‘Stop gambling with children’s future’: Rahul Gandhi attacks govt over NEET-UG re-test centre blunder
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the Modi government after a NEET-UG aspirant from Nagpur was allotted Abu Dhabi as the examination centre for the re-test, saying the authorities should “stop gambling” with the future of children. Responding to the issue, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the grievance is being looked into and that, after due verification, the candidate will be allotted a centre in Nagpur within the next few hours. In a Hin post on X, Gandhi wrote, “A student from Nagpur had been preparing for the NEET re-exam for a month. He downloaded his admit card just a day before the exam. His assigned centre was in Abu Dhabi. He has no passport, his family lacks the funds to send him abroad, and there is no time left. He wept all night and is refusing to take the exam – can one even imagine the level of stress involved?” “How did this even happen? No student should have to face the issue of being unable to reach their exam centre. In reality, the NTA is merely testing the patience of the country’s students and their parents,”Gandhi said. Gandhi asserted that a system which fails to allot a student an examination centre in their own city and instead assigns one abroad has no right to conduct exams, news agency PTI reported. He further stated, “Stop gambling with our children’s future. They deserve a sensitive, responsible, and accountable education and examination system – and we will ensure they get it.” Gandhi launched a signature campaign to highlight issues concerning the country’s education system on Thursday. The campaign includes paper leaks and high fees, etc. He described the campaign as a platform through which students can directly place their demands before the government. His call for participation came a day after he interacted with students at a convention in Kota, Rajasthan. During the interaction, he termed India’s education system a “rejection system” rather than a selection system. He alleged that the system imposes a heavy financial burden and causes intense stress for students and middle-class families. Addressing the gathering in Kota, a hub for coaching centres, Gandhi said the present education framework is “extremely stressful and unfair”. The NTA had earlier cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination scheduled on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak. The government then directed the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. 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
‘Rahul Gandhi exposed’: BJP targets Congress leader after Shashi Tharoor’s PM Modi praise over Trump meet
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday seized on senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the comments had exposed a contradiction within the Congress party’s stance towards the Prime Minister. Reacting to Tharoor’s observations, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “Shashi Tharoor exposes Rahul Gandhi. Congress Leader praises PM @narendramodi Ji’s diplomacy. When it Comes to Protecting India’s National Interest PM Modi comes first; When it comes to speaking against India’s National interest Rahul Gandhi leaves everyone behind!” said BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari in a post on X. The BJP’s response came after Tharoor praised PM Modi-Trump meet. “PM Modi made his point clear both in the public and private meetings with the President. It is important to convey the message that in wartime, civilian sailors on commercial ships should not be targets of combat. They are not soldiers, and that is the message Mr. Modi conveyed,” Tharoor said. He went on acknowledged several aspects of PM Modi’s leadership, calling him “powerful orator, one of the best orators the country has seen in Hindi”. “I think we all recognise that he has a tremendous amount of dynamism and energy. He has a vision, whether you agree with that vision or not. He is a powerful orator, one of the best orators the country has seen in Hindi. He reaches out particularly to those who speak that language,” Tharoor had said. He has a very compelling presence on the national stage. Undoubtedly, he has been able to leave his stamp on many aspects of Indian life, society and politics, the economy, particularly the building of the infrastructure is one of Mr Modi’s achievements as long as the highways, ports and airports stand. Though there is still always room for improvement,” he added. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla intensified the attack on Rahul Gandhi, claiming that senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor had “busted” the opposition leader’s narrative by praising PM Modi and acknowledging his handling of key national issues. Poonawalla said the Congress had repeatedly accused the prime minister of “surrendering” on national issues and failing to raise concerns regarding Indian sailors. According to him, Tharoor’s comments directly contradicted those claims. “It was Rahul Gandhi’s birthday. But Dr Tharoor has given him a very good gift by busting his fake narrative. Because Rahul Gandhi’s Congress was constantly saying surrender, surrender, saying the PM has not raised the issue of sailors,” he said. “Now Dr Tharoor contradicts him, busts his fake narrative, says that the PM has raised the issue, conveyed India’s point. And not only that, he has praised Prime Minister Modi for being visionary, dynamic, having a great presence, leaving a mark on Indians and has said he is a great orator. So I think Rahul Gandhi must be burning with anger. I just hope that he does not take action against Dr Tharoor,” he added. PM Modi and US President Donald Trump held their first bilateral meeting in 16 months on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, on Wednesday. During the talks, PM Modi highlighted concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating not only near the Strait of Hormuz but across the wider Gulf region. Trump, meanwhile, praised the PM Modi, describing him as a “tough negotiator” and remarking on his strong public presence. 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
Dalit student suicide: Kerala HC denies anticipatory bail to Kannur Dental College professor Dr. MK Ram
Dr MK Ram stands accused of verbally harassing a dalit student, Nithin Raj, who later died by suicide. The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed an anticipatory bail plea filed by Kannur Dental College professor, Dr. M Kodanda Ram, who is accused of verbally harassing a Dalit student, Nithin Raj, who died by suicide in April [Dr. M Kodanda Ram v State of Kerala & ors]. Nithin Raj, a dental college student in Kerala, died by suicide on April 10 after jumping from a building near the college. Before his demise, Raj is alleged to have faced caste-based harassment from the faculty at the dental college. Dr. Ram, the head of the department at the dental college, is the prime accused in the case. The police booked Dr. Ram and two other staff members for abetment of suicide and for offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act), based on a complaint by the student’s father. Dr. Ram and another accused faculty member Dr. Sangeetha Nambiar, had earlier approached a sessions court seeking anticipatory bail. While the sessions court granted the relief to Dr. Nambiar on April 25, it denied anticipatory bail to Dr Ram. This prompted him to approach the High Court for anticipatory bail. The State opposed the plea. The State’s Public Prosecutor told the Court that the statements of two students indicated that Dr Ram’s conduct with students was improper and that he even instigated other teachers to harass the deceased student. During hearings, the Court had made observations regarding recurring allegations of harassment in medical colleges and suggested that the state should consider constituting a committee to study such complaints and recommend remedial measures. Meanwhile, Dr Ram’s counsel denied the allegations of caste-based harassment. The counsel relied on CCTV footage showing Raj in the college principal’s room before his death and documents indicating loan recovery harassment faced by the student. After considering the rival submissions, the Court has dismissed his plea today. Dr. Ram’s plea was filed through advocates S Rajeev, V Vinay, MS Aneer, Anilkumar CR, Sarath KP, Dipa V, KS Kiran Krishnan, Akash Cherian Thomas, Azad Sunil, TP Aravind, Maheswar Padickal, Akshara S and Nivedita Rajeev. Praisy Thomas Courtesy : Bar And Bench Note: This news is originally published on https:/barandbench.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Chennai Police Files Charge-sheet against 6 Cops in Custodial Death of Dalit Youth
The CB-CID has filed a charge sheet against six police officials in connection with the alleged custodial death of a 26-year-old The case pertains to the death of Delison, a resident of Krishnarajapuram in Manamadurai, who was detained on March 5 in connection with an attempted murder case. He succumbed to severe injuries on March 8 while undergoing treatment at the Chennai: The CB-CID has filed a charge sheet against six police officials in connection with the alleged custodial death of a 26- year-old Dalit youth, Akash Delison, in Sivaganga district earlier this year, police said on Friday. The police personnel named in the charge sheet are Inspector of Police Dileepan, Sub-Inspector Gugan, Head Constables Palani (Madhagupatty Police Station) and Deivendran (Sivagangai Town PS), and Grade 1 Constables Kaleeswaran (Manamadurai PS) and Mahendran (Thiruppuvanam PS) The case pertains to the death of Delison, a resident of Krishnarajapuram in Manamadurai, who was detained on March 5 in connection with an attempted murder case. He succumbed to severe injuries on March 8 while undergoing treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. While the local police initially claimed that the youth sustained a severe leg fracture after jumping from a bridge while attempting to escape, his family alleged that he was subjected to brutal torture. According to his relatives and a dying declaration reportedly given to a judicial magistrate, officers severely beat his legs with an iron rod during interrogation. Forensic experts also later flagged significant discrepancies in the initial medical reports, noting massive internal tissue damage inconsistent with a simple fall. The youth’s death triggered massive outrage and a prolonged protest by his family, who refused to accept his body for over 100 days while demanding the arrest of the erring personnel. The standoff ended only recently after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court intervened, leading to a state-conducted cremation under heavy police security. Following the widespread uproar, the investigation was transferred to the CB-CID, which suspended the involved officials and has now formally filed the charge sheet 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
‘Dalit’ is a term of unity for the oppressed: Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu
Intervening, Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the MLA had used the term several times and requested members to avoid it. CHENNAI: There was a brief debate in the state Assembly on Friday over the appropriate term to refer to Scheduled Caste communities. The issue arose during the discussion on the motion thanking the governor’s address, when AIADMK MLA V Sampathkumar from Harur used the term “suppressed people” while referring to the Scheduled Castes. Intervening, Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the MLA had used the term several times and requested members to avoid it. He said SC communities should instead be referred to as ‘Scheduled Caste people’ or ‘Adi Dravidar people’. He added that MLAs need not use words that could be seen as lowering the dignity of a community. Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu joined the discussion and offered a different view. He said the term ‘Dalit’ had been widely promoted by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi as part of its struggle against caste discrimination. According to him, the word had become a symbol of unity for oppressed communities across India and represented more than just a label. Vanni Arasu said the term had helped bring together people facing caste-based discrimination and had gained socio-political significance over the years. Referring to debates involving Dr B R Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi on how marginalised communities should be addressed, he said names and identities carried political and social meaning. At the same time, the minister said there was nothing wrong in using the term ‘Adi Dravidar’, as it was also officially recognised and linked to the name of the government department dealing with the welfare of these communities. The discussion ended without any formal decision, but highlighted differing views on the terminology used to refer to SC communities. 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
Two get eight life terms each for attempt to murder four Dalits in Coimbatore
Police said, a private poultry farm at Kullichettipalayam had employed six Dalit families and four OBC families, and they were provided quarters near the farm. COIMBATORE: The Special Court in Coimbatore for the exclusive trial of cases under the SC/ST (PoA) Act awarded eight life terms each to two accused who had tried to murder poultry farm workers in a village near Kinathukkadavu in 2017 after hurling caste slurs at them. Police said, a private poultry farm at Kullichettipalayam had employed six Dalit families and four OBC families, and they were provided quarters near the farm. On November 3, 2017, OBC members played movie songs that had references to their caste. The Dalits too started playing songs about their community, fuelling tension. Subsequently, four Dalits were assaulted by OBC members, and they were admitted to hospitals. The injured were identified as K Karuppu, M Kalimuthu, his brother M Sadayandi and R Sundarraj, all from Dindigul. Police arrested P Senthilkumar (34) and V Chinnadurai (43), both from Thoothukudi, in connection with the case. Senthilkumar and Chinnadurai were consuming alcohol near the quarters when Dalits played the song. Irked, the duo assaulted them with a sickle and an iron rod, police said. On Friday, the court awarded eight life terms and imposed a fine of `16,000 on each accused. 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
Villagers block roads in Yadgir over denial of access to Dalit families
Yadgir: Villagers in Guranur village of Gurmitkal taluk have blocked all roads leading to the village in support of Dalit families, alleging that two upper-caste households have denied them access to their farmlands for the past two years. The protest follows what villagers describe as a prolonged dispute over access routes. They alleged that an alternative pathway was blocked a week ago and that the families concerned refused to reopen the roads despite repeated requests. “You can complain to whoever you want, but we will not open the road,” the families allegedly told villagers, according to those leading the protest. Muttanna Hiremani, a Dalit activist in the village, claimed that an open meeting convened at the village temple to resolve the issue also failed, with the two families refusing to agree to reopening the road. Dalit families said they had submitted representations to authorities, but no action was taken to restore access, prompting villagers to join them and launch the road blockade from Thursday. The protest has also disrupted the daily routine of schoolchildren, who are now forced to cross agricultural fields to reach their schools due to the road closures. 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
Disabled Dalit family gets land after 17 years: Administration in Ballarpur grants possession of 3 bighas, demand for 2 more
A disabled Dalit family in Ballarpur village, Bhogaon tehsil in Mainpuri, has been granted partial possession of their leased land after 17 years. This action was taken under Operation Mission Samadhan, a program being run by the District Magistrate. The family is now demanding possession of the remaining 2 bighas of land. Geeta Balmiki, a resident of Ballarpur, filed a complaint with the District Magistrate about 20 days ago. She explained that her disabled father, Balakram, had received a lease for 5 bighas of agricultural land about 17 years ago. Since receiving the lease, village strongmen Ratan Singh, Ram Singh, and their family members had illegally occupied the land. According to Geeta, her disabled parents filed numerous complaints at the Tehsil Day and Police Station Day, but the Lekhpal, Kanungo, and police ignored these complaints and filed false settlement reports. Geeta took up the fight herself after her parents became unable to move. Upon learning of the “Mission Samadhan” campaign, she met with the District Magistrate along with her disabled parents and pleaded for the return of their land by removing the illegal encroachment. Following the complaint, a team of Lekhpal-Kanungo arrived at the scene with police force. After measurement, the family was given possession of 3 bighas of agricultural land. The land was marked with lime and millet was sown. Geeta stated that she would soon meet with the District Magistrate and demand the removal of the illegal encroachment from the remaining 2 bighas of land. SDM Neeraj Dwivedi stated that the victim would be given possession of the remaining 2 bighas of land within three days. He also stated that an investigation would be conducted into why the Lekhpal-Kanungo had acted in the past. The SDM issued a stern warning to the illegal encroachers not to re-occupy the land. Anupam Awasthi | Bhogaon, Mainpuri Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress raises fresh concerns over Great Nicobar project, seeks public disclosure of studies
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has shot off a letter to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, flagging concerns over the lack of transparency in the Great Nicobar Island project. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has shot off a letter to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, flagging concerns over the lack of transparency in the Great Nicobar Island project. He asserted that the environmental impact assessments of different aspects of the venture are “demonstrably inadequate.” Ramesh’s latest letter comes against the backdrop of a series of exchanges with Yadav over the Great Nicobar Island project in the past few years. “I am sorry to say yet again that the environmental impact assessments of different aspects of the Great Nicobar Island Project are demonstrably inadequate and fall woefully short of guidelines set by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change itself,” the former environment minister said in his letter to Yadav. Ramesh pointed out that these had been detailed in his earlier letters to which Yadav had “no worthwhile answer”. “Your position is that conditions made part of the environmental clearance mandate continuous monitoring. In this connection, may I submit the following for your consideration. Six-monthly compliance reports are to be made public. But after March 2024 no such compliance report has been made available. Minutes of the project monitoring committee meetings are being uploaded several months after they have been held,” Ramesh said. Ramesh said the environmental clearance for the project, granted on November 11, 2022, required several conservation and mitigation plans to be submitted within 15 days. However, these plans have not been made public The plans were to be prepared by institutions including the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) and the Andaman and Nicobar Forest Department (ANFD), he said. According to Ramesh, some of these institutions were later asked to revise their monitoring and mitigation proposals after incorporating suggestions from the Expert Appraisal Committee. “These plans too are not publicly available,” he said. Ramesh further argued that it was “strange, to say the least” that some of these plans may have been submitted only after being appraised by the committee concerned, raising questions about their adequacy and reliability He also pointed out that the updated Environment Management Plan, which was to be based on existing and additional studies, remains unavailable in the public domain. “There are at least, as far as I have been able to make out, 12 such studies by different institutions. Several studies are still pending, which proves that the environmental clearance was granted prematurely and hastily. Some mitigation measures, such as the large-scale relocation of coral colonies, are clearly unrealistic and almost impossible to implement,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader noted that he had earlier sought the public release of the report of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) constituted by the National Green Tribunal, along with the field survey conducted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, on which the committee’s conclusions regarding the Coastal Regulation Zone status of the proposed transshipment port were based. “Everything I am asking to be made public in no way hampers the fulfilment of the so-called strategic objectives that are now being cited as the rationale for the Great Nicobar Island Project. Serious questions over its environmental impact assessment and legitimate concerns about its grave ecological consequences remain unanswered and unaddressed by your sadly evasive replies,” Ramesh said. “I am simply unable to understand the extraordinary level of non-transparency being adopted to conceal reports, studies and plans,” he added. The Congress on Wednesday criticised the project, describing the proposed transshipment port at Galathea Bay as a recipe for ecological disaster that would result in the large-scale destruction of coral colonies. Ramesh has also written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to reconsider the decision to reject the full expansion of the INS Baaz runway. In his correspondence with Yadav, he has repeatedly highlighted what he described as the “demonstrably dubious” nature of the project’s environmental impact assessment. The Centre plans to develop an international container transshipment port, a civilian-cum-naval airport, a township and a power plant under the Great Nicobar Island project. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the government’s claim that the project is primarily about national defence and a transshipment port is a “lie”, arguing instead that it is intended to benefit a single businessman through the development of hotels and casinos on ecologically sensitive land. Earlier this month, Rahul released a video of over 16 minutes based on his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in late April and urged people to sign a petition calling on the government to “choose green over greed”. 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
Chhatron ki Goonj: Rahul Gandhi launches campaign to amplify issues related to nation’s education system
In a post on X, Gandhi posted a link to the campaign where students can share ideas and sign a petition. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a campaign for nation’s education reform, such as paper leaks, high fees, and urged students to join the same. He said that it is a platform for students to make demands directly to the government. In a post on X, Gandhi posted a link to the campaign where students can share ideas and sign a petition. “If you’ve suffered because of paper leaks, exam issues, or high fees, if this education system has shattered your dreams, if your family has invested a lifetime of savings in your education, then ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ is your voice,” the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said in the post. Gandhi said that this initiative goes beyond just a campaign; it is a platform for students to raise issues such as the need for affordable education, fair examinations, and dignified employment opportunities. “Join the movement: Click the link below. Fill in your name and share your ideas. Sign the petition — that’s it,” Gandhi said, urging the youth to sign up for this movement. “More the signatures, louder the goonj!” he added. Gandhi also released a video message and said his programme in Kota on Wednesday received a very good response. “For this, I would like to thank the students of India. Millions of youth, the future of India and the students of India watched our presentation in Kota, a critique of the education system you are facing, the walls you are facing. “What are the biggest issues? Number one, the education system is not designed around you. It is not designed around your imagination. Number two, it does not enable you to do what you want to do in life. lt buckets you into becoming an engineer, into becoming a doctor, into becoming a lawyer,” Gandhi said. “An education system should free your imagination. And the third most important and the most disheartening fact, the cost of our education system. 22 lakh families spend as much money to get their children through NEET as the government of India gives for its entire education budget,” he claimed. Gandhi said five exams cost these families the same amount of money as the Budget of five massive ministries in the Indian government, he said, adding that this is a “shame”. “This is something that all of us should change. This is not a political issue, this is a national issue. We want you to tell us about your imagination,” he said. In his post along with the video, Gandhi said, “Yesterday, together, we made history in Kota. For the first time, the country has realized that massive extortion is taking place in the name of education.” “We must turn the flame kindled in Kota into a blazing torch, and there is a definite role for you in this journey. Send in your suggestions and sign the petition,” he said. His appeal for participation in the campaign followed a day after he interacted with students at a convention in Kota, Rajasthan. During this interaction, he described India’s education system as a “rejection system” rather than a selection system, claiming it places an excessive financial burden and causes significant stress to students and middle-class families. While addressing the gathering in Kota, known for its coaching centres, Gandhi remarked that the current education structure is “extremely stressful and unfair”. “This is not good for the country. I want all of us to work together to ensure that no student in this country ever feels what this girl felt,” he had said at the ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ rally in Kota, where he interacted with students on various issues like paper leaks and unemployment. 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