‘15,000 voters targeted’: Rahul Gandhi’s fresh attack on EC over Karnataka rolls
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission and accused it of erasing nearly 15,000 voters from electoral rolls in Karnataka’s Belagavi region. In a social media post on X, Rahul said that a massive “flood” of Form 7 applications was filed in bulk over three days to remove targeted groups from the voter list. “In just three days – September 22, 23, and 24 – there was a flood of Form 7 applications to remove nearly 15,000 voters… Muslims, SCs, STs, and OBCs are being systematically targeted because they do not vote for the BJP,” Rahul said. “I had already exposed this method of vote theft – votes are deleted through software in a centralised manner. ‘Select’ people are targeted as BJP and EC officials collude to fill out Form 7 in bulk through automated means – and in the blink of an eye, millions vanish from the voter list. And all of this is controlled from the top,” he added. The Congress leader also demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar immediately take action or step down, alleging that refusal to register an FIR undermines democratic institutions. “Karnataka Congress leaders are at this moment demanding an FIR against the culprits at the Karnataka CEO’s office. Why is the CEO refusing this FIR? In this way, Modi, Shah, and Gyanesh are collectively destroying democracy through SIR. This is treason. That’s why I’m saying Gyanesh Kumar should resign and become an approver, and there should be an investigation against Modi and Shah,” he added. Form 7 is the official document prescribed by the Election Commission for objecting to the inclusion of or seeking the deletion of a name from an existing electoral roll. In Belagavi, local election officials reportedly received thousands of such applications over a span of 72 hours, triggering alarm among local Congress workers and booth-level officers (BLOs). Meanwhile, the poll panel and regional authorities clarified the procedural safeguards surrounding Form 7 filings. Election officials stressed that no voter’s name can be deleted automatically or solely based on the submission of a Form 7. Every application requires physical field verification, notices to be issued to the affected voter, and due process to be conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) before any deletion is finalised, the panel said. Election officials instructed local BLOs to halt the immediate processing of suspected bulk filings and initiated internal inquiries to trace the origin of the submissions and verify whether the signatures were genuine. Earlier on Wednesday, INDIA bloc leaders held a coordination meeting in New Delhi and announced a series of protests against the EC. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Opposition parties would organise a nationwide “Save Democracy March” at the district level from October 2 to October 8. 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
‘INDIA Bloc stands united and will move forward collectively….it is not about individual decisions’: Mamata
NEW DELHI: A day after the INDIA Alliance announced a joint agitation to demand the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR exercise, Trinamool Congress Chairperson and former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that for the Opposition this was a “collective” fight and shared that she had promptly responded to CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby last week when he reached out to her over the working of the Election Commission as it was a “national issue”.Reports of the interaction between Baby and Banerjee had attracted much attention last week as it saw two parties with decades-long differences in Bengal coming together on the question of the Election Commission (EC). Banerjee shared details of the interaction and the sentiment behind both sides putting aside their differences and coming together, while responding to questions at a press conference in Delhi. Party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and senior party leaders Derek O’ Brien, Dola Sen, Mahua Moitra, Menaka Guruswamy and Saket Gokhale were among those present with Mamata Banerjee at the press conference. “Our position is that when Constitutional institutions and democratic rights are at stake, political parties should examine the issue beyond their individual colours and interests,” Banerjee asserted. When asked about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the question of leadership of the opposition alliance and her view on who can be the Bloc’s PM candidate, the TMC Chairperson said, “INDIA Alliance is United and together. It is not about individual decisions. We are like a family, and we will decide collectively on these issues.” “Regional political parties have their own circumstances and compulsions, and we understand that. We maintain good relations with leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Nitish Kumar (JDU) and MK Stalin (DMK), while local political decisions may differ from state to state. Sometimes, INDIA’s alliance partners may not attend a particular programme because of local political considerations, but that does not necessarily mean there is disagreement on broader national issues,” she added. “We are with the INDIA alliance, and whatever decisions the alliance takes, we will respect them like a family and work together with unity. Our priority is to stand together and move forward collectively,” Banerjee said. “2029 is still far away; first, look at what is happening in 2027. “Khela toh ab hoga” — the real political game begins now. You never know what may happen in the next two, three, or six months. Politics can change very quickly, and we will continue to watch the situation, remain united and make decisions together as an alliance,” she emphasised. “It is important for Gyanesh Kumar to go…change is critical at this stage to make way for a free and fair electoral system,” Banerjee said in response to a question about whether the resignation of CEC would help resolve the systemic problems. TMC national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee lashed out, saying, “When questions are directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission, I believe the answers should come from the Election Commission itself. Instead, we repeatedly see BJP leaders responding to those questions. My point is simple: constitutional authorities must answer legitimate questions themselves and place facts before the public rather than allowing political parties to speak on their behalf.” He called for a thorough investigation to bring out the truth. 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
Punjab: The family of a Dalit youth had been protesting for five days over his death; the police forcibly seized his body and performed his last rites.
In Sangrur, Punjab, the police removed the family members who had been protesting for five days and performed the last rites of the Dalit youth without their consent. The Aam Aadmi Party Sarpanch is accused of harassment. Punjab: Serious allegations have been leveled against the police in the case of a 23-year-old Dalit youth’s suicide at Sangrur Civil Hospital on Thursday. The family alleges that the police forcibly removed them from the mortuary and conducted the post-mortem and cremation in their absence. The deceased has been identified as Sanamdeep Singh, a mason by profession and a resident of Kanoi village. Sanamdeep consumed poison on September 25th and died a day later on September 26th. The family had kept the body in the hospital mortuary for the past five days, demanding justice. They were staging an indefinite sit-in protest, refusing to conduct a post-mortem or accept the body until the village sarpanch and his associates, affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), were arrested. Sanamdeep’s uncle, Gora Singh, has leveled several serious allegations against the administration and the sarpanch. He stated that an FIR was filed against the sarpanch in 2019 based on Sanamdeep’s complaint. Gora Singh alleges that a false FIR was also filed against seven members of his family five months ago to pressure him into withdrawing the same case. The deceased was constantly subjected to mental harassment. Even when a sewer line was laid in the village, four of his houses were deliberately left out, and Sanamdeep was denied work under MNREGA. Tensions escalated further on Thursday afternoon when police and administration teams arrived to clear the entrance to the mortuary. The family alleges that the police brutalized them. Sanamdeep’s mother and grandmother were dragged into a police van and the funeral was forcibly performed without the family’s consent. According to Gora Singh, they were peacefully demanding justice and the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He alleges that the police broke their promises, used excessive force, manhandled women, and, in collusion with municipal corporation employees, secretly cremated the body. He also said that the entire village was turned into a cantonment as if they were dealing with terrorists. Amidst this commotion, the police arrested Congress official Rajinder Singh Deepa and three others from Sunam. They are accused of attacking policemen, damaging public property, and obstructing government work. They were produced in court and sent to judicial custody. In addition, the police detained eight members of Sandeep’s family and four others, although no FIR was filed against them. On behalf of the police, Sangrur DSP Dalbir Singh Sidhu defended the entire action. He said that the body had begun to decompose severely, forcing the administration to take this drastic step. The senior medical officer had issued several notices warning that the body was rapidly decomposing. Section 301 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) makes it a crime to insult or leave a dead body in a deplorable state. Executive Magistrate-cum-Tehsildar Jagdeep Singh and health officials issued several notices to the family, but they refused to accept them due to political incitement. DSP Sidhu clarified that on September 28, based on a complaint from Sandeep’s father, an FIR had already been registered at the Sangrur Sadar police station under sections 108 (abetment to suicide) and 3(5) of the IPC. Despite this, Deepa and other outsiders used the family as a pawn for political gain and insisted on arbitrary arrests before the post-mortem. According to the police, when they initiated the legal process, the protesters became violent, hurling abuses, breaking bus windows, and attacking officers. Police had to use mild force to disperse the crowd. A board of three medical officers eventually conducted a post-mortem examination, and the young man’s last rites were performed at the crematorium on Ubhawal Road in the presence of municipal officials and some panchayat representatives. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Sending obscene videos on WhatsApp also falls within the scope of ‘public view’: Bombay High Court’s decision in SC/ST Act case, no anticipatory bail for accused
The accused contacted a woman and demanded physical relations. When she refused, he sent an obscene video made on his mobile phone to her husband and close relatives via WhatsApp. Nagpur – The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a government employee from Ghughus (Chandrapur district) in an SC/ST Act case. Justice Y.G. Khobragade issued the order on September 29. The case relates to the posting of obscene videos and photos of a married woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste on social media. The case pertains to Criminal Appeal No. 127/2026, in which the accused is Nikhil, son of Madhukar Thepale (28 years old). He is in government service and lives near the Sneh Prabha Mangal office in Ward No. 3 of Ghughus. Advocate Mahesh Rai appeared for the accused, while Additional Public Prosecutor G.S. appeared for the state. Umale and the victim’s lawyer, Sanket Joshi, appeared. According to the prosecution, the victim is a married woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste. The accused and the victim live in the same area and are known to each other. It is alleged that on November 4, 2025, the accused contacted the woman and demanded physical relations. When the woman refused, he sent an obscene video made on his mobile phone to the woman’s husband and close relatives via WhatsApp. According to the FIR, nude photos were also sent to the woman’s sister-in-law from an unknown mobile number. The woman’s sister also received calls and WhatsApp messages from the accused’s mobile number, stating that he wanted to speak with her. In the FIR, the woman has listed the mobile numbers of her husband, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and the accused. On November 5, 2025, a case was registered at the Ghughus police station under sections 77 and 78 of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, sections 66(E) and 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(w)(ii), and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The accused initially sought anticipatory bail in the lower court, which was rejected. Subsequently, he filed Criminal Appeal No. 599/2025 in the High Court. On February 9, 2026, he withdrew this appeal with the concession that he could file a new application after the charge sheet was filed. The accused then filed Anticipatory Bail Application (ABA) No. 73/2026. On February 21, 2026, the Special Judge (Atrocities Act) and Additional Sessions Judge of Chandrapur rejected this application. The accused approached the High Court for the second time against this same order. On March 12, 2026, the High Court granted interim relief and temporary anticipatory bail on certain conditions. The accused submitted a bond and sureties in the lower court. The charge sheet in the case has now been filed. The accused stated that the SC/ST Act does not apply if the victim is merely sent via WhatsApp. Advocate Rai stated that according to the FIR, the accused demanded sexual intercourse and, after being refused, sent videos and photos to her husband and relatives. According to him, merely sending the sexual favors via WhatsApp does not constitute offenses under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(w)(ii), and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act, and therefore, the bar on anticipatory bail under Section 18 of the Act does not apply. He argued that the lower court’s order was passed without considering the facts and law, and therefore, it should be set aside. Additional Public Prosecutor Umale, representing the state, and Advocate Joshi, representing the victim, strongly opposed the appeal. The prosecution stated: The accused has been absconding since the FIR was filed. The accused knew the victim’s caste. The incriminating videos and photos are stored on the accused’s mobile phone, but the mobile phone has not yet been seized. Custodial interrogation is necessary to seize the mobile phone and gather further information. Publicly humiliated the victim by circulating nude photos on the mobile phone after she refused his demand for sexual intercourse. After reviewing the records, Justice Khobragade stated that the accused was well aware of the victim’s caste. She also stated that the accused is not a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, while the victim is a Scheduled Caste. The accused has not denied this fact. The court prima facie held that the accused made nude videos and photos of the woman and circulated them via WhatsApp when his sexual desires were not satisfied. Regarding the absconding of the accused, the court cited Lavesh v. State (NCT of Delhi) (ALL MR (Cri.) 3300) and stated that generally, the question of granting anticipatory bail to a fugitive or proclaimed offender does not arise. The court remarked: “The accused in this case has been absconding since the date of registration of the crime; therefore, in my opinion, he is not entitled to anticipatory bail.” Regarding the argument of “public view,” the court did not accept the argument of the accused’s lawyer that the accused did not publicly insult the victim with caste-related slurs. The court said: “Making objectionable videos/photos of the victim and sending them to her husband, close relatives, and others through social media such as WhatsApp certainly falls within the scope of “public view” within the meaning of Section 3 of the Atrocities Act.” The court cited the Supreme Court’s case of Kiran v. Rajkumar Jivraj Jain (2025 AIR (SC) 4083). According to this, Section 18 of the SC/ST Act bars anticipatory bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for these offenses. The court stated in its own interim order that the interim relief granted on March 12, 2026, was on the grounds that the provisions of the Act were not applicable to the FIR. However, upon reviewing the material now on record, it states: “Prima facie, the essential ingredients of the offenses under Sections 3(1)(w)(ii) and 3(2)(va) appear to be present, as objectionable videos/photos of the victim were circulated on social media from the accused’s mobile phone, which is in the public domain.
Demand for Reservation in the Private Sector: AIISCA President Says “Reservation Is Not Charity, It’s the Only Link Connecting Us to the State”
Dalit Organization Launches Nationwide Protest at Press Club, Major Event at Ambedkar Bhawan on October 2 New Delhi. The All India Independent Scheduled Caste Association (AIISCA) held a press conference at the Press Club in Delhi, reiterating its demand for reservation and affirmative action in private employment and private educational institutions. The organization stated that government jobs and government educational institutions are continuously shrinking, while employment, education, and economic power are becoming concentrated in private hands. Therefore, it is essential to extend the system of social justice to the private sector. On this occasion, the organization released a document titled “Reservation in the Private Sector: From Government Jobs to Private Employment, Education, and Economic Power.” The conference was addressed by the organization’s president, Dr. Rahul Sonpimple, Prof. Sumit Mhaskar, Prof. N. Sukumar, and Prof. Sonajharia Minj and student leaders Aishwarya, Ashwini Kumar, Bhomaram, and Ashutosh Vidrohi addressed the gathering. AIISCA Founder President Dr. Rahul Sonpimple stated that reservation in the private sector is “a political issue in every sense” and that it is not a question of today, but dates back to the British era. He cited Dr. Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorates at the Round Table Conference. According to him, the Poona Pact was a contract between India’s emerging modern state and the Scheduled Castes. In this agreement between equal parties, the Scheduled Castes gave up separate electorates and received the promise of reservation in jobs and politics. He also cited the promises made to the tribals (Fifth and Sixth Schedules, autonomy) and the Constituent Assembly debates. He said that just as Jinnah expressed lack of confidence in the demand for a separate country, Ambedkar believed in democracy. He cited Ambedkar’s speech that discussed the contradiction between political equality and socio-economic inequality. Sonpimple asked the gathering whether inequality had decreased, stating that no one could say yes to this. He concluded that when inequality persists, the state’s contract is incomplete. He stated that reservation is not a favor or a charity. According to him, it is the only thread connecting disadvantaged communities and the Indian state, and at the same time, a very fragile one. He alleged that the current government is weakening this thread. He urged social justice advocates to abandon their defense of reservation, as it is their constitutional right. Sonpimple stated that government jobs have declined and sectors like mining are being transferred to private hands. According to him, mining takes place on tribal land, but local tribals are not getting even small jobs. He criticized the slogan “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and named the Adani Group as one of the allegations. These allegations are the speaker’s own, without any independent verification. He claimed that the Scheduled Caste population would exceed 200 million in a correct count, and that OBCs constitute approximately 52% of the population according to the Mandal Commission’s estimates. Regarding the caste census, he said it was a victory of the Bahujans’ long struggle that the government had to acknowledge it. He criticized the social media trolling and TV debates surrounding the suicide of an IIT student. He said that dismissing a complaint of caste discrimination if it is filed late is wrong. Referring to the Prime Minister’s claim of being an OBC and the Kalekar Commission, he questioned why the ruling party has not issued any statement on incidents against Dalit and Adivasi students on campuses. He urged Dalit and Adivasi youth not to silently tolerate insults and abuse in the name of “morality” and not to hesitate to respond. He said, “We must not die,” and cited the struggles of his parents. He explained that his father used to drive a cycle rickshaw and his mother was a construction worker. He said that the community is not “just for voting.” He demanded that both the ruling party and the opposition embrace this demand. The bill for reservation in the private sector be discussed and passed in the upcoming winter session of Parliament. In his words, the community will stand with whoever supports this demand. He declared that a new struggle on this issue would begin on Gandhi Jayanti. He linked it to the Poona Pact, saying that the new fight would begin on the day Gandhi “snatched separate electorates from us.” What other speakers said Aishwarya, a research scholar from the Law Department of Delhi University, presented the constitutional and legal aspects. Citing the All India Survey on Higher Education 2023-24, she said that between 2013 and 2023, the number of private universities increased by 149%, while government universities increased by 45%. Referring to disinvestment, outsourcing, and contractualization, he claimed that since 2018, 63 Group A-level positions (Joint Secretaries, Directors, Deputy Directors, etc.) were filled through lateral entry, where reservation was not applicable. In 2024, 45 such positions were withdrawn after protests. According to him, only about 4% of the total workforce is in government employment at most, and accurate figures are not available due to the lack of a census. Citing ILO 2024 estimates, she stated that 88.4% of the workforce is informal. 7.3% of Scheduled Castes and 5.1% of Scheduled Tribes are in formal employment, compared to 16.2% in the unreserved category. Based on her fieldwork, she pointed to undeclared “reservations” in sanitation-related jobs. She cited Article 15(5) of the 93rd Constitutional Amendment (2006), which provides for legislation for backward classes in private (aided and unaided) educational institutions. She noted that Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Assam have enacted their own laws. She demanded a central law, fixed category-wise quotas, transparent admissions, and a caste census. Aishwarya said that in August 2025, a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended a central law to implement Article 15(5) in private higher education institutions, but the Ministry of Education stated that it was within the discretion of the states. He cited a Chennai study that found lower-caste applicants had to submit approximately 20% more applications despite equal qualifications. He also cited the Cisco case in California, ILO Convention
Sons gone, justice still elusive: Two Dalit families in Mumbai and Thoothukudi, holding photographs, ask one question: When will justice be delivered?
Both families believe society’s casteist mindset is responsible for their son’s death, and both believe the culprits are still eluding the law. Mumbai/Thoothukudi—Only parents who have lost a young son can truly understand the pain of losing one. Ravindra and Sonali Wakode sit hungry at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, holding a photograph of their 20-year-old son, Sahil. Sahil was a second-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay. He committed suicide in his hostel room on September 18th. Ersaan, Chandrashekhar and Tamilselvi in Arumugamangalam, Tamil Nadu, are staging a protest, holding a photograph of their beloved 27-year-old son, Kevin. Kevin was a software engineer who was brutally murdered in Tirunelveli in July 2025, allegedly in a caste-based honor killing. The parents sitting on the protest hold their sons’ photographs and helplessness in their eyes, and they each have one question: will their sons get justice? Along with the grief of losing their sons, they now have to fight for justice. They must seek justice from the same system that Dalit and marginalized families often struggle to achieve. Therefore, whoever extends a helping hand, whether a leader, a commission, or an ordinary person, they see a glimmer of hope that justice may finally be achieved. Kevin’s mother and father tearfully declared that they had lost Kevin and that no other child should suffer the same fate. Sahil’s father said that the fast will continue until the accused are arrested. Two cities, two protests, but the parents’ pain is the same: their sons are gone, and now all that remains is the hope for justice. Parents devastated after chargesheet against son’s murder accused dismissed 27-year-old IT engineer Kevin Selvaganesh was a resident of Arumugamangalam near Eral in Thoothukudi district. He was murdered with a sword-like weapon on July 27, 2025. He belonged to the Scheduled Caste and was in love with a young woman. The young woman’s younger brother, Surjeet, was arrested for the murder. Surjeet surrendered at the police station within hours of the murder. Surjeet’s parents, Saravanan and Krishnakumari, were also accused in the case. Both were in the police force. Krishnakumari was a sub-inspector in the Tamil Nadu Special Police Force and was arrested by the CB-CID nine months after the incident. Following the CB-CID investigation, a lengthy chargesheet was filed in court. This 800-page chargesheet reportedly includes CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and statements from 83 witnesses. The case was being heard in the Special SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act Court in Tirunelveli. The prosecution alleged that after the incident, Surjeet told his father, and his parents together asked him to destroy his clothes and mobile phone and remove the two-wheeler’s number plate. But on Tuesday, September 29, Justice R. Vijayakumar of the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench dismissed the charge sheet against Saravanan and Krishnakumari. The court stated that there was no evidence linking them to the crime. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, the court stated that mobile tower information only indicates the range of the tower, not the exact location of the phone. With this order, both were acquitted of the murder charge. However, the court rejected Surjeet’s relative, Jaipal’s, petition seeking to dismiss the charge sheet against him. The court stated that the question of Jaipal’s role in the conspiracy would be decided in the trial. Following the verdict, Kevin’s father, Chandrashekhar, and mother, Tamilselvi, staged a sit-in protest. They sit in front of their house in Arumugamangalam with a picture of Kevin. They sit under a banyan tree in front of the house and say that the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. Tamilselvi says, “What were we fighting for all this time? The charge sheet has been dismissed citing lack of evidence. If that’s the case, where did we get justice?” The protesting parents questioned how the arrests were made if there was insufficient evidence in the case. They demanded that the CBI continue the investigation and gather more evidence. Tamilselvi said, “Since the people involved in this case are police officers, their role should also be thoroughly investigated. The incidents that we believe led to the destruction of evidence in the case should also be investigated.” She further stated, “We have no personal enmity with anyone. We believe in justice and fairness. We have been fighting solely on the basis of justice. We respect the court’s decision. At the same time, we want accurate answers to our doubts and questions.” Tamilselvi appealed to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene, initiate an appeal on behalf of the government, and take steps for further investigation. She stated that her protest would continue until her questions were answered and her son received justice. The case has also drawn political backlash. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan called the decision “shocking.” He said that cancelling the charge sheet before the trial began would set a bad precedent. Leaders have reached out to Kevin’s family in the past. Following the incident, Kanimozhi MP and ministers K.N. Nehru and Anitha Radhakrishnan visited the family, and then-Chief Minister M.K. Stalin consoled the parents over the phone. Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu also visited Arumugamangalam to meet the family on the first death anniversary. Sahil’s parents continue their hunger strike at Azad Maidan for the fifth day. Sahil, the 20-year-old son of Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, residents of Yavatmal, was a second-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay. He was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18th. That same day, he was allegedly caught using ChatGPT on his mobile phone during his mid-semester exam. The parents allege that Sahil had complained about caste discrimination at the institute. Professor Suryanarayan Dulla is named in the police FIR. He has been charged with abetment to suicide. The FIR also mentions caste discrimination. Professor Dulla has been placed on leave to ensure a fair investigation. The institute’s board has formed a 10-member inquiry committee, while the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case. The Crime Branch is investigating CCTV recordings
Court takes tough stance in two Dalit harassment cases: Ayodhya court takes tough stance, requires response within one day
The court of Special Judge SC-ST Act Deepak Yadav, located in the Civil Lines court of Ashfaqulla Khan Ward in Ayodhya, has taken a tough stance in two cases of Dalit harassment. The court has sought an explanation from the Circle Officer (CO), Rudauli, for not filing the charge sheet on time. He has been directed to respond within one day. The first case was filed by Holupur resident Arvind Kumar against Deepchand, Ramnaresh, Changu, and Surendra Kumar. The second case was filed by Kalai resident Jaglal Ravidas against Suresh, Sonu, Ramdayal, Sachin, and two unidentified persons. Both cases were investigated by CO Rudauli. The CO stated that the charge sheet could not be filed due to law and order and government work. The court stated that the charge sheet was neither filed on time nor was an application for an extension granted. The deadline for filing a charge sheet in SC-ST Act cases is 60 days. Prashant Shekhar | Civil Lines Courtesy: Hindi News
Riley Gaines vows appeal after judge dismisses NCAA lawsuit over transgender athletes and Title IX claims
Riley Gaines has suffered a legal setback in her lawsuit against the NCAA after a federal judge dismissed the remaining Title IX claims in the case. US District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson ruled that the NCAA could not be treated as a recipient of federal financial assistance, which meant Title IX could not be used against the organisation in this lawsuit. Gaines and the other plaintiffs said they will appeal the decision to the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling did not decide whether the NCAA’s former transgender-athlete policy amounted to sex discrimination. Riley Gaines and Tiffany R. Johnson: Why the NCAA lawsuit was dismissed The lawsuit was filed in March 2024 by Gaines and more than a dozen current and former female college athletes. It focused on the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech. At that meet, Lia Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle and tied Gaines for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle. Gaines and the other plaintiffs argued that the NCAA violated their Title IX rights by allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s events and by allowing them to use women’s locker rooms. The case had already been narrowed before Monday’s ruling. Judge Johnson had dismissed several other claims involving Georgia Tech and state officials, while the Title IX claims against the NCAA were allowed to continue. The latest dispute was about federal funding. Gaines and the other athletes argued that the NCAA received federal financial assistance through research work linked to the organisation and the US Department of Defense. Judge Johnson rejected that argument after reviewing the evidence. “Here, there is no evidence that the NCAA ever received, or could have received, federal funds,” Johnson wrote in her order. “Thus, Plaintiffs’ Title IX claims cannot proceed.” The ruling therefore ended the remaining claims at the district court level. It did not decide whether the NCAA’s former policy was discriminatory under Title IX. Riley Gaines plans appeal as Independent Council on Women’s Sports backs case Gaines said the decision would not end her legal challenge. She and her co-plaintiffs have 30 days to file a notice of appeal with the 11th Circuit. “This momentary setback will not deter me or other women athletes in the least,” Gaines said in a statement following the ruling. “Rest assured, we will be appealing this decision. We are on the side of truth. I am confident Americans will rally to our side to fight the NCAA,” she continued. “Working together, we will defeat the NCAA’s continuing efforts to trample women’s rights in sports.” The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), which is funding the case, also said it plans to support the appeal. “We believe the district judge erred and that the Court of Appeals will find that the NCAA… is subject to Title IX,” ICONS co-founder Kim Jones said. “We will not give up our fight for women and girls’ rights in sports,” Jones added. The next stage will now move to the 11th Circuit, where Gaines and the other plaintiffs will challenge Judge Johnson’s decision. 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
Bhatti Vikramarka, enraged by Mallikarjun Kharge’s “insult,” called for a nationwide Dalit-Adivasi movement for self-respect.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, calling Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s insult a direct attack on Dalit self-respect, warned of a nationwide movement. New Delhi: Calling Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s alleged insult a symbol of the ongoing discrimination against marginalized communities, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka delivered a strong message on Tuesday. He called for a nationwide movement to protect the dignity and self-respect of Dalits and Adivasis. South Asians and Diaspora Addressing the “Dalit-Adivasi Self-Respect Conference” organized by the Congress SC and ST MPs Forum in New Delhi, Vikramarka emphasized that protecting the Constitution and its core values of equality, liberty, fraternity, and social justice is the paramount responsibility of every citizen of the country. During his address, he recalled that the Congress party had passed the first resolution against untouchability and later played a key role in implementing the Constitution. Targeting the BJP-led central government, he alleged that attempts are being made to weaken constitutional values and promote the ideology of Manusmriti in place of the Constitution. Bhatti stated that the Constitution of India binds every citizen of the country in a strong bond, and violating it directly means weakening the foundation of the nation. He expressed concern that although many stringent laws were enacted during the Congress governments to address discrimination against Dalits and tribals, unfortunately, incidents of discrimination continue to surface in society. Referring to Mallikarjun Kharge’s political stature, he clarified that he is not merely a Dalit leader, but a senior national leader who has achieved high constitutional and political positions through decades of public service. He described the alleged “purification” ritual that followed Kharge’s public meeting in Haldwani as a direct attack on Dalit self-respect. He also strongly criticized the action taken against Rahul Gandhi, who had demanded an FIR in the matter. Questioning the functioning of the system, he said that if someone seeks justice for an insulted person or questions the authorities, they are then sued. He believes this situation fully exposes the deep-seated discrimination against Dalits and tribals within the system. Appealing to Dalits, tribals, and minorities to unite against discrimination, Bhatti sternly stated that we cannot accept a situation where millions of people, including Scheduled Castes, tribals, and minorities, are treated as second-class citizens. He strongly urged everyone to come together and fight to protect their self-respect. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Illegal occupation of a Dalit woman’s plot in Mainpuri: Allegations against powerful people, no action despite complaint; pleads with the Superintendent of Police for help
A Dalit woman in Bewar, Mainpuri, has demanded action from the Superintendent of Police, alleging that her plot has been forcibly occupied and construction has been carried out. The woman says that despite repeated complaints, her complaint has not been heard. Now, she has also appealed to the authorities for the safety of her family. Meena Devi, wife of Rajendra Kumar, a resident of Etawah Road, Bewar, submitted a complaint to the Superintendent of Police, stating that she owns a plot. She alleges that Rajnesh Mishra, his wife Bima, Anubhav Dubey, and Vaibhav Mishra forcibly occupied the plot and began construction there. According to the woman, she complained several times to the Bewar police station, but no action was taken. Victim Rajendra Singh says that he subsequently filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police. After receiving no relief, he submitted a petition to Cabinet Minister Jaiveer Singh. According to the woman, the minister wrote to the District Magistrate requesting action, but the matter was not heard. In her complaint, the woman alleges that she was turned away on the pretext that the matter pertains to the Bhogaon Assembly constituency. Meena Devi alleges in her complaint that due to political pressure, officials and police were called to refrain from taking action regarding her plot. She also alleged that she was told that the encroachers were relatives of the MLA and that no action should be taken against them. Husband Rajendra Singh, citing his financial situation, stated that his five daughters are marriageable. Amidst financial difficulties, the encroachment on the plot has further exacerbated the family’s difficulties. It is alleged that the encroachers are powerful and cunning, leaving the family terrified. Victim Rajendra Singh has alleged that he and his family have been threatened with death and subjected to caste-based abuse. The victim has demanded that the authorities free the plot from encroachment and ensure the safety of his family. Abhishek Jain | Mainpuri Courtesy: Hindi News