‘To stake claim as real TMC’: Rebel MPs to meet Lok Sabha Speaker on Monday
NEW DELHI: The Trinamool Congress crisis deepened on Friday as dissident MPs prepared to approach Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition as the party’s “real TMC” parliamentary group. According to PTI, rebel MP Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia said the dissident faction had already submitted a representation to the Speaker and would formally stake its claim next week. “We have submitted the letter… On Monday, we will go to the Speaker and stake our claim to form the real TMC parliamentary group. We will ask the Speaker to give recognition to our claim,” Basunia told PTI Videos. The Cooch Behar MP, who is among lawmakers seeking to support the NDA in the Lok Sabha, claimed that 19 MPs had signed the representation. He said the process of collecting signatures began on June 8. Sources cited by PTI said the timing of the proposed meeting with the Speaker had not yet been finalised. Basunia also rejected allegations by TMC MP Kirti Azad that lawmakers were being induced to switch sides. “Kirti Azad is a liar. This is not right to say. We are 19 MPs and he is also an MP… it is not right to make such allegations,” he said. Meanwhile, Azad accused the BJP of attempting to engineer defections through “Operation Lotus”. In a post on X, he cited the resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik, meetings involving dissident MPs and BJP leaders, and recent political outreach efforts as evidence of “an organised attempt” to weaken the party. “Operation Lotus under the guidance of (Home Minister) Amit Shah is underway,” Azad said, while claiming that the effort had failed so far. The crisis follows TMC’s defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections and has since spread to Parliament. On Thursday, Prakash Chik Baraik became the third TMC parliamentarian this week to resign from both the party and the Rajya Sabha, after Sukhendu Sekhar Ray and Sushmita Dev. 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
More trouble for Mamata Banerjee? FIR registered against ex-Bengal CM over alleged inflammatory speech
NEW DELHI: An FIR has been registered against former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee over a speech she allegedly delivered at a rally in Kolkata earlier this year. According to news agency ANI, police sources said the FIR was registered on June 7 at 3.45 pm and has been lodged under Sections 196(1), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the complaint filed by Tushar Kanti Das, Banerjee’s speech at the Dharna Mancha near Metro Channel in Esplanade (Dharmatala) on March 9 allegedly contained misleading remarks aimed at provoking a breach of peace, disturbing public tranquillity and affecting communal harmony. The complainant also alleged that the speech posed a threat to the state’s democratic framework. Police said the investigation is currently at a preliminary stage. A senior officer quoted by ANI said that authorities have received the complaint and registered the case in accordance with legal procedure. “We have received the complaint, and a case has been registered in accordance with legal procedure. All aspects of the speech and the context in which it was delivered are being thoroughly examined,” the officer said. TMC terms case politically motivated The FIR has added to the political tensions in West Bengal following the recent assembly election results. Opposition parties have welcomed the registration of the case, describing it as necessary to uphold the rule of law and electoral standards. The TMC, however, has termed the FIR “politically motivated” and alleged that it is part of continued attempts to target the party leadership. The complaint comes at a time when the TMC is facing a major internal crisis. The party has been grappling with a rebellion by a section of its MPs following its defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections. TMC faces growing internal dissent Purported signatures of 19 TMC MPs recently surfaced on a communication to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking recognition of a separate parliamentary bloc under Barasat MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and extending support to the BJP-led NDA. The authenticity of the signatures could not be independently verified. However, sources in the dissident camp claimed that the lawmakers had informed the Speaker about forming a separate parliamentary group while retaining a distinct political identity. The developments followed an earlier revolt within the state assembly, where 58 of the TMC’s 80 MLAs reportedly backed expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of the Opposition instead of the party’s official nominee. In response to the crisis, Mamata Banerjee had dissolved all party committees and announced a revamped organisational structure on June 5. With the police probe into the FIR now underway and internal dissent continuing to challenge the party leadership, the political spotlight remains firmly on Banerjee and the future direction of the TMC. 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
Cops detain Bangla transgender who gave the slip in Feb
Tushei Khan returned to Dhaka and re-entered India in May, believing that she would be able to avoid detection Police in DN Nagar have detained a Bangladeshi transgender national who allegedly underwent gender reassignment surgery in Thailand, adopted a new identity and entered India illegally. Tushei Khan had allegedly evaded detention during a February operation conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) of Versova Police, officials said. Twenty-five Bangladeshi nationals, including 21 transgender persons, were detained during the crackdown and later deported. However, officers realised that one individual they had been tracking had escaped. What followed was a four-month search involving intelligence gathering, local verification and surveillance. According to the police, Khan travelled to Thailand several years ago, underwent gender reassignment surgery and subsequently assumed a new identity before entering India and settling in Mumbai. They said Tushei first arrived in Mumbai around six months ago after allegedly entering India through an agent. She allegedly lived in the city without valid immigration documents and remained undetected for several months. The breakthrough came after police received information about Bangladeshi nationals allegedly residing illegally in Andheri. During a coordinated operation on Saturday, four Bangladeshi nationals were detained. Three were held by Versova Police, while Khan was detained by DN Nagar Police. Police said Tushei had remained out of their reach since the February raids at multiple premises in the Yari Road area. The operation was significant not only because of the number of undocumented immigrants detected but also because officials uncovered suspected networks allegedly facilitating the illegal stay and movement of foreign nationals. “Tushei Khan had managed to evade detention during the February operation. Following sustained surveillance and verification, the accused was traced and detained. The deportation process has now been initiated and her Bangladeshi passport has been verified,” a police officer said. Officials claim that after escaping the February crackdown, Khan returned to Dhaka and re-entered India in May, believing she had avoided detection. Police have initiated coordination with central agencies and Bangladeshi authorities to complete deportation formalities. The police are also examining whether Tushei received assistance from local facilitators who may have helped arrange accommodation, mobile phone connections, financial access or identity-related documents during her stay in Mumbai. Officials said previous investigations involving undocumented foreign nationals had uncovered the use of forged Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and other documents allegedly used to blend into urban populations and evade detection. Anish.Patil Courtesy : Mumbai Mirror Note: This news is originally published on https:/mumbaimirror.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday 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. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. 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 that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. 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
After railway bridge theft, 132-ft mobile tower goes missing in Bihar
The bizarre incident was reported from Buxar district, where a 132-ft telecom tower and a 15 KVA generator allegedly disappeared from their location. PATNA: After an old railway bridge, a 132-foot-tall mobile tower has allegedly been stolen in Bihar. The bizarre incident was reported from Buxar district, where a 132-ft telecom tower and a 15 KVA generator allegedly disappeared from their location. The incident occurred in Dumraon and came to light when officials and employees of GTL Infrastructure reached the site to repair the mobile tower, which had reportedly remained non-operational for years. Residents were surprised to learn that the huge telecom tower, located in the middle of a residential area, had vanished without anyone noticing. Upon arriving at the location, they were shocked to find that the 132-ft tower was no longer there. Along with the tower, a 15 KVA generator set and other technical equipment installed at the site were also found missing. Following the discovery, a company representative submitted a written complaint at the Dumraon police station, alleging theft of the tower and associated equipment. Police have since launched an investigation into the matter. Shubham Arya, SP, Buxar, said a complaint had been received regarding the removal of the tower. “Information about the incident has been received. The matter is being investigated following receipt of the complaint,” he added. The SP said the landowner and other concerned persons would be questioned. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. The landowner, Harenath Yadav, said the company had signed an agreement around 10 years ago. In 2022, the agreement expired and the company also stopped making payments for the land used to install the tower. “We gave four notices to the company, but there was no response from that side. Now, we have come to know that the tower is missing,” he told the media. Local residents told police that the tower was installed in the area around 15 years ago. “But it was non-operational for several years. Now we have come to know that the tower is missing,” said local resident Vikas Kumar Singh. Earlier, a major portion of an abandoned iron railway bridge over the Sone river was stolen from Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas district. A 60-foot-long, 500-tonne iron bridge, built during the British era, was stolen by thieves posing as government officials in 2022. A similar incident occurred in Samastipur district in February 2023, when unidentified thieves allegedly made away with a 2-km-long railway track and its scrap. Though FIRs were registered in both cases, nothing substantial emerged from the police investigations. Ramashankar 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
Trump claims ‘Iranian attack’ on Indian ships near Hormuz; disputes Tehran’s version of proposed ceasefire deal
President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday stated that the terms Iranians have officially stated as part of a proposed ceasefire deal is not what was agreed to by the US. US President Donald Trump on Friday blamed Iran for attacks on Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, calling it “totally unacceptable.” “…their (Iran’s) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Trump’s statement came after New Delhi summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time on Friday to register a strong protest over recent attacks on vessels near the Hormuz, which killed three Indian seafarers. India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday confirmed that the attacks on the three vessels in the past days came from the US Navy stationed near the strait. The US Navy in earlier statements acknowleged the attacks and blamed the vessels of breaching a naval blockade and attempting to transport oil from Iran. Iran earlier in the day condemned the US attacks on ships carrying Indian crew, saying such actions “threaten global peace and security.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei urged the international community to hold the US accountable, adding that its conduct “continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation.” Meanwhile, a day after claiming that key discussion points in a proposed ceasefire deal between US and Iran has been approved by Tehran’s “highest level” leadership, Trump in his post stated that the terms Iranians have officially stated as part of the agreement is not what was agreed to. “The terms that Iran leaked out to the Fake News have NOTHING to do with the terms that were agreed to, in writing. What they said, including their weak and pathetic statement on having a deal, bears no relation to the truth,” he wrote. Calling the Iranian leadership “very dishonorable people to deal with,” Trump said, “With them, there is no such thing as dealing in good faith.” “They better get their act together, and FAST!,” he added. Hours after threatening “very hard” strikes on Iran and a takeover of its oil facilities, Trump on Thursday said he was camncelling the attacks as the Iranian leadership had agreed to key discussion points in a proposed ceasefire deal. Speaking to reporters later on Thursday, Trump said he has “ended the war with Iran.” “I don’t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today (Thursday), and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we insisted on. That was the whole purpose,” Trump said. 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
Uttarakhand: Congress Intervenes After Outrage In Tehri Following Upper Caste Girl’s Family Beating Dalit Youth To Death
Police arrest four, as the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission classified it as a serious case, begins monitoring progress of probe. Dehradun: The murder of Dalit youth Ketan Lal in Kholgarh village, under Lambgaon police station of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand has taken a political turn. Four days after the 18-year-old youth received a phone call from a minor girl with whom he had befriended, and rode his bike to Kholgarh to meet her, along with friend Diwakar Dimri, where he was apprehended by the Upper Caste girl’s father and relatives who beat him to death — Madan Lal, the president of the Uttarakhand Congress Scheduled Castes wing — visited the family of the deceased and assured them of all possible support and justice. Madan Lal also met with the Tehri district Superintendent of Police and demanded a fair and prompt investigation into the case, and strict action against the culprits. In a statement, he said that since the BJP came to power in the state, law and order has completely collapsed. “Weaker sections of society, especially Dalits, are being harassed and tortured, while women are feeling unsafe as incidents of lawlessness keep increasing every day in the state, which is extremely worrying,” he said, adding that such acts are tarnishing the image of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The Congress leader demanded that the state government provide adequate financial assistance and compensation to the family of the deceased, and warned that if the victim’s family does not receive swift justice, the Congress will launch protests, demonstrations, and sit-ins. This followed a day after the police arrested two more accused in connection with the murder of the Dalit youth. Two other accused had already been arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to four The Atrocity And After The incident, which took place in the intervening night of June 7 and June 8, came to light after a video surfaced, showing the battered youth begging for water before he passed away. The incident sparked outrage and anxiety across the region, with the police and administration swiftly deployed to piece together details of the case. So far, what has come to light is that after Ketan was called over by the girl, her father Yashveer Singh Panwar, along with her brother, and other relatives, captured Ketan and Diwakar, held them captive inside their house, and beat them mercilessly in the girl’s presence. The next morning, the accused themselves called Ketan’s father in Deval village and informed him of the situation. Following this, Ketan Lal’s father, Dhanpal Lal, went to the Lambgaon police station and filed a formal complaint, alleging that a group of people had kept his son and his friend Diwakar in their house and brutally assaulted both. The complaint further stated that the assault was so severe that Ketan had sustained serious injuries, and his condition was deteriorating. Although his family rushed him to the hospital for immediate treatment, doctors were unable to save his life, and Ketan passed away while undergoing treatment. According to the complaint, the accused brutally assaulted Diwakar as well, causing a severe injury and a fracture to his arm. He is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Diwakar’s condition and his statement are crucial to the police investigation. Investigative agencies are trying to determine the circumstances under which the incident occurred, the root cause of the dispute, and the sequence of events. The police believe that statements from eyewitnesses and the injured youth will play a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. Swift Police Action; Arrests Continue Tehri SSP Shweta Chaubey said given the gravity of the matter, the police expedited action from the beginning. Initially, two accused — the girl’s brother and father — were arrested. With the arrest of two additional individuals, the police have sent a clear signal that the investigation will not falter at any stage. They said various aspects of the case are still being investigated, with further action to be taken based on evidence, medical reports, eyewitness statements, and other available facts. Currently, the post-mortem report is also awaited. The incident has also drawn the attention of state-level bodies. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission has classified it as a serious case, and sought a detailed report from the Tehri SSP, besides promising to monitor the progress of the probe. Rajesh Singh Raja Koli, a member of the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission, expressed deep concern over the incident. “The Commission is addressing cases of atrocities, harassment, and discrimination against SCs with utmost sensitivity. It will maintain continuous oversight to ensure strict legal action against the perpetrators,” said Raja Koli, adding that the law guarantees equal protection to all citizens, and that caste-based discrimination or violence runs counter to democratic values, making the ensuring of justice in such cases of paramount importance. Social activist Anoop Nautiyal described the incident as deeply tragic and concerning. He asserted that this event should not be viewed merely as a criminal act; but also understood in the context of social faultlines. “If caste-based tension, violence, and discrimination continue decades after Independence, it is a matter for introspection. Society needs to learn from such cases and move towards strengthening social harmony,” said Nautiyal. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Lakhimpur Kheri: Dalit woman alleges entire family dragged out onto the street and beaten, police issue challan for disturbing peace
A Dalit woman living in Kashiram Awas in Lakhimpur Kheri, has accused some people of entering her home, assaulting her, using casteist slurs, and threatening to kill her. The victim has appealed to the Superintendent of Police to register a case against the accused and take action and ensure her family’s safety. Usha Devi, wife of the late Ram Kishan, resident of Mohalla Haniatola, Kheri, stated in her application to the Superintendent of Police that on June 3rd, around 6 p.m., some people arrived at her home and began banging on the door. Upon opening the door, the accused began arguing about stray dogs. The woman alleges that when she objected, the accused used casteist slurs and verbally abused her. According to the victim, when her son objected, the accused entered the house and began assaulting family members. Later, other people were called to the scene, who dragged the family members out of the house and beat them on the street. The woman stated that some of the men were armed with sharp weapons and that she has a video of the incident. The victim stated that a complaint regarding this incident was filed at the Kheri police station, but instead of registering a case, the police issued a challan against both parties under sections of breach of peace. The woman alleges that the accused are continuously issuing threats, causing an atmosphere of fear within her family. The woman has reiterated her demand to the Superintendent of Police to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter, register an FIR, and ensure the safety of her family. Gopal Giri | Lakhimpur-Kheri Courtesy: Hindi News
Dupatta Tightened Around Her Neck’: Dalit Family in Unnao Alleges Assault and Caste Abuse
A Dalit family in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao district has accused several villagers of entering their home, assaulting family members, misbehaving with women, and using casteist slurs. The family has approached the Superintendent of Police demanding strict action against the accused. The incident was reported from a village under the Ajaiganj police station area and allegedly took place on the evening of June 8, 2026. According to a complaint submitted by the family, a group of villagers entered their house at around 7:30 pm carrying sticks and sharp weapons. The complainants alleged that the accused attacked several family members, including Roshani, Aarti, Shivdevi and the petitioner. Woman Allegedly Strangled With Dupatta, Hospitalised The family claimed that during the assault, the attackers allegedly tightened a dupatta around Roshani’s neck in an attempt to kill her, causing her condition to worsen. She was later admitted to the district hospital for treatment, according to the complaint. The family also alleged that one young woman was harassed during the attack and subjected to obscene behaviour. Allegations of Casteist Abuse and Repeated Violence The complainants accused the attackers of using caste-based slurs and humiliating the family during the incident. According to the complaint, this was not the first attack. The family alleged that another incident of assault had taken place a day earlier, on June 7. The names of several villagers were also mentioned as eyewitnesses in the written complaint submitted to authorities. Family Alleges Police Inaction The victims said they informed Raja Bagh police outpost on the same night of the alleged attack but claimed no effective action was taken. The family said they later underwent medical examination at the district hospital and also filed a complaint at Ajgain police station, but alleged that their concerns were not addressed. The family has now sought a fair investigation and strict legal action from Superintendent of Police Jay Prakash Singh. Responding to the allegations, police said the complaint had been received and necessary action would be taken after an investigation. 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
Dalit Woman in UP’s Lakhimpur Kheri Alleges Assault, Caste Abuse and Death Threats; Seeks Police Action
A Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district has accused several people of entering her home, assaulting her family, using casteist slurs, and issuing death threats. The woman has appealed to the district police chief to register an FIR and ensure her family’s safety. The complainant, Usha Devi, wife of late Ram Kishan and a resident of Kashiram Awas in Kheri town, submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police alleging that the incident took place on June 3 at around 6 pm. According to her complaint, a group of people arrived at her house and started banging on the door. When the family opened the door, an argument allegedly broke out over stray dogs. Family Alleges Casteist Abuse and Violence Usha Devi alleged that when the family objected to the behaviour of the accused, they began abusing them and used caste-based slurs. The woman claimed that when her son asked the accused not to abuse them, the situation turned violent. “When my son objected to the abusive language, the accused entered the house and started assaulting family members,” she alleged in her complaint. According to the family, more people were later called to the spot and several members of the household were allegedly dragged outside and beaten on the road. The complainant further alleged that some of the accused were carrying sharp weapons during the attack. Video of Alleged Assault Emerges The woman said the incident was recorded on video and claimed she possesses footage of the alleged assault. A video related to the incident has also surfaced, though its authenticity has not been independently verified. Woman Alleges Police Did Not Register FIR Usha Devi said the matter was reported to Kheri police station soon after the incident. However, she alleged that instead of registering a criminal case, police booked both sides under preventive sections related to breach of peace. According to the complainant, the accused have continued to threaten the family, creating fear and insecurity in the household. The woman has now urged the Superintendent of Police to order a fair investigation, register an FIR against the accused, and ensure protection for her family. Police have not yet publicly responded to the allegations. 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