Punjab police drag Dalit woman by hair, assault her in broad daylight
Incident came to light after CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media. Chandigarh: In an alleged case of police brutality, a Dalit woman was assaulted and dragged by her hair in Punjab’s Jalandhar by a police officer on Friday, March 20. The incident came to light after CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media. The victim, Mamta Bhagat, claimed that she was trying to protect her son from the assault when the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) attacked her. He reportedly used extreme force and treated her with cruelty while dragging her out of the house. “The ASI crossed all limits. When he came, there was no woman police personnel with him. My sons were asleep at that time. I tried to talk to him, but instead he grabbed me by my hair and also entered into scuffle with my sons,” Mamta told reporters. The CCTV footage shows police officers beating half-clothed young men in the middle of the road. Mamta sustained severe head injuries and was seen with a bandage around her forehead. The issue escalated when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress leaders from Jalandhar West demanded action against the officer responsible for the attack. Former MLA Sheetal Angural, councillor Tarsem Lakhotra and former councillor Vipan Kumar were among those who staged a protest at Bhargo Camp Chowk. The protestors later arrived at the police station with the victim seeking action against the ASI. “We will not relent till the victim gets justice. We have been told that action is being mulled against the ASI concerned. We will also take the matter to the state commission for women and for SCs tomorrow,” Sheetal Angural said. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala Assembly polls 2026: Adivasi, Dalit outfits extend support to UDF, flag exclusion in candidate selection
Independent candidature plan scrapped to consolidate anti-LDF votes Various Dalit and Adivasi organisations, including the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) and the Ambedkarite Democratic Front (ADF), have decided to support United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates in all three constituencies in Wayanad district and across the State in the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference at Kalpetta on Monday, M. Geethanandan, State coordinator, AGMS; Sreejith P. Sasi, State council member, ADF; Manikandan C and Mary Lydia of the Adi Shakti Summer School said they had submitted a charter of demands on Dalit and Adivasi issues to the UDF leadership, which had assured that the concerns would be considered. However, they expressed strong protest over the exclusion of eligible candidates from Adivasi communities such as the Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayaka and Vettakuruma in the selection of Scheduled Tribe candidates in Wayanad district by both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the UDF. The collective said that the denial of social justice in candidate selection in Wayanad for over 60 years had been brought to the attention of Rahul Gandhi, former MP of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the current MP. The issue was also communicated to the Congress State leadership, but to no avail, Mr. Geethanandan said. They further alleged that neither Mr. Gandhi during his tenure nor Ms. Vadra at present were willing to directly engage with Adivasi communities to understand their issues. In response, the group announced plans to form a “political agitation committee” to bring the matter to national attention. The committee will be officially announced at an Adivasi manifesto convention to be held in Wayanad after the Assembly election results are declared. The organisations had earlier decided to field an independent candidate from the Paniya community in the Mananthavady constituency in protest against the sidelining of marginalised communities by major political fronts. However, they withdrew the decision due to the early announcement of the election schedule and the lack of adequate preparation. They also said they did not want to miss the opportunity to politically challenge the continuation of the LDF government, which had “undermined Dalit and Adivasi rights”. The collective alleged that ₹7,411 crore of SC/ST development funds had been wasted during the decade of Left rule. Despite adequate budget allocations, the government disrupted the distribution of e-grants for students, forcing many to drop out of their studies. Around 500 Adivasi families displaced by landslides and floods are yet to be rehabilitated, they said. While a township was inaugurated for victims of the Mundakkai disaster, no rehabilitation package was provided for tribal communities, the organisations added. They further alleged that instead of rehabilitating the landless, the government had illegally handed over Adivasi land to the Centre for a museum project. They also claimed that reservation policies were being undermined and that backdoor appointments were being made to benefit insiders. The group said that O. R. Kelu, Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, should respond to these issues as he seeks re-election from Mananthavady. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Samiti seeks probe into SCs population data in Nagamohan Das report
There are discrepancies in data used in the Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, says S.R. Kollur Stating that there are discrepancies in population data used in the Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, State coordinator of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkarite) S.R. Kollur has sought a high-level inquiry to determine accurate figures of various communities coming under the Scheduled Castes. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Kollur said that, according to the 1951 State Census, the population of the Dalit right communities was higher than that of the Dalit left communities. However, the commission’s report shows that the Dalit left population is higher, while indicating a decline in the population of Dalit right communities, he said. He said that the reported decline in the Dalit right community population over the years raises questions. He also pointed to differences in the district-wise data of the 2011 Census, particularly in Chitradurga district, where the Dalit right population has been shown to be in very low numbers. Mr. Kollur stated that several Scheduled Castes communities are seeking internal reservation based on their population and any errors in data can result in injustice. He said that higher population figures shown for the Dalit left community have given them priority in the A category, affecting the interests of the Dalit right communities and others. He urged the Siddaramaiah-led State government to order a comprehensive inquiry to determine the exact population of Scheduled Castes and to continue the recruitment process as per the earlier roster system until the issue is resolved. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Woman Attacked in Gadaganj; FIR Filed After 6 Days: Accused Also Beat Husband and Mother-in-Law; Previous Case Under SC/ST Act Also Registered
In Bishun Das Pur village, located within the Gadaganj police station area of Raebareli district, Shanti Devi—a woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste—along with her husband, Ranjit Kumar, and mother-in-law, Rajkumari, were subjected to a life-threatening assault. The attackers dragged them out of their home and beat them, resulting in a severe head injury to Shanti Devi. She required nine stitches on her head and sustained serious injuries to her hands, legs, and waist. In an unconscious state, Shanti Devi was rushed to the Dinshah Gaura Community Health Center. After receiving primary treatment, she was referred to the District Hospital; subsequently, as her condition failed to improve, she was admitted to AIIMS. Following six days of treatment, her condition has shown some signs of improvement. On Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM, Shanti Devi’s husband, Ranjit Kumar, lodged a formal complaint at the Gadaganj police station. He has accused fellow villagers—Ghanshyam, Deshraj, Aman, Mrs. Kamlesh, and Soni Surat—of assault and verbal abuse. Station House Officer (SHO) Dayanand Tiwari stated that a case has been registered against the accused under the relevant sections of the law, and the police have initiated an investigation into the matter. The SHO further revealed that just three months prior, another case involving assault and charges under the SC/ST Act had been registered against these very same individuals. Premchandra Srivastava | Jalalpur Dhai (Dalmau), Raebareli Courtesy: Hindi News
POCSO Court Sentences Accused to 10 Years: ₹30,000 Fine Imposed in Case of Abduction and Rape of Dalit Minor
In Firozabad, a Special POCSO Court has sentenced an accused individual to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case involving the abduction and rape of a minor Dalit girl. The court also imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on him. This verdict was delivered by Special POCSO Court Judge Mumtaz Ali. This conviction was made possible due to the effective legal advocacy by the police and the prosecution, carried out under “Operation Conviction”—an initiative launched under the directives of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saurabh. The case pertains to Garhi Harray village, located within the jurisdiction of the Pachokhara Police Station. On July 26, 2021, Mangal Singh—son of Anganlal and a resident of Dokeli under the Matsena Police Station area—was accused of enticing and abducting the complainant’s minor daughter. In connection with this incident, the victim’s father filed a complaint at the Pachokhara Police Station on July 28, 2021, based on which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against an unidentified person. During the investigation, based on the evidence gathered, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—specifically Section 366 (Abduction) and Section 376 (Rape)—along with applicable sections of the POCSO Act, were added to the case. Furthermore, since the victim belonged to the Dalit community, Section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was also invoked in the matter. The Investigating Officer filed the charge sheet in court on October 30, 2021—94 days after the incident took place. The roles played by the police and the prosecution were pivotal in this case. The prosecution’s lead counsel, Devprakash; the police team from Pachokhara Police Station; and the Monitoring Cell played a crucial role in ensuring effective legal representation and the robust presentation of evidence before the court. This verdict by the court has sent a clear message to society that strict legal action will be taken against those who commit such heinous crimes, and they will face severe punishment. Arun Kumar Rawat Courtesy : Hindi News
Tribal-dalit collective drops plan to field independent in Mananthavady
Kozhikode: Collective of adivasi and dalit organisations including Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) has decided to withdraw its earlier plan to field an independent candidate in Mananthavady constituency in assembly elections. AGMS and various groups including Ambedkarite Democratic Front has announced support for UDF, including in all the three constituencies of Wayanad. AGMS coordinator M Geethanandan said they have submitted a charter of demands focusing on dalit and adivasi issues to UDF leadership which has assured that it will be considered. At the same time, the organisations however said that despite the presence of eligible candidates from tribal communities such as Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayakan and Vettakuruma, both the left and right fronts have consistently sidelined them while selecting ST candidates in Wayanad. They said the decision to drop the plan for an independent candidate was influenced by the early announcement of election schedule and lack of adequate time for preparations. They said they do not want to miss the opportunity to politically challenge the 10-year-long continuity in power which had undermined dalit and adivasi rights. Organisations levelled a series of allegations against Left govt, including alleged underutilisation of Rs 7,411 crore in SC/ST development funds, disruption of e-grantz distribution for students and delays in rehabilitation for nearly 500 tribal families affected by landslides and floods. They also alleged lack of land rights, housing, employment and proper educational support for tribal communities. 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
Lok Sabha to take up Transgender Bill on March 24
On Sunday, several Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists called for the Bill to be withdrawn, saying the proposed changes could dilute their right NEW DELHI: Amid widespread protests and demands for the withdrawal of the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, the Lok Sabha will take up the bill for consideration and passage on Tuesday. According to the list of business issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat, Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar will move the Bill to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, for its passage. The proposed changes in the Bill have sparked protests across the country with Transgender rights activists and members of the trans community demanding its immediate withdrawal, terming it ‘discriminatory’. The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar on March 13, seeks to give a precise definition of the term ‘transgender’ and exclude ‘different sexual orientations and self-perceived sexual identities’ from the proposed law’s ambit. On Sunday, several Opposition MPs and transgender rights activists called for the Bill to be withdrawn, saying the proposed changes could dilute their rights. The members of the community say that the proposed Bill departs from principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark judgement of National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India. The community members allege that the Bill proposes a restrictive redefinition of transgender persons and undermines the dignity, autonomy and constitutional rights of transgender, intersex, and genderqueer persons. Many also point out that the Bill’s requirement of medical scrutiny and mandatory disclosure of sensitive surgical information violates the fundamental right to privacy as granted by the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy judgment (2017), which recognised privacy, including bodily autonomy and decisional freedom. Activists also point out that the Bill recommends changes to Section 18 of the Act by introducing an ambiguous framework, along with stricter punishments for several offences clearly overlapping with existing criminal laws, and adds to the confusion. These changes strengthen harmful stereotypes by linking transgender identity with crime and coercion, say the community members. The proposed changes also criminalise transgender individuals and their kin or allies by rigorous imprisonment of up to five years for ‘alluring’ or ‘forcing’ individuals to become transgender, despite a lack of credible evidence or documentation of such conduct in India, they said. ”The language used in the Bill is vague, broad and violates fundamental rights, and if passed, will lead to misuse and violence, affecting an already marginalised community and discouraging open expression of identity”, the community members said. Preetha Nair 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
Woman who married herself in 2022 starts protest against transgender bill
Vadodara: She shot to limelight four years ago when she redefined personal identity by becoming India’s first woman to embrace sologamy. Kshama Bindu has once again stepped into the public sphere and claimed that the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026 will threaten her sologamy and discourage others from pursuing their freedom to choose their identity. Wearing her bridal saree, Kshama, who married herself in 2022, has taken to the streets in Delhi to protest against the bill, and she soon plans to organise a flash mob as well. “I chose to marry myself as I love my own identity. I am transmasculine, which means I identify myself more in a masculine way. I had even begun the process to remove my breasts and apply to change my gender from female to male on my Aadhaar card,” Kshama told TOI. “But this proposed bill has halted my plans. It forces transgender people to get govt approval for their identity. The bill erases centuries of India’s gender-diverse history. If the bill is passed, then I and many others like me won’t be able to assert their identity,” Kshama, 28, said. She recently wrote to the police department seeking permission for a hunger strike. “I have joined the protests against this bill. Why should we validate our gender identity before the govt? It is a violation of my right and dignity,” Kshama added. Kshama married herself in an elaborate ceremony in the presence of her friends in June 2022. Wearing a red bridal saree, she took pheras amid chanting of mantras and later danced to a few Bollywood numbers as well. “I am so much in love with myself and want to spend my whole life in my own company,” Kshama had said on her wedding day. 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
‘Self-boasts, silence on US’: Congress attacks PM Modi over West Asia remarks
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he is “compromised” and cannot participate in a parliamentary debate, while criticising his recent speech on the West Asia conflict. Speaking at the Adivasi Adhikar Samvidhan Sammelan in Vadodara, Rahul Gandhialleged that the Prime Minister avoided naming the United States in his Lok Sabha address and said he was “100% under the control” of US President Donald Trump. “I’ve heard that the Prime Minister gave a 25-minute speech. But I guarantee he cannot participate in a debate in Parliament because he is compromised. Narendra Modi spoke for 25 minutes but did not say a single word against America. Narendra Modi is 100% under the control of Trump,” the Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government’s trade approach, claiming it would hurt Indian farmers. “Narendra Modi has opened India’s agricultural sector to America through a trade deal. Here, we have small farms, while in America, there are large farms spanning thousands of acres. Here, people work by hand, and there, work is done with large machines. If American goods start coming to India, our farmers will be ruined,” said Rahul Gandhi. He further accused the BJP and RSS of undermining tribal rights, alleging that the term “Vanvasi” was being used to dilute the identity of Adivasis. “Adivasi means the original inhabitants of India — the rightful owners of this land, water, and forests (‘jal-jangal-jameen’). But RSS-BJP has introduced a new term — ‘Vanvasi,’ which implies that you only live in forests, not that you are the rightful owners of these resources. Narendra Modi and BJP leaders fold their hands before the statue of Birsa Munda, but they attack the very ideas for which Birsa Munda fought and was martyred. When BJP takes away the land, water, and forests from Adivasis, it is not just an attack on Birsa Munda, but also on the Constitution,” he said. The remarks come after Prime Minister Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the ongoing West Asia conflict, describing the situation as “worrisome” and outlining its economic, security and humanitarian implications for India. Congress leaders also criticised the Prime Minister’s speech. Party leader Pawan Khera questioned the intent behind the address, saying, “… Perhaps this speech was given keeping the upcoming elections in mind… The first question is, why did you go to Israel? We were hoping to get an answer to that. There was hope that the Prime Minister would make a promise that even after the elections are over, the prices of LNG, LPG, petrol, or diesel would not increase…” Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also hit out at the Prime Minister, accusing him of failing to condemn US and Israeli strikes on Iran and calling his speech a “master class in self-boasts and partisan dialogue-baazi.” “The Prime Minister’s uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi (dramatic dialogue). Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran’s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz is, to be sure, completely unacceptable – but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse,” Ramesh wrote on X. Responding to Modi’s reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramesh added, “Finally, the PM’s invocation of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. His Government’s response was uniquely catastrophic. The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then – lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time.” In his address, the Prime Minister said the conflict has posed “unprecedented challenges” for India, particularly due to its dependence on the region for crude oil and gas and its importance for global trade routes. “This war has also posed unprecedented challenges for India. These challenges are economic, related to national security, and humanitarian as well. India has extensive trade relations with the warring and war-affected countries. The region where this war is taking place is also an important route for our trade with other countries of the world. In particular, a large part of our needs for crude oil and gas is met by this very region,” he said. He added that the government has prioritised domestic LPG consumers amid supply uncertainties and is working to ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol and diesel, noting that India maintains strategic petroleum reserves of over 5.3 million metric tons. The Prime Minister’s statement comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the February 28 killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, which triggered retaliatory attacks by Iran and disruptions in key maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz. 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
HC Stays Eviction Of Dalit Women’s Stalls In Jangaon
The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. WARANGAL: The High Court has granted interim stay on eviction of two stalls run by Dalit women near the Jangaon District Collectorate, directing authorities to halt demolition until further orders. The petition was filed by Palamakula Chinna Manjula and Potkuri Vijayalakshmi, who operate a tea stall and a Vijaya Dairy outlet set up under the ‘Indira Mahila Shakti’ scheme. The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. The women resisted the move, stating that the units were established with loans of ₹3 lakh each under DRDA support and inaugurated six months ago. In their petition, the vendors alleged that the eviction was initiated without prior notice and raised concerns over disconnection of electricity to their stalls. They also submitted complaints alleging harassment by officials and sought action under relevant provisions. After hearing the matter, the court directed authorities to stop eviction proceedings pending further examination. The order provides temporary relief to the petitioners, while the case remains under judicial consideration. 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