Rahul to launch Punjab Cong poll campaign from Sangrur on Nov 4
Chandigarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to visit Sangrur on Nov 4 to launch the party’s poll campaign for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections, state Congress chief Pargat Singh announced on Sunday. Ahead of the visit, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and Punjab in charge Sachin Pilot arrived in Mohali to oversee preparations and review electoral strategy. Venugopal, welcomed by senior state leaders including Partap Singh Bajwa and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, expressed confidence in a Congress victory. Gandhi’s planned rally comes as the governing Aam Aadmi Party faces criticism over the state’s drug crisis and recent related deaths, which included the broad daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa and death by suicide of Dalit labourer Gulzar Singh in Sangrur district. Pargat Singh told the media that Punjab Congress had been “exempted” from the Nov 1 INDIA bloc ‘Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao’ rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan being held in protest against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar over preparations for Rahul’s rally and meetings. “The visit will provide fresh direction and momentum to the party’s election campaign from the heartland of Malwa, while sending a clear message to party leaders and workers to be fully prepared for Mission 2027,” Pargat Singh 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
SC asks Delhi govt to justify gender-wise teacher recruitment, inclusion of transgender candidates
New Delhi [India], The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the Delhi government on the legal basis for the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) issuing separate vacancy notifications for male and female teachers, and asked how transgender persons would be accommodated in public employment. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran, by an order of October 16, framed six questions in petitions filed by Jane Kaushik and Praveen Singh, directing the government to file affidavits within 15 days. “The issue before us pertains to the non-inclusion of third gender in the notifications for vacancies issued by the respondent State,” the bench stated in the order. The apex court asked the government to identify the recruitment rules governing DSSSB notifications and clarify whether any constitutional provision, statute or service rule requires teaching vacancies to be advertised separately by gender. If no such requirement exists, the State must explain the rationale for the classification. The bench also asked whether the respondents propose to include transgender candidates in DSSSB vacancy notifications and, if so, how they intend to facilitate their inclusion in public employment. In Singh’s petition, concerning age relaxation for transgender candidates, the top court questioned why the Delhi High Court had not considered exercising its powers under Rule 12 of the Delhi High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1972, to grant relaxation in view of the “socio-economic discrimination” faced by the community. The apex court will hear the case on November 19. In April, the Supreme Court had observed that the advisory committee constituted to examine systemic issues concerning transgender rights did not have adjudicatory powers. It had also prima facie questioned the Delhi High Court’s decision to direct Kaushik to approach the committee instead of deciding her petition. Courtesy : India’s News.Net Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia’snews.net/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalits attending the Durga idol immersion procession were attacked; a case has been filed against six.
Ballia (UP), Four people were injured when a group of Dalits attending the Durga idol immersion procession allegedly attacked them in the Gadwar police station area of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh. Police gave this information on Saturday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Satish Sharma said that a named case was registered against six people on Friday under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to the police, a case has been filed against Subhash Rajbhar, Mukesh Rajbhar, Pradeep, Abhay, Prince, and Saurabh at the Gadwar police station based on a complaint by Bikaau Prasad. According to the FIR, the incident occurred on October 21 near Daai Sthan in the Gadwar police station area when the Durga idol immersion procession was passing by. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly arrived armed with sticks and other weapons and assaulted Pappu Kumar and Pankaj Kumar using casteist slurs. The complaint states that when Harinder and Ajit tried to intervene, the accused also assaulted them. All four were injured in the incident. It is alleged that the attackers threatened to kill the victims and fled. The Deputy Superintendent of Police stated that the matter is under investigation. Courtesy: Hindi News
Questions raised over the arrest of Dr. Randall Siqueira and Dalit activist Laxman Nayak, who works for tribal communities,
Dr. Randall Siqueira is a physician and community health worker who has worked among tribal communities in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. Laxman Nayak is a Dalit activist and is associated with the Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch and the Samajwadi Jan Parishad. Odisha. The arrest of social activist Dr. Randall Siqueira and Dalit activist Laxman Nayak is gaining momentum. Police detained them from Dr. Randall Siqueira’s Bhawanipatna home at around 10:45 pm on October 16th. After being detained overnight, they were taken to Rayagada, where they were produced before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) at around 6:30 pm and then sent to the Rayagada sub-jail. Following their arrest, social organizations have launched a protest. An organization called Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan has raised questions about the arrests. According to a press release issued by the organization, the arrests of the two are related to case number 85/2026 registered at the Kashipur police station in Rayagada district. This case relates to an incident that occurred in Kantamal village on the night of April 6th and 7th, 2026. During that incident, there were reports of lathicharge and use of tear gas against villagers. Villagers and police officers were also reported injured in the incident. The campaign claimed that the names of Dr. Randall and Laxman Nayak were not mentioned in the FIR. The organization also raised questions about the seizure of their mobile phones and the legal procedures followed during their detention. Demanding an impartial investigation into these aspects, the Rozi Roti Adhikar Abhiyan stated that the detention process should be in accordance with the law, and that the families and lawyers should be provided with timely information. Social activist and founder of Tribal Army, Hansraj Meena, also raised questions. According to him, the arrest of Dr. Randall Siqueira and Dalit activist Laxman Nayak, who served tribal communities in Odisha, is extremely worrying. The same doctor who has been treating tribal children for years is now in jail for raising his voice for tribal rights to water, forest, and land. Why is the government criminalizing those who protect tribal land and forests? Have the interests of mining companies become greater than the constitutional rights of tribals? Meena demanded the immediate release of Dr. Randall Siqueira and Laxman Nayak, a fair investigation, and the protection of tribal rights. Dr. Randall Siqueira is a physician and community health worker who has worked among tribal communities in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of Odisha. Laxman Nayak is a Dalit activist and is associated with the Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch and the Samajwadi Jan Parishad. Both have been active in protests against mining projects and in struggles related to the rights of local communities. Siddhartha Gautam Courtesy: Hindi News
Karnataka CM orders probe after three Dalit ministers stopped at Mysuru Dasara
Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has ordered an inquiry into an incident in which three ministers were stopped by police personnel while proceeding to the Nandidhwaja Pooja at Mysuru Palace on Tuesday, October 20. The incident triggered a political controversy, with the Opposition BJP and JD(S) alleging that the ministers were disrespected because they belong to the Dalit community.Buy Maps Shivakumar directed Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to identify those responsible for the incident and submit a report. “The officials acted high-handedly by restricting the ministers. I intervened immediately to facilitate their entry. Such irresponsibility cannot be tolerated. I have therefore ordered the Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry and submit a report,” the Chief Minister said. Ministers stopped while proceeding to ritual The incident involved Ministers PM Narendraswamy, KS Basavantappa and Shivaraj Tangadagi, who were following the Chief Minister towards the venue of the Nandidhwaja Pooja at Mysuru Palace during the Dasara celebrations. Video footage of the incident shows a police officer stopping the three ministers as they attempted to proceed towards the venue. They were allowed to continue only after Shivakumar intervened and facilitated their entry.Book Local Tours The footage subsequently circulated on social media, drawing criticism from Opposition parties and raising questions about the security arrangements and treatment of elected representatives at the event. The Chief Minister’s decision to order an inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances in which the ministers were stopped and determine whether officials violated established procedures. BJP and JD(S) criticise incident The Opposition BJP and JD(S) strongly criticised the incident, alleging that the ministers had been subjected to disrespect because of their Dalit identity. The BJP also shared the video footage on social media. The episode prompted a political debate over whether the police action was a routine enforcement of security arrangements or an instance of inappropriate treatment of the ministers. Muzrai Minister KS Basavantappa said the ministers had not been informed of any protocol that restricted their movement during the ceremony. He questioned why they were stopped despite police personnel being aware of their positions in the government. “We would have known about any such protocol. There was no restriction on the ministers’ movements. I don’t know why we were stopped, despite the officers knowing that we were ministers,” Basavantappa said. He also demanded action against the officials involved in the incident. The inquiry ordered by Shivakumar will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and the conduct of the personnel concerned. Parameshwara cautions against giving incident a caste angle Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara sought to play down the controversy, saying the police were carrying out their duties amid security and protocol arrangements for the Dasara event. He noted that although the ministers were initially stopped while the Chief Minister proceeded towards the venue, Shivakumar later returned and took them along. “Although the Ministers were initially stopped while the Chief Minister moved ahead, he later returned and took them along. The police were performing their duty. There is no need to create an unnecessary controversy over the matter,” Parameshwara said. He also objected to repeatedly identifying the three leaders as “Dalit Ministers”, questioning why their caste should be emphasised when referring to them in their official capacity. “Should every individual be identified by their caste? Are Ministers belonging to other communities referred to by their caste?” he asked. Parameshwara acknowledged that there could have been lapses in the handling of the situation but argued that the incident should not be turned into a major controversy. “I am not saying there were no lapses. Such mistakes can happen. But it is not appropriate to turn minor lapses into a major controversy,” he said. Inquiry to establish responsibility The incident has brought the conduct of security personnel at a major public ceremony under scrutiny, with differing views emerging within the ruling establishment and the Opposition over its significance. While Basavantappa has demanded action against the officials involved, Parameshwara has urged restraint and cautioned against interpreting the incident through a caste lens. The BJP and JD(S), meanwhile, have accused the authorities of disrespecting the ministers. Shivakumar’s directive to the Chief Secretary places the focus on the inquiry and its findings. The report is expected to clarify why the ministers were stopped, whether any protocol justified the action and who should be held accountable for any lapses. Courtesy : News Karnataka Note: This news is originally published on https:/newskarnataka.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Coimbatore Dalit student’s death: Two classmates arrested, parents continue sit-in demanding headmaster’s arrest
Akilan, a Class 11 student at the government-aided KK Naidu Higher Secondary School on Avinashi Road, was found dead at his home in Peelamedu on Wednesday. Akilan’s parents and relatives continued their sit-in protest at the Coimbatore District Collectorate for a second consecutive day on Friday. Synopsis: Two Class 11 students were arrested by Tamil Nadu police on Friday in connection with the death by suicide of a 15-year-old Scheduled Caste student in Coimbatore on Wednesday, 21 October, following alleged casteist abuse and harassment at school. The student’s class teacher was arrested on Thursday, while his parents and relatives continued their sit-in protest at the Coimbatore District Collectorate for a second consecutive day, demanding the arrest of the school headmaster. Tamil Nadu police arrested two Class 11 students on Friday, 23 October in connection with the death by suicide of a 15-year-old Scheduled Caste student in Coimbatore. The student’s family has accused his classmates, class teacher and the school headmaster of casteist abuse and harassment. Akilan, a Class 11 student at the government-aided KK Naidu Higher Secondary School on Avinashi Road, was found dead at his home in Peelamedu on Wednesday. Akilan, was found dead at his home at Peelamedu on Wednesday, 21 October. Akilan’s mother alleged that two of his classmates, class teacher Vijayakumar and headmaster Arunkumar, were responsible for her son’s death. The police arrested class teacher Vijayakumar on Thursday. Akilan’s parents and relatives continued their sit-in protest at the Coimbatore District Collectorate for a second consecutive day on Friday, demanding the arrest of the headmaster. In her police complaint, his mother, Kousalya, named two of his classmates, the class teacher Vijayakumar and headmaster Arunkumar as those responsible for her son’s death. According to the FIR registered at the Peelamedu police station, Vijayakumar asked students in the class who ate beef. When Akilan raised his hand, two classmates allegedly abused him with casteist slurs and assaulted him. The FIR also states that headmaster Arunkumar failed to act after Akilan’s family complained to him. The family alleges that caste-based discrimination and harassment drove the boy to his death. The case has been registered under provisions relating to abetment of suicide, voluntarily causing hurt and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has sought a report from the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner on the student’s death. (Edited by Dese Gowda) Courtesy : TSF Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesouthfirst.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit youth brutalized in Raikot: Allegations of sexual violence and brutal torture, pain revealed; FIR filed 20 days later
According to family members, the youth had been suffering from pain since around October 5th. Initially, the family considered it normal physical pain. The youth did not disclose anything in the initial days due to fear of threats. When the pain became unbearable, he narrated his ordeal to his family. A serious case of alleged sexual violence and brutal torture of a 19-year-old Dalit youth has come to light in Raikot. It is alleged that the youth was taken away on the pretext of a job and given drugs. He was then raped. The accused then tortured him by inserting a wooden object into his genitals. Police registered a case against Nanak Singh and an unidentified person on October 23rd, although the incident is said to have occurred around October 5th. According to family members, the youth had been suffering from pain since around October 5th. Initially, the family considered it normal physical pain. The youth did not disclose anything in the initial days due to fear of threats. When the pain became unbearable, he narrated his ordeal to his family. The family then took him to the Government Hospital in Raikot for treatment. The victim’s mother has appealed to the police for justice. Questions are being raised about the delay in police action in this case. According to police officials, the medical-legal report (MLR) related to the case was received on October 13th. Police stated that the victim was not in a position to give a statement at that time. A case was subsequently registered on October 23rd. Surjeet Singh, SHO of City Raikot Police Station, stated that a case has been registered against Nanak Singh and an unidentified person under sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway for both. Published by: Nivedita Courtesy: Hindi News
Modi is PM because of Congress’ contribution to democracy, says Karnataka CM Shivakumar
Shivakumar’s comments came in response to Modi’s allegation that the Congress had spent years making repeated attempts to establish Rahul Gandhi as its prominent national leader. BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday asserted that the Congress played a pivotal role in establishing democracy in India, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi owes his position to the party’s contributions to the country’s democratic system. Shivakumar’s comments came in response to Modi’s allegation that the Congress had spent years making repeated attempts to establish Rahul Gandhi as its prominent national leader. “Congress has a long history. Even the PM knows that without Congress this country wouldn’t have seen democracy. This is a party which has given democracy. If at all he (Modi) is the PM today, it is due to the Congress Party’s contribution to India’s leadership and democracy,” Shivakumar told reporters. “One should not forget the root. If you forget the root, you will not get the fruit,” he said. Modi on Thursday had hit out at the opposition Congress, saying that while the world was searching for a “new order”, some people were dreaming of “disorder” in India. In a direct attack on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Modi had said the Congress made more failed attempts to launch its leader than India made rocket launches from Sriharikota in a year. Responding to the BJP’s criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s repeated foreign trips, and its allegation that he returned from them and tried to destabilise the government, Shivakumar said the Congress leader was invited abroad by political leaders, business leaders and universities. “He is a leader. Many foreign political leaders, business leaders and universities request him. He is a leader whom the entire world is looking at,” he said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘No tweet yet for Raihan Vadra’: BJP floats ‘Priyanka vs Rahul’ angle amid Bikaner House exhibition row
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday alleged a rift within the Congress between siblings and Lok Sabha MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, pointing out that Rahul has yet to post a single tweet in support of his nephew, Raihan Vadra, Priyanka’s son. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of trying to “soft-launch” her son by “manufacturing” a controversy over the removal of certain photographs from Raihan Vadra’s exhibition by Delhi’s Bikaner House. “Priyanka Vadra’s entire attempt was to soft launch her son by manufacturing a controversy. She has lost political faith in Rahul Gandhi!” Bhandari wrote on X. — pradip103 (@pradip103) Claiming that Rahul Gandhi was on vacation in Vietnam, Bhandari added, “Rahul Gandhi who from Vietnam is tweeting on every issue under the sun, has till now not openly done a single tweet in favour of Raihan Vadra. It’s Priyanka vs Rahul in Congress!” The BJP spokesperson also shared purported screenshots of conversations between Raihan Vadra and Bikaner House, alleging that the 26-year-old had included political photographs in his exhibition despite being aware of the venue’s booking guidelines. Bhandari claimed the photographs were included under the Gandhi family’s ‘pressure’, prompting Bikaner House to ask Raihan to remove the political content. “Rehan Vadra’s email to Bikaner House dated 10 June & the proposal he sent to Bikaner House in the same mail had him declare the exhibition containing themes of nature, wildlife, artwork, sculpture! No Political content! To this Bikaner House accepted the proposal on 30 th June by reverting on the email!” Bhandari said. “Rehan was aware of the booking guidelines, this is is why his initial exhibition idea which he was working since 3 years had no political content! Under pressure of his family for a political launch, the political photographs were inserted later on to which Bikaner House reverted asking for removal on 21st October 2026!,” he added. A controversy erupted on Thursday after Raihan Vadra, son of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, claimed that Bikaner House had asked him to remove photographs depicting the recent youth protests in Delhi just hours before the scheduled opening of his exhibition, No Idea Is Final, at 7 pm on Wednesday. Responding to the allegation, Bikaner House cited its management policy, stating, “Certain photographs from the exhibition ‘No Idea Is Final’ were found to be inconsistent with the policy of the Bikaner House Management Society and accordingly, their removal was requested.” 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
Congress launches year-long campaign marking Dalit temple-entry centenary
Bhubaneswar: Congress on Thursday announced a year-long nationwide campaign to commemorate 100 years of the Dalit temple-entry movement, with meetings, seminars and public outreach programmes planned across major cities and pilgrimage centres ahead of a mega gathering in Tirupati in Oct 2027. Addressing a media meet at Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) office here, former Union minister and senior Congress leader Chinta Mohan said the centenary observances would begin around Oct 13 this year and continue till Oct 13, 2027. The campaign aims to highlight the struggle against untouchability. According to Mohan, programmes would be organised in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bengaluru and Chennai, besides pilgrimage centres including Srisailam and locations in Kerala. He said leaders from different political parties, legal experts, intellectuals and social activists would be invited to participate in the events. Mohan attributed the Dalit temple-entry movement to the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi and Congress, and recounted an incident involving a Dalit man, Murugan, at Tiruchanur temple near Tirupati nearly a century ago. He claimed that the episode eventually led to a campaign against untouchability and facilitated temple entry for Dalits. He said the year-long programme would culminate in a large public meeting in Tirupati in Oct 2027 to mark the centenary of the movement. Mohan also announced that Oct 13 would be observed annually as Dalit Rights Day. Alleging that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and minorities were yet to secure full political, economic and social equality, the Congress leader accused the BJP-led govt of undermining Dalit rights. Earlier, Mohan was felicitated at the OPCC headquarters by state Congress members. 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