Tribal Harassment on IIM Bangalore Campus: Professor and Wife’s ‘Cookie’ Arrives, But Inhumane Torture! Police Haven’t Included SC/ST Act Sections in the FIR
Despite five days having passed since the case was registered, the police have yet to arrest the accused couple, nor has a prestigious institute like IIM Bangalore taken any strict action against its professor despite such serious allegations. Bengaluru – The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) is once again embroiled in a deep controversy. In 2024, a case was filed at the Mico Layout police station against the then Director of IIM Bangalore and seven other professors for caste discrimination against a Dalit professor, which is currently pending in the High Court. Now, a 23-year-old tribal woman from Churachandpur, Manipur, who worked as a maid in the house of another professor at the same institute, has leveled extremely serious allegations of harassment against him. In her report filed at the Mico Layout police station, the young woman stated that IIM-B professor Amar Sapra and his wife Anshu Sapra kept her hungry and thirsty, denied her adequate food, and subjected her to inhumane torture when she was unable to work due to illness. Despite more than five days having passed since the case was filed, the police have yet to arrest the accused couple, nor has the prestigious institution of IIM Bangalore taken any strict action against its professor despite such serious allegations. Amar Sapra is a faculty member in the Production and Operations Management Department at IIMB, and his wife Anshu runs a nursery school franchise on campus. The FIR lists the location of the incident as IIMB Campus, Bilekahalli. The case involves Naina (name changed), a resident of Churachandpur district in Manipur, who came to Bengaluru in 2019 through a placement agency to work as a babysitter for Professor Amar Sapra’s family. Initially, everything was normal, but gradually the atmosphere at home changed, and the campus became nothing less than a torture chamber for Naina. From 2021 onwards, the professor and his wife’s behavior deteriorated. She was forced to work from 6:30 AM until after midnight. When she fell ill, she was given no medicine or rest; she was pressured to continue working. Her mobile phone was taken away, she was forbidden from talking to her family, and she was not even allowed to leave the campus. Speaking to The Mooknayak, Naina explained that Professor Amar Sapra’s wife, Anshu, was even more brutal than his. Anshu would pull her hair, repeatedly hit her, and even slap her while she was talking to others. According to the FIR, on April 15th, at around 2:30 AM, Anshu pulled Naina’s hair and hit her several times. Naina said, “I didn’t tell anyone out of fear. They would check my phone messages and turn it off to prevent me from going out.” She last visited her home last year after her father’s death, and since then, she hasn’t been able to see her family. On May 4th, the abuse reached its peak when she suffered kidney stone pain, but instead of giving her medicine, the couple locked her in a room, starving her. Naina said she experienced severe pain due to the kidney stone. When she told Anshu, he accused her of “acting” and “creating drama.” At the time, she was on the phone with her mother. Naina said, “Anshu took my phone, my cousin called, and I asked her to speak to Madam. I don’t know what they discussed. After that, Anshu kept accusing me of lying.” Successfully saving her life, she reached the house of a professor living in the neighborhood and asked for help. Seeing Naina’s condition, he fed her, gave her shelter, and allowed her to use his phone. Naina informed her family, and in turn, informed the Kuki Students’ Organization Bangalore (KSOB). The next morning, with the help of KSOB, a complaint was filed at the Mico Layout police station. The police coordinated with the IIM-B administration, held a meeting with the institute’s board of directors, and Naina was safely evacuated. Her outstanding wages were also paid in full. After the FIR was filed on May 6, social activists and community leaders raised serious questions about the police’s actions. The police only registered the case under Section 115(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), i.e., voluntarily causing hurt, and Section 127(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), i.e., wrongful confinement. Naina reported that she was also cheated in her wages. Her contract was for ₹18,000 per month, but in April, she was paid only ₹10,000, citing that she had not worked enough days. A further ₹5,000 was claimed to have been paid to a placement agency. When Naina contacted the agency, they denied any responsibility. KSOB President Seilalmuon Haokip revealed that the agency had been quietly collecting fees from employers without Naina’s knowledge. After the FIR was filed on May 6, social activists and community leaders raised serious questions about the police’s actions. The police registered the case only under Section 115(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), meaning voluntarily causing hurt, and Section 127(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Sections related to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST) and harassment of women were deliberately omitted. Social organizations allege that this was not an oversight but a deliberate attempt to shield the accused from strict legal action. Police summoned the victim for spot verification On Sunday, KSOB President Haokip and Naina again went to the police station. The police informed them that a notice had been issued to the accused and that if they failed to cooperate after two notices within 10 to 15 days, they would be arrested. They also stated that a spot verification would be held on May 11th at 2 pm on the campus. Naina, the eldest of three siblings, is the sole earning member of her family and bears the responsibility of supporting her mother and younger siblings. Naina, weeping, says, “I studied until 10th grade but couldn’t take my final exams, so I don’t have a secondary certificate. I don’t know what I’ll do
After the attack on the wedding procession in Udaipur, a Dalit bride proudly took out a Bindooli procession, with the Bhim Army acting as a protective shield.
After being forced off the horse, the Dalit bride gave a befitting reply, taking out a historic Bindooli with the Bhim Army on the streets of Udaipur. Rajasthan: A Dalit bride in Udaipur has strongly challenged the casteist mindset prevalent in society. Just eight days after the attack on her wedding Bindooli (wedding procession), Pooja Meghwal proudly took out a symbolic procession. Dressed in a turquoise blue dress and riding a white horse under a red-gold umbrella, Pooja held pictures of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule in her hands. The entire incident began on April 29, when Pooja’s Bindooli procession was being held in the Dhira Talai area of Hariav, which falls under the Dabok police station area of Udaipur. It is alleged that some women and men strongly objected to her riding a horse and leading the procession outside their house, despite being Dalit. The protest escalated to the point where the bride was pulled off the horse. According to the FIR filed by the bride’s father, Bhairulal Meghwal, the attackers used casteist slurs and threatened bloodshed if the procession was not stopped. The DJ was shut down, guests were pelted with stones, and attacked with sticks, rods, and swords. Several people were injured in the stampede, and women’s mangalsutras and other valuable jewelry and watches were looted. Following the incident, the police registered a case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST Act. The FIR was filed against Laxman Singh, Madhu Singh, Kishan Singh, Uday Singh, Arjun Singh, Takhat Singh, Fateh Singh, Vikram Singh, and Manju Kanwar. Instead of being deterred by the attack, Pooja and her supporters organized a massive and peaceful march from Udaipur’s Town Hall to the Collectorate on May 7th. This symbolic Bindoli was led by the Bhim Army and other caste organizations. Most of the participants wore white clothes and blue scarves. They carried the statue of Dr. B.R. There were blue flags bearing Ambedkar’s image, posters chanting “Jai Bhim” and demanding the rights of marginalized communities. Pooja’s father, Bhairulal, expressed his pain, saying that he simply wanted to show that he, too, is human and a resident of this country. He lamented that even after nearly 80 years of independence, the mentality of untouchability persists in society. He stated that such incidents are constantly occurring against Dalits in the Mewar region, and he has submitted a memorandum to the administration against this. Roshan Meghwal, Senior Vice President of the Udaipur Bhim Army, also strongly questioned this evil practice. He said that it is because of the struggles of great figures like Savitribai Phule that women have gained equal rights in every field today, so why are they being prevented from riding horses? He said that while the country is celebrating “Amrit Kaal,” Dalits are being dismounted from horses, which violates everyone’s right to live equally in this democratic country. The memorandum also highlighted that such incidents are common in the region. A similar incident occurred in Chittorgarh a few days ago, while last year, three Bindoli processions had to be carried out under police protection in Tadavara, Rajsamand. Activists appealed to the administration to root out this casteist mentality. In the memorandum submitted to the administration, the Bhim Army stated that only four people have been arrested so far in this case. They demanded that the Arms Act be added to the FIR, as Takhat Singh is alleged to have attacked with a sword. They also demanded that several other individuals involved in the attack be named. The march, which concludes with a memorandum, demanded an immediate end to the daily discrimination against the Dalit community in all districts of Rajasthan. This included preventing them from drawing drinking water, barbers refusing to cut their hair, barbers barring them from entering temples and public places, and even discrimination at crematoriums after death. The administration was urged to ensure strict enforcement of the law. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
UP cabinet rejig signals BJP caste reset as Yogi courts OBCs, Dalits to blunt SP’s PDA narrative
The Yogi govt expanded representation for OBCs and Dalits while rewarding loyalists & regional leaders before high-stakes Assembly battle. Three OBCs, two Dalits and a Brahmin among new ministers. Lucknow: Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has attempted to strike a caste balance through a long awaited expansion of his cabinet. At a swearing-in ceremony held at the governor’s house in Lucknow on Sunday, six leaders took oath as ministers while two leaders were promoted and assigned new responsibilities. Special emphasis was placed on maintaining social and regional balance in the cabinet expansion. The leaders who took the oath included Bhupendra Chaudhary, Manoj Pandey, Ajit Pal, Somendra Tomar, Krishna Paswan, Surendra Diler, Hansraj Vishwakarma and Kailash Rajput. Among them, Surender diler, Krishna paswan, Hansraj Vishwakarma and Kailash Rajput were inducted as Ministers of State, while the other leaders were given Cabinet and independent charge responsibilities. Another rebel SP MLA, Pooja Pal, was also expecting a call for the oath ceremony, but she was not considered in this cabinet expansion. Out of the six new ministers inducted into the cabinet, three belong to the OBC community, two are Dalits and one is a Brahmin. According to UP BJP functionaries, the party has focused on increasing the representation of OBCs and Dalits in the cabinet to counter the Samajwadi Party’s ‘PDA’ (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) narrative. With the latest expansion, the 60 member council of ministers now includes 25 OBC ministers, 21 from upper castes, 12 Dalits, one Sikh and one Muslim minister. By giving representation to leaders from western Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand, and Purvanchal, the party has tried to strike a broader social balance also. Among the new faces sworn in on Sunday were: Bhupendra Chaudhary Former Uttar Pradesh BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary has held several organisational positions ranging from district president and regional president of western Uttar Pradesh to state BJP chief. He had also served as a minister in the Yogi government earlier and has now once again took oath as a Cabinet Minister. Manoj Pandey Rebel SP MLA Manoj Pandey represents the Unchahar Assembly seat in Rae Bareli. He previously served as a Cabinet Minister in the Samajwadi Party government. Pandey rebelled against the SP during the Rajya Sabha elections and later joined the BJP, which had promised him a ministerial berth. He has now been inducted as a Cabinet Minister. Kailash Rajput Kailash Rajput, an MLA from the Tirwa Assembly seat in Kannauj, has been made a Minister of State. Rajput, a leader from the Lodhi community, comes from the parliamentary constituency represented by Akhilesh Yadav. With his induction, Kannauj now has two ministers in the Yogi government. The move also comes after the BJP suffered setbacks among Lodhi voters in parts of central Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Hansraj Vishwakarma Former Varanasi district BJP president Hansraj Vishwakarma has been inducted as a Minister of State. He belongs to the OBC Vishwakarma community and comes from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency. With his induction, Varanasi now has four ministers in the state government. Surendra Diler Surendra Diler, MLA from the Khair Assembly seat in Aligarh, took oath as a Minister of State. He belongs to the Valmiki community within the Dalit social group. Through his induction, the BJP appears to be seeking to strengthen its outreach among Dalit voters. Krishna Paswan Krishna Paswan, MLA from the Khaga Assembly seat in Fatehpur district, also took oath as a Minister of State. Paswan’s induction, as a woman leader from the Dalit Pasi community, comes amid indications that a section of Pasi voters shifted towards the Samajwadi Party during the 2024 elections. Ajit Pal and Somendra Tomar Ajit Pal and Somendra Tomar have been elevated from Ministers of State to Ministers with Independent Charge. Tomar, MLA from Meerut South, currently serves as Minister of State for Energy and is considered close to Bhupendra Chaudhary. He belongs to the Gurjar community. Portfolios for the newly inducted ministers are expected to be announced later. Prashant Srivastava Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP: Violence Against Dalit Families Over Land Dispute in Deoband; Bhim Army Alleges Firing, Police Lathicharge and Brutality
A land dispute in Lalwala village under Deoband police station limits in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district turned violent on Saturday, leaving several people injured and triggering tension in the area. According to members of the Bahujan community, the dispute concerned nearly two bighas of land that they claimed had been forcibly occupied earlier. They alleged that fresh construction work was underway on the land, prompting local Dalit-Bahujan residents to protest. During the protest, reports of firing and violent attacks allegedly emerged from the side accused of occupying the land. Several people were reportedly injured in the incident. Local media reports described the matter as an old land dispute linked to tensions between Thakur and Dalit communities, reportedly involving disagreement over the installation of a Maharana Pratap statue. Allegations of Police Lathicharge The situation reportedly worsened after police arrived at the spot. Members of the victim’s side accused the police of using force against protesters. According to locals, police carried out a lathicharge in which women, children and elderly people were also injured. Several people were reportedly seriously hurt during the police action. Following the violence, heavy police deployment was made in the village to maintain law and order, while tension continued in the area. The administration has said that police forces were deployed to prevent further clashes and maintain peace. Chandrashekhar Azad Stopped by Police On Sunday, Nagina MP and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was scheduled to visit Lalwala village to meet the injured and the affected families. However, he alleged that the administration stopped him at his residence in Chhutmalpur. According to reports, a large police force was deployed outside his house to prevent his movement. Calling the incident an attack on the Bahujan community, Azad strongly criticised both the alleged land encroachment and the police action. “The land of Bahujan Samaj in Lalwala, which was earlier forcibly occupied and where construction work is now being carried out, is not only an encroachment on land but also a direct attack on the constitutional rights of the Bahujan community,” Azad wrote on social media. Bhim Army Demands Action Azad further alleged that when Dalit residents protested to protect their land rights, they were attacked and fired upon. “But the most shameful thing is that the police, who are responsible for security, were seen committing atrocities. The police lathicharge was so barbaric that even women, children and elderly people were not spared,” he said. Tagging Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Azad demanded immediate action against both the alleged encroachers and the policemen involved. He demanded the arrest of those accused of illegal occupation, suspension of police personnel allegedly involved in the assault, registration of a case under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, compensation and medical treatment for the injured, and protection for affected families. “If action is not taken soon, the matter will echo from the streets to the House and the Bahujan community will be forced to fight decisively for their rights,” he warned. Police officials have not yet publicly responded to the allegations of brutality made by Bhim Army and local residents. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
3 Held For Murder of Dalit Youth in Godavarikhani
Godavarikhani ACP M. Ramesh said the accused were identified as Naveen, Alekya and Bhaskar KARIMNAGAR: Neelam Naveen, 30, his wife Alekya, 28, and her cousin Bhaskar, 28, allegedly murdered a 31-year-old Dalit youth in Godavarikhani over alleged harassment, police said. The case was registered against the three accused after the decomposed body of Joola Vamshi, a resident of Singireddypalli village in Ramagiri mandal, was found in a forest near Gadidalagandi in Manthani mandal on Sunday morning. Vamshi had been missing since April 30. Based on a complaint from his family, the Godavarikhani Two-Town police registered a missing case and began an investigation Godavarikhani ACP M. Ramesh said the accused were identified as Naveen, Alekya and Bhaskar. During questioning, Alekya allegedly confessed that Vamshi had harassed her since she was in Class 10 and continued to do so after her marriage to Naveen. Police said the accused planned the murder to stop the alleged harassment. They allegedly lured Vamshi to a secluded place, killed him and dumped the body in the Gadidalagandi forest area to destroy evidence. ACP Ramesh said all three accused were taken into custody. The body was sent for post-mortem examination. Puli Sharath Kumar Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
With 3 OBCs & 2 Dalits, Cabinet rejig signals BJP’s bid to blunt SP’s PDA push ahead of 2027 Uttar Pradesh polls
PDA is a coinage used by the Samajwadi Party (SP) for ‘Pichda’ (backwards), Dalits and ‘Alpsankhyak’ (minorities), denoting the opposition party’s overtures towards communities that hold the key to power in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow: With three OBCs and two Dalits among the six BJP leaders who took oath as ministers in the Yogi Adityanath ministry 2.0 on Sunday, the Cabinet expansion can be seen as a move by the saffron party to blunt the Samajwadi Party’s ‘PDA’ push ahead of next year’s Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. PDA is a coinage used by the Samajwadi Party (SP) for ‘Pichda’ (backwards), Dalits and ‘Alpsankhyak’ (minorities), denoting the opposition party’s overtures towards communities that hold the key to power in Uttar Pradesh. The induction of three OBC and two Dalit faces into the Cabinet made the ruling party’s focus obvious, especially on non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits in the state. The three new OBC faces include Bhupendra Chaudhary (Jat), Kailash Rajput (Lodh) and Hansraj Vishwakarma (Lohar), while Krishna Paswan (Pasi) and Surendra Singh Daler (Valmiki) represent the Dalit communities. The sixth minister, Manoj Kumar Pandey, is a Brahmin. Additionally, two state ministers were promoted with independent charge – Ajit Pal (Pal) and Somendra Tomar (Gurjar) – both non-Yadav OBCs. The first Cabinet expansion of the Adityanath Cabinet took place on March 5, 2024, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, in which the BJP faced shock reverses in Uttar Pradesh with the SP-Congress alliance winning 43 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, limiting the BJP-led-NDA to 36, down from 64 in 2019. This included the stunning loss of the Ayodhya seat to SP’s Awadhesh Prasad, the first Dalit (Pasi) to win the constituency, strengthening the SP’s belief that the PDA narrative can be a bankable option in 2027. Prasad was vocal again on Sunday. “I congratulate the new ministers. However, it is obvious that the BJP is rattled by the SP’s PDA push, and that is why we are convinced that 2027 would see the BJP’s ouster from Uttar Pradesh,” Prasad told PTI over the phone. That the saffron party was working to counter the SP’s PDA card became obvious when senior ministers, including deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, as well as Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, positioned the BJP as the “real” party that cared for the PDA. “SP’s PDA talk is bogus. We are the real PDA,” Keshav Maurya said. The BJP considered that his Brahmin identity would be useful in aligning with this key upper caste group, which the opposition has consistently claimed was unhappy with the saffron party. After taking the oath, Pandey lost no time in targeting SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, his former political boss. “The SP and its leadership are frustrated by the BJP’s phenomenal election wins. As a BJP cadre, I will leave no stone unturned to carry out the tasks assigned to me by the party leadership,” Pandey, now the second BJP minister in the Cabinet from Rae Bareli after Dinesh Pratap Singh, told PTI. Varanasi and Kannauj, too, have been fortified with additional ministers each, hinting at the BJP’s carefully crafted political agenda ahead of next year’s state polls. Hansraj Vishwakarma, BJP’s Varanasi chief who took oath as a minister of state on Sunday, became the fourth minister in the Cabinet from the holy city – the other three being Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar and two ministers of state (independent charge), Ravindra Jaiswal and Daya Shankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’. Barely 25 days back, a political controversy erupted over the alleged sexual assault and murder of a teenage girl from the Lohar community in Ghazipur, just 80 km from Varanasi. Thus, the elevation of Vishwakarma, a Lohar, is also being interpreted as an effort to assuage the community. “No doubt the BJP is desperate, and this appointment, among others, shows its desperation,” SP spokesman Anurag Bhadauria said. Sunday’s Cabinet rejig also saw Kailash Rajput become the second BJP minister from Kannauj, the Lok Sabha constituency of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, after Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun, a Dalit Courtesy : DH Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanherald.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit girl was raped inside her home: Incident in the Holagarh area of Prayagraj; sister beaten for protesting.
A case of rape of a Dalit girl has come to light in the Holagarh police station area of Prayagraj. It is alleged that a young man entered her home on Sunday morning and raped her. When her elder sister came to rescue her, the accused assaulted her with casteist slurs, threatened to kill her, and fled. The victim’s elder sister has filed a complaint at the police station. She stated that their parents have passed away, and the two sisters live in a mud house as laborers. On Sunday morning, while the younger sister was busy with household chores, a young man from the village entered their home. It is alleged that the young man forcibly raped her. Hearing the noise, the elder sister arrived at the scene and attempted to apprehend the accused. Upon hearing this, the accused abused her, used casteist slurs, and beat her to the ground. While fleeing, the accused threatened to kill both sisters if they told anyone about the incident. The frightened victim reported the matter to the police. Holagarh Police Station in-charge Virendra Kumar Mishra stated that he had received a complaint and the police were investigating the matter seriously. Amar Singh | Soraon Courtesy: Hindi News
Who Is Q Manivannan? Indian-Origin Trans Candidate Elected To Scottish Parliament
Manivannan’s election has drawn attention in the UK because the Scottish Greens candidate reportedly does not possess indefinite leave to remain in the country. An Indian-origin transgender candidate from Tamil Nadu has entered Scotland’s political history after being elected to the Scottish Parliament, the devolved legislature that governs key areas such as health, education and justice in Scotland, as a representative of the Scottish Greens. Q Manivannan, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, won a regional list seat from Edinburgh and Lothians East and will now serve as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). Their victory has generated political attention in the UK not only because of their identity and immigrant background, but also because they reportedly do not hold permanent residency status in the country. The election has also triggered intense reactions online, including abuse targeting Manivannan and another transgender Scottish Greens candidate, even as supporters hailed the result as a milestone for representation and diversity in Scottish politics. Who Is Q Manivannan? Originally from Tamil Nadu, Manivannan moved to Scotland in 2021 to pursue studies in international relations at the University of St Andrews. They describe themselves as an anthropologist and poet, and have frequently spoken about issues linked to migration, identity, queer rights and social justice movements. In public remarks, Manivannan has referred to themselves as a “queer Tamil immigrant”. Speaking after the election result, Manivannan told supporters: “My name is Dr Q Manivannan, I am a transgender Tamil immigrant… I am to some in this country everything that the hateful despise, and I am standing here as your MSP now with care.” They added: “A politics of care expands what is possible for everyone left behind, pushed out or never invited in.” Why Has Their Election Become Politically Significant? Manivannan’s election has drawn attention because they reportedly do not possess indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom — a status broadly comparable to permanent residency. According to The Telegraph, Manivannan was able to contest the election because of changes introduced through the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act, passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2020. Earlier, candidates generally required indefinite leave to remain in the UK to stand in Scottish elections. The revised law expanded eligibility rules to allow individuals holding different forms of valid immigration leave — including temporary visas such as study visas — to contest polls. The development has reignited political debate in the UK around immigration laws, voting rights and eligibility for public office. According to the BBC, Manivannan is currently in the UK on a student visa and may need to renew it during the parliamentary term. Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show that the party would support Manivannan through the process. According to The Telegraph, Manivannan had previously sought financial assistance to apply for a graduate visa that would allow them to continue living and working in the UK for a limited period after completing studies. BBC Scotland reported that the Scottish Greens were confident the salary attached to the role of an MSP — just under £80,000 annually — would make obtaining a new visa more straightforward. Responding to the controversy, a spokesperson for the Scottish Greens said Manivannan “is on a valid visa with the right to work and live in Scotland” and criticised the UK immigration system as “needlessly expensive and hostile”. Abuse And Online Backlash After Election Soon after the results were declared, Manivannan and fellow transgender Scottish Greens politician Iris Duane became targets of online abuse. According to The National Scotland, public comments directed at them included words such as “disgusting”, “perverted” and “lying scumbags”. One comment reportedly stated: “Lipstick on a pig is lunacy.” Sharing The Telegraph’s report on the election, former Green Party deputy leader Shahrar Ali reacted on X, writing: “This is called taking the pi**.” Author Andy Ngo also criticised the development, claiming that Scotland was allowing non-citizens to become elected representatives despite Manivannan being on a temporary visa. UK Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, meanwhile, focused his criticism on Manivannan’s immigration status rather than gender identity. “Dr Manivannan may be a nice young person,” he wrote on X. “But I don’t want to live in a country where people on student visas can become elected representatives to national parliaments.” The Scottish Greens described the abuse as “disgraceful”. Manivannan later responded through an Instagram post, writing: “If my mere existence causes this much trouble, I’m excited to see how much my words will.” They added that ordinary people in Scotland had shown support after the election. “I took a walk with a pal today in the end-of-Spring sun in Leith, and to all of you who stopped and thanked me for running, congratulated me, and hugged me — thank you,” the post said. Manivannan also referred to messages received from families and members of the LGBTQ+ community. They further wrote: “Scotland is my home because you, my family, fight for me. And for that, amidst the violent hate, I am so very happy. “And doesn’t that piss people off?” Why The Election Stands Out Manivannan’s victory is being seen as a rare instance of a non-permanent resident being elected to public office in the UK. It also comes at a time when questions around immigration, transgender rights and multicultural politics remain deeply polarising across Britain. Karishma Jain Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
High command aware of who did what, Rahul tells CM contenders
Rahul reportedly told leaders the party knew the sources behind thousands of emails sent over the leadership issue. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Congress high command prepares to announce Kerala’s next chief minister, more details have emerged from Saturday’s deliberations in New Delhi involving senior leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and the three contenders: V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K C Venugopal. Rahul is learnt to have cautioned the trio against staking any claim to the election victory, making it clear that the high command was fully aware of the role played by each of them in the campaign. “No one should stake any claim. The high command is well aware of who did what,” Rahul reportedly told the leaders during the discussions. He also warned them of strict disciplinary action if the ongoing street protests, flex-board war and social media campaigns were not brought to an immediate halt. Rahul also reportedly told the leaders that he had received thousands of emails regarding the leadership issue and that the party leadership was aware of the sources of the communication. In what is being viewed as an apparent dig at Satheesan, Rahul allegedly referred to the intervention of certain religious organisations in the Congress decision-making process. Sources said the leadership was aware of the large-scale canvassing by the Jamaat-e-Islami in favour of Satheesan. According to them, the high command made it clear that it did not require outside influence in deciding party affairs. Could The MV Hondius Hantavirus Outbreak Become The Next COVID-19_ “A senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader called for public protests if Satheesan is denied the chief minister’s post. This is the first time the party is witnessing such canvassing for the selection of its chief minister,” a senior Congress leader said. While congratulating the three leaders on the UDF’s landslide victory, Rahul also apparently told them that the high command recognised their leadership roles in securing the mandate. However, he cautioned them that the high command had a clear picture of the role played by each and reminded them that the campaign had been carried out under the direct monitoring of the party leadership. “Hence, staking claim to the victory is unacceptable and disappointing,” Rahul said. “The credit for the victory belongs to the Congress leadership and the UDF constituents. The high command has a complete picture of what happened on the ground,” he added. Dig at Satheesan In what is being viewed as an apparent dig at Satheesan, Rahul allegedly referred to the intervention of certain religious organisations in the decision-making process. Sources said the leadership was aware of the large-scale canvassing by the Jamaat-e-Islami in favour of Satheesan 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
Veteran politician to 29-year-old doctor: Here is a look at Vijay’s Cabinet, a mix of youth and experienced
Vijay’s cabinet of ministers is a mix of veteran politicians like KA Sengottaiyan and N Anand and freshers like Aadhav Arjuna and S Keerthana. TVK chief Joseph C Vijay on Sunday took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, along with nine other ministers, including freshers who made their electoral debut in the recently concluded Assembly elections. Here is a look at the profiles of the TVK ministers. KA Sengottaiyan: From his early days as a leader of Kullapalayam Panchayat in Coimbatore during the 1970s, Sengottaiyan has carved out a storied 50-year career in Tamil Nadu politics. His journey from a grassroots party worker to a 10-time legislator stands as a testament to his political endurance. Born in 1948, Sengottaiyan’s ascent began when he was just 29 years old. His tireless work earned him his first MLA seat from the Sathyamangalam assembly constituency in 1977, when the AIADMK first rose to power under its legendary founder M G Ramachandran, who was fondly called MGR. After MGR’s passing, Sengottaiyan emerged as a staunch loyalist of J Jayalalithaa. Throughout AIADMK’s various terms in power, he held several key portfolios, most notably serving as the Revenue Minister. His influence continued in the administration of Edappadi K Palaniswami, where he served as the School Education Minister. In this role, he was credited with introducing ambitious reforms. He was expelled from the AIADMK in November 2025 after a series of public disagreements with Palaniswami, and he soon joined the Vijay-led TVK, where his decades of political experience proved invaluable. Aadhav Arjuna: Perhaps TVK’s most visible face, Aadhav Arjuna is a basketball player and is currently the president of Basketball Federation of India. A political strategist, he briefly served as Deputy General Secretary for Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) before parting ways with its chief Thol Thirumavalavan. The Villivakkam MLA-elect is the son-in-law of ‘lottery king’ Santiago Martin and has been credited for TVK’s growth. N Anand: Also known as ‘Bussy’ Anand, he is recognized as one of the closest political associates of TVK president Vijay. He played a key organizational role during the formation and growth of the party, helping build its ground network and campaign machinery across Tamil Nadu. He earned his nickname ‘Bussy’ after winning the election from the Bussy constituency in Puducherry in 2006 in Puducherry Munnetra Congress. Anand will have the distinction of serving the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly, after having previously been MLA in Puducherry. He is known for doing voluntary services in his assembly segment ensuring a garbage free area. S Keerthana: TVK MLA-elect from the Sivakasi constituency, S Keerthana has been making headlines after the 29-year-old became the first woman MLA to achieve victory in the constituency, putting an end to nearly seven decades of male domination. Born in 1996 in Virudhunagar, Keerthana studied in a Tamil-medium government school before building a career in political consulting. She completed her BSc in Mathematics from a college affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University and later pursued MSc in Statistics from Puducherry University in 2019. Before entering active politics, Keerthana worked as a political consultant and digital campaign strategist with Showtime Consulting and IPAC. She was also involved in election campaigns for the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Over the years, she worked with former CMs Stalin, Mamata Banerjee and incumbent AP CM Chandrababu Naidu. KG Arunraj: A former Indian Revenue Service officer and a medical doctor by profession, Arunraj was sworn in as a minister in Vijay’s cabinet on Sunday. Kottaipalayam Ganesan Arunraj, aged 46 now, gave up his prestigious government job and joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. He served as its general secretary, policy and propaganda, before becoming the minister of the first-ever TVK cabinet under Vijay. Arunraj had won from Tiruchengode Assembly constituency in Namakkal district, securing 79,500 votes and trounced his nearest rival SRMT Sekar of the AIADMK by a margin of 28,172 votes. He earned his MBBS from Madras Medical College and had served as government medical officer at the primary health centre in Krishnagiri. He completed his schooling in Salem district. R Nirmal Kumar: A prominent leader of TVK, who played a crucial role in post-poll negotiations in meeting the left party leaders and securing their support for government formation, Nirmal Kumar had headed the IT and social media unit of the TVK. He won from the Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency in Madurai. He was with the BJP initially heading its IT and social media wing and following a brief stint with the AIADMK. Nirmal Kumar joined the TVK in 2025. He became a key strategist for the TVK and is credited with building the digital presence for the TVK while serving as deputy general secretary of IT and social media wing. He holds degrees in engineering and law. A Rajmohan: Rajmohan, an actor, stand-up comedian, television anchor, and director who took the oath of office as a minister, was TVK’s propaganda secretary. He won from Egmore Assembly constituency. P Venkataramanan: TVK treasurer P Venkataramanan who assumed charge as minister, is a practicing advocate and he won from Mylapore Assembly constituency. He is the Brahmin face of TVK. In October 2024, at the first state conference of TVK he had administered the oath to thousands of party activists. Dr K T Prabhu: Dr Prabhu, another newly inducted minister in Vijay’s Cabinet, is a dentist by profession. He won from Karaikudi constituency in Sivaganga district, defeating NTK founder, and actor-director Seeman. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights