Meira Kumar: How A Dalit Woman Reshaped Indian Politics From The Speaker’s Chair
Meira Kumar is a politician and Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha, who has left her mark on the field of Indian politics. What does it mean to shatter the ceiling when the floor that you stand on has always been irregular? Meira Kumar, India’s first woman Speaker in the Lok Sabha, has shattered political ceilings but also brought her identity of being a Dalit woman as a powerful instrument of advocacy to the heart of politics. Meira Kumar’s life is an adventurous answer to the challenge of representation in justice that can transform the moral geography of the nation. Family background and early years Meira Kumar is a politician and Speaker of the 15th Lok Sabha, who has left her mark on the field of Indian politics. Born in a politically active family with many Dalit leaders and social activists, Meira Kumar’s father Babu Jagjivan Ram was not only a well-known freedom fighter but also Deputy Prime Minister. Her mother, Indrani Devi, was a social worker. Kumar holds B.A. and M.A. in English Literature with LL.B. from the University of Delhi. It is because of Kumar’s parents, particularly her mother’s influence, that she chose to follow the path to justice for everyone. Meira Kumar has been an active social worker since her youth and was associated with various social movements for reforms and human rights. During the famine in the state of Bihar in the year 1967, she was appointed as the Chairperson of National Drought Relief Committee constituted by the Congress and she had also worked towards the establishment of the Family Adoption Scheme, through which drought-affected families would get help from voluntarily contributing households. Through all this, she had gained a good base in the provision of relief before venturing into politics. Career and entry into politics Before entering Politics, Meira Kumar served the Indian Foreign Service for more than a decade, where she was stationed in Spain and the United Kingdom. This job taught her how to negotiate, build bridges between different groups and represent India’s diverse culture to the world. However, she felt a strong pull to work directly on the social issues she cared about at home. She left diplomacy to join politics in 1985, encouraged by her father and by Rajiv Gandhi, the then prime minister of India. She ran in a by-election for a seat in the Lok Sabha from a constituency in Uttar Pradesh state defeating two other Dalit candidates. Being close to the politically powerful Gandhi family and representing the oppressed castes, Kumar’s political career progressed steadily within the Indian National Congress (INC) and she quickly made a name for herself as a strong advocate for human rights and the abolition of the caste system. Meira Kumar is a highly accomplished politician who has been a member of numerous decision-making bodies within the INC, serving twice as its General Secretary. Meira Kumar is a highly accomplished politician who has been a member of numerous decision-making bodies within the INC, serving twice as its General Secretary. She became a member of the Congress Working Committee, the organisation’s highest decision-making body in 1990 and continued it for a decade till 2000. She resigned from the Congress Party in 2000, citing differences with the party leadership but rejoined it after a gap of two years. In 2004 and 2009 she contested and won the Lok Sabha seat from Sasaram in Bihar state, the constituency once represented by her father. Advocacy for social justice During her political career, she has served on various committees, including the Public Accounts Committee and the Joint Committee on the Empowerment of Women as a Member of Parliament. Additionally, she also served as Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (2004-2009) which deepened her activism against caste exclusion. She challenged private sector reservation opposition and said sustainable growth needs ending Dalit and tribal marginalisation. Her focus shifted from handouts to true empowerment. Appointed as the Minister of Water Resources in the 14th Lok Sabha shortly after her victory in the elections of 2009, in June of the same year, she achieved a tremendous historical feat as the first woman Lok Sabha Speaker. This moment symbolically meant a lot to women in the state of India. During her role as the Speaker, Meira Kumar achieved many milestones to bring gender equality to the politics of India. She started the gender-neutral rules in the House, replacing gendered terms with gender-neutral expressions in the rules of the House. This action brought a remarkable revolution in the setting of the Parliament to be friendly to all its members irrespective of gender. During her term as the Speaker, in 2011, Kumar reduced paper usage by 30% in the Lok Sabha with tablets and also expressed her support to the increasing nationwide protests against violence on women in the nation. She also announced the formation of a Parliamentary Friendship Group to improve relations with the nation of Bhutan. In speeches, Meira Kumar calls for ‘zero tolerance on prejudice‘ and the end of the caste system. In the 2017 presidential election, Kumar secured the United Progressive Alliance’s nomination as their joint candidate for President of India. This was a testament to her widespread respect as a symbol of social justice, secularism and constitutional values as she said, ‘Democratic values, social justice, transparency, freedom of speech, inclusiveness, destruction of caste system, end of poverty — these are part of the ideology which is close to my heart. For this very reason, on the plank of this ideology I will compete.‘ Thus, her 2017 presidential bid stressed destruction of caste barriers and inclusion. ‘Democratic values, social justice, transparency, freedom of speech, inclusiveness, destruction of caste system, end of poverty — these are part of the ideology which is close to my heart. For this very reason, on the plank of this ideology I will compete.‘ – Meira Kumar At her first press conference after being selected as joint candidate for President, with BJP’s Ram Nath Kovind, whose Dalit
Dalit Class 9 Student Found Dead on Railway Track in Saharanpur, Police Probe Alleged Honour Killing
An alleged honour killing of a Dalit teenager has come to light in the Deoband police station area of Saharanpur district in Uttar Pradesh, after the body of a Class 9 student was found on a railway track. Police said they received information on Thursday about a sack lying on the railway track. A police team rushed to the spot, took the body into custody and sent it for post mortem. Locals at the site later identified the deceased as Mayank, a 14-year-old resident of Alipura or Meghrajpur village. Superintendent of Police Rural Sagar Jain said the boy had been missing since January 12. “The deceased has been identified as Mayank, son of Roopchand, a resident of Alipura village under Deoband police station. A case has been registered based on the complaint given by the family, and the investigation is underway from all angles,” he said. According to the family, Mayank received a phone call from someone in the village on the afternoon of January 12 and was asked to come out immediately. His parents did not stop him as they believed the caller was known to them. When he did not return home, the family searched for him but found no trace until his body was discovered on the railway track. The father has alleged that Mayank was first assaulted and then stabbed to death. He claimed that the accused put the body in a sack and dumped it on the railway track to make the murder look like a train accident or suicide. The plan failed after the loco pilot spotted the sack in time and stopped the train, alerting the police. During the inquiry, Roopchand told police that his son was friends with a minor girl from the village and alleged that her family members were opposed to the relationship. He has named five people, including the girl’s parents, as accused in the case. “The family has accused five people of murdering the boy. We are examining CCTV footage and other technical evidence. Several suspects have been detained and are being questioned,” SP Jain said, adding that strict action will be taken against those found guilty. Police also said that the girl belonged to the same community as Mayank, but opposition from her family over the friendship may have led to the crime. However, officials stressed that the exact motive will be clear only after the post mortem report and completion of the investigation. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP BJP president meets Dalit veteran to bolster outreach
Lucknow: UP BJP chief Pankaj Chaudhary met party’s former national general secretary of Scheduled Caste wing Diwakar Seth on Makar Sankranti as part of his ongoing outreach to BJP old guards for seeking organisational support. Seth, a Jatav Dalit, was associated with many senior BJP leaders, including former President Ram Nath Kovind and former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. Seth has stayed away from party activities for the past few years due to ill health. Sources said the idea for the meeting was mooted by BJP’s SC wing functionaries amid the party’s bid to consolidate Dalits support. “The party will always be grateful to the workers who nurtured it during difficult times by dedicating their energy, time, and resources to the organisation. BJP not only remembers its workers but also stands by them like a family in their joys and sorrows,” Chaudhary said. Analysts said that by meeting Seth—a veteran Dalit leader with deep ideological roots in BJP—Chaudhary has signalled his continuity with the party’s long-standing Dalit outreach narrative. The meeting was significant in the wake of BJP’s focus on strengthening Dalit-OBC social coalition to counter the opposition’s PDA (Picchda–Dalit–Alpsankhyak) pitch which dented the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Analysts said Seth’s Jatav identity will lend resonance to BJP’s Dalit outreach. Reason: Jatavs were traditionally seen as a core support base of the BSP. Any engagement, however symbolic, with influential Jatav leaders will allow the BJP to project inclusivity and historical association with the Dalit community, which accounts for around 21% of the total voters in UP. Soon after taking charge as UP BJP president last month, Chaudhary has been meeting party veterans. He visited Ayodhya and Mirzapur to meet former UP BJP presidents Vinay Katiyar and OP Singh, respectively. Both Katiyar and Singh come from the Kurmi community like Chaudhary. 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
Transgenders in UP’s Bhadohi allege pressure for religious conversion; police order probe
Bhadohi (UP), A group of transgender people here has alleged that members of their own community pressured them to convert to Islam, police said on Thursday. Additional Superintendent of Police Shubham Agrawal said around a dozen transgenders came to the Suriyawan Police Station Wednesday evening and accused their guru, Manju Haji, and others of forcing them to embrace Islam. Agrawal said a dispute initially arose over territorial rights to alms. On January 7, a transgender, Bijli, filed a complaint alleging that Manju Haji and another transgender, Lal Chand alias Pooja, were threatening her for seeking alms in the area assigned to her. Station House Officer Manish Dwivedi called both sides for talks on the same day, but the matter could not be resolved, the officer said. On Wednesday, Bijli submitted a fresh complaint, alleging pressure to convert, insisting she is a Hindu. Agrawal said preliminary inquiry did not find evidence of forced conversion, but the new complaint had been handed over to Circle Officer Ashok Kumar Mishra for investigation. “Forcible religious conversion is a serious offence. If the probe establishes such acts, a case will be registered, and legal action will be taken,” he said. PTI COR KIS VN VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Maharashtra civic polls: Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of ‘gaslighting citizens’; BJP takes ‘khandani chor’ jibe
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Election Commission of “gaslighting citizens” after claims surfaced that marker pens were used to ink voters’ fingers during Maharashtra civic polls, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. “Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy. Vote Chori is an anti-national act,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. The issue triggered a political row after opposition parties alleged the ink could be wiped off easily, raising concerns about the integrity of the polling process. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare rejected the allegations, saying marker pens have been used for local self-government elections in the state since 2011 and that the ink is indelible. The BJP slammed Rahul’s attack on poll body and asked if he ‘accepting defeat’ before the counting of votes ends. “Bahana brigade back! Accepting defeat before counting ends? Rahul Back to doing what he does best. Discredit , distort & disinform. Khandani chor now regurgitating claims of Thackerays. By the way what came out of allegations Rahul made on Bihar elections vote chori?” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X. The BMC election, held after an eight-year gap, recorded a voter turnout of 52.94%, according to figures released by the SEC on Friday. Polling concluded on Thursday. The election for India’s richest municipal corporation was marked by allegations from the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance, which were later denied by the SEC. The previous BMC polls were held in 2017, and the term of the last elected mayor, Kishori Pednekar, ended in March 2022. The new election is expected to pave the way for Mumbai to get a mayor after nearly four years. According to the SEC, 54,76,043 voters cast their ballots out of 1,03,44,315 registered voters. The turnout included 29,23,433 men, 25,52,359 women, and 251 transgender voters across 277 wards. In absolute numbers, about 3.7 lakh more men voted than women. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the controversy, alleging the opposition was preparing excuses for an expected defeat. “The Election Commission has used marker pens several times in the past. I feel some people are preparing to blame something for the result tomorrow,” 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
Dalit’s Land Encroached Upon by Thugs in Jalalabad: Victim Files Complaint with CO, Investigation Ordered
In the Jalalabad tehsil area of Shahjahanpur, a Dalit man’s land has allegedly been forcibly occupied by local strongmen. The victim has filed a complaint with the Circle Officer (CO), who has ordered an investigation into the matter. Rohit Kumar Valmiki, a resident of Barua village in the Madnapur police station area, stated in his application to CO Ajay Kumar Rai that he had purchased 0.401 hectares of land out of a total of 0.535 hectares in plot number 964 in Barua village through a sale deed and was in possession of it. He alleges that a man named Dhirendra Singh, son of Satyapal, fraudulently registered his name on the land. Attempted Forcible Occupation According to Rohit Kumar, recently Dhirendra Singh, along with several accomplices, arrived at his land with a bulldozer and illegal weapons and attempted to forcibly occupy it. When Rohit Kumar and his sons reached the spot and tried to stop them, Dhirendra Singh and his associates allegedly launched a life-threatening attack on them. They also hurled caste-based abuses and threatened to kill them. The victim, Rohit Kumar Valmiki, has appealed to the Circle Officer for justice. Considering the seriousness of the matter, Circle Officer Ajay Kumar Rai has directed the concerned police station to investigate and take necessary action. Ram Niwas Sharma | Jalalabad Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Youth Beaten Up in Ayodhya, Allegations of Extortion: Case Not Registered Even After Victim’s Complaint, SHO Says Investigation Underway
A serious case of a Dalit youth being beaten up in Ayodhya’s Amaniganj area for refusing to pay extortion money has come to light. The tractor driver and his Dalit assistant allege that they were demanded Rs. 10,000, and when they refused to pay, they were assaulted. The incident took place near Baba Khaki Das Dharam Kanta on the Amaniganj-Milkipur road near Nandoli village in the Khandasa police station area. According to the victim, their tractor was stopped by a Bolero vehicle, and money was demanded. When they refused to pay, the Dalit youth was severely beaten and his clothes were torn. The victim has filed a complaint with the local police. The police said that they have received complaints from both sides in this matter. The preliminary investigation has revealed that there was a scuffle, and allegations of extortion have also surfaced, which have been corroborated by the statements of several people. The victim’s side has alleged that a woman and her two associates assaulted them. There is also talk in the area that the said woman and one of her associates are of a criminal nature and have previously been to jail in criminal cases. However, the police have not yet officially confirmed this. Local people are also discussing that widespread extortion is being carried out in the area by two alleged journalists and a person with a criminal background. This has created an atmosphere of fear among village heads and other elected representatives. People say that these people reach anywhere and exert pressure, and there are also complaints of them threatening and extorting illegal gains in the name of inspecting the area’s cow shelters. Station House Officer Surendra Kumar Sonkar said that Sub-Inspector Rajendra Prasad is thoroughly investigating the entire incident. Further legal action will be taken after the investigation is complete. Courtesy: Hindi News
Court orders FIR against 5 for ‘bid to rape’ 16yo Dalit girl
Pilibhit: Following directions from the court of additional district and sessions judge, a case was registered against five men for allegedly wrongfully restraining, molesting and attempting to rape a 16-year-old Dalit girl while she was returning home late at night from a village fair in Pilibhit on Nov 6 last year. “After hearing my sister’s screams for help, some residents rushed to the spot and rescued her. The accused, aged between 19 and 24 years, fled after local residents arrived but not before threatening to rape her in future,” the girl’s brother said. The brother told the court that when he approached the police station, the cops took his and his sister’s thumb impressions on blank papers. And instead of taking legal action against the accused, police charged his two cousins under BNS sections 126 (wrongful restraint) and 135 (assault or criminal force used to wrongfully confine a person) and sent them to jail. He said he later sent a fresh complaint to the superintendent of police by registered post but received no response, after which he sought court’s intervention in the matter. SHO Brijveer Singh said on Wednesday, “In compliance with the court’s orders, the five named accused have been booked under BNS sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 74 (criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 3(5) (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation).” Meanwhile, the complainant alleged that despite his sister being assaulted and insulted with caste-based slurs, police failed to invoke appropriate sections of the Pocso Act or the SC/ST Act in the FIR. When asked why sections of the Pocso Act and the SC/ST Act were missing from the FIR, the SHO said, “The appropriate provisions would be added once the police receive documents verifying the girl’s age and caste.” 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
Transgender League Gathers Pace as Jamshedpur FC’s Inclusive Football Initiative Expands
Jamshedpur: The Transgender League organised by Jamshedpur FC under its grassroots programme, the Jamshedpur Super League, continued to build momentum as the third match week concluded, highlighting growing participation, improved competitiveness, and increasing community engagement. A Platform Beyond Football For many participants, the league is more than a sporting competition. It offers visibility, dignity, and a rare opportunity to play organised football in a safe and respectful environment. Players have spoken about how the initiative has boosted confidence and encouraged members of the transgender community to step onto the field without fear or hesitation. Rising Confidence on the Pitch As the league enters its third week, teams are showing better coordination and sharper gameplay. The improvement reflects regular match exposure and a growing sense of belonging among players, many of whom are experiencing structured competitive football for the first time. Community-Driven and Inclusive The Transgender League has emerged as a strong community-led effort, supported by organisers, volunteers, and local football stakeholders. By ensuring continuity week after week, Jamshedpur FC has underlined its long-term commitment to inclusion and grassroots development. Part of a Broader Grassroots Vision Introduced within the Jamshedpur Super League framework, the Transgender League reflects the club’s wider philosophy of “football for all”. The initiative has gained recognition as one of the few dedicated football leagues for the transgender community in India, demonstrating how sport can break social barriers and foster inclusion. Teams, Players and Format The league features seven teams—Jamshedpur FT, Chaibasa FC, Chakradharpur FC, Jamshedpur Indranagar FC, Noamundi FC, Saraikela FC and Kolhan Tiger FC—comprising around 70 players from diverse backgrounds. Participants include Tata Steel employees, daily-wage labourers, small business workers and aspiring footballers. Played in a five-a-side format, the competition consists of 42 fixtures in total, with each team scheduled to play 12 matches, ensuring equal opportunity and sustained engagement throughout the season. Courtesy : The Avenue Mail Note: This news is originally published on https:/theavenuemail.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
US SC likely to uphold state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports
The justices are evaluating claims of sex discrimination lodged by transgender people versus the need for fair competition for women and girls, the main argument made by the states The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared ready to deal another setback to transgender people and uphold state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. The court’s conservative majority, which has repeatedly ruled against transgender Americans in the past year, signaled during more than three hours of arguments it would rule the state bans don’t violate either the Constitution or the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. More than two dozen Republican-led states have adopted bans on female transgender athletes. Lower courts had ruled for the transgender athletes who challenged laws in Idaho and West Virginia. The legal fight is playing out against the backdrop of a broad effort by President Donald Trump to target transgender Americans, beginning on the first day of his second term and including the ouster of transgender people from the military and declaring that gender is immutable and determined at birth. The justices are evaluating claims of sex discrimination lodged by transgender people versus the need for fair competition for women and girls, the main argument made by the states. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who coached his daughters in girls basketball, seemed concerned about a ruling that might undo the effects of Title IX, which has produced dramatic growth in girls and women’s sports. Kavanaugh called Title IX an amazing and inspiring success. Some girls and women might lose a medal in a competition with transgender athletes, which Kavanaugh called a harm we can’t sweep aside. The three liberal justices seemed focused on trying to marshal a court majority in support of a narrow ruling that would allow the individual transgender athletes involved in the cases to prevail. A ruling for West Virginia and Idaho would effectively apply to the other two dozen Republican-led states with similar laws. But the justices soon might be asked to decide about the laws in an additional roughly two dozen states, led by Democrats, that allow transgender athletes to compete on the teams that match their gender identity. The outcome also could influence separate legal efforts by the Trump administration and others seeking to bar transgender athletes in states that have continued to allow them to compete. The transgender athletes’ cases In the Idaho case, Lindsay Hecox, 25, sued over the state’s first-in-the-nation ban for the chance to try out for the women’s track and cross-country teams at Boise State University in Idaho. She didn’t make either squad because she was too slow, her lawyer, Kathleen Hartnett, told the court Tuesday, but she competed in club-level soccer and running. Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 15-year-old high school sophomore, was in the courtroom Tuesday. She has been taking puberty-blocking medication, has publicly identified as a girl since age 8 and has been issued a West Virginia birth certificate recognizing her as female. She is the only transgender person who has sought to compete in girls sports in West Virginia. Pepper-Jackson has progressed from a back-of-the-pack cross-country runner in middle school to a statewide third-place finish in the discus in just her first year of high school. Prominent women in sports have weighed in on both sides. Tennis champion Martina Navratilova, swimmers Summer Sanders and Donna de Varona and beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh-Jennings are supporting the state bans. Soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn and basketball players Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart back the transgender athletes. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled LGBTQ people are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace, finding that sex plays an unmistakable role in employers’ decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate. But last year, the six conservative justices declined to apply the same sort of analysis when they upheld state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Chief Justice John Roberts signaled Tuesday he sees differences between the 2020 case, in which he supported the claims of discrimination, and the current dispute. The states supporting the prohibitions on transgender athletes argue there is no reason to extend the ruling barring workplace discrimination to Title IX. Idaho’s law, state Solicitor General Alan Hurst, said, is necessary for fair competition because, where sports are concerned, men and women are obviously not the same. Lawyers for Pepper-Jackson argue that such distinctions generally make sense, but that their client has none of those advantages because of the unique circumstances of her early transition. In Hecox’s case, her lawyers want the court to dismiss the case because she has forsworn trying to play on women’s teams. NCAA president Charlie Baker told Congress in 2024 that he was aware of only 10 transgender athletes out of more than a half-million students on college teams. But despite the small numbers, the issue has taken on outsize importance. Baker’s NCAA and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees banned transgender women from women’s sports after Trump, a Republican, signed an executive order aimed at barring their participation. About 2.1 million adults, or 0.8 per cent, and 724,000 people age 13 to 17, or 3.3 per cent, identify as transgender in the US, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. A decision is expected by early summer. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AP Washington Courtesy : Business Standard Note: This news is originally published on https:/businessstandard.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights