JNU VC’s remarks on Dalits sparks criticism from legal fraternity
Senior advocate Jayaraju says such statements undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice Kurnool: Senior Advocate Y Jaya raju has sharply condemned recent remarks by Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, who stated that ‘Dalits and Blacks cannot progress by being permanently a victim or playing the victim card.’ In an interview with The Hans India on Saturday, Raju called the comments deeply disturbing, casteist, and antithetical to constitutional principles. He argued that labeling Dalit assertion as mere ‘victimhood’ trivialises the enduring realities of structural oppression faced by historically marginalized communities. Such statements, he said, undermine JNU’s cherished legacy as a bastion of academic freedom, inclusivity, pluralism, and social justice. The advocate emphasised that social justice is a core constitutional imperative, not sentiment. He invoked key provisions of Indian Constitution—guaranteeing equality (Article 14), abolishing untouchability (Article 17), and providing for affirmative action for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Articles 15, 16, 46)—as evidence of the State’s recognition of systemic injustice and its duty to implement corrective measures. He also highlighted a troubling pattern during Pandit’s tenure, including her reported opposition to UGC equity regulations aimed at curbing caste discrimination, perceived alignment with RSS-affiliated student groups, and statements perceived to downplay caste-based bias. These, he noted, have fuelled concerns among faculty and students about eroding democratic spaces, ideological bias, and inconsistent application of disciplinary norms—contrary to JNU’s tradition of robust, open debate. Drawing on BR Ambedkar’s vision, Raju stressed that constitutional morality must supersede entrenched social hierarchies. He urged the Vice-Chancellor to issue a public apology, recommit to equity policies, bolster anti-discrimination mechanisms, and ensure institutional neutrality. Raju framed the issue as transcending party politics: safeguarding Dalit dignity is integral to upholding Indian democracy itself. Failure to address such remarks, he warned, risks further eroding public trust in premier institutions. By V Narendra Kumar Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kanpur clash turns violent: Tractor dispute leaves 5 seriously injured, Dalit family’s hut burned
The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. In Sargaon village of Ghatampur, a minor disagreement over moving a tractor escalated into a violent clash between two groups. What began as a heated argument quickly turned into a physical fight involving sticks, rods, and even axes. At least five people were reported seriously injured in the incident. The attackers went further, setting fire to a hut outside the house of a Dalit family. The hut was completely destroyed, leaving the family with significant loss. The police rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident and managed to control the situation. The injured were first admitted to the community health center (CHC) in Ghatampur and later referred to a major hospital in Kanpur for advanced treatment. MLA Saroj Kuril visits victims Upon learning about the attack, Saroj Kuril, MLA of Ghatampur, visited the hospital to meet the victims and inquire about their condition. The injured told the MLA that the attack was carried out by the son of the Sargaon village head along with his associates. According to the Dalit family, the attackers used sticks, rods, and other weapons, pulling hair and physically assaulting them. The family claims that the tractor dispute was only an excuse, and the attack was premeditated. The hut being set on fire destroyed all their belongings, causing severe financial and emotional loss. MLA Saroj Kuril condemned the incident. She said she was informed while attending a wedding ceremony and immediately rushed to the hospital upon learning about the atrocities and the fire. She spoke to DCP South, Deependra Nath Chaudhary, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The MLA also instructed the officer in charge of Sajeti police station to take immediate steps. The DCP assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and the guilty would be arrested and punished. Police investigation underway The police confirmed that the case falls under the jurisdiction of Sajeti Police Station. Complaints from both parties are being recorded, and an investigation is ongoing. Initial findings suggest that the clash may be linked to an old rivalry between the groups. With inputs from Anurag Srivastav Edited By: Isha Bhandari Courtesy : India TV Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka man held for shooing away Dalit couple from temple
The accused pretended as if he was possessed by a deity, Arasamma, and drove the Dalit couple, Pankaja and Puneeth, out of the temple. TUMAKURU: Police arrested a man for allegedly ousting a newly-wed Dalit couple from a temple at Goni Tumakuru village in Turuvekere taluk. The police booked the accused Narayanappa under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Six other persons in the village who had allegedly backed the accused in practising untouchability against the couple were also booked. The accused pretended as if he was possessed by a deity, Arasamma, and drove the Dalit couple, Pankaja and Puneeth, out of the temple. A video in which the accused is seen yelling at the couple saying that Dalits are not allowed to enter the temple went viral on social media. Perform rituals elsewhere, go away, says the accused in the video. The priest was found performing the pooja while the accused created the scene. Upset by the behavior of the accused and other villagers, the younger brother of Pankaja, Jagadish, had lodged a complaint with the Turuvekere police. An FIR was filed against Narayanappa, Prabha, Kanthanna, Amulya, Puttegowda, Padma and others. Police are on the lookout for the remaining accused. Meanwhile, tahasildar NA Kunhi Ahmed and DySP Omprakash held a peace meeting involving the Dalits and other members of the village in the temple premises on Friday evening to create awareness about untouchability which is an offense. 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
AIADMK MLA’s son, Dalit leader’s daughter among new TVK joinees
Logesh was AIADMK’s candidate from Nilgiris constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, contesting against DMK’s A Raja, but failed to sceure a victory. CHENNAI: Son of former assembly speaker and AIADMK MLA P Dhanapal, Logesh Tamilselvan, was among the three who joined TVK on Saturday in the presence of actor-turned politician Vijay. Chackravarthy, grandson of civil rights activist Immanuel Sekaran, and Catherine, daughter of Dalit leader Ezhumalai, also joined the party. Logesh was AIADMK’s candidate from Nilgiris constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, contesting against DMK’s A Raja, but failed to sceure a victory. In a post on X, addressed to party cadre, Vijay named general secretary N Anand, former minister and head coordinator of the party’s executive committee KA Sengottaiyan, and general secretary for election campaign management Aadhav Arjuna as principal observers for the Assembly election. At the district level, former MLA JCD Prabhakar has been appointed for Tiruvallur; former MP Sathyabama will oversee Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, The Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Erode and Tiruppur districts; former IRS officer KG Arun Raj has been assigned Salem and Namakkal, while CTR Nirmal Kumar will monitor Madurai, Theni and Dindigul. Other functionaries have been appointed for the remaining districts. 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
Transgenders, sexual minorities should be judges: Justice Bhuyan
Hyderabad: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of the Supreme Court said on Saturday that the judiciary must be an inclusive “rainbow institution” that reflected India’s diversity, moving beyond being a bastion of a single gender or dominant communities. Delivering the keynote address on constitutional morality and the role of the district judiciary at the Telangana Judicial Academy in Hyderabad, he said he wanted to see transgenders and sexual minorities serving as judges. He recalled his tenure as Telangana Chief Justice, where he and Justice CV Bhaskar Reddy declared the Telangana Eunuchs Act unconstitutional in 2023, asserting that constitutional morality must supersede cultural prejudices. The 1919 Act ordered eunuchs to register with the authorities and provide details such as residence, for they were “reasonably suspected of kidnapping boys”. It allowed transgender people to be arrested without a warrant. Justice Bhuyan further noted that LGBT individuals had been stereotyped and prejudiced. “Constitutional morality does not permit such discrimination and must supersede cultural morality,” he told judicial officers from across the state. He emphasised that the district judiciary was the backbone of the system and the primary interface with citizens. He described Article 227 as a “shield, not a sword”, positioning the high court as a mentor rather than a mere court of appeal. He noted that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done. To illustrate societal fault lines, he cited a 2025 incident in Delhi where his daughter’s friend, a PhD student, was denied housing due to her community, and a recent protest in Odisha against a Dalit woman preparing midday meals.”This is the tip of the iceberg showing the societal fault lines that persist even after 75 years of Independence,” he said. Justice Bhuyan highlighted icons who began in trial courts, including Justices Hansraj Khanna, AM Ahmadi, and M Fathima Beevi. He made special mention of Kanya Nathan, who topped the Kerala civil judge exam despite visual impairment, following a 2025 Supreme Court ruling that impairment is not a disqualification. Finally, he urged the judiciary to address “metaphorical distance” caused by high fees and legal illiteracy, noting the common confusion between the granting of bail and acquittal. Calling Hyderabad his second home, he thanked the fraternity for their openness. Judges of the Telangana High Court, members of the Telangana Judges’ Association, and the Academy Board of Governors also participated in the event. 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
Rahul Gandhi appears before Bhiwandi court in defamation case
BHIWANDI: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi appeared before a court here on Saturday in connection with a criminal defamation case stemming from remarks made during the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign.Sources said Gandhi’s personal appearance was largely procedural and necessitated by the recent demise of his former surety, Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who had stood guarantee for his bail. With the earlier surety holder passing away last month, fresh surety formalities were required to be completed before the court. The case dates back to a public rally in Sonale village in Bhiwandi taluka during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where Gandhi allegedly stated that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was responsible for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Following the speech, RSS office-bearer Rajesh Kunte filed a private complaint under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, accusing Gandhi of defaming the organisation. Advocate Narayan Iyer, representing Gandhi, said the appearance was mandated due to the submission of a new surety. “Gandhi was required to be present as a new surety has been furnished following the demise of his earlier surety. The hearing was primarily procedural,” Iyer told TOI. On Gandhi’s behalf, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal was presented as the new surety before the court.Iyer said that after Sapkal’s surety was submitted, Gandhi signed the bond. Iyer added that the matter has reached an advanced stage. “The chief examination and cross-examination of the complainant, Rajesh Kunte, have been concluded. The trial is progressing,” he said. In view of Gandhi’s visit, Thane Police had deployed additional personnel around the court premises to manage crowds and ensure law and order. 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 vote share rising in Telangana, says Revanth
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday termed the Congress as the soul of the country and the Gandhi family as the voice of the SCs, STs, BCs and minorities. He accused the BJP of attempting to finish off the Congress and politically wipe out the Gandhi family. Addressing district Congress committee (DCC) presidents from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Revanth alleged that parties that emerged after Independence under the Constitution framed by the Congress were now calling for a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’. “The country and the Congress could not be separated,” he said, alleging that the BJP was conspiring not only to finish off the Congress and politically wipe out the Gandhi family, but also to change the Constitution and remove reservations. The TPCC organised a training programme for DCC presidents of the two Telugu states as part of the ‘Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan’ initiative of the AICC. Pradesh Congress committee presidents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, B Mahesh Kumar Goud and YS Sharmila, also addressed the DCC chiefs. “The BJP is conspiring against Rahul Gandhi and is not allowing him to speak in Parliament. Members of the Gandhi family, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, are being harassed and insulted through cases foisted against them. When Rahul Gandhi was made to vacate his official residence, he did not have a house of his own to go to and stayed with his mother,” Revanth alleged. He told the DCC presidents that the 10-day training programme was being held at a time when, he alleged, there was a conspiracy to change the Constitution and remove reservations. He urged them to use the programme to learn facts and expose what he described as BJP conspiracies against the Congress, the Gandhi family, the Constitution and reservations at the doorsteps of the people. Referring to electoral performance, Revanth said the Congress vote share was 2% higher than that of the main opposition in the 2023 assembly election results, and that it increased to 4% within six months in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He added that in the recent municipal elections in Telangana, the Congress vote share was 12% higher than that of the party that came second, attributing the performance to the hard work of party workers and the confidence reposed in the Congress govt by the people. He said 63% of BCs were elected in the recently held municipal elections and that 49.8% of BCs won sarpanch posts in panchayat elections. He added that Telangana was the first state in the country to conduct a caste survey and complete SC categorisation. Revanth appealed to DCC presidents to focus on people’s issues and stay away from lobbying for personal gains, saying there was only a merit quota in the Congress. He said DCC chiefs should work to strengthen the Congress in Andhra Pradesh and ensure that it emerged as a formidable force in the two Telugu states. Referring to YS Sharmila, he said she could have secured posts using the name of her father, former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, but was instead carving a niche for herself by working hard, fighting for the people’s welfare and strengthening the party in Andhra Pradesh. He asked the new DCC chiefs to take Sharmila and Rahul Gandhi as examples. 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
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge to address farmers’ convention in Bhopal on February 24
Bhopal: Lok Sabha LOP Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge will visit Bhopal on Tuesday to address a farmers’ convention. The Congress is organising a massive farmers’ rally to protest the recent India-US interim trade deal. The decision to oppose the deal was taken at a meeting in the AICC office. On Thursday, the US Supreme Court struck down American President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Congress argued that, if PM Narendra Modi waited for 18 days more and did not accept the interim trade deal, Indian farmers’ interests could be protected. Now Congress will protest PM Modi’s trade deal with Trump across the country, starting from Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters, state Congress President Jitu Patwari said on Saturday, “The deal signed under pressure from Trump is a betrayal of farmers. A sword was placed on the throats of our farmers cultivating soyabeans, cotton, maize and other crops to sign a trade deal of compromise. The Congress’ nationwide protest against the deal will start from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.” 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
14-Year-Old Dalit Girl Dies by Suicide in Meerut After Accused Molester’s Release From Jail
A 14-year-old Dalit girl died by suicide in Lakhimpur Kheri near Meerut. Her family alleges that she was under immense stress after the man accused of molesting her was released on bail and threatened to kill her. The Incident The teenager was found hanging from the roof of her house on Wednesday afternoon. Her parents were not at home at the time, with her father working as a farm labourer and her mother collecting firewood. When they returned from work, they discovered their daughter’s body. Speaking about the circumstances leading to his daughter’s extreme step, the victim’s father recounted the traumatic events of the past month. He explained that on January 10, his daughter had gone to a nearby field to collect fodder when the accused, identified as 25-year-old Lavlesh Kumar, dragged her into the bushes and molested her. “When she raised an alarm, the accused hurled casteist slurs and fled,” the father said. Legal Action and the Accused’s Release Following the incident, the girl returned home and informed her parents about the assault. They immediately filed a police complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report. The accused was arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, the situation took a devastating turn after Lavlesh Kumar secured bail approximately one week ago. According to the family, his release from prison marked the beginning of fresh terror for the teenage survivor. “After getting bail, Lavlesh met my daughter when she had gone out to a nearby shop and threatened to kill her if we did not take back the case,” the grieving father told reporters. Mental Trauma and the Aftermath The father described how his daughter was deeply affected by this encounter. “My daughter then told us that she was terrified and was under mental stress. But before we could do anything, she took the extreme step,” he said, his voice filled with grief and helplessness. The family maintains that the constant fear of the accused and his threats pushed the teenager to take her own life. The incident highlights the vulnerability of survivors, particularly those from marginalised communities, even after they muster the courage to report sexual crimes. Police Response and New Charges Following a fresh complaint lodged by the family, police registered a case against Lavlesh Kumar on Thursday. Circle Officer Shivam Kumar provided details about the legal action taken. An FIR has been filed under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide, and section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. “The accused was arrested and sent to jail on Friday,” Kumar confirmed. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
DSS marks 20 years of struggle for equality
Vijayawada: Dalit Sthree Sakthi (DSS), which has been championing the rights of Dalit and Adivasi women for the past two decades, celebrated its 20-year journey here on Friday with the slogan ‘Justice, Equality and Self-Respect’. Addressing the gathering, national convener Geddam Jhansi described the occasion as a milestone in DSS’s sustained efforts to achieve social, political and economic equality for Dalits and Adivasis. She said the organisation has consistently worked to protect vulnerable communities from atrocities and to ensure access to quality education for Dalit and Adivasi children. Jhansi thanked the Social Welfare Department, the PCR Department, the Directorate of Prosecutions and the media for their continued support. She also expressed gratitude to her team members for their relentless commitment. Senior IAS officers B Rajasekhar, Kaki Sunitha and Udayalakshmi, Director of Prosecutions Byra Ramakoteswara Rao, Dr Swarajya Lakshmi, Ramadevi, Dr Tabitha, AP Transco Divisional Engineer Anuradha and the Resident Editor of ‘The Hans India’ attended the event. Ex-officio principal secretary of Agriculture B Rajasekhar lauded DSS for undertaking initiatives that often extend beyond the government’s reach and urged women to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance employment prospects for Dalit and Adivasi youth. He also encouraged a shift towards natural farming for sustainable outcomes. Kaki Sunitha highlighted the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, noting that legal loopholes sometimes hinder justice under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Coordinators Satyakama Jabali, Roja, Prasanna, Hemalata and Sara were also present. Courtesy : THI Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehansindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights