Toe party line on Adani: High command to Kerala CM
Party leaders reportedly told V D Satheesan to align the state’s stand with the Congress’ national position on the Adani Group and protect Kerala’s interests. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a setback for Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the Congress high command has taken a dim view of the controversy over the proposed transfer of a stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL) to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) without the state government’s approval. According to Congress sources, a high command representative conveyed the party’s displeasure to the chief minister two days ago and reminded him that the state’s handling of the issue must be in line with the Congress’ national stand on the Adani Group. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly accused the Adani Group of monopolising key sectors of the economy through the political patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The high command is learnt to have told the chief minister that the concession agreement signed during the Oommen Chandy government’s tenure was designed to safeguard the state’s interests. Any dilution of those safeguards would be unacceptable, it reportedly said, urging the government not to yield to pressure from the Adani Group. The leadership also recalled allegations that corporate funding had been used to engineer defections of opposition legislators to the BJP, sources said. It was the high command’s intervention that prompted Satheesan to harden his stand on the proposed share transfer on Thursday evening, Congress leaders said. “His response to questions and a submission in the assembly a day earlier lacked bite. He described MSC as the world’s largest container shipping company and even remarked that the issue had not generated much public interest,” a Congress MLA said. However, leaders close to the chief minister dismissed the claim as a “witch hunt” aimed at undermining his credibility. Honeymoon Destination Manali Tourism Himachal Pradesh Travel GuideиTravel Nfx They pointed out that Satheesan had assured the assembly that the government would not compromise the state’s interests. Sources said the high command was also suprised by Satheesan’s claim that the government learnt of the proposed stake transfer only through recent newspaper reports, pointing out that details of the Adani Group-MSC deal had long been in the public domain. “A leading financial daily carried a detailed report on the proposed stake transfer on June 1,” a Congress leader said. The government’s claim of being unaware of the developments failed to convince the party leadership, which is learnt to have advised it to tread cautiously. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal’s remarks on the controversy are being seen within the party as an indirect signal of the high command’s disapproval of the state government’s handling of the issue. Speaking to reporters, Venugopal asked whether Adani had become a “super government” and whether Kerala was being run by the BJP. “Things do not happen here simply because Adani wants them to,” he said. The controversy has also revived discussions within the Congress over Satheesan’s chartered flight to Mangaluru on the eve of the assembly election results, when the race for the chief minister’s post was at its peak. Satheesan has since declined to answer questions about his alleged meeting with an Adani Group official and NDA MLAs. Though several Congress leaders had flagged the controversial trip to the high command, it chose not to pursue the matter then as the party had just returned to power in the state after a decade in the opposition. Meanwhile, Satheesan said on Friday that the state government would seek legal opinion and an expert review of the Adani Group’s proposal to transfer shares in the port’s operating company. He said the government would not rush a decision on approving the deal. 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
Electoral democracy faces gravest threats from Modi-Shah regime: Congress
KC Venugopal raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and other poll-related issues. The Congress on Friday alleged that electoral democracy in India is facing the “gravest of threats” under the present government and called on the Supreme Court to take urgent steps to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. In a post on X, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal shared a letter sent by 23 opposition parties and an Independent MP to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and other poll-related issues. “Electoral democracy in our country faces the gravest of threats from the Modi-Shah regime,” Venugopal said in his post while releasing a copy of the letter. Electoral democracy in our country faces the gravest of threats from the Modi-Shah regime. On 28th June, 23 Opposition Parties along with an Independent MP wrote to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India on the flawed SIR process, the partisan role of the Election Commission of… pic.twitter.com/GGP4tW9Yxg He said the letter, submitted on June 28, flagged issues relating to the “flawed SIR process”, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India and other election-related concerns. “It is the role of our judiciary to guard our democracy from the excesses of the executive – especially one which is hell-bent on destroying the Constitutional framework that gives us our democracy. “In our democracy, the Supreme Court is entrusted with the onerous responsibility of ensuring injustice doesn’t prevail. Therefore, it has a vital role to play in protecting the free and fair nature of elections, and also to make sure that they seen to be free and fair. Without this, injustice against 1.4 billion voters persists every single day,” he said in his post. “We are releasing this letter, in the interest of transparency, and in the hope that the Hon’ble Supreme Court will take the firm steps urgently required to restore the integrity and accoutability of and faith in the election process of crores of our people,” Venugopal said. 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
Quarry owners told to pay compensation: CM Shivakumar
Strict legal action, including filing of FIRs, will be initiated if rules and regulations are violated by those operating the quarry, the CM, who visited the injured in the hospital later in the day. BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the state government will initiate action in the quarry boulder collapse case in which seven workers died, after receiving a report from its officials. Compensation will be given to the families of the victims based on the report, he told reporters here. Shivakumar said that an investigation is on to know if the quarry was being run legally and following safety norms. Police and officials from the Department of Mines and Geology have visited the quarry. Preliminary investigations revealed that the boulder collapse was not caused by a blast, he said. Shivakumar said the quarry operators have been directed to pay compensation to the families of the victims. Responding to Yeshwanthpur MLA ST Somashekar’s allegation that a leopard died in a blast in the quarry sometime ago and it was hushed up without a proper investigation, Shivakumar said the MLA had brought the matter to the government’s attention. “I will comment only after I receive the report,’’ he said, adding that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future. Strict legal action, including filing of FIRs, will be initiated if rules and regulations are violated by those operating the quarry, the CM, who visited the injured in the hospital later in the day, said. 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
Transgender group, family clash over train seats at Old Delhi Railway Station
NEW DELHI: A quarrel between a group of transgender persons and a family over seats in a general coach at Old Delhi Railway Station has gone viral on social media, prompting authorities to take note of the incident. The altercation occurred around 11.30pm on June 30 at Platform 16, where both parties were waiting to board the Brahmaputra Mail with general tickets. Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables Vicky and Chandrakant, who were on patrol duty, intervened, dispersed the crowd and pacified both sides. The family was advised to lodge a complaint but declined and instead boarded the train in another coach. Officials said no PCR call was made and no formal complaint was filed. 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 family attacked with sticks and rods while sleeping in Tikamgarh; one person dead, several injured
A Dalit family was attacked in Kanchanpur village, Tikamgarh. A man named Ghanshyam Prajapati was killed in the attack, and other family members were injured. Tikamgarh: A deadly attack on a Dalit family in Kanchanpur village, under the Mohangarh police station area of the district, late Wednesday night, sent shockwaves through the area. Around two dozen people attacked the family sleeping in their home with sticks, rods, and axes. One person killed The head of the family, Ghanshyam Prajapati (approximately 60 years old), died on the spot, while his wife, son, and grandson were seriously injured. All the injured have been admitted to the District Hospital, Tikamgarh, for treatment. Attack while sleeping According to reports, Ghanshyam Prajapati was sleeping with his family when some villagers, allegedly armed with weapons, arrived and suddenly attacked them. It is alleged that the attackers attacked Ghanshyam Prajapati with sticks and rods, killing him on the spot. His wife, son, and grandson were attacked with axes and sticks, leaving them seriously injured. Police Arrived at the Scene Upon receiving information about the incident, Mohangarh police arrived at the scene and the injured were immediately sent to the district hospital. Police inspected the scene and began an investigation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been involved in a land dispute with some villagers. Furthermore, the deceased had filed a complaint with the Chief Minister’s Helpline against an alleged quack in the area. It is reported that the accused and the doctor belong to the same family. An ongoing land dispute The entire incident takes place in Mohangarh village of Tikamgarh district The accused murdered Ghanshyam Prajapati Other family members were injured in the attack Tikamgarh police are investigating the matter Police are investigating Mohangarh police station in-charge Ankit Dubey stated that the matter is being investigated and a case is being registered based on the statements of the family members. Meanwhile, Sagar Range IG Mithilesh Shukla has directed Tikamgarh police to take immediate action. In view of the tense situation in the village following the incident, additional police forces have been deployed, and the search for the accused is ongoing. Authored by: Muneshwar Kumar •Reported by: Narendra Arajaria About the author Muneshwar Kumar is the Principal Digital Content Producer (Chief Correspondent) at Navbharat Times Online. He covers Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and also covers political news in other states. Courtesy: Hindi News
27 Dalit families, inspired by Kabir’s equality, established ‘Kabir Basti’ in Jaisalmer 65 years ago, but basic rights remain unfulfilled.
Kabir Basti holds the distinction of being not only the first Gramdani village in Jaisalmer district but also in Rajasthan. This village still boasts remarkable achievements in 100% literacy and women’s education. Many people from this settlement of approximately 200 families are employed in various government services. Jaisalmer – Kabir Basti in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, which embodies Saint Kabirdas’s message of labor, equality, self-reliance, and social harmony, is struggling today despite its historical identity and lacks basic amenities. This village, once known as ‘Gandhi’s Thana’ and proud to be Rajasthan’s first Gramdani village, is awaiting the revival of drinking water, roads, irrigation, and the Khadi industry. With the support of freedom fighters Manikyalal Verma, Gokul Bhai Bhatt, Siddharaj Dhadda, Ganga Singh Mohta, and local social workers Bhagwandas Maheshwari, Govardhan Kalla, Lalchand Joshi, Tarachand Jagani, and Satyadev Vyas, Dalit activists Amolkaram, Chandaram, and Khushalaram envisioned a self-sufficient, ideal village based on khadi. Toward this end, the foundation of Kabir Basti was laid on March 3, 1961, by settling 27 Meghwal families from Parewar village. At that time, the goal was to provide housing, water, agriculture, and employment to every family. Kabir Basti quickly became an important center for khadi production. The Kabir Basti Khadi Producer Cooperative Society, established here, provided employment to approximately 250 weavers and 5,000 spinners from 11 villages. Annual woolen khadi production worth approximately 30 lakh rupees and sales of 35 to 37 lakh rupees became the village’s hallmark. Pattu, Hirawal, Bardi, Chunari, and ladies’ shawls produced here were exported nationwide. But today, this glorious tradition is almost extinct, and the Khadi industry awaits revival. South Asians and Diaspora Kabir Basti’s achievements attracted national attention. On August 10, 1985, the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, visited the village and highlighted its unique identity by calling it “Gandhi’s Thana.” Several MPs and national-level representatives had also visited the village before. This village is also notable for 100% literacy and women’s education. Many people from this settlement of approximately 200 families are employed in government services. Family The village’s biggest problem is water and infrastructure. Efforts to implement lift irrigation and khadi-based agriculture have not achieved the desired success. Drinking water is a constant problem during the summer. Villagers also report that a pipeline for industrial use passes through the area, but the village has not received the expected benefits. Heavy vehicles damaged roads, and local residents did not receive adequate compensation. Villagers have been awaiting solutions to these issues for a long time. The Incomplete Story of Development During a visit to Kabir Basti in 2020, villagers shared several long-pending demands. Their key expectations included granting Kabir Basti Gram Panchayat status, providing a permanent agricultural base by connecting it to a canal distributary, providing working capital to the Khadi Committee, a Khadi sales center in Jaisalmer city, a community health center, a modern Khadi and Village Industries Training Center, an RO plant, sewerage, playgrounds, stadiums, and tree plantation projects, expanding inhabited land, constructing ponds and canals, and expanding road and mobile network coverage. Villagers say that most of these demands remain unfulfilled. Geographical Context The village’s biggest problem is water and infrastructure. Efforts to implement lift irrigation and khadin-based agriculture have failed to achieve the desired success, and a drinking water crisis persists during the summer. Villagers allege that a pipeline for industrial use passed through the area, but the village did not receive the expected benefits. Heavy vehicles damaged roads, and local residents did not receive adequate compensation. Villagers say that Kabir Jayanti is not only an occasion to remember the saint’s couplets, but also a day to put his ideals into practice. They have appealed to the government, administration, public representatives, and society to work together to develop Kabir Basti to its full glory. Only then will this settlement named after Kabir truly be meaningful. Dr. Deepak Acharya The author is a retired officer from the post of Joint Director of the Rajasthan Information and Public Relations Department and has a deep interest in Indian culture and literature. Courtesy: Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: Two lovers fall victim to casteism, Dalit youth’s death sparks uproar; family relents on promise of government job and compensation
Serious allegations leveled against girlfriend’s family, anger calmed after administration’s firm assurances and compensation New Delhi: Peace talks finally succeeded on Wednesday in the case of a Dalit youth who committed suicide in Tarangambadi, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. The youth’s family agreed to take his body after authorities accepted several key demands. These demands include a government job for a family member, compensation, and strict legal action against the accused. The peace meeting was held at the Tarangambadi taluk office under the leadership of the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Sirkali. Relatives of the deceased youth and representatives of various social movements were present. The family insisted that a murder case be filed against those who assaulted 19-year-old Parthiban. However, authorities rejected this demand, stating that the investigation into the case would proceed only based on available evidence. To calm the situation, the administration has accepted several key conditions from the family. The post-mortem will now be conducted in the presence of doctors nominated by the family, and the entire process will be videographed for transparency. A copy of the post-mortem report will also be compulsorily provided to the family. Furthermore, the administration has assured the family of a compensation amount, free land as compensation, and a government job for one member. The police have also assured that all the accused involved in the earlier attack on Parthiban will be arrested soon. 19-year-old Parthiban, a resident of Puthupalayam, had been in a love affair with a 17-year-old minor girl from Sathangudi for the past two years. It is alleged that the girl’s family was strongly opposed to the relationship due to caste differences and had been continuously protesting. The matter escalated when Parthiban went to the Poraiyar police station on Monday night and filed an official complaint. In the complaint, he alleged that the girl’s family had brutally assaulted him and hurled casteist abuses at him. The very next day, on Tuesday morning, the lovers were found hanging from a noose in a shed near the girl’s home. As news of these deaths spread, tensions rose in the area. Angry relatives of Parthiban vandalized the girl’s home and launched a violent protest. They directly alleged that caste discrimination and harassment were the primary cause of both deaths. Due to this anger, the family initially refused to have the bodies autopsied, but they eventually relented after concrete assurances from officials. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Student Assaulted and Robbed in Saharanpur: Allegations of Casteist Remarks, Family Seeks SSP’s Help
A Dalit student was assaulted, robbed, and subjected to casteist remarks in Deoband, Saharanpur. The victim’s father filed a complaint with the SSP on Thursday afternoon, demanding strict action by filing a case against the accused. The family alleges that the local police neither took timely action against the accused nor provided immediate medical attention to the injured student. Narendra Kumar, a resident of Gandhi Colony, stated in a petition to the SSP that his son, Shiva, is a Class 10 student at Guru Ram Rai Inter College. Due to his financial difficulties, he drives a battery-powered rickshaw in the evenings to support his studies. It is alleged that on the night of June 30th, between 9:30 and 10:00 pm, Shiva was returning from dropping a passenger at the railway station when some people stopped him near the station. Abused and beaten with kicks and punches According to the complaint, the youths near the railway station abused the student, used casteist slurs, and kicked and punched him. The attackers are also accused of snatching 3,000 rupees from Shiva’s pocket for school course payments and the cash earned by driving a rickshaw throughout the day. Hearing the noise, people present at the scene somehow rescued the student from the clutches of the accused. The victim’s family says that when they arrived at the scene after receiving information, the accused also misbehaved with them. Upon informing the police, they arrived, but it is alleged that the accused used casteist slurs and openly threatened them even in front of them. The complaint claims that the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed nearby. The victim’s mother, Pooja, stated that her son, along with studying, earns his tuition and textbooks through manual labor. She alleged that some people near the station are involved in hooliganism and drug trafficking. Despite filing complaints at numerous places, justice has yet to be served. In a petition to the SSP, the family has demanded the registration of a case against the accused and their arrest, the removal of illegal kiosks near the railway station, action against the drug trade, and an impartial investigation of the entire matter. Tariq Siddiqui | Saharanpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit cook of anganwadi alleges discrimination
Rourkela: An anganwadi centre at Dewanpali village in Bargarh district’s Jharbandh block was reopened on Thursday, a day after some villagers locked it over the appointment of a dalit woman cook (pachika). The cook, Padmini Jagat, complained on Wednesday that some villagers are campaigning against accepting her cooked food, eggs and chaatua as she is a dalit. “After discussing with the villagers, the issue has been sorted out today and the anganwadi centre has been opened,” said Sushma Patel, CDPO, Jharbandh block. Among those present were IIC, Jharband police station, Sanjay Parida; tehsildar, Jharbandh, Alekha Ghuta; and welfare extension officer, Jharbandh, Sunil Bhoi. Padmini has been working at the anganwadi centre since two months. She alleged that parents were asked not to send their children to the anganwadi centre and she was also pressurised to resign from the post of cook. Her father, Abadhuta Jagat, alleged that he was pressurised to tell his daughter to quit. 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 Elections: Where did Chirag Paswan get the energy to contest the UP elections? Understand the mathematics of Dalit politics.
UP Elections: The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has decided to contest the upcoming UP Assembly elections. Party national president Chirag Paswan himself has stated that he is preparing to field candidates in the UP elections. Meanwhile, party MP and UP in-charge Arun Kumar Bharti has been tasked with recharging the organization in UP and making all preparations for the elections. Let’s try to understand why Chirag Paswan wants to enter Uttar Pradesh politics. Lucknow/Patna: Following the JDU, the LJP (R) has also decided to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) national president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that he is preparing to field candidates for his party in the 2027 UP elections. He explained that MP Arun Bharti is overseeing all the responsibilities, including ensuring the party performs well in UP and recharging the organization. Speaking to reporters at Patna airport recently, Chirag Paswan said, “Our MPs, MLAs, and leaders are working on expanding the organization in Uttar Pradesh. A decision on the election strategy will be taken at the right time.” Jamui MP Arun Bharti said that the number of seats the LJP (RV) will contest will be decided at the time of the elections. He added, “But our preparations are underway for all 403 seats. The ‘green scarf’ (RJD) of Bihar is the red cap (SP) of Uttar Pradesh, where the Dalit population understands well how they have been sold the dream of the sun on a bicycle (election symbol). They are now joining forces with Chirag Paswan. We are uniting the Dalit community in Uttar Pradesh.” Chirag Paswan’s party is primarily considered a party of the Paswan caste. Even in Bihar, he practices caste-based politics, claiming a 5 to 6 percent vote share. As far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned, the Paswan caste’s vote share is very low. Whatever it does have is scattered across various districts. Political parties themselves claim that the Paswan (Dusadh) community has a population of only around 2.3 lakh in Uttar Pradesh. In terms of caste strength, this represents less than 0.1% of Uttar Pradesh’s total population. People of the Paswan caste are settled in the Purvanchal districts of Uttar Pradesh, such as Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Ballia, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Gorakhpur, and Mau. Here, they also have Scheduled Caste status, just like in Bihar. Why does Chirag want to bring his party to Uttar Pradesh? Since 2014, Mayawati, the most prominent Dalit leader in Uttar Pradesh politics, has weakened. Her party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, is fighting for its survival. Consequently, the space for a strong and universally accepted Dalit leader appears vacant not only in Uttar Pradesh but also at the national level. In such a situation, Chirag Paswan is trying to establish himself as an alternative for that position. This is why Chirag’s party has been fielding candidates in Jharkhand, Punjab, and the Northeast states. It’s worth noting that between 1995 and 2000, Chirag Paswan’s father, Ram Vilas Paswan, became a prominent Dalit leader at the national level. In the Lok Sabha, Ram Vilas Paswan spoke for Dalits not only in Bihar but across the country. It is believed that Chirag Paswan also believes that now that he has become a Union Minister, he should move beyond acceptance within the Paswan community to acceptance as a leader of the entire Dalit community. Written by: Abhishek Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News