Major reshuffle of IAS officers in Kerala
Govt has initiated a shake-up in bureaucratic strata, transferring 15 IAS officers, 6 collectors THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In its first major reshuffle after assuming office, the UDF government has initiated a major shake-up in bureaucratic strata transferring 15 IAS officers, including six district collectors. GST commissioner Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao has been appointed as secretary, Finance (Resources) Department, while Transport special secretary PB Nooh has been posted as GST commissioner. Six districts got new collectors. Alappuzha collector Inbasekar K has been posted as Kerala Water Authority managing director, with additional charge of joint project director, KERA (Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization Project). Cochin Smart Mission CEO Shaji V Nair will be the new Alappuzha collector. In a mutual transfer industries director Vishnuraj P will take over as Kannur collector, while incumbent Arun K Vijayan has been posted as industries director, with additional charge of MD, KSIDC. Kollam collector Devidas N was appointed Director, KILA. He will have additional charge of MD, Impact Kerala Ltd. Incumbent KILA director Nizamudeen A would be the new Pathanamthitta collector in place of Prem Krishnan S who was appointed as joint secretary and OSD, health department. Industries joint secretary and OSD Anie Jula Thomas will be the new Kollam collector. Palakkad collector Madhavikutty M S has been posted as collector, Kozhikode while incumbent Snehil Kumar Singh was appointed as collegiate education director, with additional charge of entrance commissioner. Collegiate education director Sudhir K will be the new Palakkad collector. Incumbent entrance commissioner Arun S Nair has been appointed as director, social justice department. He will have additional charge of executive director, Kerala Social Security Mission Limited; CEO Cochin Smart Mission and CEO Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority. New collectors have been instructed to take charge on Monday. Alappuzha sub-collector Sameer Kishan has also been posted as Industries department deputy secretary, with additional charge of coir department director. 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
UP Congress chief booked in Mahoba for derogatory remarks against PM Modi
The UPCC chief was accused of spreading enmity, accumulating a crowd without administration’s permission, obstructing government work and creating a road blockade. LUCKNOW: An FIR was lodged against Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai in Mahoba district on Saturday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The FIR was based on the police complaint by the BJP’s district executive member Neeraj Rawat. Rai and 30 of his unidentified accomplices have been named in the FIR. The UPCC chief was accused of spreading enmity, accumulating a crowd without administration’s permission, obstructing government work and creating a road blockade. Significantly, Rai’s remarks escalated a war of words between the BJP and the Congress. The alleged abusive words used by Rai against Modi drew strong reaction from the BJP camp, including UP CM Yogi Adityanath and the entire BJP leadership after a purported video of Rai went viral on social media platforms. While the UPCC chief called it a fake video, accusing the BJP camp of fabricating it and claiming that he would lodge a police complaint in that connection, CM Yogi attributed the abusive language to Rai’s mental bankruptcy, reflecting his party’s frustration after facing back-to-back electoral defeats. In a post on X, Yogi said the comments made against the PM reflected the “political misconduct and poor culture” of the Congress. Rai’s indecent, unparliamentary and inexcusable remarks against PM expose the political values of Congress,” wrote the UP CM. Targeting the Congress leadership further, he said that even the party’s “Yuvraj” (read: Rahul Gandhi) had previously displayed similar political behaviour. “Congress has now reached the highest level of despair, frustration, and mental bankruptcy. They are no longer even in a position to apologise to the people of the country,” he added. The remarks came amid escalating political confrontation between the BJP and Congress after Rai’s recent comment on the Prime Minister. Namita Bajpai 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
Policemen accused of Dalit harassment in Gorakhpur drain dispute, case filed on court’s orders
On court’s orders, two policemen and the then-stational station head have been arrested for allegedly harassing women, assaulting them, and making casteist remarks during a drain dispute in Gorakhpur. Correspondent, Pipraich (Gorakhpur). A case has been filed on court’s orders against PRV personnel who arrived in the village to address a drain construction dispute for allegedly harassing women, assaulting them, and making casteist remarks. Serious allegations have been leveled against the two policemen and the then-stational station head. The CO, Chaurichaura, is investigating the matter. Pradumman Bharti, a resident of Naiyapar Bujurg village in Pipraich, filed a petition in court alleging that on November 9, 2025, a dispute arose in the village regarding drain construction. Puneet Kanaujia, from the other side, called 112 and summoned the police. It is alleged that PRV Head Constable Santosh Kumar Maurya and Constable Anand Swaroop Upadhyay, who arrived at the scene, behaved indecently and used casteist remarks against the family members. When they protested, the policemen assaulted Pradumman Bharti and his family members and threatened to kill them. The application also alleges mistreatment and physical assault of women. According to the complaint, the women were forcibly forced into a police vehicle without the presence of a female police officer, and were then driven some distance away, subjected to indecent behavior. The victim alleged that she was also tortured at the police station, resulting in ear injuries and hearing problems. The then-station head, Atul Kumar Srivastava, has also been accused of harassment in this case. Pradumman Bharti says that after the incident, the police instead issued a challan against her for disturbing the peace, and despite the complaint, no action was taken. SP North Gyanendra Kumar stated that the case was filed on court orders. Further action will be taken based on the evidence. EDITED BY: VIVEK SHUKLA Courtesy: Hindi News
A case of Dalit harassment against a District Panchayat member in Gorakhpur: Allegations of assault and casteist remarks against an employee; police launch investigation
Alok Gupta, director of an organization and District Panchayat member in the Barhalganj area of Gorakhpur, has been accused of serious Dalit harassment. He is accused of assaulting an employee of the organization, making casteist remarks, and mentally harassing him. Based on the victim’s complaint, the Barhalganj police have registered a case and begun investigating the matter. Deep Narayan Chand, alias Deepu, a resident of Dhabouli in the Barhalganj Kotwali area, stated in his complaint to the police that he has been working as a computer operator at the Manav Seva Shiksha Sanstha since 2023. The victim alleges that the organization’s director, Alok Gupta, had been treating him indecently for a long time. He was frequently insulted during work and mentally harassed with casteist slurs. According to Deep Narayan, the organization’s director had a man call him while he was resting during lunch break on May 9th. Upon arriving, he was assaulted and subjected to abusive language and casteist remarks. The victim stated in his complaint that this incident was not the first time, but that he had been subjected to continuous abuse and harassment for several years. Given the seriousness of the matter, the Barhalganj police have registered a case under relevant sections based on the victim’s complaint. Police officials stated that an impartial investigation is being conducted. Further legal action will be taken based on the facts that emerge from the investigation. The victim has demanded justice from the administration and strict action against the culprits. The police say that statements from all parties will be recorded and action will be taken based on the evidence. This incident has become a topic of discussion in the area. Gopal Tripathi | Gola Courtesy: Hindi News
300 booked for violent clashes during Dalit wedding procession in Mathura
Stones were hurled at the procession when it entered an upper-caste locality during the wedding ceremony, triggering clashes Police booked over 300 individuals, including 41 named accused from both sides, in connection with the violent clashes that erupted during a Dalit wedding procession here on May 20, officials said on Friday. Police separately filed a case over an alleged attack on policemen, naming 15 people and booking 50 unidentified persons. The incident took place in Narhauli village under the Highway police station area when a wedding procession from Bharna Kalan village in the Govardhan area arrived for the marriage of Lakshmi and Poonam, daughters of Bhagwan Das, to Ashok and Kuldeep, sons of Nemichand. According to allegations, stones were hurled at the procession when it entered an upper-caste locality during the wedding ceremony, triggering clashes. However, the other side claimed the dispute escalated after some members of the procession allegedly played songs containing caste-based derogatory remarks and used objectionable language. They alleged that when residents objected, members of the procession assaulted them and entered houses to vandalise property. Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said the crime branch is probing the incident. Highway Police Station SHO Shailendra Singh said Radha, daughter-in-law of the injured elderly woman Shanti alias Santoshi Devi, lodged a complaint naming 17 people from the Dalit community and 250 unidentified people. Those named include the bride’s brothers, police said. In another complaint, the bride’s brother Dilip named 24 people, besides 20 unidentified people. Police said additional force from several police stations has been deployed as a precautionary measure. Authorities appealed to members of both communities to maintain peace. Officials said the injured elderly woman’s condition has improved, and she is likely to be discharged from the hospital by Friday evening. Police said video footage and CCTV recordings are being scrutinised to identify those involved in the violence, and further action will be taken accordingly. CCTV footage and video clips circulating on social media are being examined to identify every person involved in the violence, he said. The SHO said the three cases registered in connection with the incident are likely to be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), though official confirmation is awaited. 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
TM Exclusive: Uproar over Minister Pratima Bagri’s caste: Dalit or Rajput? A full investigation into Congress’s allegations
Congress SC Department President Pradeep Ahirwar claims “the Rajput Bagri community received Scheduled Caste benefits unfairly,” prompting action after High Court rebuke Bhopal. The controversy surrounding the caste certificate of Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri appears to be reaching a decisive turning point. On Wednesday, State President of the Scheduled Castes Congress Department Pradeep Ahirwar appeared before the state-level inquiry committee investigating the validity of the caste certificate with evidence and documents, calling Minister Pratima Bagri’s Scheduled Caste certificate “fake,” and demanding its immediate cancellation. Following the High Court’s intervention in the matter and directing a decision within 60 days, administrative activity has intensified. The Mooknayak investigation has revealed that this controversy isn’t limited to a single individual’s caste certificate, but rather is linked to a long-standing dispute over the use of the surname “Bagri” and Scheduled Caste eligibility in the Bundelkhand, Vindhya, and Mahakaushal regions of Madhya Pradesh. Congress leader Ahirwar claims that caste certificates were issued for years without distinguishing between the actual Scheduled Caste Bagri community and the Rajput-Thakur communities using the surname Bagri, impacting the reservation system. The Bagris of the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions are Rajput (General). Documents submitted to the committee During the hearing held at Vallabh Bhavan in the ministry on Wednesday, Pradeep Ahirwar presented detailed documents to Principal Secretary E. Ramesh Kumar and other committee officials. He stated that when the list of Scheduled Castes was first compiled in 1950 and after the country’s independence, only those castes associated with social untouchability, untouchability, and lower social functions were included in it. According to him, the Bagri community living in the Central India region was classified as a Scheduled Caste under special circumstances, but the Rajput Bagri community living in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions was never recognized as a Scheduled Caste. In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Pradeep Ahirwar stated that the Bagri community living in Satna and Panna districts was not listed as a Scheduled Caste in the 1961 caste census. He also stated that after the formation of Madhya Pradesh in 1956, the districts where the Bagri community was granted Scheduled Caste status were primarily those in the Central India region, including Bhind, Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, Ujjain, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Indore, Dewas, Dhar, Jhabua, and Neemuch. After the regional restrictions were lifted in 1976, members of the Rajput-Thakur Bagri community in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions began obtaining Scheduled Caste certificates. Pradeep Ahirwar also argued before the committee that the Regaon Assembly seat in Satna district is reserved for the Scheduled Caste category, and that Pratima Bagri contested the election based on this certificate, became an MLA, and later rose to the position of minister. He alleged that if the certificate was issued contrary to the rules, it is not merely a personal matter but a serious question concerning the reservation system and constitutional rights. The Government of India amended the 2007 amendment. The complainant also cited orders issued by the state government in 2003. According to him, anthropological studies conducted by the state government and the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Research Institute (TRI) clarified that families with the surname “Bagri” living in Bundelkhand, Mahakaushal, and the Vindhya region actually belong to the Rajput-Thakur community and should not be issued Scheduled Caste certificates. According to the TRI report, these Bagri Rajputs are landlords of the Vindhya region. Based on the similarity in their caste names, they began obtaining SC caste certificates and began taking advantage of them. The Scrutiny Committee Did Not Issue Instructions Instructions in this regard were issued to all collectors on February 25, 2003, and July 14, 2003. A high-level scrutiny committee later upheld the government’s decision. An important point in this matter is the 2007 amendment. The central government had clarified at that time that the “Bagri/Bagri” community would be classified as a Scheduled Caste, but those from the Rajput and Thakur sub-castes who use only the surname “Bagri” would not receive this benefit. Ahirwar says that despite this, caste certificates continued to be issued at the local level without adequate scrutiny. Speaking to The Mooknayak, State President of the Scheduled Caste Congress, Pradeep Ahirwar, alleged that Minister Pratima Bagri and her family have been creating confusion about their caste identity for years. He said that Pratima Bagri’s side can submit land records and revenue documents dating back to 1950, which show her family’s surname as “Bagri.” But merely having the surname “Baghari” does not make a person eligible for the Scheduled Caste category. According to Ahirwar, the Rajput Bagri community of the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions did not receive Scheduled Caste status in the constitutional Scheduled Caste list implemented in 1950. He claimed that the family did not register itself as a Scheduled Caste in the 1956 and 1961 documents and caste records because they belong to the Rajput (General) category. He stated that the Bagri surname in revenue records cannot be considered evidence of their Scheduled Caste status. Pradeep Ahirwar further stated that the Bagri caste is recognized as a Scheduled Caste only in the Central India region. And Minister Pratima’s family succeeded in obtaining the certificate by taking advantage of the similarity of the caste name with the same “Bagri” community. He expressed apprehension that attempts may be made to create confusion before the scrutiny committee based on old documents. Ahirwar claims that the documents in which the family’s surname “Bagri” is recorded actually belong to the Rajput Bagri community, not the Scheduled Caste category. The Bagri caste has not faced untouchability. The complaint also states that the Bagri families of the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions have been known as an economically and socially influential farming community. The documents claim that these families have owned large tracts of agricultural land since before independence and have never faced social discrimination. Citing gazetteers and old administrative documents from the British era, the complainant states that the Rajput Bagri community of Seoni district is mentioned as a major farming community and has had marital relations
CJP becomes the world’s largest digital party with over 20 million followers; founder’s Dalit identity sparks outrage from right-wing groups; casteist slurs hurled at him
As soon as CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke revealed his “Dalit” identity on social media, right-wing and casteist trolls unleashed a barrage of vile abuses and memes against the young leader, who leads 20 million young people. New Delhi: India’s digital and political history has rarely seen such a seismic storm. Born out of a controversial remark by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP) is no longer just a social media trend. Leaving the world’s largest political party BJP far behind, CJP’s Instagram following has surpassed an incredible 20.6 million (20.6 million). But amid this historic and unprecedented digital revolution, a deeply disturbing and bitter truth about Indian society has been completely exposed. As soon as CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who is pursuing a Master’s in Public Relations from the prestigious Boston University in the US, revealed his “Dalit” identity on social media, the right-wing and a certain upper-caste ecosystem erupted. Those who had been enjoying the party’s sharp satire against the establishment until yesterday, in a flash, began demeaning Abhijeet and hurling casteist slurs at him. The entire controversy began on the social media platform X when an account called “Shut Up Counsel” questioned the CJP’s Bahujan agenda. The user asked, “Given the party’s continued support from numerous Brahminist and casteist accounts, do CJP and its founder support social justice, reservation, and Dalit rights?” Abhijeet Dipke’s forthright response to this direct question created a storm on the internet. Abhijeet wrote just one line, “I am a Dalit myself. I hope this answers all your questions.” This candid response from Abhijeet spread like wildfire within hours, garnering over 2 million views. But this single truth exposed the casteists on social media. As soon as his Dalit identity was revealed, a well-orchestrated hate campaign began against Abhijeet. Accounts steeped in the arrogance of upper-caste superiority immediately launched a flood of memes and abusive comments against him. One user used the blue symbols of Babasaheb Ambedkar and a picture of Harpic (toilet cleaner) to make a vulgar and offensive mockery of Dalit identity. Another account with nearly 20,000 followers shared an offensive photo of a man urinating and wrote, “Bhimta spotted, party rejected.” Mumbai-based writer Anuradha Tiwari also jumped into this hate mob. Taking aim at Abhijeet, he wrote, “So this self-proclaimed Gen Z leader is against merit. Anyone who supports a zero-cutoff is anti-development.” Other users also targeted Abhijeet, making a flurry of cheap and caste-based comments like, “The D (Dalit) card is here!” and “Will cockroaches get reservation now?” This entire incident has proven that when a Bahujan or Dalit youth confronts the system and leads over 20 million young people, a large section of society forgets their abilities and begins to judge them solely by their caste. This is the same Cockroach Janata Party, which was born out of massive outrage against the Chief Justice of India calling unemployed youth “cockroaches” and “parasites.” The strength of this movement today can be gauged from the fact that in just a few days, 20.6 million young people have joined this party on Instagram. CJP is no longer just a humor or meme page, but has become a unique amalgamation of Gen-Z and Bahujan consciousness, a phenomenon that even the establishment has feared. This is why the party’s account on X in India has already been suspended following a legal notice from the government. But despite digital censorship and the now-emerging caste hatred, the growing wave of the Cockroach Janata Party shows no signs of stopping. This digital mob of over 20 million young people has now become a reality of Indian politics, one that cannot be suppressed by either the casteist slurs of the right-wing or the digital bans of the establishment. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
UP: Dalit student raped during treatment, Deputy Chief Minister Pathak orders hospital seal
Lucknow, A Dalit student has accused a doctor at a private hospital in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, of raping her after administering an anaesthetic during treatment, police said. They said the accused doctor has been detained and the police have begun an investigation. Taking cognizance of the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, in charge of the Health Department, has ordered the hospital to be sealed and the medical license of the accused doctor, Vijay Giri, to be immediately suspended. Police said the student was admitted to a private hospital in the BKT area on May 18 due to health issues. She alleged that during treatment, the doctor took her to the operation theatre and sent the female staff and the student’s father out. Police quoted the student as saying that the doctor then administered an anaesthetic, causing her to become unconscious. According to the police, upon regaining consciousness, the student realized she had been raped, prompting her family to file a police complaint. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Twinkle Jain stated that the victim has been sent for a medical examination, and further action will be taken based on the report. She added that the police have registered a case under relevant sections and have inspected the hospital premises and are questioning staff. Officials say that all aspects of the case are being investigated thoroughly, and strict legal action will be taken if anyone is found guilty. Taking a tough stance on the incident, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak has ordered the sealing of Tejas Hospital located at Bakshi Ka Talab and the immediate suspension of the medical license of the accused doctor, Vijay Giri. He posted on “X” that in the case of the rape of a 12th-grade student at Tejas Hospital located at Bakshi Ka Talab (Indorabag), Lucknow, instructions have been given to seal the hospital and immediately suspend the medical license of the hospital operator, accused Dr. Vijay Giri. He said that the accused doctor will never be able to perform any medical duties in the future. The Deputy Chief Minister said, “The Uttar Pradesh government stands with the victim and her family. I assure you that the accused doctor will be punished severely.” Zafar Anand Rajkumar This story was auto-fed from Bhasha news agency. Courtesy : Hindi News
Karnataka Cabinet Withdraws 52 Cases Against Kannada Activists, Farmers and Dalit Groups
The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved the withdrawal of 52 criminal cases registered across the state against pro-Kannada activists, farmers’ organisations, Dalit groups and other protesters , Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil announced after the Cabinet meeting. According to official sources, the withdrawn cases include nearly ten cases against Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, many of them linked to protests, demonstrations and Kannada language-related agitations . The Cabinet also cleared the withdrawal of seven cases connected to the 2022 communal violence at Ladle Mushtaq Dargah in Kalaburagi district. Sources said several of the cases involved charges related to unlawful assembly, road blockades, protest actions and clashes during demonstrations organised by pro-Kannada outfits, farmers’ unions and Dalit activists. Apart from the legal decisions, the Cabinet approved multiple infrastructure and welfare projects. These include Rs 90 crore for new machinery in 32 Government Tool Room and Training Centres (GTTCs), and Rs 100 crore for a new 200-bed super-speciality hospital building at Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences. The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 15 crore for a weir across the Kabini River near Srikanteshwara Temple in Mysuru district and approved the purchase of oil spill response equipment worth Rs 13 crore for Karwar Port. In the education sector, the government approved a Rs 15 crore residential coaching programme for 500 meritorious backward-class students from government schools preparing for NEET, JEE and CET examinations . Laaheerie P Courtesy : TMV Note: This news is originally published on https:/themorningvoice.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tamil Nadu Gets ‘Rainbow Ministry’ as Vijay Adds Dalit, Minority Representatives to Cabinet
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday completed his Cabinet expansion by inducting two more MLAs, marking a further consolidation of what is being described as a coalition-based “rainbow ministry” in the state. The new inductees include Vanni Arasu of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and A M Shahjahan of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy at a simple ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, in the presence of the Chief Minister and senior officials. The induction has triggered political friction, with the DMK , a former ally in the opposition alliance, objecting to the inclusion. Senior DMK leader A Raja made remarks on social media, later deleted, which were widely interpreted as criticism of the VCK and IUML joining the Vijay-led Cabinet. His comments, including a “bent coconut tree” metaphor, sparked a war of words between parties. VCK and TVK leaders strongly condemned the remarks, with Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna demanding an apology from the DMK leadership. Amid escalating tensions, DMK president M K Stalin intervened, urging restraint and asking party cadres to avoid harsh language. The Cabinet expansion is being viewed as a major political shift, with increased representation from Dalit and minority communities. The new ministry reportedly includes eight Dalit ministers , two Brahmin ministers , and multiple representatives from minority communities, making it one of the most diverse Cabinets in the state’s recent history. VCK leader Vanni Arasu described his induction as a “dream come true,” calling it a step towards coalition governance, while IUML leader Shahjahan called it a historic moment for his party. The Cabinet strength now stands at 35 ministers, including the Chief Minister , the constitutional maximum. Laaheerie P Courtesy : TMV Note: This news is originally published on https:/themorningvoice.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights