Anger grows in Bihar after rape-murder of minor Dalit girl
On Saturday, the victim was referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in a critical condition, but the administration refused to admit her. The Opposition parties in Bihar on Monday came down heavily on the Nitish Kumar government over the brutal rape and murder of a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur district on May 26. They accused the chief minister of criminal negligence. The 9-year-old Dalit girl from Kudhni area of Muzaffarpur district was brutally raped on May 26. The accused also tried to slit her throat. She was admitted to the Sri Krishna Medical College, Muzaffarpur. On Saturday, the victim was referred to the Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in a critical condition, but the administration refused to admit her. She was left struggling in an ambulance for more than four hours. Bihar Congress leaders managed to get her admitted to the maternity ward of PMCH after a five-hour struggle. But she succumbed to injuries on Sunday. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, “The brutality with a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and the subsequent negligence in treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the double engine government showed extreme negligence in saving her life, let alone providing security.” He added, “We will not sit quietly until the victim’s family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprits and negligent officers.” Congress workers also staged a protest against the state government and burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Health Minister Mangal Pandey in Patna late on Sunday. Bihar Pradesh Youth Congress organized a march in Patna on Monday to highlight the government’s apathy towards Dalits and backwards. Reacting to the horrifying incident, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said the double engine government has failed in the state. “The CM never discusses these issues. I do not know whether he is even aware of this incident or not. The CM and both the deputy CMs are busy with political programmes,” he said. CPI (ML) State Secretary K Kunal expressed deep anger over the barbaric sexual violence against the Dalit girl and her death due to gross negligence in treatment. He said, “This incident is a symbol of the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar. It also raises serious questions on the poor health system of the state.” AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru said the death of Kudhni rape victim has shown the gruesome face of the state government. He said under the Nitish-BJP government, Dalits and backward classes will neither get security and treatment nor justice. “Has it become a crime to be born a Dalit, extremely backward or backward in Bihar?” he asked. Courtesy : The Statesman Note: This news is originally published on https://thestatesman.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Jagan To Visit Family Of Dalit Youth ‘Thrashed’ By Tenali Police, TDP MLA Alleges ‘Heinous Mindset’
YSRCP leader Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit Tenali on June 3 to meet the family of a Dalit Youth. The incident, involving the public beating of three men by police, sparked outrage after a video surfaced. Amaravati, (PTI) YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy will visit Tenali in Guntur district on June 3 and will meet one of the families of the three men who were publicly thrashed on the road by the police recently. Half a dozen policemen in Tenali made three men–John Victor, Karimullah and Rakesh–sit on the road and beat them with batons, a YSRCP release said on Monday. A video of the incident went viral, bringing widespread condemnation against Tenali police for assaulting the minorities. In the video, a policeman is seen kicking one of the victims, while another policeman stamps on a victim’s thighs. The incident occurred on April 25 and came to light after a video surfaced on May 26. Two of the victims are from the Dalit community, while one belonged to a minority community. The three men were accused of attacking a police constable after being confronted over marijuana possession. “Reddy will visit Tenali on June 3, to meet the family of one of the three young victims from Dalit and minority communities who were brutally assaulted by police personnel,” the release said. Expressing deep anguish over this atrocity involving police, the opposition leader described the incident as an inhuman act that has shaken the conscience of the state. Recently, YSRCP Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy met the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), V Ramasubramanian, and the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Kishor Makwana, in New Delhi to submit formal complaints over the Tenali police atrocity. “He (Gurumoorthy) urged immediate action against the police personnel involved in the brutal assault on Dalit and minority youths in Tenali, Guntur district, which occurred in broad daylight on a public road,” the release said. In his complaint, the Tirupati MP alleged systemic misuse of the police system by the TDP-led NDA government to target YSRCP leaders and marginalised communities, particularly Dalits, BCs and tribals. Meanwhile, Tenali Sub-Divisional Police Officer B Janardhan told PTI that an enquiry officer has been appointed by Guntur District Superintendent of Police S Satish to look into the atrocity case. Reacting to Reddy’s planned visit to Tenali, TDP leader and Madakasira MLA MS Raju ridiculed that a person (Jagan) who had worked as the CM is going to comfort “marijuana gangs, rowdy sheeters and anti-social elements”. “This reflects the criminal nature and heinous mindset of Jagan,” said Raju addressing a press conference. (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.) Courtesy : ABP News Live Note: This news is originally published on https://abpnewslive.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Congress raps Nitish government over rape and murder of nine-year-old Dalit girl in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur
On Monday, Congress workers took out a protest march from the party headquarters with posters and banners, demanding justice for the girl who died on Sunday morning. PATNA: The Opposition Congress has vowed to continue its agitation over the rape and murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur until justice is delivered to her family. On Monday, Congress workers took out a protest march from the party headquarters at Sadaquat Ashram with posters and banners, demanding justice for ‘Bihar’s Dalit girl’ who died on Sunday morning. However, they were stopped by police from marching towards CM Nitish Kumar’s residence. A minor scuffle ensued between police and protesters. Some leaders were also taken into custody and detained for a while. However, the protesters reiterated their resolve to fight for justice for the victim’s family. They got support from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who wrote on X, “The brutality against a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur and subsequent negligence in her treatment is extremely shameful. If she had received timely treatment, her life could have been saved. But the ‘double-engine’ government was negligent not only in providing security but in saving her life.” Demanding justice for the victim, Rahul further wrote, “We will not sit quietly until the victim’s family gets justice. Strict action should be taken against the culprit and negligent officers.” He called the death of the rape victim a case of systematic apathy and medical negligence. The Congress women’s cell is also busy chalking out a strategy to corner the NDA government over women’s safety. Women cell leaders attacked Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for his failure to ensure safety and security to women, who they said were being subjected to sexual assault at frequent intervals across the state. Meanwhile, a group of people torched the house of the accused and demanded stern action against him for his heinous act. They described the accused identified as Rohit Sahni, a resident of the same village the victim belonged to, as a ‘a psycho rapist’ who had committed such an offence for the second time. Vidyasagar, superintendent of police (SP), Muzaffarpur (Rural), said the chargesheet against the accused would be submitted in the court within 15 days and the case listed for speedy trial. SSP Sushil Kumar said that the victim was known to the accused. “He was immediately arrested and produced in the court, which remanded him in judicial custody,” he added. The incident occurred on May 26. The accused lured her by providing her chocolates, took her to a nearby maize field and sexually assaulted her. He also attempted to kill her on the spot by stabbing her with a knife around her chest and neck 20 times, causing multiple injuries. The rape victim was rushed to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffarpur from where she was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Saturday. In the PMCH premises, she had to wait for more than four hours in an ambulance before finally getting a bed. The victim’s family alleged that the girl was admitted to PMCH after the intervention of some Congress leaders who reached the hospital and talked to senior officials. The deceased’s uncle alleged that they were made to wait for two hours with the minor, but the hospital administration didn’t admit her. Her uncle said that if the girl had been admitted to PMCH on time, her life could have been saved. According to police, there were slash wounds on the girl’s throat and chest. The accused tried to kill her by slitting her throat. “Her vocal cords were damaged, and she was unable to speak,” an investigating officer Aditi Kumari said. Courtesy : Ramashankar, 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.
Muzaffarpur horror: NCW steps in; Opposition steps up attack after minor girl’s rape-murder – 10 points
NEW DELHI: The death of a 9-year-old Dalit girl after a brutal rape in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has triggered outrage across the country. As allegations of medical negligence and administrative failure emerge, here are 10 things to know about the case that has prompted interventions from the NHRC, NCW, and national leaders: Brutal assault on a 9-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur On May 26, the minor girl was allegedly lured with chocolate near her aunt’s house and taken to a maize field where she was raped and physically assaulted. She sustained serious neck and internal injuries. Referred to Patna after initial treatment She was first admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur. Due to her critical condition, she was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on May 30.3. Left in an ambulance for hours at PMCH According to her uncle, the child was kept waiting for 2-3 hours inside an ambulance outside PMCH before being admitted. Despite her condition, proper care was allegedly delayed, and the family claims she was only admitted after they raised a ruckus. Allegations of negligence and overmedication The family alleged that doctors gave the child sedatives through the night, and she died the next morning. They also claimed they had to spend Rs 25,000 at the government hospital. NHRC issues notices, calls it a violation of human rights The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance and issued notices to the chief secretary and DGP of Bihar, calling the incident a serious human rights violation. A detailed report has been sought within two weeks. NCW demands immediate action, cites ‘systemic failures’ National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also took suo motu cognisance, demanding a probe into the role of the hospital authorities and police, and calling the delay in treatment “gross negligence.” RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav slams government for inaction RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government of prioritising elections over justice. He said the CM and Deputy CMs haven’t even acknowledged the case, calling the law and order situation in Bihar “criminal disorder.” Rahul Gandhi blames ‘double-engine’ government Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted on X that the girl’s life could’ve been saved with timely medical care. He blamed the NDA’s negligence and vowed to fight until the family receives justice. Government promises Rs 4 lakh ex gratia, fast-track trial Bihar minister Kedar Gupta announced a Rs 4 lakh compensation, promised a chargesheet within 10 days, and said the government would seek a death sentence for the accused within two months. Accused is a repeat offender According to media reports cited by the NHRC, the same accused had previously raped another 12-year-old girl and tried to kill her. The delay in action raises questions about policing and prevention mechanisms. 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.
SC panel issues notice to Telangana govt after IAS officer asks Dalit Gurukul students to clean their toilets
Varshini sparked controversy after instructing principals to assign cleaning tasks—such as tidying hostel rooms and toilets, to students at social welfare schools. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Sunday issued notices to the Telangana chief secretary and the state’s director general of police, seeking an action-taken report within 15 days over alleged derogatory remarks made by IAS officer Dr V S Alagu Varshini against Scheduled Caste students in Gurukul schools. Varshini, Secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), sparked controversy after an audio clip went viral last week. In the recording, she is heard instructing principals to assign cleaning tasks—such as tidying hostel rooms and toilets, to students at social welfare schools. The directive triggered sharp criticism from several quarters, with opposition leaders accusing the officer of caste-based discrimination and insensitivity. Former TGSWREIS secretary and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Dr R S Praveen Kumar condemned the remarks and questioned whether similar duties were expected of the chief minister’s own children. He demanded Varshini’s immediate removal, accusing her of targeting Dalit students. “These orders are outrageous and reflect a regressive mindset. She is even threatening parents who raise concerns,” Praveen Kumar posted on X. BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha also criticised the state government, sharing the audio clip on social media. She claimed that during the previous BRS regime, each welfare school was granted Rs 40,000 per month to hire cleaning staff—funding that has allegedly been discontinued by the Congress-led government from May this year. Kavitha alleged that assistant caretaker posts in 240 schools had also been scrapped, pushing students into roles such as wardens and kitchen helpers. “Now the officer is forcing children to clean toilets. This violates child rights and undermines the very purpose of Gurukul institutions, which were created to protect marginalised students from caste and class biases, ” she wrote. Defending her remarks, Varshini said her intent was to instil self-reliance among students from extremely poor backgrounds. “Why can’t they clean their own toilets? This is part of growing up,” she said in the audio. “I cannot provide luxury. Once they leave school, they must be able to manage on their own.” In another audio shared with the media, Varshini appealed for her words not to be taken out of context or politicised. She rejected allegations of a staff shortage and argued that students helping with daily chores is a part of holistic development. The NCSC has taken cognisance of the issue amid rising public outcry and political backlash, as the debate deepens over the balance between discipline and dignity in residential welfare schools. 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.
Deputy commissioner assures thorough probe into Dalit youth’s death
Mandya: Deputy commissioner Kumara on Monday said a thorough investigation would be conducted regarding the death of Dalit youth Jayakumar from Katteraghatta village in KR Pet Taluk on May 17, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. Speaking at the district-level awareness and oversight committee meeting held at the DC’s office, regarding the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015, and the 2016 rules, he said the act to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is in force and that people are being made aware of it. Evidence collected from the incident was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory. An inquiry is also underway into why a complaint was not registered against the suspect a day before the incident. “No one is above the law, and appropriate legal action will be taken once the report is received,” he said. The district administration visited the location and planned to provide benefits to the deceased’s wife and children within the scope of the law. A compensation of Rs 8.3 lakh was sanctioned, of which Rs 4.2 lakh was given via cheque. The remaining amount will be disbursed after the charge sheet is filed. Additionally, Rs 5,000 per month will be provided as a pension. The family owns 1 acre and 20 guntas in the deceased’s name, and steps will be taken to update the land records and repair their house. Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, a borewell will be drilled. The deceased is survived by two children. If their mother wishes, arrangements will be made to provide them free education under the special case category in either a nearby residential school or a reputed institution, he said. Superintendent of police Mallikarjun Baladandi said the charge sheet must be filed within 60 days of the FIR. Based on the evidence obtained during the investigation, the charge sheet will be filed, and legal action will be initiated against the guilty. 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.
Family matters in Bihar’s Dalit politics—Manjhis to Paswans, how kin are rising up the ladder
Months before polls, Nitish govt appointed Chirag Paswan’s brother-in-law Mrinal Paswan as chairperson of Scheduled Caste Commission, and Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son-in-law as chairperson. New Delhi: The Nitish Kumar government’s decision to appoint the relatives of Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi to top posts in the Bihar Scheduled Caste Commission months before elections has fuelled debate around “dynastic politics” in parties led by Dalit leaders in the state. Chirag Paswan’s brother-in-law Mrinal Paswan has been appointed chairperson of the commission, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son-in-law Devendra Manjhi has been made its vice chairperson. Opposition RJD criticised the appointments, saying these were made with an eye on the assembly elections due later this year. Former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s family now has seven members in politics, competing with the Lalu Prasad Yadav family’s dominance in the state. Manjhi, who comes from the Mahadalit musahar community, contested the Lok Sabha polls from the Gaya seat in 1991, 2014, 2019 and 2024. He won only the 2024 polls. He is currently the oldest minister in the Modi cabinet, holding charge of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry. The Manjhi family Manjhi’s son Santosh Kumar Suman is the national president of their party Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). He is a minister in the Nitish cabinet, holding the Minor Water Resources portfolio. He was a minister in Nitish Kumar’s 2020 cabinet too when he held the Minor Irrigation and SC/ST Welfare portfolios. Suman’s wife Deepa Manjhi won the byelection from Imamganj assembly constituency in November 2024 as Jitan Ram Manjhi vacated the seat after his election to Lok Sabha. Deepa Manjhi’s mother Jyoti Devi is also an MLA from the party. She represents the Barachatti assembly constituency. Devendra Manjhi, who has been made the vice-chairperson of the SC Commission, has been HAM general secretary and unsuccessfully contested the assembly election in 2020 from Makhdumpur. Jitan Ram Manjhi has two sons and five daughters. His younger son Pravin Suman is also in politics. Manjhi’s elder daughter Sunaina has contested a deputy mayoral election in 2022. Devendra Manjhi first came in news in 2014 when Jitan Ram Manjhi, as the chief minister of Bihar, appointed him as his personal assistant, and another relative, Satendra Kumar, a clerk. The BJP, then in the opposition, criticised Manjhi, citing a general administration department’s order of 23 May 2000 that no minister can appoint a relative as PA. Manji defended the appointment, saying Devendra has been his PA since 2006. But as the controversy erupted, Devendra resigned. When ThePrint spoke to him after his appointment at the SC Commission, Devendra Manjhi said, “When a doctor’s son becomes a doctor, nobody asks questions.” He said he is an engineer and has been working among people for the last 25 years, despite being the son-in-law of an MP and former chief minister. “Today, after spending so much time among people, I have been appointed as vice-chairperson to work among Dalits. What is wrong with it?” He said the HAM fought the 2015 elections in alliance with the RJD and the JD(U), and the party was given 21 seats to contest. “But I did not get the ticket then and contested as an Independent. Nobody asked why Manjhi’s son-in-law did not get a ticket. My appointment is not dynastic politics.” Courtesy : Shanker Arnimesh, The Print Note: This news is originally published on https://theprint.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul to inaugurate campaign in Bhopal today to rejuvenate Cong & counter BJP’s ‘propaganda’
Bhopal: The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will arrive here on Tuesday for a day’s visit to the state capital. During his stay in Bhopal, Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate the ‘Nav Srijan’ campaign of the Congress party in the state, which aims to rejuvenate the party organisation in Madhya Pradesh. According to senior party leader J P Dhanopia, Rahul Gandhi will arrive at Raja Bhoj airport at 10.20 am and proceed to the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) headquarters. There, he will participate in the meetings of the political affairs committee of the PCC, followed by a meeting of party MPs and MLAs, and later a meeting of observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for the ‘Nav Srijan’ campaign. Following a lunch break, he will go to Ravindra Bhawan, where he will formally inaugurate the campaign before leaving for Delhi late in the afternoon. Addressing a joint press conference on Rahul Gandhi’s Bhopal visit on Monday, Congress media wing President Mukesh Nayak, former PCC chief Arun Yadav, and former minister Sajjan Singh Verma said that the ‘Nav Srijan’ campaign was a historic initiative of the party leadership to rejuvenate the party organisation. Arun Yadav said that the campaign is a decisive step towards forming a deep connection with the masses. “The Congress party is working to strengthen the party at the grassroots under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, and the ‘Nav Srijan’ campaign is not only to strengthen the party organisation but also to make the Congress party a ‘public movement’ again. It’s to reawaken the soul of the Congress party,” he said. Sajjan Verma, while expressing gratitude towards Rahul Gandhi for his unwavering insistence on a caste census, said that the BJP and the Prime Minister initially castigated him for the demand, but ultimately they came around to accepting it. “The caste census is a victory for the deprived sections of society, who are still waiting for social, economic, and political justice,” he said. Mukesh Nayak said that this campaign will create ‘catalytic groups’ who, at the grassroots, will work to counter the ‘deceptive and misleading’ propaganda of the BJP. 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 moves HC to challenge order for personal appearance before Chaibasa court
Ranchi: The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, moved the Jharkhand high court on Monday to challenge an order passed by the special MP/MLA court in Chaibasa which asked his personal appearance in a defamation case. Gandhi was ordered to appear in person before the court on June 26 in connection with the case filed by petitioner Pratap Kumar. Kumar said Gandhi’s statement against BJP leaders, particularly Union home minister Amit Shah, at a political rally in Chaibasa in 2018 was derogatory. Challenging the lower court’s order, Gandhi said he has already moved a petition seeking exemption from appearance before the Chaibasa court at this stage of the case. The petition is also pending before the high court for adjudication, Gandhi’s petition said. The lower court at Chaibasa was informed about the pending petition before the high court, stating that it not been decided on merits. Despite this fact, the lower court refused to grant reprieve to Gandhi and ordered him to appear in person. In his political speech during the last election campaign, Gandhi reportedly referred to Shah as a “murderer”. Gandhi’s statements were defamatory and made purposely to malign the image of Shah, Pratap Kumar said in his petition before the Chaibasa court. 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 diversions for Rahul visit
Bhopal: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to arrive in Bhopal at 10:20 AM on Tuesday via a special aircraft. In view of his visit, the Bhopal Traffic Police has issued an advisory regarding temporary traffic diversions and restrictions across several key routes in the city. Proposed Route: Rahul Gandhi will travel from the airport to the PCC Office via the following route: State Hangar Trisection, Lalghati, VIP Road, Retghat, Polytechnic Square, Banganga Square, Roshanpura, Apex Bank Trisection, Link Road-1, 1250 Square, PCC Office. Diversions: Traffic coming from Gandhi Nagar/Airport towards the city will be diverted via Narsinghgarh Trisection, Karond Bypass when the VIP aircraft lands. Vehicles heading from Polytechnic Square to VIP Road will be redirected through Moti Masjid, Sadar Manzil, Collectorate, and Lalghati Overbridge. Traffic from Roshanpura towards Polytechnic Square will be rerouted via Gandhi Park, Old Police Control Room Trisection, Talaiya Thana Trisection, Bharat Talkies Square, Hamidia Road. Traffic heading towards Link Road-1 should use Link Road-2 as an alternative route. Vehicle Restrictions: All heavy vehicles will be strictly prohibited on these routes during the movement. However, emergency services like ambulance and fire brigade will not be restricted and may move freely. Specific Event Restrictions: Movement will be restricted from Vyapam Square side, 1250 Square, and Sidhu Bhavan towards the PCC Office. During the Ravindra Bhavan event, the route from Polytechnic Square to KN Pradhan Square will remain diverted. Parking for participants attending the Ravindra Bhavan programme has been arranged at MVM Ground. 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.