‘Questions don’t stop with batons’: Rahul Gandhi attacks Bihar govt over BPSC protests
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday waded into Bihar’s escalating BPSC row, questioning the Samrat Choudhary-led government over allegations of exam irregularities and paper leaks. He referred to the police crackdown on protesting students, saying, “questions don’t stop with batons.” His statement came a day after a clash broke out between students and police in Bihar’s capital, with police using water cannons and barricades to stop the protesters from marching. Rahul described it as a “straightforward” question on behalf of Bihar’s students and posted on X: “Why the irregularities in recruitment exams? Why no action on allegations of paper leaks? And how long will this tampering with the future of the youth continue?” He then targeted the long-standing BJP-JD(U)-led government in Bihar, saying, “The controversy over BPSC exams is not of today. Students have been on the streets for a long time over the recruitment process, exam pattern, delays, and transparency.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The Lok Sabha leader of opposition also referred to the use of an AK-47 by a security personnel during an earlier student protest in Bihar, which coincided with student protests in Delhi and across the country over NEET fiasco. “But instead of answering, what is the government doing? It’s wielding batons and water cannons. It’s taking students into custody. In Siwan, there was even firing with an AK 47 on protesters,” the former Congress chief said. He added in his post: “This is not just a question of police action. This is a question of the mindset of that BJP government, which has no answers – and that’s why it’s turning the police into a weapon to evade accountability.” “The BJP government should understand this – questions don’t stop with batons. You can’t snatch away someone’s future by instilling fear,” the Rae Bareli added. Bihar students had marched towards Raj Bhavan and chief minister Samrat Choudhary’s residence to stage a “gherao”, but faced police barricading and some of them were detained in Patna. 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
Three LPG cylinders, free bus travel for women, transgenders – what CM Vijay announced in TN assembly
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday announced a set of welfare measures in the state Assembly, including three free cooking gas cylinders a year for eligible beneficiaries and an expansion of the fare-free bus travel scheme for women. Under the cooking gas scheme, the amount for the three cylinders will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. Vijay announced the launch of the Vetri Payanam scheme, expanding the existing fare-free bus travel programme for women across the state. Under the scheme, women will be allowed to travel free of charge on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas. For inter-district travel, the benefit will cover ordinary-fare government buses in mofussil and hilly areas. The scheme will come into effect from October 2, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Vijay said there would be no income ceiling or restriction on the number of trips under the programme. Transgender persons will also be eligible for free travel. “No riders like income ceiling or number of trips for women to avail fare-free bus travel,” Vijay added. Vijay had earlier outlined several welfare measures in his election manifesto, including six free LPG cylinders a year for every family, up to 200 units of free electricity, a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women below the age of 60, and family health coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh. 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
The United Nations Committee expressed serious concern over the rights of Dalits and Adivasis in India, stating this on police brutality and hate crimes.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee has expressed concern over alleged violence against Dalits, Adivasis, and minority communities in India and has demanded an immediate and impartial investigation from the government. New Delhi: The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed deep concern over alleged extrajudicial killings, torture, and police abuse against Dalits, Adivasis, and minority communities in India. The global body has appealed to the Indian government to conduct a thorough investigation into these cases and ensure legal action against those responsible. It has also called for immediate action to address cases of hate crimes, racial profiling, and forced deportation. History According to findings released by the Committee, there have been reports of widespread violations of the rights of marginalized ethnic and racial groups, particularly Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Dalits, and non-citizens, by law enforcement agencies. These violations include serious incidents such as racial violence, excessive use of force, arbitrary and prolonged detention, torture, and sexual violence. This committee, comprised of 18 independent human rights experts, monitors compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Convention) in 182 member countries. This convention entered into force in 1969 and requires member countries to commit to eliminating racial discrimination, eliminating segregationist practices, and ensuring equality before the law. It is noteworthy that this is the first time India has participated in the review process before the committee since 2007. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta led the Indian delegation at this review meeting. The global committee also expressed concern over campaigns targeting Rohingya, Bengali-speaking Muslims, migrants, and refugees. According to the report, identity checks and racial profiling have led to an increase in cases of arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment without due process of law. The committee urged the prevention of forced deportations and mass expulsions of persons in need of international protection. Discrimination and Identity Relations Although the recommendations of this UN Committee are not legally binding, they are considered to have considerable diplomatic and moral significance internationally. On the other hand, the Permanent Mission of India clarified that during the review, the Indian delegation strongly presented the country’s rich diversity, pluralism, constitutional safeguards, and legal framework. The Indian side underlined that the country is fully committed to ensuring equality, dignity, and opportunity for all its citizens. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Honor Killing’ in Tamil Nadu: A 23-year-old Dalit youth died due to the gap between wealth and poverty, TVK leader accused
An ‘honor killing’ case in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu: A ruling party leader is accused of brutally murdering a 23-year-old Dalit youth due to economic inequality. Tamil Nadu: A heartbreaking incident has occurred in Chengalpattu district. A 23-year-old Dalit youth was brutally murdered on suspicion of honor killing. This horrific incident has shocked the entire area. The deceased youth was Praveen, a resident of Kelambakkam, Chengalpattu. On the night of August 16th, Praveen was attacked with sharp-edged weapons by assailants. He was seriously injured in the violent incident. He was subsequently admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, where he succumbed to his injuries on August 20th. The police acted swiftly and arrested four of the accused in the murder. They were identified as Manikandan, Ezhumalai, Nandish, and Gautam. All were remanded to judicial custody on August 17th. The administration and police are currently searching for the fifth absconding accused. According to several media reports, the main accused, Ezhumalai, is a member of the ruling Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). It is reported that Ezhumalai’s daughter, Aswathy, and Praveen were in a love affair. Satish Kumar, a neighbor of the deceased, stated that Praveen and Ezhumalai both belonged to the Scheduled Caste (Adi Dravidar) community. However, Praveen’s family was financially weak, and this perceived poverty-wealth gap was the primary reason for the murder. Caste and Identity Groups This attack was not a random incident. Aswathy’s family had previously threatened Praveen with death several times. According to neighbor Satish, a relative of Aswathi once came to Praveen’s house armed with a weapon. He tried to attack Praveen with a knife and left, screaming and shouting threats. Not only this, Praveen was also brutally assaulted about six months ago. At that time, Ezhumalai and other accused tied Praveen with ropes and beat him severely. However, fearing the dispute, Praveen’s family decided not to file a police complaint at that time. It is alleged that this brutal murder was carried out as part of a well-planned conspiracy. One of the accused, Manikandan, had befriended Praveen about three months earlier. On the day of the murder, August 16, Praveen had gone to meet Manikandan. He was abducted in a car, taken to another location, and fatally attacked. This incident has once again intensified the demand for stricter laws against honor killings in the state. Anti-caste activists report shocking statistics. In Tamil Nadu alone, 59 cases of honor killings were reported between January and March 2026. Activists believe that the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is insufficient to address such cases. Social activists say that not only caste superiority, but also class, religion, and gender identity play a significant role in honor killings. As in Praveen’s case, when both the killer and the victim belong to the same Dalit community, enforcing the SC/ST Act becomes legally difficult. Furthermore, activists point out that Christian or Muslim Dalits are also not protected under this law because they are not recognized as Scheduled Castes. People and Society Anti-caste activist and author Shalin Maria Lawrence has expressed deep concern over this incident. She argues that honor killings within Dalit communities are mostly based on economic status or class. She emphasizes the need to understand these attacks from the perspective of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s concept of “graded inequality.” Discrimination and Identity Relations He wrote on the social media platform ‘X’ that Praveen’s murder demonstrates how caste, class, and patriarchy intersect even within oppressed communities. Two people may belong to the same caste, but their social or economic status may differ. In such a situation, the claim to family ‘honor’ becomes a weapon against those who try to cross these boundaries. He explained that Praveen was killed because someone felt that his family’s honor outweighed the young man’s right to live and love. This represents the most horrific manifestation of the deeply ingrained inequality and cruelty in society. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man attempts suicide, alleges caste-based harassment
Kanpur: A 30-year-old Dalit man allegedly attempted suicide in Gram Nyauri village under the Maharajpur police station area on Tuesday morning, accusing a few villagers of harassment and alleging police inaction despite repeated complaints. The man, identified as Shyam Sundar Kori, allegedly attempted to hang himself from a railing at his house using a noose. According to police, Shyam had earlier submitted a complaint to the SC/ST Commission, levelling serious allegations against several people, including the village head. Shyam alleged that he was being harassed for getting the Kali Maa temple in the village renovated and for refusing to perform unpaid labour for certain individuals. He further alleged that an attempt was made on his life on Nov 22, 2025. He claimed that when he approached the local police station to lodge a complaint, he was arrested, assaulted and challaned instead. In his complaint, Shyam stated that if any untoward incident were to happen to him or his family, the accused persons should be held responsible. ACP Ghatampur Krishnakant Yadav said, “An FIR has been registered at Sen Paschim Para police station on the basis of a written complaint against the village head and his associates. Further legal proceedings are underway.” 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
Dalit youth beaten in Govardhan temple: Beaten with sticks upon entering Shiva temple
A Dalit youth and his companion were allegedly beaten with sticks upon entering a Shiva temple in Ading village, Govardhan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, during a program organized at a Shiva temple. It is alleged that they were beaten with sticks upon entering the temple. The victims allege that the temple operator and his associates baselessly accused them of desecrating the temple. They were subjected to casteist slurs and brutally beaten with sticks. The victims claim that the local police, under political pressure, are colluding with the accused instead of taking action against them. Despite video evidence of the assault, no action is being taken by the police. After the video of the incident surfaced, the victim’s family directly approached the office of the SSP, Mathura, seeking justice. The victims have appealed for strict action and the registration of an FIR against five named accused, including Kanhaiya Thakur and Vipin, and five to seven unidentified accused. Raju | Son (Govardhan), Courtesy: Hindi News
Allahabad High Court refuses to allow hijab in schools, says uniform rules must be followed
The petitioner argued that wearing a hijab was linked to her religious belief. Wearing it granted her fundamental rights such as privacy, personal liberty, and freedom of speech. LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court, on Monday, refused to allow students to wear hijab in schools. The court said that following the school uniform rules was mandatory as it helped promote a sense of equality among children and also gave the school its own identity. The High Court said uniforms helped maintain an environment free from religious discrimination. Therefore, no student could insist on changing the dress code prescribed by the school. “Permission to wear a hijab on an individual basis cannot be granted. This would be against the very concept of a uniform. It would shift the authority to determine school discipline from the institution to individual students,” observed the court. A division bench, comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Inderjeet Singh, made those remarks while dismissing the petition of a minor student, Sukaina Rizvi, who had sought permission to attend classes wearing a hijab along with the school’s prescribed dress code. Petitioner Sukaina Rizvi is an 11th-grade student at Tagore Public School in Attarsuiya, Prayagraj. She filed a petition in the High Court through her mother. The student argued that she had been attending school wearing a hijab from classes 6 to 10, and no objections were ever raised. The student also attached her old identity card and a group photo from the school with the petition. The student stated that she now wanted to attend school in the 11th grade wearing a hijab, but was not being granted permission. “We also complained to the DM, upon which the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) sought a report. The school principal clarified that this is an educational institution where there is a uniform dress code for all students. Granting a special exemption to one student would disrupt the school’s system,” the petitioner told the court. The petitioner argued that wearing a hijab was linked to her religious belief. Wearing it granted her fundamental rights such as privacy, personal liberty, and freedom of speech. In such a situation, the school should be directed not to stop her from wearing a hijab. The court said: “Only the school administration has the complete right to decide the dress code.” The court stated that as long as the school’s dress code for all children was framed with the right intent and did not discriminate against anyone, the school administration had the absolute right to decide what the dress would be. The bench added that even if the school had previously allowed the scarf (hijab), it did not mean that it had become a permanent right of the students forever. The school administration was free to change its rules. It was not compelled to continue with old exemptions, observed the bench. The court stated: “Wearing hijab is not an essential part of the Islamic religion. Wherever this issue has been raised, the High Court’s opinion has been consistent that wearing a headscarf (hijab) for women is not an essential part of the Islamic religion.” It is not as if the religion would be in danger without it, or that a woman would be excluded from the religion if she did not wear it. No facts or evidence had been presented to prove this either, said the court. In its verdict, the Allahabad High Court referred to an old judgment of the Kerala, Bombay, and Karnataka High Courts. In the case of ‘Fatima Tasneem vs State of Kerala’, the court had stated that while on the one hand, a student had the right to wear clothes of their choice, on the other hand, a school or institution had the right to enforce its own rules and regulations. It added that when there was a conflict or dispute between these two rights, the larger interest and discipline of the institution would be given more importance than individual preference. The court stated that the school was not imposing any restrictions on the student’s faith, but was merely expecting adherence to institutional discipline and uniforms. Following this, the court dismissed the petition. 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
Telangana Congress working chief Jagga Reddy questions Modi’s 2015 visit to Pakistan
Jagga Reddy urged people, students and intellectuals in Telangana to question the reasons for the Centre blocking the chief minister’s US visit. HYDERABAD: Defending Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his proposed US visit, Congress working president T Jayaprakash Reddy, alias Jagga Reddy, on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pakistan to attend former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s birthday celebrations. Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Jagga Reddy alleged that the BJP-led Union government had obstructed Revanth’s US tour and questioned why he had been allowed to travel to London but prevented from visiting the US. Responding to BJP MP Eatala Rajender’s criticism that Revanth was seeking to meet people allegedly opposed to India, Jagga Reddy questioned Modi’s Pakistan visit. “Modi is the prime minister and is under a strict security protocol. Even when he travels from his bedroom to his office, security checks are conducted. How did he go to Pakistan without prior information? The prime minister should first explain why he went to an enemy country and then speak about Revanth Reddy,” he said. Add as a preferred source on Google Jagga Reddy urged people, students and intellectuals in Telangana to question the reasons for the Centre blocking the chief minister’s US visit. On reports of an “August crisis” in the Telangana Congress, Jagga Reddy said there was no crisis in either the party or the government. “There is no August crisis in the Congress. It is a TDP issue. The chief minister here is from the Congress and there is no doubt about the Congress government,” he said. He said Revanth remained committed to Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and had maintained a “neutral” and “balanced” position. 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
Rahul Gandhi’s Letter to Fadnavis Sparks Fresh BJP-Cong Clash Over Tribal Students
Nagpur: A fresh political confrontation erupted in Maharashtra on Tuesday after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking his intervention in the grievances of tribal students protesting over hostel rules and facilities. The protests are underway in Nagpur and Pune. Tribal Development minister Ashok Uike hit back, accusing Gandhi of arriving late to the issue and alleging that Congress functionaries had failed to brief him about developments. Gandhi wrote to Fadnavis on Monday after meeting tribal students during his ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction in Pune. He said students from across Maharashtra had been on hunger strike for more than 10 days and urged CM to meet their representatives and resolve their grievances immediately. Uike, however, disputed Gandhi’s account. In a post on X, he said the tribal students from Nagpur and Pune had withdrawn their hunger strike before Gandhi’s visit. “Rahulji, you always arrive late!” he wrote, accusing Gandhi of holding a “paid PR programme”. He said govt has raised the age limit for hostel intake to 30 years in response to students’ demands. In his letter, Gandhi said many tribal students from remote villages depend on govt hostels to pursue higher education in cities. He criticised the revised age limit of 30 years for hostel accommodation, saying it could exclude students still completing their studies or preparing for competitive examinations. Govt had initially fixed the age limit at 26 through an Aug 4 GR before revising it to 30 on Aug 14 following protests. Students, however, are demanding withdrawal of the provision. Gandhi also highlighted complaints about inadequate food, sanitation and medical facilities in hostels, as well as reports of injuries and deaths linked to snakebites. His strongest criticism concerned an alleged requirement for female students returning after an extended absence to undergo pregnancy and other medical tests. “I was shocked to learn that female students returning after an extended absence must undergo pregnancy tests and a range of other medical tests, to prove their ‘fitness’,” Gandhi said in the letter, describing the alleged practice as “an attack on their dignity and their humanity.” He stressed that the protesters were “not asking for charity” but demanding what they considered their rightful entitlements, and asked Fadnavis to meet them personally. Uike rejected Gandhi’s allegation regarding pregnancy tests. “The talk of pregnancy testing is completely false; no such test exists,” he said, adding that students returning after a month-long absence were asked for a fitness certificate concerning their health. The minister further sought to turn the criticism back on Congress, referring to complaints from tribal residential schools and alleging that some facilities were associated with former Congress functionaries. “Several hostels are run by Congress people, from where complaints have been received. We will make sure that all the complaints are thoroughly investigated and anyone found guilty will be dealt with the strictest action,” 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
‘They opposed Ambedkar’s Constitution, wanted Manusmriti’: Owaisi targets RSS, BJP
NEW DELHI: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has launched a sharp attack on the RSS and BJP over the Manusmriti, questioning their commitment to the Indian Constitution. He accused them of historically favouring the ancient text over the document adopted by the country. Owaisi made the remarks during his address at the Jalsa-e-Rahmatul-lil-Alameen at Darussalam .n Hyderabad on the occasion of the 1501st Eid Milad-un-Nabi. He targeted the RSS over its reported opposition to the Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar and contrasted the organisation’s position with that of Muslim freedom fighters during British rule. “I am asking those associated with the RSS about Manusmriti. Is it not true that on November 26, 1949, we adopted the Constitution? Yet, four days later, on November 30, a mouthpiece of the RSS published a complaint against it, stating that it wasn’t a constitution at all and that it should have been the Manusmriti. They had issues with the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Owaisi said. The AIMIM chief also attacked Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, referring to his correspondence with the British during his imprisonment in the Andaman cellular jail. “Savarkar was in support of Manusmriti. While he was in Andaman jail, he was writing letters to the British, saying, ‘I am with you, please release me.’ But what were we doing? Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi was also in jail; he endured hardships but never wrote a ‘love letter’ to the British. Instead, he issued a fatwa for Jihad against them. Even today, his grave stands in the Andaman as a testament,” he asserted. Owaisi further sought to highlight the role of Muslim figures in India’s freedom struggle. He claimed that the first prisoner sent to the Andaman Islands was Maulvi Alauddin, the Imam of Hyderabad’s Mecca Masjid. “Listen, BJP and RSS people, who was the first prisoner in Andaman? It was not your father, grandfather, or ancestor. It was Hyderabad’s Maulvi Alauddin, the Imam of Mecca Masjid. He was the first prisoner,” Owaisi told the gathering. His remarks come amid an intensifying political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over the Manusmriti and its place in India’s social and constitutional discourse. The BJP has recently targeted Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi over his criticism of the Manusmriti. It accused Rahul of making statements that undermine India’s traditions, cultural heritage and democratic institutions. Several BJP leaders, including chief ministers, have alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s remarks sought to “belittle” India’s civilisational values. At an event titled ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ in Pune, Rahul Gandhi criticised a passage attributed to the Manusmriti concerning women’s independence. “This is a direct quote from the Manusmriti, and these words are a shame, because these words should never ever have been spoken,” Gandhi said after quoting the passage: “In childhood, a female belongs to her father. In youth, she belongs to her husband. When her lord is dead, she belongs to her sons. A woman must never be independent.” Rahul also called for an end to patriarchal structures, telling female students that the country needs to “smash the prevailing patriarchy” to achieve genuine empowerment for women. The exchange has brought the Manusmriti back into the centre of a wider political debate over constitutional values, social equality and competing interpretations of India’s cultural and political history. 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