‘Strengthen Congress at grassroots’
Lucknow: AICC in-charge for UP Avinash Pande and state president Ajay Rai convened a zonal review and workshop for 13 districts in Jhansi on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Pande said: “The importance of strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level is in line with the resolutions passed at the Udaipur Chintan Shivir and the vision of national leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka. District-level workers and leaders must leverage the experience of senior leaders and focus on strengthening the organisation, which is crucial for defending the country’s constitution and fighting for people’s rights.” He also highlighted the ongoing review of organisational creation by the central office of the All India Congress Committee and the need to bring dedicated workers and leaders into the mainstream, with special attention to social justice as emphasised by Rahul Gandhi. Ajay Rai, on the other hand, noted that the public is looking towards them with hope. He urged all workers and leaders to start preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
CM warns Rahul, Kharge of legal action
Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday warned of potential legal action against Congress’s national leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi if investigation substantiates that their speeches instigated attacks on security forces during an eviction drive in Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara district on Thursday. Kharge and Gandhi visited Assam on Wednesday and addressed a party workers’ gathering at Chaygaon, about 40 km from Guwahati. Referring to Kharge’s statement on Wednesday that Congress will rehabilitate the evicted people in the state, Sarma said, “Because of these kinds of speeches, people get encouraged and those evicted people started throwing stones and beating police with sticks and various other weapons (at Paikan).” He said police have registered a case, and “will go through the speeches made by Gandhi and Kharge. If we see that there are elements which invite penal action, they will not hesitate to take action against them”. On Thursday morning, violence erupted in Paikan Reserve Forest and one civilian died and at least 20 people, including police officers, were injured in clashes between encroachers and security personnel. The clash at Paikan is the latest in a series of high-profile eviction operations in Assam targeting encroachment on forest and govt land, a policy vigorously pursued by Sarma’s administration, often accompanied by political controversy. The issue is escalating as a major political flashpoint in the state, with broader implications for law enforcement, communal relations, and the next state elections. Both ruling and opposition parties are increasingly framing the evictions and related violence as key battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 state elections, with legal, communal, and political overtones dominating public discourse. Sarma also said Congress is preparing for 2026 state elections with a “single-point agenda” of attempting to put him behind bars and dismissed Rahul’s remarks about jailing the chief minister, arguing that only the law and judiciary could decide such matters. “He is just an MP today. How can he arrest a chief minister?” Sarma said, adding that even Congress members do not give importance to what Gandhi says. “The big question is whether Rahul Gandhi will be in jail and when. ED has seized many property of Robert Vadra today (Thursday). There are many jails in India waiting for the Gandhis,” Sarma said “There are two cases against Gandhi in Assam, I can bring him in. But my election cannot be Gandhi-centric, it will be on our work for the state. I am not allowing my mind to be diverted, else I would have retorted in ample measure to the threats given to me,” he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul Gandhi defends Robert Vadra against ED charges, Congress follows suit
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi led Congress’ defence of Robert Vadra in the wake of the ED chargesheet against him, calling it BJP govt’s witch-hunt against “my brother-in-law” and exuding confidence that the truth will prevail. “My brother-in-law has been hounded by this govt for the last 10 years. This latest chargesheet is a continuation of that witch-hunt. I stand with Robert, Priyanka and their children as they face yet another onslaught of malicious, politically motivated slander and harassment. I know that they are all brave enough to withstand any kind of persecution and they will continue to do so with dignity. The truth will eventually prevail,” Rahul said on X. The first-ever remarks from Rahul in favour of Vadra in the context of allegations of corruption against him also marked the Congress launching a full-fledged defence of the Gandhi family member it had refused to comment upon till now, and dubbed a “private citizen” when ED started the probe and questioning some years ago. While Congress general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala and others posted the party’s solidarity with Vadra on social media and slammed the “Modi-Shah duo”, Surjewala said there is “no illegality or whisper of a crime” in Shikohpur, Gurgaon, since not an inch of land in question was govt allotted, no licence was given to Vadra for “change of land use” and there was also no evasion of stamp duty. He said DLF has owned the land since 2012. The public backing for Vadra marks a total contrast from the past when Congress maintained a silence as he was called for questioning by ED. Congress managers then had said the BJP ploy to mire the party in defending Vadra was to distract from allegations of corruption that the Modi govt was facing on several fronts, and the party preferred the distancing from a “private citizen”. Court takes up Vadra land deal chargesheet A Delhi court took up Friday an ED money laundering chargesheet against Robert Vadra, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, and others in an alleged 2008 fraudulent land deal, listing it for verification of documents and slotting the matter for consideration onJuly 24. Special judge Sushant Changotra asked the record keeper to check the chargesheet along with documents and give a report. ED had filed the chargesheet Thursday naming 11 individuals and entities as accused, including Vadra, his company Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Onkareshwar Properties Pvt Ltd, Satyanand Yajee, and one Kewal Singh Virk. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Youth must follow Chandy’s path, says Rahul Gandhi
Kottayam: A remembrance meet was held on Friday commemorating the second death anniversary of former chief minister Oommen Chandy at St George Orthodox Syrian Church in Puthuppally. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi fondly remembered Chandy saying that the former chief minister was a guru to him in many ways and was a guru for many people in Kerala. The Congress leader also said that a guru shows directions through his actions, and Chandy showed us the direction not by talking or thinking, but through his actions. Gandhi also urged the youth in the state to follow Chandy’s footsteps. Gandhi said that in the 21 years of his political life, Chandy was a great influence as he was the master of understanding people’s feelings. “I literally saw him kill himself for the people of Kerala,” said Gandhi, referring to Chandy’s participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022 during which the former chief minister walked alongside Gandhi despite doctors’ request against doing so. Gandhi recollected that when he told Chandy about what the doctors said, he refused to obey. Gandhi said he finally managed to persuade Chandy to stop walking after a certain distance. “We had to literally forcibly take him back to the car,” said Gandhi, adding that only a leader who feels for the people can do that. “For me, Chandy is not just an individual but an expression of Kerala politics. My aspiration is to develop more and more people like Chandy,” Gandhi added. Gandhi also said that he learned a lot from Chandy. “He got the most brutal and unfair political attack on him, which I would say was a criminal attack. Non-stop lies were spread about him. I used to talk to him over the phone regularly those days. I never heard him speak angrily about anyone. He was always balanced and humble,” he said. Gandhi said Chandy implemented cochlear implantation for children with hearing loss. This is a very rare disease, and he did not undertake this aiming for a vote bank. He only wanted every single child to hear the voice of others. “This is the politics of realising the feelings of others,” he said, adding that this is where he fights with the ideologies of RSS and CPM. “My biggest complaint is that they do not have a feeling for people,” he said. “You are not a leader if you do not feel with the people or if you are not ready to connect with the people,” he said. Gandhi also said that the biggest tragedy of Indian politics is that there are only a few people who actually feel what others are feeling. Gandhi concluded by stating that it was a great honour for him to take part in the remembrance meet. During the function, Gandhi inaugurated the Smrithi Tharangam programme implemented by KPCC. KPCC president Sunny Joseph presided over the event. Gandhi also handed over the keys of 11 houses constructed by Oommen Chandy Foundation. Various religious leaders, Congress leaders and people’s representatives spoke on the occasion. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Transgender Bangladeshi national lived in India for decade, traced in Bhopal
Acting on specific intelligence inputs from a specialised unit tracking foreign nationals residing illegally in the state, Abdul Kalam alias Neha Kinnar was recently traced to the Mangalwara locality in old Bhopal. BHOPAL: A transgender Bangladeshi national, Abdul Kalam, had been living in Bhopal for the past ten years under the assumed identity of Neha Kinnar. Surprisingly, during this time, the Bangladeshi national had even managed to get valid identity documents to legitimise herself as an Indian citizen. Acting on specific intelligence inputs from a specialised unit tracking foreign nationals residing illegally in the state, Abdul Kalam alias Neha Kinnar was recently traced to the Mangalwara locality in old Bhopal. The Mangalwara and Budhwara areas of old Bhopal are home to a significant transgender population, and Abdul Kalam, living under the identity of Neha Kinnar, had also taken up residence there. “The third gender individual was recently traced and has since then been questioned by a dedicated team of cops. Initial questioning has revealed that Abdul Kalam, who is aged around 30-32 years presently, entered India illegally, while aged 17 years and since then has lived in various parts of the country, including West Bengal, Assam, Maharashtra and MP. Abdul Kalam has been residing under the assumed identity of Neha Kinnar in Bhopal since the last ten years,” a senior Bhopal police official told TNIE. Abdul Kalam managed to get the new identity of Neha Kinnar by getting various identity proof documents to give legal sanctity to the false identity. However, it remains unclear whether these documents were procured in Madhya Pradesh or elsewhere to legalsie seld as an Indian citizen. According to sources the individual was also involved in a case of physical assault with another transgender around five years back and the final court hearing in the matter is slated shortly. According to Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra, the dedicated verification campaign is currently underway to trace foreign nationals who are living illegally in the MP capital. As per sources, the process of Abdul Kalam aka Neha Kinnar deportation to Bangladesh is likely to start over the next few days, once the entire probe about the 10 year long illegal stay in Bhopal is over. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Transgender track star Sadie Schreiner rushes to the court after being banned from the women’s category
Add Your Heading Text HereSports and discrimination can’t go hand in hand. Sports ask to expand the horizon, not to shrink it. But when it causes some unfair advantage to a section over others, discrimination might be the answer to settle for, no matter if that, in any way, can’t sit well with athletes like Sadie Schreiner. The transgender woman athlete, however, isn’t one to brood about that seething dissatisfaction in silence; she’s, in fact, taking it to the next stage against Princeton University, New Jersey. The 21-year-old runner is charging a lawsuit. Sadie Schreiner puts Princeton University on notice Reports suggested Princeton University barred the athlete from taking part in a women’s race held on May 3 at the Larry Ellis Invitational. Officials allegedly informed Schreiner 15 minutes before the race kicked off that the event would be specifically restricted to females, not trans women. “I do not want to assume, but you are transgender,” a Princeton official told Schreiner, as per the suit, typically leading it to the controversy that holds that official accountable to ”blatant and willful disregard of rights as a transgender woman…thereby causing Sadie Schreiner foreseeable and emotional harm.” — KarenFOrlando (@KarenFOrlando) But there’s another side to the story. It’s easier for a trans woman with equal physical strength to a man to easily dominate women in any athleric competition. To limit this massive loophole in the law, President Trump issued an executive order, separating trans women from the core women’s game back in February. Now, Sadie is challenging not only the Princeton school authority but also the president’s order, straight away. Sadie Schreiner makes it a point to stick to her ground “Among all the hurdles transfers usually have, there is an extra layer because it is trans, 50% of the country banned me from participating and that meant I couldn’t attend any of those colleges even if they reached out to me with a full ride,” Schreiner imposed her own logic over the national new norm back in December last year when many schools, sports governing bodies started to go by the president rule, banning number of trans athletes from the elite female category competitions. LGBT advocacy and human rights organisations might have her back in the fight, but it reflects a more critical question of social sentiment vs athletic fairness. The two-time All-American in the 200- and 400-meter events has been aiming to make it to the 2032 US Olympic team. It’s awful how she felt derogated after she was left running alone around the track by a single executive move. She said she felt ‘defeated’ listening to the news for the first time. The 21-year-old can’t see herself compete in anything but in the track and field events at any point. While her future looks to be in severe jeopardy, hopefully, there will be some middle path, safeguarding the interests of all parties. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘I Am Someone To Sleep With, Not Marry’: Dalit Woman Shares Painful Dating Story
Discriminated for her caste and mistreated by men, this lady took to Reddit and revealed her terrible dating experience, writing a viral online post. Even love fails to transcend centuries-old caste-based discrimination in India. A Dalit woman’s horror account of dating Indian men left everyone shocked on the internet, as she wrote about being treated as a sexual object, not an equal and respectful partner. In a Reddit post, this lady revealed how multiple men shattered the hope and confidence with which she entered the dating world, underlining how deeply caste still impacts relationships in the country. The woman said men would initially approach her for her appearance and intelligence, but soon lose interest as they found out about her caste. The revelation brought a complete U-turn in their behaviour, cutting down all contact while giving family pressure as a major excuse behind the break-up. “‘It’s not you,’ they’d say. ‘But our families would never accept it.’ Or worse: ‘You deserve someone who won’t have to fight this hard’,” the Reddit user wrote, disclosing how she faced derogatory remarks, such as “You don’t look like a Dalit”, and being treated as a mere sexual object. “I’ve been told that Dalit women are ‘wild’, ‘great in bed’, ‘more open-minded’. I’ve been fetishised more times than I can count. To them, I’m exciting, a break from the norm. I’m someone to sleep with, not someone to marry. I’ve begun to feel like I’m part of a private ritual that savarna men go through before they settle down with someone from their caste. I’m the hidden phase they never speak of: the shame wrapped in lust.” The woman’s traumatic dating experience also included facing career-based insults, with men assuming that her achievements were down to the caste reservations offered to her. “I’ve worked incredibly hard to be where I am. I’ve studied, built a career and supported myself. But even then, it’s not enough,” she wrote. The lady also declared she has stopped dating altogether. “Not because I stopped believing in love, but because I couldn’t keep subjecting myself to this cycle of fetish, rejection, erasure, and pain. I couldn’t keep being someone’s experiment, someone’s thrill, someone’s secret. We are not disposable. We are not secret histories in someone else’s life,” she added, calling on all women to respect and value themselves. Curated By : Buzz Staff About the Author Buzz Staff, A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/newa18.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
300 tribals who were driven out of the village for 12 years will now return to their homes – Know how the shackles of the dreadful tradition of ‘Chhodotaru’ were broken!
After 12 years of exile, preparations are on for the respectful return of Kodarvi tribal families in Mota Pipodara village of Banaskantha district of Gujarat Banaskantha, Gujarat – 29 tribal families of the Kodarvi community, who were driven out of Mota Pipodara village in Danta taluka of Banaskantha district of Gujarat 12 years ago due to an ancient tradition ‘Chhodotaru’, are now going to return to their village. The homecoming of these families, comprising about 300 people, will take place on 17 July 2025 (Thursday) with a special ceremony. According to a report in The Hindu, Chhadotaru—a revenge-based social practice—led to constant disputes and tensions in the village, forcing these families to migrate. These families took refuge in Palanpur and Surat and lived like outsiders for years, leaving behind their land, homes and memories. Understanding their pain, the Banaskantha police and the district administration began serious efforts to rehabilitate them. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi said that several meetings were held with village elders, panchayat members and community leaders to ensure their return in a peaceful and amicable manner. “The Banaskantha police carried out a long process of reconciliation and found a way out by talking to all parties,” the minister said. The district administration identified and revived about 8.5 hectares of ancestral land of these families, which had turned barren and into bushes over the years. It was cleared, levelled and made cultivable. “This land has now become fertile again, and symbolises the beginning of their new life,” Sanghvi said. Two houses have been constructed under the rehabilitation scheme and the remaining 27 families will be given houses with the help of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and social organisations. On July 17, these families will be welcomed back to the village with a special event that will include puja rituals and the symbolic act of sowing seeds on the reclaimed land—a symbol of new beginnings and prosperity. The minister said he would personally distribute educational kits, ration material to the families and discuss long-term rehabilitation plans. “It is not just a matter of bringing people back to their villages, but an effort to heal old wounds and lay the foundation for a harmonious future. We believe that no tribal family should remain displaced due to an old and inhuman tradition. Only development and dialogue can overcome any differences,” Sanghvi said. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Painful death of pregnant tribal woman in Rewa, MP: Flood water came on the bridge, could not reach hospital
The family said – life could have been saved if treatment was received on time, administration ordered investigation Bhopal. A pregnant woman lost her life due to careless system and bad roads in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. The woman could not reach the hospital on time because flood water had come on the bridge built on the river. She kept suffering for two hours and then died there. The incident is of Bhatigwan village of Jawa tehsil, where this tragic accident happened late on Sunday night. After the last rites on Monday, the family demanded justice from the administration. There was no road in the in-laws’ house, so the woman came to live in her maternal home 26-year-old Priya Rani Kol, a resident of Bhatigwan village, has her in-laws in Barhat village. Due to lack of road in Barhat, she came to her maternal home when she was pregnant, so that she could get timely treatment at the time of delivery. Her health suddenly deteriorated on Sunday night. When the family was taking her to the nearest Jawa hospital, flood water came on the bridge of Mahna river on the way. Priya kept suffering for two hours on the banks of the river. The woman and her family could not cross the bridge. Everyone was stranded on one side of the river. During this time, the family called a doctor from the village. By the time the doctor arrived, the woman’s condition had become critical. The doctor declared her dead after examination. The family reached Barhat with Priya’s body, but the road was closed due to floods. In such a situation, the body was brought to the village after taking a 40-km long detour and then the last rites were performed. Life could have been saved if treatment was received Priya’s sister-in-law Shanti Kol said, “If treatment was received on time, Rani could have been saved. This bridge is so low that every time it rains, water flows over it. But the administration never paid attention to it.” Priya’s father-in-law said that the daughter-in-law was sent to her maternal home because there was no road in the in-laws’ house. It was easy to go to the hospital from there, but the flood blocked the way there too. Pregnant women of Sidhi also opened a front Amidst this incident in Rewa, eight pregnant women of Khaddi Khurd village in Sidhi district have opened a front against bad roads. These women are being led by Bagheli social media influencer Leela Sahu, who is also pregnant. She says that the condition of the roads worsens in the rain, making it risky to reach the hospital. Collector ordered an inquiry Rewa Collector Pratibha Pal has ordered an inquiry considering the seriousness of the matter. She said that the administration will find out why the woman could not get timely medical facility and what steps can be taken to prevent such accidents in future. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy : Hindi News
TM Exclusive: Tribal teacher suspended for ‘Mangalsutra-Sindoor’ comment said- How is it wrong to tell girls to focus on studies?
The teacher told The Mooknayak that the suspension is wrong, will challenge the order in Rajasthan High Court Udaipur- Dungarpur’s second grade teacher Maneka Damor, who came under the target of the state’s BJP government due to her statement in support of ‘Bhil Pradesh’ at the Bhil Pradesh Cultural Maharally on July 18 at Mangarh Dham in Banswara district, was suspended on July 24. Maneka was working in the Government Higher Secondary School located in Saddia in Simalwada Panchayat Samiti of Dungarpur, who has been suspended and posted in the headquarters office of Chief Block Education Officer – Dowada. The government order mentions the recommendation of departmental inquiry and suspension against Damor under Rajasthan Conduct Rules and tarnishing the image of the Education Department. The Mooknayak had a detailed conversation with teacher Maneka Damor and tried to understand the entire incident from her own words. The teacher clarified to The Mooknayak that “I did not stop any woman from wearing sindoor or mangalsutra, my intention was to explain to the gathering that tribals are not Hindus, earlier tribal women did not wear sindoor and mangalsutra, I also did not know this and so till I was not aware I also used to wear sindoor and mangalsutra but since 2016 when I have joined a tribal family, I came to know that this is not tribal culture, after that I stopped wearing sindoor and mangalsutra.” Maneka told The Mooknayak that we never opposed the worship of gods and goddesses in schools but recently in a school, when children were asked to sing a group song from Bhil Pradesh, three teachers were suspended. Regarding that incident, I said in the gathering that have some shame – action was taken against me for this, but I do not feel at all that I said anything wrong or tarnished the image of the department. What did Damor say in the Mangarh Maharally? Many tribal organizations including representatives of Bharat Adivasi Party participated in the program organized on July 18, in which Maneka Damor, founder member of Adivasi Parivar, said that I neither wear Mangalsutra, nor apply Sindoor and I do not even observe any fast. One who himself eats jaggery cannot advise others not to eat jaggery. Damor had said that our schools have been made the home of gods and goddesses, there are so many festivals and celebrations. School is a temple of education, where children come only to study, there should be no celebrations there. While teaching women and girls to focus on education, Damor had repeated the words of Baba Saheb – Education is the milk of a lioness, whoever drinks it will roar. After this, many organizations had demanded action against the teacher in this matter. They alleged that the image of the education department has been tarnished. Sanskrit teacher but Ambedkarite thinking, against hypocrisy Maneka Damor is a Sanskrit teacher, in a conversation with Mooknayak she says that earlier she followed Hindu customs, wore Mangalsutra, Sindoor, symbols of Suhaag and also observed fasts but after coming in contact with a tribal family in the last 5-7 years, there has been a change. “I came to know that the tribals are not Hindus. I read many books about this, gathered information from documents, then I came to know about the Judgment of Supreme Court dated 5th January 2011 in which the Court also accepted that the tribals are not Hindus. After that my life changed and I realized that by planting wrong things in the minds of the tribals, rituals etc. are being imposed on them. Education is the only medium by which the tribal community can awaken and demand their rights.” Maneka says that I did not stop any woman from wearing Sindoor or Mangalsutra. Video excerpts of the speech of that day are available in which I did not say anything wrong. I have said that I do not wear Mangalsutra or Sindoor – what is wrong in that? Motivating the tribal community, which lacks education, to acquire knowledge cannot be called wrong in any way. Damor told that her suspension order is wrong and she is filing a petition against it in the High Court. Full support of family, support of husband and sons Maneka told that her family used to follow Hindu customs earlier but after joining the tribal family, they also do not believe in them. Maneka’s husband is a government teacher in Gujarat and the couple has two sons who are studying in ninth and seventh classes. Maneka says that I also teach my sons that they should stay away from religious hypocrisy and focus on studies and have a scientific attitude. She says that the whole family is in her support and her sons also believe that mummy has not done anything wrong. The Mooknayak spoke to Maneka’s brother Sitaram Damor who is preparing her writ petition in Jodhpur. Sitaram told that the basis of Maneka’s suspension has been made service rules conduct but Maneka has not said any indecent or unconstitutional words. If there is any complaint, the department should have issued a show cause notice, an inquiry should be conducted and action should be taken after hearing the teacher’s side, but here the teacher was directly suspended without APO, which is unfair and a petition will be filed against this order in the High Court. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy : Hindi News