Minorities erased, Adivasis threatened, Dalits ignored in BJP’s India
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday that the BJP tells Muslims, Christians and Sikhs that they don’t exist, Adivasis that their land will be taken, and they will be shot if they protest and Dalits that their oppression doesn’t matter, IANS reported. “The BJP tells Muslims, Christians and Sikhs that they don’t exist. BJP tells Adivasis that their land will be taken, and if they protest, they will be shot. BJP tells Dalits that their oppression doesn’t matter. This is what has been done to our country,” he said. “That needs to be reversed,” Rahul Gandhi asserted, stressing that every single person should feel a sense of belonging, love and respect in the country. He said that the nation must make every person feel that they are loved, regardless of religion, caste, age or gender. Addressing a congregation’ Hara Bhara Swaraj’ organised to commemorate former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi’s 82nd birth anniversary here, the LoP lashed out at the BJP for targeting minorities, Dalits and tribals. The senior Congress leader maintained that the word ‘Swaraj’ is an Indian concept and is wrongly translated as “freedom” in English. He said Swaraj means “ruling over oneself”, adding that while one could grant freedom to another, one could not bestow Swaraj upon another. Describing an individual’s personal relationship with the world as Swaraj, Rahul Gandhi added that Mahatma Gandhi wanted every person in the country to walk this path. He said that Gandhiji considered every living being a unique entity, with his or her own path towards the truth. He added that Gandhiji’s vision cannot exist without certain fundamental things. “It cannot exist with an education system that is as expensive as it is. It cannot exist with a testing system that is as unfair as it is. It cannot exist with a financial system that is monopolised by two or three people. It cannot exist without a political system that reaches deep into the country. So that is really what you have to do,” he said. Addressing students and young people directly, Rahul Gandhi said their aspirations should be respected. The LoP added, “You want to be an engineer, a cook, or a shoemaker. Good for you, be a shoemaker. You want to be an astronaut. Good for you, be that.” He said, “It is the job of the government and the country to open the doors to your imagination and make you feel and believe. The country should help you walk on that path. That is Gandhi Ji’s vision for India, and that is the path of Swaraj.” Courtesy : Madhyamam Note: This news is originally published on https:/madhyamam.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
SP attacks BJP after Dalit MLA alleges caste bias at temple
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party has reacted sharply to allegations of caste discrimination levelled by BJP’s Dalit MLA from Mohanlalganj Jai Devi at Sheetla Temple in Lucknow’s Kakori, saying that the incident has exposed the caste bias rampant under state govt. Jai Devi has accused the temple administration of denying her due respect during a bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying ceremony for the temple’s renovation. She alleged that she was not allowed to touch a brick, light an incense stick or break the coconut as part of the ritual held on Wednesday. National general secretary of SP Baba Sahab Ambedkar Vahini, Rambabu Sudarshan, described the incident as ‘very unfortunate’. “The fact that such an incident has happened in the state capital and after 9 years of BJP govt explains the state of affairs at caste discrimination front across UP. The incident has only proven BJP’s position on caste bias. The allegations are levelled by BJP’s own sitting Dalit MLA who is the wife of two-time BJP MP and former Union minister late Kaushal Kishore. Had it been any MLA from another party, the BJP’s troll army would have painted the whole incident as politically motivated,” he said. Sudarshan said the incident not only highlights the plight of a sitting Dalit MLA but also the sentiments and emotions of crores of Dalits in the state and in the country. “BJP and RSS talk of uniting Hindus with slogans like Batenge to Katenge (divided we lose). Is this how the BJP wants to unite Hindus? Such incidents prompts one to ponder if the BJP even recognises Dalits as Hindus or not?” Sudarshan said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Complaints filed against DU prof over ‘Dalit remarks’ during TV debate
New Delhi: A complaint has been submitted to Delhi University vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh seeking disciplinary action against political science professor Sangeet Ragi over remarks he allegedly made during a television debate Tuesday. Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC), which has filed the complaint, has accused Ragi of making derogatory remarks against the Dalit community and sought strict action, including his expulsion from the university. The remarks were made during the debate in which a video of Congress functionaries, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, was played. The video allegedly showed Vande Mataram being stopped midway to arrange a chair for Kharge. Referring to this during the debate, Ragi said, “This is a mentality of slavery, this is a Dalit mentality.” Following immediate objections, Ragi said he was withdrawing the statement, while maintaining that “Dalit” was not a community-related word, but a political term. A complaint has also been filed at Parliament Street police station seeking registration of an FIR under BNS and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Aditya Goswami, former media coordinator of All India Congress Committee, alleged that Ragi’s statement equating “Dalit mentality” with “slave mentality” amounted to an “intentional insult and humiliation” of a member of the scheduled caste community and “promoted or attempted to promote disharmony and feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different castes/communities on grounds of caste”. Goswami has sought that “an FIR be immediately registered”, the matter be investigated, the full video and related material be “seized/preserved” and appropriate action be taken against Ragi. INTEC has complained to the vice-chancellor that the remark was “deeply offensive and derogatory towards the Dalit community” and alleged that it “perpetuates harmful historical prejudices, promotes social division, and flies in the face of our constitutional values of equality, dignity, and social justice”. The teachers’ body demanded that DU initiate strict disciplinary action against him following applicable rules and due process. TOI reached out to the vice-chancellor, who said he had not seen the complaint and would respond after examining it. No response was received from Ragi till the time of going to press. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit girl molested and assaulted: Family reaches SP office demanding arrests
A case of molestation and assault of a Dalit girl has come to light in the Mursan police station area of Hathras. The victim’s family, accompanied by social activist Sunita Singh, reached the Superintendent of Police’s office and demanded the immediate arrest of the named accused. They allege that despite a case being registered, the police have yet to make any arrests. The girl’s mother stated that the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on August 14th. She was walking with her approximately 15-year-old daughter to the highway to collect fodder for animals. It is alleged that Sanjay (son of Shyam Fauji, resident of Baguli) and Arjun (resident of Turi), who were on a scooter, stopped her daughter. It is alleged that Arjun tried to grab the girl’s hand and pull her away. After she let go, the accused pulled her scarf, causing her to fall on the road. The woman alleges that the two young men then stopped the scooter, approached her daughter, and began molesting her. The teenager sustained injuries and began bleeding. When her mother raised an alarm, people nearby rushed to the scene, after which the two accused fled. They also threatened her as they left. Upon receiving information about the incident, police arrived at the scene and the injured teenager was admitted to the Mursan Community Health Center. Based on the victim’s complaint, the Mursan police station has registered a case against the named accused under relevant sections. The victim’s family alleges that despite the case being filed, the accused have not been arrested. They have demanded that higher authorities immediately arrest the two named accused and take necessary legal action so that the victim and her family can receive justice. In this regard, CO Sadabad JN Asthana stated that efforts are being made to arrest the accused. Courtesy: Hindi News
Reserved Compartment brings anti-caste English poetry showcase to Chennai
A Dalit poetry collective brings its English-language showcase to Chennai, using performance, lived experience and conversation English poetry can sometimes come with its own set of barriers: the language, the rooms where it is performed, the people who fill those rooms. For Reserved Compartment, a collective of four Dalit poets, the answer has been to walk straight into those spaces and bring their own stories with them. After initial shows in Mumbai and Banglore, this weekend, the Reserved Compartment partners with Mahad Productions, an artiste collective in Chennai, to bring its Dalit English poetry showcase to the city. The programme will be centred on protest and anti-caste poetry. The collective — Dr Abhijit Khandkar, Gautam Vegda, Daniel Sukumar, and Aleena, will be joined by Chennai poet C Nivetha for an opening performance in Tamil. Their poems will speak of caste and protest, but also of food, love, memory, and the small, ordinary details of lived experience. On stage, these personal stories will become a way of asking who gets to speak, who gets to be heard, and who gets to feel at home in a cultural space. “We are not building a show, we are building a community. After the show in Chennai, we’ll still be in touch with our audience and for the next event or workshop we do there, we want to invite them and might even have open mics in the future,” says Daniel who is based out of Bengaluru. That sense of community also extends to the spaces they choose to perform in. For Abhijit, who is based in Mumbai, the decision to take the showcase into established cultural venues is deliberate. “We try to do our shows in venues that are mainstream or the most sought-after venues in that city, because that is also our political statement. We want to open those spaces for our people, so that they can also walk into those spaces and experience how it feels,” he says. “Spoken word in India is basically run by upper-caste people who have access to fancy cafes where many people cannot just go, buy a coffee for ₹200 and sit and listen to poetry,” says Daniel. The collective also sets aside community tickets at every show, allowing those who may not be able to afford a ticket to attend. But reclaiming a space does not mean filling it with only declarations of caste. The four poets bring their identities into their work without allowing them to become its only subject. Daniel, for instance, writes about his mother’s favourite dish, and even his grandfather’s habit of collecting coconut shells. “Most of the time we feel that this is only happening to us, but when you discuss this on a larger platform, people are able to resonate with it. We have stories like this across the board from the community,” he says. While the poems are rooted in lived experience, Aleena is wary of reducing them to caste narratives alone. She points out that when an individual story travels beyond the person who lived it. “What we are doing through our poems is just telling our truths to power, and hopefully those personal truths resonate with the public. The personal becomes public and political,” she says. For Aleena, who is based in Kochi and began writing poetry in Malayalam before moving to English, the interaction with an audience is as important as the performance itself. “It’s a catharsis. You feel seen, you feel heard. We also have a separate interactive session with the audiences at the end of our show and many interesting and free-flowing conversations happen,” she says. India’s First Dalit English Poetry Showcase will be hosted by the Reserved Compartment on August 22, 6pm tp 9pm at Medai, The Stage. For tickets log on to @thereservedcompartment on Instagram. Sangita Rajan Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“You Bairwas, sit on the floor”: FIR after Dalit men forced off chairs at Rajasthan Independence Day event
The FIR was filed following a complaint by Rameshwarlal Bairwa, 35, and Gopilal Bairwa, 37, who alleged that they were subjected to caste-based discrimination while attending the programme. Rajasthan Police have registered an FIR after two Dalit men alleged that they were forced to vacate chairs and sit on the floor during an Independence Day function at a government school in Bhakliya village of Bhilwara district. The FIR was filed following a complaint by Rameshwarlal Bairwa, 35, and Gopilal Bairwa, 37, who alleged that they were subjected to caste-based discrimination while attending the programme. According to their complaint, the two were sitting on chairs arranged for the event when some people allegedly approached them and abused them using caste-based slurs. They alleged that they were told, “You Bairwas, sit down below . If you sit on the chairs, where will we sit? What right do you have to sit in front of us?” The complainants alleged that they were intimidated and forced to leave the chairs. They also claimed that the accused threatened to shut down the Anganwadi where two women from their community worked. The alleged incident took place in front of schoolchildren, teachers and other villagers, which the complainants said caused them “mental trauma” and hurt their self-respect and social standing. Videos of the incident have since circulated online. One video recorded by resident Badri Lal Bairwa shows a verbal confrontation between a group of people at the school while children sit on the ground. Badri Lal can be heard saying, “We are celebrating Independence Day, but look at this mentality,” before saying, “You are educated… this is the condition.” A demonstration was held at the Bhilwara district headquarters, with protesters submitting a memorandum to the District Superintendent of Police seeking the arrest of the named accused, protection for the victims’ families and an end to the alleged social boycott. Bagor police station SHO Bachhraj Choudhary said the investigation was underway and had been handed over to Deputy SP Rahul Joshi, Circle Officer for Bhilwara’s Mandal. The FIR names five accused and has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Courtesy : Maktoob Media Note: This news is originally published on https:/maktoobmedia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why Kharge ‘Purification’ Row Has Become A Caste And Political Fight
Kharge told party colleagues that he was “hurt” due to lack of action from the senior Congress leaders in the Haldwani incident Mallikarjun Kharge told the CWC he was “hurt” by the muted response from some Congress leaders to the Haldwani “purification” row. The controversy began after a havan was held at Ram Lila Ground two days after Kharge addressed a rally there. Kharge said the ritual humiliated him as a Dalit and raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha. The controversy over a “purification” ritual held at a rally venue used by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has now travelled from Uttarakhand to Parliament and into the Congress Working Committee (CWC), turning what began as a local event into a wider political battle over caste, dignity and untouchability. At the CWC meeting on Wednesday, Kharge told party colleagues that he was “hurt” due to lack of action from the senior Congress leaders in the Haldwani incident, The Indian Express reported. Without naming anyone, Kharge reportedly expressed disappointment that several members, particularly the “good-looking people” who frequently appear in the media, had not spoken forcefully against the ritual. AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal responded that the Congress had condemned the incident, though Kharge was reportedly unconvinced. The episode has become politically potent because Kharge, a Dalit and the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has interpreted the ritual through the history of caste-based notions of purity and untouchability. The BJP has rejected allegations that it was involved. What Happened At Haldwani Rally Venue? Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Haldwani’s Ram Lila Ground on August 8 as part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 Uttarakhand Assembly election. Two days later, on August 10, members of Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan conducted a havan at the venue as part of what they described as a “shuddhikaran”, or purification, ceremony, according to The Times of India. Videos of the ceremony subsequently circulated online, triggering allegations from the Congress that the ritual had been performed because a Dalit leader had occupied the stage. Those involved in the ceremony have offered a different explanation. Girish Chandra Pandey, identified as a member of the organisation, said the Ram Lila Ground had religious and cultural significance and should not have been used for political programmes. He also claimed some slogans during the Congress event “sounded like Islamic slogans”, The Times of India reported. Kharge Call It An Insult To Dalits For Kharge, the political question is not simply that a ritual followed a Congress rally but what the language of “purification” signifies when applied to a space immediately after a Dalit leader has used it. Raising the matter in the Rajya Sabha on August 13, Kharge said he had never sought protection or sympathy because of his Dalit identity but felt personally humiliated by the incident. “There were lakhs of people present at the time. I did not name any community or religion. I only spoke about the problems faced by the people there. But after my speech, BJP workers performed a havan,” he said, according to reports. “Is this the way in a democracy? How are you protecting the Constitution? I am the LoP… I never wanted to politicise these issues,” he added. Kharge demanded legal action against those responsible, saying: “I am saying register a case, arrest them… This is what we demand.” He argued that the incident made him experience the “pain of untouchability”. Who Carried Out The “Shuddhikaran” Ritual? Reports have allegedly identified Shri Ram Sena Dharmarth Seva Nyas Sangathan as the group that organised the ceremony. Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal alleged that the organisation was associated with the BJP. The BJP has categorically denied any connection with the group. No evidence establishing that the ceremony was officially organised or directed by the BJP has so far been publicly established. ‘BJP Does Not Subscribe To Such Activities’ BJP president and Union minister JP Nadda distanced the party from the ceremony when Kharge raised the issue in Parliament. “Please don’t say repeatedly that we (BJP) did. The BJP does not subscribe to such activities,” Nadda said. He also described the episode as regrettable and promised that it would be examined. “It is a matter of great regret for all of us that your sentiments were hurt,” he told Kharge. Uttarakhand BJP spokesperson and minister Khajan Das, however, told PTI that slogans raised at the Congress rally may have offended members of the Sanatan community because of the religious significance attached to the ground. The BJP’s position, therefore, has been to reject responsibility for the ritual while acknowledging that the incident should be looked into. Why Has The Issue Reached Parliament? Kharge is both Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, giving the controversy a national institutional dimension. When he raised it on the final day of the Monsoon Session, Congress MPs protested in the House. Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said there could be no justification for untouchability. “It should be condemned. Those who have done it should be caught. There is no two opinions on this,” he said. The row consequently moved beyond a Congress-BJP dispute in Uttarakhand into a debate about constitutional equality, caste discrimination and the treatment of the country’s principal Opposition leader. Why Is Caste Becoming A Sharper Political Faultline? The Congress and several Opposition parties have increasingly framed their politics around representation, social justice and protection of constitutional safeguards for Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs. The BJP, meanwhile, has built its own substantial support among sections of these communities and rejects the Opposition’s accusation that its politics undermines them. The coming caste enumeration has raised the stakes further. The Centre has confirmed that Census 2027 will enumerate caste for all individuals — the first such exercise in a post-Independence national Census. Congress is already challenging aspects of how that enumeration will be conducted. For the Congress, “purifying” a venue after Kharge’s presence invokes a history in which Dalits were treated as
Dalit Women Attacked, Denied Entry At Odisha Temple; NCSC Summons Collector, SP
Bhubaneswar: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has initiated suo motu proceedings into an alleged incident in which a group of Dalit women were barred from entering a Shiva temple in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.Andhra Pradesh news The statutory body intervened following media reports detailing the August 10 altercation at Atimati village under Erasama police limits when a group of women from the Dalit community had visited a local Shiva temple to perform traditional rituals and offer holy water on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Somvar. Discover soft, comfortable and stylish shoes for you. Loose‑cut, skin‑friendly fabrics, perfect for daily wear, gatherings and casual shoes. The Commission has issued summons to the Jagatsinghpur district collector and the SP, directing them to submit a detailed action-taken report within three days. The required documentation must detail the exact number of arrests made, the date and number of any chargesheet filed, compensation provided to the victims, and other steps taken in the matter. The collector and SP have been asked to appear either in person or through authorised representatives. The Commission has indicated that failure to respond within the stipulated period could lead it to exercise the powers of a civil court conferred upon it. According to reports, several villagers carrying sticks allegedly blocked the entrance and prevented the women from entering the temple. The victims alleged that they were subjected to abusive and casteist remarks and threatened with violence if they did not vacate the area. When the women stood their ground, the villagers reportedly threw their bhog offerings to the ground. During the confrontation, one of the accused is alleged to have attacked one of the women with a knife, causing serious injuries. Following the assault, the women were forced to leave without offering prayers and subsequently lodged a complaint against eight individuals at the local police station. Following which, police registered cases under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Erasama police station IIC Parthsarthi Beura confirmed that police had received the NCSC notice and were taking steps to comply. He added that one accused had been arrested, and further investigation was under way. To ease tensions and uphold constitutional rights of access to public places of worship, police later facilitated the Dalit women in completing their darshan at the temple in the presence of officials. Additional police personnel were deployed in the village to maintain order, with authorities stating that the situation remained under control. Courtesy : Odisha Bytes Note: This news is originally published on https:/odishabytes.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Parliament passes Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 with Rajya Sabha approving it today
Parliament has passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday by a voice vote amid an Opposition-led walkout. The bill seeks to redefine the category of transgender, removes the provision of self-perceived gender identity and excludes several socio-cultural identities as well as transmasculine individuals from its ambit. It also further defines transgender persons within a biological framework, based on intersex variations and differences in sexual development. Replying to the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the government is compassionate towards the well-being of the transgender community. He said the Bill has provisions to empower the transgenders and give them dignity. The Minister said that the NDA government has taken several initiatives to bring transgender people to the mainstream and stop discrimination against them. Starting the discussion in the Upper House, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said this bill dilutes the privacy of an individual provided under the Constitution. Opposing the Bill, Ms Chowdhury said self-identification cannot be taken away through bureaucratic certification. Criticizing the government, she said that the proposed bill undermines the fundamental rights and dignity of transgender persons. Calling such a move wrong and illegal, she argued that forcing transgender persons to provide their identity through official certificates is against the spirit of equality and dignity guaranteed by the constitution. She also questioned the government’s approach for not properly consulting with the transgender community before bringing the Bill. She also referred to the Supreme Court’s landmark NALSA judgement of 2014, which recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. Ms Chowdhury said the proposed Bill violates the principles laid down in that judgement and fails to respect an already established legal framework. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva also opposed the Bill, saying that even if the Bill is passed in Parliament with a majority, it will be struck down by the Supreme Court. He further added that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution and it deprives the community of the right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. Supporting the Bill, BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni said, ” This Bill ensures justice, dignity, protection from criminalisation and legal safeguards for transgender persons. She also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this bill with certain amendments in order to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving people in a proper manner. She said there is a need for a law that brings justice to real transgender individuals and punishes fake ones. Mrs Kulkarni said the benefits should be extended to those who are transgender by birth. She said that the amendment to extend punishment will bring down the rate of crime and forced identities. TMC’s Saket Gokhale said that 31% of Transgender people in India have attempted suicide because of the discrimination that they are facing. He alleged that now the government is going to start discriminating against them as though social discrimination were not enough. He called it unacceptable. Mr Gokhale expressed concern that gender is going to be decided by the Chief Medical Officer and a District Magistrate, and the bill does not prescribe any qualifications for the Chief Medical Officer. Sanjay Singh of AAP said the Bill is a big let-down for the transgender community. He accused the government of not doing anything for the community. RJD’s Manoj Kr Jha said that prejudices against transgender people should stop, and they should be able to live with dignity. He added that self-determination of gender should not be taken away. CPI(M)’s John Brittas said it is a black-letter day and the Bill is taking India a century back. He pleaded with the government to either withdraw the Bill or refer it to a Select Committee. Jaya Bachchan of the Samajwadi Party also questioned the government over the legislation. She sought to know what the urgency was in bringing the Bill, without examining it with the depth and care that it deserved. Courtesy : NOA Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsonair.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Voice sample is not required’: Rahul Gandhi’s counsel opposes plea in Savarkar defamation case
NEW DELHI: The defence counsel for leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday opposed a plea seeking his voice sample in the defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, grandson of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, in a Pune court. Congress MP’s lawyer Milind D Pawar argued that the case had not yet reached the stage where the defence would examine whether the alleged speech was actually made with a defamatory intention, and therefore a voice sample was not required at this stage. Speaking to news agency ANI, Pawar said the special MP/MLA court in Pune has directed the defence to file its formal response to the application by September 1. According to Pawar, the application was moved after Rahul’s appearance in Pune on August 22, with the complainant seeking to have his voice sampled. “A deformation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar against Rahul Gandhi. On 31st of December 2025, the chief examination of Satyaki Savarkar has been completed and thereafter on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, cross examination is going on,” Pawar said. He added, “Yesterday the complainant has filed an application that Rahul Gandhi came in Pune on 22nd of August, 2026 and therefore, he may kindly be called for voice sample.” Pawar said the court accepted his argument that the voice sample was premature. “Still we are not come on that defence that whether we have really given that speech where our intention is defamation that defence is not yet to be came before the court and therefore at this stage voice sample is not required,” he said. Satyaki Savarkar’s deposition brings Godse-RSS links into focus The voice sample plea came amid further cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar, during which he made statements about the relationship between the Savarkar and Godse families and the latter family’s links with the RSS. According to the deposition cited by ANI, Satyaki said, “It is true to say that my grandfathers Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.” Satyaki identified Gopal Godse as his maternal grandfather and Sindhu Godse as his maternal grandmother. His mother was Himani Savarkar. He also acknowledged that the Savarkar and Godse families were related, although he said he did not have complete information about their historical relationship or whether relevant records were available in government archives. Satyaki said his mother died in Pune in 2015 and Gopal Godse died there in 2007. He also said that both his mother and grandfather worked for the Hindu Mahasabha until their deaths. The cross-examination also touched upon the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 and the historical roles of the people involved. Some questions concerning the RSS and Digambar Badge were objected to by the complainant’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar. The court recorded that the objections would be dealt with at the time of the final decision. Case stems from Rahul’s 2023 London remarks Satyaki Savarkar, a grandson of one of V D Savarkar’s brothers, filed the defamation case against Rahul over remarks the Congress leader allegedly made about Savarkar during an Overseas Congress event in London on March 5, 2023. Satyaki subsequently approached a magistrate court in Pune in April 2023, alleging that former Congress president’s remarks were false and defamatory and had damaged the reputation of Savarkar and caused distress to his family and supporters. The case is currently at the stage of cross-examination of the complainant. Pawar said the chief examination of Satyaki had been completed on December 31, 2025, while his cross-examination by Rahul’s legal team is continuing. The proceedings were deferred to September 1, when the defence is expected to respond formally to the voice sample application. 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