In Rajya Sabha, Kharge refers to LS row, draws BJP fire
NEW DELHI: In a rare development in Parliament Thursday, standoff between treasury and opposition benches in Lok Sabha became a subject of debate in Rajya Sabha as leader of opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the governing alliance for allegedly not allowing Rahul Gandhi to speak in the Lower House. Kharge’s reference to LS proceedings drew a sharp response from BJP, with Leader of the House in RS JP Nadda mocking Rahul as “abodh balak (ignorant child)” and reminding Kharge that events of one House cannot be debated in another. However, Congress chief Kharge insisted that as both Houses are pillars of democracy, he was raising the issue in the Upper House as LS was not functioning for the past four days because its LoP, Rahul, was not being allowed to speak. Opposition members staged a walkout over the issue from Rajya Sabha. Nadda asked Kharge not to let Congress become “hostage” to Rahul and said arrogance and ignorance should not dictate actions. Kharge condemned use of the term “abodh balak” and alleged that BJP MPs cannot speak their minds without directions from top leadership. Congress did not want to disturb RS but LS had not functioned for four days because Rahul was not being allowed to speak, he alleged. 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
‘Scared of truth, sought refuge in lies’: Rahul Gandhi reacts to PM Modi’s RS speech
NEW DELHI: Congress Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he “sought refuge in lies” while addressing the Rajya Sabha. After PM Modi address, the Congress leader took to X and said, “Just so much panic from a few questions? Modi ji, so scared of the truth, sought refuge in lies.” “Well, did what seemed right,” he added. In his much-anticipated speech in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi targeted the UPA regime and claimed that a significant part of the NDA regime, which has been in power for over a decade now, has gone in “correcting the mistakes of the past”. As PM Modi started his speech, loud sloganeering of “Let the LoP speak” and “tanashashi nahi chalegi (dictatorship will not be tolerated) by the opposition MPs. The opposition also staged a walkout shortly after the speech began. During his nearly 100-minute speech, PM Modi took many Gandhi family and accused them of ‘stealing’ Mahatma Gandhi’s surname. “For some people, stealing is a family profession. What’s shocking is that those habitual thieves have also stolen surname of a Gujarati, Mahatma Gandhi,” PM Modi said. Further taking a “start up” dig at the Congress party, and and its leadership Rahul Gandhi, the prime minister alleged that the party “cannot even lift their own startup.””Congress never promoted startup culture… They cannot even lift the startup of their own house,” PM Modi said. He also targeted Rahul for calling BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu a traitor and accused the Congress leader of insulting the Sikhs. “What happened yesterday — the ‘Yuvraj’ of Congress, who has a ‘shaatir dimaag’ called a member of this House a traitor. His arrogance is at its peak. He did not call others who left Congress traitors, but he said it to this MP because he is a Sikh,” Prime Minister Modi said in his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Rajya Sabha. Rahul Gandhi had on Wednesday exchanged barbs with former party colleague and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu in Parliament premises. In videos released by the Congress, Gandhi was heard calling Bittu “a traitor” and the minister retorting with “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation) jibe. 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
Naravane memoir row: Kiren Rijiju cites book to target Nehru, counter Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday defended the Centre’s decision to keep the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report on the 1962 India-China war classified, as a political row erupted in Parliament over Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi being stopped from quoting the “unpublished memoir” of former Army Chief General MM Naravane.In a post on X, Rijiju described the report as a sensitive defence document and said it should not be used for political purposes. He wrote, “Our Govt is led by a matured leader. Since 1962, the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report has remained secret. It indicted the Nehru Govt for the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chinese PLA. Our Govt has never declassified it as a defence matter that can’t be used as a political tools.” — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) The Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report was prepared by Lieutenant General Henderson Brooks and Brigadier General Premindra Singh Bhagat and was commissioned by then Acting Army Chief General JN Chaudhuri to review the Indian Army’s operations during the 1962 war with China, reported ANI. The report continues to remain classified. Rijiju also reshared a post from 2024, in which he highlighted India’s border infrastructure development. The minister’s comments follow a row that erupted after Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the “unpublished memoir” of former Army Chief General MM Naravane during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha. The Congress leader was referring to the 2020 India-China military standoff in eastern Ladakh when he cited the memoir, drawing strong objections from BJP members. During his remarks, Gandhi accused PM Modi of “not fulfulling responsibility” during the 2020 clashes along the Line of Actual Control Gandhi continued to raise the issue of the August 2020 India-China confrontation but was repeatedly interrupted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and later by Home Minister Amit Shah, who asked him not to quote from any unverified source. General Naravane was the Army Chief at the time of the Ladakh standoff. The excerpts cited by Gandhi were recently published by an online portal. 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 woman’s suspicious death aparks allegations of caste, dowry abuse
According to her family, the marriage was conducted in the presence of the groom’s family and was kept undisclosed from Priya’s relatives. VILLUPURAM; A 22-year-old Dalit Christian woman died under suspicious circumstances at Soranavur village in Villupuram district on Monday, with her family alleging dowry harassment and caste-based abuse by her husband and in-laws. The deceased, A Devajessi Priya, had allegedly married her long-time college friend M Vasantha Kumar (24), who belongs to the Hindu Vanniyar community, around three months ago. The couple had been living in Soranavur village near Valavanur in Villupuram district. According to her family, the marriage was conducted in the presence of the groom’s family and was kept undisclosed from Priya’s relatives. Based on a complaint lodged by her elder brother A Richard (26), Priya was allegedly subjected to continuous mental and physical harassment by her husband, his parents Murugan and Lakshmi, and his elder brother Bhakthavachalam. On January 31, Priya allegedly called her aunt and said she was being assaulted and harassed for dowry. About an hour later, her husband informed the family that she had died. Richard has alleged that his sister was murdered and that the incident was made to appear as a suicide, claiming that injuries were found on her body. Speaking to TNIE, Richard said, “We want the police to investigate the case with due sensitivity to caste discrimination and dowry harassment. My sister was subjected to severe torture and was killed.” Priya, a Christian convert, was a native of Alagappa Samuthiram in Panruti taluk of Cuddalore district. She lost her parents at a young age and was brought up by her elder brother with the support of their grandmother Josephina Mary and aunts at Madampattu village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district. She had completed a BSc in Microbiology from Periyar Government Arts College, Cuddalore, and was employed with a private firm in Sunguvarchatram near Chennai. Family sources said she had been in a relationship with Kumar since her college days. Though Kumar later dropped out of college, the relationship continued, culminating in their marriage three months ago. Despite the complaint seeking action for dowry harassment and caste abuse, Valavanur police registered a case only under Section 194 (3) of BNSS and arrested Kumar on Tuesday. Family members of the deceased have refused to receive Priya’s body, demanding the arrest of Kumar’s parents and other relatives. The body has been kept at the Government Medical College Hospital in Mundiyambakkam, where an autopsy was conducted. Krithika Srinivasan 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
Video of inhumane treatment of a Dalit youth goes viral in Morena; accused Dharmendra Tomar arrested in 7-month-old case
7-month-old video exposes the truth: Dalit youth forced to perform obscene acts under the influence of alcohol; Amba police arrest accused Dharmendra Tomar Morena (Madhya Pradesh): A case that shames humanity has come to light in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Police immediately swung into action after a video of a Dalit youth being assaulted and subjected to abusive behavior went viral on social media. Acting swiftly, the police arrested the 30-year-old accused on Tuesday. According to police officials, this incident is not recent, but about seven months old. The arrested accused has been identified as Dharmendra Singh Tomar, a resident of Amba. What is the whole matter? Morena Superintendent of Police (SP) Sameer Saurabh, while providing information about the incident, said that the accused Dharmendra and the 20-year-old victim were part of the same friend circle and often spent time together. The Hindu quoted the SP as saying, “These two people used to drink alcohol together, and this incident occurred while they were drunk. A third friend present there recorded the entire incident on his mobile phone. Later, when that third friend had an argument with the accused, Dharmendra, he circulated these videos on social media to take revenge.” Brutality shown in the videos Two videos that went viral on social media have shocked people. In one video, the accused, Dharmendra, is seen forcing the victim to squat and questioning him about the return of his money. In the second video, the accused is seen crossing all limits, slapping the victim and pressuring him to perform obscene acts. Swift police action SP Sameer Saurabh stated that a minor financial transaction has also emerged in the case, although it does not appear to be the main reason for the incident. He said, “The victim also denied that the assault was solely for money. He was so scared that he neither told his family nor mustered the courage to file a police complaint. Even when the police contacted him, he was unwilling to file a complaint.” Despite this, given the seriousness of the video, the police took cognizance and registered a case. Within just two hours of the case being registered, the police arrested the accused. Case registered under these sections Ambah Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ravi Singh Bhadoria, providing details of the legal proceedings, said that an FIR has been registered against the accused at the Ambah police station under Section 296 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3(1)(e) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Bhadauria also informed that the victim previously lived in a rented house in the same street as the accused Tomar, but after this humiliating incident, he left that house and moved to another location. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
FIR Names Entire Brahmin Community in Bihar Village After Dalit Family Alleges Assault
FIR Names Brahmin Community After Dalit Assault Claim An FIR has been registered against almost all adult male members of the Brahmin community in Harinagar village of Darbhanga district in Bihar under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, following allegations of assault and abuse against a Dalit family.Photo journalism course More than a dozen people have been arrested so far. What has raised serious questions is that the FIR names 70 accused persons and also mentions around 100 to 150 unidentified individuals. Together, this roughly equals the entire adult male Brahmin population of the village. Many of those named are reportedly working in other states, such as Delhi and Mumbai, to earn a living and have not lived in the village for years. The complaint was filed by Asarfi Paswan in connection with an incident that allegedly took place on January 31 in Harinagar village under the Kusheshwar Asthan police station area. The dispute is linked to pending wages owed to his son Vikram Paswan, who had worked for Hemkant Jha for nearly five years. According to the complaint, a village-level settlement meeting was held on January 30 but ended in arguments and unrest. The next morning, Vikram Paswan was allegedly attacked while returning home after buying vegetables. Asarfi Paswan alleged that Hemkant Jha and others abused his son using caste-based slurs and chased him with sticks, iron rods, axes, bricks and stones with the intent to kill him. He claimed that the attackers followed Vikram into his house, dragged him to the ground and assaulted him severely. The complaint further alleged that Phulkant Jha instigated others to kill Vikram, after which he was hit on the head with iron rods and lost consciousness. Asarfi’s other son, Rajgir Paswan and three other villagers who tried to intervene were also allegedly beaten and suffered head injuries. Asarfi Paswan also alleged that his wife, Ramtara Devi and granddaughter Komal Kumari were assaulted. He claimed that his wife was beaten and her clothes were torn, while his granddaughter suffered a fractured hip. He further stated that gold and silver ornaments, cash worth two lakh rupees kept for his granddaughter’s marriage, household items and mobile phones were looted. Four motorcycles were allegedly damaged, and a nearby roadside restaurant was vandalised. The family was also allegedly threatened with eviction from the village. Based on the complaint, FIR number 22 of 2026 was registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC ST Act. Kusheshwar Asthan police station in charge, Ankit Choudhary, said that the dispute was originally related to money and claimed that some anti-social elements were trying to give it a caste angle. He confirmed that 12 people have been arrested so far and said further action would depend on evidence collected during the investigation. The case has drawn attention from the National Crime Investigation Bureau, a civil society organisation, which expressed surprise over the inclusion of the entire Brahmin community in the FIR. The organisation said that not a single Brahmin family in the village appeared to have been spared and pointed out that many of those named were not even residing in the village. Meanwhile, tension continues in Harinagar village. Additional police force has been deployed and authorities say they are recording statements from both sides and examining videos and other evidence. Police officials have stated that no innocent person will be harassed and that further arrests will be made strictly on the basis of evidence. 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
Gujarat: ‘Punishment’ for riding a horse – Dalit groom attacked with swords, wedding celebrations turn into terror
The cruel face of casteist mentality in Chandrumana village of Patan; hooliganism over ‘riding a horse’ continues despite the SC/ST Act. Patan: On one hand, where India is presenting itself to the world as a technological superpower and a progressive nation, on the other hand, a village in the Patan district of Gujarat has reminded us of the bitter reality of how deeply rooted casteism still is in the interior parts of the country. Monday should have been the happiest day of Vishal Chavda’s life, but the regressive thinking of society turned it into a nightmare. As Vishal, who belongs to the Dalit community, mounted a horse to take his wedding procession (varghoda) through the streets of Chandrumana village, the sounds of wedding music were drowned out by the clanging of naked swords. The ‘crime’ of equality According to local eyewitnesses, as the procession moved forward, a group of people from the dominant community blocked their path. These people were allegedly enraged that a groom from a “lower caste” dared to perform a tradition that they considered their privilege—that is, riding a horse. The attackers shouted, “How dare a Dalit ride a horse in this village?” The situation quickly turned violent. This mob, armed with swords, allegedly unleashed a wave of hooliganism. They not only threatened the groom but also assaulted the people in the wedding procession. For them, a Dalit riding a horse was not a celebration of marriage, but a challenge to the centuries-old social order. An atmosphere of terror despite the law This incident is not an isolated case, but part of a shameful story that is repeatedly played out in Gujarat. From Gandhinagar to Banaskantha, the simple custom of a Dalit groom riding a horse during his wedding procession often leads to violence. Despite stringent laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the “ban on riding a horse” is still used by upper castes as a violent tool of social control to keep the marginalized sections “in their place.” However, the local administration has acted promptly, registering an FIR and deploying police forces to maintain law and order. But the wounds inflicted on Vishal and his family will take a long time to heal. Similar attacks have happened before Statistics show that this hatred is not new. In February 2024, in Chadasana village of Gandhinagar, another Dalit groom, Vikas Chavda, was pulled down from his horse and slapped by four people. Earlier, in 2020, a wedding procession of an army soldier, who was serving the country, was also pelted with stones simply because he was riding a horse. These incidents raise the question of whether we are truly moving towards a modern society. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: Dowry or Casteism? Dalit daughter dies just three months after marriage. Love marriage:
A tragic end to a love marriage in Villupuram, Tamil Nadu. A Dalit woman’s death comes amid allegations of dowry and caste-based harassment. Villupuram (Tamil Nadu): A shocking incident has emerged from Sornavur village in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, where a 22-year-old Dalit Christian woman has died under suspicious circumstances. The deceased’s family has accused her husband and in-laws of harassing her for dowry and using caste-related abuses. What is the whole matter? The deceased has been identified as A. Devjessy Priya (22), who had a love marriage with her college friend, M. Vasanth Kumar (24), about three months ago. Vasanth Kumar belongs to the Hindu Vanniyar community. After marriage, the couple lived in Sornavur village near Valavanur in Villupuram district. Priya’s family says the marriage took place in the presence of the groom’s family, but Priya’s relatives were not even informed of it. According to a complaint filed by Priya’s elder brother, A. Richard (26), Priya was subjected to constant mental and physical abuse since the wedding. According to the allegations, in addition to her husband Vasantha Kumar, her parents, Murugan and Lakshmi, and her elder brother, Bhaktavachalam, were also involved in this abuse. The last phone call The incident occurred on January 31st, when Priya called her aunt. She told her that she was being beaten and harassed for dowry. Ironically, just an hour after this call, her husband informed the family that Priya had died. Richard has claimed that his sister did not commit suicide, but was murdered, and that an attempt is being made to pass it off as a suicide. He stated that injuries were found on Priya’s body, indicating assault. Speaking to the media, Richard said, “We want the police to investigate this case with the sensitivity of caste discrimination and dowry harassment in mind. My sister was brutally tortured and then killed.” Priya’s life has been full of struggles. Priya originally hailed from Alagappa Samudram in Panruti taluk, Cuddalore district. After losing her parents in her childhood, she was raised by her elder brother, grandmother Josephina Mary, and aunts in Madampattu village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district. A bright student, Priya earned a B.Sc. degree in Microbiology from Periyar Government Arts College, Cuddalore, and was working at a private company in Sunguvarchatram, near Chennai. According to family sources, she had been in a relationship with Vasanth Kumar since her college days. Although Kumar later left college, their relationship continued and they married three months ago. Police Action and Family Protest Despite complaints of dowry harassment and caste abuse, the Valavanur police registered a case under Section 194 (3) of the Indian Penal Code (BNSS) and arrested husband Kumar on Tuesday. However, the deceased’s family is not fully satisfied with the police action. They have refused to accept Priya’s body and are demanding that Kumar’s parents and other relatives also be immediately arrested. Currently, the body is being held at the Government Medical College Hospital in Mundiambakkam after the post-mortem, where the family is pleading for justice. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
In a 1st, transgender to be face of Haridwar’s cleanliness drive
Haridwar: In a “first-of-its-kind initiative” in Uttarakhand, the Haridwar Municipal Corporation on Wednesday appointed a transgender woman, Sonia Bua, as the brand ambassador of its citywide cleanliness drive, a move officials said was aimed at promoting inclusivity while strengthening public participation in sanitation campaigns. Municipal authorities said that “the appointment of the 57-year-old social activist was intended to convey that transgenders are an integral part of society and that individuals contributing positively to the community should be recognised, irrespective of their gender identity”. As brand ambassador, Sonia will take part in awareness campaigns, public outreach programmes and community events to encourage residents to keep the holy city clean. Municipal commissioner Nandan Kumar, while handing over the appointment letter to Sonia, said cleanliness should be seen as a shared social responsibility rather than just a govt campaign. He added that the municipal corporation plans to involve other transgender groups in Haridwar in cleanliness awareness programmes in the coming months. “The participation of the transgender community will send a strong and positive message to society and will give fresh momentum to the cleanliness drive. Their social circle is wide and influential, which will help us reach more people and make residents aware about the importance of cleanliness,” the commissioner said. A resident of the Bahadrabad area of Haridwar, Sonia moved to the city at the age of 20. Speaking to TOI, she said, “Life as a transgender person is difficult as we are often abandoned by society and even by our families. My initial years, too, were very tough. Now that the municipal corporation has entrusted me with this responsibility, I will perform my role with full honesty.” She added that she would spread messages on cleanliness at religious and social functions where transgender groups traditionally go to offer blessings. Welcoming the decision, social activist Ratan Mani Dobhal, said, “The move would help both the cleanliness campaign and social acceptance. It is a good initiative and will definitely help in spreading awareness in society. Making Sonia the brand ambassador will also increase acceptance of transgender persons.” 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
‘BJP’s poster boy’: Punjab ex-minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu slams Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu Bittu over ‘enemy of state’ remark for Rahul Gandhi
Ludhiana: Senior Congress member and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu launched a blistering verbal counter-attack on Wednesday against Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, labelling his recent comments against Rahul Gandhi as “deeply irresponsible” and “unfortunate”. The friction follows Bittu’s controversial branding of the Lok Sabha’s leader of the opposition as “Desh ke Dushman” (enemy of the country), a statement that has ignited a firestorm within Punjab’s political circles. Ashu reminded Bittu, a three-time Member of Parliament, that his political foundations were built entirely on the support of the Gandhi family. Ashu noted that the Congress party had nurtured Bittu’s career, providing him with repeated opportunities and trust. “Just because you have become a poster boy of the BJP today does not mean you forget those who helped you rise in public life,” Ashu said, accusing Bittu of abusing his former mentors for “political convenience”. The Legacy Contradiction The former minister drew a sharp contrast between Bittu’s current rhetoric and the legacy of his grandfather, the late Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. “It is ironic that a person who claims to inherit Beant Singh’s legacy has abandoned the very principles his family stood for,” Ashu remarked. He pointed out that Beant Singh had sacrificed his life fighting the very “divisive forces” that the Congress alleges the BJP represents. Ashu argued that by switching sides for power and questioning the patriotism of others, Bittu has exposed a “lack of conviction.” ‘Sacrifice vs Rhetoric’ Ashu underscored the historical weight of the Gandhi family’s contributions to India, framing Bittu’s comments as a sign of political frustration rather than truth. Ashu reminded the Union Minister that both the Gandhi family and Beant Singh fought for the same cause — the unity and integrity of India. In a call for introspection, Ashu added: “Before pointing fingers at Rahul Gandhi, Bittu should remember that both Beant Singh and the Gandhi family laid down their lives for this country.” The Congress member concluded by stating that such reckless personal attacks serve only to lower the dignity of public life. 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