Congress leader Shanimol Usman elected as Kerala Deputy Speaker
Shanimol, who contested for the ruling UDF, defeated CPI’s Pattambi MLA Mohammed Muhsin, who was opposition LDF’s pick for deputy speaker. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Shanimol Usman has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 16th Kerala Assembly. It’s after close to three-a-half-decades after that the assembly is getting a woman deputy speaker. The Aroor MLA was elected at the election held in the assembly on Tuesday (June 2,2026). Shanimol, who contested for the ruling UDF, defeated CPI’s Pattambi MLA Mohammed Muhsin, who was opposition LDF’s pick for deputy speaker. While Shanimol polled 99 votes, Muhsin got 34 votes. While the three BJP legislators abstained from voting, three MLAs – two from UDF and one from LDF – were absent from the House on Tuesday. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan chose not to cast his vote. 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
TMC panchayat chief found dead at home in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas
The deceased, identified as Jahidul Haque Baidya, was the chief of Jadurhati Uttar Gram Panchayat in the Baduria area. KOLKATA: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) panchayat chief was found dead at his residence in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday, police said. The deceased, identified as Jahidul Haque Baidya, was the chief of Jadurhati Uttar Gram Panchayat in the Baduria area. According to police, Baidya’s body was discovered hanging from the ceiling of a room in his house on Tuesday morning. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. An officer from Baduria police station said an investigation is under way to determine whether the death was a case of suicide or if any other circumstances were involved. The incident has caused concern in the locality, where Baidya had recently faced allegations of corruption and misappropriation of public funds. On 31 May, local residents staged a protest outside his residence, alleging that a battery-operated waste collection vehicle procured under the Swachh Bharat Mission had been sold and the proceeds misused. The protesters had demanded his arrest and called for a thorough investigation into the allegations. Police said all possible angles are being examined and further inquiries are continuing. 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
‘Saw potential in a young worker’: DK Shivakumar thanks Gandhi family ahead of Karnataka CM swearing-in
NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister-designate DK Shivakumar on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Gandhi family for playing a defining role in his political journey and vowed to continue working with sincerity and commitment to build a progressive, inclusive and prosperous state. In a post on X, Shivakumar wrote,”The Gandhi family has played a defining role in my political journey, not merely through leadership, but through the faith they placed in me at different stages of my life.” His remarks come as he is set to take oath as Karnataka’s next chief minister tomorrow after the resignation of Siddaramaiah on May 28. Reflecting on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s role in his early political career, Shivakumar said he often thinks about how Rajiv Gandhi recognised his potential when he was still a young party worker. “I often reflect on Shri Rajiv Gandhi avaru, who saw potential in a young worker even before I could see it in myself. His encouragement gave me the confidence to dream bigger and dedicate myself to public service. The greatest leaders are those who identify possibilities in others and inspire them to rise beyond their own expectations. Rajiv Gandhi did exactly that for me,” he wrote. The Karnataka Congress leader also credited former Congress president Sonia Gandhi for standing by him during difficult phases of his political journey and said she taught him an important lesson about leadership. “Smt. Sonia Gandhi avaru taught me another important lesson in leadership. True leaders do not stand by you only during moments of success; they stand beside you during your most difficult times, offering strength, encouragement and unwavering support. Her faith in me during challenging phases of my journey is something I will always cherish,” Shivakumar said. Praising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar described him as a constant source of inspiration and guidance who has motivated leaders through his commitment to democratic values and inclusive politics. “Shri Rahul Gandhi avaru has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. His willingness to listen, his conviction in democratic values, and his vision for a more inclusive and compassionate India continue to motivate leaders like me. His support has been a strong pillar throughout my public life,” he wrote. Shivakumar also acknowledged Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, saying her approachable nature and encouragement had always been deeply valued. “Smt. Priyanka Gandhi avaru has always been approachable, warm and encouraging. She has treated every worker with respect and dignity, reminding us that politics is ultimately about connecting with people and understanding their aspirations. Her guidance and encouragement have always been deeply valued,” he said. “As someone who began as a grassroots worker and has been entrusted today with the responsibility of leading Karnataka, I remain profoundly grateful for their trust and encouragement. Under their leadership and with the blessings of the people of Karnataka, I will continue to work with sincerity and commitment to build a progressive, inclusive and prosperous Karnataka that reflects the values we collectively stand for,” he added. Shivakumar is scheduled to take oath as Karnataka chief minister on Wednesday at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan. Karnataka Congress working president G C Chandrashekhar recently confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony would be held in a simple manner. 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
Indecent remarks against Dalit woman chairperson: Women protest, demand action
In Shivgarh, Rae Bareli, a case of indecent remarks against a Dalit woman chairperson of the Nagar Panchayat has surfaced. There has been widespread outrage in the area over this incident. The Nagar Panchayat chairperson, councilors, and women protested and filed a complaint at the police station, demanding legal action. Former MLA Ramlal Akela strongly condemned the remarks at a press conference held in the Nagar Panchayat auditorium, Shivgarh. In the presence of Chairperson Suman Gautam, councilors, and women, he stated that women have been given equal status in the BJP. Calling the publicly elected Dalit woman chairperson Suman Gautam a “maid” is an insult not only to her but to all voters and residents of the Nagar Panchayat. He also strongly condemned the insults directed at former MLC Raja Rakesh Pratap Singh on social media. During the press conference, everyone present in the auditorium raised their hands in support of filing an FIR. The angry women, led by Chairperson Suman Gautam, protested, demanding strict action against the culprits from the administration. Councilors Anil Kumar, Kripa Shankar, Santosh Kumari, Mamta Verma, Arvind Kumar, Kalavati, Pushpa, Shivdevi, and Tinu Chandra, along with many others, were present. Amit Srivastava | Shivgarh Bhawanigarh (Maharajganj), Rae Bareli Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman’s land grab attempt: Violent men brutally beat her for protesting in Chitrakoot
A Dalit woman was attacked in Chitrakoot district for protesting against illegal land grabbing. The incident occurred in Dhobi Purwa, a hamlet of Kalwara Buzurg village in the Pahadi police station area. According to the victim, Anju, some people were attempting to forcibly occupy her land by dumping soil on it at around 12 a.m. last night. When the woman resisted to protect her land, they allegedly attacked her. Anju alleged that the attackers brutally beat her with sticks and an axe. She said she was strangled and beaten until she lost consciousness. The victim also alleged that the attackers tore her clothes, used casteist slurs, and snatched a mangalsutra worth approximately 25,000 rupees from her neck. Upon receiving information about the incident, police and an ambulance arrived at the scene. The injured woman was admitted to the Pahadi Community Health Center. The victim alleges that despite a case being filed against the accused under serious sections and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/ST) Act, they have been released. The woman’s husband lives abroad, and she is alone at home with her two young children. Anju says the accused are constantly threatening to kill her, leaving her entire family terrified. She has appealed to the Superintendent of Police of Chitrakoot for justice and protection. Police stated that the investigation has been completed and presented to the court. The case is currently pending in court. Jitendra Kumar | Chitrakoot Courtesy: Hindi News
Kerala Govt Assures Land, Houses for Dalit Families Facing Eviction in Ernakulam
Satheesan said the dispute was a private case and that eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier in compliance with court directives Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Tuesday assured that seven Dalit families facing eviction in Pariyathukavu in Ernakulam district following a court verdict would not be left homeless, promising them alternative land and houses. Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Congress MLA V P Sajeendran in the assembly, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government would stand by the affected families under all circumstances. “I assure this House that the government will not abandon these families for any reason,” he said. Satheesan said the dispute was a private case and that eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier in compliance with court directives. “The eviction process was initiated for the 15th time the day after our government assumed office. We intervened in the matter immediately,” he said. The Chief Minister said Higher Education Minister Roji M John, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, had visited the area and the government secured two weeks’ time from the High Court for further proceedings. He said the minister and the local MLA were making efforts to resolve the issue amicably. “The families have been informed that the government is prepared to provide them land and construct houses for them, and they have agreed to the proposal,” Satheesan said. Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar also said the government was making all possible efforts to find a solution to the issue. When Sajeendran raised concerns over cases registered in connection with protests against the eviction proceedings, the CM said the government would seriously examine the possibility of withdrawing them. Senior CPI(M) leader K N Balagopal alleged that although eviction proceedings had been carried out 14 times earlier, police action against protesters occurred only during the 15th attempt after the UDF government came to power. State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala rejected the allegation, asserting that the police had not resorted to any excesses during the eviction process. The Pariyathukavu case relates to a long-standing land dispute near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district, where several Dalit families have been residing for decades on land claimed by private parties. A court has ordered their eviction based on ownership claims, triggering demands for rehabilitation and political debate over the issue. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit girl was given a Taliban-style punishment on suspicion of shoplifting. She was first dragged around by her hair, then tied to a tree and beaten.
UP Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A video from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, is going viral. A Dalit girl was dragged around by her hair and then tied to a tree and beaten to death on suspicion of theft. Deoria Dalit Girl Beaten Video: A sensational incident has emerged from Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. In Mishrauli village, under the Tarkulwa police station area, a Dalit girl was tied to a tree and brutally beaten on suspicion of theft. The video of the entire incident is rapidly going viral on social media. Following this, the police took immediate action, registered a case against the accused, and later arrested him. However, Inkhabar.com cannot confirm the viral video. The story is about Harikesh Gupta, son of Ram Ishwar, a resident of Mishrauli village, who runs a grocery store and accused the Dalit girl of stealing from the shop. Then, on Sunday, after capturing the girl, the accused allegedly grabbed her hair and paraded her around the village. Unsatisfied, he tied her to a tree and began beating her. Bystanders filmed the entire incident, which is now rapidly going viral on social media. After the video surfaced, police arrived at the scene and rescued the girl. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant sections and arrested him. Two youths tied to a tree and beaten in Pratapgarh A similar incident had previously surfaced in Pratapgarh. Villagers chased three youths, who were allegedly out to steal. However, one of the youths escaped while firing a weapon. The villagers caught the remaining two youths, tied them to a tree, and beat them. Police arrived at the scene after receiving information and detained both youths. While the villagers were claiming the case was a case of theft, they were still investigating the case. On the other hand, the police are saying this incident is related to a love affair. In this case too, a video of the young men being tied to a tree and beaten is going viral. By: Sohail Rahman Courtesy: Hindi News
2,700-year-old ‘Munivahana Seva’ replicated in Tirupati to promote caste equity
Government teachers carry a Dalit colleague into a Tirupati temple, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode linked to the Sri Vaishnavite saint Tiruppan Alwar Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi national president Mahesh Degala carrying a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, on Monday. | Photo Credit: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar A government teacher carried a Dalit colleague on his shoulders into the Lalitha Peetham temple at Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, re-enacting a 2,700-year-old episode to make a point on caste equity. Mahesh Degala, founder-president of the Hindu Upadhyaya Samithi, led the move. The colleague on his shoulders was Munaswamy Nagarajan, a Dalit teacher who is also the State president of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, and the act drew cheers from fellow teachers and the public. 2,700 years ago The act was a re-enactment of an event believed to have taken place 2,700 years ago at the Srirangam temple, involving Tiruppan Alwar, a Dalit among the 12 Sri Vaishnavite saints, and a temple priest, Lokasaranga Muni. TTD effects changes in Srivani darshan tickets quota According to the account, the Alwar stood before the temple in a trance, singing hymns in praise of Lord Ranganatha. The priest pushed him away for obstructing his path into the temple, causing him bleeding injuries. When the deity of Lord Ranganatha inside the sanctum sanctorum was also found bleeding, the shocked priest rushed out, apologised to the Alwar and carried him on his shoulder into the temple. Tirupati-Raxaul Express launches weekly service Replicating this event, Mr. Mahesh carried a Dalit teacher, Munaswamy Nagarajan, who is also the state President of the Samithi’s SC/ST Reservation Protection wing, on his shoulders and entered the temple, amid cheers from fellow teachers and general public. Referring to the purpose behind the re-enactment, Mr. Mahesh called it an attempt to correct what he termed the distorted perspective attributed to Sanatana Dharma by “pseudo-secular” forces. Govindaraja Swamy’s chariot procession marks Tirupati Brhamotsavams “The Varna system (hierarchy by profession) mentioned in our ancient scriptures is different from the caste system in vogue today. We, the teachers, have a responsibility to present the correct picture to the society,” he said. Later, the members sat together for a community lunch. A.D. Rangarajan 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
21 seers meet Satish, push for OBC-Dalit representation in new Karnataka cabinet
The delegation is also understood to have assured support for efforts aimed at securing greater representation for Backward Class legislators in the cabinet and in the allocation of key portfolios. BELAGAVI: AMID intensifying speculation over the appointment of a new KPCC president and an impending cabinet reshuffle, senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi on Monday found himself at the centre of a significant socio-political mobilisation, as a delegation of 21 seers representing Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and various backward communities met him in Bengaluru and discussed issues of political representation within the Congress. The meeting, held at Jarkiholi’s official residence, assumes political significance at a time when the Congress high command in consultation with caretaker CM Siddaramaiah and CM-in-waiting DK Shivakumar in New Delhi is believed to be weighing crucial organisational and government-level changes following the leadership transition in the state. The delegation included seers associated with the Bovi community, Valmiki Peetha, Kuruba and Madivala communities, among others. Sources said the discussions focused on ensuring greater representation for backward classes, Dalits and tribal communities in both party organisation and cabinet. Sources said the seers strongly advocated that the next KPCC president should come from a backward community and conveyed their view that Jarkiholi, one of the Congress’ most influential OBC leaders, was a deserving candidate. The delegation is also understood to have assured support for efforts aimed at securing greater representation for Backward Class legislators in the cabinet and in the allocation of key portfolios.With the Congress preparing for a new political phase under Shivakumar, the question of balancing caste equations in both the government and the party organisation has assumed heightened importance. 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
NCSC issues notice to revenue dept over non-execution of Panchami land circular
Panchami land records should be on the notice boards of the taluk office and VAO offices, but these haven’t been done so far. MADURAI: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) on Monday issued a notice to the Secretary of the government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, for non-implementation of its 2004 circular for the identification of Panchami land during jamabandi proceedings. Dalit Liberation Movement President S Karuppaiah said the then director of NCSC, Kannegi Packianathan, issued a circular to all district collectors to identify the private individuals occupying Panchami land or Adi Dravidar land, and deputy tahsildars can take appropriate action against them under the SC/ST Act. But the important circular hasn’t been implemented for the past 22 years. He also said that all panchami land records, including the survey number and land segment of the village, should be on the notice boards of the taluk office and VAO offices, but these haven’t been done so far. Speaking to TNIE, Dr S Ravivarman, Director of NCSC, said the lack of implementation is a complete surprise. Revenue officials can determine whether the individual occupying the land is its legitimate owner or an encroacher. If it turns out that the land in question is panchami land and occupied by an encroacher, swift action could have been taken against them. He also added that he has requested senior officials to organise orientation programmes for the department since the jamabandi process is set to commence in all districts within a few weeks. 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