FIR after recitation of poem on Kanwar Yatra: Bareilly teacher said- If you want to fight, find an equal man… Why are you blocking the path of the fakir!
The teacher said ‘The poem was for small children, not for elders’, former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav shared this video of the teacher and took a dig at the Amrit Kaal of BJP. Bareilly- An FIR has been registered on July 14 at Thana Bahedi under sections 295A and 505(2) against Rajneesh Gangwar, a Hindi teacher at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Inter College in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, after he read a poem written on the Kanwar Yatra. After this, the teacher has put forth his side by releasing a video. He clarified that his poem was to make small children aware of education, not to stop elders from Kanwar Yatra. This video of the teacher has also been shared by former Chief Minister and SP President Akhilesh Yadav and took a dig at the Amrit Kaal of BJP. This matter has now become a symbol of conflict between education and religious faith. The question is whether a teacher has the right to explain the importance of education to children or not. At present, the police is investigating and the matter is hot. Teacher Rajneesh Gangwar said in his defense, “I am the city president of ABVP, brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission, cultural in-charge of Nagar Palika Behedi and also NSS program officer. My poem was for small children, who are of school going age. These days the whole country is watching the news that accidents happen due to Kanwariyas, there are fights, there are drunk people. Being a teacher, I just tried to show the right path to small children.” He further said, “When they grow up, whatever they want to become, I am not going to stop them or their family members. But right now they should focus on studies.” The teacher questioned the Hindu organizations that “Why don’t those who are hurt by my poem take action against their minister, Rajbhar ji had also said that no one becomes a doctor or engineer from those who carry Kanwar. Whatever he said about Kanwar, he said it on an open stage, will a case be registered against him?” Presenting this double standard in the lines of the poem, the teacher further said, “If you want to fight, find an equal person… why are you blocking the path of the fakir!” In this case, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav supported the teacher and tweeted, “FIR against the teacher and schools are being closed… is this Amritkaal for BJP?” At the same time, people of BJP and Kanwar Seva Samiti say that religious sentiments have been hurt by the poem. Lines of the poem which angered the organizations The poem for which an FIR was lodged against teacher Rajneesh Gangwar in Bareilly, UP is something like this. This poem was recited during a cultural program in the school on July 12. Don’t go to get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge By serving humanity, become a true human No one has become a lawyer, DM or SP by carrying Kavad. No merchant has become a Hakim or Vaidya by Kavad water. There will be no development of intellect and wisdom by Kavad. There will be no salvation by cannabis, dhatura, ganja and sulpha intoxication. Leave the intoxication of caste and religion and do good for yourself. Study in schools and libraries and deepen your knowledge. Serve humanity with good deeds and light the lamp of love. Don’t go to get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge. By serving humanity, become a true human. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
The file is pending for 30 years, now Dalit students have come out on the streets – will the Karnataka government be able to answer?
Protest by Dalit Student Council demanding internal reservation in government recruitments, also appealed to give relaxation to the youth who have crossed the age limit. Belagavi (Karnataka): Dalit Student Council on Thursday staged a strong protest in the Deputy Commissioner Office premises of Belagavi. The protesters demanded immediate implementation of internal reservation and issuance of notification for new recruitments in government jobs. The protesting students said that for the last three decades, the youth of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and minority communities have been deprived of the benefits of internal reservation. Due to this delay, lakhs of youth are unemployed and the opportunities for government recruitment are continuously decreasing. The protesters also demanded that the candidates whose age has exceeded the prescribed limit due to delay in recruitment should be given relaxation in age, so that their future can be secured. The students criticised the state government, saying, “The government is only wasting time by talking about implementing internal reservation. This attitude is condemnable and it is hurting the spirit of social justice.” Prominent student leaders like Balraj Kamble, Ajit Madar, Adarsh Gasti, Akshay Kumar Ajmani, Sandeep Aihole and Shivam Kamble participated in the protest and addressed the people. The students said that this agitation is another attempt to remind the state government that the struggle will continue until social justice is put into practice. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
We are with you in the fight to save water, forest and land… Rahul Gandhi said after meeting the tribals, what else did he promise?
Rahul Gandhi News: Rahul Gandhi met the representatives of the tribal society and discussed their challenges. He alleged that the BJP government is selling water, forest and land to billionaires, affecting the lives of the tribals. New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met representatives of the tribal society and discussed the serious challenges facing them. This meeting was organized by the All India Tribal Congress. In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi spoke openly about the problems of the tribals, their rights and the injustice being done to them. During this, Rahul Gandhi said that the biggest issue of the tribal society is water, forest and land, which the BJP government is continuously selling to a few selected billionaires. He alleged that the forests of the tribals, which are the basis of their identity and life, are being destroyed and they are being forcibly made homeless. He also said that crops like tendu leaves, mahua, which are considered the backbone of the economy of the tribals, are being eliminated, which has directly affected their employment. At the same time, Rahul also alleged that the Modi government is weakening the PESA law made by the Congress-led UPA government. He argued that the budget allocated for the panchayats is either not spent or is transferred wrongly. Also, Rahul expressed concern about the education of tribal children and said that thousands of schools are being closed in states like Chhattisgarh. Targeting the BJP government, he said that the BJP government wants the tribal society, the original inhabitants of India, to remain weak, but the Congress stands strongly with its tribal brothers and sisters. We have made laws for their rights and now we will stand as a shield to protect them. This statement of Rahul Gandhi is considered to give new strength to the voice of tribal rights. Reported by: Manjari Chaturvedi•Edited by: Ashok Upadhyay Courtesy: Hindi News
Delhi govt notifies new rules to protect rights of transgender persons
The district magistrates (DMs) concerned will issue a certificate of identity for a transgender person within 30 days of receipt of a duly filled-in application, said the notification The Delhi government has notified rules for the protection of transgenders’ rights, paving the way for the issuance of identity cards to them and forming a welfare board to ensure their well-being, officials said on Wednesday. A recent notification issued by the Social Welfare Department of the government said that in exercise of powers conferred on him, Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has made the Delhi Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2025. The district magistrates (DMs) concerned will issue a certificate of identity for a transgender person within 30 days of receipt of a duly filled-in application, said the notification. A Transgender Welfare Empowerment Board is to be constituted by the Delhi government. It will consist of the social welfare minister as its ex officio chairman, it said. The Board will also have as its members a representative each from the home, finance, planning, law, labour, health, higher education, education and revenue departments, among other agencies. Three members each from non-governmental organisations or associations working for the welfare of transgender persons and the transgender community will also be members of the Board. The law to protect the rights of transgender people was notified by the Government of India in 2020, but it was not adopted by the previous government in Delhi, the officials said. The estimated number of transgenders in Delhi is not known, although according to the Census 2011, there were 4,200 such persons in the national capital. Further, there are just over 1,200 registered transgender voters in Delhi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : BS Note: This news is originally published on https:/businessstandard.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
BC quota: Telangana Congress MPs to raise issue in Parl session
HYDERABAD: Congress MPs from Telangana have decided to raise the issue of including the enhanced 42% BC reservations in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution during the monsoon session of Parliament. They will also seek the support of INDIA bloc MPs to put pressure on the Centre to act on the matter. In this context, chief minister A Revanth Reddy is scheduled to visit Delhi next week for two to three days, likely starting July 21. During his trip, he will meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and make a powerpoint presentation to INDIA bloc MPs on the recent caste survey conducted in Telangana. 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.
Bihar SIR: Rahul Gandhi repeats voter theft charge; asks if EC is now BJP’s ‘election chori’ branch
NEW DELHI: Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday accused the Election Commission of acting as the BJP’s “election chori wing,” claiming it is helping the saffron party commit voter fraud ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. He reposted a video on X, which claims that government officials were filling out voter forms and signing them without the knowledge of the voters. Rahul Gandhi's post on X Rahul Gandhi questioned whether the Election Commission is still neutral or has become BJP’s “Election Theft” wing.In a post on X, he wrote, “In Bihar, the Election Commission was caught red-handed stealing votes in the name of ‘SIR’. Their job is just theft, named ‘SIR’ – an FIR will be filed against those who expose them! Is the EC still the ‘Election Commission’ or has it completely become BJP’s ‘Election Theft’ wing?” This is not the first time former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has questioned the poll body. He has done so on multiple occasions. Referring to Maharashtra election results, he even wrote a detailed article in a daily newspaper, sparking widespread debate over the credibility and impartiality of the EC. On July 10, the Supreme Court allowed the poll body to continue with its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The top court advised the EC to consider accepting Aadhaar, ration card, and voter ID as valid proof of identity. The court said in its order, “We are of the prima facie opinion that in the interest of justice, the Election Commission will also include documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Voter ID card, etc. It is for the ECI to decide whether it wants to accept the documents or not, and if it does not, then provide reasons for its decision, which shall be sufficient to satisfy the petitioners. Meanwhile, petitioners are not pressing for an interim stay.” According to the EC, by Saturday evening, 80.11 percent of voters in Bihar had submitted their forms. The commission is aiming to complete the process before the deadline of July 25. The Bihar assembly elections are expected to take place in October or November this year, but the EC has not yet announced an official date. In the upcoming elections, the NDA alliance, made up of BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will try to retain power. The INDIA bloc, consisting of RJD, Congress, and Left parties — will try to defeat CM Nitish Kumar. At present, the Bihar Assembly has 243 seats. The NDA holds 131 of these, BJP has 80 MLAs, JD(U) has 45, HAM(S) has 4, and there are 2 independent MLAs. The INDIA bloc has 111 members — RJD with 77, Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2. 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.
Traffic restrictions in Thiruvananthapuram city due to Rahul Gandhi’s visit
Thiruvananthapuram: There will be traffic restrictions in some parts of the city from 11am to 4pm on Friday. The restrictions, police said, were in connection with the visit of Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. The traffic restrictions are planned along Vetturoad, Kazhakkoottam, Infosys, Thampuran Mukku, Kuzhivila, LuLu Mall, Loards, Chackai, Petta, Pattur, General Hospital Junction, Ashan Square, Panavila, Vazhuthacaud, Cotton Hill School Road, Eswara Vilasam Road, Carmel School Road, All Saints College Road, Enchakkal and Domestic Airport Road. Those who go to the airport should plan their travel in advance, considering the restrictions. Parking of vehicles on either side of the above-mentioned stretches should be avoided, a statement from the police assistant commissioner, Traffic (North), said. Vehicles travelling towards Vellayambalam, Vazhuthacaud, Women’s College and Bakery Junction may go through Kowdiar, Kuravankonam and PMJ Junction. Vehicles that go to Ashan Square, General Hospital, Petta and Chackai should take the route via Palayam, PMG, Patom, Kumarapuram and Venpalavattom. Vehicles that move to Chackai, All Saints, and Shanghumugham area may take Vettukad, Kochuveli and Venpalavattom Road. 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.
From shadows to spotlight: How bollywood is finally embracing dalit identity
Mumbai, For decades, Bollywood’s protagonists paraded surnames that echoed dominance—Malhotra, Sharma, Singh, Verma—rarely reflecting the realities of caste and identity that exist beyond the silver screen. But tides are turning. With the rise of filmmakers and writers from the Dalit community, cinema is slowly shedding its upper-caste lens and stepping into more inclusive narratives. The upcoming film Dhadak 2, slated for release on August 1, has stirred conversations with its bold representation of caste identity. The protagonist Neelesh, played by Siddhant Chaturvedi, is unmistakably portrayed as a Dalit youth, even though his surname is never explicitly mentioned. In one striking visual, he is drenched in blue paint, a symbolic colour of Dalit resistance, paired with a blue scarf—a quiet but powerful assertion of his identity. Unlike older portrayals that kept caste under wraps, Dhadak 2 dares to bring it to the fore. As Neelesh grapples with the oppressive structures of society, his relationship with Vidhi, an upper-caste woman played by Triptii Dimri, evolves into a collective fight for justice and dignity. The narrative challenges not just societal norms, but also long-held cinematic stereotypes. This is not the first time Bollywood has explored Dalit consciousness. Films like Masaan, Kaala, and Newton have earlier laid the groundwork: Masaan offered a sensitive portrayal of a young man navigating the intersections of love, loss, and caste. Newton, with Rajkummar Rao in the lead, tackled the vulnerabilities of a government clerk conducting elections in a Naxal-dominated tribal belt, subtly hinting at institutional inequities. Kaala, led by superstar Rajinikanth, was a fierce Dalit assertion wrapped in the visual language of rebellion and colour. These films, often lauded at festivals but underrepresented in the mainstream, are finally finding their voice in theatres—and now, in popular conversation. As Dhadak 2 gears up for release, it is not just a love story—it’s a mirror to the caste realities that millions face. And in doing so, it marks another step in cinema’s long-overdue reckoning with caste identity—not as a footnote, but as the central narrative. Courtesy : Daijiworld Note: This news is originally published on https:/daijiworld.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Puerto Rico Bans Hormone Therapy, Gender Surgery for Transgender Youth
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Puerto Rico’s governor has signed a bill that prohibits hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from activists in the largely San Juan, Puerto Rico’s governor has signed a bill that prohibits hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from activists in the largely conservative US territory. The law approved late Wednesday applies to those younger than 21 and calls for 15 years in prison for any violators, as well as a USD 50,000 penalty and the revocation of all licenses and permits of medical staff. “Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences,” the law reads. “Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.” It also states that public funds cannot be used for such purposes. Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ Federation criticised the law in a statement Thursday. “Let there be no doubt: We will go to court to challenge the constitutionality of the governor’s cruel and inhumane signing of a law that criminalises health professionals for caring for trans minors,” said Justin Jesús Santiago, the federation’s director. Puerto Rico associations that represent physicians, surgeons, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and other professionals had urged the governor to veto the bill. Roughly two dozen US states have similar laws. (AP) (The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY) Courtesy : LatestLY Note: This news is originally published on https:/latestly.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul to lead Chandy’s memorial event
Kottayam: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will lead the commemoration of former chief minister Oommen Chandy’s second death anniversary in Puthuppally on Friday. The remembrance meeting is scheduled for 10am at Puthuppally Church premises. He will hand over keys to 12 houses built by the Oommen Chandy Foundation and launch KPCC charity programmes. Gandhi will visit Chandy’s tomb on Friday morning to offer floral tributes. He will also visit Puthuppally Church before the main ceremony, which will be presided over by KPCC chief Sunny Joseph. TNN 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.