Two transgender persons from Bangladesh living illegally in north-west Delhi held
Delhi police on Wednesday apprehended two transgender persons from Bangladesh living illegally in north-west Delhi’s Mahindra Park and were involved in “objectionable” activities. The deportation process has been initiated for the infiltrators, said police on Wednesday. Stating that they have launched an operation to identify illegal immigrants in the locality, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North West) Bhisham Singh said, “On October 15, we received information regarding the movement of suspected Bangladeshi nationals near the New Subzi Mandi area. Acting on actionable intelligence, we conducted raids and found two suspicious persons.” According to the police, the suspects admitted to their Bangladeshi origin during interrogation and presented their Bangladeshi identity cards and birth certificates. “Interrogation revealed that they had homes in the Khulna and Barguna districts of Bangladesh. They had been communicating with their family members via the IMO application, which is banned in India,” the DCP added. Police also seized their smartphones, which contained call logs to Bangladesh and photographs of Bangladeshi documents in their phone galleries. The deportation process has been initiated in coordination with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, the police said. 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
Bid to stem rot in INDIA bloc as Congress leaders Gehlot, Allavaru meet RJD’s Lalu, Tejashwi
Patna: Amid the prevailing stalemate over seat sharing and the projection of the CM face in the opposition INDIA bloc, senior Congress leaders Ashok Gehlot and Krishna Allavaru, the in charge of the party in Bihar, met RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Wednesday. Although it was not known what transpired during the meeting, informed sources said they discussed resolving the tensions quickly. They are also working on a strategy to project Tejashwi as the opposition’s CM face, which has been a major issue of conflict between the RJD and Congress, they said. The Congress has, so far, refrained from naming the Yadav scion as the CM face, although Tejashwi projected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the prime minister face for the next Lok Sabha polls. Internal conflicts, confusions and and a lack of coordination among the INDIA bloc partners had made headlines, prompting the top leadership to intervene and resolve the tension before it spoiled the opposition’s show, sources said. Talking to a section of media, Dipankar Bhattacharya, general secretary of the CPI(ML) — an ally — said he was hopeful that “Tejashwi’s name as the opposition’s CM face could be officially announced at the INDIA bloc’s joint press conference on Thursday”. “Entire Bihar knows that Tejashwi will be the CM if the INDIA bloc gets the majority. Tejashwi becoming the CM is as right as Nitish Kumar not becoming the CM again,” he said. Emerging from the meeting with Lalu and Tejashwi, Gehlot refused to comment on the issue, claiming all confusions would be resolved at the Thursday media conference. “Our meeting with Lalu was highly positive. The INDIA bloc is fully united and contesting the elections with strength. Tomorrow, the full situation will be clarified at the presser,” Gehlot said. He rejected the friendly fight in the INDIA bloc as an issue, saying such things are normal. “Bihar wants a change, and people understand that the victory of the INDIA alliance is in the interest of the state as well as country,” he said. Gehlot, who was accompanied by Allavaru — largely blamed by a section of the party leaders in the state for messing things up — insisted that the Congress was serious about the assembly polls. Earlier in the day, Tejashwi rejected any controversy in the opposition alliance. “There is no controversy and confusion in the INDIA bloc … Will talk tomorrow (Thursday) … You will get answers to every question,” Tejashwi said. Unity in the INDIA bloc appeared to hit a roadblock when the allies were found announcing their own list of candidates without considering the interests of other partners, and secretly handing party symbols to their candidates. The opposition leaders were last seen together at the launch of the ‘Ati Pichhda EBC Sankalp Patra’ in Patna on Sept 24. The launch was attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party MP Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani among others. Prior to that, they were found travelling together during the fortnight-long Voter Adhikar Yatra launched by Rahul, which passed through some 25 districts. But the momentum built up after the yatra apparently broke, with chaos, confusion and tension in the opposition camp. 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
‘Voting will be done on Rahul’s picture’: Rift in Mahagathbandhan? Pappu Yadav hits out over Tejashwi-only poster
NEW DELHI: Independent MP Pappu Yadav on Thursday once again expressed his discontent over Tejashwi Yadav being considered as the potential chief ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan, despite having supported the alliance. He firmly said, “voting will be done on Rahul Gandhi’s picture.” His remarks come ahead of a key Mahagathbandhan press conference, in which RJD, the largest constituent, is supported by the Congress. The venue, Maurya Hotel in Patna, featured posters solely of RJD scion Tejashwi Yadav, fuelling speculation that he may be declared the alliance’s CM candidate. Pappu Yadav has repeatedly voiced his reluctance to endorse Tejashwi as the face of the opposition bloc challenging long-serving Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Speaking to ANI, he criticised the alliance’s posters for not featuring Rahul Gandhi, saying, “Voting will be done on Rahul Gandhi’s picture only and not on anyone else’s picture… Pictures of all three leaders of the alliance should have been there. This is not right, and it will not send the right message… We can win Bihar only on the face of Rahul Gandhi. We have not other way to win here…” He also extended an olive branch to Nitish Kumar, alleging, “BJP is stabbing him from behind.” He added, “BJP is finishing him. Our leaders have always respected him. He is being stabbed from behind, but we have a lot of respect for him…” Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi avoided answering a media question on Mahagathbandhan’s possible CM face in Bihar, highlighting the tension — or as some call it, “friendly fights” — between the Mahagathbandhan’s two largest parties, RJD and Congress. The discussion over Tejashwi’s name has intensified ahead of the Mahagathbandhan’s official declaration. Bihar is scheduled for two-phase polling on November 6 and November 11, with counting set for November 14. 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
Bihar elections: No Rahul Gandhi on banner! Row erupts over Tejashwi-only poster; Congress downplays rift talk
NEW DELHI: The absence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s picture from the poster at the Mahagathbandhan’s joint press conference in Patna has stirred controversy. The banner, which has gone viral on social media, prominently features only RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. This press conference marks the first gathering of Mahagathbandhan leaders amid speculations over seat-sharing arrangements among the INDIA bloc constituents for the upcoming assembly polls. BJP mocks ‘Mahagathbandhan’ press conference The BJP has seized the opportunity to mock the Mahagathbandhan, pointing out the absence of Rahul Gandhi’s photo from the alliance’s press meet poster in Patna. During this event, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is expected to be named the chief ministerial candidate. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to X to comment, “Joint PC? But only one picture. Rahul Gandhi & Congress ka ‘samman chori’. Showed Congress & Rahul his place?” “So it’s not just “Samman” Respect chori that Congress is grappling with (Tejaswi pic on joint pc poster and rahul gandhi deleted) Now Ticket chori allegations hit Congress especially key team of Rahul Gandhi,” he added. Internal rifts out in open? Speaking about Tejashwi Yadav’s photo in the poster at the venue of Mahagathbandhan PC, Independent MP Pappu Yadav says, “Voting will be done on Rahul Gandhi’s picture only and not on anyone else’s picture… Pictures of all three leaders of the alliance should have been there. This is not right, and it will not send the right message… We can win Bihar only on the face of Rahul Gandhi. We have not other way to win here…” Congress downplays rift allegations Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera dismissed claims of internal discord within the alliance, labeling the uproar over the poster as an “irrelevant issue.” He stated, “Let the opposition say whatever they want to say, but there was never a clash between us (Mahagathbandhan)… Is this a relevant issue? Does this issue make any sense to the youth of Bihar?” Khera emphasized that the alliance is focused on contesting elections based on issues rather than appearances. The upcoming Bihar election is set to witness a high-voltage battle between the NDA and INDIA bloc. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes the Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani’s Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). 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 shocker: Dalit man forced to ‘clean temple floor with tongue’; accused booked
LUCKNOW: A 60-year-old Dalit man in Lucknow has alleged that he was humiliated and forced to lick the floor of a temple after being accused of defiling it. The man, identified as Rampal, said he was sitting inside the Sheetla Mata temple in the city’s Kakori area when he accidentally spilled some water. The spill, he said, was mistaken for urine by another man, who allegedly began shouting casteist abuses. Police said the accused, identified as Swami Kant — also known as Pammu — is the son of a local resident, Shiv Dayal. Rampal alleged that the accused forced him to lick the liquid and “clean the floor with his tongue.” In his complaint to the Kakori police, Rampal, who suffers from a respiratory ailment and works as a daily wager, said the man hurled caste slurs at him, using derogatory language about his Dalit identity. The accused has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “The accused has been booked and further investigation is underway. The incident is being taken very seriously,” said Satish Chandra Rathore, Station House Officer of Kakori police station. “The victim’s statement has been recorded and legal action is being initiated.” Human rights groups have condemned the incident, describing it as a disturbing reminder of caste-based discrimination that continues to plague parts of India. Rampal said he remains deeply shaken. “I just want justice so that no one else faces such humiliation,” he told police. 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
Lucknow: Dalit elder forced to lick urine, SP leaders meet victim, Chandra Shekhar says anti-Dalit mentality
An elderly Dalit man was forced to lick his own urine at a Lucknow temple. Police have arrested one of the accused in this case. The matter has now escalated and is becoming politically charged. Samajwadi Party leaders have met with the victim, Rampal. The case of an elderly Dalit man being forced to drink his own urine in Kakori, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is gaining momentum. This incident occurred at the Sheetla Mata Temple complex in Kakori. The victim, Rampal, admitted that out of fear, he initially claimed it was water, but he had actually urinated. He was then forced to lick it and was threatened. After the incident came to light, a Samajwadi Party delegation led by MP RK Chaudhary visited the victim. A brief altercation ensued between Samajwadi Party leaders and the police at Kakori. Former MP Kaushal Kishore and Malihabad MLA Jai Devi Kaushal also visited Rampal’s family. Delegations from political parties have been visiting the victim’s family since morning. Public anger has been building up over the incident. Community members have been gathering outside the temple premises since morning. The incident occurred on Diwali night. The accused, Swami Kant alias Pammu, is the brother of the temple manager. Police have arrested him. The victim, Rampal, said, “I was drinking water in the temple when Swami Kant alias Pammu came and accused me of urinating. I said I hadn’t urinated; water had just fallen there. But he refused and used casteist slurs. He threatened me and forced me to lick the ground.” Coughing led to urine leakage. The victim’s grandson, Mukesh Kumar, told news agency PTI-Bhasha that his grandfather had trouble breathing. If he didn’t take medication, he might not survive. He started coughing in the temple and passed a small amount of urine. Pammu then came and started using casteist slurs against him. The grandfather was frightened and when asked to lick the urine, he licked it. He was then asked to wash the area, and he did so with water from the pond. Mukesh explained that the main temple is at least 40 meters away from the spot where his grandfather accidentally urinated. The police have filed a case against Pammy. Hatred towards Dalits is in the blood: Congress Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that someone’s mistake does not mean that they should be subjected to humiliating and inhuman punishment. The Congress party said in a post that in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker forced an elderly Dalit man to lick his own urine. The elderly man was sitting in a temple courtyard when, due to illness, he accidentally urinated. The enraged RSS worker arrived at the scene, hurling casteist slurs at him, and forced him to lick the urine. This incident is a blot on humanity. The culprits should be punished severely. This incident symbolizes the anti-Dalit mentality of the RSS-BJP. Hatred towards Dalits runs in their blood, which is why they want to abolish the Constitution and implement ‘Manuism’ in the country so that they can exploit people on the basis of caste. However, the police stated that the accused has no connection to the RSS. A naked display of anti-Dalit mentality: Azad Bhim Army chief and MP Chandra Shekhar Azad said on this matter that the RSS worker forcing Dalit elder Rampal Pasi to lick urine is not just a crime, but a naked display of the age-old anti-Dalit mentality of casteism and feudalism. This is not only a blot on humanity but also an attack on the very soul of the Constitution. Power exerts influence on the body, the poison of casteism on the soul. We demand the government immediately arrest the accused and give him the harshest punishment under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The victim Rampal Pasi should be provided government protection, respectful compensation, and medical treatment. Abhijeet Thakur Courtesy: Hindi News
A brutal attack on a four-year-old Dalit girl in Jodhpur has sparked tension, and the police are on high alert.
Jodhpur: A major incident of brutality has occurred in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, involving a four-year-old Dalit girl. The victim has been referred to a higher facility in critical condition. Upon learning of the incident, the Dalit community has been enraged, and a large number of people gathered at the hospital and began protesting. Tension has erupted in the victim’s village and surrounding areas. In response to the situation, the police have been put on high alert and are monitoring the mob’s activities. According to the police, this heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday in the Bilara police station area of Jodhpur district. A four-year-old girl was brutally assaulted. Upon learning of the incident, the victim’s family was horrified. They immediately rushed the girl, who was bleeding profusely, to Bilara Hospital. Upon learning of the incident, a large number of Dalits gathered at the Trauma Center in Bilara. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. Due to the girl’s critical condition, doctors at Bilara Hospital provided first aid and referred her to Jodhpur. News of the brutality spread rapidly throughout her village and surrounding villages. Public anger erupted, and tension spread. The police were overwhelmed by the large crowd of angry people who had gathered at Bilara Hospital. Senior police officers arrived and brought the situation under control. Demand for the arrest and death penalty for the accused The angry crowd is demanding the arrest and death penalty for the accused. In view of the crowd’s anger, the police have been put on high alert. They are trying to pacify the crowd and assuring them of the imminent arrest of the accused. However, the police are investigating the entire matter. Reported by: Chandra Shekhar Vyas Edited by: Sandeep Rathore ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sandeep Rathore Sandeep Rathore began his journalism career in 2000 with the Bhaskar Group in Jaipur. He later served as the resident editor of Rajasthan Patrika in Kota and Bhilwara. In 2017, he began a new journey with News18. Courtesy: Hindi News
SC orders dedicated toll-free helpline to address complaints under Transgender Rights Act
The apex court sets strict three-month deadline for compliance and forms advisory panel to prevent harassment and discrimination against transgender persons The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to set up a “dedicated nationwide toll-free helpline number” in coordination with the states and Union Territories to address all complaints relating to contraventions of the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act. The court launched a scathing attack on various governments for failing to prevent and act against continuing discrimination, humiliation and harassment of transgender persons across the country. “If any such information regarding the violation of the provisions of the 2019 Act and 2020 Rules, respectively, is received by the helpline, it shall immediately report such information to the Transgender Protection Cells under the charge of the District Magistrate in each District and under the Director General of Police of the State, as the case may require. This nationwide toll-free helpline number would have a wider scope than the grievance redressal mechanism envisioned under Rule 13(5) of the 2020 Rules,” the apex court said in a judgment while issuing a slew of directions to the authorities. “The Union of India and all the States respectively shall ensure that the aforesaid directions are strictly complied with within a period of three months from the date of the pronouncement of this judgment,” a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan said. The bench also formed an advisory committee headed by former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Asha Menon, as chairperson to evolve steps to prevent the harassment, humiliation and discrimination of transgender persons. “To facilitate the same, we direct the Chief Secretaries of all the States/ Union Territories to nominate a high-ranking officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment of the respective State/ Union Territory, to act as the nodal officer on behalf of the respective State/ Union Territory. We further direct all the concerned departments/ authorities of the respective State/ Union Territory to cooperate with the nodal officer concerned…,” the bench said. The court passed the direction while dealing with a writ petition filed by Jane Kaushik, a transgender woman who had challenged her termination as a teacher by two schools. The court ordered a cumulative compensation of ₹2 lakh to Kaushik to be paid equally by the Centre, the two schools and the states which failed to act against the institutions. Courtesy : The Telegraph Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetelegraph.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
9 Trans People Attempt Suicide In Mumbai Over Remarks On Spiritual Leader
All the nine people tried to die by suicide on the first floor of the non-profit’s office in Mumbai. Nine people – all of them transgenders — allegedly tried to die by suicide in Mumbai in protest against derogatory comments made by some people against their spiritual leader, Salma Khan, and the non-profit Kinnar Maa Sansthan. Mumbai-based Kinnar Maa Sansthan works for the well-being of transgender and Hijra communities across India. The police said a transgender person alleged they were hurt by the derogatory comments against their spiritual leader. All the nine people tried to die by suicide on the first floor of the non-profit’s office in Mumbai, the official said. They were taken to a hospital and later discharged after treatment. They are out of danger. The incident comes a week after 25 people from the transgender community consumed phenyl in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore. “Around 25 people from the transgender community have been admitted to our hospital. They have claimed to have consumed phenyl together, but this cannot be immediately confirmed,” Dr Basant Kumar Ningwal, Superintendent-in-Charge of the government-run Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH), told news agency PTI. A police officer said the incident may be linked to a dispute between two local groups of the transgender community. Helplines Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com TISS iCall 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Election 2025: Prashant Kishor tells the people of Bihar to beware of PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi!
Bihar Election 2025: Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has said that Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. He also made similar remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Patna: Prashant Kishor, founder of the Jan Suraj Party, has targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said that Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. Prashant Kishor alleged that Rahul Gandhi was only active in pressuring the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to gain more seats. He also said that Rahul Gandhi would come to Bihar during the elections, hold a few rallies, and then his connection with Bihar would end. Prashant Kishor claimed that Rahul Gandhi was only trying to pressure the RJD to gain a few more seats. He said, “Rahul Gandhi has nothing to do with Bihar, its development, or its problems. If he doesn’t get seats, he will sit in Delhi. He will only come during elections, hold three or four rallies, and the story of Bihar will be over for him. Come to Bihar during elections, take votes, and then leave The Jan Suraj Party founder said that the people of Bihar should be wary of leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. He alleged that these leaders come to Bihar during elections, mislead the people, take votes, and then leave. He said, “Bihar should be wary of such people, whether they are Modi or Rahul Gandhi, who come only during elections, show off, make big promises, mislead the public, take votes, and then leave. After this, Bihar and its people will suffer for five years. Your children will have to work as laborers, you will face floods, and these people will not say a word.” The main contest in the Bihar Assembly elections will be between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Grand Alliance. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal United (JDU), Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-R), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). On the other hand, the Grand Alliance of the opposition includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) led by Dipankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), and Mukesh Sahni’s Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP). Claims to be an alternative to Jan Suraj Prashant Kishore’s Jan Suraj Party has claimed to contest all 243 seats in the state. Voting for the Bihar elections will be held on November 6 and 11, respectively. The results will be declared on November 14th. Prashant Kishor’s statement has become a topic of discussion in political circles. He has attempted to establish his own identity in Bihar politics and believes that state leaders should be wary of outsiders who only engage in vote bank politics. He also stated that the Jan Suraj Party will emerge as an alternative for the people of Bihar. Authored by: Suryakant Pathak About the Author Suryakant Pathak is a consultant at Navbharat Times Online. He has been a journalist for the past 31 years. He writes news, analysis, and blogs on India’s international relations and political and social developments in the country and the world. Courtesy: Hindi News