A Dalit girl returning with chowmein in the rain was raped: Family approached the police station after no action was taken, SSP reprimanded the station in-charge.
A case of rape of a minor Dalit girl has been reported in the Ratanpuri police station area of Muzaffarnagar. Following the lack of action by the local police, the victim’s family filed a complaint with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sanjay Kumar Verma. The family stated that the girl was returning home with groceries from a shop on Thursday night when a young man from the village allegedly took her to a deserted house and raped her. When the girl did not return home for a long time, the family began searching for her. During the search, they found the girl with the accused youth. The victim’s family alleges that after the incident, several people from the accused party arrived at the scene, entered their house, and assaulted them. The family also alleges that they were subjected to casteist remarks, death threats, and assault. Tensions between the two parties escalated following this incident. The family says that the local police did not take the required action on their complaint. Following this, the victim’s family met with Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma on Friday and informed him of the entire incident. Regarding the seriousness of the matter, SSP Verma immediately directed the Ratanpuri police station in-charge to take necessary action. He ordered the police to conduct a medical examination of the victim, ensure the safety of her family, and investigate the allegations and take legal action. Following the SSP’s instructions, Ratanpuri police arrived at the police station in their vehicle and took the victim and her family with them. The police are currently investigating the matter. Police officials stated that further legal action will be taken based on the facts revealed in the investigation. Varun Kumar Sharma | Muzaffarnagar Courtesy: Hindi News
“It’s not ’12 years of excellence’, but the BJP has impoverished the country; the Congress SC department will make every sacrifice to save the Constitution,” said Rajendra Pal Gautam.
On completing one year as chairman of the Congress SC department, Rajendra Pal Gautam roared, “The BJP’s ’12 years of excellence’ is merely a sham; the Bahujan Samaj is ready to make every sacrifice to save the Constitution and democracy.” New Delhi. A grand event was held in the capital today to mark the completion of one year of former Delhi government minister Rajendra Pal Gautam as chairman of the Scheduled Caste (SC) department of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). A large number of party workers, supporters, and members of the Bahujan community participated in the solemn ceremony held at the Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi.Raju, National Coordinator of the SC, ST, OBC, and Minority Departments of the Congress, was present as the special guest on this special occasion. During the program, the workers and the public present praised Rajendra Pal Gautam’s successful one-year tenure and described it as a year of historic activity for the department. Addressing the ceremony, Rajendra Pal Gautam remembered the great Bahujan leaders who made unparalleled contributions to nation-building and social consciousness. He paid his respects to all the leaders of society, including Father of the Nation Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule, Fatima Sheikh, Narayan Guru, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker, Sant Gadge Baba, Sant Ghasidas, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mata Ramabai, Babu Jagjivan Ram, Buddha Priya Maurya, and Honorable Kanshi Ram. In his address, Rajendra Pal Gautam launched a scathing attack on the central government, stating that the country’s Constitution and democracy are in grave danger today. Referring to recent incidents like the cancellation of Rajya Sabha nominations, he described it as a blatant robbery and murder of democracy. He alleged that the current regime is not just stealing votes, but stealing entire elections and intends to re-enslave future generations. The former minister criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of foreign policy and national security. He said that the central government has completely surrendered to foreign powers. Despite attacks on Indian ships and the loss of civilian lives, the government has adopted a policy of surrender instead of strongly protesting, which is extremely worrying. Recalling the historical contributions of the Congress party, Gautam said that the credit for keeping the country united and building modern India goes to the Congress leadership and leaders like Dr. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, and Maulana Azad. He said that the Congress party built major institutions like AIIMS, IIT, IIM, BHEL, GAIL, SAIL, and ONGC, and opened the way for progress for Dalits and the deprived by nationalizing banks. Comparing the policies of the central BJP government, he said that those who built the country feel the pain, but those who sold it feel no pain. He alleged that the BJP sold hundreds of public sector undertakings (PSUs), closed government schools in the name of mergers, and made education so expensive that children from poor, working classes, Dalits, and backward classes are forced to abandon higher education or commit suicide. Rajendra Pal Gautam also expressed deep concern over the growing hatred and divisive forces in the country. He said that through demonetization and black laws, the country’s farmers and laborers were oppressed. Hatred is being spread in the name of caste and religion, Dalits are being oppressed, and criminals are being honored. He reminded that the ideological ancestors of the current government stood with the British during the freedom movement, and therefore, they have no contribution to nation-building. Assuring the party’s top leadership, Gautam stated that in a recent senior leadership meeting, it was decided that no sacrifice would be made to save the country. Addressing the respected Rahul Gandhi, he said that the Bahujan Samaj has always been loyal and will stand firmly with him until he becomes the Prime Minister of the country. He called upon the workers to go to every village, town, and settlement and fight a decisive battle to protect the Constitution and democracy. He said that we are not afraid of government investigation agencies, police, and prisons; even the government’s prisons will fall short in front of our population. Giving credit to his entire team for his successful tenure, Rajendra Pal Gautam said that the BJP’s slogan of “12 years of excellence” is hollow, as they have impoverished the country while their leaders have become wealthy. In contrast, this one year of the AICC SC Department has been truly exceptional due to the collective efforts of all national coordinators, state presidents, volunteers, and civil society. Courtesy: Hindi News
Amid TMC merger buzz, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut urges NCP (SP) to merge with Congress
Sources said the NCP (SP) remains divided on the issue, with one section favouring a merger with the Congress and another advocating the party’s independent identity. MUMBAI: After reports of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) merging with the Congress, speculation has now emerged about the possibility of the NCP (SP) merging with the grand old party. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that the time has come for regional parties that originated from the Congress, such as the TMC and NCP (SP), to rejoin the Congress if they genuinely want to defeat the BJP. Raut said that the Congress is the party that can lead the fight against the BJP under the leadership of Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Therefore, all parties aligned with the Congress should merge with their parent party, he said. According to Raut, such a move would make the Congress a much stronger force in India. Reacting to the suggestion, NCP (SP) Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said the party would consider Raut’s remarks. She said that Raut is a senior leader whose experience is valuable and, therefore, whatever he has suggested would be considered. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the development, said that parties considering a merger have experienced leadership and do not need anyone’s advice on whether to merge with the Congress. He said that some people in politics offer unsolicited advice even when it is not sought. In this photo from Feb. 7, 2025, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut addresses a press conference at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. ‘Seeking structural changes’: NCP (SP) MP Sule vows to bring bill to stop horse trading “I am sure that the regional parties will not merge with a sinking ship like the Congress party. Congress is no longer as strong a party as it was earlier. Therefore, the regional parties that came out of Congress will not make the mistake and merge with a dying party. “Even though they dare to make a mistake, that would not have an impact on the BJP. In fact, it will create more political space for the BJP so our expansion will continue even though the opposition consolidates,” Fadnavis said. Sources said the NCP (SP) remains divided on the issue, with one section favouring a merger with the Congress and another advocating the party’s independent identity. However, any decision will ultimately rest with Sharad Pawar. The party will first examine the merger proposal in detail, and only then will a final decision be taken, a source said, requesting anonymity. Sudhir Suryawanshi 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
Reconsider rejection of full expansion of INS Baaz runway: Jairam Ramesh to Rajnath on Great Nicobar project
Jairam Ramesh said thar has written over the past two years on at least four different occasions highlighting the demonstrably “dubious nature” of the environmental impact assessment of the Great Nicobar Island Project in its totality. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday wrote to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the Great Nicobar Island Project and urged him to reconsider the rejection of the full expansion of the INS Baaz runway. In his latest letter to Singh, the former environment minister said he had written to the Defence Minister on May 16, 2026 on the Great Nicobar Island Project suggesting that in order to minimise its adverse ecological impacts and also meet strategic objectives, the expansion of the existing runway at INS Baaz on Campbell Bay could be considered as an alternative to building a greenfield airport at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar area of Great Nicobar Island. “Subsequently, on June 8, 2026 there were reports in the media attributed to ‘defence ministry sources’ saying that the runway expansion at INS Baaz would be limited because lengthening to beyond 4500 feet will have adverse ecological impacts,” Ramesh pointed out. “I appreciate the sudden worry for ecological protection but please permit me to submit the following facts for your consideration: The proposed site at Gandhi Nagar-Shastri Nagar needs cutting of two forest-covered hills of 115 metres. The proposed site comprises around 225 acres of protected forest and 130 acres of deemed forest–which are part of the territory of the Shompen tribal community and are currently being used by them,” Ramesh said in his letter. He further pointed out that the proposed site sits directly on about 142 acres of Island Coastal Zone Regulation (ICRZ)-1A which enjoy the highest protection under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 and that include turtle nesting beaches, corals and nesting grounds of the endangered Nicobar Megapode. “The proposed site involves reclamation of a creek and relocation of saltwater crocodiles. The proposed site sits directly on two villages where 234 ex-servicemen settler families reside and they will have to undergo relocation for the third time in recent years,” Ramesh said. He also argued that the proposed site is in a largely undisturbed, pristine forest bordered by a coastline with ecologically sensitive areas “The proposed site has not been subject to any serious and systematic environmental impact assessment especially since Great Nicobar has been designated as an Important Bird Area, an Endemic Bird Area and also holds the significance of being situated on two international bird flyways–the Central Asian and the East Asian- Australasian bird Flyways–that are accessed every year by several migratory species of birds that flock Great Nicobar seasonally,” he pointed out. Noting that the proposed airport site at Galathea Bay was first declared as a dual- purpose airport by the Union Home Ministry on March 30, 2022, Ramesh said it has taken the Defence Ministry over six years to make some statement on it, albeit verbally and anonymously. “It has been compelled to do so because the disastrous ecological impacts of the Great Nicobar Island Project which includes the proposed airport, in addition to the transshipment port, township and other facilities, have become all-too-evident and are inviting wide-spread concern,” the Congress general secretary in-charge communications said. “In sum, I request you to reconsider your rejection of the full expansion of the INS Baaz runway that has been recommended by some distinguished naval personnel themselves,” Ramesh said. The Congress leader copied the letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to whom, Ramesh said, he has written over the past two years on at least four different occasions highlighting the demonstrably “dubious nature” of the environmental impact assessment of the Great Nicobar Island Project in its totality. Ramesh’s letter to Singh comes days after Defence Ministry sources said India is undertaking the Great Nicobar Island project to advance its strategic maritime and economic interests. They dismissed its critics as suffering from “geographical illiteracy”. The sources had said the runway at the INS Baaz, the Indian naval air station, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will not be part of the GNI project. The runway of INS Baaz was recently expanded to 4,500 ft and its further expansion requires significant land reclamation and it will impact tribal area, flora and fauna, they had said. The GNI development project is a strategically significant national initiative designed to safeguard India’s maritime interest, the sources had said. The government is planning to build an international container transshipment port (ICTP), a civilian-cum-naval airport, a township and a power plant under the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said the government’s argument that the Great Nicobar Island project is about defence and a transshipment port is a “lie”, and alleged that it is actually about benefiting one businessman so that he can build hotels and casinos on India’s most irreplaceable ecological land. Gandhi had also released an over 16-minute video earlier this month based on his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in late April and urged people to sign a petition to tell the government – “we 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
‘Will fight under Kharge, Rahul’: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring hints at no CM face for Congress in 2027 Punjab polls
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday hinted at the party not contesting the 2027 assembly elections with a CM face, and instead planning to fall back on its national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi. Interacting with media, Warring said the Congress would fight under the leadership of Kharge and Rahul, and there was no doubt about it. Asked about his own role, he said he always was a worker of the party and would continue to serve it as one. Warring’s statement comes amid claims by the opposition that there were too many contenders for the CM face in the Congress. In the 2017 assembly elections, which it had won, the Congress had projected Capt Amarinder Singh, who has since moved to the BJP, as its CM face. In 2022, the party’s choice was Charanjit Singh Channi. Asserting that the Congress was in a commanding position, Warring said the Congress would form the next govt in Punjab. “Every Congress worker in the state wants it and is committed to achieving it,” he added. Replying to another question on AAP leaders describing the Akalis and the BJP as the “chitta party” and the “ED party”, respectively, Warring said the BJP was undoubtedly misusing central agencies against opposition leaders across the country. “However, AAP is no different. It misuses the vigilance bureau against its political opponents in Punjab. If BJP is the ‘ED party’, AAP is the ‘vigilance party’,” he said. 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
The ‘Dark Web’ of Human Trafficking in Bihar! A Three-Tier Syndicate Stretches From Villages to Cities, Targeting Poor and Dalit Girls
Bihar Human Trafficking: A large human trafficking network is operating in Bihar. Recent operations by the Bihar Police have revealed that underprivileged girls from backward and rural areas are being targeted. Patna: According to recent investigations and rescue operations by police and social organizations, a highly organized three-tier human trafficking network is reportedly targeting adolescent girls from poor and Dalit families in rural and backward areas of Bihar. This network operates through a well-planned system in which rural girls are lured with false promises of jobs, marriage, friendship, or a better life and taken to major cities across the country. Many victims are later forced into domestic work, bonded labor, or marriages against their will. What do the statistics say? These revelations come amid growing concern about the rising number of missing children in Bihar, which is being identified as a major source of human trafficking. According to official data, 12,000 to 14,000 children go missing in Bihar every year. This number reached 14,699 in 2025 alone. Adolescent girls remain the most vulnerable group. Nearly 60 percent of all missing children in the state are girls under the age of 18. The situation was particularly alarming in 2023, when 12,299 children were reported missing. Nearly 75 percent of these were girls, meaning three out of every four missing children were girls. Police Action Continues Police and social organizations have rescued thousands of girls over the past two years. During 2024-25, police rescued 1,970 girls, while another 1,492 girls were rescued during 2025-26. These operations have helped investigators understand the structure and functioning of trafficking gangs operating in Bihar and other states. According to investigators, the human trafficking system operates through three interconnected layers. What do the human trafficking statistics say? Every year, 12,000 to 14,000 children go missing in Bihar. This figure reached 14,699 in 2025. Adolescent and minor girls are most at risk. Nearly 60 percent of children are girls under the age of 18. In 2023, 12,299 children were reported missing. Girls constituted 75 percent of the missing. Police rescued 1,970 girls during 2024-25. Another 1,492 girls were rescued during 2025-26. An active network at the rural level? At the first stage, local youth act as agents and identify vulnerable girls in villages. Victims are often lured through friendships, love affairs, marriage proposals, or promises of jobs. Agents reportedly work under pressure to recruit girls within a short period of time. Once trust is established, girls are persuaded to leave their homes and villages. Trafficking Method After leaving their villages, victims are handed over to transportation networks. They are often transported from one place to another at railway stations and bus terminals. In some cases, victims are allegedly drugged or threatened to comply. They are then transported to distant cities via long-distance trains and other modes of transportation. Trafficking Centers in Cities! The final stage operates primarily in metropolitan cities. Victims are reportedly held in undisclosed locations, subjected to physical and mental abuse, and stripped of their identities. Many women are allegedly sold into forced marriage or forced to work as bonded laborers. Case Study Number One A 19-year-old woman from Sahibganj was trafficked to update her Aadhaar card. After leaving home, she was allegedly taken to Hyderabad. Lured with the promise of employment, the traffickers took her to a nearby city and sold her. Police later recovered the 19-year-old woman. Case Study Number Two A 15-year-old student from Rohtas was subjected to human trafficking. Her friend lured her, drugged her, and then ran away. He took the student to Secunderabad and then escaped. The victim was rescued by police at Secunderabad railway station. Case Study Number Three An 18-year-old girl from East Champaran was lured and abducted by her friend. The girl was taken to Secunderabad and forced into bonded labor. Police rescued the girl before she could be allegedly forced into marriage. Case Study Number Four A 22-year-old woman in Gopalganj went out to buy medicine. The woman was first lured with the promise of marriage. The woman was then forcibly taken to Kolkata. Police successfully recovered the woman after 15 days. A rescue team traveled directly from Kolkata to Hyderabad. Where a 21-year-old woman from Siwan was rescued from the same network. Girls Reaching the South! Experts believe that over six girls have been rescued from Hyderabad and Secunderabad with the help of the police in the last six months. According to them, most of the victims were lured with promises of permanent jobs or marriage. They were forced to work long hours before being prepared for forced marriage. What does Bihar Police say? Suhita Anupam, Additional Director General of Police, Vulnerable Classes and Crime Investigation Department, said that major trafficking centers across Bihar are being identified and placed under special surveillance. She said that as a precautionary measure, registration has been made mandatory for orchestra groups and similar organizations. The ADG also said that villages with repeated incidents of human trafficking are being identified and monitored. Anupam further said that an online monitoring system has been established at the police headquarters level to more effectively monitor human trafficking cases. Public awareness and community vigilance remain crucial to prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable girls from exploitation. Edited by: Ashutosh Kumar Pandey About the Author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Courtesy: Hindi News, serves as Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times (Digital). He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times Group, in September 2022. Currently, Ashutosh manages the desk at NBT Bihar-Jharkhand Digital. Courtesy: Hindi News
A young man who went to meet a girl in Tehri was beaten to death and died in the hospital. Where is society heading?
Ketan Lal, who went to meet a girl in Tehri, was beaten to death and then died in the hospital, raising the issue. Dehradun: The recent murder of a Dalit youth in Tehri, Uttarakhand, has shocked everyone. The youth was beaten so badly that he died. His only crime was to meet a minor girl, but he paid the price with his life. The brutality inflicted on the youth sent shivers down everyone’s spine. A video of the youth screaming for water before his death has surfaced, which is spine-chilling in itself. Currently, police have arrested two more accused in the case of the death of Dalit youth Ketan Lal in Kholgarh village, Lambgaon police station area. Two other accused were previously handcuffed. This brings the total number of arrests to four. Following this incident, an atmosphere of anger, concern, and a demand for justice has prevailed throughout the region. Meanwhile, the police administration is working to piece together the story. Why was he subjected to such violence and what exactly happened? Let us explain. Ketan Lal had gone to meet a girl: It is being reported that Ketan Lal of Dewal village was friends with a girl. On the night of June 7-8, after receiving a call from the girl, he and his friend Diwakar Dimri rode a bike to Kholgarh village, but the girl’s father and relatives intercepted him there. It is also being said that the father may have sent the message from the girl’s mobile phone. This incident is also being alleged to have been due to caste-based love/friendship. Meanwhile, the girl’s father, brother, and others held Ketan Lal and his friend Diwakar hostage and beat them. It is being said that they beat him in front of the girl. Furthermore, in the morning, the accused themselves called Ketan’s father and told him everything. Following this, Ketan Lal’s father, Dhanpal Lal, went to the Lambgaon police station and filed a written complaint. In the complaint, he alleged that his son, Ketan Lal, and his friend, Diwakar Dimri, were brutally assaulted by some people. It was alleged that Yashveer Singh Panwar and other members of his family not only beat the two youths but also held them hostage in the house. The complaint also stated that the assault was so severe that Ketan Lal suffered serious injuries and his condition continued to deteriorate. Ketan Lal was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment by his family, but despite the best efforts of doctors, his life could not be saved. Ketan Lal died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. This incident shocked the entire area and the matter quickly became a topic of public discussion. A video of Ketan before his death also surfaced, in which he was writhing in pain, asking for water, saying, “I’m going to die, I’ve been beaten so badly…” Another youth’s hand fractured, hospital treatment ongoing: Ketan Lal wasn’t the only victim in the incident. Diwakar Dimri, who was with him, was also allegedly attacked. According to the complaint, the accused also severely assaulted Diwakar, resulting in serious injuries and a fractured hand. He is currently undergoing treatment in the hospital. Diwakar’s condition and his statements are also considered crucial to the police investigation. Investigating agencies are trying to determine the circumstances of the incident, the real reason for the dispute, and how the fight unfolded. Police believe that the statements of eyewitnesses and the injured youth will play a crucial role in uncovering the truth of the matter. Police’s swift action, arrests of accused continue: Tehri SSP Shweta Choubey says that given the seriousness of the case, police acted swiftly from the beginning. Two accused were arrested first. This includes the girl’s brother and father. Now, with the arrest of two more people, the police have clearly indicated that the investigation will not be allowed to falter at any level. They say that various aspects of the case are still being investigated. Further action will be taken based on evidence, medical reports, eyewitness accounts, and other available facts. If the role of other individuals is revealed during the investigation, legal action will be taken against them as well. The post-mortem report is currently awaited. Scheduled Caste Commission takes suo motu cognizance of the death of a Dalit youth: The incident has drawn the attention of not only the police administration but also state-level institutions. The Uttarakhand Scheduled Caste Commission, taking suo motu cognizance of the case, has deemed it a serious matter. The Commission has summoned a detailed report from the Tehri Senior Superintendent of Police and has pledged to monitor the progress of the investigation. A statement issued by the Commission stated that incidents of atrocity, violence, or discrimination against any person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community will be taken with utmost seriousness. The Commission also directed the police administration to ensure a fair, transparent, and timely investigation. Rajesh Singh Raja Koli, a member of the Uttarakhand Scheduled Castes Commission, expressed deep concern over the incident. “The Commission is working with utmost sensitivity in cases of atrocities, harassment, and discrimination against members of the Scheduled Caste community. The Commission will continuously monitor the situation to ensure strict legal action against the perpetrators.” – Rajesh Singh Raja Koli, Member, Uttarakhand Scheduled Caste Commission Furthermore, Rajesh Singh Raja Koli says that the law provides equal protection to all citizens and any form of caste discrimination or violence is against democratic values. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure justice in such cases. This is not just a crime, but also a warning to society: Social activist Anoop Nautiyal also described this incident as extremely sad and worrying. He says that this incident should not be seen only as a criminal act. Rather, it must also be understood as a reflection of larger social issues facing society. “Even after decades of independence, if incidents of caste-based tension, violence, and discrimination continue to surface in society, it is a matter for introspection. Society
Justice Balakrishnan Commission report on SC status for Dalit converts ready for submission
The Commission, set up in October 2022, has got several extensions; it was to study the discrimination faced by Dalit converts, their demand for SC status, the opposition to the demand, and the impact on existing SC communities The Justice (Retd.) K.G. Balakrishnan Commission examining the issue of Scheduled Caste status for Dalit converts has finished its study and prepared the report it was tasked with almost four years ago, The Hindu has learnt. The three-member Commission of Inquiry was constituted by the Union government in October 2022, just as the Supreme Court was about to resume hearing a batch of pleas that sought SC status for Dalit Muslims and Christians. The issue has been pending in the top court for 20 years now. The Commission’s mandate included examining whether SC status can be granted to Dalits who have converted to any faith other than those mentioned in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950. Currently, only Dalits of Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh faiths are entitled to an SC classification, unlike the Scheduled Tribe status, which does not have a religion criterion. Multiple extensions Nearly four years after the Commission was formed, officials aware of the matter said that the report has been prepared and is currently being readied in a “book format” for official submission. One official said that the Commission should be able to submit its report “in a few days”. The Commission was initially given a two-year deadline to finish its work and submit a report to the government. Since 2024, the Commission has been given multiple extensions, the last one in April this year, which set the latest deadline at June 10, 2026. Gazette records do not show any further extension granted to the Commission. Pending case According to the government, the Commission’s study was meant to look at the demand for SC status for Dalit converts, the opposition to this demand and its impact on existing SC communities, and the levels and types of discrimination faced by Dalit communities after they convert to other faiths. Even as a batch of petitions remains pending in the Supreme Court on the Constitutional question of whether Dalit Christians and Muslims can be granted SC status, the top court had recently ruled in the case of a Christian pastor from Andhra Pradesh that the religion bar as it exists for the SC classification was “absolute”. Notably, the Union Social Justice Ministry has made multiple submissions to the Supreme Court in these matters, arguing that the SC status should be denied to people who had converted to faiths like Islam and Christianity, citing the foreign origins of these religions, while the religions currently included are Indic in nature. Abhinay Lakshman Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit youth beaten to death in Barabanki: Dance was taking place on the road after a feast, brutally beaten for asking for way.
A Dalit youth died in a dispute over giving way in Azad Nagar Mirpur village, under the Mati police station area of Barabanki district. The family has alleged that the youth was beaten to death. The family has demanded strict action against the accused. The deceased has been identified as Durgesh Rawat, an electricity worker. According to the family, Durgesh was on his way to his aunt’s village in Mirpur late at night to pick up laborers to repair a high-tension line fault. After the feast, a DJ was playing on the road near Azad Nagar and some people were dancing, blocking the road. Durgesh asked the people present there to give way. This sparked an argument, which soon escalated into a physical altercation. The family alleges that Durgesh was brutally beaten, leaving him seriously injured. The injured Durgesh was taken to the Community Health Center, Deva, where doctors declared him dead. His family arrived at the hospital around 2 a.m. after receiving information from the hospital. The deceased’s family is demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits and justice. Mati Police Station in-charge Ajay Kumar Tripathi stated that the police have received information about the incident and are investigating the matter. He also stated that no written complaint has been received yet. According to the station in-charge, further legal action will be taken based on the receipt of the complaint and the investigation. The police are thoroughly investigating all aspects of the case and will take necessary action once the facts emerge. Sarfaraz Warasi | Barabanki Courtesy: Hindi News
Malout police arrest 7 in Jhorar Dalit youths assault case; 4 accused still at large
Victims were allegedly paraded semi-naked, tied to a tree and beaten over mobile phone theft allegations The Malout Sadar police have traced and arrested all seven unidentified people in the case relating to two Dalit youths, accused of snatching a mobile phone, who were allegedly paraded semi-naked, dragged through fields, tied to a tree and beaten by a group of people at Jhorar village in Muktsar district on Saturday afternoon. However, those already named in the FIR and yet to be arrested are Hardeep Singh, his father Avtar Singh, Rimpa Singh and Manpreet Singh, all residents of Jhorar village. Malout DSP Jaspal Singh said the arrested accused have been identified as Ram Chander, Ramesh Kumar, Hira Sahni, Basant Sahni, Ram Babu Sahni, Ram Bali Sahni and Varinder Sahni, all residents of Nepal, who were staying at co-accused Avtar Singh’s house in the village. The DSP said all seven accused have been sent to judicial custody. A case under various Sections of the BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had earlier been registered against four accused and seven unidentified persons. Notably, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission had taken cognisance of the incident and sought a report from the district police in this regard. Article_Author Archit Watts Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights