TMC split row: Lok Sabha Speaker asks Abhishek Banerjee to present case on Friday
Parliamentary sources said the Speaker intends to hear both sides before making a decision, which will be based on the applicable laws and parliamentary rules. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asked Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee to appear before him on 19 June as he considers a request by a group of rebel MPs seeking recognition as a separate parliamentary faction. The move comes after 20 rebel Trinamool MPs claimed to have merged with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and petitioned the Speaker for recognition as a distinct group in Parliament. The rebel MPs have already met Birla, while the faction led by Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had sought an appointment to present its position. Parliamentary sources said the Speaker intends to hear both sides before making a decision, which will be based on the applicable laws and parliamentary rules. In a letter to Birla, Abhishek Banerjee had argued that a valid merger under the anti-defection law would require both the merger of the political party and the backing of at least two-thirds of its legislators, contending that meeting only one of the conditions would not be sufficient. Sources had earlier told TNIE that a decision on the rebels MP’s plea is expected before Parliament’s Monsoon session, which is likely to begin in the third week of July. The Speaker’s decision will be guided by a written opinion from the Union law ministry, which is expected to seek the advice of a senior law officer before submitting its assessment, they added. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
India’s education system crushes children: Rahul Gandhi at Kota rally
KOTA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said India’s education system puts immense pressure on children and “crushes” them, while calling for collective efforts to ensure that no student feels the way many young aspirants do today. “This is not good for the country. I want all of us to work together to ensure that no student in this country ever feels what this girl felt,” Gandhi said while addressing the “Chhatron ki Goonj” Maha Rally in Kota. He said, “the event was not a political meeting but a platform to discuss the struggles faced by students.” “This is a meeting about you, about the young people who are struggling to get a future. This evening is about you, the challenges that you are dealing with every single day,” he added. Five students — three girls and two boys — were invited on stage after Gandhi’s opening remarks. The students, who are preparing for NEET, JEE and civil services examinations, spoke about their aspirations, challenges and the money spent on coaching. While interacting with students, Gandhi said the biggest weakness of India’s education system was that it failed to encourage children’s dreams and aspirations. Chhatron Ki Goonj in Kota “The biggest weakness of India’s education system: it does not nurture the dreams of our children. It does not respect the options and aspirations they truly want to pursue. After that, I began thinking more deeply about the education system. Several questions came to mind. One was why the public-sector education system had declined. Another was why private education had become so expensive,” he said. Recalling his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Gandhi said he met thousands of young people and noticed a pattern in their career choices. “Some time back, I walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering 4,000 kilometers. Along the way, I met lakhs of young people like you and had discussions with thousands of them. I would always ask them one simple question: ‘What do you want to become?’ Almost every time, I received the same five answers, engineer, doctor, lawyer, IAS officer, or joining the armed forces. There was never a sixth answer.” “This made me wonder why our education system, when young people are the future of the country, seems to offer them only five options. I asked this question many times and always received the same responses…The truth was that there was a big difference between their real aspirations and the five standard options they had mentioned,” Rahul added further. The Congress has projected the Kota rally as the beginning of a nationwide student convention series focused on issues including paper leaks, unemployment and education reforms. The BJP has criticised the outreach, alleging that such programmes could distract students preparing for competitive examinations. Kota, one of India’s biggest coaching hubs, has around 1.2 lakh students preparing for NEET and JEE exams across various institutes. The Congress said Gandhi’s national education campaign will focus on highlighting students’ concerns, seeking accountability and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The campaign will be carried forward by Congress units, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and Youth Congress, with conventions planned in Allahabad, Patna and Delhi, according to the party. 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
UP: Encounter with two accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman; police shot one in the leg, arrested both.
Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, have taken major action and shot the accused in the leg of a gang-rape victim. Police have arrested two accused in this case. Muzaffarnagar: Police in Muzaffarnagar, UP, engaged in an encounter with the accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman. During this encounter, police shot one accused in the leg and arrested both. What is the whole matter? A joint team of Charthawal police station and the Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested two notorious criminals wanted in the gang-rape case of a Dalit woman after an encounter on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. One accused was injured in the police retaliation. Two illegal pistols, four live and one empty 315-bore cartridge were recovered from the arrested accused. It should be noted that on June 13th, in the Charthaval police station area of Muzaffarnagar, the plaintiff filed a complaint at the Charthaval police station, stating that the accused, Umar, son of As Mohammad, a resident of Dadhedu Khurd, along with his associates, drugged his daughter, rendering her unconscious. They then took her to the forest on a motorcycle and gang-raped her. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police registered a case and began searching for the accused. Under the direction of Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar Verma, teams were formed under the supervision of Superintendent of Police City Amrit Jain and the leadership of Circle Officer Sadar Vinay Kumar Dwivedi. On June 16th, a team led by Station House Officer Satyanarayan Dahiya and Special Operations Group (SOG) in-charge Mohit was on patrol. Two suspects were spotted standing on the road leading to Dadhedu Khurd near the Dadhedu Bridge. Upon seeing the police, they opened fire and fled onto a dirt road. The police team surrounded them and warned them to surrender. The accused opened fire again. In retaliation, police fired controlled fire, in which Umar alias Salim, son of Aas Mohammad, age 25, was shot in the left leg. He was arrested while injured. The second accused, Maulana Abdullah, son of Matloob, resident of Bagowali, age 22, was apprehended during the combing operation. The injured Umar has been admitted to the hospital. A case has been registered against both accused. Umar already has a rape case registered against him. Police are taking further legal action in the matter. A statement from Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, Sanjay Kumar Verma has also been released. Written By: Rituraj Tripathi (Report by Yogesh Tyagi) Courtesy: Hindi News
Telangana man booked for sexually exploiting Dalit domestic help
The elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. Hyderabad: A young man has been booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly sexually exploiting a 20-year-old Dalit woman who worked as a domestic help in his house in Kosgi town of Narayanpet district, Telangana. The incident came to light when the accused, Sai Kiran, refused to marry her after she told him she was three months pregnant with her child and called her casteist names. The matter soon reached both families. The victim and her father reached out to the village elders. There, she stated that Sai Kiran allegedly promised to marry her. When she came to know about her pregnancy, she proposed marriage to him, which Kiran vehemently refused. Instead, the elders offered her monetary compensation to “settle the matter” and “not approach the police. The victim lodged a complaint with the Narayanpet Police and on Sunday night (June 14), Sai Kiran was booked. The woman has been sent for a medical examination. Sair Kiran’s family has a gold trade business. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Shivani, killed by her father at a police station for marrying a Dalit man
Controversy and outrage mount across the country over the latest femicide committed within the family. Fuelling the controversy is the fact that it occurred under the eyes of police officers who were supposed to protect the victim. Activists blame the killing on a mix of patriarchy, caste, and failure to enforce the law in Uttar Pradesh. Delhi – Patriarchy, the (sick) logic of caste, and a systematic failure to enforce the law and human rights in the heart of India are the main ingredients in the tragic and brutal death of Shivani Chauhan, a 19-year-old woman, killed by her own father inside a police station (pictured, police source). This is the latest episode of violence against a young woman in Uttar Pradesh, a state ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where minority and marginalised communities remain vulnerable even when they are supposed to be under state protection. The tragic murder of Shivani Chauhan – stabbed to death by her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, while her mother held her down, at the Badausa police station in Banda District – highlights the persistent threat of honour killings. Such a practice is still widespread in the country, but this time, what shocked public opinion is the location where it occurred: inside a government facility, where the victim should have been under government protection, not in danger and defenceless. The young woman belonged to an Other Backward Class (OBC) community and had freely chosen to marry her neighbour, 20-year-old Lalit Verma, even without her parents’ approval. Since Verma was a Dalit, the marriage crossed rigid socio-religious caste boundaries, sparking strong opposition from the young woman’s family. Following the couple’s escape to Madhya Pradesh, Shivani’s family filed a kidnapping complaint against Verma. Uttar Pradesh police then tracked down the couple and took them to the Badausa police station for legal statements and a mandatory medical examination. During a formal counselling session at the police station, Shivani repeatedly maintained her initial position, declaring that she had married voluntarily and would remain with her husband. As tensions reached a fever pitch, Shivani’s mother, Ranno, reportedly pinned her arms from behind while her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, 55, stabbed her with a knife he had hidden under his clothes. As a result of the attack, Shivani suffered multiple severe stab wounds to her abdomen and upper limbs and died hours later from her injuries as doctors at Banda Medical College desperately tried to save her life. The incident highlights the limitations of the state’s “counselling” system for cross-caste couples. Instead of prioritising physical safety, police routinely engage families to mediate, exposing vulnerable people to hostile environments and family contexts. The state’s failure to ensure a safe environment on the premises of a police station triggered widespread condemnation from the Indian public. Although her father has been arrested and faces charges of murder under Section 103 of the Indian Justice Code (BNS),[*] institutional responsibility remains unaddressed and a source of debate. Shivani Chauhan’s death, finally, highlights the reality that adult franchise and legal registration do not guarantee the safety of inter-caste couples. When the state fails to ensure security even in its own police stations, activist groups argue, the promise of constitutional freedom remains out of reach for vulnerable citizens. By Nirmala Carvalho Courtesy : Asia News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit vegetable vendor assaulted for demanding repayment of a loan: Three accused booked under SC-ST Act in Greater Noida
A Dalit vegetable vendor has been assaulted and subjected to casteist remarks in the Rabupura police station area of Greater Noida for demanding repayment of a loan of 150 rupees. Police have registered a case against three accused, including a woman, and have begun an investigation. According to police, Jawahar, a resident of Bhekanpur village, travels from village to village selling vegetables. On Tuesday, he went to Bhoira village to sell vegetables. He then asked Om Prakash, a resident of the village, for repayment of an old loan of 150 rupees. Om Prakash became angry at the demand and began abusing Jawahar. The victim alleges that the accused insulted him using casteist slurs. When he protested, Om Prakash called his family members, Maya and Meghraj. The three attacked Jawahar with sticks, leaving him seriously injured. Bystanders intervened and rescued him. It is alleged that while leaving, the accused also threatened to kill the victim if he returned to the village. The injured Jawahar has been admitted to the hospital for treatment, where he is undergoing treatment. On Tuesday, based on the victim’s complaint, Rabupura police registered a case against Omprakash, Maya, and Meghraj under relevant sections and the SC/ST Act. Police say the matter is being investigated and further action will be taken based on the investigation. Courtesy: Hindi News
RTIH inks pact with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation to empower women entrepreneurs
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Vijayawada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation (DPF) at the NTR District Collectorate on Tuesday. According to a press release, the partnership aims to promote women entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, livelihood development, and social enterprises, with a special focus on empowering marginalised and underserved communities. Through this collaboration, both organisations will work together to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, facilitate capacity-building initiatives, provide mentorship opportunities, and support sustainable livelihood interventions. Dalit Philanthropy Foundation executive director Santosh Kumar Samal and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub CEO G. Krishnan exchanged the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the representatives of both organisations emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating equitable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth. The Hindu Bureau 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
Anti-Conversion Laws in India: Not Only Anti-Minority but Also Anti-Dalit in Annihilate Caste
Anti-conversion laws, formally known as Freedom of Religion Acts, have been enacted in approximately twelve Indian states. These laws seek to regulate religious conversions by prohibiting those induced through force, fraud, or allurement. They typically mandate prior intimation to district authorities and prescribe penalties, often with enhanced punishments when the convert belongs to vulnerable groups such as women, minors, Dalits (Scheduled Castes), or Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes). While proponents present these statutes as protective measures safeguarding cultural identity and vulnerable populations from coercive missionary activities, critics contend that they curtail individual freedom, enable selective enforcement, and disproportionately harm Dalits seeking dignity and escape from caste oppression. The stated rationale behind these laws is rooted in concerns over demographic shifts and exploitation of the socio-economically disadvantaged. Advocates, often aligned with Hindu nationalist perspectives, argue that conversions—particularly to Christianity or Islam—frequently involve material inducements, social services, or “love jihad,” targeting lower castes and tribals who are portrayed as especially susceptible. By imposing stricter penalties for conversions involving Dalits, the laws ostensibly shield them from manipulation. However, this framing reveals a paternalistic undertone: it assumes Dalits lack the agency to make informed religious choices, thereby infantilizing a community that has long fought for equality. The impact on Dalits is particularly profound and multifaceted. Historically, conversion has served as a powerful tool for social mobility and resistance against caste discrimination. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s landmark 1956 mass conversion to Buddhism exemplified this quest for dignity free from the hierarchies of Hinduism. Similar patterns exist among those embracing Christianity or Islam in pursuit of equality. Anti-conversion laws erect administrative barriers, invite police scrutiny, and foster fear of prosecution, effectively deterring voluntary exits from the Hindu fold. This restricts a vital avenue for asserting personal autonomy in the face of persistent untouchability and social exclusion. A more glaring inequity arises from the linkage between religious identity and affirmative action benefits. Under the 1950 Presidential Order (and subsequent amendments), Scheduled Caste reservations, protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and related safeguards are largely confined to Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Dalits. Conversion to Christianity or Islam typically results in the loss of these benefits, despite evidence that caste-based discrimination often continues irrespective of faith. Dalit Christians and Muslims have long argued that this framework is discriminatory, as it ties constitutional protections to religious affiliation rather than lived social reality. Supreme Court rulings have largely upheld this distinction, treating caste as intrinsic to Hinduism for reservation purposes while adopting a more ethno-cultural approach for Scheduled Tribes. Consequently, anti-conversion laws compound this disadvantage by raising the cost of leaving Hinduism, sometimes compelling individuals to re-convert or conceal their faith to retain reservations. Enforcement patterns further underscore the laws’ adverse effects on Dalit communities. Reports frequently document arrests of pastors, missionaries, and community workers engaged in charitable activities—schools, health services, or prayer meetings—in Dalit-majority areas, often triggered by third-party complaints from Hindutva groups rather than the alleged victims themselves. Vague provisions such as “allurement” (which may encompass education or humanitarian aid) lend themselves to misuse, chilling social service initiatives and heightening vulnerability. While the laws claim to protect Dalits, they simultaneously limit access to services that could empower them and penalize those facilitating spiritual choices. This is not to suggest the laws are exclusively anti-Dalit. They are primarily deployed against conversions to minority faiths, notably Christianity and Islam, and have featured prominently in cases involving interfaith marriages or alleged demographic engineering. Claims of widespread forced conversions remain contested, with empirical data often showing limited scale relative to natural population growth. Mass Buddhist conversions by Dalits, notably, frequently preserve eligibility for benefits, highlighting inconsistencies in application. Moreover, general criminal laws under the Indian Penal Code already address coercion, cheating, and fraud, raising questions about the necessity of religion-specific statutes that risk majoritarian overreach. From a broader perspective, these laws intersect uneasily with Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to reasonable restrictions. The tension between protecting vulnerable groups and upholding individual liberty remains unresolved. Caste, as a deeply entrenched social reality, does not vanish upon conversion, yet Indian law treats it inconsistently across religions. This creates a contradictory framework: one that claims to safeguard Dalits while constraining their religious choices and material opportunities. In conclusion, anti-conversion laws are not merely instruments targeting religious minorities; they also function as barriers to Dalit emancipation. By restricting exit options from caste-laden Hinduism, paternalistically curtailing agency, and linking affirmative action to religious fidelity, they undermine the very dignity and equality Dalits have historically sought through conversion. Genuine protection against coercion can and should be achieved through neutral criminal laws applicable equally to all, without selective burdens on propagation rights. Reforming these statutes—through clearer definitions, uniform application, and decoupling reservations from religion—would better align with constitutional values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Ultimately, a society committed to truth and human flourishing must prioritize individual agency over majoritarian control, empowering every citizen, including Dalits, to choose their beliefs free from both coercion and state-imposed obstacles. By SR Darapuri, I.P.S.(Retd), National President, All India Peoples Front Courtesy : Counter Currents Note: This news is originally published on https:/countercurrents.org/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Devika first trans gender to get Bismillah Khan Samman
Lucknow: In a story of grit and perseverance, transgender Kathak dancer and cultural activist Devika Devendra S Manglamukhi became first from the community to be selected for the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Samman-2025, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Currently a state executive member and adviser to the UP Transgender Welfare Board, Devika said the recognition marks a significant milestone not just in one’s artistic journey but also for the transgender community. Devika’s achievements include Rajkiye Meera Samman (2016) and the National Samrasta Samman (2025). Having performed across 22 states, the exponent finds Kathak inseparable from life and identity and said, “I dedicate this award to my guru, the transgender community and everyone who supported me in my lowest moments.” Hailing from Dholpur in Rajasthan, the journey to national recognition was marked by hardship, social exclusion and years of struggle and first brush with the dance form, was as a four years old watching a Kathak concert on Doordarshan, inspiring to participate in school competitions. At 14, Devika left home to live according to gender identity and “My mother wanted to hide me. I left with just Rs 20.” In 2001, Devika reached the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi. “I was crying bitterly. I had nowhere to go and to survive, I began begging, till a woman from the Valmiki community gave me the job of cleaning toilets in exchange for food,” recalls SNA awardee. A turning point came when Kathak guru Kapila Raj Sharma noticed Devika practising mudras on a Delhi street and offered to guide. In 2004, Devika moved to Lucknow and began training under Sharma and performed formally for the first time at Sharad Mahotsav in Dholpur in 2005. Devika has completed all education through distance mode and was nominated to the UP Transgender Welfare Board for work done for the uplift of the transgender community. 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
Garima Grih rolled out in Dhanbad for transgenders
Dhanbad: In a step towards ensuring dignity, safety and empowerment of the transgender community, a Garima Grih (shelter home) was inaugurated in Dhanbad on Tuesday. The shelter home is being operated by non-profit organisation Manthan Sanstha under the direction of DC Aditya Ranjan. The inauguration was carried out by district social welfare officer Sneh Kashyap, who said that every individual in society has the right to live with dignity and respect. She stated that the initiative would provide members of the transgender community with safe shelter, social security, counselling, skill development opportunities and support to connect with mainstream society. Addressing the gathering, speakers highlighted that the transgender community has long faced social discrimination and exclusion. In such circumstances, the Garima Grih will not only offer secure accommodation but also facilitate access to education, healthcare, legal aid, mental health counselling and vocational training. The initiative is expected to help community members become self-reliant and lead a dignified life while actively participating in society. During the programme, guests inspected the shelter home and reviewed the facilities being provided there. They appreciated the initiative and stressed that joint efforts by the govt and social organisations are essential for the protection of transgender rights and their holistic development. Representatives of Manthan Sanstha informed that several welfare and empowerment programmes would be conducted through the Garima Grih to create a safe and supportive environment for transgender persons. They added that the objective of the shelter home is to strengthen confidence among community members and provide opportunities for sustainable livelihood and social inclusion. Members of the transgender community who attended the programme welcomed the initiative and described it as a positive step towards bringing meaningful change to their lives. They expressed hope that the shelter home would help them gain social acceptance and access better opportunities in the future. Sharad Chandra 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