UP govt extends old-age home facilities to transgenders above 60
Lucknow, Apr 30 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh government Wednesday said it has decided to extend old-age home facilities to transgender individuals above the age of 60, a statement said. These elderly members of the transgender community will not only receive shelter but will also be ensured a dignified and secure life. They will be provided with pension, Ayushman Bharat health cards, routine health check-ups, nutritious food and mental health counselling, the government said in the statement. “The initiative is a reflection of a sensitive and forward-looking vision, aimed at supporting a community that has faced neglect and discrimination for decades,” the statement said. “The Yogi Adityanath government has ensured that the transgender community is provided with equal rights, dignity and opportunities. Registration of transgender individuals is also being carried out to connect them with various government schemes,” it said. To ensure safety and quick resolution of issues faced by the transgender community, the state government has established Transgender Protection Cells in every district. These cells operate under the supervision of the respective District Magistrate, ensuring transparency and accountability, it added. The government said a State-level Transgender Protection Cell has also been formed for policy formulation and overall monitoring. “These cells offer police protection, legal aid, swift action in cases of harassment and support for social rehabilitation. As a result, transgender individuals are now experiencing a safer and more supportive environment,” it said. The statement noted that the old-age homes run by the government have made special arrangements for the care of elderly transgender citizens. Community activities, libraries, yoga and meditation sessions will be organised to promote a positive and active lifestyle. Alongside, transgender residents also receive monthly pensions and benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, it added. The facility of old-age homes is part of a broader set of initiatives launched by the Yogi government for the welfare of the transgender community. In 2021, a dedicated welfare policy for transgenders was implemented. The same year, the Uttar Pradesh Transgender Welfare Board was constituted, tasked with overseeing and implementing various schemes. The first “Garima Grih” (Dignity Home) has been set up in Gorakhpur, serving as a safe shelter for transgenders, providing education, healthcare, and skill development facilities. So far, identity cards have been issued to 1,067 transgender individuals, enabling them to avail of benefits under various government schemes with ease, according to the statement. Additionally, scholarships have been awarded to 248 transgender students, helping them join mainstream education and become self-reliant, it said. Courtesy: The Print Note: This news is originally published on https://theprint.in/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Centre’s caste census nod sparks credit war between BJP, Congress
NEW DELHI: Centre’s announcement to include caste enumeration in the upcoming general census has triggered a war of words, with both the ruling BJP and opposition parties scrambling to claim credit for the decision. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Wednesday that the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs has approved the inclusion of caste enumeration in the forthcoming census, marking a significant shift in policy. The Congress party was quick to attribute the decision to Rahul Gandhi’s advocacy, claiming it as a victory for their leader’s vision. “Rahul Gandhi Ji said, “Start counting.” Now the Modi government is making arrangements for counting. When our leader Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji had said, “A caste census is the X-ray of society,” people from the ruling party mocked him, ignored him, and procrastinated,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. — Jairam_Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) “He had been demanding this for a long time – raising the issue repeatedly in Parliament, public gatherings, and during his travels. But how long can the voice of millions demanding their rights be suppressed? Now the Modi government has agreed to conduct a caste census. Well, better late than never! This is a decisive step towards ensuring social justice. This is a victory for millions of people in India. It is a victory for all those who have been fighting for years for equality, fairness, and representation,” he added. However, BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya countered this narrative, pointing out the Congress party’s historical resistance to caste-based census. “Congress governments have consistently opposed caste-based census until now. In every census conducted since independence, caste has not been counted. In 2010, then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh assured in the Lok Sabha that the Cabinet would consider the caste census. After this, a Cabinet Committee was formed, in which most political parties recommended a caste-based census. Despite this, the Congress government deemed it appropriate to conduct only a survey (SECC) instead of a caste census,” BJP leader Amit Malviya said. “Even after this, Congress and its allied parties used the issue of caste census merely for their political benefit,” he added. Union minister Kiren Rijiju also attacked Congress for taking credit and said that grand-old-party can “only talk. — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) “I fail to understand why is Congress party taking credit??” Rijiju said. “Congress Party had opposed Caste Census & Reservations on records. PM Narendra Modi ji has taken right decision at right time. Congress can only talk nothing else,” he added. Taking to X, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister Revanth Reddy said, “We are proud that the actions of the Telangana govt for OBC empowerment have inspired the country, and India has agreed to follow our state’s lead.” — revanth_anumula (@revanth_anumula) “We congratulate the central govt on deciding to conduct a caste census as part of the next national census. Thank you, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the cabinet,” he added. A caste census involves systematically recording individuals’ caste identities during a national census. In India, where caste influences social, economic, and political life, such data can offer valuable insights into the distribution and socio-economic status of various caste groups. This information can help shape policies related to affirmative action and social justice. Caste enumeration was a regular feature of census exercises during British rule from 1881 to 1931. However, with the first census of independent India in 1951, the government chose to discontinue the practice, except for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
15 killed, including two children, in Kolkata hotel fire; several injured critical, SIT formed
Blaze breaks out at Mechuapatti hotel with 88 boarders; fire contained after hours, cause still under investigation. KOLKATA: Fifteen people, including a woman and two children, were killed in a devastating fire at a hotel in the Mechuapatti area of central Kolkata, police said on Wednesday. Thirteen others were also injured in the fire that broke out on Tuesday evening, a senior police officer said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the fire incident, and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the prime minister’s office said on X. According to the Kolkata Police officer, the deceased include 11 men, eight of whom have been identified so far. The condition of several of the injured is said to be critical, he said. “There were 88 guests in 42 rooms at the time of the incident. A boy, a girl and a woman are among the dead. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Our forensic team will examine the site, which has been cordoned off,” the officer said. The fire at the low-cost Rituraj Hotel was first reported around 7:30 PM on Tuesday. Ten fire tenders were pressed into service, and the blaze was brought under control, after nearly 10 hours, this morning on Wednesday, a fire and emergency services official said. “There were 15 fatalities in last night’s fire. Eight of the deceased have been identified,” state minister Sujit Bose told PTI. In the wake of the tragedy, the Kolkata Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of “insensitivity” for attending a day-long inauguration programme of Jagannath Dham in Digha while the fire tragedy was unfolding in the state capital. “Yesterday, a devastating fire in the Mechhua area of Burrabazar claimed the lives of more than 14 innocent people. Many more are battling for their lives. Yet, the chief minister chose to remain silent and continued with her religious event in Digha,” Majumdar said in a strongly worded statement. “This exposes her lack of empathy and the failure of her administration. While helpless citizens were trapped in flames and dying in pain, the CM was busy exploiting religion for political gain. Her year-round appeasement and election-time religious posturing have once again taken precedence over governance,” he alleged Majumdar called upon BJP workers across the state to immediately mobilise relief efforts and extend support to the victims’ families. “I will personally stand by the affected families and oversee our party’s involvement in the rescue and relief operations,” he said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https://thenewindianexpress.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
President Murmu appoints Justice BR Gavai as next CJI; second dalit to hold the post
Justice Gavai will serve as the 52nd CJI for a period of about six months, as he is due to retire on November 23, 2025, after attaining 65 years of age. NEW DELHI: President of India Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday appointed Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), with effect from May 14, 2025. He will be the 52nd CJI. The incumbent CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, is slated to retire on May 13. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal made this announcement by posting it on X (formerly known as Twitter). “In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 14th May, 2025,” Meghwal posted on X. When Justice Gavai takes charge as the 52nd CJI on May 14, he will also be the second CJI belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who was elevated to the country’s top judicial post in 2007 and retired as CJI in 2010. Justice Gavai will retire on November 23, 2025. Justice Gavai has authored around 300 judgments—including Constitution Bench judgments—on various issues upholding the rule of law and equality, and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights, and legal rights of citizens. On April 16, the incumbent CJI, Justice Khanna, wrote a letter to the Centre, nominating the second senior-most judge, Justice Gavai, as his successor. Justice Gavai will serve as the 52nd CJI for a period of about six months, as he is due to retire on November 23, 2025, after attaining 65 years of age. Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. Born on November 24, 1960, at Amravati, Justice Gavai joined the Bar in 1985. He practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990 and focused on Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. He was the Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University. Justice Gavai was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court on November 14, 2003. He became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 12, 2005. Justice Gavai worked as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, from August 1992 to July 1993. He was appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000. In the last six years, he has been a part of around 700 benches dealing with matters pertaining to a variety of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters, environmental law, etc. Justice Gavai has attended various international conferences in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), New York (U.S.A.), Cardiff (U.K.), and Nairobi (Kenya). He has also delivered lectures on many issues, including constitutional and environmental issues, at various universities and organizations, including Columbia University and Harvard University. Courtesy : Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty, TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https://thenewindianexpress.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit settlements no longer colonies: Stalin
Chennai: Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday announced that the word ‘colony’ will be removed from all govt records and public usage. He described it as a symbol of discrimination against the indigenous people of the land and a term now associated with untouchability. Colonies refer to segregated residential areas in villages inhabited by dalits. The announcement came during Stalin’s speech during the debate on demand for grants for the home department in the assembly. He said the govt decided to act because the word was now being used in a derogatory sense. Stalin further stated that Sept 6 will be observed as ‘Police Day’ in Tamil Nadu. Responding to opposition criticism of the law-and-order situation in the state, Stalin issued a sharp rebuttal. “This is not Manipur, this is not Kashmir. There are no deaths like the UP Kumbh Mela. This is Tamil Nadu. Don’t forget that,” he said. Stalin said Tamil Nadu’s overall growth was rooted in its peaceful atmosphere, crediting the police force for maintaining law and order. He said while ministers and officials contribute to progress, the state’s development is built on the foundation of peace. “A peaceful state supports industrial growth, education, empowerment of women and youth, sports, and increased production,” Stalin said, commending the police for helping the state avoid major riots, violence, and unrest. He urged the police force not only to reduce crime but also to work towards preventing it. “Preventing crime is not the responsibility of the police alone. It requires the cooperation of the public,” he said. Calling on citizens to respect the law and practise self-discipline, Stalin said the public must avoid negligence and take active steps to prevent crime. He reminded police officers to treat people with respect and avoid letting personal biases affect their conduct. “Police and public must function as partners to maintain peace,” he said. Stalin went on to list several achievements of his govt, including the elimination of dropouts in middle schools and a 9.69% growth rate projected for 2024–25. Comparing govt’s challenges to a person trapped from all sides, the chief minister said, “Like a man with a snake above, foxes below, a moat if he jumps, and a wall if he runs, the state govt has achieved progress by overcoming Union govt on one side, governor on another and financial crunch on another side. “This is not the achievement of one person named Stalin. This is the result of the efforts of my cabinet and officials,” he said. “This is not a party’s govt. It is a govt based on a philosophy.” He ended his speech by saying, “Whatever achievement was witnessed so far is only Part-I of the Dravidian model govt. Version 2.0 is loading for 2026. We will create more records then,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
3 men dressed as trans for soliciting nabbed near Azadpur mandi
New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) The Delhi Police has apprehended three men for allegedly posing as transgender persons and soliciting in northwest Delhi’s Azadpur area, an officer said on Tuesday. Anil Kumar, 35, Prem Kumar Mahto, 30, and Sachin, 35, all residents of Jahangir Puri, were apprehended during an early morning operation near Fruit Mandi, Azadpur, on April 25, he said. The three had dressed as women, complete with makeup, to solicit near traffic signals in the area. “A specific input was received regarding certain male individuals masquerading as transgender persons and engaging in illegal activities, including begging and soliciting, in and around Fruit Mandi,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) Bhisham Singh said. The three at first asserted they were transgender, but confessed to being male after sustained questioning, the DCP said. They were booked under sections 91, 92, and 97, related to behaving indecently and causing annoyance, of the Delhi Police Act, the officer said. PTI SSJ SSJ 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.in/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Congress deletes ‘gayab’ post on PM Modi after backlash
NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Tuesday deleted the controversial post on PM Modi, which criticised the Prime Minister for “not taking the responsibility” for the “security lapse” that led to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The BJP had strongly objected to Congress’s “Gayab” (missing) jibe against the PM. Earlier today, the Congress shared a poster featuring the word ‘Gayab’ (missing) placed over an image of a kurta, pyjama, and black footwear. The outfit appeared to be worn by someone, but the figure had no visible face. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused the grand-old-party of using the “Sar Tan Se Juda” imagery and said that the “dog whistle” was aimed at its Muslim vote bank and a veiled incitement against the Prime Minister. “The Congress leaves little doubt with its use of “Sar Tan Se Juda” imagery. This is not merely a political statement; it is a dog whistle aimed at its Muslim vote bank and a veiled incitement against the Prime Minister,” Malviya said. “It is not the first time the Congress has resorted to such tactics. Rahul Gandhi, on multiple occasions, has both instigated and justified violence toward the Prime Minister. Yet the Congress will never succeed, for the Prime Minister enjoys the love and blessings of millions of Indians,” he added. Hours after the Congress uploaded the photo, a BJP spokesperson also posted an AI-generated photo of Rahul Gandhi, calling him “a friend of Pakistan”. — rpsinghkhalsa (@rpsinghkhalsa) This comes a day after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Prime Minister of putting party and politics above country by absenting himself from the all-party meeting convened to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, and choosing, instead, to attend an election rally in Bihar. “When our pride was hurt, the PM was delivering an election speech in Bihar…. He should bear in mind that the country is supreme; parties and religion come second. Everyone should be united for the country,” Kharge said, calling Modi’s absence a “misfortune” and a “shame.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
OBC forum urges Rahul Gandhi to support caste census report
Mysuru: The Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum on Tuesday initiated a postal campaign requesting Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to address concerns regarding certain Congress MLAs who opposed the socio-educational report, commonly known as the caste census. The forum members sent letters to Rahul requesting his intervention in implementing the report. “For the first time in Karnataka, a comprehensive social, economic, educational, and political survey of all communities was conducted through the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes when Siddaramaiah was the CM for the first time in 2013. The primary objective of this survey was to understand the socio-economic and educational conditions of all communities, including the oppressed, with statistical data and to ensure social justice for these sections. This survey was conducted scientifically with a cost of approximately Rs180 crore. But now a few Congress MLAs are opposing it without any valid reasons,” they alleged. “The report has now been presented and discussed in the cabinet meeting. However, it is deeply saddening that senior Congress MLAs such as Shamanur Shivashankarappa and a few others are opposing this report. Moreover, these MLAs and some leaders have made extremely derogatory statements about the report and the AHINDA communities (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits). They are demanding that the report be discarded entirely, which has caused great distress among all AHINDA sections,” said forum president KS Shivaram. “The report consolidates statistical data not only on population but also on social, economic, and educational status of AHINDA communities. It has recommended reservation categorisation and an increase in reservation for various sections. Based on the statistics in this report, the govt will be able to provide political, social, and educational representation to AHINDA communities. However, it is truly unfortunate that some Congress MLAs themselves are opposing this,” he said. The forum requests Rahul’s immediate intervention to instruct Congress MLAs to avoid creating unnecessary confusion regarding the report. Raveenandan, president, District Madivala Association, S Yogeesh Uppar, president, District Uppar Association, and others were present. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘INDI’s hand with Pakistan’: Posters target Rahul Gandhi ahead of visit to former constituency Amethi
NEW DELHI: Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Amethi visit on Wednesday, posters were put up in the Congress MP’s former Lok Sabha constituency targeting him and leaders of the party-led INDIA bloc for taking a “pro-Pakistan” stand amid escalating tensions with the neighbouring country over last week’s terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Gandhi is on a two-day visit to Rae Bareli, which he currently represents in the Lok Sabha, and Amethi. He visited Rae Bareli on Tuesday. “INDI’s hand is with Pakistan,” one of the posters read. Hand is the Congress’ symbol. The poster had comments from National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. It called Gandhi a “sympathiser” of terrorism (“Aatank ka saathi”). Similar banners were put up across the Uttar Pradesh town targeting the opposition INDIA group leaders for making statements “favouring” Pakistan. The Congress and other opposition parties have declared their complete support to the government as it plans India’s response for the Pahalgam attack, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists. However, stray remarks from its leaders forced the grand old party to distance itself from their comments. “Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the Congress’ views. There should be absolutely no doubt whatsoever at this most sensitive of times that the CWC resolution, the views expressed by (Congress president) Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and the views of authorised AICC office-bearers ALONE represent the position of the Congress (sic),” Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. Last night, after much outrage, the party deleted a social media post in which it accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of going “missing” during the crisis. The image, which showed a headless PM, was captioned “Gayab” (missing). Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Call special Parliament session to demonstrate national unity’: Congress on Pahalgam terror attack
NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi Tuesday urged PM Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack, with the idea of demonstrating a collective national resolve and unity. The two leaders of opposition wrote separately to Modi on Monday night. Congress had sought an all-party meeting on the day of the gruesome killings of tourists in Kashmir, which the govt had agreed to immediately. Kharge wrote to the PM, “At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, opposition believes it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest. This will be a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve and will to deal with the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on innocent citizens on April 22. It’s is our fond hope that the session will be accordingly convened.” In a similar brief letter, Rahul said the Pahalgam terror attack has “outraged” every Indian and that New Delhi must at this critical time show that it stands together against terrorism. He said the special session would be a platform for people’s representatives “to show their unity and determination”. AICC spokesman Jairam Ramesh said the letters were written after a discussion between the Congress brass and several opposition leaders. The idea is to show unity, let there be a discussion with responsibility,” he added. The demand, already made by RJD and CPI earlier, may add a fresh twist to the post-Pahalgam to and fro between the govt and the opposition. While the opposition has extended support to the govt on the response it proposes against the attack “masterminded by Pakistan”, Congress has also accused the ruling BJP and RSS of using the attack to target Muslims in the country through social media handles. Some opposition parties have also blamed the security lapse and the intelligence failure for the attack. While Congress has presented the theme of “unity” with the govt as far as response to the attack is concerned, its leaders in states – like AICC Karnataka incharge and Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Surjewala in Bengaluru on Tuesday – have been attacking the ruling BJP and the PM for the security lapse. Congress has been critical of the PM for missing the all-party meeting and instead attending an election rally in Bihar, as done by Congress president Kharge at a rally in Jaipur on Monday. Ramesh said when the Parliament meets for the special session, PM Modi should attend both the Houses. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.