CPI(M) accuses governments of neglecting dalits, warns of protests for house site pattas
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao on Sunday (July 19, 2026) accused the Union and State governments of neglecting the welfare of Dalits, tribals, and economically weaker sections. He said that the party would intensify its agitation for the allotment of house site pattas and implementation of welfare schemes. Mr. Babu Rao visited Devineni Gandhipuram in Payakapuram under Vijayawada’s 61st Division, where he and other CPI(M) leaders interacted with residents and reviewed civic and welfare issues. According to a press release by the CPI(M), the residents alleged that successive governments had failed to issue house site pattas despite repeated assurances. They also claimed that the allotment of TIDCO houses and house sites for the poor had remained confined to announcements. The residents further alleged that the scheme providing up to 200 units of free electricity to Dalit and tribal households was not being implemented effectively and complained of delays in extending welfare schemes, loans, and other benefits meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Later, addressing the gathering, Mr. Babu Rao alleged that while the government was allocating vast tracts of land to corporate entities, it had failed to confer ownership rights on poor families who had been living in the colonies for decades. He accused public representatives and officials of delaying the issuance of pattas on one pretext or another. He also criticised the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation for focusing on the beautification of major roads while neglecting civic infrastructure and basic amenities in peripheral localities inhabited by the poor. Government and municipal lands were allegedly being encroached upon even as landless families continued to await house sites, he alleged. CPI(M) central city secretary Bhupathi Ramana Rao, committee member Ch. Srinivas and local leaders Melika Srinivas, Venkateswara Rao and Suribabu were among those present. G V R Subba Rao G.V.R. Subba Rao Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
YSRCP extends Rs 10 lakh aid to Dalit youth’s family
Vijayawada: The YSRCP on Sunday extended financial and humanitarian assistance to the family of Dalit youth Kranthi Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide following police harassment in Krishnalanka. Acting on the directions of YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, senior party leaders handed over Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to the bereaved family. The assistance was handed over by YSRCP NTR district president Devineni Avinash, former MLAs Malladi Vishnu, Monditoka Jagan Mohana Rao and TJR Sudhakar Babu, former MP Nandigam Suresh, and SC Cell State working president Kommuri Kanaka Rao. The party also announced that it would bear the educational expenses of Kranthi Kumar’s three children. Of the total assistance, Rs 5 lakh was deposited in the name of his daughter, while Rs 2.5 lakh each was deposited in the names of his two sons. YSRCP further assured free medical treatment for Kranti Kumar’s son, who is reportedly suffering from a spinal tumour and has been shifted to a hospital in Hyderabad. Addressing the media, YSRCP leaders alleged that the coalition government had failed to ensure justice for the victim’s family and attempted to suppress the case initially. They claimed that the case was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act only after the intervention of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The leaders further alleged that the government had failed to provide statutory benefits, including compensation, employment to the victim’s wife and other welfare assistance. They demanded the immediate arrest of Circle Inspector Nagaraju, who has been named in the case, and asserted that the party would continue to support the family and pursue justice until those responsible are brought to book. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tamil Nadu prepares to establish a separate police station for SC/ST cases, identifying areas affected by untouchability | TM Special
On the instructions of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the state government has sought a report from the DGP. Chennai – The Tamil Nadu government has taken a significant administrative step in matters related to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and has initiated the process of identifying and establishing special SC/ST police stations in areas where incidents of untouchability-related atrocities are high. This action was initiated following a directive from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Currently, five states in the country have a total of 145 special police stations for the speedy and effective investigation of cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Madhya Pradesh leads with 51 special police stations. The case relates to a petition filed by S. Venkatesan, a resident of Sunnambedu in Chengalpattu district and associated with the Neelam Cultural Centre. In his complaint to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes on June 13, 2025, Venkatesan demanded that the state government officially designate areas where such incidents are most frequent as “Areas Prone to Untouchability Atrocities.” He also demanded the immediate establishment of dedicated SC/ST police stations in these areas. Speaking to The Mooknayak, Venkatesan stated that the situation of caste-based atrocities in Tamil Nadu is complex and concerning at all three levels: social, legal, and political. Although the state is known for its progressive politics and Dravidian movements, caste discrimination and violence remain a serious challenge at the grassroots level. Taking cognizance of this complaint, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes issued a letter dated June 23, numbered APCR/OL/TN/2025/304819, directing the Tamil Nadu government to take necessary action. Following this, the Tamil Nadu Home Department issued letter number 12738/Police.15/2026-1 on July 7, 2026. This letter was issued by Deputy Secretary (Home Department), M. Srinan, and addressed to the Director General of Police, Chennai, and the Inspector General of Police, Social Justice and Human Rights Wing. The letter attached a copy of the complaint received from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, urging the concerned officials to take necessary action in the matter. The Home Department directed that a detailed report of the action taken on the complaint be sent directly to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Chennai, and a copy be provided to the complainant, S. Venkatesan, and the state government. The letter also categorized the matter as “urgent,” directing that action be taken with special priority and that the Commission be promptly provided with an appropriate response. It is noteworthy that the main request of Venkatesan’s petition was that areas where incidents of untouchability and caste-based atrocities are frequently reported should be designated as a separate category and that special SC/ST police stations should be established there to ensure effective investigation and prompt action in cases related to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. What do NCRB data say? According to data presented in Parliament by the Ministry of Home Affairs and NCRB, Tamil Nadu has seen a steady increase in cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. From approximately 1,274 cases registered in 2020, this number increased to over 1,700 to 1,800 by 2022-2023. Compared to the national level, the conviction rate for caste-based crimes in Tamil Nadu has been quite low (approximately 8% to 13%), while the pendency of cases remains over 80%. Major Forms of Caste Crimes Honor Killings: Violence against inter-caste marriages or love relationships (especially between non-Dalit women and Dalit men) is a major issue in Tamil Nadu. Such incidents are frequently reported in districts such as Tirunelveli, Madurai, Thanjavur, and Krishnagiri. Social Exclusion and Untouchability: Social barriers such as the “two-cup system” (separate cups for Dalits and non-Dalits at tea shops), restrictions on access to cremation grounds, temple entry bans, and the prohibition of Dalit sarpanches from performing administrative functions still persist in many rural areas of the state. Inhumane Harassment: Polluting water tanks (such as the Vengaivayal case), contaminating public drinking water sources, and social boycott of settlements have emerged as inhumane methods of demonstrating caste dominance. Caste Tension at the School/Educational Level: Reports of students wearing different-colored caste bands and violent clashes within schools in the southern districts of the state (such as Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi) have also become a matter of concern. The Social Justice and Human Rights (SJ&HR) wing under the Tamil Nadu Police Department is active, identifying and monitoring vulnerable areas prone to caste tensions. Highlighted Caste Crime Cases in Recent Years Prominent cases of atrocities and honor killings against the Scheduled Caste (SC/ST) community in Tamil Nadu in recent years include the Kavin Selvaganesh case in Tirunelveli (July 2025), where a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer was murdered in broad daylight for his love affair with an upper-caste woman. The Praveen murder case in Pallikaranai, Chennai (February 2024), in which a 26-year-old Dalit man was murdered by his inter-caste wife’s brother and associates. The Aishwarya murder case in Thanjavur (January 2024), where a 19-year-old woman was honor-killed by her own family for marrying a Dalit man, Naveen. The Uthangarai case in Krishnagiri (2023), in which a father (Dandapani) brutally murdered his own son, Sabash, for marrying an inter-caste Dalit woman, Anusuya. The Vengaivayal case (2023) in Pudukkottai, where the inhumane and serious caste crime of harassing an entire community by mixing human excreta into a water tank that supplied drinking water to a Dalit settlement, was exposed. Special Police Stations Exist Only in These States According to the latest data from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a total of 145 Special Police Stations have been established in five states across the country for the speedy and effective investigation of cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Madhya Pradesh leads the network of these special police stations with 51, followed by Bihar with 40, Chhattisgarh with 27, Jharkhand with 24, and Kerala with three. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Chirag Paswan’s LJP(R) To Contest Punjab Assembly Elections In 2027; Eyes Dalit Votes
Patna: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has announced that his party will contest the Punjab Assembly elections expected to be held early next year. Wearing a kesariya (saffron) colour Sikh turban, the Union Minister made this announcement on Sunday evening after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. “Our party will enter the Punjab Assembly polls with full preparations to register its strong presence. We have launched the election preparation at the pious land of Punjab after taking blessings at the Golden Temple. We have taken a vow to serve the people of the state and strengthen our organisation,” Chirag, accompanied by his mother Reena Paswan, said. The Union Minister asserted that the LJP(R) would expedite the expansion of its network across the northern state, increase the activity of its workers and intensify its mass public contact programme. He added that all preparations for the polls would be completed at a swift pace. “We will go to the people with the issues of public service, development, and social justice. The LJP(R) will carve out a strong identity with the help of the people of Punjab and the hardwork of the party workers,” he added. The LJP(R) is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments at the Centre and in Bihar. It has a strong support base among the Scheduled Castes (SC) in the eastern state. Its founder, former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, was an eminent Dalit leader and the party has excelled as a progressive organisation under the leadership of his son Chirag Paswan. Chirag also visited the Jallianwala Bagh to pay floral tributes to the martyrs’ memorial there, Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which is a Ravidasia or Ramdasia Dera, Bhagwan Valmiki memorial and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at Jalandhar. While travelling from Amritsar to Jalandhar, the LJP(R) chief stopped his convoy after noticing an injured young woman lying on the roadside near Dera Sachkhand Ballan. He immediately instructed his team to shift the injured woman to a hospital in his vehicle and ensured that she received prompt medical attention. The LJP(R) president’s visits indicate that he is seeking to woo the SC voters in Punjab. The state has around 32 percent Dalit population, the highest proportion among all the states in the country. Punjab has 39 Dalit castes, among which the Mazhabi Sikhs, Ravidasias or Ramdasias, Ad-Dharmis, and Valmikis account for about 84 percent. A majority of the SC population in the state is predominantly rural. Its highest concentration is in the Doaba region – the land between the Beas and Sutlej rivers. Incidentally, Chirag has strong personal links also with Punjab. His mother Reena (maiden name Reena Sharma) hails from Amritsar. Then an airhostess, Reena married Ram Vilas in 1982 as his second wife. Chirag Paswan is also known to have several relatives and friends in Punjab. His personal security detail includes several bodyguards from there. By Dev Raj Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit man died after being beaten by goons at a cowshed in Amethi. A case has been filed based on a family complaint.
The family alleges the death was due to injuries sustained during the assault; police are investigating. Amethi: A Dalit man was found injured in a cowshed in the Dandupur village council on Sunday. Villagers rushed him unconscious to the local CHC, where doctors declared him dead. The family alleges the death was due to injuries sustained during the assault. Police have filed a case and begun an investigation based on the family’s complaint. Sahab told police that his father, Ram Dulare (a resident of Barnapur, Inhauna), a leather contractor, left home for the area at 6 a.m. on Sunday. He went to the cowshed in the Dandupur village council at 4 p.m. for some work. He then got into an argument with Rajesh, a worker at the cowshed. Dalit dies after being beaten by goons! In the ensuing altercation, Rajesh and his associates attacked him with sticks, causing serious injuries. Nearby residents took him to Singhpur CHC, where doctors declared him dead upon initial examination. The hospital informed the police about the incident. Upon receiving the information, the police arrived at the scene. They informed the family, prepared an inquest report of the body, and began further investigation. The police’s preliminary investigation revealed no significant injury marks on the deceased. Tiloi Circle Officer Dinesh Mishra stated that the inquest report has been prepared and the body has been sent for postmortem examination. No injury marks were found on the body. Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family, a case has been registered and an investigation has begun. Courtesy: Hindi News
Attempted rape case in Barhalganj: On the orders of the SSP, a case has been registered against two named individuals based on the complaint of a Dalit woman.
Barhalganj. On the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Kaustubh, a case has been registered against two individuals late Saturday evening based on the complaint of a Dalit woman in Madaria village, under the Barhalganj police station area. They have been charged with attempted rape, assault, intimidation, and various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim stated in her complaint that on July 5, 2026, at around 8 p.m., she had gone to the toilet behind her house when two young men from the same village arrived. The woman alleges that the two men, using casteist slurs, grabbed her, tore her clothes, and attempted to outrage her modesty. When the woman raised an alarm, her family members arrived at the scene, after which the two accused fled, threatening to kill her. The victim stated that the incident was immediately reported to the local police station, but no action was taken. She subsequently complained to the Senior Superintendent of Police. On the instructions of the SSP, the Barhalganj police have registered a case against the accused under sections 75, 76, 352, and 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3(1)(d), 3(1)(g) and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and have begun an investigation. Station House Officer Atul Kumar Srivastava stated that further legal action will be taken based on the investigation. Attempts were made to contact the accused, but their version could not be obtained. Once their version is obtained, it will be published prominently. Rajiv Jaiswal | Barhalganj, Gorakhpur Courtesy: Hindi News
‘No backtracking’: Protesters dig in at Jantar Mantar despite Wangchuk’s removal
Protesters asserted the movement has only grown stronger, while organisers reiterated that the planned march to Parliament on July 20 will go ahead as scheduled. NEW DELHI: The protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar showed no signs of losing momentum on Saturday despite the absence of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed from the site by Delhi Police early in the morning. The entire stretch of Jantar Mantar remained heavily barricaded at both ends, restricting vehicular movement after Wangchuk’s removal from the site. Protesters asserted the movement has only grown stronger, while organisers reiterated that — ‘Sansad Chalo’ — the planned march to Parliament on July 20 will go ahead as scheduled. The protesters have been demanding sweeping examination reforms, accountability over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On the 28th day of the protest, which began on June 20, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke launched an indefinite hunger strike over Wangchuk’s removal, further intensifying the agitation, as protesters also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation. Dipke was later targeted with an ink-like liquid attack by an unidentified woman. The incident briefly disrupted the programme as supporters rushed towards the stage, triggering commotion. The woman’s identity and the motive behind the act were not immediately known. However, police said that she has been detained. Meanwhile, organisers said the health of three student activists who are already on an indefinite fast had deteriorated as their protest entered its 21st day. They alleged that Delhi Police attempted to detain the fasting students from the protest site. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke begins an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk, unseen, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, was shifted to a hospital for medical care in New Delhi on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Speaking at Jantar Mantar, activist and Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav said the government’s action against Wangchuk had failed to weaken the movement. “The government thought that by picking up Wangchuk ji, the protest would fizzle out but technically, andolan ki hawa nahi nikli, sarkar ki hawa nikal gayi (the protest hasn’t run out of steam; the government has). The government may break the protest but the plan for the march on July 20 is fixed,” Yadav said. Echoing the sentiment, Saurav Das, chief spokesperson of the CJP, said there would be no change in the programme. “Call is already given for the July 20 protest. No backtracking at any cost,” Das said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the Centre over Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site. Breaking his silence on the issue, the Lok Sabha LoP accused the Narendra Modi government of suppressing peaceful dissent. Writing on X, Gandhi said the core principles of the Modi government were “Asatya” and “Hinsa” and described Wangchuk’s removal while he was observing a non-violent hunger strike as “wrong”. Hundreds of students, families, civil society members and political supporters continued to gather at the site Television personalities and former DUSU President Ronak Khatri of the NSUI were among those who joined the demonstration and extended support to the movement. Meanwhile, Supporters were seen making announcements inside Delhi Metro trains on Saturday, urging commuters to join the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20. A YouTuber, Vidhushi, announced on Instagram that she would sponsor train tickets for five students from across India who wished to travel to Jantar Mantar on July 20 but were unable to do so because of the cost. CJP chief Dipke urged supporters to arrive on the night of July 19 to avoid possible restrictions by Delhi Police on the day of the march. Organisers also claimed they had received three lakh missed calls on their helpline to register attendance for the July 20 protest. Ifrah Mufti 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
CM DK Shivkumar, Dy CM Dr G Parameshwara meet Kharge, cabinet expansion likely by Wednesday
The high command may announce the list of new ministers by Tuesday evening, sources informed TNSE. BENGALURU: With AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge returning to New Delhi, the much-awaited expansion of the DK Shivkumar cabinet has gained momentum. If all goes well, the new ministers could take the oath on Wednesday, highly placed sources told The New Sunday Express. There, however, is no clarity as yet whether all 20 vacancies will be filled or a couple of them will be kept vacant anticipating potential dissidence after the expansion. “The Congress high command can no longer defer the expansion exercise as there is a lot of pressure from the legislators, mainly to address the prevailing drought in the state,” informed sources added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called on Kharge in Bengaluru on Saturday and accompanied him to Kempegowda International Airport. When Shivakumar, his predecessor Siddaramaiah, and KPCC president BK Hariprasad held talks with the Congress top brass, including LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi, Kharge was in Bengaluru. According to party insiders, Kharge has been favouring new faces such as Raichur North MLA Basanagouda Daddal, Jewargi MLA Dr Ajay Singh, son of former CM late N Dharam Singh, Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima, AR Krishnamurthy, MLC Manjunath Bhandary from Dakshina Kannada, and MLC A Vasanthkumar from Raichur. Meanwhile, Shivakumar has been pushing the names of former Deputy CM and Athani MLA Laxman Savadi, Anekal MLA Shivanna, Hoskote MLA Sharath Bachegowda, Gubbi MLA SR Srinivas, Arsikere MLA KM Shivalinge Gowda, Haliyal MLA RV Deshpande, Narasimharaja MLA Tanvir Sait, Hanagal MLA Srinivas Mane, and MLC Dr Arathi Krishna. If Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad are not made ministers, they are likely to be appointed as the CM’s political secretaries, sources added. Meanwhile, former CM Siddaramaiah has been pushing the names of T Narasipur MLA Dr HC Mahadevappa, Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra, Kanakagiri MLA Shivaraj Tangadagi, Malavalli MLA PM Narendraswamy, Kalghatgi MLA Santosh Lad, Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, Yelburga MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy, Hosadurga MLA BG Govindappa, Ramdurga MLA Ashok M Pattan, Chamarajanagar MLA C Puttarangashetty, and Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. Also, MLAs SN Narayanaswamy (Bangarpet), Vijayanand Kashappanavar (Hungund), Appaji CS Nadagouda (Muddebihal), and Laxmi Hebbalkar (Belagavi Rural) are strong contenders. Former ministers Dr MC Sudhakar and TB Jayachandra are pinning their hopes on the high command to consider their track record and make them ministers. Meanwhile, KPCC president BK Hariprasad himself has emerged as a frontrunner for a cabinet berth besides proposing the names of some of his choices. But the high command has gathered information on its own from sources and also a survey conducted by the party’s election strategist, Sunil Kanugol. According to Congress insiders, the party may consider the winnability of legislators in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Kharge is likely to hold talks with Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries (organisation) KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala to arrive at a decision. On Monday, Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and Hariprasad are likely to be called to Delhi for a final round of talks. The high command may announce the list of new ministers by Tuesday evening, sources informed TNSE. Senior Congress leader and Aland MLA BR Patil may be made the Assembly speaker, sources added. Deputy CM meets Kharge Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara also paid a courtesy call to Kharge along with Shivakumar. “I had a cordial meeting with Kharge. During the meeting, we discussed various important matters, including the current political developments in the state, administrative issues, and matters relating to the strengthening of the party organization,” the minister posted on the social media platform ‘X’. Devaraj B Hirehalli 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
Transgenders seek expedited welfare measures
Ranchi: Members of the LGBTQIA+ community on Saturday urged authorities to expedite decisions taken by the Jharkhand Transgender Welfare Board, claiming that many transgenders continue to face hurdles in accessing housing, healthcare, employment and social security. The demands were raised during an advocacy programme held here, followed by a pride march organised by Utthan Sanstha. Participants said that although the state govt convened a meeting of the board last year, during which officials proposed a statewide survey of transgenders, district-level support mechanisms and steps to improve access to welfare schemes, many of these are yet to make a tangible difference on the ground. 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
Minorities, Dalits and deprived sections must unite to fight for their constitutional rights, say intellectuals
Meeting presided over by Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd.), former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court The representatives of the Sikh, Muslim and Dalit communities, along with intellectuals and social activists, on Saturday resolved to establish a common front to raise concerns over the constitutional rights and equal opportunities of deprived minorities and marginalised sections. The resolution was adopted at a joint meeting of Sikh, Muslim and Dalit thinkers held at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, here, to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The meeting was presided over by Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd.), former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. GeographicReference Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb said that the Muslims who remained in India after Partition and Sikhs who supported the Indian Union on the assurances of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel now feel those promises have not been fulfilled. He said that if the BJP seeks to establish a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, it should obtain the people’s mandate through a national referendum. The gathering observed that although India adopted democracy, secularism and constitutional governance after Independence, the successive governments have increasingly pursued policies favouring the majority community and upper-caste interests. Former Chief Justice Iqbal Ansari alleged that the ruling establishment promotes religious polarisation by setting one community against another for electoral gains. Noted Sikh scholar Gurtej Singh, IAS (Retd.), endorsed the proposal for a united platform of minorities and deprived communities and recalled that Sant Harchand Singh Longowal had entrusted him with initiating dialogue with Muslim leaders as early as 1983. The participants further stated that many minorities and deprived communities have been reduced to second-class citizens and are being used as scapegoats for advancing Hindutva politics. They stressed the need for minorities, Dalits and other marginalised sections to unite on a common platform to safeguard their rights and dignity. Among those who addressed the gathering included Prof Sham Singh (President), Dr Pyara Lal Garg, Gurpreet Singh (Global Sikh Council), Daya Singh Delhi, Anzarul Bari, Rajwinder Singh Rahi, Senior Journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu, Surinder Singh Kishanpura and several other distinguished speakers. Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights