo, do not take the procession ahead of my house, otherwise there will be bloodshed,” The Mooknayak reported. They stopped the DJ, forced the bride off the horse and turned violently on the wedding guests. The group allegedly used sticks, stones, rods, and swords even, to attack the relatives in the procession. Several people from the wedding party were left injured, including women and children. One of the accused, Takhat Singh, the family claimed, used a sword during the attack. The attackers reportedly looted the baraat as some people reported missing mangalsutras and wrist watches. A first information report was registered on April 30 at the Dabok police station under Sections 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 126(2) (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was also booked under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The bride’s family said the same group of attackers allegedly obstructed a different Dalit family’s wedding previously in the village. The Bhim Army on Friday, May 1, gathered in large numbers near the police station and demanded strict action against the accused. They warned of a larger protest if action under the SC/ST Act was delayed. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A team arrived in Prayagraj to clear railway land: Dalits living in the slum protested, police dispersed them; heavy force deployed
The team that arrived to vacate railway land in Gaughat, Prayagraj, was met with protests by Dalits living in the slum. A large crowd gathered. The team, accompanied by a large force and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), began having laborers demolish the Dalits’ mud houses. Residents of the slum protested, creating a ruckus. The slum dwellers shouted slogans. When the demolition was stopped, a scuffle broke out. Police and RPF personnel first tried to reason with them, then began to disperse them, leading to a stampede. They forced everyone out of the slum and then began demolition. People living in the slum for hundreds of years Women living in the slum say, “Our families have been living here for hundreds of years. The Railway Department has always harassed us. Where will we, the nearly destitute, take our families and small children?” Our mud houses are being demolished. Many families have been left on the streets. They have no place to live, no support. During the rains, hundreds of families will have to live on the open road. Railway property had been occupied for a long time. According to railway officials, Dalits had occupied both sides of this railway land in Gaughat by building a settlement. A densely populated area had been encroached under the old Yamuna Bridge in Gaughat. Notices and notices were issued several times to vacate the settlement, but the number of people living there continued to grow. The roads were also encroached upon by filling them with garbage. Railway PRO said, “Several attempts were made to vacate the occupation.” North Central Railway Public Relations Officer (PRO) Amit Singh said that people had been living in the settlement by occupying railway property for a long time. Several attempts were made to evict them. As per railway orders, a team and force are working to clear the settlement. Mithilesh Tripathi | Karchana Courtesy: Hindi News
Rajasthan: Dalit Wedding Procession Attacked in Udaipur, Bride Pulled Off Horse, Several Injured
A case of caste-based violence has emerged from Udaipur district, where a Dalit family’s wedding procession was allegedly attacked by a group of people in Hariyav village on the night of April 29. According to the complaint, the procession of Pooja Meghwal, daughter of Bhairulal Meghwal, was passing through a main road near Dhira Talai around 10 pm when the accused blocked their path and began abusing the group using casteist slurs. Bride Forced Off Horse, Guests Assaulted Family members alleged that the attackers, identified as Laxman Singh, Madhu Singh, Kishan Singh, Uday Singh, Arjun Singh, Takhat Singh, Fateh Singh, Vikram Singh and others, stopped the procession and threatened violence. “They shouted at us and said, ‘Do not take the procession ahead of our house, otherwise there will be bloodshed,’” the complaint stated. Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly turned violent. The DJ music was stopped, and the bride was forcibly pulled down from the horse. Soon after, the group allegedly attacked the baraatis using stones, sticks, rods and even swords. Several people, including women and children, were injured in the assault. Victims named in the complaint include Vardi Chand Meghwal, Ganesh Meghwal, Jitu Meghwal, Manju Meghwal, Lakshmibai, Hitesh Meghwal and Suresh Meghwal. One of the accused, Takhat Singh, is alleged to have used a sword during the attack. The complainants also said that valuables were looted in the chaos, including mangalsutras and a wristwatch. FIR Filed Under SC/ST Act, Investigation Underway An FIR was registered on April 30 at Dabok police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Police have invoked sections related to assault, criminal intimidation and caste-based atrocities. The investigation has been handed over to IPS probationer Aashima Vaswani. Community Protests, Demand Strict Action The incident triggered anger among members of the Dalit community. On Friday, a large number of supporters of the Bhim Army gathered outside Dabok police station demanding immediate arrests and strict action. Roshan Meghwal, Vice President of Bhim Army in Udaipur, claimed that around 15 people, including several women, were involved in the attack. “This is not the first time such an incident has happened in the village. The same group had earlier tried to disrupt another Dalit wedding,” he alleged. He added that police initially detained four accused under preventive provisions soon after the incident, and statements of victims were recorded after the FIR was filed. Warning of Protest if Action Delayed Community members have warned of a larger protest if strict action is not taken under the SC/ST Act against all the accused. “We want justice and immediate arrests. If action is delayed, we will stage a major protest,” one of the protesters said. 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
Family seeks fresh autopsy in death of Pudukkottai Dalit youth who was in inter-caste relationship
The family also requested a probe into his missing mobile phone and inclusion of more of the woman’s relatives in the FIR, alleging their involvement in his death. PUDUKKOTTAI: The family of Hariharan, a 20-year-old Dalit youth who was in an inter-caste relationship and was later found dead in a quarry in Pudukkottai, on Friday submitted a written petition to the district Superintendent of Police seeking a re-postmortem, a probe into his missing mobile phone, and inclusion of more of the woman’s relatives in the first information report (FIR), alleging their involvement in his death. In the petition, his father P Rajkumar, requested that the re-postmortem be conducted by a medical team from outside the district, to find his son’s missing mobile phone and add few relatives of the woman to the FIR. He said his son had gone missing on April 21, allegedly after receiving a phone call from the woman, and was found dead in a quarry on April 23. A case of suspicious death had been initially registered on April 24 and later altered it to include abetment of suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against four persons, including the woman and her family members. Police said further investigation was under way. It may be noted that Hariharan had been in a relationship with a 20-year-old woman from a caste Hindu community. The couple had reportedly eloped five months ago intending to marry but were later separated after both families were counselled at the Keeranur police station due to caste differences, said the police. 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