Dalit woman attacked, casteist slurs, and land grabbing allegations: FIR filed under SC/ST Act at Baba Bazar police station in Ayodhya
A case of assault, casteist slurs, and attempted land grabbing against a Dalit woman has come to light in the Baba Bazar police station area of Ayodhya. Based on the victim’s complaint, Baba Bazar police have registered a case under various serious sections and initiated an investigation. Phooljhara Devi, wife of Sundar Lal, a resident of Poore Pandit Purwa Majra Ratanpur village, has alleged that some villagers were repeatedly threatening her with the intention of seizing her inhabited land. When she resisted, the accused allegedly used casteist slurs and attacked her with a sharp weapon, leaving her seriously injured. The victim also alleges that the accused were already trying to seize her land through pressure and were threatening to kill her. The woman somehow managed to escape and hid in her house, after which she complained to the police. FIR number 0116/2026 has been filed at Baba Bazar police station. A case has been registered under sections 115(2), 118(1), 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act. Police have launched a detailed investigation. Ahmed Ilyas | Chandramau (Rudauli), Ayodhya Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth assaulted for demanding wages: FIR filed for casteist slur
A Dalit youth has been assaulted in the Shahi police station area of Bareilly for demanding his outstanding wages. It is alleged that he was also subjected to casteist slurs. Based on the victim’s complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused and initiated an investigation. Rajesh, son of Hiralal, a resident of village Bagrau, told the police that he was working at the Lal Kuan bus stand. He asked for his outstanding wages from Muzaffar, son of Jafar Hussain, a resident of Vikrampur. According to the complaint, upon demanding his wages, the accused became enraged and began abusing Rajesh. When Rajesh protested, he allegedly insulted him using casteist slurs. It is alleged that Muzaffar then beat Rajesh with sticks, kicks, and punches. Hearing the commotion, people from the vicinity arrived at the scene, after which the accused threatened to kill him and fled. Following the incident, the victim, Rajesh, reached the Shahi police station and demanded action. Considering the seriousness of the case, the police have registered an FIR under relevant sections. CO Mirganj, Ajay Kumar, is investigating the case. He stated that based on the investigation, strict legal action will be taken against the accused. Sunny Goswami | Mirganj Courtesy: Hindi News
NHRC seeks inclusion of distinct categories like ‘Intersex’, ‘Transmen’ & ‘Transwomen’ in upcoming Census
NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the govt to consider including distinct categories such as ‘Intersex,’ ‘Transmen,’ and ‘Transwomen’ in Census 2027. In an advisory on ensuring welfare of transgender persons issued last week, the Commission has also asked the govt to reconsider changes made to the definition of transgender persons under recent amendments to the law, which have been challenged through multiple petitions in the Supreme Court. During enumeration of Census 2011, for the first time provided the option to people to identify as “other” besides male and female. At that time the Census exercise did not collect any data specifically on ‘transgender’. Thus, the category of ‘other’ would not only include ‘transgender’ but also any person who desired to record sex under the category of ‘other’. The population of ‘other’ as per Census 2011 was recorded at 4,87,803.Meanwhile, NHRC which had also issued an advisory on ensuring welfare of transgender persons in 2023, has said the second advisory aims to complement the earlier one in view of “evolving needs and aspirations of transgender persons”. The advisory is addressed to secretaries of 11 ministries, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner and chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union territories. It states that efforts should be made to ensure that intersex persons are explicitly recognised in all data collection processes and not automatically subsumed under the ‘transgender persons’ category. “This inclusion must be accompanied by comprehensive sensitisation and training of enumerators to ensure accurate and respectful data collection,” the advisory says. Asking the govt to consider including distinct categories such as ‘Intersex,’ ‘Transmen,’ and ‘Transwomen’ in the upcoming Census, NHRC has also recommended that a similar framework be adopted across other national data collection mechanisms — such as National Family Health Survey (NFHS), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+). On definition of transgender persons, the Commission said, “The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act 2026 revises the definition of transgender persons, shifting the earlier model based on self-perceived gender identification to a more medicalised framework. This development has led to concerns among certain sections of the community, particularly regarding its implications for recognition and rights. “In this context, it may be appropriate for the authorities to consider revisiting these concerns with a view to ensuring that the framework remains inclusive, rights-affirming, and sensitive to diverse lived experiences,” it added. NHRC also called for review of laws, including Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Juvenile Justice Act and succession laws, to ensure recognition of self-identified gender and protection of rights of transgender and intersex persons. It has also sought simplifying the documentation process and enabling self-identification-based enrolment for elderly transgender persons in welfare schemes, and establishing transgender-inclusive old-age homes and community shelters, ensuring privacy, healthcare access, social interaction and emotional well-being. 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
Transgenders protest over proposed amendment bill
Mangaluru: A coalition of community-based organisations in Mangaluru has strongly condemned the proposed Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced by the Union govt in March. The coalition includes the Coalition of Sex Workers’, Sexual & Gender Minority Rights (CSGMR), Sarathya Karnataka State Level Federation of Unique Sexuality community-based organisations, and Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane, Mangaluru. Addressing mediapersons on Saturday, the groups alleged that the amendment could seriously harm the rights of transgender and gender-diverse communities, and weaken existing protections related to equality, dignity, and identity. They said it undermines the right to self-identification affirmed by the Supreme Court in the NALSA vs Union of India (2014) judgment, which recognised transgender persons and upheld every individual’s fundamental right to determine their gender identity. Nikila, president of Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane, said the proposed bill would require medical examination to prove a person is transgender. She questioned the need for such procedures, and urged the Centre to reconsider the amendment, examine it properly, and ensure it supports the community. According to the groups, the bill seeks to make gender recognition dependent on medical examinations and certification, contradicting the Supreme Court’s position that gender identity should not require medical or administrative approval. The organisations argued that mandatory medical certification would violate human rights and could infringe constitutional guarantees under articles 14, 19, and 21. Christyraj from Bengaluru said the 2019 law recognised a wider range of identities, such as trans men, trans women, kothi, arvani, jogta, and kinnar, but the proposed 2026 amendment identifies only six categories and limits recognition giving them only “trans” label. The organisations claimed this definition could exclude many gender-diverse identities. The groups also warned that the amendment could increase surveillance and control over transgender persons. It also stated that the term ‘transgender’ is wrongly defined in the bill. Activists compared the proposed framework to the colonial-era Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, alleging it introduces a similarly regulatory and discriminatory approach toward marginalised communities. The organisation urged the Union govt and Parliament to withdraw the amendment bill immediately. It also urged for protection of the right to self-determination of gender identity and meaningful consultations with transgender and gender-diverse communities at every stage of policymaking. The groups also called for laws and policies to go with constitutional values and international human rights standards, reiterating that every individual has the right to live with dignity, liberty, and equal opportunity. The groups also protested near the clock tower in the city on Saturday, and submitted a memorandum to the Dakshina Kannada DC. 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
Major reshuffle of IAS officers in Kerala
Govt has initiated a shake-up in bureaucratic strata, transferring 15 IAS officers, 6 collectors THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In its first major reshuffle after assuming office, the UDF government has initiated a major shake-up in bureaucratic strata transferring 15 IAS officers, including six district collectors. GST commissioner Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao has been appointed as secretary, Finance (Resources) Department, while Transport special secretary PB Nooh has been posted as GST commissioner. Six districts got new collectors. Alappuzha collector Inbasekar K has been posted as Kerala Water Authority managing director, with additional charge of joint project director, KERA (Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization Project). Cochin Smart Mission CEO Shaji V Nair will be the new Alappuzha collector. In a mutual transfer industries director Vishnuraj P will take over as Kannur collector, while incumbent Arun K Vijayan has been posted as industries director, with additional charge of MD, KSIDC. Kollam collector Devidas N was appointed Director, KILA. He will have additional charge of MD, Impact Kerala Ltd. Incumbent KILA director Nizamudeen A would be the new Pathanamthitta collector in place of Prem Krishnan S who was appointed as joint secretary and OSD, health department. Industries joint secretary and OSD Anie Jula Thomas will be the new Kollam collector. Palakkad collector Madhavikutty M S has been posted as collector, Kozhikode while incumbent Snehil Kumar Singh was appointed as collegiate education director, with additional charge of entrance commissioner. Collegiate education director Sudhir K will be the new Palakkad collector. Incumbent entrance commissioner Arun S Nair has been appointed as director, social justice department. He will have additional charge of executive director, Kerala Social Security Mission Limited; CEO Cochin Smart Mission and CEO Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority. New collectors have been instructed to take charge on Monday. Alappuzha sub-collector Sameer Kishan has also been posted as Industries department deputy secretary, with additional charge of coir department director. 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
UP Congress chief booked in Mahoba for derogatory remarks against PM Modi
The UPCC chief was accused of spreading enmity, accumulating a crowd without administration’s permission, obstructing government work and creating a road blockade. LUCKNOW: An FIR was lodged against Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai in Mahoba district on Saturday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The FIR was based on the police complaint by the BJP’s district executive member Neeraj Rawat. Rai and 30 of his unidentified accomplices have been named in the FIR. The UPCC chief was accused of spreading enmity, accumulating a crowd without administration’s permission, obstructing government work and creating a road blockade. Significantly, Rai’s remarks escalated a war of words between the BJP and the Congress. The alleged abusive words used by Rai against Modi drew strong reaction from the BJP camp, including UP CM Yogi Adityanath and the entire BJP leadership after a purported video of Rai went viral on social media platforms. While the UPCC chief called it a fake video, accusing the BJP camp of fabricating it and claiming that he would lodge a police complaint in that connection, CM Yogi attributed the abusive language to Rai’s mental bankruptcy, reflecting his party’s frustration after facing back-to-back electoral defeats. In a post on X, Yogi said the comments made against the PM reflected the “political misconduct and poor culture” of the Congress. Rai’s indecent, unparliamentary and inexcusable remarks against PM expose the political values of Congress,” wrote the UP CM. Targeting the Congress leadership further, he said that even the party’s “Yuvraj” (read: Rahul Gandhi) had previously displayed similar political behaviour. “Congress has now reached the highest level of despair, frustration, and mental bankruptcy. They are no longer even in a position to apologise to the people of the country,” he added. The remarks came amid escalating political confrontation between the BJP and Congress after Rai’s recent comment on the Prime Minister. Namita Bajpai 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
Policemen accused of Dalit harassment in Gorakhpur drain dispute, case filed on court’s orders
On court’s orders, two policemen and the then-stational station head have been arrested for allegedly harassing women, assaulting them, and making casteist remarks during a drain dispute in Gorakhpur. Correspondent, Pipraich (Gorakhpur). A case has been filed on court’s orders against PRV personnel who arrived in the village to address a drain construction dispute for allegedly harassing women, assaulting them, and making casteist remarks. Serious allegations have been leveled against the two policemen and the then-stational station head. The CO, Chaurichaura, is investigating the matter. Pradumman Bharti, a resident of Naiyapar Bujurg village in Pipraich, filed a petition in court alleging that on November 9, 2025, a dispute arose in the village regarding drain construction. Puneet Kanaujia, from the other side, called 112 and summoned the police. It is alleged that PRV Head Constable Santosh Kumar Maurya and Constable Anand Swaroop Upadhyay, who arrived at the scene, behaved indecently and used casteist remarks against the family members. When they protested, the policemen assaulted Pradumman Bharti and his family members and threatened to kill them. The application also alleges mistreatment and physical assault of women. According to the complaint, the women were forcibly forced into a police vehicle without the presence of a female police officer, and were then driven some distance away, subjected to indecent behavior. The victim alleged that she was also tortured at the police station, resulting in ear injuries and hearing problems. The then-station head, Atul Kumar Srivastava, has also been accused of harassment in this case. Pradumman Bharti says that after the incident, the police instead issued a challan against her for disturbing the peace, and despite the complaint, no action was taken. SP North Gyanendra Kumar stated that the case was filed on court orders. Further action will be taken based on the evidence. EDITED BY: VIVEK SHUKLA Courtesy: Hindi News
A case of Dalit harassment against a District Panchayat member in Gorakhpur: Allegations of assault and casteist remarks against an employee; police launch investigation
Alok Gupta, director of an organization and District Panchayat member in the Barhalganj area of Gorakhpur, has been accused of serious Dalit harassment. He is accused of assaulting an employee of the organization, making casteist remarks, and mentally harassing him. Based on the victim’s complaint, the Barhalganj police have registered a case and begun investigating the matter. Deep Narayan Chand, alias Deepu, a resident of Dhabouli in the Barhalganj Kotwali area, stated in his complaint to the police that he has been working as a computer operator at the Manav Seva Shiksha Sanstha since 2023. The victim alleges that the organization’s director, Alok Gupta, had been treating him indecently for a long time. He was frequently insulted during work and mentally harassed with casteist slurs. According to Deep Narayan, the organization’s director had a man call him while he was resting during lunch break on May 9th. Upon arriving, he was assaulted and subjected to abusive language and casteist remarks. The victim stated in his complaint that this incident was not the first time, but that he had been subjected to continuous abuse and harassment for several years. Given the seriousness of the matter, the Barhalganj police have registered a case under relevant sections based on the victim’s complaint. Police officials stated that an impartial investigation is being conducted. Further legal action will be taken based on the facts that emerge from the investigation. The victim has demanded justice from the administration and strict action against the culprits. The police say that statements from all parties will be recorded and action will be taken based on the evidence. This incident has become a topic of discussion in the area. Gopal Tripathi | Gola Courtesy: Hindi News
300 booked for violent clashes during Dalit wedding procession in Mathura
Stones were hurled at the procession when it entered an upper-caste locality during the wedding ceremony, triggering clashes Police booked over 300 individuals, including 41 named accused from both sides, in connection with the violent clashes that erupted during a Dalit wedding procession here on May 20, officials said on Friday. Police separately filed a case over an alleged attack on policemen, naming 15 people and booking 50 unidentified persons. The incident took place in Narhauli village under the Highway police station area when a wedding procession from Bharna Kalan village in the Govardhan area arrived for the marriage of Lakshmi and Poonam, daughters of Bhagwan Das, to Ashok and Kuldeep, sons of Nemichand. According to allegations, stones were hurled at the procession when it entered an upper-caste locality during the wedding ceremony, triggering clashes. However, the other side claimed the dispute escalated after some members of the procession allegedly played songs containing caste-based derogatory remarks and used objectionable language. They alleged that when residents objected, members of the procession assaulted them and entered houses to vandalise property. Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said the crime branch is probing the incident. Highway Police Station SHO Shailendra Singh said Radha, daughter-in-law of the injured elderly woman Shanti alias Santoshi Devi, lodged a complaint naming 17 people from the Dalit community and 250 unidentified people. Those named include the bride’s brothers, police said. In another complaint, the bride’s brother Dilip named 24 people, besides 20 unidentified people. Police said additional force from several police stations has been deployed as a precautionary measure. Authorities appealed to members of both communities to maintain peace. Officials said the injured elderly woman’s condition has improved, and she is likely to be discharged from the hospital by Friday evening. Police said video footage and CCTV recordings are being scrutinised to identify those involved in the violence, and further action will be taken accordingly. CCTV footage and video clips circulating on social media are being examined to identify every person involved in the violence, he said. The SHO said the three cases registered in connection with the incident are likely to be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), though official confirmation is awaited. Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
TM Exclusive: Uproar over Minister Pratima Bagri’s caste: Dalit or Rajput? A full investigation into Congress’s allegations
Congress SC Department President Pradeep Ahirwar claims “the Rajput Bagri community received Scheduled Caste benefits unfairly,” prompting action after High Court rebuke Bhopal. The controversy surrounding the caste certificate of Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri appears to be reaching a decisive turning point. On Wednesday, State President of the Scheduled Castes Congress Department Pradeep Ahirwar appeared before the state-level inquiry committee investigating the validity of the caste certificate with evidence and documents, calling Minister Pratima Bagri’s Scheduled Caste certificate “fake,” and demanding its immediate cancellation. Following the High Court’s intervention in the matter and directing a decision within 60 days, administrative activity has intensified. The Mooknayak investigation has revealed that this controversy isn’t limited to a single individual’s caste certificate, but rather is linked to a long-standing dispute over the use of the surname “Bagri” and Scheduled Caste eligibility in the Bundelkhand, Vindhya, and Mahakaushal regions of Madhya Pradesh. Congress leader Ahirwar claims that caste certificates were issued for years without distinguishing between the actual Scheduled Caste Bagri community and the Rajput-Thakur communities using the surname Bagri, impacting the reservation system. The Bagris of the Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions are Rajput (General). Documents submitted to the committee During the hearing held at Vallabh Bhavan in the ministry on Wednesday, Pradeep Ahirwar presented detailed documents to Principal Secretary E. Ramesh Kumar and other committee officials. He stated that when the list of Scheduled Castes was first compiled in 1950 and after the country’s independence, only those castes associated with social untouchability, untouchability, and lower social functions were included in it. According to him, the Bagri community living in the Central India region was classified as a Scheduled Caste under special circumstances, but the Rajput Bagri community living in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions was never recognized as a Scheduled Caste. In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Pradeep Ahirwar stated that the Bagri community living in Satna and Panna districts was not listed as a Scheduled Caste in the 1961 caste census. He also stated that after the formation of Madhya Pradesh in 1956, the districts where the Bagri community was granted Scheduled Caste status were primarily those in the Central India region, including Bhind, Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, Ujjain, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Indore, Dewas, Dhar, Jhabua, and Neemuch. After the regional restrictions were lifted in 1976, members of the Rajput-Thakur Bagri community in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions began obtaining Scheduled Caste certificates. Pradeep Ahirwar also argued before the committee that the Regaon Assembly seat in Satna district is reserved for the Scheduled Caste category, and that Pratima Bagri contested the election based on this certificate, became an MLA, and later rose to the position of minister. He alleged that if the certificate was issued contrary to the rules, it is not merely a personal matter but a serious question concerning the reservation system and constitutional rights. The Government of India amended the 2007 amendment. The complainant also cited orders issued by the state government in 2003. According to him, anthropological studies conducted by the state government and the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Research Institute (TRI) clarified that families with the surname “Bagri” living in Bundelkhand, Mahakaushal, and the Vindhya region actually belong to the Rajput-Thakur community and should not be issued Scheduled Caste certificates. According to the TRI report, these Bagri Rajputs are landlords of the Vindhya region. Based on the similarity in their caste names, they began obtaining SC caste certificates and began taking advantage of them. The Scrutiny Committee Did Not Issue Instructions Instructions in this regard were issued to all collectors on February 25, 2003, and July 14, 2003. A high-level scrutiny committee later upheld the government’s decision. An important point in this matter is the 2007 amendment. The central government had clarified at that time that the “Bagri/Bagri” community would be classified as a Scheduled Caste, but those from the Rajput and Thakur sub-castes who use only the surname “Bagri” would not receive this benefit. Ahirwar says that despite this, caste certificates continued to be issued at the local level without adequate scrutiny. Speaking to The Mooknayak, State President of the Scheduled Caste Congress, Pradeep Ahirwar, alleged that Minister Pratima Bagri and her family have been creating confusion about their caste identity for years. He said that Pratima Bagri’s side can submit land records and revenue documents dating back to 1950, which show her family’s surname as “Bagri.” But merely having the surname “Baghari” does not make a person eligible for the Scheduled Caste category. According to Ahirwar, the Rajput Bagri community of the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions did not receive Scheduled Caste status in the constitutional Scheduled Caste list implemented in 1950. He claimed that the family did not register itself as a Scheduled Caste in the 1956 and 1961 documents and caste records because they belong to the Rajput (General) category. He stated that the Bagri surname in revenue records cannot be considered evidence of their Scheduled Caste status. Pradeep Ahirwar further stated that the Bagri caste is recognized as a Scheduled Caste only in the Central India region. And Minister Pratima’s family succeeded in obtaining the certificate by taking advantage of the similarity of the caste name with the same “Bagri” community. He expressed apprehension that attempts may be made to create confusion before the scrutiny committee based on old documents. Ahirwar claims that the documents in which the family’s surname “Bagri” is recorded actually belong to the Rajput Bagri community, not the Scheduled Caste category. The Bagri caste has not faced untouchability. The complaint also states that the Bagri families of the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions have been known as an economically and socially influential farming community. The documents claim that these families have owned large tracts of agricultural land since before independence and have never faced social discrimination. Citing gazetteers and old administrative documents from the British era, the complainant states that the Rajput Bagri community of Seoni district is mentioned as a major farming community and has had marital relations