Water supply, street lights disconnected in Dalit hamlet in Bolangir; residents allege caste discrimination
Allegations of caste-based discrimination have surfaced from Dumerchuan village under Turekela block in Odisha’s Bolangir district, where residents of a Dalit hamlet claim that their water supply and basic amenities have been deliberately disrupted. Allegations of caste-based discrimination have surfaced from Dumerchuan village under Turekela block in Odisha’s Bolangir district, where residents of a Dalit hamlet claim that their water supply and basic amenities have been deliberately disrupted. According to the residents, the piped water supply to the locality was allegedly stopped a few days ago. They further alleged that street lights in the hamlet were switched off, leaving the area in darkness and causing hardship to families living there. Residents Level Serious Allegations Men and women from Dalit families have accused certain villagers of discriminating against them based on caste. They claim that despite repeated complaints to the local administration, no action has been taken so far. One of the residents said, “They have access to electricity and water supply, whereas we do not. When we tried to arrange water through the borewell facilities, we were not allowed to do so. We are suffering along with our children. We do not have access to clean drinking water, and our roads remain dark as there is no electricity. We request that the government solve our problems so that we can live with dignity. If our basic needs are not fulfilled, we will be forced to protest.” Residents alleged that they approached the administration multiple times, but their grievances remain unaddressed. Administrative Response Awaited With Maha Shivratri observed on Sunday and an optional holiday in Bolangir on Monday, government offices remain closed. It is expected that the matter will be taken up once offices reopen. Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the allegations. Srijata Mishra Courtesy : OdishaTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/odishatv.in/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
PM Modi Defends Trade Deals, Budget 2026; Congress, Rahul Gandhi Flag Farmer Betrayal Concerns
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India negotiated recent trade pacts with the United States, EU and New Zealand from a position of strength, crediting manufacturing, growth and MSME, while criticising the UPA government for weak outcomes between 2004 and 2014. In an interview to PTI, he described Budget 2026 as reform driven and infrastructure focused. The Congress called the interview a scripted PR exercise to deflect criticism over the trade deal and farmers’ concerns. Jairam Ramesh said the budget showed intellectual exhaustion and that markets reacted negatively. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi termed the proposed US trade deal a betrayal of farmers, raising concerns over dried grains and GM soybean oil imports, possible impact on MSP procurement, non trade barriers and India’s stand on GM crops. He demanded transparency and said farmers deserve clear answers on the long term future of agriculture. Courtesy : Times Now Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesnow.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi demands PM Modi reply to 5 ‘simple queries’ on India-US trade deal
NEW DELHI: Resuming his aggression against the India-US trade deal, Congress’s Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked five “simple questions” that he said PM Narendra Modi must answer since “farmers deserve clarity” if “we are giving another country a long-term grip on India’s agricultural system”. Rahul asked if provisions in the interim trade deal, as mentioned in the joint statement, suggests that India will be importing pulses and grains that are not explicitly mentioned in the statement, and if India will be opening the hitherto shut door through which the US can in future put more and more items on the table for import by India. He asked what the fate will be of soya farmers in MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other states of the country if India imports GM soya oil from the US, and if farmers will survive “another price shock”. He asked the PM to clarify what comprises “additional products” mentioned in the statement for reduction or elimination of tariffs. “Does it signal pressure to open up pulses and other sensitive crops to US imports over time?” the Congress MP asked. Referring to the proposed import of DDG, Rahul asked if feeding Indian cattle the distillers grain made of GM American corn will not “effectively integrate our dairy chain with the US agricultural system”. Rahul also urged the PM to clarify if removing “non tariff barriers” implies that India will be pushed to dilute its stand against GM crops, weaken procurement, or undermine MSP and bonuses in the future. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Journalist Alleges Custodial Torture and Illegal Demolition in Uttarakhand, Police Deny Charges
A Dalit journalist from Bazpur in Udham Singh Nagar district has accused local police of custodial torture, caste-based abuse, and illegal demolition of his property, claims that police officials have strongly denied.Photo journalism course Vimal Bharti, also known as Goldy Nirbhik, a resident of Keshowala village, said he has worked as an independent journalist for over 13 years, reporting on alleged administrative irregularities. He told reporters that the trouble began after he published a report on November 11 questioning repeated postings of certain police officials at Bazpur police station. “I had written to the President of India, the Union Home Ministry, the Uttarakhand CM, the governor, and the DGP on November 12, fearing a false case might be filed against me,” Bharti said. He alleged that the very next day, a police team accompanied by PWD assistant engineer Neha Sharma and a JCB machine arrived at his house and demolished a structure, citing encroachment. “I asked for time to remove it myself, but was denied. While I recorded the demolition on my phone, police snatched it and took me into custody like a terrorist,” he claimed. Bharti said the police registered a case against him under Sections 132, 221, and 351(2) of the BNS, 2023, based on the complaint by the PWD official. He further alleged that he was detained without notice under Section 41A and later taken to the Bannakhera outpost lock-up. Speaking about his experience in custody, Bharti said, “I was beaten, stripped, abused with casteist slurs, forced to drink water from a shoe, and made to give my mobile and email passwords. They accessed my professional accounts and deleted my work.” He added that he filed complaints with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the National Human Rights Commission, and senior state authorities on December 15, and later moved the High Court on December 25. He claims notices were issued in January 2026, but no action has been taken so far. Bazpur Circle Officer Vibhav Saini, however, strongly denied the allegations. “These claims appear to be an attempt to pressure the police. The FIR was lodged based on a written complaint by the PWD assistant engineer. Police were present only to maintain law and order during the official demolition drive. At no point did the police exceed their legal authority. All procedures were followed,” he said. Saini added that the investigation has now been transferred to officers from another district to ensure transparency. 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
Five Arrested In Dalit Murder Case: Police Encounter Leaves Two Suspects Shot
Uttar Pradesh cops nab key accused in stabbing death of 30-year-old man amid caste atrocity probe Satya Prakash Ram, 30, from Gurgujpur village, was fatally stabbed near a Sawara liquor shop after an argument on Saturday. Case filed against Sundaram Singh, Raja Singh, and Umakant Pandey under BNS murder section and SC/ST Atrocities Act based on victim’s brother’s complaint. Early Sunday shootout near Navapura-Mahatwar Road led to arrests of all five, with two injured accused hospitalised; police seized pistol, knife, and bikes. Five men, including three accused named in the fatal stabbing of a 30-year-old Dalit man, were arrested following a police encounter in the Rasra area of Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia district, according to PTI. The incident, reported PTI, stemmed from the murder of Satya Prakash Ram, a resident of Gurgujpur village in Rasra, who was allegedly stabbed to death by three men near a liquor shop in Sawara village on Saturday afternoon after an argument. Based on a complaint from the victim’s brother, Om Prakash, police registered a case against Sundaram Singh, Raja Singh, and Umakant Pandey—all residents of Sawara village—under section 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Ballia Superintendent of Police Omvir Singh on Sunday said Pandey was arrested soon after the incident. He said that around 4 am on Sunday, during a vehicle-checking drive near the Navapura-Mahatwar Road, police signalled four motorcycle-borne suspects to stop. However, they opened fire at the police team in an attempt to escape. Police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) team retaliated in self-defence, arresting two named accused in the murder case—Sundaram Singh alias Satya Singh, 21, and Raj Singh alias Raja Singh, 24, who were injured. Sundaram was shot in the left leg, while Raj sustained a gunshot injury in his right leg, police said. During the encounter, police also arrested Anuj Singh, 19, of Badi Pakwal in the Sarayalkhasni area of Mau district, and Ajay Kharwar, 18, of Chakia in the Ranipur area of Mau district. The two injured accused have been admitted to a hospital. Police recovered a country-made pistol, cartridges, two motorcycles, and the knife allegedly used in the murder from the accused. Curated by: Saher Hiba Khan Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kendrapara anganwadi boycott ends as villagers agree to send children after dalit cook’s appointment
This was a marked change from a similar meeting on Wednesday that saw only two attendees despite persuasion by the district administration. KENDRAPARA: Following the intervention of the Odisha State Commission for Women and the district administration, residents of Nuagaon village under Rajnagar block of Kendrapara on Saturday agreed to send their children to the Anganwadi centre from Monday. The villagers had boycotted the anganwadi since November after the appointment of a dalit cook. The meeting, held at the centre on Saturday, saw participation of over 150 villagers. This was a marked change from a similar meeting on Wednesday that saw only two attendees despite persuasion by the district administration. The meeting was attended by additional district magistrate Nabakrushna Jena, sub-collector Arun Nayak, member of state women’s commission Kalpana Mallick, along with police officers and activists. Further, a community feast was held after the meeting, where the dalit anganwadi cook Sarmista Sethi (23), served food to villagers as a gesture of reconciliation. Officials also conducted door-to-door outreach, after which villagers expressed willingness to resume Anganwadi services. The villagers taking oath to send their children to the centre from Monday. The villagers taking oath to send their children to the centre from Monday.(Photo | Express) The administration engaged local artists to stage street plays in the village to spread awareness against caste-based discrimination. Pala singers were also involved in spreading awareness on the day. Nayak said these efforts helped villagers understand the social risks of boycotting the worker. Mallick said that after a series of talks, the matter has been amicably settled. “The Anganwadi centre will function normally as parents have consented to send their children,” said Sujata Nayak, member of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Notably, the authorities had appointed Sethi as a cook-cum-helper at Nuagaon in November, following which the village committee decided to boycott the centre in protest against the appointment of a dalit cook. Around 45 families, including seven dalit families, live in the riverside village. According to Ghadiamala sarpanch Sailendra Mishra said that not only children, but even pregnant women had also stopped visiting the centre, missing out on nutrition, health check-ups, iron-folic acid supplements, immunisation and health education. Ashis Senapati 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
Caste row over Dalit woman’s engagement at anganwadi centre in Odisha resolved, says official
The anganwadi centre will function normally from February 16, as the parents consented to send their children, Sujata Nayak, member of State commission for protection of child rights, saidKendrapara The anganwadi in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has not been functioning for nearly three months. The anganwadi in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has not been functioning for nearly three months. | Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Two days after a caste row over the engagement of a Dalit woman as an anganwadi helper was raised in Parliament, Odisha’s Kendrapara district administration on Saturday (February 14, 2026) said the matter had been resolved through negotiations. Kendrapara district sub-collector Arun Nayak said the matter has been amicably resolved as villagers have agreed to send their children to the anganwadi centre from Monday (February 16, 2026). “Final talks with upper-caste residents, who had stopped sending their children to the centre since November 21, were held in the presence of stakeholders, including members of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Odisha State Commission for Women. The officials sensitised villagers on the abolition of age-old caste practices,” he said. The anganwadi centre will function normally from Monday (February 16, 2026) as the parents consented to send their children, Sujata Nayak, member, state commission for protection of child rights, said. The dispute arose in Nuagaon village under Ghalimala gram panchayat, where residents boycotted the centre for nearly three months, also refusing to receive nutritious food items for pregnant women, protesting the engagement of Sharmistha Sethy, a Dalit woman, as helper. “I am happy that the matter is resolved. I am desperate to see children back in the anganwadi centre and women receiving their nutritious food items provided by the government,” said Ms. Sethy. “I will try my best to serve the children and women,” she said. Kharge on anganwadi boycott Congress president and leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on February 12 had raised concerns over caste discrimination at workplaces, citing a recent incident in Odisha where members of a particular community refused to let their children eat food cooked by a Dalit anganwadi worker. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Mr. Kharge said, “In the 21st century, when we talk about social development, social reform, and the unity of Hindus, people of a particular community are refusing to let their children eat food cooked by a Dalit woman who is a helper-cum-cook in an anganwadi centre in Odisha. That anganwadi centre has been boycotted for the last three months.” An official said as the centre remained shut for all practical purposes, the district administration initiated steps to amicably settle the dispute by deputing a high-level team to the village, but it initially failed. The protesting residents finally agreed after realising that depriving children of pre-school education could harm their future. Kalpana Mallik, member of Odisha State Commission for Women, said she had elaborate discussions with the villagers before they finally agreed to stop opposing an educated woman on the basis of her caste. “We are hopeful that such incidents will not be repeated in the village in future. The Nuagaon village has a population of 450. The camaraderie, bonding and fellow feeling among the people is very much intact. The recent incident was a stray case,” sarpanch Sailendra Mishra said. Villager Gobardhan Pradhan said, “We have forgotten the dispute of the past. We will no more oppose the Dalit anganwadi helper’s engagement at the centre. 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
3 exclusive public toilets for transgender individuals inaugurated in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh
Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Three exclusive public toilets for transgender individuals have been opened in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district in a bid to prevent discrimination and provide a safe space to members of the community, an official said on Saturday. The toilets were inaugurated at Ramgarh district collectorate park, Sadar hospital and bus stand on Friday, he said. “The transgender community has long faced social neglect and inconvenience, and the administration is committed to removing these barriers. The establishment of transgender toilets is an important step in this direction. It will ensure their comfortable presence in public places and prevent them from facing any kind of discomfort,” Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz said in a statement. The administration’s objective is to provide the transgender community with a dignified life, equal opportunities, social security, and self-reliance, he said. The DC directed all departmental officials concerned to ensure the effective implementation of the schemes being run in the interest of the transgender community and to work with sensitivity for the prompt resolution of their problems, the statement said. Members of the transgender community in Jharkhand have long been demanding separate toilets in public places. They had held a march in Ranchi last year to raise awareness about their rights and press for their demands, including employment opportunities, access to education, housing, separate toilets in public places and equal healthcare facilities. This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Tarique Rahman puts Bangladesh first in foreign policy; Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal row; & more
BNP chief Tarique Rahman pledges Bangladesh first foreign policy after landslide win. Piyush Goyal hits back at Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal, says pact will boost textiles and farmers. Metro Line-4 parapet collapse in Mulund kills one, injures three; CM Fadnavis orders probe. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha revives handshake row ahead of India–Pakistan T20 World Cup clash. US secretary Marco Rubio questions Russia’s intent on Ukraine peace ahead of fresh Geneva talks. Here are the top news of the day: BNP’s Tarique Rahman puts Bangladesh first in foreign policy after landslide win Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman said Dhaka’s foreign policy would prioritise national interest and Bangladesh first principles, including in ties with India, after securing a sweeping electoral victory. The BNP-led alliance won over two-thirds of seats, marking a major political shift after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. Read full story Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi over India–US trade deal row Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal intensified his attack on Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over criticism of the India–US trade deal, accusing him of “fearmongering” and spreading misinformation. Goyal said the pact and recent FTAs would boost textile exports and farmer incomes, dismissing claims that zero-duty imports would hurt domestic producers. Read full story One killed after Metro Line-4 parapet segment collapses in Mumbai’s Mulund A 6×4 ft concrete parapet segment from the under-construction Metro Line-4 viaduct collapsed onto vehicles on LBS Road in Mumbai’s Mulund (West), killing one person and injuring three. The victims were rushed to hospital, where one was declared dead. Authorities launched rescue operations and cordoned off the area, disrupting traffic. Read full story T20 World Cup: Pakistan captain reignites handshake row ahead of India–Pakistan clash Ahead of the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha reignited the handshake controversy, saying, “We’ll find that out tomorrow” when asked if India would shake hands. He hoped the game would be played in true sportsmanship. Read full story Marco Rubio questions Russia’s intent as US pushes Ukraine peace talks US secretary of state Marco Rubio cast doubt on Moscow’s seriousness about ending the Ukraine war, ahead of fresh US-brokered talks in Geneva. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rubio said there was no clarity on Russia’s willingness to negotiate, even as fighting continues in Odesa and Belgorod. Read full story 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
2 journalist bodies condemn Rahul Gandhi talk on media impartiality
NEW DELHI: Two journalist bodies on Saturday criticised Congress neta Rahul Gandhi for questioning the impartiality of mediapersons, saying political leaders must use respectful language while addressing the press, especially in public spaces like the Parliament. The reaction came after Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside the Parliament earlier in the week, asked journalists to be more objective in their coverage. Responding to queries on the treasury benches considering a privilege notice against him over his recent speech on the Budget, the LoP said media should not merely repeat what it is told. Condemning the remarks, National Union of Journalists and Delhi Journalists Association issued a joint statement calling Gandhi’s comments inappropriate. “The LoP targeting and insulting media personnel in such a manner is highly condemnable,” NUJ president Ras Bihar said. He added that such statements amount to an attack on press freedom and undermine the role of media in a democracy. DJA president Rakesh Thapliyal and general secretary Pramod Kumar Singh said journalism exists to question those in power and provide accurate information to the public. Associating the media with any particular political party, they said, harms the professional dignity and independence of journalists. Rahul Gandhi had told reporters, “You are not totally employed by BJP. At least try a little bit of objective stuff. It gets really shameful. It’s too much.” 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