A hotel owner in Karnataka has been booked for serving drinking water to a Dalit customer in his hands instead of a glass.
A shameful video of untouchability in Raichur, Karnataka, has gone viral. Following a complaint from the Social Welfare Department, police have filed a case under the SC/ST Act. Karnataka: A shocking case of caste discrimination has come to light in Raichur district. A case has been filed against a hotel owner for allegedly serving drinking water to a Dalit customer in his hands instead of a glass. The action was taken on Wednesday after a video surfaced of the shameful incident, which allegedly clearly depicts the evil practice of untouchability. Social Welfare Department official Ravindra Uppar stated that the incident came to light when a person from the Scheduled Caste community contacted him with a complaint about caste discrimination in the village. During his visit to the village, Uppar came across the video, which is said to be about three months old. After watching the video, he immediately approached the police and filed a written complaint. Based on the officer’s complaint, the Lingsugur police immediately took strict action. The police have registered a case against hotel owner Sharanappa Hadapada and other accused under Section 3(1)(za)(D) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, and Section 4 of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. Morality The administration has become fully alert following this incident. Uppar stated that they, along with the Tehsildar and police officers, conducted a special survey of the village. The investigation team spoke to local residents and other hotel owners and clearly warned them that there is no place for any kind of discrimination in society. However, other hotel owners in the village have categorically denied all these allegations, stating that no such practice is observed in their area. Officer Uppar stated that the circumstances surrounding the viral video and the allegations made are yet to be thoroughly investigated. Meanwhile, Raichur Superintendent of Police (SP) Arunangshu Giri has reacted strongly to the matter. He clarified that the police have registered a case and issued notices to the accused, and the entire matter is being investigated very thoroughly. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit House Demolished After Inter-Caste Marriage
“Strict action must be taken against the accused who demolished the house of Dalits,” the team said. Hyderabad:A fact-finding team comprising the Dalit Bahujan Front, Human Rights Forum and Ambedkar Students’ Association on Saturday demanded action against those involved in the demolition of a Dalit family’s house in Repalle village, Gadwal district, following an intercaste marriage. Six people have been arrested, the team said. A Madiga man and a Boya woman married at Arya Samaj in Hyderabad on Sept. 9 and later sought protection from Masab Tank police. According to the team, around 15 family members reached Repalle at 2 pm on Sept. 10 and demolished the house using crowbars, a tractor and other tools. An FIR was registered the same day. “Strict action must be taken against the accused who demolished the house of Dalits,” the team said. DBF national secretary P. Shankar, HRF activist Sanjeev, ASA spokesperson and High Court advocate Eddu Divakar and social activist Bhaskar visited the village. DSP Mogulaiah also inspected the site on Saturday. The team demanded arrests of all participants and alleged instigators, inclusion of property-damage provisions in the FIR, and compensation under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to rebuild the house. They also sought that the accused be kept away from the village and urged visits by the district collector and SP. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allegations of Dalit student being beaten by dominant students: Police sent the injured student to the hospital for treatment, investigation underway
Students from a private college on Karhela Road in Akrabad assaulted a Dalit student, leaving him seriously injured. Police have sent the injured student to the hospital for treatment. Ankush Kumar, son of Sukhveer Balmiki, a resident of Akrabad town, is a 12th-grade student at the same private inter-college on Karhela Road. After college was dismissed on Saturday, some dominant students began abusing Ankush at the college gate. When Ankush, a Dalit student, resisted the abuse, the dominant students called other students from their group. They then assaulted Ankush, leaving him seriously injured. The victim reported the incident to the police. Police immediately responded and rushed the injured student to the hospital for treatment. Sub-Inspector Nitin Yadav stated that a fight broke out between students at a private college on Karhela Road in the town, resulting in one student being injured. The police are investigating the matter and necessary action will be taken after the investigation. Zainul Abedin Khan | Akbarabad (Kol) Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress renews push to rebuild party ahead of 2027 Assembly elections in Gujarat
The statement underlines the political significance the Congress attaches to Gujarat, where the party has struggled to regain its footing against the BJP’s long-standing dominance. AHMEDABAD: Newly appointed Gujarat Congress in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Singh Surjewala arrived in Gujarat on Saturday for his first visit since taking charge, signalling the Congress high command’s renewed push to rebuild the party ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. His arrival follows the removal of Mukul Wasnik from the Gujarat in-charge post, amid growing concerns over the party’s organisational performance. Welcomed at Ahmedabad Airport with a traditional turban ceremony and a tribal dance performance, Surjewala immediately stepped into a packed schedule of political meetings at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. The visit is expected to set the tone for a major organisational exercise in the Gujarat Congress. Organisation Revamp Tops Surjewala’s Agenda Throughout the day, Surjewala is scheduled to meet state office bearers, city and district Congress presidents, heads of various cells and departments, and party MLAs. The discussions will centre on strengthening the organisation, energising grassroots workers and restoring the Congress’s political momentum across Gujarat. The timing is significant because the party has yet to finalise its new organisational team, despite repeated visits by Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda to Delhi. With the organisational restructuring still pending, Surjewala’s appointment has triggered expectations of major changes in the state unit. His immediate challenge is to rebuild a party organisation capable of taking on the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections. However, the Congress will also have to address internal weaknesses, revive worker morale and strengthen its presence at the district and booth levels. Surjewala Invokes Bapu, Sardar Patel and Congress Ideology Speaking after his arrival, Surjewala positioned Gujarat as the ideological heartland of the Congress and linked his new assignment to the party’s historical roots. “Gujarat is the land of Bapu and Sardar Patel, and the ideology of the Congress originated here. For the Gujarat Congress and the Indian National Congress, Gujarat is not merely a state but a source of inspiration. We will further strengthen the path of Gujarat’s creation, progress, development and communal harmony,” Surjewala said. The statement underlines the political significance the Congress attaches to Gujarat, where the party has struggled to regain its footing against the BJP’s long-standing dominance. Wasnik’s Exit Exposes Leadership Discontent According to Congress sources, the high command had expressed dissatisfaction with Mukul Wasnik’s working style. Sources alleged that Wasnik’s brief visits to Gujarat failed to provide the sustained leadership required to strengthen the party’s grassroots organisation. The criticism centres on an alleged routine in which Wasnik would arrive in Ahmedabad on a 2 pm flight and return to Delhi on the 7 PM flight, limiting his time for extensive organisational engagement. Congress insiders claim that this approach contributed to the weakening of the party’s ground-level network. The discontent reportedly intensified after the favourable political atmosphere generated during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra failed to translate into electoral gains. According to party sources, local leadership’s inaction weakened the momentum, culminating in a major Congress setback in the local body elections. ‘Racehorses’ Versus ‘Wedding Horses’: Congress Plans Internal Sorting With Surjewala now at the helm, the Gujarat Congress is reportedly preparing a sharper assessment of its leaders and workers. According to Congress sources, the new in-charge has been tasked with identifying “racehorse” leaders who are committed, active and capable of delivering results while separating them from “wedding horses”, a phrase used to describe leaders who create a show but deliver little on the ground. The exercise is expected to focus on performance, grassroots commitment and electoral effectiveness. At the same time, sources claim that the high command is examining allegations of senior leaders maintaining covert political links with the BJP. However, these allegations remain unverified, and no specific leader has been officially named or accused by the party in connection with such ties. Co-In-Charges Under Scanner The organisational shake-up could extend beyond the state leadership, with Congress sources speculating that co-in-charges Suhasini Yadav and Ramkishan Ojha may also face removal. The speculation comes amid expectations that Surjewala will push for a comprehensive restructuring of the Gujarat unit. While no official announcement has confirmed their removal, the possibility reflects the wider internal churn triggered by Wasnik’s exit. For Surjewala, the task ahead is clear: transform the Gujarat Congress from an organisation battling internal drift into a politically aggressive force capable of challenging the BJP in 2027. Whether the proposed restructuring delivers that revival will depend on how decisively the party acts and how effectively its leadership reconnects with workers on the ground. Dilip Singh Kshatriya 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
Caught On Camera: Transgender Group Surrounds BMW Owner After New Car Delivery, Demands ₹2 Lakh In Hyderabad
Around four people confronted the driver and stood around the vehicle before eventually moving aside. However, the exact date and location, video’s authenticity and claims surrounding the incident have not been independently verified Hyderabad: A purported video from Hyderabad is going viral on social media, showing a group of transgender persons allegedly obstructing and harassing the owner of a newly delivered BMW car. In the video, around four transgender persons can be seen standing in front and around the luxury car, apparently preventing it from moving. They are also seen making gestures towards the person sitting behind the steering wheel while continuing to block the vehicle. The video shows the group remaining in front of the car for some time despite the driver’s apparent attempts to move ahead. After a while, the person behind the wheel moves the car forward, following which the group steps aside and allows the vehicle to pass. Several bystanders can also be seen recording the incident on their mobile phones. According to a report by the Deccan Chronicle, the transgender group was allegedly demanding Rs 2 lakh from the BMW car owner. The report comes amid a video circulating widely on social media, purportedly showing the group blocking the luxury car and confronting the man. The exact date and location of the incident have not been independently established. Free Press Journal could not independently verify the authenticity of the viral video or the claims surrounding the incident. Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP govt seems determined to use Goonda Act as tool of harassment: Allahabad HC
A Lucknow bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the Goonda Act is a “very powerful” legislation and must be invoked with great caution, only in clear cases and for maintaining public order. LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government over alleged misuse of the Goonda Act in the state, observing that cases coming before it indicate that the state government appears determined to use the stringent law as a tool of harassment. A Lucknow bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the Goonda Act is a “very powerful” legislation and must be invoked with great caution, only in clear cases and for maintaining public order. The court made the observations while quashing the order of the Gonda district magistrate declaring a person named Zahid Ali a “goonda” and externing him from the district for six months. The court also set aside the appellate order passed by the divisional commissioner upholding the DM’s decision. The Gonda District Magistrate had, on May 11, passed the order under Section 3(1) of the Goonda Act, relying on two criminal cases and a beat information report. One of the criminal cases dated back to 2010 and the other to 2020. The high court found that Ali had already been acquitted in the 2010 case by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gonda, on August 26, 2017. It observed that a case in which a person had already been acquitted could not subsequently be used as a ground to declare him a goonda. The court further noted that there was a gap of nearly six years between the 2020 criminal case and the 2026 order declaring Ali a goonda. It said no rational nexus could be established between the two. The high court also took exception to the police report mentioning the case in which Ali had already been acquitted, observing that it indicated that an incorrect picture of the petitioner had been placed before the DM. The court said that mere involvement in a single criminal case of 2020 could not establish that Ali was a habitual offender or habitually committed or abetted offences. The bench also refused to accept the beat information report as a valid basis for invoking the Goonda Act. No criminal case had been registered on the basis of the information, nor had Ali been given an opportunity of hearing in relation to it. Relying on such material, the court said, would violate the principles of natural justice. The court also found that the commissioner had treated the acquitted case as a pending case against Ali, reflecting a failure to properly exercise discretion. Holding that the orders passed by both the DM and the commissioner were legally unsustainable, the high court quashed them and allowed Ali’s petition. 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
Sachin Pilot to participate in major protest seeking justice for farmer Gulzar, who died by suicide in Punjab
The AAP has accused the BJP, Congress and SAD of their alleged attempt to exploit a tragic death for political gains, asserting that the bereaved family must be allowed to grieve with dignity. CHANDIGARH: Amid continuing factionalism in the Punjab Congress, Sachin Pilot will visit the State for the first time on September 15 after taking over as the general secretary in charge of the state unit. He will participate in a major protest that will focus on the demand for justice for 47-year-old Gulzar Singh, a Dalit daily wager who died by suicide. Former Member of Parliament Vijayinder Singla said that the ‘Main Bhi Gulzar’ campaign aims to urge the government to take action against whosoever is involved in Gulzar’s death. “We have launched the campaign in solidarity with the victim’s family. We have requested everyone in Sangrur and other parts of Punjab to join this initiative by putting up the ‘Main Bhi Gulzar’ display picture on their social media handles and help us amplify the family’s voice against injustice and stand in solidarity with them,” he said. Singla added that the victim’s family had alleged that they were forced by the district administration and the Sangrur police to cremate Gulzar without ensuring family traditions. Meanwhile, the AAP has accused the BJP, Congress and SAD of their alleged attempt to exploit a tragic death for political gains, asserting that the bereaved family must be allowed to grieve with dignity. In the demonstration, Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh, Raja Warring, Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, Former Chief Minister and MP from Jalandhar, Charanjit Singh Channi, Former Deputy Chief Minister and MP from Gurdaspur, all other MPs, sitting and ex-MLAs and other party leaders will take part. The party plans to march towards the official residence of state finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema in Sector 3, demanding that he be booked for abetment of suicide in this case and arrested. They are also demanding his dismissal from the Bhagwant Mann-led cabinet. However, it is highly probable that the Chandigarh Police is expected to stop the Congress leadership in front of the Punjab Congress Bhawan in Sector 15 and not allow them to move forward, as has been the case in past protests. Meanwhile, Pilot has clarified that the grand old party will not project a chief ministerial candidate before the 2027 Assembly elections. Pilot is expected to come by road from Delhi, but his official schedule has not yet been made public. Till date, the rival camps led by Channi and Warring had continued to hold separate protests, meetings and outreach programmes, underlining the lack of cohesion within the state unit. Warring had been saying that party leaders would soon come together on a common platform to take on their political rivals, while Channi welcomed the appointment of Pilot. The Congress high command had replaced Bhupesh Baghel with Pilot in an apparent bid to ease tensions between the Channi and Warring camps. While both factions publicly welcomed the move, their actions on the ground indicate that differences remain unresolved. Pilot said that the Congress would contest the polls under a collective leadership model, with Rahul Gandhi leading the campaign. The statement, “No announcement on CM candidate until party secures majority in Assembly elections”, comes at a time when supporters of former CM Channi are demanding that he be declared the chief ministerial face of the party for the 2027 elections. If at all the Congress sticks to this stance, it would mark a departure from its earlier stance in the previous assembly elections, as the party had projected Capt Amarinder Singh as its chief ministerial candidate in 2012 and 2017, while in 2022 it went to the polls with then chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi as its CM face. Harpreet Bajwa 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
Congress spars with RJD on MLC seat allocations in Bihar, to field eight candidates
A day after Lalu Prasad’s RJD announced candidates for six out of the eight seats, the Congress on Saturday said that the grand old party will field its candidates on all eight seats. PATNA: Differences have emerged within Opposition Mahagathbandhan ahead of elections for eight seats in the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC). The Election Commission is set to announce the election schedule for four graduate and as many teacher constituencies soon. A day after Lalu Prasad’s RJD announced candidates for six out of the eight seats, the Congress on Saturday said that the grand old party will field its candidates on all eight seats. “Congress was not taken into confidence before releasing candidates’ list by RJD,” party leader Asit Nath Tiwary said. He accused the RJD of not following coalition dharma and said that the decision to release the names of candidates for the election was taken by the top brass of RJD. But Congress, which is an ally of Mahagathandhan, was not taken into confidence while finalising the seats it wanted to contest, Tiwary added. RJD has fielded Sanjeev Kumar Singh from the Patna teacher constituency, Dilip Kumar from the Patna graduate constituency, Nitesh Kumar from the Kosi graduate, Anil Kumar Jha from the Darbhanga graduate, and Prof. Jay Ram Yadav from Saran teacher constituency and Dr Rashmi Vinayak Gautam from Tirhut graduate constituency. While releasing the list, RJD leaders said that the two remaining seats were under consideration of the top leaders of the party. The seats are Darbhanga and Kosi teacher constituencies. Currently the seats are held by Congress leaders, including former state president Madan Mohan Jha. Jha was elected from Darbhanga teacher constituency. Congress leaders held a meeting in Patna on Saturday to finalise the list of nominees. BJP, JD(U) finalise names In the NDA camp, both the BJP and JD(U) have finalised the names of their candidates. Controversy erupted within JD(U) over the Patna graduate seat after party MLA from Mokama Anant Singh backed the candidature of Anuj Kumar against sitting MLA Neeraj Kumar. Ramashankar 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
Congress begins preparations for Rahul Gandhi’s Indore Youth Event
Indore: Congress on Saturday began preparations for the Sept 19 Rahul Gandhi’s “Chhatron ki Goonj” programme irrespective of a formal approval of the venue decided for the event, the land in front of Regional Park in Indore. The inspection and preparation of the ground have begun and it will be ready for the mega event, Congress city president Chintu Choukse told TOI. Congress has paid over Rs 10 lakh to IDA for use of the ground for three days. The party has claimed that around 1.5 lakh students have registered for the programme and that around 20,000-30,000 of them are expected to attend the youth conclave. “We have paid the sum demanded for the use of land for three days. But a formal approval is awaited,” Choukse said. The ground opposite Regional Park is spread over around 2.25 hectares. Based on an estimated requirement of five square feet per person, it could accommodate around 25,000 to 30,000 people. However, the actual capacity could be lower as separate space will be required for the stage, parking, security arrangements, ambulances and other facilities. Congress had sought around 1.25 hectares of land for the programme. According to the IDA’s fixed rate, the rent was set at Rs 8.40 per square foot, resulting in a payment of around Rs 10 lakh, which was deposited by the party. Congress had alleged that lower charges were being levied for other events while it was being asked to pay a higher amount. Officials, however, said the fee was determined on the basis of the area of land and its use. Choukse said elaborate arrangements are being made to ensure the interaction between Rahul Gandhi and the youth. “Separate arrangements are made for the girls and boys to attend the event,” he said. The Congress city president said it has received support from the tribal organisation Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS) for Gandhi’s event. A recent meeting attended by Congress state in charge Harish Chaudhary, state Congress president Jitu Patwari, Manawar MLA Hiralal Alawa and JAYS office-bearers decided that the organisation would participate in the student-focused event. 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
Sophie Cunningham delivers blunt Enes Kanter Freedom response after controversial WNBA transgender sports campaign
Sophie Cunningham has made it clear that Enes Kanter Freedom’s push to enter the WNBA is not something she wants to get involved in. Speaking to ESPN, the Indiana Fever guard addressed Kanter Freedom and Royce White declaring for the WNBA Draft and chose to keep her response focused on her own team. Her comments come after Kanter Freedom repeatedly referred to Cunningham while speaking about his campaign against the league’s transgender eligibility rules. For Cunningham, the timing is important. Indiana is heading into the final four games of the regular season, with the team still fighting for a strong playoff position. Rather than spend her energy on the debate surrounding Kanter Freedom, she said her attention is on the Fever and what happens on the court. “I’m gonna let them do them,” Cunningham said. “I’m just focused on the Fever and on our sport. I think we have four more games left. I’m trying to just really dial in and keep the main thing the main thing.” Sophie Cunningham responds as Enes Kanter Freedom pushes WNBA campaign Kanter Freedom has made Cunningham part of the conversation because their views on transgender participation in women’s sports overlap. Cunningham has previously said she supports restricting transgender girls and women from girls’ and women’s sports. At the same time, she has rejected claims that this means she hates transgender people. The former NBA player has also described Cunningham as “my friend.” His campaign drew more attention after he attended Indiana’s Aug. 23 game against the Chicago Sky wearing a shirt that defined a woman as an “adult human female.” He was later ejected after an exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. Kanter Freedom subsequently said Cunningham texted him, “What happened?” after the incident. Cunningham has not publicly confirmed that account, and her latest comments do not suggest that she has joined his campaign. Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham puts basketball first Cunningham’s position on the wider issue has not changed, but she is separating that position from Kanter Freedom’s actions. She previously told ESPN, “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth.” Now, her priority is the Fever. Cunningham is averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists this season as Indiana heads toward the playoffs. With only four regular-season games remaining, Cunningham says she does not want outside controversy taking attention away from the team’s postseason push. Her latest comments therefore draw a clear boundary: she can have her own views on transgender participation in sports without becoming part of Kanter Freedom’s WNBA campaign. 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