Kanpur: Dalit youth humiliated and beaten in caste-based Attack, FIR Filed under Atrocities Act after video goes viral
In Bharthana town of Kanpur rural district, 22-year-old youth Sumit Diwakar, a resident of Rani Nagar, alleges that on October 8 three men from the neighbouring Purana Bharthana area. Nandan Gupta, Laddu Gupta and Satyendra Kumar subjected him to severe caste-based harassment. According to his complaint, the trio hurled caste slurs at him, forced him to squat in the middle of the road, physically assaulted him and threatened to kill him. Simultaneously, the attackers recorded the entire act on video, which later circulated on social media and sparked widespread public outrage. Local police say they took cognisance of the case only after the video gained traction online, registering it on October 25 under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act). Bharthana Police have launched investigations, and are reportedly gathering video evidence, statements of witnesses, recordings of the perpetrators, and attempt to identify those who filmed and shared the video. Addressing the media, Shrish Chandra, the Superintendent of Police (Rural) in Kanpur, stated that strict action will follow and assured the victim of protection and prompt legal recourse. The victim’s complaint emphasises that the accused repeatedly used caste-insulting language, ordered him to remain in a humiliating posture on the road while they beat him, and later threatened to end his life if he reported the incident. This act of public humiliation, filming and online circulation emphasises a troubling intersection of caste violence and social media exposure. As investigations proceed, relevant questions include how long the video was originally shared before police action, whether the filming was meant as intimidation, and whether more persons were involved beyond the three named accused. The case underscores long-standing concerns over caste-based abuse in Uttar Pradesh and urgent need for swift enforcement of the SC/ST Act to deter such crimes and ensure justice for victims. Courtesy : Muslim Mirror Note: This news is originally published on https:/muslimmirror.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Mayawati reveals 2027 election strategy to strengthen BSP base:Focuses on Dalit-Muslim unity, organisational revival, and grassroots voter mobilisation to counter SP-BJP dominance in UP
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has outlined her detailed roadmap for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Chairing the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting herself for the first time, she projected a winning combination of 20% Dalit and 19% Muslim voters, positioning the BSP as a stronger alternative to the BJP and Samajwadi Party (SP). In her address, Mayawati emphasised that while the SP’s traditional Yadav vote base stands at only 8%, even with complete Muslim support, it forms just 27% of the vote share, insufficient to unseat the BJP. She contrasted this with BSP’s 2007 victory, when the party won power by combining Dalit votes with limited Muslim support. According to her, unlike the SP, which “uses fear of the BJP to secure Muslim votes,” the BSP believes in offering genuine representation and development. 5 Key takeaways from the meeting Mayawati personally chaired the Muslim Brotherhood Committee meeting for the first time since the BSP’s inception. Muslim members were seated in the front rows, signalling respect and inclusion, while other office-bearers sat behind. The committee was reconstituted after being dissolved post-2017. A target was set to connect 100 prominent Muslim faces from each assembly constituency. Monthly performance reviews of the committee will take place on the 20th of every month. Message of respect and representation The meeting was attended by Mayawati, BSP national coordinator and nephew Akash Anand, and general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra. By giving Muslims front-row seats, Mayawati symbolically conveyed that the community would receive honour and prominence in the party structure. The committee, which had been inactive since 2017, is being rebuilt with two conveners per division, one Dalit and one Muslim, across all 18 divisions. A similar structure will be replicated at the assembly and booth levels. BSP leaders were also provided a list of 100 key development projects for Muslims implemented during Mayawati’s four terms as Chief Minister. The list will be circulated during local meetings to remind voters of BSP’s governance record. Connecting voters through SIR Mayawati instructed her party workers not to oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission, currently active in 12 states, including Uttar Pradesh . She advised the cadre to focus on forming Booth Level Agent (BLA) teams and connecting verified BSP supporters instead of engaging in protests.A short Election Commission booklet has been distributed to guide officials in voter registration efforts. Faizan Khan, convener of the Lucknow division, said, ‘Our leader has made it clear that we must work at the grassroots, not waste time opposing SIR.’ Restoring lost muslim support According to Faizan Khan, BSP has always treated Muslims as an integral part of its social alliance. He accused opposition parties of misleading the community and claimed that under BSP rule, no communal riots occurred.He added that SP and Congress gained Muslim votes in the 2022 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha polls but failed to prevent BJP’s return. ‘Only BSP can defeat BJP now,’ he asserted. Mayawati clarifies Samsuddin’s expulsion Mayawati also addressed the removal of party leader Samsuddin, explaining that he had been repeatedly warned. She alleged he fielded weak candidates in collusion with BJP and SP during elections and promoted factionalism within the party.She instructed members to report any such internal sabotage directly to her, assuring strict disciplinary action. Akash Anand’s return to UP after Bihar polls Mayawati announced that Akash Anand will soon focus fully on Uttar Pradesh after completing his campaign duties in Bihar. He will tour all districts, hold meetings, and monitor booth-level progress. ‘After the Bihar elections, Akash will work full-time in UP. Where necessary, I too will step out,’ Mayawati declared. Rebuilding from the Ground Up By reviving the Muslim Brotherhood Committee, strengthening booth structures, and reintroducing her 2007-style social engineering, Mayawati has clearly signalled a full-scale comeback bid for 2027. Her message was unambiguous, the path to power lies not through fear, but through representation, respect, and grassroots organisation. Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Two Dalits assaulted for participating in Hindu festivals in Chhattisgarh, police skip SC/ST Atrocity Act bookmark_border text_fields
The first incident took place at a Kali Mata Puja celebration in Mahmand village on October 19, 2025 Bilaspur/ Chhattisgarh: Two separate assaults on Dalit individuals participating in Hindu religious festivals have been reported from Union minister Tokhan Sahu’s constituency of Bilaspur in Chhattisgar recently, according to a report. The first incident took place at a Kali Mata Puja celebration in Mahmand village on October 19, 2025, Maktoob media.com reported. Sixteen-year-old Ashutosh Barle, a tenth-grade student at Massorie Shisu Mandir Bhawan, was home from hostel for two days during vacation when he went to watch the music and lights set up for the Kali celebration. Maktoob quoted his mother Sarita Barle as saying: ‘The DJ caught his curiosity, so he went there.’ Noticing Ashutosh Barle, the attacker Pradeep Maharaj hurled casteist insults for participating in the festival, before beginning physical assaults. It was then his friends Deepeshwar, Rahul, and others joined verbally abusing Ashutosh before assaulting him with ‘fists and rods’. When the minor victim fainted at the spot, a villager reached out to his mother who rushed in to take Ashutosh home. However, the assailants went on to assail the family pelting stones at the house, with Sarita locking herself and her younger children inside a room. She later told Dalit activist Sanjeet Barman that police were not willing to record incident accurately. Another attack on a 20-year-old Dalit farmer was reported during the Laxmi Utsav celebration in Bharda village the following night on October 20, 2025. Lokesh Kumar Jangde, a driver and a small-time land owner, was watching Laxmi Utsav celebration when an upper caste member Amit Yadav questioned his presence at the festival. Amit Yadav hurled abusive remarks about Lokesh’s mother and sister before dragging him out of the marquee and started beating him. Others identified as Roshan Yadav, Shiva Yadav, and others joined in assaulting him. It is reported that an FIR has been filed but the Yadav family is allegedly pressuring Lokesh to withdraw the complaint. Calling for invoking the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in both cases, activist Sanjeet Barman pointed out that ‘In Ashutosh Barle’s case, the POSCO Act is also missing.’ Courtesy : Madhtamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
2 held for abducting Dalit minor, forcibly converting, and marrying her
Muzaffarnagar Two men have been arrested here for allegedly abducting a Dalit minor girl, unlawfully converting her religion, and solemnising marriage with her, officials said on Wednesday. The arrests were made on Tuesday and the incident occurred earlier this month, police said. Circle Officer (Budhana) Gajendra Pal Singh said the main accused, Talib (25), and his associate, Shadab (23), were booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. They have also been charged under Section 3 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, he said. According to the FIR lodged by the victim’s brother, the minor was abducted on October 5 by Talib with the help of his friend Shadab. She was taken to Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, where she was allegedly forced to convert her religion and later married to Talib through ‘nikah’. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala halts PM SHRI scheme after CPI’s protest, coalition tensions rise
Kerala has frozen all procedures linked to the PM SHRI schools project after the Communist Party of India (CPI) strongly objected to the move. A cabinet subcommittee will now review the matter as tensions rise within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The Kerala government has suspended all procedures related to the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme following strong objections from the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key ally in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration announced the decision after four CPI ministers boycotted the latest cabinet meeting in protest. The party accused the state government of signing the PM SHRI memorandum of understanding (MoU) without consulting the cabinet or coalition partners. SEVEN-MEMBER PANEL TO REVIEW DECISION A seven-member cabinet subcommittee has been formed to examine the scheme in detail. All related procedures will remain frozen until the committee submits its report. Kerala will write to the Centre seeking relaxations in the scheme’s conditions, calling certain provisions “unacceptable”. The chief minister has also instructed the Education Department to halt the process of finalising schools to be brought under the project. The decision followed a CPI(M) secretariat meeting at the AKG Centre, attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) national secretariat member M A Baby, state secretary M V Govindan, and LDF convener T P Ramakrishnan. However, no official government announcement has been made yet. COALITION CRACKS DEEPEN The CPI’s four ministers, K Rajan, P Prasad, G R Anil Kumar, and J Chinchurani, skipped the cabinet meeting, demanding that the government formally freeze the MoU and inform the Centre in writing, with the letter made public. Reports suggest Kerala may not be able to withdraw from the project since state representatives have already signed the agreement. Under the PM SHRI guidelines, the Centre can recover funds if a state violates the terms of the deal. Efforts to resolve the crisis have so far been unsuccessful. Chief Minister Vijayan held discussions with CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam and CPI ministers earlier this week, but talks failed to produce a consensus. POLITICAL TENSIONS OVER EDUCATION POLICY The CPI has accused the PM SHRI initiative of being a backdoor route to impose the National Education Policy (NEP) and “communalise, centralise, and commercialise” education. Union Minister of State George Kurian, however, recently clarified that the scheme does not impose any central syllabus or policy on participating states. With the dispute intensifying, the episode marks one of the sharpest rifts between the CPI and CPI(M) within the LDF government since it assumed office. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender and two others arrested for possessing mephedrone
Pune: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force of Maharashtra police on Tuesday evening arrested a transgender person (21), a woman (27), and a Ghorpadi-based man (22) for allegedly possessing mephedrone. Other than the drugs, a weighing machine and a scooter — collectively estimated at Rs 4.32 lakh — were seized from them, police said. A police officer said the transgender and the woman were searching for customers on Manjari Road near Hadapsar when they were nabbed by a team, headed by deputy superintendent of police Ganesh Ingle. Later, the two told police that the Ghorpadi resident supplied them the drugs to sell, the officer said. An FIR under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered at the Hadapsar police station. Police said the transgender and the woman are residents of Hadapsar. 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
‘If you tell Modi to dance…’: Rahul Gandhi opens Bihar campaign with attack on PM; brings back ‘vote chori’ barb
NEW DELHI: Weeks after the Election Commission announced poll dates in Bihar — and days after the Mahagathbandhan released its chief ministerial face — leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi finally kicked off his election campaign in the state on Wednesday. Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, the Congress leader launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that “he just wants vote” and alleging that he would go to any extent to win elections. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) “He just wants your vote. If 200 people from the crowd ask PM Modi to dance on stage in return for votes, the dance would begin. PM Modi will start performing Bharatnatyam on stage,” Rahul said. Follow Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Live Updates Taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s statement on Chhath Puja observance on the banks of the Yamuna, Rahul mocked the act, saying, “They staged a drama and showed the truth of India… The Yamuna has dirty water. If someone drank it, they would either get sick or die. No one can go inside. The water is so dirty that if you enter it, you would get sick or get an infection… But Modi staged a drama. He built a small pond there… They will show you anything for elections… A pipe is installed from behind. Clean water is poured into it… The problem arose that someone took a photo of the pipe..” Continuing his tirade, Rahul reiterated his charge of “vote chori” and accused the BJP of subverting democracy. “They are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease. I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar,” he said. The Congress leader also hit out at PM Modi over economic policies, accusing him of crushing small businesses through demonetisation and GST. “Tell me what is written on the back of your phone. Made in China. Narendra Modi ji has destroyed all the small businesses by implementing demonetisation and GST. Wherever you look, it is Made in China. We say that it should not be Made in China, it should be Made in Bihar. Mobiles, shirts, pants — all these should be made in Bihar and the youth of Bihar should get employment in those factories. We want such a Bihar,” he declared. BJP hits back at Rahul BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Wednesday hit back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remark that “PM Modi will dance for votes,” branding him a “local goon.” Bhandari accused the Congress leader of “mocking voters” and “insulting” the poor with his comments. In a post on X, the BJP leader said, “Rahul Gandhi speaks like a ‘Local Goon’. Rahul Gandhi has openly insulted every poor of India, & Bihar who has voted for PM Narendra Modi ji! Rahul Gandhi has mocked voters and Indian democracy.” — pradip103 (@pradip103) ‘Nitish ji’s face being used’: Rahul Rahul didn’t spare Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar either, claiming he was merely a “face” while the BJP pulled the strings from behind. “Nitish ji’s face is being used. The remote control is in the hands of the BJP. You should not think that the voice of the most backward people is heard there,” he said. Accusing the BJP of being “against social justice,” Rahul added, “Three or four people control it. BJP controls it. They have the remote controller in their hands, and they have nothing to do with social justice. I said in front of the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha that you should get the caste census done. He did not say a single word… BJP is against social justice. They do not want it.” As Bihar gears up for a high-stakes battle, the political lines are clearly drawn. The NDA — comprising the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha — faces off against the Mahagathbandhan, led by the RJD and including Congress, CPI-ML, CPI, CPM, and Mukesh Sahani’s VIP. Adding another twist, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj has announced candidates for all 243 assembly seats. Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results to be declared on November 14. 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
‘Trump insulting Modi in country after country’: Rahul Gandhi on US president’s India-Pak claim in South Korea; urges him to respond
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims on India-Pakistan truce. Pointing out Trump’s recent remarks made at Apec summit in South Korea, Rahul said, “Trump is insulting Modi in country after country. Latest is South Korea.” Highlighting snippets from Trump’s speech where he “repeated that he used trade to frighten Modi into stopping Operation Sindoor” and “said 7 planes were shot down”, the Congress leader said: “Don’t be scared Modi ji, find the courage to respond.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) While PM Modi has steered clear from making any direct remarks on Trump’s claims, India has, at several occasions, clarified that India-Pakistan truce was completely bilateral in nature, at the request of Pakistan DGMO and did not involve any third party intervention. Earlier in the day, while Trump admired PM Modi as a “great-looking guy, killer and tough as hell”, he also said that it was his efforts that made India and Pakistan stop fighting. “If you look at India, and Pakistan, so, I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and and love. As you know, for Prime Minister Modi, we have a great relationship. Likewise, the prime minister of Pakistan is a great guy. And the field marshal, they have a field marshal. He’s a great fighter. He really is, he’s a great guy too,” he said. “And I’m reading that 7 planes were shot down. They’re going at it and they’re really starting to go and this is a big thing,” he added. “These are 2 nuclear nations, and they’re really starting to go and this is a big thing. And I called Prime Minister Modi and I said we can’t make a trade deal with you know. I said, no, we can’t. you starting a war with Pakistan. We’re not going to do it. And then I called Pakistan, I said we’re not going to do trade with you because you’re fighting with India,” he claimed. 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
Bihar elections: After weeks of being away, Rahul Gandhi returns with vitriol for PM Modi
PATNA: Missing in action for weeks, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi opened his campaign for INDIA bloc in Bihar Wednesday with a barrage of personal attacks targeting PM Narendra Modi, saying the latter would “happily dance for votes” if he needed to. “Modi ji just wants your votes… He can perform Bharatanatyam,” the Rae Bareli MP said at a rally in Muzaffarpur, INDIA bloc’s CM face Tejashwi Yadav by his side. The vitriol continued to flow in Darbhanga, where he told the crowd that BJP was out to “steal your votes like they did in Maharashtra & Haryana”. Asking people to be extra careful this poll season to prevent “vote theft”, Rahul said, “Catch BJP people if they try to steal your votes at polling booths…” Rahul, whose absence from opposition’s campaign was as much a talking point as his prolonged reluctance to acknowledge RJD scion Tejashwi as the chief ministerial candidate, alleged that Nitish Kumar was CM only in name. “Nitish is not running the govt. It is Modi and (Amit) Shah who are running it through remote control.” He also accused PM Modi of failing to counter US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that his intervention halted Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. “Trump has said it 50 times…He is constantly insulting PM Modi, but the latter is silent. Not once has he said Trump is lying as he is scared of the US President. Indira Gandhi stuck to her stand on Bangladesh during 1971 India-Pakistan war despite international pressure… That is what a PM means,” he said, suggesting that was why PM Modi “can’t develop Bihar”. Rahul asked voters to distinguish between people prone to making false promises and those working with good intentions. Tejashwi appealed to voters to give him one chance. “I haven’t done anybody harm. If I get a chance to govern, you will get govt jobs,” 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
Dalit laborer chased and beaten in Ayodhya: Intervention proved costly, SHO says action will be taken after investigation
A video of a Dalit laborer being brutally beaten in Sitholi village, under the Patranga police station area of Ayodhya, has gone viral on social media. In the video, two young men are seen repeatedly kicking, punching, and slapping the laborer. According to reports, the victim has been identified as Asaram, son of Ram Baran, a resident of Sitholi. It is reported that a dispute was taking place between two young men named Sirtaj and Haseeb in the village. Asaram intervened and advised them to stop fighting and sit down and talk. But Asaram’s words took offense to the two young men. It is alleged that they abused Asaram and chased him and beat him. A villager filmed the entire incident and made it viral on social media. The victim has filed a complaint at the Patranga police station, seeking justice. In this case, Patranga Inspector-in-Charge Shashikant Yadav stated that after receiving the victim’s complaint, a sub-inspector has been dispatched to investigate. If the allegations are found to be true, strict legal action will be taken against both accused by filing a case under the relevant sections. Courtesy: Hindi News