Mallikarjun Kharge takes oath as Rajya Sabha member after re-election
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan administers oath in Parliament House; Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attend ceremony Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was on Monday sworn in as a member of the Rajya Sabha after being re-elected to the Upper House. The oath of office was administered to Kharge by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in his chamber at Parliament House. He took the oath in Hindi and was seen holding a copy of the Constitution during the ceremony. Vice President Radhakrishnan congratulated Kharge and said the Upper House would benefit from his long parliamentary experience. Following the oath-taking, Kharge said he would continue to raise the concerns, aspirations and voices of the people with sincerity and conviction, while also holding the government accountable. He reiterated that these responsibilities would remain central to his role in Parliament. Senior Congress leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were present during the ceremony. Union ministers J P Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also attended the occasion. In a post on social media platform X, the Vice President’s office confirmed that Kharge had taken oath as a re-elected member of the Council of States from Karnataka, sharing photographs of the ceremony. Kharge also posted on X expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving as Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, calling it a matter of “immense pride and responsibility.” He thanked Vice President Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chairman Harivansh for their support, as well as Congress leadership including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with party colleagues and workers for their continued backing. He also expressed appreciation to leaders across parties, particularly INDIA bloc members, and said he looked forward to stronger coordination during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament to ensure greater accountability from the government. Apart from Kharge, BJP leader Tarun Chugh, and six other new members including Jitendra Meghjibhai Kanzariya and Mansingh Meraman Parmar (Gujarat), M Nagaraja (Karnataka), Rajendra Hiralal Jain (Maharashtra), Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi (Manipur) and Alka Singh (Rajasthan), also took oath. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Leader of the House J P Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal were present at the oath-taking, both inside the chairman’s chamber as well as in the House. Kharge took oath in Hindi while holding a copy of the Constitution in his hand. VP Radhakrishnan congratulated and welcome the new members into the House. 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
‘Missing’ posters targeting Rahul Gandhi surface in Delhi, BJP calls him ‘Leader of Paryatan’
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday intensified its attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his reported foreign visits, with “missing” posters surfacing across parts of Delhi and party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla dubbing the Leader of Opposition the “Leader of Paryatan.” The posters, put up in several parts of the national capital, described Rahul Gandhi as “missing”, prompting a fresh political attack from the BJP. Reacting to the development, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a swipe at the Congress MP in a post on X, referring to him as “Gumshuda Lapata MIA Rahul Baba” and “Leader of Paryatan.” In another post on X, Poonawalla contrasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s work record with Rahul Gandhi’s reported foreign visits. “Prime Minister Modi has been in work mode. He has spent almost 9,000 days as Chief Minister and Prime Minister without taking a holiday. Rahul Gandhi has vacation mode. He spends crores on holidays every year. Rahul is the Leader of Paryatan,” Poonawalla said. In a video message on Friday, Poonawalla alleged that Rahul Gandhi frequently remains away during key political and parlimentary occasions. “Rahul Gandhi should rename LoP as ‘Leader of Paryatan and Partying’ because that’s what he always does. On one hand, Prime Minister Modi has become the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of the country and, during the last 9,000 days as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, has not taken a single day off. This is work mode and seva mode,” he said. “On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi is constantly on vacation. Every time the party and the country need him, he goes on foreign tours. He does not put people first, Parliament first or even the party first; he puts tourism first,” Poonawalla alleged. He further claimed that Gandhi had undertaken several foreign trips and questioned the funding of those visits. “Rahul Gandhi has spent crores on his vacations but has not provided any account of how this money is spent on foreign tours and travels. Once again, Rahul Gandhi has gone abroad. He will be missing when Parliament, the party and the people need him,” Poonawalla alleged. 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
57 years after Stonewall, why equality, inclusivity still a battle for India’s queer community
On June 28,1969, police raided New York’s Stonewall Inn, detaining many transgender persons and drag performers and subjecting others to humiliating searches and questions. The resistance that followed is known as the Stonewall Riots and June continues to be celebrated as Pride Month to commemorate the incident. For many in India, Pride is not a parade, but the hope of a life lived without discrimination and humiliation. At 1.20 a.m. on June 28, 1969, a Saturday, four police officers in plainclothes, accompanied by two uniformed patrolmen, walked up to the double doors of a small bar in New York’s Greenwich Village. “Police. We’re taking the place,” one of them announced. The bar was called the Stonewall Inn, a clandestine ‘gay’ bar. Patrons were lined up, their identity papers examined, and those whose appearance did not conform to what the police believed men and women should look like were singled out. Many transgender persons and drag performers were detained. Others were subjected to humiliating searches and questioning. Raids like these on places identified as queer hubs were routine back then. But that night was different. The people inside Stonewall Inn refused to quietly submit. The crowd outside swelled. Resistance replaced fear. The Stonewall Riots became the defining moment of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. Fifty-seven years later in India, during Pride Month (celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 riots), Stonewall feels less like history and more like a warning. A conversation beyond survival Imagine a 20-year-old transgender student growing up in Harda, Hapur or Hazaribagh. She has never attended a Pride parade. There is no queer community centre in her town. No support group she can walk into after college. No café where she can simply exist without being stared at. She worries less about rainbow flags than about whether her college will recognise her identity, whether a landlord will rent her a room, whether a hospital will treat her with dignity, and whether the law sees her as the person she knows herself to be. For years, it seemed that India was slowly moving in that direction. In National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (2014), popularly known as the NALSA judgment, the Supreme Court recognised that gender identity lies at the heart of dignity, equality and personal autonomy and affirmed the principle of selfidentification. Four years later, in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), the Court decriminalised consensual same-sex relationships by reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (which had criminalised ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’), declaring that constitutional morality must prevail over social prejudice. More recently, in Supriyo @ Supriya Chakraborty v. Union of India (2023), while the Supreme Court declined to recognize marriage equality, it unequivocally acknowledged the dignity and equal citizenship of queer persons. Taken together, these decisions did not solve every problem, but they changed the direction of travel. They told queer Indians that the Constitution saw them not as criminals or outcasts, but as equal citizens. The conversation, slowly but surely, was beginning to move beyond survival. The questions were changing. Could queer couples marry? Could they adopt children? Would health insurance recognise their partners? Would workplaces guarantee equal opportunities? Could a partner make medical decisions during an emergency? Would families eventually choose acceptance over silence? These are the questions of people imagining a future. Fresh anxieties That is why the present moment has generated so much anxiety. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, which is presently under challenge before the Supreme Court, has reignited concerns among many transgender persons and rights advocates that the constitutional principle of self-identification recognised in NALSA could be substantially diluted. Whether those concerns ultimately withstand constitutional scrutiny will be for the Court to determine. But the very fact that the debate has returned to who gets to define a person’s identity has left many wondering whether hard-won gains are becoming fragile. History never repeats itself exactly. Yet it often asks remarkably similar questions. In 1969, people gathered outside the Stonewall Inn because they refused to accept that the State could decide who they were. In 2026, transgender Indians are once again asking who has the authority to define their identity. The context is different. The question remains hauntingly familiar. For queer Indians living in Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru, community spaces, support networks and affirming workplaces, while still limited, at least exist. But what does Pride mean to someone living in a small town? Where does that young student from Harda go? There are no community spaces like the Stonewall Inn. There may be no counsellor trained in gender identity, no local support group, no understanding within the family and no legal aid organisation nearby. Every decision, whether to come out, seek healthcare or simply exist openly, carries consequences that extend far beyond personal identity. It may determine whether someone can continue their education, keep a roof over their head or remain financially secure. Even today, queer persons in India continue to face barriers that extend well beyond legal recognition. Marriage equality remains unavailable. Adoption rights remain uncertain for same-sex couples. Many struggle to access affirming healthcare. Workplace discrimination persists. Police harassment and social stigma continue to be reported. For countless young people, the fear of rejection by their own families remains the greatest obstacle of all. Equality and inclusion This is precisely why the debate cannot stop at self-identification. The next chapter of LGBTQIA+ rights in India should be about enabling ordinary lives. The right to marry the person one loves. The right to build a family. Equal opportunities in education and employment. Access to healthcare without humiliation. Insurance, inheritance, pensions and legal recognition that treat queer families with the same dignity as everyone else. These are not extraordinary demands. They are the ordinary incidents of citizenship. Across the world, many democracies have already begun answering these questions. South Africa constitutionally prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and has recognised same-sex marriage for nearly
Parliament Passes Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 After Rajya Sabha Nod
Parliament Passes Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 After Rajya Sabha Nod Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on tuesday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said, the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said, the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said, NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Courtesy : News ON AIR Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Independent probe sought for custodial death of Dalit woman in AP
Mala Gangamma died on May 31 after suffering torture in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the disappearance of her son, Veerendra, in November 2024. Andhra Pradesh: Human Rights Forum (HRF) and the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) have demanded an independent enquiry over the alleged custodial death of a 40-year-old Dalit woman in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district in May this year. Mala Gangamma died on May 31 after suffering torture in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the disappearance of her son, Veerendra, in November 2024. The Dalit woman had approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking justice. The SIT was made on the directions of the court. It was headed by then Guntur Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) K Supraja. According to HRF and IFTU, Gangamma was allegedly tortured and forcefully confessed that she and her partner, Malla Durgayya, murdered her son, as he reportedly opposed their relationship. HRF and IFTU stated that the couple were subjected to third-degree torture, leading to Gangamma’s death, while Durgayya continues to battle for his life at the Kurnool Government Hospital. They questioned why Gangamma’s burial was conducted in the presence of 20 to 30 police personnel, and why Durgayya’s relatives were disallowed from meeting him in the hospital. Apart from an independent, impartial examination, the organisations have demanded a fresh post-mortem examination of Gangamma’s body, and the registration of criminal cases, including murder charges and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, against police personnel found responsible. 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
Janseva Dal to contest 403 assembly seats: In Aligarh, the party stated, “We no longer want votes, but equal rights to power.”
The Janseva Dal in Aligarh has announced its intention to contest all 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The party held a public meeting at Jupiter Lodge on ITI Road on Sunday evening, June 28, 2026, targeting mainstream political parties. Party National President Vinesh Thakur (Karpoori) alleged that while the votes of the most backward, most Dalit, and working-class castes form governments, they do not receive equal rights to power and respect. Vinesh Thakur stated that since independence, the Nai, Sen, Savita, Pal, Baghel, Prajapati, Kashyap, Nishad, Mallah, Saini, Kushwaha, Kori, Khatik, Valmiki, Dhobi, Tailor, and other working-class communities have been considered merely vote banks. He explained that promises are made during elections, but these communities have consistently been neglected in ticket distribution, government positions, and political participation. The National President of the Jan Seva Dal announced that his party is preparing to contest all 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. He clarified that candidates will be fielded from among the marginalized communities. Vinesh Thakur emphasized that this community will no longer be dependent on the mercy of any party, but will gain a share of power based on its political strength. Speakers at the meeting also mentioned Karpoori Thakur’s model of social justice. They questioned the governments’ intentions in not implementing the backward and extremely backward classifications. A state-wide public awareness campaign was also announced on this occasion. The program was chaired by District President Ramnaresh Singh, who reiterated his commitment to strengthening the organization down to the booth level. A large number of workers and officials from various social organizations attended the public meeting. The Jan Seva Dal also raised slogans like “Hand-made artisans will form the government” and “It’s not a caste, it’s a community; all the most backward are together,” reflecting their political warning. Naresh Pratap Singh | Kol Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit girl raped in Ballia, youth arrested
Ballia: Under the direction of Superintendent of Police Omveer Singh, the Revati police station has achieved success in the ongoing campaign against crime and criminals. On June 24th, based on the complaint of the plaintiff, the police registered a case under the rape, POCSO Act, and SC/ST Act. Station House Officer Anupam Jaiswal, along with Constables Shailesh Kumar and Karan Yadav, were on duty in the area. Meanwhile, Kanak Soni alias Makhan Soni, son of Surendra Soni (resident of Revati Ward No. 3, Town Police Station, Revati, Ballia), accused under sections 65(1), 351(3) IPC, 3(2)V, 3(2)VA of the SC/ST Act, and 3(2) of the POCSO Act, was arrested near the crossing near Khedan Square. Courtesy: Hindi News
SPECIAL | Rahul Gandhi weighs bigger role for Charanjit Singh Channi as Punjab Congress eyes Dalit, Sikh and Hindu vote balance ahead of 2027
Sources familiar with the deliberations said the leadership, under Rahul Gandhi, is examining a formula that combines social representation with organisational stability. The Congress high command is learnt to be considering one of its biggest organisational exercises in Punjab since the 2022 Assembly election, with discussions indicating that former Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi could be entrusted with a larger role in the state unit as part of a broader strategy to rebuild the party before the 2027 polls. According to party sources, the proposed restructuring goes far beyond a routine leadership change. The exercise is understood to be aimed at creating a carefully balanced organisational structure that gives representation to Punjab’s three most significant electoral segments, Dalits, Jat Sikhs and urban Hindu voters, while ensuring that senior leaders continue to remain politically relevant within the organisation. Sources familiar with the deliberations said the leadership, under Rahul Gandhi, is examining a formula that combines social representation with organisational stability. Alongside the appointment of a new state leadership, key election-related responsibilities, including campaign management, coordination, manifesto preparation and organisational planning, are also expected to be distributed among experienced leaders in an effort to minimise factionalism ahead of the Assembly election. Dalit vote bank at the centre of Congress calculations Political observers believe the reported move is primarily driven by Punjab’s unique social composition. Punjab has the highest proportion of the Scheduled Caste population among all Indian states, with Dalits accounting for nearly 32 per cent of the state’s population. The community plays a decisive role not only in the 34 Assembly constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes, but also influences electoral outcomes in dozens of general seats across Doaba, Malwa and parts of Majha. Within the Congress, Channi is regarded as the party’s most recognisable Dalit Sikh leader. His tenure as Punjab’s first Dalit Chief Minister and his victory from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 parliamentary election have strengthened perceptions within the party that he continues to enjoy considerable political acceptability among sections of Dalit voters. Party strategists are believed to feel that projecting a strong Dalit face at the organisational level could help the Congress regain a section of the traditional support base that has shifted towards rival political parties over the past several years. Balancing the Jat Sikh leadership is equally important Even as the Congress attempts to consolidate Dalit voters, the party is understood to be equally cautious about maintaining its influence among Punjab’s politically dominant Jat Sikh community. Although Jat Sikhs constitute an estimated 20 to 22 per cent of Punjab’s population, they continue to exercise significant political influence across rural constituencies, particularly in the Malwa region, which sends the largest number of MLAs to the Assembly. Party insiders believe any organisational restructuring that overlooks this influential community could create fresh internal challenges. Consequently, discussions are said to include assigning major organisational and election-management responsibilities to senior Jat Sikh leaders, allowing them to continue playing a central role in shaping the party’s campaign strategy while maintaining social equilibrium within the organisation. Urban Hindu voters also part of the strategy Another important element of the reported formula is the urban Hindu electorate. According to the 2011 Census, Hindus account for nearly 38.5 per cent of Punjab’s population. However, political strategists generally estimate that the decisive urban Hindu voting bloc constitutes around 25 to 26 per cent of the electorate and significantly influences election results in cities such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Pathankot and several municipal centres. Congress leaders are believed to be exploring ways to ensure adequate organisational representation for leaders who enjoy influence in urban constituencies, thereby broadening the party’s appeal beyond its traditional rural support base. Lessons from the 2022 defeat The reported restructuring also reflects the Congress leadership’s assessment of the mistakes made during the 2022 Punjab Assembly election. The party had projected Channi as its chief ministerial face only a few months before polling. However, persistent factionalism, competing leadership centres, and organisational disunity overshadowed the campaign, reducing the Congress to 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly, while the Aam Aadmi Party secured a landslide victory. Many within the party now believe that social representation alone cannot deliver electoral success unless it is backed by organisational unity, clearly defined responsibilities and coordinated campaigning. 2024 Lok Sabha performance revives confidence The Congress’s improved performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, in which it won seven of Punjab’s 13 parliamentary seats, has reportedly prompted the central leadership to accelerate organisational restructuring well before the next Assembly polls. Party leaders are believed to view the parliamentary results as evidence that the Congress continues to retain substantial support in Punjab despite its defeat in the previous Assembly election. The leadership now appears keen to convert that momentum into a stronger organisational framework capable of sustaining a statewide campaign. Social engineering before 2027 Political analysts believe Congress is attempting to build a broader electoral coalition rather than relying on any single community. The reported strategy seeks to combine the electoral strength of Punjab’s nearly 32 per cent Dalit population, the politically influential 20-22 per cent Jat Sikh community, and the decisive urban Hindu electorate that plays a crucial role in several Assembly constituencies. If implemented successfully, such a leadership structure could allow the party to simultaneously target multiple voter segments while reducing internal friction among senior leaders. Unlike previous organisational changes that largely focused on individual appointments, the latest exercise appears to be centred on building a leadership model designed around Punjab’s electoral arithmetic and social realities. Although speculation over the proposed changes has intensified, Congress has not made any official announcement regarding the restructuring. The final shape of the Punjab unit is expected to emerge only after the party leadership completes its internal consultations. With less than a year and a half left before political activity gathers full momentum for the 2027 Assembly election, the decisions taken by the Congress in the coming weeks could play a significant role in determining whether
ASP Appointed To Probe Deaths Of Dalit Youths
The police appealed to Dalit organisations, including those led by Mandakrishna Madiga, to call off their proposed protest in view of the ongoing inquiry Maidakur DSP S. Rajendra Prasad on Sunday said an IPS officer had been appointed to inquire into the deaths of two Dalit youths, who were found dead in a canal at Brahmamgari Matham on February 5, 2026. Addressing a press conference in Maidakur, the DSP said the incident had sparked suspicion among Dalit organisations, which alleged foul play and claimed justice had not been delivered. The organisations had also proposed a ‘Chalo Kadapa’ protest to press their demands Responding to their demand for a higher-level inquiry, Kadapa SP Nachiket Vishwanath appointed Proddatur ASP Vibhu Krishna as the inquiry officer. The DSP said Dalit leaders had also raised doubts over whether the FIR had been registered in accordance with legal procedures. He added that a video recorded by a witness who accompanied the deceased had been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis. Meanwhile, the police appealed to Dalit organisations, including those led by Mandakrishna Madiga, to call off their proposed protest in view of the ongoing inquiry. 2 engg students drown at beach Two first-year engineering students drowned at Bhavanapadu beach in Srikakulam district on Sunday after being caught in strong sea currents. The victims were identified as S. Yeshwanth, 18, and G. Agastima, 18. According to reports, they were part of a group of students from a private engineering college who had visited the beach. While bathing, the two were swept into deep waters by strong currents and drowned. Agriculture minister K. Atchennaidu expressed shock over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. Describing the tragedy as heartbreaking, he directed officials to extend all possible assistance and ensure necessary support to the families of the deceased. 32 fall ill after eating roadside snacks Thirty-two persons were admitted to the Primary Health Centre at Dugguduru in Kajuluru mandal after they allegedly suffered food poisoning from eating snacks purchased from roadside vendors. Officials said the victims consumed the snacks on Friday evening and began reporting to the hospital from Saturday. More patients were admitted on Sunday, while some were discharged after treatment. Officials said around 60 others were reportedly undergoing treatment at private hospitals. Medical and health department officials rushed to the village and treated the affected persons. Kakinada district medical and health officer D.N. Naick visited the hospital and reviewed the condition of the patients. He said the patients were recovering. 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
Two-day Dalit writers’ conference concludes in Jaipur
Jaipur: A two-day state-level Dalit Writers’ Conference, jointly organised by Pranjal Sahitya Akademi, Jaipur, and Rajasthan Sahitya Akademi, Udaipur, concluded Sunday at the Mata Ramabai Auditorium of the Dr Ambedkar Memorial Welfare Society. The conference featured poetry recitals by writers from across Rajasthan, who presented works centred on the vision of an egalitarian society. 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