Muslim Youth Attempts To Marry Minor Dalit Girl In Uttar Pradesh, Arrested
A police officer said they are investigating the case from all angles after a right-wing group protested, alleging it was a case of ‘love jihad’. Basti: A young Muslim man attempting to marry a minor Dalit girl was arrested after a right-wing group, along with villagers, protested against the marriage, alleging ‘love jihad’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Basti district. The incident took place in the Parshurampur police station area of the district on Friday (November 28). According to Basti Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinandan, a complaint of ‘love jihad’ was received and it was found that the girl was a minor. A case has been registered and further action is being taken as per the law, he said. Police said a Muslim youth from Gond, identified as Sajid, had arrived with a wedding procession to marry a girl from a Dalit community. The two had met at a wedding ceremony some days ago. When villagers saw a wedding procession of a Muslim youth at their village, they were surprised and soon members of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh reached the scene, raising objections at the wedding. They launched a protest at the scene. Soon, a police team arrived at the scene, and an investigation was launched. Upon speaking with the girl’s parents, it was found that she was a minor and a case was registered, the SP said, adding, the youth, along with some of his friends who had accompanied him, were held for questioning. According to villagers, Sajid and the girl had become close. They alleged that this was not a usual love marriage but a “conspiracy for religious conversion”. “Since the girl is a minor, the marriage is legally invalid. Police are investigating the entire matter from all angles. Also, additional forces (to maintain law and order) have been deployed in the village. Sajid has been arrested and sent to jail on charges of attempting forced religious conversion and marriage,” an official said. It is pertinent to mention here that the term ‘love jihad’ is a conspiracy theory peddled by right-wing groups under which they claim that Muslim men lure non-Muslim women through feigned love and deception, force them to convert to Islam and marry them as part of an agenda to alter religious demographics. While several cases of Muslim men marrying non-Muslim women and vice versa have come to the fore, there is no evidence of any organised conspiracy as claimed. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
In tussle for CM post, Cong brass cannot afford to ignore Dalit group
Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar may have called a temporary truce to their tussle for the top post, but while Congress’ high command decides on the simmering issue of whether a change of CM is necessary, it cannot ignore demands of Dalit legislators. Dalit legislators are mounting pressure, demanding recognition for their role in Congress’ sweeping victory in the 2023 assembly elections. While some suggest Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, himself a prominent Dalit leader, is a potential contender for the chief ministerial post, other names in circulation include home minister G Parameshwara and his public works colleague Satish Jarkiholi. Both Parameshwara (SC) and Jarkiholi (ST) have positioned themselves as counterweights to Shivakumar, with Jarkiholi even seeking to replace him as Congress state president. He also represents a faction calling for three or four deputy CMs to ensure fair representation for major communities, including OBCs, Lingayats, and minorities. “The question of who should be CM remains complicated,” said a senior functionary. “The party high command has stepped in to resolve the issue, and the breakfast meeting of the CM and DCM was the first step. However, it is no longer between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. There are other stakeholders, and the high command must figure out a way to keep them all in good humour.” Tensions escalated last week after Shivakumar’s camp reiterated claims of a CM seat-sharing pact in which Siddaramaiah was expected to hand over the post by mid-Nov. The dispute spilled into caste politics, with the Vokkaligara Sangha and community pontiffs backing Shivakumar, while Ahinda leaders aligned with Siddaramaiah. Concerned by the public display of discord, central party brass directed both to meet and talk. After Saturday’s breakfast meeting, both said they would abide by whatever decision the high command takes. Siddaramaiah is expected to visit Shivakumar’s residence for lunch this week, and both may be summoned to New Delhi for discussions. “There is no difference of opinion between the CM and me,” Shivakumar said on Sunday. “We will work together. Our aim is the 2028 elections. We both will go to Delhi if a call comes from the high command.” Supporters of Siddaramaiah argue that he rightfully earned the chief ministership by leading the party’s 2023 campaign and consolidating votes from minorities and OBCs. Shivakumar’s supporters counter that Congress surged to victory under his stewardship as KPCC president. Meanwhile, Dalit functionaries have emerged as a third and increasingly influential force, pointing out that their organisational work played a decisive role in consolidating SC and ST votes under Kharge’s guidance. Kharge reportedly tasked Parameshwara with overseeing 36 SC-reserved constituencies, of which Congress won 32. Jarkiholi handled campaigning in 15 ST-reserved seats, with the party securing 14. They also claim they consolidated Dalit votes, who constitute 24% of the population, even in general seats. “Only a couple of functionaries are taking the credit, but many others are directly and indirectly responsible for the win. Credit should be given where it is due,” said Jarkiholi. SC and ST functionaries formed a pressure group soon after the govt was sworn, often grabbing headlines with strategy meetings and public outreach. Their presence in New Delhi last week, at the peak of the stand-off, signalled their determination. With several members indicating Mallikarjun Kharge as their preferred choice, Rahul Gandhi met Kharge and his son, minister Priyank Kharge, in the national capital. Sources say these developments have added a fresh twist to the imbroglio. 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
Gauhati HC raises concern over lack of job access to transgenders
Guwahati: Gauhati high court said that there is no doubt that there is recognition of the gender identity of transgenders, which lies at the heart of the fundamental right to dignity, but “special measures are still lacking for providing them access to employment.” The court directed state govt to inform it in the next hearing in Feb about whether the proposal, mooted for reservation of transgenders in education and employment, has received the approval of the cabinet. The concern of the petitioner ‘All Assam Transgender Association’ (AATA) was that there should be some allocation of seats for the transgender persons and within such allocated number of seats, male transgenders and female transgenders should be allowed to apply for these seates so as to ensure the same rigor as a binary male and female in the recruitment process. The PIL seeks to address the grievance of the petitioner against the police department in particular, for having published an advertisement recruitment of transgender persons as sub-inspectors and constables, which they claimed to be discriminatory. The court said that in the advertisement in question, provision was made for the transgenders but the number of seats allotted was clubbed together with male candidates. Separate number of seats was fixed for females. During the hearing on Thursday, senior govt advocate D Nath submitted before the court of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury that the matter would relate to the policy decision of the state. “Unless a policy is framed, the director general of police or the recruitment body cannot go for such separate allocation, which would amount to reservation. What would be the percentage of reservation would have to be based on empirical data regarding the number, their social and economic status and other factors,” the advocate submitted. “Since the Supreme Court in 2014 recognised transgender persons as a third gender, the govts of the states were directed to provide them with all kinds of reservation in education and employment, treating them as socially and educationally backward class,” the court said in the order. On this, social justice and empowerment department’s standing counsel RM Das submitted before the court that a proposal has been mooted to recognise the transgender community as a socially and educationally backward class, which will be placed before the state cabinet for approval. 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
Shelter for transgenders in city struggles for survival, dignity amid all-round apathy
Jaipur: Every year in winter season, Jaipur Municipal Corporation runs night shelters for the homeless. Some night shelters, though, operate the year round. Among them is the city’s only shelter for transgenders, started in 2023. This shelter in Shastri Nagar’s Doodh Mandi survives largely on the efforts of the 30 transgender people who live there. Inside, one side resembles an overgrown patch of scrub, while the other is littered with discarded furniture and broken equipment from govt offices. Five trans men and 25 trans women live here. Tarun, one of the trans men, says, “No one comes to check how we live. JMC started the shelter but never arranged water or food. For the past 15 days, ever since temporary shelters were opened, we’ve been receiving food from Moti Doongri Temple. But tell me, how long can anyone survive on just puri and aloo ki sabji every day?” Cleaning the premises is also their responsibility. “Not once has a sanitation worker visited here. From toilets to garbage, we clean everything ourselves. A security guard was posted here for a while, but he left months ago. We cannot even lock the main gate because the latch is broken.” The shelter has two halls, one where everyone sleeps and another where they cook. The sleeping hall has small lockers, but most of them are broken. Rats have burrowed deep holes into the locker walls. Several residents were bitten, forcing the group to adopt two dogs for safety. Auni Singor, a trans woman and a gold medallist athlete, says, “We get no funds from the govt or the corporation. We pool money for food. For over a year, we used tanker water, which was extremely dirty. Recently, we gathered money to install a pipeline. Four gold medallists live here, look at the conditions we’re forced to stay in.” She adds that they filed written complaints with municipal officials, approached former councillor Manoj Mudgal, and even requested former mayor Kusum Yadav to visit. “She promised she would come in two days. It has been almost a year, but those two days never came.” During the monsoon, snakes and scorpions entering the shelter are common. The rat population far exceeds the number of residents. While winter blankets have arrived from the corporation, the residents say essential repairs and safety measures remain pending. At one point, then JMC Heritage requested one of the shelter’s halls for converting it into an additional night shelter. Singor says, “This space was started for ten people, today we are 30. Our numbers are growing. If we give away one hall, where will new members go? For us, this is not just a shelter, this is home. Children who are rejected by their families come here. We are their only support.” The area surrounding the shelter is equally unsafe; bus parking, a liquor shop, and groups of idlers create a threatening environment. Residents say they face harassment and vulgar comments every evening. Tarun adds, “Trans women somehow manage to earn, but no one hires trans men. My family abandoned me. I’m educated and can work in an office, but everywhere I’m told, ‘You’re trans, how can we employ you?’ I am undergoing hormone treatment now, but without a job, how will I afford medicines?” This shelter, created to offer dignity and safety, today stands as one of Jaipur’s most neglected spaces, running only on the resilience, labour, and collective strength of the people it was meant to protect. 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
HILTP a massive land scam, KTR says in letter to Rahul
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation Policy (HILTP) recently introduced by the Telangana govt is one of the biggest land scams in independent India, BRS working president KT Rama Rao alleged in an open letter addressed to leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday. In the letter, KTR expressed concerns that “this highly corrupt policy raised serious suspicions” across Telangana and questioned whether the Congress leadership was aware of the irregularities occurring in the state or if they were deliberately choosing to remain silent. He warned that this corrupt policy allows private companies to acquire highly valuable govt land at nominal prices, potentially costing the people of Telangana Rs 5 lakh crore. In his letter, KTR pointed out that previous govts allocated around 9,300 acres of industrial land in key clusters such as Balanagar, Jeedimetla, Sanathnagar, Uppal, Mallapur, Ramachandrapuram, and Hayathnagar in Hyderabad city. These land parcels were initially provided at subsidised rates to promote industrial growth, employment, and long-term economic development However, under the new HILTP, KTR alleged that those holding industrial lands could now convert them into commercial or residential zones by paying only 30% of the sub-registrar office (SRO) value. He accused the policy of enabling the transfer of valuable public assets to private individuals at minimal cost, thereby regularising land worth lakhs of crores at nominal prices. KTR also expressed doubts about the govt’s decision to grant fast-track approvals for the transfer of assets worth thousands of crores within just 45 days. He criticised the lack of transparency in such a hurried process, accusing the govt of handing over these lands to private individuals without proper scrutiny, solely for monetary gain. He stated that the Congress govt’s haste and the hidden political corruption within this entire policy raise numerous questions. Furthermore, KTR accused the Congress govt of having a “well-laid plan to plunder Telangana’s wealth,” valued in lakhs of crores, under the guise of relocating polluting industries outside the Outer Ring Road (ORR). He questioned why the relocation was not mandatory for all industries, alleging that the process was instead voluntary, with the govt making case-by-case decisions on land transfers. KTR highlighted the policy’s failure to set a deadline for the relocation of existing industries or to clarify whether these industries would actually move. “The policy was introduced purely for monetary gain, without identifying alternative locations for relocating industries or considering the implications of these land transfers,” he said. The BRS leader warned that instead of fostering new industrial development in the city, there could be an increase in skyscrapers and commercial complexes replacing old industrial units. 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
The government is trying to intimidate… Jairam Ramesh is furious over the FIR against Sonia and Rahul. What is the matter?
An FIR has been filed against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The Economic Offenses Wing of the Delhi Police took this action. The Congress has called it political vendetta. New Delhi: The Congress has strongly opposed the FIR filed against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The party says that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are jointly targeting top Congress leaders. The Congress alleges that the government is engaging in a political effort to intimidate and suppress the opposition. The Congress says that this is a politically motivated action aimed at weakening the opposition. Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on his social media handle “X,” “The Modi-Shah duo is continuously engaging in a political effort to intimidate and suppress the top leadership of the Congress. Those who are insecure and fearful themselves try to intimidate others. The National Herald case is completely false and baseless. Ultimately, justice will prevail. Satyamev Jayate!” In fact, the Economic Offences Wing of Delhi Police has filed a new FIR against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. Serious charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud, and breach of trust have been leveled in this case. The FIR names a total of nine accused, including six individuals and three companies. This action was taken based on a complaint filed by the ED on October 3, 2025. The allegation is that a conspiracy was hatched to illegally seize assets worth approximately ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL). AJL, the company that ran the National Herald newspaper, closed in 2008 due to financial difficulties. At that time, AJL had an interest-free loan of over ₹90 crore. What is the matter? Young India Private Limited, a company formed in 2010, purchased AJL’s assets worth over ₹2,000 crore for a mere ₹50 lakh. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold 76 percent of the shares in this company, making them its principal owners. It is also alleged that Young India Private Limited was created to divert public funds for private gain. Furthermore, the transfer of ₹1 crore to Young India by Dotex, an alleged Kolkata-based shell company, is also being considered part of the conspiracy. About the Author Ashok Upadhyay is a senior digital content producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has 10 years of experience in journalism. He began his journalism career in 2014 with Navbharat Times Hindi newspaper. He specializes in reporting on politics, sports, and the crime beat. Edited by: Ashok Upadhyay Courtesy: Hindi News
Not invited to ‘dhwaj arohan’ because I am a Dalit, says Faizabad (Ayodhya) MP Awadhesh Prasad
PM Modi said the ceremony marks the completion of a centuries-long resolve, describing the ‘dharma-dhwaj’ (saffron flag) at the ‘shikhar’ of the Ram Temple as “resurgence of Indian civilisation.” Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament from Faizabad (Ayodhya), Awadhesh Prasad, on Tuesday claimed that he was not invited to the ‘dhwaj arohan’ ceremony—the hoisting of a saffron flag atop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple—in Ayodhya because he was a Dalit. “The reason I was not invited to the ‘dharm dwaj’ ceremony is that I belong to the Dalit community. This is not in accordance with Ram’s values; it reflects someone else’s narrow mindset. Ram belongs to everyone. My fight is not for any position or invitation, but for dignity, equality, and the honour of the Constitution,” Prasad posted in Hindi on X after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the flag, marking the formal completion of the temple at Ayodhya—BJP’s electoral promise for decades. PM Modi said the ceremony marks the completion of a centuries-long resolve, describing the ‘dharma-dhwaj’ (saffron flag) at the ‘shikhar’ of the Ram Temple as “resurgence of Indian civilisation.” Faizabad (Ayodhya) constituency is one of the 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh and includes the adjoining Ayodhya and Faizabad cities. Though the district was officially renamed from Faizabad to Ayodhya in November 2018, the name of the Lok Sabha constituency remains Faizabad. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Prasad defeated sitting BJP MP Lallu Singh by more than 50,000 votes, marking it as one of the biggest upsets for the saffron party. His post after the victory reads “Ayodhya is not anyone’s ancestral property it is the land of Lord Shri Ram We are the true devotees of Lord Ram, there can be no bigger Rambhakt than us. The god-like people of Ayodhya have defeated the arrogant people.” Prasad’s victory was important because of Ayodhya and the Ram Temple—the consecration of which had happened just a couple of months back. The Ram Mandir consecration or ‘Pran Pratishtha’ for the main Ram Lalla idol was held on January 22, 2024, in a grand ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other dignitaries. However, in the elections that followed, the BJP failed to win the seat. Analysts credited Prasad’s win to the failure of the BJP’s ‘Abki Baar 400 Paar’ slogan and the Samajwadi Party’s strategy of leveraging social politics by aligning OBCs, Dalits, and Muslims. Other reasons attributed to the BJP’s shocking setback in the temple town also included resentment among locals for not getting compensation for their land taken over for the development of Ayodhya, though a section also linked the loss to tension between the party’s Delhi and Lucknow leaderships. Courtesy : The Statesman Note: This news is originally published on https:/thestatesman.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Call for special force for protection of Dalits
BRS general secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar demanded that an SC, ST Atrocities case be registered against the police officers allegedly responsible for the death of Dalit youth K. Rajesh in police lock-up. Speaking after visiting the bereaved family of Rajesh in Kodad on Tuesday, he alleged that the atrocities against SCs and STs were going on unabated across the State despite the Cabinet having four Ministers from the SC community — Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, C. Damodar Rajanarsimha, G. Vivek and A. Laxman. He alleged that another Dalit youth, Yerra Shekhar, was killed in the presence of police officers in Shadnagar recently, but no action was initiated against those responsible for the two deaths so far. The former police officer demanded that the government establish a special force on the lines of Greyhounds for the safety and protection of SC, ST communities. 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
Chaos in Ratlam over stopping a Dalit bride’s Bindoli: Rituals completed under police protection, 5 people booked under the SC-ST Act
“Miscreants said, ‘The Bindoli will not pass through the village,’ police ensured the ceremony was completed under a security cover; Bhim Army raised its voice.” Ratlam. A serious case of social discrimination has come to light in Lakhmakhedi village, Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, where an attempt was made to disrupt the happiness of a Dalit family. Some miscreants from the village stopped the bride’s Bindoli (procession) during a wedding ceremony. However, the police acted promptly, ensuring the ceremony was completed in their presence and taking strict action against the accused. What is the whole matter? The incident is reported to have taken place on Monday night. Suresh Kataria, a vegetable vendor, was performing the wedding rituals for his elder daughter. The wedding is scheduled for November 26th. In this connection, the bride’s procession was being taken out around 9:30 pm on Monday night. According to the bride’s father, Suresh Kataria, when the procession reached the homes of members of the Rajput community in the village, some people present there blocked the way. They allegedly threatened and said, “Your procession will not pass through this village.” Allegations of indecent behavior and casteist slurs The victims allege that as the procession approached Bapu Singh’s house, Bapu Singh and Badri Singh came out and began questioning the procession. Kushal Singh, Kuldeep Singh, and Govind Singh Bhanej also arrived. It is alleged that these people began abusing the Dalit family using casteist slurs and blocked the road. The procession was carried out under police protection Upon receiving information about the dispute, Barawad Police Station in-charge Swaraj Dabi immediately arrived at the scene with the police force. They controlled the situation and ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully under police protection. A case has been registered against these five people. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police have registered a case against five named accused. The accused have been identified as residents of Lakhmakhedi: Bapu Singh (father Parvat Singh Sondhia) Badri Singh (father Bheru Singh) Kushal Singh (father Chander Singh) Kuldeep Singh (father Lal Singh) Govind Singh Bhanej Police have registered a case against all of them under Section 176 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and various sections of the SC-ST Act. Bhim Army demands strict action The Bhim Army and the Azad Samaj Party have strongly protested the incident. Former Azad Samaj Party state president Sunil Astey and district president Gopal Vaghela have demanded the administration take the strictest possible action against the accused. Sunil Astey released a video message appealing to the state Chief Minister, Dr. Mohan Yadav, to intervene. He said, “Stopping a Dalit girl’s Binauli horse-drawn carriage at a Dalit wedding in Lakhmakhedi village, Barawad police station, Ratlam, isn’t just rudeness—it’s Manuwadi hooliganism! Those who believe a Dalit girl’s Binauli will be stopped—their thinking will be crushed. Those who disrespect daughters don’t belong in society, but directly in jail. @SP_RATLAM_MP should immediately identify the accused and the police should take immediate action, or there will be a street protest. The Bhim Army team has reached the village. They are standing with the family and the bride for security.” Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana: Tension mounts over death of Dalit youth in police custody, RS Praveen Kumar alleges ‘custodial murder’
Former IPS officer claims police tortured him to death after 5 days; makes serious allegations against Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, demands ₹1 crore compensation for family Suryapet/Kodad: The death of a Dalit youth in Telangana’s Suryapet district is heating up. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) state general secretary and former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar has leveled serious allegations against the police, calling it a ‘custodial murder’. He alleges that 32-year-old Dalit youth, Karla Rajesh, was brutally tortured at the Chilkur police station, leading to his death. Demands filing of murder case against DSP and police personnel After reaching Kodad on Tuesday and meeting and consoling the victim’s family, Praveen Kumar made strong demands to the government and administration. He demanded that a murder case be immediately registered against DSP Sridhar Reddy and other police officers involved in the case. He also stipulated that a second autopsy be conducted only after the FIR is filed. ‘1 Crore Compensation and a Government Job’ The BRS leader demanded substantial compensation from the state government to secure the future of the deceased’s family. He stated that the government should immediately provide an ex-gratia amount of ₹1 crore to the victim’s family. In addition, compensation should include a double-bedroom house, five acres of cultivable land, and a government job for a family member. Accused Minister and MLA of Protecting the DSP Speaking to the media, Praveen Kumar launched a scathing attack on Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and local MLA Padmavati. He alleged that these leaders were protecting DSP Sridhar Reddy, under whose leadership the youth was allegedly tortured. The former IPS officer claimed that the DSP’s transfer and posting were done at the local minister’s behest, “to ensure the plundering continued.” What is the whole matter? RS Praveen Kumar alleged that Rajesh was held in police custody for five days and brutally tortured. He says this was done to cover up the corruption and fraud of ruling party leaders. According to the BRS leader, Rajesh was falsely implicated in a 2022 CMRF check fraud case involving Congress workers. The police pressured Rajesh to name former BRS MLA Mallaiah Yadav and tortured him. In violation of Supreme Court guidelines and Article 21 of the Constitution, Rajesh was denied medical assistance despite his deteriorating health. Taking aim at CM Revanth Reddy Praveen Kumar criticized Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, saying he had completely failed as Home Minister and was protecting criminals. He warned that the BRS, along with other caste organizations and civil society groups, would continue its struggle until Rajesh’s family received justice. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News