Congress dismisses Karnataka leadership change buzz after high-level Delhi meeting
Senior leaders insist Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls were the only issues discussed during the high level Delhi meeting attended by Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar. NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday dismissed speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka, asserting that discussions between the party’s central leadership and state leaders were focused solely on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. The issue gained attention amid the continuing leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, both of whom were summoned to Delhi along with supporting MLAs, triggering speculation over a possible power sharing arrangement in the state. Though Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had convened a meeting to decide party candidates for the two elections, the point of interest remained the protracted leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, who were summoned to Delhi, and whether there would be any resolution. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had arrived in the national capital accompanied by the MLAs supporting them. At the core of the leadership tangle in the southern state is Shivakumar’s demand that he be elevated to the chief minister’s post in accordance with a “promise” which his supporters claim was made to him during state assembly elections in 2023. The Congress’s central leadership held deliberations for several hours with its Karnataka state leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also the state party chief, at the Indira Bhawan headquarters. The party leaders, however, insisted that the issue of any leadership change was not discussed at the meeting attended by Congress president Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal and AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala, among others. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, left, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at Indira Bhavan ahead of consultations with the Congress leadership. “Today, the entire discussion was only concentrated on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and (Legislative) Council elections of Karnataka. Whatever speculation you people are doing, that is only speculation, no reality at all. Today we discussed about the Rajya Sabha seats and the Council seats of Karnataka,” Venugopal told the media after the meeting. He was flanked by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. He said the candidates of the Rajya Sabha and Council seats of Karnataka will be announced along with the other seats like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. “This is what we have decided today, and nothing else was discussed,” he asserted. Asked about any leadership change, Siddaramaiah also said, “It is only a speculation”. Asked if there was any discussion on leadership change, he replied emphatically with “No”. On a possible cabinet reshuffle, the chief minister said, “It did not come up for discussion. Of the four Rajya Sabha seats getting vacant in Karnataka, the Congress can win three seats and the BJP one. Kharge’s Rajya Sabha seat is getting vacant in June and he is likely to be re-elected from Karnataka.” The party may also field Shivakumar’s brother D K Suresh as one of the Rajya Sabha candidates, as well as a woman or an OBC nominee. Suresh has been a former Rajya Sabha member from the state. Besides, the Congress leaders are also learnt to have discussed the party candidates for the legislative council seats. The Congress is likely to get four seats in the legislative council out of the seven vacancies, going by its present strength in the state assembly. 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
Congress to put Dalits at centre of party politics, says Rahul Gandhi
In what appeared to be a significant political signal ahead of key state elections, he asserted that Dalits would now occupy a central role within the Congress organisation. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday acknowledged that the party’s failure to adequately address Dalit concerns in the 1980s and 1990s contributed to the rise of regional parties built around Dalit politics and support bases. Addressing a meeting of the Congress Scheduled Castes Department at the party headquarters, Rahul Gandhi said that had the Congress acted decisively for Dalit communities during that period, caste-based regional formations may not have emerged, nor would Dalit voters have shifted away from the party. In what appeared to be a significant political signal ahead of key state elections, he asserted that Dalits would now occupy a central role within the Congress organisation. According to sources present at the meeting, Rahul Gandhi also praised Kanshi Ram for uniting Dalits politically and instilling self-confidence within the community. He further alleged that the BJP was simultaneously attempting to weaken regional parties while undermining the rights of Dalits, claiming that atrocities against the community were increasing. In response, he said, the Congress would position itself as a defender of Dalit rights and work toward fulfilling the vision of B R Ambedkar. The remarks mirror Rahul Gandhi’s earlier outreach to Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Last year, he publicly admitted that the Congress had failed to adequately represent OBC interests and even expressed regret over the party’s past approach. More recently, he has intensified demands for a nationwide caste census as part of the Congress party’s broader social justice plank. Political observers believe the Congress benefited electorally from this strategy during the Lok Sabha elections, particularly among Dalit and backward-class voters. Rahul Gandhi repeatedly campaigned with a copy of the Constitution in hand, accusing the Modi government of threatening constitutional values — a message that appeared to resonate with sections of marginalised communities. With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching, Rahul Gandhi has stepped up his outreach efforts in the state. Last week, during a visit to his parliamentary constituency of Raebareli, he unveiled a statue of Dalit freedom fighter Veera Pasi and addressed a Bahujan community gathering. Meanwhile, a recent attempt by Rajendra Pal Gautam, the Chairman of the Congress party’s Scheduled Castes Department, to meet Mayawati at her residence in Lucknow did not materialise. Whether Rahul Gandhi’s renewed emphasis on Dalit and backward-class politics — coupled with an acknowledgment of the Congress party’s past shortcomings — translates into electoral gains will become clear only in the coming elections. 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
Why did petrol, diesel become costlier despite fall in crude oil prices in last 12 years, asks Kharge
While crude oil has become cheaper, petrol has become approximately 42.8% more expensive, and diesel about 67.9% more expensive, Kharge said. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday slammed the central government over the increase in fuel prices and asked why relief was not provided to people when crude oil prices fell during the last 12 years. Kharge cited an official statement by the PIB to state that exactly 12 years ago today — on May 26, 2014 — when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, the price of crude oil in the Indian basket stood at USD 108.05 per barrel, and the Dollar-Rupee exchange rate was Rs 58.59. At that time, petrol was available at Rs 71.51 per litre, and diesel at Rs 56.71 per liter, he said in his post in Hindi on X. Today, the price of crude oil is below USD 99 per barrel; yet, the prices of petrol and diesel have surged to Rs 102.12 and Rs 95.20 per litre, respectively, Kharge said. In other words, while crude oil has become cheaper, petrol has become approximately 42.8% more expensive, and diesel about 67.9% more expensive, he said. “Every economist knows that the rising cost of petrol and diesel impacts every sector. From transportation to food commodities, the burden of inflation on the common man continues to intensify. Despite this, the government’s profiteering continues unabated,” Kharge said. “The question is straightforward: When crude oil prices have fallen, why have petrol and diesel become more expensive?” he said. Why is there no relief for the public, Kharge asked. The Congress on Monday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latest fuel hike, with Rahul Gandhi alleging that the “mehangai manav” has struck again and he has just one job of making promises during elections and attacking people’s pockets at other times. Kharge also lashed out at the Modi government over the issue and asked who is benefitting from this “daily robbery”. Petrol and diesel prices were raised by Rs 2.61-2.71 per litre on Monday, marking the fourth increase in less than two weeks as state-owned fuel retailers continued to pass on rising international oil prices to consumers. 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
Congress submits memorandum on Mahoba student case: Demands arrest of culprits, fast-track trial, and stringent punishment
Congress leaders in Kushinagar expressed deep outrage over the alleged kidnapping and gang rape of a Dalit student in Mahoba. Led by District Congress Committee Kushinagar Vice President Md. Zaheeruddin, the workers submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor through the District Magistrate, demanding strict action against the culprits. The memorandum states that a Dalit student returning from NEET coaching in Mahoba was abducted and gang-raped. The incident has been described as extremely shameful and inhuman, shocking the entire state. The Congress party has raised serious questions about the safety of women, especially Dalit daughters. Congress District President Md. Zaheeruddin said that crimes against women are continuously increasing in the state, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the general public. He appealed to the government to take immediate and strict action against such incidents to prevent recurrence in the future. In the memorandum, Congress leaders demanded that the victim student be given speedy justice. All accused involved in the incident be immediately arrested and tried in a fast-track court. They also demanded the harshest punishment for the culprits, ensuring the safety of the victim and her family, and providing adequate financial assistance and government support. In addition, Congress workers demanded effective and concrete steps for the safety of women and Dalit daughters in the state. They stressed that strengthening law and order is the need of the hour. Numbers of Congress workers, including NSUI Kushinagar District President Anuj Mishra, Parvez Alam, Ramzan Ali, and Keshav Gupta, were present on the occasion. Sajid Ansari | Padrauna (Kushinagar), Kushinagar Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth brutally assaulted in Jhunjhunu
Rajasthan Crime: A case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth has come to light in Gudhagaurji, Jhunjhunu district. The victim alleges that a young man he met on the road first made him drink alcohol, then stripped him and severely beat him. Rajasthan Crime: A case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth has come to light in the Gudhagaurji police station area of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. The incident occurred with Pawan Meghwal, a resident of Jhajhariyon Ki Dhani, who suffered severe injuries. The victim alleges that a young man he met on the road first made him drink alcohol, then stripped him and severely beat him. Victim Pawan Meghwal said that he was returning home from work on Sunday night when he met a young man named Rakesh Kumar. Rakesh offered him a ride to Chhau and took him on his tractor. It is alleged that he was taken some distance away, made to drink alcohol, and then brutally assaulted. According to Pawan Meghwal, the accused stripped him and beat him severely. He somehow managed to escape the scene. On the way, he met an acquaintance, Jagdish Prasad, who, seeing his condition, immediately rushed him to Gudhagaudji CHC. Upon receiving the information, the police also arrived at the hospital and investigated the matter. After receiving treatment today, Pawan Meghwal met with former minister Rajendra Singh Gudha. Rajendra Singh Gudha strongly condemned the incident and said that influential people have made life difficult for Dalit families. He spoke with the Jhunjhunu SP regarding the matter and demanded strict action. The victim’s family also reached the SP’s office and reported the entire incident. The SP has assured effective action in the case. The family says that Pawan Meghwal has severe injuries on his back and body. The assault was so brutal that his back has turned completely blue. The police are currently investigating the case. Edited by Aman Singh, Reported by Sandeep Kedia Aman Singh has nearly three years of experience in digital media and is currently with Zee Rajasthan. He keeps a close eye on every news story in Rajasthan, big and small, and is adept at presenting it effectively on digital platforms. With nearly three years of digital media experience, Aman has established a strong reputation in news production, content creation, and storytelling. Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit farmer’s crop harvested in Nagla Tara Singh village: Threatened for protesting, 8 people charged
A case has come to light in Nagla Tara Singh village, in the Sikandrarao tehsil area, where a Dalit farmer’s standing sorghum crop was harvested. The victim, Mahesh, son of Mehtab Singh, resident of Jirauli Khurd, has filed a complaint and demanded action from the administration. In his application, Mahesh stated that he had purchased land in Nagla Tara Singh, plot number 81, an area of 0.100 m, on which a sorghum crop was standing. It is alleged that at around 7 a.m. the previous morning, some villagers, using force, harvested the standing crop. When Mahesh arrived at the scene and protested, the accused abused him, assaulted him, and threatened to kill him. The victim has accused six named individuals and two unidentified individuals of being involved in the incident. Mahesh stated that the incident was reported to Dial 112 police, but before the police could arrive, the accused left the scene after issuing threats. In a complaint letter to the administration, the victim stated that he and his family are in danger from the accused. He alleged that he filed a complaint with the Sub-District Magistrate, CO, and Kotwali in-charge, but despite repeated complaints, the administration and police are not taking any action. Frustrated and hoping for justice, the victim has also filed a complaint on the Chief Minister’s Public Hearing Portal, demanding strict legal action against the culprits and protection for his family. Meanwhile, the Sikandrarao Kotwali in-charge stated that the complaint has been received and the matter is being investigated. Based on the investigation, necessary legal action will be taken. Jayendra Varshney | Sikandrarao, Hathras Courtesy: Hindi News
“…then Dalits don’t go away,” Why is Rahul blaming the Congress for the rise of caste-based regional parties?
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed his own party’s policies regarding Dalit politics. He said that if Congress had taken the right steps earlier, Dalits wouldn’t have gone away. New Delhi: Without naming names, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed Congress’s policies for the rise and strengthening of parties associated with the Dalit vote bank, including the Bahujan Samaj Party. Addressing the party’s Scheduled Castes Department meeting at Congress headquarters on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said that if Congress had taken the right steps for Dalits in the 1980s and 1990s, caste-based regional parties would not have formed, nor would the Dalit community have turned to them. Promoting a message of change, Rahul Gandhi further stated that Dalits will now play a key role in the Congress party. Sources present at the meeting revealed that Rahul Gandhi praised BSP founder Kanshi Ram, saying that he united the Dalit community and instilled self-confidence in them. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi stated in the meeting that the BJP is, on the one hand, eliminating regional parties and, on the other, snatching away the rights of Dalits. Atrocities against Dalits are increasing. In such a situation, Congress will fight for the rights of Dalits, and Dalits will play a key role in the party. Congress will fulfill the dreams of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Why is Rahul saying this? A year ago, Rahul Gandhi publicly stated that Congress neglected the OBC community. He apologized for this. Now, Rahul has made similar statements about the Dalit community. Indeed, through this, Rahul is trying to gain influence among the Dalit and backward communities. During the last Lok Sabha elections, he held rallies holding a copy of the Constitution and claimed that the Constitution is in danger under the Modi government. It is believed that this benefited the Congress and India alliance among the Dalit community. Rahul Gandhi demanded a caste census for the OBC community. This doubled the Congress’s seat count in the Lok Sabha. Also read: Controversy erupts over the appointment of the Kerala CM’s secretary; the opposition claims Rahul Gandhi would have protested if this had happened in Bengal. There’s a connection to the UP elections! With the UP Assembly elections in mind, Rahul Gandhi appears to be intensifying his campaign for Dalits and backward classes. Last week, he unveiled a statue of freedom fighter Veera Pasi, a Dalit, in his constituency of Rae Bareli and addressed a Bahujan Sabha. A day earlier, Congress Scheduled Caste Department President Rajendra Pal Gautam of Lucknow unsuccessfully attempted to meet Mayawati at her home. How successful Rahul Gandhi’s move to admit his past mistakes regarding Dalits and now give them a key role in the party will be will only be clear in the elections. Reported by: Jainendra Kumar, Edited by: Priyank Dwivedi Courtesy: Hindi News
15-yr-old Dalit girl abducted, raped in Etah; two held
Agra: A 15-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly abducted by three men from a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district and raped by one of them before she was thrown on the roadside. Two of the accused have since been arrested. The alleged crime happened on Saturday night when the girl, a Class 10 student, went outside to fetch water. In her statement to the police, the survivor said, “Around 11 pm, my brother came back home from work, and I served him food. Then I went outside to fetch water. One of the accused gagged my mouth, dragged me and forced me into a loader vehicle.” Although family members rushed out to help, they could not stop the abductors. The family and their neighbours searched for the girl throughout the night. She was found lying on a road outside the village several hours later on Sunday morning. The girl told her family that one of the accused had raped her, police said, adding that the survivor knew one of the suspects, who is a resident of the same village. On Sunday morning, the girl’s father, accompanied by local residents and members of the Dalit community, reached the police station to lodge a complaint. An FIR was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 138 (abduction), 65(1) (rape), 74 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 61 (criminal conspiracy), alongside relevant sections of the POCSO Act. DSP Sankaldeep Kushwah said, “Two of the accused have been arrested. Efforts are underway to nab the third suspect. Further legal proceedings are being initiated, and the medical examination of the survivor has been completed.” 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
Challenge to the Transgender Persons Amendment Act, 2026
The Supreme Court will decide whether provisions mandating certificates and removal of the right to self-perceived gender identity violates right to autonomy, dignity and privacy Surya Kant CJI Joymalya Bagchi J Petitioner: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Zainab Javid Patel Lawyers: Senior Advocates Dr. A.M. Singhvi, Jayna Kothari, Rajeev Shakder, Rashmi Chopra, Arundhati Katju, C.R. Jaya Sukin, Advocates Gautam Das, Sanjana Saddy, Shradhha Deshmukh, Sarthak Gupta Respondent: Union of India, Ministry of Law and Justice Lawyers: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Advocates M.K. Maroria, Parsanna S. Case Details Case Number: W.P. (C) No. 548/2026; Diary No. 20054/2026 Next Hearing: Last Updated: May 23, 2026 Whether the amended definition of “transgender person” and the removal of statutory recognition of self-perceived gender identity violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 and the right to self-identification recognised in NALSA v Union of India (2014)? Whether the introduction of medical board certification and bureaucratic verification mechanisms violate the rights to dignity, autonomy and personal liberty under Article 21? Whether a mandatory National Transgender Registry and reporting requirements relating to gender-affirming procedures violate the right to privacy and informational autonomy recognised in K.S. Puttaswamy v Union of India (2017)? Case Description On 13 March 2026, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026 (“Amendment Act”) was tabled in the Lok Sabha. The Act deleted Section 4(2) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 which stated that “a person recognised as transgender under sub-section (1) shall have a right to self-perceived gender identity.” It also set up an “authority” consisting of a Chief Medical Officer or a Deputy Chief Medical Officer appointed by the Union government or state government. It also mandates that transgender persons should be issued a “certificate of identity”. A transgender person will be entitled to change their first name in the birth certificate or other official documents after the certificate of identity is issued. Further, the medical institution has to furnish details to the District Magistrate and the authority about the person who underwent surgery. The Act was passed in the Lok Sabha on 24 March. It was affirmed in the Rajya Sabha the next day. It received the President’s assent on 30 March. During parliamentary debates, opposition members raised concerns regarding the absence of extensive stakeholder consultation, medical board scrutiny, mandatory reporting requirements, the removal of self-identification provisions and the narrowing of legally recognised identities. Several members sought greater deliberation and referral to a Select Committee. Amidst protests and an opposition walkout, the Bill was passed by voice vote. The Union Government defended the legislation as necessary to establish a “precise” and “verifiable” framework for identity recognition, prevent misuse of welfare benefits, and address exploitative practices. On 24 April 2026, petitioner Laxmi Narayan Tripathi challenged the constitutionality of the Amendment Act under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petitioner sought that the Amendment Act be declared unconstitutional for violating Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21. They argued that the Act departs from settled constitutional principles governing dignity, autonomy and gender identity. The petitioner also challenged the amendment definition of “transgender person” which deletes the statutory recognition of self-perceived identity, amendments introducing certification from a medical authority, and provisions concerning mandatory reporting and penal consequences. The matter was listed before the Supreme Court on 4 May 2026. Petitioners argued that the Amendment Act removes the framework of self-recognition and replaces it with medical and bureaucratic verification mechanisms, thereby departing from the principles held in National Legal Services Authority v Union of India (2014). In NALSA, the Court recognised transgender persons as rights-bearing constitutional subjects entitled to equality, dignity, autonomy and legal recognition. It rejected a narrow “biological test” and adopted a “psychological test”, holding that gender identity is fundamentally linked to an individual’s deeply felt sense of self rather than anatomy, chromosomes or surgical status alone. The Court located self-identification within Articles 14, 19 and 21 and held that constitutional rights cannot be made contingent upon medical procedures or state approval. The Parliament enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 after the NALSA verdict. During the May 2026 hearing, the Court considered concerns regarding the shift from self-identification to medical certification, as well as questions relating to possible misuse of identity-based benefits. The Court also noted objections concerning the maintainability of the challenge since the Amendment Act had not yet been notified. The Court clarified that it was not going to grant an interim relief at that stage. It issued notice and placed the matter before a Three-Judge bench. Courtesy : SCO Note: This news is originally published on https:/supremecourtobserver.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit girl gang-raped in Etah: Three village boys dragged her into a car while she was fetching water at night, then brutally released.
A minor girl was abducted and gang-raped in the Marhara police station area of Etah district while she was fetching water. Based on a complaint from the victim’s family, police have registered a case against two named accused and an unidentified person. Police have arrested two of the accused and sent them to jail, while the search for the third is ongoing. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. Saturday night. The 15-year-old girl had gone to fetch water from a tap to give it to her brother. It is alleged that Lavekesh alias Labba, son of Bhajanlal, and Niranjan, son of Amar Singh, from the same village, arrived with an unidentified accomplice. The accused gagged the girl, dragged her into a Maxx vehicle, took her to a secluded area, and gang-raped her. When the girl resisted, the accused threatened to kill her. After the incident, the accused abandoned the girl and fled. Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, the Marhara police station took immediate action. CO Sadar Sankalpdeep Kushwaha is investigating the case. Police have arrested Lavekesh and Niranjan and sent them to jail. Raids are underway to search for the unidentified third accused. The victim’s mother stated that her daughter had gone to fetch water when some men came, gagged, and took her away in a car. They were returning after feeding their son and when their daughter did not return, they began searching for her. After about two and a half hours, the daughter returned home in a distraught state. CO Sadar Sankalpdeep Kushwaha stated, “An FIR was immediately registered based on the victim’s father’s complaint. Within five hours, the police arrested the named accused and sent them to jail.” Nand Kumar | Etah Courtesy: Hindi News