‘The People’s Doctor’: This renowned doctor from Patna will reach your home; free treatment also available in Dalit settlements
Dr. Dheeraj believes that doctors should go to the patients who cannot reach Patna or larger hospitals. His initiative is not only a new example for the healthcare system but also sends a message to society that treatment given with a spirit of service is true treatment. Vaishali: In today’s times, when medical treatment is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the common man, a unique initiative by a prominent doctor from Patna has forced everyone, from the healthcare department to the general public, to think. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, a professor at PMCH and a renowned gastroenterologist, has put the concept of “Doctor at Your Doorstep” into practice by visiting Dalit and slum areas to provide free check-ups and distribute medicines to patients. In this era of expensive treatment and exorbitant fees, Dr. Dheeraj Kumar’s step has come as a great relief for thousands of needy people. While the fees of big doctors are usually in the thousands, Dr. Dheeraj has already created a stir in the healthcare system with his decisions. He proved that treatment can be affordable and accessible by offering OPD consultations for just Rs. 50 and X-ray facilities for Rs. 25 at his ‘InCure Clinic’ in Kankarbagh. Famous as the People’s Doctor Now, Dr. Dheeraj has gone a step further, moving out of air-conditioned rooms and large clinics to directly reach slums and Dalit settlements. In this regard, he, along with his medical team, reached Ward Number 31 in Yusufpur, Hajipur, where hundreds of patients were examined free of charge. Patients suffering from stomach problems, liver issues, gas, anemia, and other common ailments were not only given consultations but also provided with free medicines. Among the patients who come from far and wide for treatment, Dr. Dheeraj is now known as the “People’s Doctor.” Serving the poor and underprivileged is true religion. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, who is educated in England, is a professor at PMCH and is also deeply involved in social causes. He says that becoming a doctor was his mother’s dream, and after fulfilling that dream, he considers serving the poor and underprivileged as his true religion. Edited by: Mohd Majid Courtesy: Hindi News
New program helps transgender people find work in South India
Authorities in the southern Indian city of Visakhapatnam have launched a new effort to help transgender people find stable work and live with greater dignity. The initiative, known as Mission Jyotirgamaya, is being led by the Vizag city police with support from local government bodies and community organisations. The programme was launched with the broader goal of making Visakhapatnam a beggar-free city, but officials say it focuses on providing purpose and opportunity rather than punishment. As part of the first phase, 20 transgender individuals have been hired as sanitation workers by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. In addition, five people from the community have received loans from the State Bank of India to help them start small businesses. City police commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said the programme is based on the belief that everyone deserves respect and a chance to build a better life. “Every individual has a right to live with dignity,” he said, adding that beggars and transgender people should be given opportunities rather than ignored. Police officials said the initiative will continue to expand in the coming months. The long-term aim is to create employment opportunities for all transgender people in the city who are seeking work. The programme reflects a growing push in parts of India to promote inclusion and improve access to jobs for marginalized communities. Korina Estrada Courtesy : Transgenderfeed Note: This news is originally published on https:/transgenderfeed.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Insensitive and insulting’: BJP says Rahul Gandhi declined to wear Assamese Gamosa; Congress counters
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly refusing to wear an Assamese ‘Gamosa’ during the reception hosted by President Draupadi Murmu after Republic Day parade. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha of “insulting” the people of the entire Northeast and demanded an unconditional apology from him. Taking to X, Sarma said, “Times may change, but the attitude of the de facto supremo of the Congress party, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, regrettably appears unchanged. In an act that was deeply insensitive and insulting to the people of the entire North East, Mr. Gandhi chose not to wear the traditional Patka, a symbol of the region’s rich cultural heritage, at the reception hosted by the Hon’ble President of India this evening.” “From the President and the Prime Minister to foreign dignitaries, everyone wore the Patka with respect and pride. Mr. Gandhi alone stood apart, reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the North East. Such conduct explains why his party has lost the trust of the region and much of the country. Yet, this repeated insensitivity continues. Rahul Gandhi must issue an unconditional apology to the people of the North East for this affront,” he added. This comes after some media reports claimed that all guests except Rahul wore the Gamosa presented to them at the event. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X, “Shameful! Rahul Gandhi has insulted the north east and also disrespected our very hon’ble President.” Congress hits back Meanwhile, Congress leaders shared a picture of defence minister Rajnath Singh and asked Assam chief minister if he will demand an apology from Singh also for not wearing the patka. “Hey Himanta Biswa Sarma, will you seek an apology from Rajnath ji too? Or your entire strategy to fight anti incumbency is to pick up such non issues?” Khera asked, Congress MP Manickam also slammed the BJP over the issue and termed Biswa “2016 batch of betrayer.” “The 2016 batch of betrayer must stop this nonsense. Why is @rajnathsingh ji not wearing the North east patka then? Stop dragging the Hon’ble President @rashtrapatibhvn into your cheap politics,” Tagore said in a post on X. This comes after he Congress accused the Centre of insulting the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge – by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade event at Kartavya Path Sharing pictures of their leaders seated in the back rows during the ceremony, several Congress leaders raised questions over the “protocol mess-up” and propriety. Meanwhile, BJP reacted sharply and accused the grand-old-party of politicising the seating arrangements at the Republic Day and called Gandhi an “insincere politician”. “Shameful of the Congress to politicise even seating arrangements at Republic Day’. Rahul Gandhi is an insincere politician, who chooses politics over national interest,” Bhandari 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
Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Are Muslim leaders really being ignored in the Congress party? Find out.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, has advised Muslim leaders to communicate with the high command regarding allegations of their neglect. This statement comes after former leader Shakeel Ahmed called Rahul Gandhi a “coward” and Rashid Alvi alleged difficulty in meeting Rahul and neglect of Muslim leaders. Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Patna: Congress MP Tariq Anwar has appealed to the party’s Muslim leaders that if they feel that Muslim leaders are being neglected, they should discuss the matter with the party’s top leadership. This statement comes at a time when former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling him an insecure and cowardly leader. Following this, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Muslim leaders are being neglected in the party and that Rahul Gandhi does not have time to meet Muslim leaders. Meeting Rahul Gandhi is not that easy. Congress MP Tariq Anwar defends Rahul Responding to these statements, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said in New Delhi that these are their personal feelings. If there is any such complaint, he has been a senior leader and also a Member of Parliament from the Congress, and he should talk to the Congress leadership about all these matters. If they feel that collective leadership is not being promoted, then this should be discussed. Regarding Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s statement, Tariq Anwar said that if there is such discontent within the party, then why is it there, and it should be properly resolved. The Congress party is a national party, and it is essential for democracy that the Congress party remains strong, improves itself, and works to protect democracy in the country in the future. It should work to save democracy in the country in the coming times. Shakeel Ahmed had called Rahul a ‘coward’ In fact, former Union Minister and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “coward and insecure” leader. Ahmed, a three-time MLA and two-time MP, alleged that Rahul Gandhi feels uncomfortable around senior and popular leaders, which is why he only promotes sycophantic and inexperienced young people. Calling Rahul a dictator and undemocratic, Ahmed said that he does not listen to the advice of senior colleagues. He mocked Rahul’s working style, reminding him that this very attitude led to him losing his family’s traditional seat of Amethi. According to Ahmed, who left the Congress after the 2025 elections, Rahul Gandhi feels insecure in the presence of any prominent personality, which is harming the party’s internal democracy. Meanwhile, on the statement of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said that there must be some basis for what Karti said. I don’t deny this, although there is still a debate going on about whether holding simultaneous elections would be right or not. Our constitution grants rights to the states, and any step that harms or weakens those rights will not be acceptable to everyone. Rashid Alvi, who raised questions, U-turns Congress leader Rashid Alvi had said that limited access to the top leadership has created a communication gap in the party. Congress workers also complain that it is no longer easy to meet the Congress high command. There is no platform in the party where issues can be discussed. If people want to express their concerns, where do they go? Not everyone is a member of the Congress Working Committee. He said that Muslim leaders are leaving the party not out of greed for power, but because of the neglect of Muslim leadership. If the neglect of Muslim leadership continues in this way, leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi will continue to become powerful forces in the country. However, Rashid Alvi, who said all this, is now praising Rahul, saying that the country needs Rahul Gandhi. Input – IANS Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey is a Senior Journalist at Navbharat Times Bihar-Jharkhand. He has experience in all three mediums: print, TV, and digital. He has 20 years of experience in politics, sports, business, and ground reporting. He started his career with the prestigious fortnightly magazines Maya and Lokayat. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Plan to attack my residence’: After calling Rahul Gandhi ‘darpok’ Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad makes big claim
NEW DELHI: Days after calling Rahul Gandhi “darpok” (coward) and “insecure”, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday claimed that his residence faces a threat of attack. He shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message which he alleged was circulated by party members, calling on district and assembly-level leaders to burn his effigy in protest over his “inappropriate statements” about Rahul Gandhi. Sharing the chats on X, Ahmad wrote: “Now my information has turned out to be absolutely spot on. Many thanks to the old mates from Congress. There’s a saying in our Bihar that old friends are the ones who come in handy. Is this happening without Rahul ji’s orders?” — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The message he posted read: “Former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has been continuously making inappropriate statements about our respected leader Shri Rahul Gandhi. The top leadership has directed that all District Presidents and Assembly Presidents should, in their respective areas, burn an effigy of Shakeel Ahmad on 27/12/2026 to register strong protest.” Escalating the spat further, in a post late Monday, Ahmad further alleged that the Congress leadership in Bihar has “ordered” party workers to attack his residence. “Just now, some colleagues from the Congress have secretly informed me that the Congress national leadership has ordered the Bihar Congress/Youth Congress to attack my residences in Patna and Madhubani tomorrow, January 27, under the pretext of burning an effigy,” he wrote on X. — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The controversy follows Ahmad’s scathing remarks about Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure person. He does not get that ‘boss feeling’ before anyone who is senior to him or has a big public support. He is uncomfortable with any such person and is thus dictatorial and not democratic,” he told PTI. Congress leader Manickam Tagore hit back, calling Ahmad a “betrayer” and “Jaichand”. “I am not shocked. Just saddened, yet again,? by how betrayal becomes loud when courage walks the longest road,” Tagore wrote on X, adding that such attacks were about “TV time, relevance and pleasing new masters”. Ahmad, a former Union minister and ex-Congress general secretary who quit the party after the 2025 Bihar elections, has also accused Gandhi of sidelining senior leaders and influencing the 2022 party presidential poll in favour of Mallikarjun Kharge. 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
Raebareli: Patwari orchestrated a ‘horrific’ conspiracy, looted 38 lakhs from a Dalit man and seized his land; SP’s action creates a stir
Raebareli News: A shocking case of collusion between land mafia and government employees has come to light in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. Here, a patwari (revenue official) conspired with fraudsters to seize property worth crores of rupees from a mentally ill Dalit man. In this case, which has made headlines in UP news, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr. Yashveer Singh’s zero-tolerance policy has shaken the criminals. The police have registered a case against five people, including the patwari, and have intensified efforts to arrest them. Land looted by instilling fear of a lawsuit This major fraud took place in Khor village (Amawan) under the Mill Area police station. The victim, Rajkumari, told the police that her husband, Ramprasad, is mentally unwell. Local land mafia took advantage of this. The accused threatened Ramprasad and his brother Guddu with an old lawsuit. The accused lured them to an office in Indira Nagar, Lucknow. There, on March 3, 2023, the fraudsters fraudulently got three agreements and two sale deeds registered in their favor in a single day. In this conspiracy, about 10 biswa of land was transferred to Raman Kumar and one bigha of land to Ramsajeevan. In addition, a fake agreement for one bigha of land was prepared in the name of Balkishun. 38 lakh rupees stolen from bank accounts The criminals not only seized the land but also looted the life savings of the victim’s Dalit family. The fraudsters took control of the mobile numbers and ATM cards of the victims, Ramprasad and his brother. The accused gradually transferred Rs 38.55 lakh from the accounts in the Bank of Baroda’s Malikmau branch to their own accounts. The investigation revealed that Rs 18.71 lakh was withdrawn from Ramprasad’s account and Rs 19.84 lakh from Guddu’s account. FIR filed against 5 people, including a revenue officer; police tighten the noose. The police department was thrown into a frenzy after this high-profile fraud came to light. City Circle Officer (CO City) Arun Kumar Nauhwar said that a case has been registered based on the complaint of the Dalit victim. The main mastermind of this conspiracy is Udit Narayan Srivastava, a resident of Kodwal. Bajrang, Ramlakhan Pasi, Manish Sonkar, and the local revenue officer Parmeshwardeen have also been named as accused. The Superintendent of Police has given clear instructions that no culprit will be spared. Police teams are conducting raids to arrest the accused. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit Sarpanch Abducted and Assaulted in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena
A Dalit sarpanch from Kelaras village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly abducted from his home and beaten by a group of 20 to 25 individuals described as casteist elements on Saturday. The incident came to light through a viral video and social media post shared by Dalit activist and Azaad Samaj Party founder Sunil Astay, a former Bhim Army state in-charge. Astay described the abduction and assault as a serious and condemnable attack on the democratic system. A report aired on local channel Vistar News shows villagers and the sarpanch’s family gathered outside the local police station, demanding immediate action. According to the report, the assailants stormed the sarpanch’s residence, kidnapped him, and took him to a nearby village where he was allegedly beaten severely. They then returned him home, locked him inside, and fled before police could intervene. The sarpanch sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. The family suggested a possible financial dispute as a motive, though details remain unconfirmed. Activists have called on the police for strict and immediate action, highlighting a broader pattern of caste-based violence in the region. Astay also tagged key officials, including Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the Morena Superintendent of Police, holding them accountable for administrative inaction. He warned that when elected Dalit representatives are unsafe, the security of ordinary Dalit citizens is also at risk. Authorities have yet to release an official statement on the investigation. 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
Casteism in Himachal: ‘Mend your ways…’ Dalit leader openly threatened, the horrific truth of casteism in Devbhoomi comes to light
Himachal News: The recent incident has made it clear how deeply rooted casteism is in Himachal Pradesh. A prominent Dalit leader from the state, Ravi Kumar, was openly subjected to casteist abuses on social media. A man named Naresh Thakur fearlessly wrote on his post, “Chamars, mend your ways.” This comment is a direct caste-based attack. Surprisingly, such people have neither fear of the law nor of the Supreme Court’s orders. Serious questions are now being raised about the safety and equality of Dalits in Devbhoomi (the land of gods). Hatred in the name of reservation and tradition Our investigation has revealed strange justifications behind casteism in Himachal. Some people describe it as part of ‘Dev Sanskriti’ (divine culture) and tradition. Many others consider reservation to be the reason for the hatred. People openly write on social media that they practice casteism because of reservations. They claim that as long as reservations exist, discrimination will continue. Casteism is also justified in the name of protecting Dev Sanskriti. These people forget that the use of casteist slurs and discrimination is a serious crime. Serious questions about the role of the police The attitude of the Himachal Police in cases of Dalit oppression has consistently been under suspicion. In many serious cases, FIRs are registered only after immense pressure from Dalit groups. Whether it was the suspicious death of a child in Rohru or the rape of a Dalit woman in Kullu, the police action has been sluggish. The police also showed negligence in the Pallavi death case in Dharamshala. If the police had acted on Pallavi’s complaint two months earlier, her life might have been saved. Kullu incident: The husband himself was made the culprit The most frightening face of the police’s working style was seen in Sainj, Kullu. There, a Dalit woman was gang-raped and murdered. Her body was hung from a tree. Without a proper investigation, the police imprisoned the innocent husband of the deceased woman. He languished in jail for a month. Later, protests by women’s groups and a viral audio clip revealed the real killers. The police have not yet disclosed what happened to those real killers. This means that police officers don’t even consider it necessary to hold a press conference in such heinous cases. Blatant disregard of Supreme Court orders Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Gavai had clearly stated in his order that there is no provision for anticipatory bail under the SC-ST Act. The accused should be sent to jail immediately. Despite this, the police in Himachal Pradesh appear lenient towards the accused. In hundreds of cases, the accused have been given a free pass. Ravi Kumar has more than 200,000 followers on social media. If such a prominent figure can be subjected to casteist slurs, one can imagine the plight of ordinary Dalits. Now it remains to be seen whether the government suppresses this matter or delivers justice. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
New initiative in Tholla Fatehpur, Saharanpur: Dalit community panchayat bans the practice of ‘death feasts’
In Tholla Fatehpur village of Saharanpur, the Dalit community’s panchayat has taken a significant decision to end the practice of death feasts. Villagers believe that this practice… Read more Jagran Correspondent, Saharanpur. The Dalit community’s panchayat in Tholla Fatehpur village has decided to ban the practice of death feasts. People argue that this practice leads to people falling into debt. It also imposes an unnecessary financial burden during a time of grief. Former village head Deshraj said that the death feast is a harmful custom that should be abolished. Taking the initiative in this direction, Mangeram of the village decided not to hold a death feast after the death of his mother. His mother passed away on Saturday. After the last rites, he said that he would only perform the traditional turban-tying ceremony. Villagers believe that other villages should also decide to ban death feasts, as it puts an unnecessary financial burden on the deceased’s family. Many families have to take loans to follow this conservative tradition. In the panchayat, Som Singh Fauji, Gaje Singh Daroga, Shivlal, former head Dr. Ankit Arya, Rajesh, Dr. Sulekh, Nirdosh Kumar, Bhopal, Dr. Ramesh Chand, Sevaram, Anangpal, Yashpal, and many others supported this decision. EDITED BY: SAKSHI GUPTA Courtesy: Hindi News
YSRCP announces ‘Chalo Delhi’ programme over Dalit activist murder
Guntur: The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has announced plans for an intensified statewide and national-level agitation following the murder of Manda Salman. The party will soon launch a “Chalo Delhi” programme to press for justice and hold the ruling coalition accountable. YSRCP leaders asserted that the fight would continue until the guilty are punished and justice is served to the victim’s family. At a memorial meeting held in Pinnelli, YSRCP state leaders paid tribute to Salman and visited his family to express solidarity and assure continued support. Addressing the gathering, the leaders alleged that since assuming power, the coalition government has failed to protect Dalits and has instead allowed targeted attacks on YSRCP supporters, particularly in Palnadu district. They accused the ruling dispensation of resorting to violence and intimidation due to their inability to gain public support through development. Strongly criticising chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, former legislator Kasu Mahesh Reddy alleged that Dalit lives hold no value in his political calculations and that systematic attacks were carried out to alienate Dalits from the party. He termed the attack on Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue as a shameful beginning to a series of assaults on Dalits and democratic voices. According to the leaders, the murder of Salman was a direct result of government negligence and police failure, with allegations that law enforcement acted in collusion with anti-social elements. Mahesh Reddy demanded an independent probe into the murder and said complaints would be lodged with the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. He also insisted on strict action against police officials responsible for lapses in maintaining law and order. Several speakers highlighted that hundreds of families were forced to flee villages in Palnadu due to fear and intimidation, calling it a blot on governance. YSRCP leaders emphasised that the party would raise the issue both in parliament and at the national level, warning the coalition government that suppression and violence would only strengthen public opposition. They praised the restraint and maturity shown by Salman’s family, who appealed for peace in the village despite their immense loss, and said their appeal should be respected by restoring normalcy and ensuring safety. Prominent leaders, including Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy, former MPs, former ministers, former MLAs, and district-level party leaders, participated in the programme. 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