Karnataka Cabinet approves Rohith Vemula Bill draft, set to go for next round of approval
The draft law is a civil law, unlike the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act). If passed, it will be the first official acknowledgement that Rohith Vemula was a Dalit and that he died because of caste discrimination. The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday, February 26, approved the current version the draft Rohith Bill, a law to protect Dalit and Adivasi students from caste discrimination. During the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister G Parameshwara suggested that the draft bill should go to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) for its suggestions. A minister present during the meeting told TNM that once the DCRE adds it suggestions, the draft will be presented in the next cabinet meeting, which is likely to be on March 5. Another minister said that the government hoped to table the draft Rohith Act during the budget session, which is to be held between March 6 and 27. Both ministers confirmed that everyone in the cabinet okayed the draft Rohith Bill. Named after Rohith Vemula, a PhD scholar at the University of Hyderabad who died by suicide on January 17, 2016, the Rohith Act is aimed at addressing caste-based discrimination and harassment against Dalits and Adivasis in higher education institutions. TNM had reported that the draft law emerged through months of intense debates and discussions between the government and campaigners pushing for the anti-caste law in the state. Unlike the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Rohith Act is a civil law which aims to resolve cases of caste discrimination within the campus and, as far as possible, outside courts and police stations. Higher education institutions would have to set up internal committees against caste harassment, similar to the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH). TNM had previously reported that if passed, the law will be the first official acknowledgement that Rohith Vemula was a Dalit and that he died because of caste discrimination. A decade after Rohith’s death, the investigation into his death has gone nowhere. For most part of the last decade, during which the BRS was in power in Telangana, the state government and police took an openly hostile position against the campaigners seeking justice for Rohith, while the BJP has consistently denied that Rohith was a Dalit. But things did not improve even after the Congress came to power two years ago. The police cases against students haven’t been withdrawn by the state government yet. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
KTR kicks up a storm over lockup death of Dalit youth
BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday said that his party would corner the Congress government over the lockup death of Dalit youth Karla Rajesh. The BRS Working President visited the family of Dalit youth Karla Rajesh, who died in a police lockup death recently in Kodad, Suryapet district, and assured them of confronting the government. Speaking to the media, Rao alleged that Dalit youth Rajesh was tortured and unjustly murdered. He stated that Rajesh lost his life due to political pressure. He demanded an answer from the Congress leaders, local MLA and Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on this incident. KTR demanded that the DSP, SI and CI responsible for this lockup death be dismissed immediately. He reminded that when his government was in power, in the case of the death of a Dalit woman named Mariamma at Addagudur police station, they gave an ex-gratia of Rs 35 lakh, provided a job to the family and dismissed the responsible police officers. He criticised the current Congress government for protecting those responsible. He questioned how unfair it was to promote the DSP named Sridhar Reddy, who was responsible for this incident. KTR emotionally said that no one could alleviate the suffering of Rajesh’s mother. He said that he would raise this issue in the Assembly as well and challenge the government, and that if necessary, he would continue the struggle till Delhi. He announced that the BRS party would provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to Rajesh’s family. He assured the family that he would support them in every way and would continue the fight until complete justice was done. He commended MRPS leader Manda Krishna for his fight against this incident and thanked him. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bhopal News: Transgender Feel Social Prejudice In Accessing Healthcare Services; Study
The study also emphasized that sensitivity, cultural understanding, and a respectful approach in the behavior of healthcare workers are extremely important. It further highlighted that policy-level reforms, training of healthcare professionals, and the creation of a safe environment are necessary to ensure equal and respectful healthcare services for the transgender community. Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): AIIMS research revealed that transgender people feel social prejudice and discriminated in accessing health care services. Nursing student of AIIMS Komal Kathale presented research paper titled, A study to explore the expectations and experiences related to healthcare services among the transgender population in a tertiary care hospital: A qualitative study.” The study attempted to understand the real-life experiences of transgender individuals. The findings revealed that while accessing healthcare services, they face several challenges such as social prejudice, discrimination, communication gaps, and the lack of gender-sensitive services. The study also emphasized that sensitivity, cultural understanding, and a respectful approach in the behaviour of healthcare workers are extremely important. It further highlighted that policy-level reforms, training of healthcare professionals, and the creation of a safe environment are necessary to ensure equal and respectful healthcare services for the transgender community. Komal Kathale, a 2nd year MSc nursing student of the College of Nursing, AIIMS Bhopal, secured first position in the postgraduate category at National Scientific Paper Presentation 2026. The conference was organised by Symbiosis College of Nursing, Symbiosis International University, Pune, in which participants from across the country took part. Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘This is not North Korea, it is India’: Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi amid row over ‘shirtless’ protest
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid the row over the arrest of Youth Congress members following the controversial ‘shirtless’ protest at the India AI Impact Summit, accusing the Centre of suppressing peaceful dissent. “The world’s largest democracy is being slowly pushed in a direction where dissent is branded as treason and asking questions is called a conspiracy. Think about it – no matter the issue, if you raise your voice against those in power through constitutional means, then batons, lawsuits, and jail are almost a certainty,” Rahul said in a post. “”Peaceful protest is not a crime – it is the soul of democracy. Asking questions is not democracy’s weakness, it is its strength,” he added. Referring to the arrest of Youth Congress workers, Gandhi said those protesting against the government were being branded anti-national and jailed. “When the Youth Congress peacefully protested against a US Trade deal harmful to the country, they were branded ‘anti-national’ and arrested,” he said. The remarks came after Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib and several party workers were arrested in connection with the “shirtless” protest held at Bharat Mandapam during the AI summit in New Delhi. During the protest, a group of Youth Congress workers entered the venue wearing T-shirts concealed under winter clothing and later removed their shirts while raising slogans against the Prime Minister. Police described Chib as the alleged “mastermind” behind the demonstration and took him into custody, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to eight. Backing the arrested workers earlier, Gandhi had described them as “Babbar Sher comrades” and expressed solidarity with the youth wing. “I am proud of my Babbar Sher colleagues in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the interest of the country against the ‘COMPROMISED PM’,” he had said. He added that peaceful protest was a democratic right and that raising questions against the government should not be treated as a crime. The arrests triggered a political controversy, with the Congress calling the police action politically motivated while the BJP accused the party of attempting to embarrass the country during an international event. 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
DMK MP Kanimozhi may meet Rahul Gandhi again to iron out differences over seat-sharing
Chennai: Seat-sharing talks between DMK and Congress have hit a roadblock, with Congress refusing to settle for the numbers offered by the principal ally. DMK MP Kanimozhi is likely to meet Congress leaders in Delhi on Friday as leaders of the two parties kept talking in different voices over the allocation of a Rajya Sabha seat, too. “Kanimozhi has sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi after her parliamentary committee meeting on Friday morning. She will explain the reasons for DMK’s inability to fulfil the demands of Congress,” said a source. DMK has been citing the inclusion of more partners in the alliance as a reason for its inability to give more seats to allies. During her talks with AICC member Girish Chodankar on Feb 23, Kanimozhi had requested Congress to settle for 27 seats. Chodankar conveyed the message to the Congress leadership, and the Congress high command was not happy with the numbers, sources said. “We started with the offer of 25 seats and raised it by two, but they don’t seem to be happy with it,” said a DMK source. The stalemate triggered rumours that Congress has reopened channels of communication with TVK. Seeking to end speculations, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said the Congress-DMK alliance remains strong. “A Congress candidate will file a nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat in a couple of days under the DMK alliance,” he said. However, DMK sources said Kanimozhi had communicated to Chodankar that Congress can be given a Rajya Sabha seat only in 2028. 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
Wayanad: Cong launches 100 homes for survivors
Kozhikode: Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi laid the foundation stone for homes Congress will build for the survivors of Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide. The project at Kunnambetta in Meppadi panchayat will see construction of 100 houses, each measuring 1,100 sq ft on eight cents. Addressing the gathering, Rahul said the people of Wayanad showed unmatched courage in the face of disaster. “You lost and lost, but you never lost your spirit. You never lost your courage and more importantly, you never lost the compassion for others,” he said. He added that launching the housing project sends a message to survivors that the party will stand with them throughout recovery and healing. “For us, it is not a one-day event that happened. Because you are our family, we are going to stand with you whenever you need us,” he said. Speaking at the event, Priyanka said she will stay with the disaster-affected people until they rebuild their lives fully. She said the tragedy’s scenes can never be forgotten. “What I saw that day will never leave me. You lost everything – your homes, your families, sops, businesses, everything. But what struck me most was your courage, your pride, the way every single person here did whatever they could to help you. And the way you stood together, helping each other irrespective of religion and different sections you belonged to. You gave each other courage and love when you needed it most,” she said. On the delay in starting project work, Priyanka said she was pained the process took so long. She added that the delay was due to required clearances and land issues. The party purchased 3.25 acres and is now in the process of buying another 2.18 acres. Negotiations are ongoing to acquire an additional five acres, she said. Priyanka handed over Rs 5 lakh to 40 traders, who had lost their shops in the disaster. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph presided over the event. AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmushi, IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, and several other party leaders also spoke at the function. 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
PM ‘sacrificing farmers’ in trade pact: Rahul
Kozhikode: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of sacrificing India’s farmers through the proposed India–US trade deal, terming it a ‘criminal act’ to open the domestic agricultural market to American producers. Speaking at an interaction with farmers in Peravoor in Kannur, Rahul alleged that the Prime Minister was under pressure to agree to the deal due to two issues—the unreleased Epstein files and a case involving the Adani Group in the United States. “I can tell you with confidence that no Indian PM would do this. Allowing American farmers to sell soyabean, corn and fruits in India is going to destroy the foundation we have built so carefully. The whole Green Revolution and White Revolution happened because we believed that we needed a foundation built in agriculture,” Rahul said. He further alleged that US President Donald Trump was exerting pressure on the Prime Minister. Rahul also claimed that ruling party members in the Lok Sabha prevented him from speaking in Parliament as he intended to raise these matters. “The first concerns the 3.5 million Epstein files that have not been released. Please understand they are held secret by the US govt. These files have information about the PM of India,” Rahul alleged, adding that the second threat was the case involving the Adani Group in the US. “The threat to the PM is very clear- If you do not do what we want, we will release to everybody the entire financial architecture of you and BJP,” Rahul said, adding that those were the two reasons that made Modi agree to the Indo-US trade deal, which he said, amounts to destroying the agricultural foundation of India using a JCB. “Indian farmers are being sacrificed so that the PM can protect himself and can protect the financial foundation of BJP,” Rahul added. 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
Ayodhya News: Raja Man Singh accused of grabbing Dalit land
Ayodhya. The troubles of Raja Man Singh, imprisoned in Sariawan, are steadily increasing. He has now been accused of grabbing a Dalit’s land in Sariawan and giving it to another Dalit. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police have filed a report against three people, including Man Singh. In the FIR, Dharampal, a resident of Pure Balla Mouza Sariawan in the Purakalandar area, stated that on August 30, 2014, the tehsil administration granted him a lease for agricultural purposes. At that time, he was cultivating his land. In May 2025, Pawan Kumar, a resident of Pure Mehrban, Raja Man Singh, and Govind Singh, a resident of Sidhir, began seizing his land with a JCB. When he protested, the accused threatened him and drove him away. When he went to the police, under Man Singh’s influence, the police issued a challan against him. Subsequently, both parties were summoned before the SDM, Sohawal. The accountant claimed to separate the land but refused to grant possession. Later, he surrounded his field with pillars and poles, but his opponents broke the poles. Later, Gunjan Yadav, a resident of Civil Lines, Arya Deepak, Arya Nivedan, and Arya Shakti, residents of Sariyawan Square, were given possession. Since then, he has been running around trying to free his land from occupation. He has filed a report against the accused and demanded security for him and his family. CO Ayodhya Ashutosh Tiwari said that a report has been filed against the accused and the matter is being investigated. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit family attacked for playing loud music after namaz in UP; 12 held
MEERUT: Twelve people were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly attacking a Dalit family during a child’s naming ceremony in Ganora Sheikh village of Bulandshahr district over loud music, police said. Complainant Akash Kumar, 25, said the gathering, which featured DJ music and dance, had paused for local Muslim residents to perform prayers on Monday. After prayers, the music resumed, but around 15 to 20 men allegedly barged in with sticks, assaulting attendees, including women. He added that the assailants used casteist slurs and vandalised the property. SHO Neeraj Malik said the 12 accused have been sent to jail and further arrests are expected in the matter. “Those involved in the clash didn’t sustain any major injury,” he said. Police registered an FIR on Tuesday under BNS sections for rioting and voluntarily causing hurt, and SC/ST Act against village head Moyeen Khan, Matlub Ali, Mohd Adil, Akram Khan, and others. 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
Father, son booked for assaulting Dalit minor in moral policing incident in Mangaluru
The complainant has further alleged that caste-based insults were hurled at the boy and that he was publicly threatened with dire consequences if he returned to the area. MANGALURU: In an alleged case of moral policing, a 14-year-old Dalit boy was assaulted by a father and son near a railway track at Babugudde in Mangaluru city. According to the complaint filed by the boy’s father, his son was sitting and conversing with his female friend near the railway track on February 23 at around 4 pm. At that time, the accused, Stevan Montheiro, approached them while recording a video on his mobile phone, questioned their presence, accused them of inappropriate behaviour, and threatened to upload the footage on social media. When the boy attempted to leave the spot, he was stopped and taken to a nearby road, where he was verbally abused and assaulted by Stevan and his son, Avil. The complainant has further alleged that caste-based insults were hurled at the boy and that he was publicly threatened with dire consequences if he returned to the area. The accused are also alleged to have circulated the video on WhatsApp. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under Section 176 of the BNSS. Further inquiry is underway. Vincent D’ Souza 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