Dalit youth brutally assaulted in Jhunjhunu
Rajasthan Crime: A case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth has come to light in Gudhagaurji, Jhunjhunu district. The victim alleges that a young man he met on the road first made him drink alcohol, then stripped him and severely beat him. Rajasthan Crime: A case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth has come to light in the Gudhagaurji police station area of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. The incident occurred with Pawan Meghwal, a resident of Jhajhariyon Ki Dhani, who suffered severe injuries. The victim alleges that a young man he met on the road first made him drink alcohol, then stripped him and severely beat him. Victim Pawan Meghwal said that he was returning home from work on Sunday night when he met a young man named Rakesh Kumar. Rakesh offered him a ride to Chhau and took him on his tractor. It is alleged that he was taken some distance away, made to drink alcohol, and then brutally assaulted. According to Pawan Meghwal, the accused stripped him and beat him severely. He somehow managed to escape the scene. On the way, he met an acquaintance, Jagdish Prasad, who, seeing his condition, immediately rushed him to Gudhagaudji CHC. Upon receiving the information, the police also arrived at the hospital and investigated the matter. After receiving treatment today, Pawan Meghwal met with former minister Rajendra Singh Gudha. Rajendra Singh Gudha strongly condemned the incident and said that influential people have made life difficult for Dalit families. He spoke with the Jhunjhunu SP regarding the matter and demanded strict action. The victim’s family also reached the SP’s office and reported the entire incident. The SP has assured effective action in the case. The family says that Pawan Meghwal has severe injuries on his back and body. The assault was so brutal that his back has turned completely blue. The police are currently investigating the case. Edited by Aman Singh, Reported by Sandeep Kedia Aman Singh has nearly three years of experience in digital media and is currently with Zee Rajasthan. He keeps a close eye on every news story in Rajasthan, big and small, and is adept at presenting it effectively on digital platforms. With nearly three years of digital media experience, Aman has established a strong reputation in news production, content creation, and storytelling. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit farmer’s crop harvested in Nagla Tara Singh village: Threatened for protesting, 8 people charged
A case has come to light in Nagla Tara Singh village, in the Sikandrarao tehsil area, where a Dalit farmer’s standing sorghum crop was harvested. The victim, Mahesh, son of Mehtab Singh, resident of Jirauli Khurd, has filed a complaint and demanded action from the administration. In his application, Mahesh stated that he had purchased land in Nagla Tara Singh, plot number 81, an area of 0.100 m, on which a sorghum crop was standing. It is alleged that at around 7 a.m. the previous morning, some villagers, using force, harvested the standing crop. When Mahesh arrived at the scene and protested, the accused abused him, assaulted him, and threatened to kill him. The victim has accused six named individuals and two unidentified individuals of being involved in the incident. Mahesh stated that the incident was reported to Dial 112 police, but before the police could arrive, the accused left the scene after issuing threats. In a complaint letter to the administration, the victim stated that he and his family are in danger from the accused. He alleged that he filed a complaint with the Sub-District Magistrate, CO, and Kotwali in-charge, but despite repeated complaints, the administration and police are not taking any action. Frustrated and hoping for justice, the victim has also filed a complaint on the Chief Minister’s Public Hearing Portal, demanding strict legal action against the culprits and protection for his family. Meanwhile, the Sikandrarao Kotwali in-charge stated that the complaint has been received and the matter is being investigated. Based on the investigation, necessary legal action will be taken. Jayendra Varshney | Sikandrarao, Hathras Courtesy: Hindi News
“…then Dalits don’t go away,” Why is Rahul blaming the Congress for the rise of caste-based regional parties?
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed his own party’s policies regarding Dalit politics. He said that if Congress had taken the right steps earlier, Dalits wouldn’t have gone away. New Delhi: Without naming names, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed Congress’s policies for the rise and strengthening of parties associated with the Dalit vote bank, including the Bahujan Samaj Party. Addressing the party’s Scheduled Castes Department meeting at Congress headquarters on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said that if Congress had taken the right steps for Dalits in the 1980s and 1990s, caste-based regional parties would not have formed, nor would the Dalit community have turned to them. Promoting a message of change, Rahul Gandhi further stated that Dalits will now play a key role in the Congress party. Sources present at the meeting revealed that Rahul Gandhi praised BSP founder Kanshi Ram, saying that he united the Dalit community and instilled self-confidence in them. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi stated in the meeting that the BJP is, on the one hand, eliminating regional parties and, on the other, snatching away the rights of Dalits. Atrocities against Dalits are increasing. In such a situation, Congress will fight for the rights of Dalits, and Dalits will play a key role in the party. Congress will fulfill the dreams of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Why is Rahul saying this? A year ago, Rahul Gandhi publicly stated that Congress neglected the OBC community. He apologized for this. Now, Rahul has made similar statements about the Dalit community. Indeed, through this, Rahul is trying to gain influence among the Dalit and backward communities. During the last Lok Sabha elections, he held rallies holding a copy of the Constitution and claimed that the Constitution is in danger under the Modi government. It is believed that this benefited the Congress and India alliance among the Dalit community. Rahul Gandhi demanded a caste census for the OBC community. This doubled the Congress’s seat count in the Lok Sabha. Also read: Controversy erupts over the appointment of the Kerala CM’s secretary; the opposition claims Rahul Gandhi would have protested if this had happened in Bengal. There’s a connection to the UP elections! With the UP Assembly elections in mind, Rahul Gandhi appears to be intensifying his campaign for Dalits and backward classes. Last week, he unveiled a statue of freedom fighter Veera Pasi, a Dalit, in his constituency of Rae Bareli and addressed a Bahujan Sabha. A day earlier, Congress Scheduled Caste Department President Rajendra Pal Gautam of Lucknow unsuccessfully attempted to meet Mayawati at her home. How successful Rahul Gandhi’s move to admit his past mistakes regarding Dalits and now give them a key role in the party will be will only be clear in the elections. Reported by: Jainendra Kumar, Edited by: Priyank Dwivedi Courtesy: Hindi News
15-yr-old Dalit girl abducted, raped in Etah; two held
Agra: A 15-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly abducted by three men from a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district and raped by one of them before she was thrown on the roadside. Two of the accused have since been arrested. The alleged crime happened on Saturday night when the girl, a Class 10 student, went outside to fetch water. In her statement to the police, the survivor said, “Around 11 pm, my brother came back home from work, and I served him food. Then I went outside to fetch water. One of the accused gagged my mouth, dragged me and forced me into a loader vehicle.” Although family members rushed out to help, they could not stop the abductors. The family and their neighbours searched for the girl throughout the night. She was found lying on a road outside the village several hours later on Sunday morning. The girl told her family that one of the accused had raped her, police said, adding that the survivor knew one of the suspects, who is a resident of the same village. On Sunday morning, the girl’s father, accompanied by local residents and members of the Dalit community, reached the police station to lodge a complaint. An FIR was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 138 (abduction), 65(1) (rape), 74 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 61 (criminal conspiracy), alongside relevant sections of the POCSO Act. DSP Sankaldeep Kushwah said, “Two of the accused have been arrested. Efforts are underway to nab the third suspect. Further legal proceedings are being initiated, and the medical examination of the survivor has been completed.” 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
Challenge to the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026
The Supreme Court will decide whether provisions mandating certificates and removal of the right to self-perceived gender identity violates right to autonomy, dignity and privacy Surya Kant CJI Joymalya Bagchi J Petitioner: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Zainab Javid Patel Lawyers: Senior Advocates Dr. A.M. Singhvi, Jayna Kothari, Rajeev Shakder, Rashmi Chopra, Arundhati Katju, C.R. Jaya Sukin, Advocates Gautam Das, Sanjana Saddy, Shradhha Deshmukh, Sarthak Gupta Respondent: Union of India, Ministry of Law and Justice Lawyers: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Advocates M.K. Maroria, Parsanna S. Case Details Case Number: W.P. (C) No. 548/2026; Diary No. 20054/2026 Next Hearing: Last Updated: May 23, 2026 Whether the amended definition of “transgender person” and the removal of statutory recognition of self-perceived gender identity violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 and the right to self-identification recognised in NALSA v Union of India (2014)? Whether the introduction of medical board certification and bureaucratic verification mechanisms violate the rights to dignity, autonomy and personal liberty under Article 21? Whether a mandatory National Transgender Registry and reporting requirements relating to gender-affirming procedures violate the right to privacy and informational autonomy recognised in K.S. Puttaswamy v Union of India (2017)? Case Description On 13 March 2026, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 (“Amendment Act”) was tabled in the Lok Sabha. The Act deleted Section 4(2) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 which stated that “a person recognised as transgender under sub-section (1) shall have a right to self-perceived gender identity.” It also set up an “authority” consisting of a Chief Medical Officer or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer appointed by the Union government or state government. It also mandates that transgender persons should be issued a “certificate of identity”. A transgender person will be entitled to change their first name in the birth certificate or other official documents after the certificate of identity is issued. Further, the medical institution has to furnish details to the District Magistrate and the authority about the person who underwent surgery. The Act was passed in the Lok Sabha on 24 March. It was affirmed in the Rajya Sabha the next day. It received the President’s assent on 30 March. During parliamentary debates, opposition members raised concerns regarding the absence of extensive stakeholder consultation, medical board scrutiny, mandatory reporting requirements, the removal of self-identification provisions and the narrowing of legally recognised identities. Several members sought greater deliberation and referral to a Select Committee. Amidst protests and an opposition walkout, the Bill was passed by voice vote. The Union Government defended the legislation as necessary to establish a “precise” and “verifiable” framework for identity recognition, prevent misuse of welfare benefits, and address exploitative practices. On 24 April 2026, petitioner Laxmi Narayan Tripathi challenged the constitutionality of the Amendment Act under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petitioner sought that the Amendment Act be declared unconstitutional for violating Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21. They argued that the Act departs from settled constitutional principles governing dignity, autonomy and gender identity. The petitioner also challenged the amendment definition of “transgender person” which deletes the statutory recognition of self-perceived identity, amendments introducing certification from a medical authority, and provisions concerning mandatory reporting and penal consequences. The matter was listed before the Supreme Court on 4 May 2026. Petitioners argued that the Amendment Act removes the framework of self-recognition and replaces it with medical and bureaucratic verification mechanisms, thereby departing from the principles held in National Legal Services Authority v Union of India (2014). In NALSA, the Court recognised transgender persons as rights-bearing constitutional subjects entitled to equality, dignity, autonomy and legal recognition. It rejected a narrow “biological test” and adopted a “psychological test”, holding that gender identity is fundamentally linked to an individual’s deeply felt sense of self rather than anatomy, chromosomes or surgical status alone. The Court located self-identification within Articles 14, 19 and 21 and held that constitutional rights cannot be made contingent upon medical procedures or state approval. The Parliament enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 after the NALSA verdict. During the May 2026 hearing, the Court considered concerns regarding the shift from self-identification to medical certification, as well as questions relating to possible misuse of identity-based benefits. The Court also noted objections concerning the maintainability of the challenge since the Amendment Act had not yet been notified. The Court clarified that it was not going to grant an interim relief at that stage. It issued notice and placed the matter before a Three-Judge bench. Courtesy : SCO Note: This news is originally published on https:/supremecourtobserver.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit girl gang-raped in Etah: Three village boys dragged her into a car while she was fetching water at night, then brutally released.
A minor girl was abducted and gang-raped in the Marhara police station area of Etah district while she was fetching water. Based on a complaint from the victim’s family, police have registered a case against two named accused and an unidentified person. Police have arrested two of the accused and sent them to jail, while the search for the third is ongoing. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. Saturday night. The 15-year-old girl had gone to fetch water from a tap to give it to her brother. It is alleged that Lavekesh alias Labba, son of Bhajanlal, and Niranjan, son of Amar Singh, from the same village, arrived with an unidentified accomplice. The accused gagged the girl, dragged her into a Maxx vehicle, took her to a secluded area, and gang-raped her. When the girl resisted, the accused threatened to kill her. After the incident, the accused abandoned the girl and fled. Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, the Marhara police station took immediate action. CO Sadar Sankalpdeep Kushwaha is investigating the case. Police have arrested Lavekesh and Niranjan and sent them to jail. Raids are underway to search for the unidentified third accused. The victim’s mother stated that her daughter had gone to fetch water when some men came, gagged, and took her away in a car. They were returning after feeding their son and when their daughter did not return, they began searching for her. After about two and a half hours, the daughter returned home in a distraught state. CO Sadar Sankalpdeep Kushwaha stated, “An FIR was immediately registered based on the victim’s father’s complaint. Within five hours, the police arrested the named accused and sent them to jail.” Nand Kumar | Etah Courtesy: Hindi News
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to seek Congress top brass nod for cabinet rejig during Delhi visit
The proposed rejig is expected to address long-pending demands for better representation and performance-based changes within the government. BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to travel to New Delhi on May 26 for high-level deliberations with the Congress high command— Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal— a visit that is being viewed as significant for the state’s political future. Sources indicate that the CM will primarily seek the party leadership’s nod for a much-anticipated reshuffle of his cabinet and this will the first big reshuffle. The proposed rejig is expected to address long-pending demands for better representation and performance-based changes within the government. Apart from the ministerial reshuffle, names of three candidates for Rajya Sabha elections and nominations for the Legislative Council are also likely to be discussed. After the MLC election, the Congress will be the biggest party in the Upper House and the next chairman is expected to be from the party. These appointments are seen as critical for strengthening the party’s presence in the Council and rewarding loyalists ahead of key electoral battles. While there has been speculation in some quarters that the broader question of leadership in Karnataka Congress could come up during the visit, a senior party leader dismissed such talk as “wishful thinking”. The leadership issue, according to the leader, is not on the agenda and remains settled in favour of the current arrangement. The Delhi trip is also expected to cover the Congress’ strategy for the upcoming GBA and other local and assembly-level elections. With the party aiming to consolidate its position in urban and rural pockets of Karnataka, fine-tuning campaign strategies and candidate selection processes will be key focus areas. Political observers note that the outcome of this visit could have a bearing on the stability and direction of the Congress government in Karnataka, especially as the party looks to maintain momentum after its victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. The Chief Minister’s Office has not issued an official statement on the itinerary or the specific agenda, but party insiders confirm that Siddaramaiah will hold meetings with top Congress leadership, and other central observers. Bansy Kalappa 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
Kerala budget on June 19, to focus on economy, infrastructure: Satheesan
Satheesan said the budget will include major announcements in health, education and infrastructure, stressing development is more than just buildings. KOCHI: Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday said the state budget will be presented on June 19, with economic revival as the government’s primary focus. He was addressing a reception organised by Ernakulam Pouravali. “Handling the finance portfolio was a major responsibility as the treasury and the wealth belong to the people. The wealth generated through development will be distributed equitably among all sections of society. Several dream projects, including plans to transform Kerala into a ‘port and aviation hub,’ will become a reality in the state,” the chief minister said. Additionally, he said the budget would carry major announcements in the health, education and infrastructure sectors. Emphasising the government’s development vision, Satheesan said development was not limited to constructing large buildings and infrastructure projects. “Real development is reflected in progressive changes that improve the living standards of ordinary people. Despite the challenges, the government has a clear vision to overcome them and transform Kerala,” he added. 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
Kelkar takes charge as Kerala CM’s secretary, opposition cries foul
CPM alleges the appointment mirrors a West Bengal controversy and hints at a Congress–Election Commission “deal”, calling for a probe. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid a political storm, Rathan U Kelkar assumed office as the secretary to Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday. Though it was a holiday, he took charge on the day reportedly on the instructions of the chief minister. The appointment of Kelkar, who had been serving as Kerala’s chief electoral officer, as the chief minister’s secretary has triggered sharp criticism from the opposition. The CPM alleged that the appointment was similar to a controversial move in West Bengal and hinted at a possible “deal” between the Election Commission and the Congress, demanding a probe into it. CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the appointment had put the Congress national leadership in a difficult position. He pointed out that the Congress had strongly opposed the appointment of Manoj Agarwal, the-then chief electoral officer in West Bengal, as chief secretary by the BJP government in the state. Govindan noted that Rahul Gandhi himself had criticised the Bengal appointment, but the Congress was now unable to take a similar stand in Kerala. Calling it a decision taken solely with the knowledge of the chief minister, Govindan said the Congress was in no position either to justify or oppose the move. He also alleged that details regarding any “deal” behind the appointment would emerge soon. When Agarwal was appointed the chief secretary, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had said in an X post: “In the BJP-EC’s ‘chor bazaar’, the bigger the theft, the bigger the reward.” Referring to the comment, the CPM and the BJP asked Rahul to clarify if his views were the same following Kelkar’s appointment. LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan described the appointment as “highly mysterious”. Meanwhile, BJP legislator and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan accused the Congress of “double standards”. Muraleedharan, the new Kazhakkoottam MLA, termed the move “suspicious” and asked whether the administrative appointment was a “favour returned” for assisting the UDF in winning 100 seats in the state assembly. “When the BJP wins, Congress alleges vote theft and EVM manipulation. But when Congress wins, the chief electoral officer becomes an efficient official. People of Kerala should recognise this double standard,” he told reporters at the BJP state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Describing the appointment as another example of Congress’ “opportunistic politics”, he claimed that people in Thiruvananthapuram view recent postings as rewards based on personal interests. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya questioned Rahul’s silence on the issue. Referring to the West Bengal controversy, Malviya said Rahul had earlier termed such appointments as part of “vote theft”, but was now remaining silent. Malviya also alleged that Kelkar continues to hold the post of chief electoral officer, a position that is expected to function impartially. He questioned whether Rahul’s “moral outrage” depended only on which party was in power. “If Rahul did not view Kelkar’s appointment similar to Agarwal’s, the Congress leader should apologise to the people and the chief minister of West Bengal,” Muraleedharan said. He also referred to Satheesan’s remarks before the elections that he would go into political exile if the UDF failed to win more than 100 seats. “Does that mean he had assurances of support from those conducting the elections, including regarding the number of seats,” he asked. ‘Double standards’ Opposition calls out Congress’ criticism of similar appointment in West Bengal Leaders, including M V Govindan, T P Ramakrishnan, and V Muraleedharan expressed dissent 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
Orissa HC dismisses BJP leader’s petition challenging Jaleswar MLA’s election
The court ruled that appointing a panchayat samiti chairman as an election agent did not violate any statutory provision or materially affect the poll outcome. CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has dismissed the election petition filed by BJP leader Brajamohan Pradhan challenging the election of BJD MLA Aswini Kumar Patra from the Jaleswar Assembly constituency in the 2024 elections. Pradhan had lost the election by a narrow margin of 319 votes. In his petition, Pradhan alleged that Patra had illegally appointed Manas Jena, chairman of Jaleswar panchayat samiti, as his election and counting agent during the polls. He stated that Election Commission guidelines prohibit persons holding such public offices from functioning as election, polling or counting agents. He contended that despite the alleged restriction, the returning officer accepted Jena’s appointment, thereby vitiating the election process. Rejecting the contention, the High Court observed that neither the Constitution nor the Representation of the People Act, 1951 imposed any statutory disqualification on Manas Jena from acting as an election or counting agent. Justice Sashikanta Mishra held that the objection raised by the petitioner was based only on executive instructions contained in the Handbook for Candidates, which do not possess statutory force. He observed that no such evidence or material particulars had been placed on record by the petitioner. “In absence of any statutory prohibition and further in absence of any pleading or proof of material effect on the election result, the contention advanced cannot be accepted,” Justice Mishra ruled and dismissed the petition as devoid of merit. 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