Devika first trans gender to get Bismillah Khan Samman
Lucknow: In a story of grit and perseverance, transgender Kathak dancer and cultural activist Devika Devendra S Manglamukhi became first from the community to be selected for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Samman-2025, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Currently a state executive member and adviser to the UP Transgender Welfare Board, Devika said the recognition marks a significant milestone not just in one’s artistic journey but also for the transgender community. Devika’s achievements include Rajkiye Meera Samman (2016) and the National Samrasta Samman (2025). Having performed across 22 states, the exponent finds Kathak inseparable from life and identity and said, “I dedicate this award to my guru, the transgender community and everyone who supported me in my lowest moments.” Hailing from Dholpur in Rajasthan, the journey to national recognition was marked by hardship, social exclusion and years of struggle and first brush with the dance form, was as a four years old watching a Kathak concert on Doordarshan, inspiring to participate in school competitions. At 14, Devika left home to live according to gender identity and “My mother wanted to hide me. I left with just Rs 20.” In 2001, Devika reached the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi. “I was crying bitterly. I had nowhere to go and to survive, I began begging, till a woman from the Valmiki community gave me the job of cleaning toilets in exchange for food,” recalls SNA awardee. A turning point came when Kathak guru Kapila Raj Sharma noticed Devika practising mudras on a Delhi street and offered to guide. In 2004, Devika moved to Lucknow and began training under Sharma and performed formally for the first time at Sharad Mahotsav in Dholpur in 2005. Devika has completed all education through distance mode and was nominated to the UP Transgender Welfare Board for work done for the uplift of the transgender community. 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
Garima Grih rolled out in Dhanbad for transgenders
Dhanbad: In a step towards ensuring dignity, safety and empowerment of the transgender community, a Garima Grih (shelter home) was inaugurated in Dhanbad on Tuesday. The shelter home is being operated by non-profit organisation Manthan Sanstha under the direction of DC Aditya Ranjan. The inauguration was carried out by district social welfare officer Sneh Kashyap, who said that every individual in society has the right to live with dignity and respect. She stated that the initiative would provide members of the transgender community with safe shelter, social security, counselling, skill development opportunities and support to connect with mainstream society. Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted that the transgender community has long faced social discrimination and exclusion. In such circumstances, the Garima Grih will not only offer secure accommodation but also facilitate access to education, healthcare, legal aid, mental health counselling and vocational training. The initiative is expected to help community members become self-reliant and lead a dignified life while actively participating in society. During the programme, guests inspected the shelter home and reviewed the facilities being provided there. They appreciated the initiative and stressed that joint efforts by the govt and social organisations are essential for the protection of transgender rights and their holistic development. Representatives of Manthan Sanstha informed that several welfare and empowerment programmes would be conducted through the Garima Grih to create a safe and supportive environment for transgender persons. They added that the objective of the shelter home is to strengthen confidence among community members and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihood and social inclusion. Members of the transgender community who attended the programme welcomed the initiative and described it as a positive step towards bringing meaningful change to their lives. They expressed hope that the shelter home would help them gain social acceptance and access better opportunities in the future. Sharad Chandra 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
From the Urdu Press: ‘Mamata, Pawar must return to Congress’; ‘Rahul’s resistance pitch compelling’
“INDIA bloc should try to induct parties such as Mayawati’s BSP, Naveen Patnaik’s BJD and Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP, which are currently neither aligned with the NDA nor any other front,” writes Munsif The unravelling of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) in just a few weeks after its humiliating loss to the BJP in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections has continued to dominate the front pages of the Urdu dailies. After losing control of her Legislature Party in the Bengal Assembly, Mamata is now reeling from a split in her Parliamentary Party in the Lok Sabha, with 20 rebel TMC MPs claiming their merger with an obscure outfit, Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), as part of their alignment with the ruling BJP-led NDA. The dailies kept the spotlight on these developments, which are set to have a bearing on national politics in the coming days. Flagging the BJP’s alleged bid to break parties in various states under “Operation Lotus”, the Mumbai-based Urdu Times, in its June 13 editorial, says that several Opposition parties, especially regional parties such as the Sharad Pawar-founded NCP and now the TMC, have already been split so far. “This has dealt a body blow to the Opposition groupings – the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, and the INDIA bloc at the national level,” it says. The AAP has also suffered a division, the edit states, referring to the defection of its seven Rajya Sabha MPs, led by Raghav Chadha, to the BJP. “The unrelenting fragmentation of the Opposition parties has led to an atmosphere in which no party other than the BJP would be able to rule the country. This warrants a serious brainstorming by the Opposition leaders to work out joint strategies to counter the BJP.” The daily points out that in Bengal around 60 of the 80 TMC MLAs and about 20 Lok Sabha MPs have revolted and split the party. “Like the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, the TMC has been buffeted with Mamata scrambling to save her party. Various agencies and money may have played a big role in breaking the TMC,” the edit says. “It is imperative for the struggling Opposition alliance to get its act together and save its existence and identity.” Citing the instances of breakaway factions of the Sena and the NCP, the editorial says the same may happen to the TMC. “It is time that Sharad Pawar and Mamata consider their homecoming to the Congress and merge their outfits with the grand old party. They had been associated with the Congress for a large part of their political careers. By returning to the Congress, they could strengthen the party in its battle against the BJP,” it states. The Congress also needs heavyweight leaders like Pawar and Mamata, who would have their own space in the party. Such a development would also galvanise the Opposition and disrupt the ruling dispensation’s game, the edit says. “This would be an effective payback from Pawar and Mamata to the BJP’s politics, which would also have a resonance among the people.” Referring to the INDIA bloc’s meeting in Delhi, the Hyderabad-based Munsif, in its June 12 leader, notes that it also saw participation of leaders like Mamata Banerjee who used to shy away from acknowledging the alliance’s importance before her party’s debale in the Bengal polls. “The point remains that any differences between the Opposition parties would only fuel the BJP to fulfil its designs. The INDIA allies must have a common agenda for the sake of the country to protect our democracy and Constitution. They must unitedly take on the BJP which is allegedly misusing power and agencies to script its electoral successes,” the editorial says. The Opposition parties do not have any option other than closing their ranks to face the BJP juggernaut, the daily states. “At the meeting, the INDIA allies agreed on several points. They would write to the Chief Justice of India to protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral irregularities. They pressed for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-CBSE rows,” it says. “They also demanded that the Modi government convene an all-party meeting to discuss the precarious economic situation, unemployment, price rise, and atrocities against oppressed sections.” The edit points out that while the DMK boycotted the meeting to protest against the Congress’s move to join hands with Vijay-led TVK to form the new government in Tamil Nadu, the CPI(M) also took aim at the Congress for its campaign in the Kerala elections. “The deliberations over such concerns while displaying mutual respect could actually strengthen the INDIA bloc,” it states. Noting the INDIA parties’ decision to hold their meeting after every two months now, it says, “They should also have their alignments at the state level rather than just limiting it to the national plane. For, their state rivalries often inject bitterness into their central equations. A dominant ally in a state should take other partners on board to boost the alliance and deepen their ties.” Highlighting the speech delivered by Rahul Gandhi at the INDIA bloc meeting, the New Delhi edition of Inquilab, in its June 16 editorial, says that the nine-minute address of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha was “clear-eyed and compelling” in which he called upon his allies that it was easy to beat the BJP if they “stood together and resisted”. “Responding to the attacks on the Congress by its partners, Rahul told them that he was ready to accept all their criticism happily but they must understand the overwhelming reality — that it could no longer be business as usual and that the Opposition front must mount an effective resistance with unity to turn the tide and reclaim the vital institutions which have been captured,” the edit states. “Rahul exuded confidence and resolve, he sounded earnest and purposeful, and there was no tinge of disappointment in his pitch.” The daily underlines that resistance and
DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi for ‘dishonesty,’ ‘immaturity’ that harmed INDIA bloc
CHENNAI: DMK’s official organ ‘Murasoli’ on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, charging that his “political immaturity” and “dishonesty” were the reasons for the criticism faced by Congress from its allies at the recent INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi. In an editorial, Murasoli accused Congress of repeatedly undermining its alliance partners in states while seeking their support during parliamentary elections. “In state after state where assembly elections are held, Congress has done everything possible to prevent fellow INDIA bloc partners from coming to power. Yet, when parliamentary elections arrive, it seeks their support in the name of fighting BJP,” the editorial said. Questioning Congress leadership’s approach towards its allies, the DMK mouthpiece asked, “Isn’t Congress ashamed to first weaken alliance partners and then seek their support when the need arises?” Referring to the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election, Murasoli alleged that Congress had betrayed DMK despite remaining in the alliance. “The acts of betrayal committed by Congress while remaining in alliance with DMK were carried out with Rahul Gandhi’s blessings,” the editorial alleged. The editorial came days after Rahul Gandhi released the audio of his speech at the June 8 INDIA bloc meeting, in which he stressed the need for opposition unity. According to Murasoli, Rahul was now attempting to project himself as a unifying force after the party with which Congress has aligned in Tamil Nadu refused to join the INDIA bloc. The DMK organ said several leaders of INDIA bloc, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and VCK leaders, had expressed dissatisfaction over Congress’s handling of its allies. “Rahul Gandhi apparently did not anticipate such criticism. At a meeting convened to discuss opposition unity against BJP, Congress itself became the principal target of criticism. The responsibility for that lies with Rahul Gandhi’s political immaturity and dishonesty,” the editorial said. While noting Rahul’s remark that Congress should accept criticism from its allies, Murasoli said it was immaterial whether he accepted criticism at this stage. Responding to Rahul’s comparison that Congress would absorb criticism just as Lord Shiva consumed poison, the editorial said Hindu mythology speaks of Shiva consuming poison to save the world, not creating it. “But who was responsible for churning the poison within the INDIA bloc?” the editorial asked. 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
Congress open to ‘ghar wapsi’ of ex-members
NEW DELHI: Stoking the growing public chatter over merger of breakaway outfits with Congress, the AICC has expressed its readiness to accept its erstwhile members into the party fold. AICC general secretary (organisation) and Rahul Gandhi confidant K C Venugopal told TOI, “Everybody who believes in the Congress ideology can come back. There is no issue.” He said such mergers and homecomings will only strengthen the fight against “BJP-fascist forces”. “All the parties who want to join Congress and believe in the Congress ideology can approach us. We will welcome them,” he added. Venugopal, however, clarified that presently there are no such merger proposals under consideration of AICC. “We are hearing all these speculations from the media,” he claimed. 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
Transgender pleas shifted to top court as HC proceedings face nationwide stay
Petitions question new medical verification rules and changes to self-identification provisions introduced under the 2026 legislation The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings in high courts related to multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, which they alleged grossly diluted transgender rights. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana, while staying the pending proceedings before the high courts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala, transferred the cases to itself on a plea made by the Centre through solicitor-general Tushar Mehta. “Issue notice…. Further proceedings before the high courts…shall remain stayed,” the CJI said. The CJI indicated that either the top court may hear the batch of petitions or consolidate them and transfer them to one of the high courts for adjudication. Mehta requested the transfer of proceedings from high courts to avoid conflicting verdicts. He said the apex court, too, had on May 4 issued notice on a PIL challenging the amendments to the Act, hence, the matter should ideally be dealt with by it. The batch of petitions before the high courts and the Supreme Court had mainly challenged the amendments to the Act in 2026, which limited the definition of transgender individuals to hijra, kinner, aravani, jogta, eunuch, as well as those with congenital sex variations. The 2026 Act seeks to amend the original 2019 Act, which had permitted an individual to identify themselves as a “transgender” under the legal framework of “self-identification”. However, the 2026 amendment has made it mandatory for a person to be declared transgender through a medical board verification process. Courtesy : The Telegraph Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetelegraph.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PU launches admission helpline for transgender students
Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) has launched a dedicated admission helpline for transgender students for the academic session 2026-27 to assist applicants during the admission process. The initiative has been introduced through the Permanent anti-discrimination cell for transgender students (PADCTS), functioning under the centre for human rights and duties. According to Dr Upneet Kaur Mangat, coordinator of PADCTS, the helpline will provide guidance and support to transgender applicants regarding admissions and related procedures. Applicants can seek assistance through helpline numbers 8437807999, 8437220625 and 9815064997, or via email at transgendercell@pu.ac.in. The PADCTS office is located at the Emerging Areas Building, Centre for Human Rights & Duties, Panjab University, Sector 14. The university currently provides one additional seat in each course for transgender students, a provision approved by the PU Syndicate in 2023 and implemented from the 2024-25 academic session. The provision applies across teaching departments, regional centres, constituent colleges and affiliated colleges. Admission-related guidelines for transgender students are available in the PU Handbook of Information (HBI-2026) on the university admission portal. 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
Bihar: 40-year-old homes in danger! Victims demolish families’ huts; victims approach police after assault
Nearly 50 Dalit families in Nauachak village, under the Barh police station area of Patna, have accused locals of demolishing their homes, assaulting them, and harassing them. The families, who have been living on government land for 40 years, have demanded protection, rehabilitation, and action against the culprits from the police. A case of harassment of Dalit families has emerged from Nauachak village, under the Ibrahimpur Panchayat area of Patna district’s Barh police station. Nearly 50 Dalit families, who have been living on government land for nearly four decades, have accused local locals of assaulting them, demolishing their homes, and continuously harassing them. The victims have demanded protection and action against the culprits from the police. The affected families say they have been living in huts on government land for years. Recently, some people damaged their homes and assaulted them when they protested. Following the incident, a large number of people reached the Barh police station demanding justice. They built their homes on government land. According to information, these families originally hail from the Diara region. Over time, displacement and land scarcity forced them to settle in the Nauachak area. Lacking private land, they built their homes on government land and have lived there for the past 40 years. However, the owners of the surrounding agricultural land have opposed these families’ residence there, leading to a long-standing dispute. Allegations of Home Demolition and Intimidation The victims allege that they are periodically pressured to remove them from the area. Their homes were damaged several times, and they were beaten up for protesting. They say that this time too, their huts were demolished, creating a housing crisis for many families. Waiting for Land Allotment for Years Local resident Dharamveer Manjhi said that administrative officials had previously assured them of government land, but no permanent arrangement has been made. They said they were not provided with land to live in, nor were they provided with basic amenities like electricity and water. Allegations of obstruction in filling soil Victim Tilka Devi stated that whenever she attempts to level the land by filling soil at her residence, some people remove the soil and take it away. She alleged that her house was demolished several times and she was beaten up when she protested. At present, the affected families have demanded security, permanent rehabilitation, and a fair investigation from the administration. The police have begun investigating the entire matter. Courtesy: Hindi News
In Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth was beaten to death after refusing to massage their feet at a liquor party. An accident was staged.
Unruly men in Lalitpur were rampaging, forcing a Dalit youth to massage their feet while drunk. When he refused, they beat him to death with belts and iron rods. Uttar Pradesh: A shocking and tragic incident has come to light in Lalitpur district. Three men brutally beat a 33-year-old Dalit youth to death. The sole reason for this horrific incident was that the victim had flatly refused to massage their feet while drinking. Fearing arrest after committing the murder, the accused hatched a heinous plot. They dumped the deceased’s body on the road to make it appear like a road accident. However, after a prompt and thorough police investigation, the horrific truth of the murder was revealed. According to Lalitpur’s Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kalu Singh, Kotwali police received initial information about the incident on Sunday morning. Police were informed that a man was lying unconscious on the road behind Varni Jain College, located near Gurunanak Dharamshala. When police arrived at the scene and identified the man, they identified him as 33-year-old Rajkumar alias Chhannu, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste community. Police immediately rushed him to a local hospital, but doctors there declared him dead after examination. Upon further investigation, police discovered that a drinking party was taking place in the Civil Lines area on Saturday night. The party was held at the home of 38-year-old Samyak Rajnayak alias Rahi Jain, where Rajkumar was also present. 37-year-old Gajendra Narwariya alias Gajendra Singh Rajput and 25-year-old Gaurav Raikwar were also present. Police investigations have revealed that the three accused, who were intoxicated, pressured Rajkumar to massage their feet. When Rajkumar flatly refused, they became enraged. The three then attacked Rajkumar with a belt and an iron rod, resulting in his tragic death on the spot. The ASP stated that immediately after the murder, a failed attempt was made to make it look like an accident by throwing the body on the road. Acting swiftly, the police have arrested all three accused. Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother, they have registered a case of murder as well as under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. During rigorous interrogation, the arrested accused confessed to their horrific crime. The police have taken possession of the deceased’s body and sent it for post-mortem, and further legal proceedings in the case are being carried out with vigor. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Land grabs in Mahoba: Victim appeals to DM, alleges caste-related abuse
A case of alleged illegal land grab has come to light in Mahoba. Maheshchandra Ahirwar, a resident of Fatehpur Bajaria, has filed a petition with District Magistrate Gazal Bhardwaj alleging that some individuals have forcibly occupied his land in Khata No. 151. The victim also alleges that he was threatened and abused with caste-related abuses when he protested. According to Maheshchandra Ahirwar, his land is located in Khata No. 151 in Fatehpur Bajaria. He stated that he had gone to Delhi for his wife and children’s treatment. During his absence, the land was taken advantage of. The victim alleges that when he returned and protested the grab, the individuals involved and their supporters hurled caste-related abuses and threatened him. He says that as a result, he is unable to cultivate his own land. Maheshchandra Ahirwar has demanded that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) investigate the matter, take legal action, and free the land from illegal occupation. The victim also stated that despite the complaint, no concrete action has been taken. He has appealed to higher authorities to intervene and provide justice. Mohammad Shariq Nawaz | Kabrai (Mahoba), Mahoba Courtesy: Hindi News