Rahul Gandhi on South America tour: Congress leader reaches Columbia; set to interact with students, political leaders
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, as a part of his South America tour. He is set to interact with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community. Congress shared a video of his arrival, in which, he could be seen interacting with several people. “Today, LoP Shri @RahulGandhi reached Bogota, Colombia. He is on a tour of South America, where he is scheduled to engage with political leaders, university students, and members of the business community across four countries,” the post said. — INCIndia (@INCIndia) Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed the tour saying that he is “building a global alliance” to “fight the Indian state and Indian democracy!” “Rahul Gandhi goes on yet another foreign visit! Rahul Gandhi departs to South America! Wonder who will be the next anti-India element that Rahul will meet behind closed doors! Rahul wants to fight the Indian state and Indian democracy! He is building a global alliance for it. George Soros, his mentor, might be directing him! In the past, he has asked for foreign interference in Indian democracy, met anti-India elements like Ilhan Omar, and even got the endorsement of Khalistani terrorist Pannu,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said. “Note the timing: Just after his ideological anarchist Sonam Wangchuk has been arrested under the NSA, Rahul Gandhi has departed!” he added. — pradip103 (@pradip103) 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
PM Modi’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ post: Congress takes ‘3rd umpire’ jibe, says battlefield comparison not appropriate
NEW DELHI: A day after the Indian cricket team won the Asia Cup Championship, political row erupted over PM Modi’s congratulatory remarks, with Congress terming the Operation Sindoor mention “inappropriate”.Soon after the win, PM Modi posted on X last night saying, “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.” The post drew flak from Congress, with Pawan Khera writing a direct post to PM Modi saying, “Prime Minister, firstly, comparing a cricket match to a battlefield is not appropriate.” Further taking a jibe at the PM and indirectly hinting at Trump’s repeated ceasefire claims, Khera added, “Secondly, if you must make such a comparison, you need to learn from the Indian team that when you’re close to victory, good captains don’t call for a ceasefire just because a third umpire says so.” — Pawankhera (@Pawankhera) This was the latest in series of back and forth among politicians. Earlier in the day, other Congress leaders had also taken jabs at the Prime minister. “”Sometimes I doubt if PM Modi has any knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. If we played, we should have played with sportsman spirit,” Atul Londhe Patil told news agency PTI. “”If Operation Sindoor is ongoing, then we shouldn’t have played. And if discussions are ongoing to normalise the situation, then sports can be a medium to improve it, but linking everything with Operation Sindoor is not right,” Patil added. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sakpal also reacted to the Prime Minister’s post. He said: “It is clear from his tweet that, be it air, water, or sports, he brings politics into everything to polarise. We take pride in India’s victory, but we haven’t won the Asia Cup for the first time. There is a certain dignity of a country which he doesn’t maintain, and I regret this.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for linking India’s Asia Cup victory over Pakistan with Operation Sindoor, warning that tournament proceeds could be diverted to fund terror activities across the border. Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi had said that the Asia Cup games between India and Pakistan “should not have happened” in the first place, questioning why India chose to play Pakistan despite its stated “zero tolerance for terror” policy. “In the first place, this match should not have happened. The cricket match that BCCI played for the benefit of PCB… the match that took place for the revenue of the broadcasters. The 140 crore people of the country did not want this match to happen,” she added. On the other hand, BJP had also taken jabs at Congress for not making a statement on India’s win. “It seems India’s stunning win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final has left Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress in a comatose state. Just like after #OperationSindoor, when they couldn’t bring themselves to congratulate the Indian Army for its stupendous strikes, they now appear to be waiting for permission from Mohsin Naqvi and their other handlers in Pakistan before joining the nation in celebrating the Indian cricket team’s success,” said Amit Malviya. “Put that aside — not even a single social media post from Congress congratulating our national team for thrashing Pakistan thrice in the tournament and bringing the Asia Cup home. Once again, Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress find themselves on the same side of the divide,” he further added. India won the Asia Cup with the final against Pakistan on Sunday by 5 wickets. 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
Rajasthan: ABVP beats Dalit student for not attending Satish Poonia’s event; case filed under SC-ST Act
Kamal Kishore suffered a fractured finger and deep injuries to his ribs and abdomen in the attack. He is currently undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. Upon receiving news of the incident, members of Dalit organizations also reached Bhagat Ki Kothi police station to register their protest. Rajasthan: A Dalit student living in a hostel on the New Campus campus, located in the Bhagat Ki Kothi police station area of Jodhpur, has been assaulted. The victim has filed a report against former student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and others at Bhagat Ki Kothi police station. The incident occurred at the New Campus of Jai Narayan Vyas University in Jodhpur. According to reports, the student suffered severe consequences for not attending a political meeting. Students affiliated with the ABVP assaulted him. The victim has filed a complaint against the accused, which the police have filed under the SC-ST Act. Student leader Ravindra Singh Banta attacked Kamal Kishore, a resident of Jaisalmer, said that he is a final-year B.Sc. student at the New Campus of Jai Narayan Vyas University. This morning, around 10:30 a.m., while he was lying in his hostel room, students affiliated with a party entered the hostel and called everyone to welcome BJP leader Satish Poonia. During this time, many students left the hostel, but for some reason, Kamal Kishore was unable to go. Meanwhile, student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and three or four of his associates attacked Kamal Kishore. Fractured finger and deep injuries to the ribs and abdomen Kamal Kishore suffered a fractured finger and deep injuries to the ribs and abdomen in the attack. The injured Kamal Kishore is currently undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. Upon learning of the incident, members of Dalit organizations also reached Bhagat Ki Kothi police station and lodged a protest. Kamal Kishore says that he had not attended the event due to personal reasons, but was attacked with casteist slurs. A case has been registered under the SC-ST Act. The police calmed the students on the spot and, after receiving the victim’s report, began investigating the matter. Bhagat Ki Kothi police station officer Rajiv Bhadu stated that Kamal Kishore, a final-year BSc student living in the New Campus hostel of Jai Narayan Vyas University, filed a report. He accused former student leader Ravindra Singh Banta and others of assaulting him with casteist slurs. Considering the matter serious, the police have registered a case under the SC-ST Act and initiated further action. Reported by: Arun Harsh, Edited by: Iqbal Khan Courtesy: Hindi News
ETV Bharat Impact: Govt Grant Revives Durga Puja Of Dalits In Malda
For decades, the marginalised Harijan para had kept the tradition alive under a dilapidated tin shed, often bringing priests from Bihar to perform rituals. Samsi (Malda): A century-old Durga Puja of the Harijan community in Ratanpur village, Ratua Block No.1, has been revived after government funds arrived at the eleventh hour. Thanks to an ETV Bharat report highlighting the Durga Puja’s imminent closure. For decades, the marginalised Harijan para, a locality of Dalits, had kept the tradition alive under a dilapidated tin shed, often bringing priests from Bihar to perform rituals. But this year, the puja faced cancellation as donations dried up. Locals alleged they were shunned by other communities, who refused to contribute because of caste bias. On September 11, ETV Bharat reported the crisis. Within days, the administration stepped in, and the puja was brought under government grant. On Saturday, Ratua MLA Samar Mukherjee and Maltipur MLA Abdur Rahim Bakshi inaugurated the puja by handing over a cheque of Rs 1.1 lakh to the organisers. Panchayat members, police officials, and community leaders were also present. “In Bengal, no one is left behind. If Muslim families can celebrate Durga Puja in Malda, why should Harijans be deprived?” MLA Mukherjee said. The revival has sparked unprecedented enthusiasm in the village. Women have been decorating the altar daily, an unsold idol was sourced locally, and a new pandal now stands where only a shed existed before. Community members expressed gratitude both to the government and to ETV Bharat. “Earlier, no one gave us donations because we were lower caste. This time, thanks to Didi’s help, we are celebrating the biggest puja of our lives,” said Sunita Harijan, who rushed from her in-laws’ home to join the festivities. Another villager, Bibha Harijan, said, “Had the problem not been raised, the puja would have stopped forever.” Started nearly 100 years ago by Radhika Harijan, the tradition has now been restored to full glory to add dash to Bengal’s festive spirit. Courtesy : ETV Bharat Note: This news is originally published on https:/etvbharat.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Congress seeks Basavaraj Patil Yatnal’s apology for offending Dalit women
President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s SC/ST Cell R. Dharmasena sought an apology from MLA for Vijayapura Basavaraj Patil Yatnal for his statement offending Dalit women. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Dharmasena, a former MLC, said Mr. Yatnal has stated that the right to shower flowers on Goddess Chamundeshwari vested with a ‘Sanatani’ and even an ordinary Dalit woman has no right to shower flowers on the Goddess. Mr. Yatnal’s statement was in the context of State government inviting International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to launch this year’s Mysuru Dasara in Mysuru. “When there was a lot of criticism over his statement, Mr. Yatnal gave a rejoinder that his statement was wrongly interpreted and that he wanted Dalit woman to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara,” Mr. Dharmasena said. He said that Mr. Yatnal should apologise for his statement, which has hurt many Dalits. If he fails to do, then the SC/ST cell will stage protests at all public functions that will be attended by Mr. Yatnal. Raghava M 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
Dalit student assaulted at Jodhpur University hostel; ABVP leader among accused
Jodhpur: A Dalit student at Jai Narayan Vyas University’s New Campus in Jodhpur was allegedly assaulted inside the university hostel, with an ABVP leader named among the accused. Police have registered a case under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim, Kamal Kishore, a final-year B.Sc student from Jaisalmer, alleged that the attack occurred after he chose not to attend a welcome event for BJP leader Satish Poonia. While many students participated, Kishore remained in his hostel room. According to his complaint, ABVP leader Ravindra Singh Banta and three to four associates forcibly entered the hostel and physically attacked him, hurling casteist slurs. Kishore sustained a finger fracture and serious injuries around his ribs and stomach. He is undergoing treatment at Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur. The incident sparked protests by Dalit organizations, who gathered at Bhagat Ki Kothi police station demanding strict action. Station officer Rajeev Bhadu confirmed that the case has been registered and that investigations are underway. Courtesy : Vartha Bharati Note: This news is originally published on https:/varthabharati.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
India Must Rethink School Curriculum to Uphold Transgender Rights
The classroom is India’s first frontier in the fight for transgender dignity The Supreme Court’s recent notice on a PIL advocating transgender-inclusive sexuality education has highlighted the need to make education more gender-sensitive and inclusive. The transgender community faces social stigma and exclusion in all aspects of life: social, economic, and political. Therefore, a school curriculum which includes transgender issues can help raise awareness, and, thereby, enable their integration in society. This apex court’s landmark judgment in the National Legal Services Authority v Union of India in 2014 recognised the rights of transgender persons in India to a ‘self-identified gender’, asserting their equality and prohibiting all forms of discrimination against them. The court issued directions to the Union government to ‘take steps to create public awareness’, and ‘take measures to regain their respect and place in society’, including their access to reservations in public education and employment. The court referred to the Yogyakarta Principles (2006), which recognise the need to provide education to eliminate prejudicial or discriminatory attitudes or behaviours pertaining to gender identity or gender expression. Endorsed by UN bodies and regional human rights bodies, these principles have been adopted by national courts in other countries such as Nepal. The Yogyakarta principles were used to provide legal recognition to same sex marriages. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which followed this judgment, provides for ‘inclusive education’ where transgender students learn together with other students without fear of discrimination, neglect, harassment, or intimidation. Inclusive education can, however, only be met if schools are safe spaces, with other children and teachers aware and supportive of transgender children. Transgender inclusive sexuality education can provide such awareness to teachers, children, and administrative staff, thus enabling inclusive schools. While the draft National Education Policy (NEP) had mentioned that sex education would be included in secondary school on issues of consent, harassment, respect for women, safety, family planning, and STD prevention, the final NEP removed sex education altogether. The PIL points to the lack of structured or examinable content on gender identity, gender diversity, and the distinction between sex and gender in the NCERT and SCERT curricula. The Supreme Court has asserted the need for sex education in the 2024 judgment of the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action & Anr. v. Union of India. It referred to a decision of the European Court of Human Rights, which asserted young people’s right to sex education on the grounds that sex education is meant to prevent sexual violence and exploitation of children, and to prepare them for social realities. There is evidence on the positive impacts of including such education in the regular school curriculum. A study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) school students in the United States between Grades 6 and 12, aged 13 to 21, revealed that the majority (68.4%) were not taught topics on LGBT, while 31.6% had discussed LGBT-related topics. More than half of these students reported positive discussions on LGBT topics in courses on History, Social Studies, English, and Health, with the rest reporting negative discussions. Students with LGBT-inclusive curriculum as compared to those without such curriculum, were less likely to hear homophobic remarks, less likely to feel unsafe in school, less likely to miss school, and less than half as likely to have experienced higher levels of victimisation, compared to students in schools without an inclusive curriculum. This reveals the positive impact of a curriculum that includes LGBT-related issues in a positive manner, thus enabling better acceptance of all sexual minorities, including transgender persons. Given these benefits of including transgender-specific education not just in sexuality education but also in the general curriculum, this PIL, if successful, can begin the process of change through education and positively impact the lives of an extremely marginalised community in India. Kaveri Haritas Kaveri Haritas is professor, BITS Law School, Mumbai. (Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.) Courtesy : DH
‘If Operation Sindoor was ongoing … ‘: Congress slams PM Modi’s post after India’s Asia Cup win; row over playing match
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “linking” of India’s Asia Cup win with Operation Sindoor.”Sometimes I doubt if PM Modi has any knowledge of foreign policy and diplomacy. If we played, we should have played with sportsman spirit,” Congress leader Atul Londhe Patil told news agency PTI. His remarks came after PM Modi, following Team India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, posted on X: “Operation Sindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers.” Patil added, “If Operation Sindoor is ongoing, then we shouldn’t have played. And if discussions are ongoing to normalise the situation, then sports can be a medium to improve it, but linking everything with Operation Sindoor is not right…” — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sakpal also reacted to the Prime Minister’s post. “It is clear from his tweet that, be it air, water, or sports, he brings politics into everything to polarise. We take pride in India’s victory, but we haven’t won the Asia Cup for the first time. There is a certain dignity of a country which he doesn’t maintain, and I regret this,” Sakpal said. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) India secured its second T20I Asia Cup title, and ninth overall including ODI editions, after chasing down 147 runs against Pakistan in the final in Dubai on Sunday. Tilak Varma scored an unbeaten 69 and shared crucial half-century stands with Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. However, in an unprecedented development after the match, Pakistan’s interior minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), declined to present the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team after it refused to accept the silverware from him. 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
Congress writes to home minister over ‘death threat’ to Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary K C Venugopal Sunday wrote to home minister Amit Shah drawing his attention to what he referred to as a “chilling and heinous” death threat issued to leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by Printu Mahadev – “a spokesperson of BJP” – during a televised debate. Venugopal demanded immediate, exemplary action by the state police, “so that justice is swift, visible and severe”. Venugopal said “as such, any failure by you to act swiftly, decisively and publicly will be judged as complicity – a de facto licence for the legitimisation of complicity and normalisation of violence against the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and a grave breach of your oath as the Union home minister.” Venugopal claimed Mahadev is a spokesman for BJP and made the remarks against Gandhi during a televised debate on a Malayalam channel. “In a brazen act of incitement of violence, Mahadev openly declared ‘Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest’,” Venugopal said. “That such poisonous words are uttered by an official spokesperson of the governing party not only places the life of Rahul Gandhi in immediate danger, but also undermines the Constitution, rule of law and the basic security assurances owed to every citizen – let alone the leader of opposition,” the Congress general secretary in-charge organisation said. Venugopal said CRPF, entrusted with the security of Gandhi, has written multiple letters regarding threats to his safety. “Shockingly, one such letter addressed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was leaked to the media under mysterious circumstances, raising serious questions about the intention behind doing so,” he 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
Karur stampede: Rahul Gandhi dials Vijay; offers condolences after 41 declared dead
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi dialed TVK chief actor-politician Vijay, to convey his condolences over the death of supporters in the Karur stampede, reported news agency ANI citing sources. On Sunday, the Congress leader also called Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin to express his condolences and inquire about the incident. The stampede took place during a political event in Karur organized by TVK. The death toll from Saturday night’s rally, led by actor-politician Vijay, rose to 41 by Monday. More than 60 people were hospitalized, including a two-year-old boy, the youngest among the victims. The Tamil Nadu government has formed a one man commission (Instituting a former judge) to investigate the matter. The tragic incident has raised concerns about crowd management and safety protocols. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has raised questions regarding the government’s preparedness and preventive measures. EPS sought clarity on the circumstances that led to the tragedy and questioned whether adequate safety arrangements were in place to manage the crowd at the event. The former chief minister’s remarks add to the growing discourse on accountability and the need for stringent crowd control mechanisms to avoid such incidents in the future. 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