PM Narendra Modi attacks ‘one-family parties’; Rahul Gandhi says BJP out to destroy Tamil values
CHENNAI: The last leg of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu heated up on Saturday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi flying down to make divergent pitches. While Modi attacked the “first family” and “scams”, Rahul stuck to TN chief minister M K Stalin’s narrative of BJP being the destructor of Tamil values. Addressing a rally in Coimbatore, Modi said, “DMK’s policy is by the family, of the family, and for the family.” Rahul accused Modi of attempting to rule TN from Delhi. “AIADMK is controlled by the Modi-Shah … and they are out to destroy Tamil history, culture and the language … BJP is trying to destroy the idea of Tamil Nadu,” Rahul said. Modi brought up the women’s bill without mentioning delimitation. “Why does it trouble DMK and Congress to see ordinary women rise? These one-family parties want power to remain confined within their own families,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Attempted Abduction of Dalit Woman in Gorakhpur: Woman Heading to Market Rescued by Bystanders; Case Registered
A case involving the attempted abduction of a young Dalit woman has come to light in Gorakhpur. The woman was on her way to the market to shop for her wedding when a young man attempted to forcibly pull her into his vehicle. Thanks to the timely intervention of passersby, the woman managed to escape unharmed. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Barhalganj police station. In her complaint to the police, the woman stated that her family had scheduled her *Tilak* (engagement ceremony) for April 21 and her wedding for April 28. She was heading to the market for wedding shopping when a young man named Dayanand, a resident of Semra Bujurg village, intercepted her on the way. The accused, Dayanand, physically assaulted the woman and attempted to forcibly drag her into his vehicle. When the woman screamed for help, several passersby began chasing the vehicle. During this ordeal, the accused threatened the woman, warning that if she did not accompany him, he would shoot her entire family. Due to the persistent pursuit and questioning by the passersby, the accused abandoned the woman and fled the scene. The woman remarked that had the bystanders not come to her aid, anything could have happened to her. She also revealed that the accused had previously physically assaulted members of her family. Based on the woman’s complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused, Dayanand, under Sections 140(1), 126(2), 115(2), and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as Sections 3(2)(v), 3(2)(va), 3(1)(c), and 3(1)(d) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Gopal Tripathi | Gola Courtesy: Hindi News
Bulldozers Roll Over Dalit Homes in Basti! No Action Taken Despite Pleas for Justice
In Rampur village, within the jurisdiction of the Munderwa police station, the administration has demolished a Dalit’s house using a JCB machine in the presence of the police. The affected family members have been forced to take shelter with neighbors or live under the open sky. There is widespread outrage among the people as, despite sending letters to the Divisional Commissioner, District Magistrate, and Superintendent of Police pleading for justice, no action has been taken thus far. The semi-permanent and temporary houses belonging to Dalit residents of the Munderwa police station area—specifically Ram Awadh (son of Gobari), Rajendra (son of Ram Velas), Prem Sagar, and Ram Deen (sons of Ram Pher)—were demolished using a JCB in the presence of police forces. This act was carried out in blatant contempt of a court order, allegedly at the instigation of Abdul Wahid, a former village headman and known land mafia figure. This incident has sparked deep resentment among the citizenry. Dharmendra Kumar, the District IT Cell Convener of the Hindu Yuva Vahini—along with other office bearers and activists—had submitted a letter to the Divisional Commissioner demanding an impartial inquiry into the matter and punitive action against the culprits. Vahini officials have been continuously pleading for justice, yet their appeals have gone unheard so far. The letter addressed to senior officials states that on April 13, Revenue Official (Lekhpal) Virendra Kumar Pandey, the Naib Tehsildar, a Sub-Inspector, and other police personnel acted in contempt of the decisions of both the District Magistrate and the High Court by orchestrating the demolition of the Dalits’ homes. Furthermore, these individuals allegedly facilitated the erection of an illegal thatched structure on land parcel (Gata) number 611 for Appu, Subhash, and Bablu—sons of Munnilal—who are residents of the same village. The letter demands that a case be registered against the guilty parties and that new homes be constructed for the affected Dalits. Dharmendra Kumar, the Hindu Yuva Vahini District IT Cell Convener, has warned that if action is not taken against the culprits and if new houses are not built for the Dalits, the matter will be escalated directly to the Chief Minister. Residents of Rampur, located within the jurisdiction of the Munderwa Police Station, have reported that the former village head—a land mafia figure named Abdul Wahid—instills fear among the poor in the village and even prevents them from celebrating the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Residents of Rampur village—including Ram Awadh, Rajendra, Indal, Haribharan, Prem Sagar, Ramdeen, Sunil, Pramesh, Urmila, Shanti, Sheela, Kamalavati, Manju, Gudiya, Shumantri, Nilu, Chandravati, Sarita, Vedkala, Seema, and Vimla Devi—have appealed to the administration. They demand that action be taken against the culprits, that homes demolished using a JCB be reconstructed for those affected, and that strict punitive measures be initiated against the perpetrators. Courtesy: Hindi News
Ontario survey reveals invisible caste bias in South Asian communities across Canada
A first-of-its-kind survey on caste-discrimination in Canada by the South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network (SADAN) and researchers from four Canadian universities reveals subtle and overt discrimination experienced by caste-marginalised South Asians. A decade after US-based Equality Labs released its first survey on caste discrimination in the United States, an Ambedkarite group in Canada has released the findings of a similar survey in that country, which shows that people of South Asian heritage—the majority of them Indians—practise discrimination against people of lowered castes and Dalits. The South Asian Dalit Adivasi Network (SADAN) and researchers from four Canadian universities conducted the community-oriented survey and released the Caste Experiences in Ontario Survey report to coincide with Dalit History Month, which is observed in April, and Ambedkar Jayanti, which falls on April 14. The survey received responses from 128 people, the majority of whom—85%—traced their roots to India, while the remaining had ancestry in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 61% of the respondents were caste marginalised and 38% self-identified as Dalit or caste-oppressed. The respondents also professed different faiths—Hinduism, Buddhism, Ravidassia, Dalit and Adivasi practices. The majority of respondents spoke Hindi (70%), while 37% spoke Punjabi and 27% Tamil. Over 40% of respondents said they were discriminated against at the workplace and educational institutions. Discrimination also spilled over into social relationships such as friendships and marital alliances, as well as at places of worship and cultural gatherings. The report was authored by Kavya Harshita Jidugu, Harshita Yalamarty, Vijay Puli, Jatin, Chinnaiah Jangam, and Sailaja Krishnamurti. Kavya is a PhD candidate at Queen’s University. Harshita is an assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in gender and migration (Tier 2) at Toronto Metropolitan University. Vijay Puli is a founder and executive director of SADAN. Jatin is a PhD scholar and co-founder of the Forum for Anti-Caste Activism at the University of Toronto. Chinnaiah is an associate professor at Carleton University of Toronto and co-founder of SADAN. Sailaja is an associate professor and HoD of gender studies at Queen’s University. Kavya, who was a lead researcher in the project team, said in a press release: “The courage it took for community members to come forward and speak about caste-based discrimination is both powerful and essential to addressing casteism in Canada and we are grateful for the community’s leadership.” The report noted that South Asians formed the largest visible minority in Canada and while researchers had studied South Asians in terms of a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) framework, social relations within South Asians had not received much attention. The survey asked 38 questions divided into four sections: demographic information, personal experiences of caste discrimination, discrimination in the community, and personal reflections. Participants were also allowed to record their views on certain questions. Many respondents talked about caste discrimination being less overt compared to India. However, as one respondent put it, “subtle biases persist, making it harder at times to feel fully included or accepted. This has somewhat affected my sense of belonging, particularly within diaspora circles where caste consciousness continues to influence social relationships.” One respondent spoke of Brahmins wearing a sacred thread in public places such as swimming pools as an example of practices that “don’t directly attack anyone but quietly establish superiority in society”. “On the surface, this appears to be a religious practice, but it actually serves as a way of signalling to others that they are superior to other Hindus… it’s an assertion of religious and caste superiority”. Around 50% of the participants—of which 92% were from caste marginalised backgrounds—have experienced caste-based discrimination in their workplaces, educational institutions, while purchasing or renting homes, and in other social settings. More than half of these respondents said they had been subjected to discrimination more than once. Around 69% of respondents said that caste discrimination has impacted their mental health. How casteism affects life in Canada Casteism at the workplace included interviewers asking job aspirants for their caste because they couldn’t identify the candidate’s caste from their last name and paying lower wages to Dalits than others for the same work. More than 50% interviewees said that caste discrimination has prevented them from progressing in their career. Several people spoke of being asked about their caste by roommates or neighbours, encountering rental listings that specified acceptable caste backgrounds and housing being denied at the last minute when the tenant’s caste was identified. One respondent stated that “(my) upper caste roommate called me impure because I was eating meat (sic).” Many respondents described being bullied for their skin colour or meat diet in school. Students reportedly also face bias from their faculty during their vivas, assignments, or exams. A respondent noted the lack of diversity within university systems that work in the South Asian context, where there is “virtually no Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi representation either at faculty-level or even in terms of the curriculum…” Many respondents spoke of how they were excluded or segregated in social settings, particularly religious gatherings. One respondent said, “The so-called upper caste people don’t prefer to mingle with Dalits … they won’t be invited in family puja, ceremonies, even if invited, they will have separate area to eat (sic).” One person spoke of how their family tried to ensure that their wedding was performed and “in contact” with only people from their caste (dominant). “Although this consideration was ultimately removed by me and my partner, we saw the initial hesitation (sic).” The report notes that some forward caste parents tell their wards not to speak to their marginalised caste peers. Dalit Muslim respondents drew connections between casteism and Islamophobia in both Canada and India. “I have witnessed behaviours that are exclusionary, oppressive, racist and sexist towards Christians, Dalits, Muslims and other groups,” said a respondent. Another spoke of being called slurs and names, and “even untouchability at times. Not willing to share food with us. Or not wanting to marry us.” One queer and Dalit woman talked about being unable to trust an Indian in Canada for fear of being
Why Did a Dalit Youth Set Himself on Fire in Muzaffarnagar? Allegations of Assault Surface; Know the Full Story
In Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth, distressed by caste-based harassment, attempted suicide by setting himself on fire. After he refused to perform manual labor, the farm owner subjected him to casteist slurs and physically assaulted him, leaving the youth critically injured. He has since been referred to Delhi for treatment. The police have arrested the accused and registered a case under the SC/ST Act. A spine-chilling video has emerged from the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, showing a Dalit youth openly dousing himself with petrol and setting himself ablaze. In a matter of moments, the youth was engulfed in flames; bystanders struggled to extinguish the fire and rushed the critically injured Dalit youth to a hospital for treatment. Given the severity of his condition, doctors subsequently referred him to Delhi. According to reports, the victim—a Dalit youth—worked as a laborer on the farm of a farmer belonging to the Rajput community. It is alleged that on Friday morning, the farm owner asked the victim to load a cart with flowers. When the victim refused, the accused—in the presence of others—hurled casteist slurs at him and physically assaulted him. Driven by deep humiliation and distress over this incident, the victim poured petrol over himself in an attempt to commit suicide. Himanshu, a 22-year-old resident of Gangdhadi village within the Khatauli Kotwali police station area, sprinkled petrol on himself and set himself on fire. The incident was captured by a CCTV camera installed at a nearby house and subsequently went viral on social media. Himanshu sustained severe injuries in the incident and was admitted to a hospital for treatment; however, due to his critical condition, doctors referred him to Delhi. What Did the Victim’s Family Say? The victim’s family alleges that Himanshu worked as a laborer on the farm of a fellow villager named Tinku (alias Gaurav Rajput). Yesterday, the farm owner, Tinku, asked Himanshu to load a cart with flowers in the field. However, when Himanshu refused to do so, Tinku—in the presence of others—verbally abused him using caste-based slurs and physically assaulted him. It is further alleged that, driven by deep distress and humiliation, Himanshu attempted to end his life late that night by setting himself on fire. Bittu, the brother of the victim—a young Dalit man named Himanshu—alleges that the farm owner, Tinku (alias Gaurav Rajput), would frequently subject Himanshu to verbal abuse and physical violence. Meanwhile, acting on a written complaint filed by the victim’s family, the police have registered a case against the accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and have taken the accused into custody. **Accused Person Arrested** CO (Circle Officer) of Khatauli, Ramashish Yadav, stated that the police received information around 10:45 PM regarding a young man named Himanshu (son of Bedu) who had set himself on fire. Acting immediately upon this report, the police rushed to the scene. With the assistance of his family members, Himanshu was admitted to a hospital, where his condition is currently stable, and he is receiving the best possible medical treatment. Upon visiting the scene to conduct an inquiry into the incident, it came to light that Himanshu had been involved in an altercation with another young man from his own village named Gaurav (alias Tinku). Tinku (alias Gaurav) had physically assaulted him, and it was this act of violence that caused Himanshu such distress that he set himself on fire. In connection with this matter, the accused has been taken into custody, and an investigation is currently underway. Courtesy: Hindi News
Ayodhya News: Attack on Dalit Family in Kaithani; FIR Filed Against Seven Individuals
Sohawal: An incident involving physical assault and verbal abuse against a Dalit family has come to light in Kaithani—a hamlet within the Mustafabad Baragaon Gram Panchayat, under the jurisdiction of the Raunahi police station. Acting on a written complaint filed by the victim, Premchand, the police have registered a case against seven named accused individuals under various sections of the law, including the SC/ST Act. In his written complaint, the victim, Premchand, stated that influential local figures carried out the attack over a trivial dispute. It is alleged that the incident was triggered when a goat, while grazing, wandered into the accused’s house. A group comprising Mustakim, Zubair, Shahzadi, Saiyak, Amir, Bholu, Alma, and others barged into Premchand’s home; while hurling caste-based slurs, they began physically assaulting the family members. Upon hearing the commotion, Premchand’s mother and sister rushed to their aid but were also beaten. During the attack—which involved the use of iron rods and sharp-edged weapons—the sister sustained a head injury resulting in a deep gash. Premchand suffered injuries to his nose and head. The accused have also threatened the entire family with dire consequences. Arvind Sonkar, the Circle Officer (CO) of the Sadar zone, has initiated an investigation into the matter. CO Sonkar has given assurances that a fair and impartial inquiry will be conducted, and that protection will be provided to the victimized family. Samvad News Agency, Ayodhya Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man sets himself ablaze after ‘assault’; accused arrested
Agra: A 22-year-old Dalit man sustained severe burn injuries after he set himself on fire following an altercation with a local farmer who allegedly assaulted him and used caste-based slurs against him in public, leaving him severely distressed, police said on Saturday. The incident took place in Gangdhari village under Khatauli police station in Muzaffarnagar around 9pm on Friday and a CCTV footage of Himanshu Kumar, purportedly showing him pouring petrol and setting himself on fire, has since surfaced online. Khatauli DSP, Ramashish Yadav, said locals rushed to his aid and managed to douse the flames before taking him to a nearby hospital. “Doctors referred him to a higher medical centre, where he is undergoing treatment. His condition is stable,” he said. Himanshu’s brother, Bittu, lodged a police complaint stating that his brother worked as a labourer in the field of a local farmer, Gaurav alias Tinku. He said on Friday, Gaurav had asked Himanshu to load flowers in a cart. “When he refused, he slapped him… My brother felt insulted, following which he took the extreme step,” he told police. A case was registered under relevant sections of BNS, including 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 108 (abetment to suicide), along with section 3(2)(V) of the SC/ST Act. The accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway, the DSP said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allahabad high court stays FIR order against Rahul Gandhi in dual citizenship case
The Allahabad high court on Saturday stayed its earlier direction ordering the registration of an FIR against Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with an alleged dual citizenship case.The court also stated that no decision could be taken without first hearing the accused, as news agency ANI reported. A day earlier, the Lucknow bench of the high court had directed the Uttar Pradesh police to register an FIR against the Congress MP, citing allegations that he concealed British citizenship while incorporating a company in England in 2003. The bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi had also allowed the state government to transfer the probe to any central agency. It noted that a prima facie reading of the allegations indicated cognizable offences, warranting a detailed investigation. The direction came after the Deputy Solicitor General submitted relevant documents as sought by the court. The plea was filed by Karnataka BJP worker Vignesh Shishir, who alleged that Rahul had declared himself a UK citizen while incorporating a company, M/S Backops Ltd, registered in August 2003. According to the petitioner, Rahul had voluntarily listed his nationality as British and provided a Director Identification ID along with addresses in London and Hampshire. While passing its earlier order, the bench had set aside a January 28, 2025 ruling by a special MP/MLA court in Lucknow, which had declined to order an FIR. The high court observed that the lower court failed to adequately examine whether the allegations disclosed prima facie cognizable offences. During the hearing, deputy solicitor general SB Pandey presented central government records related to the citizenship issue, while state government counsel VK Singh agreed that the allegations, on the face of it, warranted investigation. The bench had concluded that the material on record suggested the need for a probe into the claims of dual citizenship. 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
‘Centre trying to bypass OBCs and Dalits’: Rahul Gandhi slams centre over delimitation bill in Lok Sabha – top quotes
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre during the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill and Delimitation proposals, alleging that the legislation was aimed at redrawing India’s electoral balance rather than empowering women. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the special Parliament session, the senior Congress leader said the government was using women’s reservation as a cover to pursue political objectives and retain power. He also accused the Centre of attempting to weaken the political voice of OBCs and Dalits through constituency restructuring. Rahul Gandhi said the entire opposition would resist what he described as an “anti-national” move and defeat any attempt to alter the democratic structure for partisan gain. Top quotes from Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha address “The first truth is that this is not a women’s bill. This has nothing to do with the empowerment of women. This is an attempt to change the electoral map of India.” “Women are a central force, a driving force in our national imagination, in our national perspective.” “All of us, every single one in this room has been influenced, taught, learnt a lot from women in their lives.” “This bill is an attempt to change country’s electoral map; using and hiding behind India’s women.” “Prime Minister and myself don’t have that wife issue. So, we don’t get that input but we have our mothers and sisters.” “Manuvad over Samvidhaan…Amit Shah ji says that the caste census has begun. He repeated twice, trying to be clever, saying that houses don’t have caste. The point is whether or not the caste census is going to be used in representation in Parliament & State Assemblies. And now, what you are trying to do is that caste census has nothing to do with representation for the next 15 years…” “It is a historical fact that how Indian society treated Dalits and OBCs and their women…What is being attempted here is a bypass of the caste census. Here, the yare trying to avoid giving power and representation to my OBC brothers and sisters and taking power from them.” “What you (BJP) are doing, because you are scared of what is happening in the politics of the country, you are scared of the erosion of your strength, and you are trying to rejig the Indian political map. You did it in Assam, J&K, and now imagining you can do it in India. You need a constitutional amendment to do that.” Rahul Gandhi argued that the Bill was less about representation of women and more about political engineering through constituency redrawing. According to him, the proposed delimitation exercise would alter the electoral map in a way that benefits the ruling BJP and undermines existing social justice frameworks. He also alleged that the move was designed to reduce the political influence of backward communities and marginalised sections. Despite criticising the Bill, Rahul Gandhi strongly praised the role of women in society and politics, saying they remain central to the country’s identity and progress. He said women had shaped the lives and thinking of everyone in Parliament through their influence as mothers, sisters and family members. During his speech, Rahul Gandhi also injected humour into the debate with a remark that drew laughter in the House. “Prime Minister and myself don’t have that wife issue…,” he said while referring to the role women play in shaping men’s lives. He also referred to his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and joked that she had achieved something he had not managed in years by making Union Home Minister Amit Shah smile. The debate took place during the special session of Parliament was convened to discuss women’s reservation and delimitation. The opposition has raised concerns that linking women’s quota implementation with delimitation could have wider consequences for federal balance, regional representation and caste-based political participation. 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
PM Modi, Amit Shah want to rule Tamil Nadu from Delhi: Rahul Gandhi
CHENNAI/TRICHY: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday kicked off his campaign for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls with an attack on PM Modi and Union minister Amit Shah, saying they “want to rule the state from Delhi” through AIADMK. “They want a CM who can take orders from Delhi,” he said while campaigning in Tiruvallur, Ranipet and Trichy. “BJP wants to remove Stalin as CM at all costs and replace him with a puppet in AIADMK. The historic party’s soul has been captured by BJP,” he said. Rahul accused BJP and RSS of waging a war on Tamil Nadu, its language and culture, and said he won’t allow that to happen. “They don’t know what Tamil means to people of the state. Brothers in DMK and the INDIA bloc are protecting Tamil from their assault,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights