Rupee may be undervalued, markets can be irrational: RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra
MUMBAI: Reserve Bank of India governor Sanjay Malhotra said the rupee was undervalued and the central bank would intervene to ensure orderly movement in the currency market even as it closed at 96.78 on Wednesday, down 36 paise from its previous close, after falling to a five-month low of 96.85 during the day. “By a number of estimates, including the real effective exchange rate, the rupee is not overvalued. It may be undervalued,” Malhotra said at a press conference after the MPC meeting. He was responding to a question on whether the rupee market was irrational. “Markets can be quite irrational in the short run. It’s only in the long run that they are able to find the right value,” he said. Rupee falls to 96.85 against Dollar hitting five-month low The governor said RBI would support the rupee’s orderly movement and help it find its “correct value”, while ensuring there was no excessive volatility. Malhotra also said a correction in the valuation of global AI stocks could redirect foreign capital to emerging markets such as India. He said a correction in AI stocks would not have a major negative impact on India and “if at all, there may be” a positive impact. Malhotra said that US tariffs and the absence of a trade deal would be a negative but could be offset by a trade deal with other countries. Despite a robust services trade surplus and strong net remittance receipts, the current account deficit widened in July because of a higher merchandise trade deficit, Malhotra said. The merchandise trade deficit rose to $58.7 billion in July and Aug from $55.1 billion in the same period a year earlier, mainly because of higher imports of electronic goods and crude oil. On external financing, Malhotra said net FDI had shown sustained improvement, with inflows rising to $13.8 billion in the first four months of the year from $9.6 billion in the corresponding period a year earlier. The increase was driven by higher gross inflows and a slowdown in the growth of outward FDI. “Robust gross FDI reflects the strong interest of global investors in India,” he said. FPI recorded net outflows of $10.3 billion during the period up to Oct 5. However, capital-flow measures announced in the June policy had supported inflows, he said. The balance of payments is consequently expected to record a healthy surplus this year. Malhotra also clarified that the new trade rules are aimed at improving ease of business and do not impose a reporting burden on individuals who get paid from overseas for software or other services. Nor does it apply to individuals paying for software or some subscriptions. Small exporters can use a self-declaration for bills up to Rs 10 lakh; and banks, not exporters or importers, handle reporting on the RBI’s system. The aim is to simplify trade procedures while improving RBI’s data on services exports, he said. Sensex snaps winning run After a two-session gain, sensex slid on Wednesday after RBI hiked interest rates for the first time in over three-and-a-half years. Sensex closed 429 points down at 72,639 points while on NSE, Nifty closed 173 points down at 22,603 points. On BSE, two indices-PSU banks and housing finance-each closed nearly 1% up while two other indices-bankex and financial services-closed barely changed. 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
For quota baiters, a lesson from salons as Dalit youths challenge caste barriers
Youths in Puri district invoke the SC/ST Act after salons deny them haircuts, activists say education and reservation have helped them assert their rights In May, a group of determined Dalit youths from Jorakani Bhoi Sahi under Sauria grampanchayat in Puri district decided to assert themselves by demanding haircuts in salons that had traditionally served only the upper castes. The youths’ effort failed and set off a legal battle against the practice of untouchability, which continues even 76 years after India adopted a Constitution that guarantees equality, freedom, and justice for all. The incident stood out at a time when affluent sections have launched a campaign demanding dilution of caste-based reservation and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. There are six salons in nearby Ghoradia market run by barbers, largely OBCs. Traditionally, barbers have held the ceremonial lamp in front of wooden palanquins carrying idols from temples in processions through villages. Bhagyarathi Kandi, 26, a graduate who ekes out a living by giving tuitions, said all the shops denied them entry. “They (the barbers) said they serve the God in the temple and their caste would be diluted if they cut our hair. They said God would be annoyed too,” Bhagyarathi said. The Dalit youths filed an FIR at the Delang police station under the SC/ST Act and named the salon owners. People of the dominant Brahmin and Khandayat castes have supported the barbers’ stand to deny entry to Dalits, Bhagyarathi said. “The upper caste people met the police and demanded no action against the barbers. They said cutting the hair of Dalits means the barbers will no longer enjoy their social status and will not be able to render their services at religious events. We continue to face this untouchability,” Bhagyarathi said. Nandu Kandi, 30, said the fight would continue till the salons opened their doors to Dalits. “The boycott of Dalits is not restricted to salons. We are not allowed to attend any village festival. We celebrate our own festivities,” Nandu said, pointing to the Mangala Temple set up by Dalits. “The Brahmin priest does not come to our temple. One family from our caste is a Vaishnav Gosain (Dalit priest). He performs the rituals at the temple. On Holi or Diwali, we celebrate ourselves,” Nandu said. Rights activist Akshya Behera said the Dalits of Jorakani gathered courage to fight because many youths among them are now educated. “If we are able to fight the Savarnas (upper caste), it is because of reservation that helped us get educated. There are five/six graduates in the 25 Dalit families. They are aware of their rights and duties. The barbers, with the support of the Brahmins and Khandayats (a landed warrior caste), had never allowed entry to Dalits. But now this cannot be continued,” Behera said. He criticised the campaign to abolish caste-based reservation and the SC/ST Act. “The police are sitting on the FIR. They are not giving it any importance although the case has been filed under the SC/ST Act. The law is not enough. It must be implemented properly. Those who are demanding abolition of caste-based reservation and the scrapping of the SC/ST Act should visit Ghoradia and see how untouchability and atrocities are going on against Dalits,” Behera said. Basant Kumar Mohanty Courtesy : The Telegraph Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetelegraph.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Andhra: Legal clinic hears Dalit atrocity victims
The clinic was presided over by DSS National Convener Jhansi Geddam and attended by 30 women victims of murder, rape, cheating, POCSO and other cases. VIJAYAWADA: Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS) conducted a Legal Clinic on Tuesday to hear grievances of women victims of caste atrocities, with government officials participating as jury members. The clinic was presided over by DSS National Convener Jhansi Geddam and attended by 30 women victims of murder, rape, cheating, POCSO and other cases. The jury comprised Director of Prosecutions Byra Koteswara Rao, SC Corporation Director Maridayya, psychologists Rama Devi and Praveena, Women and Child Welfare Department officer Ruksana, Bhoomika representative Anupama, and DBS representative Chitti Babu. The victims narrated their agony in accessing justice, pressure for compromise from the accused, and non-receipt of compensation. State Coordinator Jabali briefed the jury on the present status and follow-up of each case. Responding to the victims, jury members counselled them to remain resilient, and stand up for justice. Byra Koteswara Rao said the government has provided various schemes for the betterment of victims and advised them to properly utilise them. He assured all help from the prosecution side and said victims can opt for a Special Public Prosecutor as per law. Jhansi Geddam said the SCs and STs Act is a special law meant to provide total protection to victims but is not being properly implemented. She said compensation and rehabilitation is a right and not charity. She pointed out that delay in prosecution and trial is causing a lot of agony as victims are being threatened and pressured for compromise. State and district coordinators Devi, Prasanna, Sowjanya and Praveen coordinated the clinic. High Court advocate Priyanka explained cases pending in the High Court. 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
Kerala HC denies anticipatory bail to man accused of deceiving Dalit woman for sex
The case relates to allegations that Udayan had agreed to marry a Dalit woman while suppressing the fact that he was already in a relationship with another woman and had a three-year-old child with her. The Kerala High Court has refused anticipatory bail to a 39-year-old man accused of concealing his existing relationship and three-year-old child before fixing his marriage with a Dalit woman, holding that the alleged conduct prima facie amounts to sexual intercourse by deceitful means under section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Justice A Badharudee, on September 28, dismissed the appeal filed by Udayan, the first accused in a case registered at Feroke police station in Kozhikode, and directed him to surrender before the investigating officer. The court said that if he failed to surrender, the investigating officer was at liberty to arrest him and proceed with the investigation. The case relates to allegations that Udayan had agreed to marry a Dalit woman while suppressing the fact that he was already in a relationship with another woman and had a three-year-old child from that relationship. According to the prosecution, a marriage-fixation ceremony was held at the woman’s house on July 6, 2025, after both families had agreed to the proposed marriage. The woman’s family allegedly spent around Rs 10 lakh for the ceremony, which was attended by about 1,000 people. After the marriage was fixed, the woman travelled to Wayanad expecting the marriage to take place and stayed at Almaj Residency. The prosecution alleged that Udayan compelled her to have sexual intercourse on the premise that they had already decided to marry. The prosecution also alleged that the sexual relationship took place after Udayan had concealed his existing relationship and the child born from it. Udayan’s counsel argued that section 318(4) of the BNS was not attracted as there was no delivery of property. It was also argued that section 69 would not apply because the provision, according to the defence, required a promise to marry followed by a subsequent withdrawal, whereas Udayan was still willing to marry the complainant. The defence further contended that the mere existence of another relationship and a child could not, by itself, establish the offences and section 18 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would therefore not apply. The prosecution opposed anticipatory bail, relying on the complainant’s statement and additional statement. It argued that suppressing a relationship in the nature of marriage and a child born from that relationship amounted to “deceitful means” within the meaning of section 69 of the BNS. The prosecution also submitted that custodial interrogation was necessary for a meaningful investigation, including recording the accused’s statement, effecting seizure and recovery of the clothes allegedly worn by him at the time of the incident, and conducting a potency examination. The High Court examined section 69 of the BNS, which criminalises sexual intercourse with a woman by deceitful means, where the act does not amount to rape, as well as sexual intercourse following a promise to marry made without an intention to fulfil it. The provision carries imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine. Its explanation states that “deceitful means” includes inducement relating to employment or promotion, or marrying by suppressing identity. The court said section 69 covers two distinct situations: sexual intercourse through deceitful means, and sexual intercourse following a promise to marry made without an intention to fulfil it. It held that the prosecution need only make out the alleged offences prima facie at this stage for the corresponding offence under Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to be attracted. In this case, the court found that the materials indicated that the marriage had been fixed on the premise that Udayan was unmarried and had no other relationship in the nature of marriage. The court noted that he was aware of his existing relationship and the child born from it, yet concealed both from the woman and her family. The court held that the subsequent sexual intercourse, allegedly induced by the promise and premise of the proposed marriage while the earlier relationship was concealed, would prima facie fall within the first situation contemplated under section 69, sexual intercourse by deceitful means, even if the alleged act did not amount to rape. The High Court also accepted the investigating officer’s contention that custodial interrogation was necessary for the investigation. It observed that granting anticipatory bail in the circumstances could impede the investigation, particularly in relation to recording the accused’s statement and carrying out seizure, recovery and medical procedures. The court therefore held that the offences were prima facie made out and that the bar under Section 18 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act applied. Consequently, Udayan was not entitled to anticipatory bail. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit sarpanch assault: NHRC begins probe
The charges reportedly include attempt to murder, causing hurt and obstructing a public servant. KENDRAPARA: A three-member team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday began investigation into the alleged assault of the dalit sarpanch of Tikhiri panchayat in Mahakalapada block of the district. The team, comprising NHRC deputy SP Isam Singh, Gugan Ram and Shashi Bala Sharma, arrived in Kendrapara on Monday night for a four-day visit to conduct a detailed inquiry into a complaint filed by sarpanch Chameli Ojha (33). The team visited Mahakalapada police station on Tuesday and recorded statements of the then IIC Manas Kumar Mallick in connection with the case. The NHRC officials subsequently met Mahakalapada BDO Rabi Narayan Acharya and other staff at the block office. They also visited Ojha’s house in Tikhiri and recorded her statement. Officials said the NHRC team is scheduled to meet the district collector, SP and officials of various departments. The investigators are expected to record statements of doctors at Kendrapara district headquarters hospital, officials, villagers and others connected to the case. They may also examine videos of the incident circulated on social media and accounts provided by eyewitnesses. Ojha had reportedly been assaulted and manhandled by police personnel and the BDO on June 11 after she raised allegations of corruption against officials. On June 14, a petition was filed before the NHRC alleging that Ojha had been falsely implicated in a case registered on basis of the complaint of the Mahakalapada BDO. The charges reportedly include attempt to murder, causing hurt and obstructing a public servant. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP: Dalit Woman, Husband Allegedly Attacked Days After She Filed Rape Case
Raebareli: A Dalit woman and her husband were allegedly attacked with sticks in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli district on Tuesday morning, days after the woman filed a rape case against a local man. Both were injured in the attack and have been admitted to a hospital. The victim’s family has alleged that some people attacked the couple with sticks and that the incident was linked to the rape case filed by the woman. Woman Alleges Rape After Land Dispute According to the woman, she had a land dispute with a man from the village. She had approached an influential person in the village seeking help in resolving the dispute. The woman alleged that she was given a substance that made her unconscious and that the man raped her. Following her complaint, a case was registered on the court’s orders, and the matter is currently under investigation. Couple Attacked After Case Was Filed The victim’s family alleged that the accused side had developed hostility towards them after the rape case was registered. On Tuesday morning, some people allegedly attacked the woman and her husband with sticks over the dispute. Both suffered injuries and were later admitted to a hospital. 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
‘Where were 300 MPs? Rahul Gandhi is doing theatrics’: BJP hits back at Congress over EC protest
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cites the Election Commission’s latest press release, claiming that no formal request from Congress or its delegation to meet the poll panel had been received LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi being detained by police personnel after over eight-hour sit-in inside Akashvani Bhawan premises for not being allowed to march towards the Election Commission’s office, during a protest march against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, in New Delhi. (AICC via PTI Photo) BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the opposition party’s protest at the Election Commission office accusing it of creating a “theatrics” after the poll panel issued a statement clarifying its position on the proposed meeting. Trivedi cited the Election Commission’s latest press release, claiming that no formal request from Congress or its delegation to meet the poll panel had been received. He said the ECI learnt around 4 pm through the Delhi Police DCP that Gandhi wanted to meet its officials. “Rahul Gandhi asked for time, and when time was given, he did not go,” Trivedi said, adding that the Commission had offered to meet Congress representatives and had also offered to send a senior official to receive their memorandum. He questioned the Congress’ claim that around 300 MPs were part of the protest. Related news: After 8-hour standoff, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained from Akashvani Bhawan “Where were the 300 MPs?” Trivedi asked, arguing that the numbers visible at the protest did not match the Congress’s claim. He also questioned why senior Congress lawyers and leaders were not part of the delegation. The BJP further attacked the Congress over its reported attempt to seek a meeting with the Election Commission at Parliament, arguing that constitutional authorities cannot simply be “summoned” by Parliament or political parties. The ruling party also criticised Congress protesters for entering the Akashvani premises, asking why they did so if their objective was merely to stage a demonstration. Taking a swipe at Gandhi’s repeated political setbacks, Trivedi compared the Congress leader’s attempts to relaunch himself to satellite launch vehicles. “The Congress should now be called FSLV-Failed Satellite Launch Vehicle,” he said. Trivedi, addressing the press conference at party headquarters alleged that the Congress was trying to manufacture a confrontation with constitutional institutions after failing to substantiate its allegations against them, accusing the party of being “frustrated” and rejected by voters. Article_Author Manikant Mishra Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘This is merely the beginning’: Congress warns Gyanesh Kumar after INDIA bloc protest
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Pawan Khera on Tuesday warned the government that the INDIA bloc’s protest against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar was only the beginning, shortly after opposition MPs were released from New Police Lines in Kingsway Camp.“The words being spoken today are going to cost them dearly. The people of this country know exactly how to deal with such words and the people who utter them,” Khera told reporters after his release. He said those in power should “mend their ways right now” and warned that the public would “bring down those who are currently riding the high horse of arrogance”. #WATCH | Delhi | After INDIA bloc MPs were released from New Police Line, Kingsway Camp, Congress MP Pawan Khera said, “The words being spoken today are going to cost them dearly. The people of this country know exactly how to deal with such words and the people who utter them. They ought to realise this and mend their ways right now. The public will bring down those who are currently riding the high horse of arrogance. Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar, Mohan Bhagwat and Amit Shah will not sleep tonight—nor will they sleep soundly ever again—because they have betrayed the nation. If Gyanesh Kumar thinks that just because we went home today, it is all over, he needs to understand that this is merely the beginning—nothing has ended yet”(06.10) — ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 Khera named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union home minister Amit Shah, saying they “will not sleep tonight—nor will they sleep soundly ever again—because they have betrayed the nation”. “If Gyanesh Kumar thinks that just because we went home today, it is all over, he needs to understand that this is merely the beginning—nothing has ended yet,” Khera said. Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi Police detained Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with several other Congress MPs from near Akashvani Bhavan following a day-long protest demanding the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc MPs had marched from the Parliament complex towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission headquarters, seeking a meeting with the election commissioners over their allegations of “vote chori”. Police stopped the march near Akashvani Bhavan, following which the MPs staged a sit-in. After nearly nine hours of protest, police moved in and detained several opposition MPs, including Khera, KC Venugopal and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Around 50 MPs were detained and taken to New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp, according to PTI, citing sources. “The Election Commission office is barely 50 metres away, but we were not allowed to go there. I do not understand what the problem is. The Election Commission’s job is to conduct elections properly. At least 300 MPs want to meet Gyanesh Kumar. But he is scared. I don’t know what’s happening in the country,” Rahul said. “If the representatives of the people cannot meet the Election Commission, then what is the meaning of democracy?” 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
FIR registered against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi over entry into Akashvani Bhawan during protest
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have received a complaint from Akashvani staffers against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as the MPs and others accompanying them, for allegedly forcing their way into the Akashvani office. Rahul and Priyanka were briefly detained on Tuesday night after an over eight-hour sit-in at the Akashvani Bhawan premises. The protest began after police stopped INDIA bloc MPs from marching towards the Election Commission’s office, around 300 metres away, over allegations of “vote chori”. Rahul had entered the All India Radio premises on Parliament Street around noon and joined the protest. Earlier, during the march from Parliament towards the EC headquarters, he climbed atop barricades as opposition MPs raised slogans of “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod”. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule and several other opposition leaders also took part in the march. Security personnel stopped the MPs near the NITI Aayog office amid heavy barricading around Parliament and the EC office. Police later forcibly removed Rahul and several other Congress leaders and MPs, including K C Venugopal, Charanjit Singh Channi, Pawan Khera, K Suresh, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Deepender Hooda, Praniti Shinde, Varsha Gaekwad and Imran Pratapgarhi, as the protesting MPs and leaders were cleared from the AIR premises. The detainees were taken to New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp. Police said around 250 people, including 50 MPs, were detained on Tuesday night following the prolonged sit-in. Gandhi and other Congress leaders were released around 10 pm, the party said. The opposition MPs were protesting over “vote chori” allegations and seeking the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar in the wake of media reports alleging differences within the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls and other issues. 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
After Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru to protest against SIR on Thursday – all you need to know
NEW DELHI: After massive protests in Delhi and Mumbai over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, civil society groups in Karnataka are set to hold a “People’s Tribunal” in Bengaluru on October 8 to document concerns over voter deletions and alleged discrepancies in the electoral rolls. Unlike a conventional political rally, the People’s Tribunal is expected to provide a public platform for people affected by the SIR exercise to share their experiences at Freedom Park. The Bengaluru event will focus in particular on voters categorised under the Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Others (ASDDO) categories. The tribunal comes amid growing concerns over the SIR process. The event has also drawn support from actor Prakash Raj. In a social media post, Raj said, “People’s Tribunal by Cockroaches..Dipke.Ashuthosh.. Sourav and all the youth organisations and the civil society.. The victims of SIR from across the state will be present.” People’s Tribunal by Cockroaches..Dipke.Ashuthosh.. Sourav and all the youth organisations and the civil society.. The victims of SIR from across the state will be present . requesting all the citizens to participate in this fight to save our Democracy.. come join us tomorrow 8 th October at Freedom Park .. Bengaluru #ScrapSIR #ResignGyaneshKumar #justasking — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) October 7, 2026 He urged citizens to participate in what he described as a fight to “save our Democracy”. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka reacted to Raj’s post with “See you Bengaluru!”, signalling his participation in the gathering. The tribunal follows protests in Delhi and Mumbai, where opposition parties, and student groups raised concerns over the SIR exercise and demanded resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Thousands gathered for the CJP-led protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, while demonstrations in Delhi were met with heavy police restrictions and detentions. 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