Sajjanar warns of strict action against extortion by sections of transgender community
Hyderabad: Amid a surge in extortion complaints, Hyderabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar on Friday issued a stern warning to sections of the transgender community, stating that police would take firm legal action against anyone involved in harassment or forced collection of money. Sajjanar delivered the warning at a meeting organised by Hyderabad police in coordination with the Crime Investigation Department and Hyderabad collectorate, attended by around 250 members of the transgender community. “There have been several complaints from the public regarding groups of transgender persons descending on households during auspicious occasions and demanding huge money. Harassing residents and forcing them to give money is unacceptable,” he said. The commissioner also raised concerns about internal conflicts within the community, driven by attempts to dominate specific areas, which he said was contributing to law and order issues. He referred to a recent incident in which a transgender person died during such disputes. “Police would deal strictly with violators and at the same time, the department would always stand by those seeking to live respectfully,” he said. Additional director general of police, CID, Charu Sinha urged community members to make use of ‘Pride Place’, a system established under the women safety wing to address their concerns and support their integration into society with dignity. Jobs for transgenders Hyderabad district additional director (transgender welfare) Rajender said efforts are underway to help transgender persons secure employment in corporate companies. Telangana is home to nearly 50,000 members of the community, he said. “We advised the community members to obtain identity cards issued by the central govt to avail themselves of reservations and welfare schemes,” Rajender 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
Transgender empowerment initiative: Amarjeet Singh aids 133 transgenders securing jobs; Ongoing efforts for housing and social acceptance persist
Jamshedpur: Amarjeet Singh, a transgender and a city-based human rights activist, is helping transgenders turn their life around and live with freedom and dignity. In 2014, Amarjeet founded Utthaan, a community-based organisation. For a decade now, the NGO has been providing transgenders a platform to voice their rights. “We took off our campaign right after the Supreme Court upheld NALSA’s judgement in April 2014. In the last decade, we achieved breakthroughs on several fronts, but our struggle is still ongoing to earn a dignified life for the transgender community,” Amarjeet said. It is her team’s effort that presently 133 transgenders from different states got jobs on permanent rolls in Tata Steel’s operating plants in Jamshedpur, Noamundi, Ghato, and Kalinganagar. Besides, 15 school dropout transgenders are receiving formal education with the support of Tata Steel Foundation (TSF). Another six skilled transgenders will be observed on rolls at Electro Steel Ltd (ESL) Bokaro in January. The journey was not easy for Amarjeet, who is a transgender. “The rudimentary mindset of the people is still a major obstruction in securing a dignified space for the transgenders in society. At every step, I experienced objections and opposition from society, but my resilience helped me achieve the goals,” she said. Aamrjeet recalled that it took five years of persistent efforts to obtain Aadhar cards for the transgenders in 2019. Gradually, the community members also obtained Pan and ration cards. Most recently, 50 transgenders in East Singhbhum district received their voter cards in December last year. “Initially, the Election Commission rejected their applications as the transgenders failed to provide their permanent residential address. But following our request, state chief electoral officer K Ravi Kumar agreed to issue voter cards based on identification done by us. On our letterhead, voter ID cards were issued. In fact, I also got the voter card on the same letterhead,” Amarjeet said. “The Transgender Welfare Board, which was constituted in the state in 2024, paved the way for the transgenders to be covered under the universal pension scheme, helping them avail Rs 1,000 every month,” Fernandez Sundi, a community member, said. “Our grievance with the govt is that we are still struggling to get a shelter home for transgenders. Besides, there’s no Abua Awas or Pradhan Mantri Awas for our community,” said Arpity, an Utthaan member. 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
Raipur to host national transgender sports meet
RAIPUR: A decade after India last witnessed a major national sporting platform for transgender athletes, Raipur is set to script a new chapter in inclusion and equality. The national transgender sports meet 2025, themed ‘Samta Ka Mahotsav’, will take place on Dec 19–20, bringing together participants from Punjab, Delhi, UP, Jharkhand, Odisha and other parts of the country for two days of competition, culture and dialogue. Organised by Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti- a community for transgenders and LGBTQ, with support from the department of social welfare, the event is being hailed as one of the most significant national initiatives for the transgender community in recent years. The sports festival aims to give transgender athletes a stage to demonstrate their strength, discipline and sporting excellence—transforming sports from a field of competition into a platform of dignity and identity, one of the organisers Vidya Rajpur said, the meet will help challenge stereotypes, build visibility and inspire confidence within the community. The event also comes at a time when the transgender community in Chhattisgarh and across India has been achieving notable breakthroughs. These include the introduction of a dedicated transgender column in govt job application forms, successful participation in the 2021 police recruitment and Bastar Fighter selections, and consistent performance in competitive examinations. Activists describe these milestones as proof of what inclusion can achieve when opportunities are equitable. The meet will be held at Swami Vivekanand athletic stadium in Raipur, and will feature athletics and other sporting events beginning both the mornings. “When transgender athletes run, compete and win on the field, society learns to see them through the lens of ability rather than identity,” said Vidya. 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
We tore them to shreds, they were under pressure… Rahul Gandhi targets the government again
Rahul Gandhi once again launched a scathing attack on the Modi government. He said that there was a heated discussion on Vande Mataram and SIR. I was quite pleased because we tore them to shreds during both discussions. New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again strongly criticized the government. Rahul said that there was a heated discussion on Vande Mataram and SIR. I was quite pleased because we tore them to shreds during both discussions. They were under mental pressure. There shouldn’t be such a heated discussion on pollution because it is a kind of national emergency. Just a day earlier, Rahul Gandhi had targeted Amit Shah in Parliament. He had said that Amit Shah was nervous yesterday. He used inappropriate language and his hands were also trembling. On Friday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that he spoke about the pollution in Delhi and other big cities. This is a subject on which all parties can agree that our future, our children are being harmed, people are getting cancer, and diseases are spreading. Can work together on pollution Rahul Gandhi further said that he suggested in the House that we should discuss the issue of pollution in the House and discuss it in a different way. The Congress MP said that on this subject, we should be unanimous that we will talk about the future and discuss how to solve this problem. We will also take the opinion of experts and we will show the country that we can work together on the issue of pollution. Something concrete should come out of the discussion Apart from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi also targeted the government on the issue of pollution. She said that I completely agree. I think everyone agrees. The government also said that we should all discuss this and an action plan should be made. Every year its (pollution) level is increasing. When other subjects are discussed, this should also be discussed, and something concrete should come out of it, not just talk. It would be good if the government creates a sound action plan in this regard. Curated by: Akshay Srivastava About the Author Akshay Srivastava is a Principal Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times Online. He has over 12 years of experience in journalism. He has been working with NBT Digital since March 2025. He covers national news for the NBT news team. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Century-old legacy slipping away’: Ex-Congress MLA writes to Sonia Gandhi; calls for Priyanka Gandhi to take charge
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Friday claimed that tensions between ‘Team Rahul’ and ‘Team Priyanka’ within the Congress are now “out in the open” after a former party MLA from Odisha wrote to Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi, urging the removal of party president Mallikarjun Kharge on the grounds that “age is not on his side.” Ex-MLA Mohammed Moquim suggested that younger leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should be given greater prominence. “Team Priyanka vs team Rahul out in the open now Internal rift in Congress out! Senior Congress leader from Odisha writes to Sonia Gandhi: Says ‘Kharge Hatao ,Priyanka Lao; Hits out at state and central leadership.’ He notes a ‘deep and growing disconnect’ between the Congress leadership and Indian youth, saying that under the current leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge, who is 83, the party has been unable to resonate with the youth,” BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X. — Shehzad_Ind (@Shehzad_Ind) Earlier, Moquim, the former legislator from Odisha’s Cuttack whose daughter is the sitting Congress legislator from the seat, told news agency ANI, “The party is going through a difficult phase and needs her advice and new leadership… Age is not on AICC (All India Congress Committe) president Mallikarjun Kharge’s side… We should bring forward young leaders. I know that Sonia ji and the CWC (Congress Working Committee) members will definitely discuss this.” — ANI (@ANI) The veteran politician has been Congress president since October 2022, when he defeated Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. One of the party’s senior-most leaders, he succeeded Sonia Gandhi, who had been serving in an interim capacity since 2019 after Rahul Gandhi stepped down following the party’s rout in the Lok Sabha elections. She is the longest-serving Congress chief, leading the party from 1998 to 2017, before making way for her son. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra formally entered politics only in January 2019 and currently serves as a general secretary. Her recent Lok Sabha speech on the national song Vande Mataram drew wide appreciation, while her brother’s address on electoral reforms—during which he reiterated his allegations of ‘vote chori’ against the Election Commission and the ruling BJP—was sharply countered by Union home minister Amit Shah. 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
Rahul Gandhi asks for air pollution debate in Lok Sabha, govt agrees
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has demanded that the Lok Sabha discuss in detail air pollution crisis as major cities in the country are living under a blanket of poisonous air. Gandhi urged the govt to present a plan to combat the crisis, on which there are no ideological differences. After he raised the issue during the Zero Hour in the House on Friday, Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the govt was ready to discuss it. The structure of the debate would be finalised, he said. He said the govt was clear from the start it was ready to discuss the issue and find a solution. AQI still very poor, may turn severe in coming days NEW DELHI: The air quality of Delhi remained in the very poor category with an AQI of 349 on Friday. It was 305 on Thursday and 259 on Wednesday. It is likely to deteriorate to the ‘severe’ range (AQI of above 400 on a scale of 500) on Sunday. Central Pollution Control Board’s data highlighted that of the 39 active monitoring stations in Delhi, the AQI crossed 400 at eight stations. The most polluted station was Jahangirpuri at 438, Wazirpur at 425, Rohini at 423 and Anand Vihar at 420. “As light winds are prevailing in the city, it is unable to disperse the pollutants. Two consecutive western disturbances are likely to impact the city from today. Though these western disturbances are feeble, wind speed is predicted to remain low,” said an official. The air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category on Saturday, but it is likely to turn severe on Sunday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, which functions under the Union ministry of earth sciences Meanwhile, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. The maximum temperature settled at 26.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal. “Moderate fog is likely to form from Saturday to Monday,” said a Met official The minimum temperature is expected to rise from Saturday due to the impact of a western disturbance. India Meteorological Department has predicted that the minimum temperature may rise to 10-12 degrees Celsius during the weekend. The maximum temperature is likely to stay in the range of 23-25 degrees Celsius over the next few days. 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
Dalits lobby for greater role as BJP set to elect UP chief
Lucknow: A section of Dalit ranks in the BJP is lobbying hard with the party leadership in Delhi ahead of the much-anticipated appointment of the state unit chief in UP, it is learnt. BJP’s Dalit functionaries are reportedly pressing for “adequate” representation in “responsible positions” in UP, where assembly elections are due in 2027. This, sources said, is being highlighted as a potential tool to mobilise the Dalit communities, which account for a sizable proportion of the voting bloc in UP. In fact, the names of two former Dalit MPs, Ram Shankar Katheria and Vidya Sagar Sonkar, are being considered for the appointment of the state president. A senior BJP functionary pointed out that only two Dalit MPs, Mithilesh Katheria (Dhanuk) and Brij Lal (Kori), represent the BJP in the Rajya Sabha from UP. Also, the BJP has just one Dalit legislator, Surendra Chaudhary, in the UP legislative council. Organisationally, the party has just one Dalit state general secretary, Priyanak Rawat, and three vice-presidents: Kanta Kardam, Neelam Sonkar and Devesh Kumar. The overdrive of the Dalit community comes even as speculations are rife about an OBC functionary being appointed as the next state president. A senior SC functionary in the state BJP said that the non-Jatav SCs have been consolidating behind the BJP since 2017, when the party formed the govt with an overwhelming majority for the first time. “This needs to be augmented further. The party needs to give SCs more space while accommodating them in key positions,” said a senior SC functionary from the UP BJP unit. 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
“Dying Is Easier Than Learning English”: 17-Year-Old Dalit Student Dies by Suicide in AP’s Kurnool After Struggling With English Lessons
A 17-year-old Dalit girl in Kurnool died by suicide on Thursday, and police say she had been struggling for months with the pressure of learning English. The incident happened at the District Institute of Education and Training in B Thandrapadu. According to police, the girl went into the college sick room and locked the door after her friends briefly stepped outside. When they returned, she did not respond, and staff later found her dead. “She was a 17 year old Dalit student at the training institute and has allegedly died by suicide,” a police official told PTI. Police said the girl had repeatedly told her father that she could not cope with English lessons. She had even written that “dying was easier than learning it,” according to officials. Despite her fear, her parents insisted she continue attending classes. Her friends also told police that she had been dealing with menstrual problems, which may have increased her emotional distress. A case has been registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the investigation is ongoing. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Madhya Pradesh: Is eating at a Dalit’s house a greater sin than cow slaughter? A Panchayat decreed bathing in the Ganges and performing the Pind Daan (worship ceremony) for a living father, causing a stir in the administration.
The Panchayat decreed that eating at a Dalit’s house cut off all supplies to the family; pressure was put on them to perform the Pind Daan (worship ceremony) for a living father. Raisen: A shocking incident has emerged from Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, exposing the harsh reality of caste discrimination still prevalent in society. A man was socially ostracized simply because he ate at a funeral feast hosted by a Dalit family. The victim alleges that the Panchayat not only expelled him from society but also imposed shocking conditions for his reintegration. Given the gravity of the matter, the administration has launched an investigation. What is the whole matter? This incident occurred in Piparia Puaria village, Udaypura tehsil, about 100 kilometers from the Raisen district headquarters. This area is also the constituency of Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Health in the Madhya Pradesh government. The case is about a month old, but it came to light during a public hearing on Tuesday. According to media reports, the victim, Bharat Singh Dhakad, told officials that about a month ago, a ‘Shraddha’ ceremony was held at the home of Santosh Mehtar, a Dalit man in the village. Bharat Singh Dhakad, the village panchayat’s assistant secretary, Manoj Patel, and a teacher, Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi, had eaten at the ceremony. The Panchayat’s Bizarre Decree: “This is a Sin Bigger than Cow Slaughter” Bharat Singh alleges that the Panchayat took offense to his eating at a Dalit man’s home. The Panchayat called a meeting and passed a resolution declaring that eating at a Dalit’s home was “a sin bigger than cow slaughter.” The decree stated that whoever committed this ‘act’ would have to purify themselves by bathing in the Ganges and hosting a feast in the village before they would be accepted back into society. Two accepted the condition, one opposed. Under pressure from the Panchayat, Assistant Secretary Manoj Patel and teacher Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi agreed to their conditions. They bathed in the Ganga and hosted a feast in the village. However, Bharat Singh Dhakad refused to obey this discriminatory order. Following this, the Panchayat allegedly declared a social boycott against him and his family. Pressure to perform ‘Pind Daan’ for his living father In an application submitted to Udaypura Tehsildar Dinesh Bargale at the public hearing, Bharat Singh made very serious allegations. He stated that he was pressured by the Panchayat that if he wanted to be absolved of sins, he would have to shave his head and perform ‘Pind Daan’ (a post-death ritual) for his living father. Dhakad said, “I and my family are being treated like untouchables. We are barred from entering the temple and are prohibited from participating in any social events in the village.” He named the Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch, and Panchs in his complaint. Administration and Police Stance As soon as the matter came to light, the administration swung into action. Tehsildar Dinesh Bargale said, “The matter is being investigated. If the allegations are found to be true, strict legal action will be taken against the culprits.” Meanwhile, SDOP Kunwar Singh Mukati clarified that insulting anyone based on caste or withholding food and water is a crime. He said, “Preventing someone from attending social events, considering them untouchable, or imposing punishments like bathing in the Ganges and serving them a feast is a punishable offense under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Every citizen has the right to live with dignity. Those who spread social hatred will not be spared.” Sarpanch Denies Allegations On the other hand, when contacted, the village sarpanch, Bhagwan Singh Patel, categorically denied the allegations. He said, “Allegations like untouchability are false. If someone is not inviting them to their events due to personal reasons, it is their personal matter.” The Sarpanch also stated that the regional MLA and State Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel had also visited the village and tried to convince the people. Teacher confesses to ‘purification’ Interestingly, Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi, the teacher who ate at the Dalit’s house, admitted that after the dispute, he had gone to his guru’s ashram in Allahabad and returned after bathing in the Sangam. He said, “I don’t believe in casteism, so I went to my friend Santosh’s house to eat. Someone made a video and made it viral, which escalated the controversy. I bathed in the Ganga on the orders of the Panchayat and now I have no complaints, nor am I being ostracized.” The teacher has been posted at the village secondary school for the past 16 years. Currently, the police and administration are trying to get to the bottom of this matter to uncover the truth. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Why villagers in this Rajasthan village were agitated over the suspicious death of a Dalit youth, protesting for two days.
The family and the administration reached an agreement on a post-mortem. The administration assured an impartial investigation within two days, and Bhim Army leaders Rajendra Singh Dhandhal and Mangilal Meghvanshi ended the protest on Thursday. Jalore – The suspicious death of Chetan Kumar, a 23-year-old Dalit youth, in Kaleti village of Bagoda tehsil in Jalore district, Rajasthan, has shaken the entire area. Chetan’s body, who had gone to guard his fields, was found hanging from a tree, but the family claims it is a case of murder, not suicide. Signs such as his feet touching the ground, the position of the rope, and nearby wires have made the death mysterious. The family flatly refused to have a post-mortem conducted by a local medical board and insisted on calling a district-level team. The protest, villagers gathering, and administrative activity outside the Bagoda Community Health Center (CSC) mortuary continued until Thursday afternoon, but now there are reports of a compromise. Why did this incident spark a stir? Went out to guard the field at night, body found in the morning Everything seemed normal on Tuesday night. Chetan Kumar (23), son of Sanwalaram, was a resident of Kaleti village. He worked as a laborer on the farm of local farmer Lala Ram Chaudhary, where he was tending to the pomegranate crop. After dinner, Chetan left to guard the field. But around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, the farm owner, Lala Ram, informed the family that Chetan had committed suicide. Upon hearing this news, the family was devastated. Family members Madanram (30), Tikaram, Tekaram, Bijlaram, Tolaram, and mother Manjudevi immediately rushed to the scene. The scene left everyone stunned. Chetan’s body was hanging from a tree. A rope was tied around his neck, but his feet were touching the ground. According to the family, only the neck was visible, suggesting murder rather than suicide. Madanram immediately took photographs and videotaped the scene, which clearly showed three wires lying nearby, touching the body. A heavy weight (bot) had also fallen to the ground, where the body had previously been empty. The family says, “He seemed to be breathing, so we cut the rope and brought him down. But this isn’t suicide; someone has tried to disguise it as a murder.” Social activist Bhanwar Meghvanshi told The Mooknayak that the Bagoda police arrived at the scene and prepared a panchnama. The body was kept in the mortuary, but the postmortem process was halted. The family demanded a district-level medical team because they lacked trust in the local authorities. Madanram said, “Prima facie, it doesn’t appear to be a suicide. A thorough investigation should be conducted.” He belongs to the Meghwal community, and the incident sparked outrage among the Dalit community. Hundreds of villagers gathered outside the CSC mortuary. Women, children, and the elderly were all shouting, and a sit-in began, which lasted two days. Bhim Army leaders Rajendra Singh Dhandal and Mangilal Meghvanshi also arrived at the scene. They said, “This isn’t just a death, it’s a symbol of the community’s suffering. The administration should conduct an impartial investigation, otherwise there will be a protest.” According to the family, Chetan had no financial difficulties or mental problems. “He was the support of the family, why would he commit suicide?” They suspect someone else may have been involved in the murder. The wires and weights seen in the video further strengthened this suspicion. Bagoda Police Station Officer Baldev Ram stated that a postmortem report has been filed under Section 194 BNSS (investigation into the cause of death) based on the family’s complaint. An investigation has begun into all aspects, including the possibility of murder. The police formed a three-member medical board, consisting of district-level doctors. Assistant Sub-Inspector Narsiram and other teams were constantly counseling the family. Tensions were at their peak until Thursday afternoon. After several hours of persuasion, a consensus was reached between the family and the administration. The district medical board approved a postmortem. The administration assured a fair investigation within two days, after which Bhim Army leaders Rajendra Singh Dhandal and Mangilal Meghvanshi ended their protest. The body will be handed over to the family for last rites. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News