Dalit youth brutally beaten in Hathras: Attackers bit him with their teeth for resisting, police investigating
A case of brutal assault on a Dalit youth has come to light in Sikandra Rao, Hathras. The youth was seriously injured by goons in the Sikandra Rao police station area. The victim’s brother, Ranjit Kumar, has filed a complaint with the police. Ranjit Kumar, a resident of Mohalla Qazian, stated in his complaint that his brother Asharfi had gone to the forest to defecate around 4 pm. There, 4 to 5 youths surrounded him and started taking money from his pocket. When Asharfi resisted, the accused attacked him with sticks, rods, and kicks and punches. According to the complaint, during the assault, the attackers bit Asharfi on the back with their teeth, causing him to lose consciousness on the spot. Upon receiving information about the incident, the family members reached the spot and immediately informed the police by dialing 112. The injured Asharfi was taken to the hospital for treatment, where he is currently undergoing treatment. The victim’s family alleges that the attackers are the same goons who run a roadside eatery in the area and illegally sell liquor. Ranjit Kumar also stated that the accused had previously assaulted his brother. He has demanded strict action against the accused and expressed fear for his life. In this matter, Kotwali in-charge Shiv Kumar Sharma said that they have received the complaint and the matter is being investigated. Further legal action will be taken based on the investigation. Jaynendra Varshney | Sikandararao, Hathras Courtesy: Hindi News
Public hearing in Hyderabad highlights gaps in SC/ST Atrocities Act enforcement
A seven-member civil society jury heard testimonies from Dalit and Adivasi victims at a public hearing in Hyderabad, where activists and legal experts flagged systemic failures in the implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Telangana. The Telangana chapter of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), along with other state-level anti-caste organisations, held a public meeting on Sunday, January 25, to review the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. A seven-member jury comprising civil society representatives heard testimonies detailing atrocities faced by Dalits and Adivasis from various parts of Telangana. The jury examined 90 cases presented before it, of which victims in 30 cases deposed in person at the review meeting held at Hyderabad’s Sundarayya Vignyana Kendram (SVK). The cases reflected a wide range of issues, including inter-caste and gender-based killings, sexual assault, police torture, custodial violence, and verbal abuse. Speaking at the meeting on the failure to effectively implement the SC/ST Act, retired judge Justice Nimma Narayana said that the Supreme Court and High Courts had not been sufficiently proactive in applying legislative rigour while examining cases under the Act. Advocate Darshanam Narasimha highlighted Section 4 of the Act, which provides for punishment of public servants, including police officers, for neglect of duty. Speakers such as Professors Sujatha Surepally, Rama Melkote, and Kalpana Kannabiran spoke on issues of gender, caste-based humiliation, and constitutional morality, stressing the need for strict and meaningful implementation of the SC/ST Act. The panel noted that the Telangana government must ensure uniform implementation of the Act across the state and demanded the establishment of district-level vigilance and monitoring committees in all districts. The jury said it would submit a list of demands to the Telangana government to ensure effective implementation of the Act in the foreseeable future. The public hearing forms part of a year-long Constitutional Justice Campaign initiated by NAPM Telangana from Republic Day 2026. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
SC Commission member urges immediate FIRs for Dalit atrocities reports
The Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Scheduled Castes member Ravada Seetharam on Monday directed the police department to file First Information Reports (FIRs) immediately when Dalits approach them to report atrocities and other related cases. On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, he interacted with Dalit leaders and explained the rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution effective since January 26, 1950. Leaders and activists complained about delays in filing FIRs under The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act-1989 by the police when they approach them. Mr. Seetharam asked them to inform the commission about through the WhatsApp number 9701305417. He said that the Commission would hold a review meeting in February in regards to the pending grievances of Dalit families across the State. K Srinivasa Rao 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
From the memoir: A Dalit woman writer on domestic violence, casteism, and emotional subjugation
The savarnas in the village always used coercion to force the safai karamcharis to do the filthy work of collecting night soil. If anyone refused, the village headmen and businessmen would summon and question them. The Thakurs and Raghuvanshis hurled abuses and threats. “Do you want to live in the village or not? We will not spare your lives.” There was no point in leaving the village either, because people of our jati had to do this work everywhere. Besides, forming new relationships in a new place was a daunting task. Our refusal to do this work invited a flood of abusive words and poisonous behaviour, enough to keep our people in constant fear. The threat of sexual violence against our women also remained a powerful weapon of control. Even after the municipality was formed, the savarnas continued to hold on to their dominance. Once, the safai karamcharis of the municipality went on strike. Their monthly wages were a mere five rupees, and even that was never paid on time. They demanded an increase in their pay. The protestors would be summoned to the police station – sometimes urged to compromise, and at other times, beaten brutally by the police. Many people were badly injured. In Seoni, Hari Rathore, Phoolchand Baggan, Chhotelal Baggan, Gorelal, and Dulichand Rathore were the bold and outspoken men of our community. After striking work, a jati panchayat was called, and a unanimous decision was made to go on an indefinite strike. Our people were prepared for the worst, and the savarnas failed to intimidate them. The strike was announced publicly and lasted an entire week, throwing Seoni and Banapura into chaos. Villagers came to our homes, urging us to return to work. People of our jati were summoned to the police station and threatened with dire consequences, but this time, no one gave in. This was the result of their newfound resolve. The distraught women of our community described the condition of their injured husbands and sons to other women and wept over the uncertain future of their children. Another jati panchayat was held to discuss possible solutions to this grim situation. During the strike, policemen constantly patrolled our mohallas, forcing our men into hiding. When they couldn’t find the men, they summoned the women to the police station and made them sit there all day. The women were subjected to verbal abuse and humiliation, threatened with dire consequences, and told to persuade their men to end the strike. Terrified, the women yielded easily. Hearing them weep filled me with fear too. Kalicharan Bhaiya’s wife, Budhia Bhabhi, however, was a bold and fearless woman. Whenever she saw the policemen, she hurled abuses at them: “May you rot in hell! You envy our men and cast lustful eyes on our women. Don’t you have women at home?” The villagers always managed to break such strikes; this was true of strikes in places like Hardi, Itarsi, and Hoshangabad too, which would be forcibly brought to an end. On such occasions, a jati panchayat was convened, and the elders would advise the people of our community to compromise. But we continued to do the same work as before, and we continued to endure the same hardships. This pattern had been reproduced for generations. Young men who resisted and refused to work without pay were summoned to the police station and beaten. False charges of theft and robbery were levelled against them. Then they were given a choice – return to work or rot in jail. The constant threat of the police kept us living in fear. Many such atrocities were committed against our people in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and other states of northern India. Goons hired by casteist savarnas would storm into our mohallas, beat up our men, and publicly humiliate our women. They even set fire to our bastis. On hearing about such incidents from Pitaji and my brothers, Ma and Nani would tremble with fear and pray to God for protection. Yet the injustices and atrocities committed by the savarnas continued without end. And so, the safai karamcharis of the municipality in Seoni went on strike in 1968 to demand better wages and working conditions, but also to protest against the harassment they were constantly subjected to. I was in class eight then. This time, they showed unity and firm resolve. The demands that had been ignored by government officials for years were now quickly accepted. When the week-long strike ended, the villagers heaved a sigh of relief. After this incident, our people began to be treated with a measure of respect. This was a big achievement, yet our people never realised their own strength. Had they understood the meaning of this change, they could have moved further towards liberation from their oppression. After the strike ended, they struggled immensely clearing the backlog of work that had piled up over those eight days. The second major strike took place in protest against dry latrines. The workers stopped work for many days. Official notifications were issued, recognising the seriousness of the situation. Flush latrines were built to replace the dry ones. This was a major victory for us, yet the work of carrying night soil continued wherever dry latrines remained. Our people still did this degrading work – out of ignorance, fear, or helplessness. Gandhiji’s ideas about the upliftment of the Harijans were widely promoted in our region, but our people didn’t realise that they had brought no real improvement in our condition. Having deep faith in Gandhiji, they often said, “Mahatma Gandhi cleaned his toilet himself. Under his influence, even the traders and moneylenders had begun to pick up the garbage around their homes and dispose of it themselves. When such big businessmen didn’t hesitate to do this work, why should we? We were born into this caste and must do this work, whether we like it or not.” This was a kind of conspiracy, a trap to deceive innocent people and stop them from
‘The People’s Doctor’: This renowned doctor from Patna will reach your home; free treatment also available in Dalit settlements
Dr. Dheeraj believes that doctors should go to the patients who cannot reach Patna or larger hospitals. His initiative is not only a new example for the healthcare system but also sends a message to society that treatment given with a spirit of service is true treatment. Vaishali: In today’s times, when medical treatment is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the common man, a unique initiative by a prominent doctor from Patna has forced everyone, from the healthcare department to the general public, to think. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, a professor at PMCH and a renowned gastroenterologist, has put the concept of “Doctor at Your Doorstep” into practice by visiting Dalit and slum areas to provide free check-ups and distribute medicines to patients. In this era of expensive treatment and exorbitant fees, Dr. Dheeraj Kumar’s step has come as a great relief for thousands of needy people. While the fees of big doctors are usually in the thousands, Dr. Dheeraj has already created a stir in the healthcare system with his decisions. He proved that treatment can be affordable and accessible by offering OPD consultations for just Rs. 50 and X-ray facilities for Rs. 25 at his ‘InCure Clinic’ in Kankarbagh. Famous as the People’s Doctor Now, Dr. Dheeraj has gone a step further, moving out of air-conditioned rooms and large clinics to directly reach slums and Dalit settlements. In this regard, he, along with his medical team, reached Ward Number 31 in Yusufpur, Hajipur, where hundreds of patients were examined free of charge. Patients suffering from stomach problems, liver issues, gas, anemia, and other common ailments were not only given consultations but also provided with free medicines. Among the patients who come from far and wide for treatment, Dr. Dheeraj is now known as the “People’s Doctor.” Serving the poor and underprivileged is true religion. Dr. Dheeraj Kumar, who is educated in England, is a professor at PMCH and is also deeply involved in social causes. He says that becoming a doctor was his mother’s dream, and after fulfilling that dream, he considers serving the poor and underprivileged as his true religion. Edited by: Mohd Majid Courtesy: Hindi News
New program helps transgender people find work in South India
Authorities in the southern Indian city of Visakhapatnam have launched a new effort to help transgender people find stable work and live with greater dignity. The initiative, known as Mission Jyotirgamaya, is being led by the Vizag city police with support from local government bodies and community organisations. The programme was launched with the broader goal of making Visakhapatnam a beggar-free city, but officials say it focuses on providing purpose and opportunity rather than punishment. As part of the first phase, 20 transgender individuals have been hired as sanitation workers by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. In addition, five people from the community have received loans from the State Bank of India to help them start small businesses. City police commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi said the programme is based on the belief that everyone deserves respect and a chance to build a better life. “Every individual has a right to live with dignity,” he said, adding that beggars and transgender people should be given opportunities rather than ignored. Police officials said the initiative will continue to expand in the coming months. The long-term aim is to create employment opportunities for all transgender people in the city who are seeking work. The programme reflects a growing push in parts of India to promote inclusion and improve access to jobs for marginalized communities. Korina Estrada Courtesy : Transgenderfeed Note: This news is originally published on https:/transgenderfeed.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Insensitive and insulting’: BJP says Rahul Gandhi declined to wear Assamese Gamosa; Congress counters
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly refusing to wear an Assamese ‘Gamosa’ during the reception hosted by President Draupadi Murmu after Republic Day parade. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha of “insulting” the people of the entire Northeast and demanded an unconditional apology from him. Taking to X, Sarma said, “Times may change, but the attitude of the de facto supremo of the Congress party, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, regrettably appears unchanged. In an act that was deeply insensitive and insulting to the people of the entire North East, Mr. Gandhi chose not to wear the traditional Patka, a symbol of the region’s rich cultural heritage, at the reception hosted by the Hon’ble President of India this evening.” “From the President and the Prime Minister to foreign dignitaries, everyone wore the Patka with respect and pride. Mr. Gandhi alone stood apart, reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the North East. Such conduct explains why his party has lost the trust of the region and much of the country. Yet, this repeated insensitivity continues. Rahul Gandhi must issue an unconditional apology to the people of the North East for this affront,” he added. This comes after some media reports claimed that all guests except Rahul wore the Gamosa presented to them at the event. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a post on X, “Shameful! Rahul Gandhi has insulted the north east and also disrespected our very hon’ble President.” Congress hits back Meanwhile, Congress leaders shared a picture of defence minister Rajnath Singh and asked Assam chief minister if he will demand an apology from Singh also for not wearing the patka. “Hey Himanta Biswa Sarma, will you seek an apology from Rajnath ji too? Or your entire strategy to fight anti incumbency is to pick up such non issues?” Khera asked, Congress MP Manickam also slammed the BJP over the issue and termed Biswa “2016 batch of betrayer.” “The 2016 batch of betrayer must stop this nonsense. Why is @rajnathsingh ji not wearing the North east patka then? Stop dragging the Hon’ble President @rashtrapatibhvn into your cheap politics,” Tagore said in a post on X. This comes after he Congress accused the Centre of insulting the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge – by seating them in the third row during the Republic Day parade event at Kartavya Path Sharing pictures of their leaders seated in the back rows during the ceremony, several Congress leaders raised questions over the “protocol mess-up” and propriety. Meanwhile, BJP reacted sharply and accused the grand-old-party of politicising the seating arrangements at the Republic Day and called Gandhi an “insincere politician”. “Shameful of the Congress to politicise even seating arrangements at Republic Day’. Rahul Gandhi is an insincere politician, who chooses politics over national interest,” Bhandari said. 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
Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Are Muslim leaders really being ignored in the Congress party? Find out.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, has advised Muslim leaders to communicate with the high command regarding allegations of their neglect. This statement comes after former leader Shakeel Ahmed called Rahul Gandhi a “coward” and Rashid Alvi alleged difficulty in meeting Rahul and neglect of Muslim leaders. Is meeting Rahul Gandhi difficult, or is it just a rumor? Patna: Congress MP Tariq Anwar has appealed to the party’s Muslim leaders that if they feel that Muslim leaders are being neglected, they should discuss the matter with the party’s top leadership. This statement comes at a time when former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed targeted Rahul Gandhi, calling him an insecure and cowardly leader. Following this, senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that Muslim leaders are being neglected in the party and that Rahul Gandhi does not have time to meet Muslim leaders. Meeting Rahul Gandhi is not that easy. Congress MP Tariq Anwar defends Rahul Responding to these statements, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said in New Delhi that these are their personal feelings. If there is any such complaint, he has been a senior leader and also a Member of Parliament from the Congress, and he should talk to the Congress leadership about all these matters. If they feel that collective leadership is not being promoted, then this should be discussed. Regarding Congress MP Manickam Tagore’s statement, Tariq Anwar said that if there is such discontent within the party, then why is it there, and it should be properly resolved. The Congress party is a national party, and it is essential for democracy that the Congress party remains strong, improves itself, and works to protect democracy in the country in the future. It should work to save democracy in the country in the coming times. Shakeel Ahmed had called Rahul a ‘coward’ In fact, former Union Minister and senior leader Shakeel Ahmed launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “coward and insecure” leader. Ahmed, a three-time MLA and two-time MP, alleged that Rahul Gandhi feels uncomfortable around senior and popular leaders, which is why he only promotes sycophantic and inexperienced young people. Calling Rahul a dictator and undemocratic, Ahmed said that he does not listen to the advice of senior colleagues. He mocked Rahul’s working style, reminding him that this very attitude led to him losing his family’s traditional seat of Amethi. According to Ahmed, who left the Congress after the 2025 elections, Rahul Gandhi feels insecure in the presence of any prominent personality, which is harming the party’s internal democracy. Meanwhile, on the statement of Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, Congress MP Tariq Anwar from Katihar, Bihar, said that there must be some basis for what Karti said. I don’t deny this, although there is still a debate going on about whether holding simultaneous elections would be right or not. Our constitution grants rights to the states, and any step that harms or weakens those rights will not be acceptable to everyone. Rashid Alvi, who raised questions, U-turns Congress leader Rashid Alvi had said that limited access to the top leadership has created a communication gap in the party. Congress workers also complain that it is no longer easy to meet the Congress high command. There is no platform in the party where issues can be discussed. If people want to express their concerns, where do they go? Not everyone is a member of the Congress Working Committee. He said that Muslim leaders are leaving the party not out of greed for power, but because of the neglect of Muslim leadership. If the neglect of Muslim leadership continues in this way, leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi will continue to become powerful forces in the country. However, Rashid Alvi, who said all this, is now praising Rahul, saying that the country needs Rahul Gandhi. Input – IANS Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey is a Senior Journalist at Navbharat Times Bihar-Jharkhand. He has experience in all three mediums: print, TV, and digital. He has 20 years of experience in politics, sports, business, and ground reporting. He started his career with the prestigious fortnightly magazines Maya and Lokayat. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Plan to attack my residence’: After calling Rahul Gandhi ‘darpok’ Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad makes big claim
NEW DELHI: Days after calling Rahul Gandhi “darpok” (coward) and “insecure”, former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad on Tuesday claimed that his residence faces a threat of attack. He shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp message which he alleged was circulated by party members, calling on district and assembly-level leaders to burn his effigy in protest over his “inappropriate statements” about Rahul Gandhi. Sharing the chats on X, Ahmad wrote: “Now my information has turned out to be absolutely spot on. Many thanks to the old mates from Congress. There’s a saying in our Bihar that old friends are the ones who come in handy. Is this happening without Rahul ji’s orders?” — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The message he posted read: “Former Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad has been continuously making inappropriate statements about our respected leader Shri Rahul Gandhi. The top leadership has directed that all District Presidents and Assembly Presidents should, in their respective areas, burn an effigy of Shakeel Ahmad on 27/12/2026 to register strong protest.” Escalating the spat further, in a post late Monday, Ahmad further alleged that the Congress leadership in Bihar has “ordered” party workers to attack his residence. “Just now, some colleagues from the Congress have secretly informed me that the Congress national leadership has ordered the Bihar Congress/Youth Congress to attack my residences in Patna and Madhubani tomorrow, January 27, under the pretext of burning an effigy,” he wrote on X. — Ahmad_Shakeel (@Ahmad_Shakeel) The controversy follows Ahmad’s scathing remarks about Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi is a coward and an insecure person. He does not get that ‘boss feeling’ before anyone who is senior to him or has a big public support. He is uncomfortable with any such person and is thus dictatorial and not democratic,” he told PTI. Congress leader Manickam Tagore hit back, calling Ahmad a “betrayer” and “Jaichand”. “I am not shocked. Just saddened, yet again,? by how betrayal becomes loud when courage walks the longest road,” Tagore wrote on X, adding that such attacks were about “TV time, relevance and pleasing new masters”. Ahmad, a former Union minister and ex-Congress general secretary who quit the party after the 2025 Bihar elections, has also accused Gandhi of sidelining senior leaders and influencing the 2022 party presidential poll in favour of Mallikarjun Kharge. 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
Raebareli: Patwari orchestrated a ‘horrific’ conspiracy, looted 38 lakhs from a Dalit man and seized his land; SP’s action creates a stir
Raebareli News: A shocking case of collusion between land mafia and government employees has come to light in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. Here, a patwari (revenue official) conspired with fraudsters to seize property worth crores of rupees from a mentally ill Dalit man. In this case, which has made headlines in UP news, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr. Yashveer Singh’s zero-tolerance policy has shaken the criminals. The police have registered a case against five people, including the patwari, and have intensified efforts to arrest them. Land looted by instilling fear of a lawsuit This major fraud took place in Khor village (Amawan) under the Mill Area police station. The victim, Rajkumari, told the police that her husband, Ramprasad, is mentally unwell. Local land mafia took advantage of this. The accused threatened Ramprasad and his brother Guddu with an old lawsuit. The accused lured them to an office in Indira Nagar, Lucknow. There, on March 3, 2023, the fraudsters fraudulently got three agreements and two sale deeds registered in their favor in a single day. In this conspiracy, about 10 biswa of land was transferred to Raman Kumar and one bigha of land to Ramsajeevan. In addition, a fake agreement for one bigha of land was prepared in the name of Balkishun. 38 lakh rupees stolen from bank accounts The criminals not only seized the land but also looted the life savings of the victim’s Dalit family. The fraudsters took control of the mobile numbers and ATM cards of the victims, Ramprasad and his brother. The accused gradually transferred Rs 38.55 lakh from the accounts in the Bank of Baroda’s Malikmau branch to their own accounts. The investigation revealed that Rs 18.71 lakh was withdrawn from Ramprasad’s account and Rs 19.84 lakh from Guddu’s account. FIR filed against 5 people, including a revenue officer; police tighten the noose. The police department was thrown into a frenzy after this high-profile fraud came to light. City Circle Officer (CO City) Arun Kumar Nauhwar said that a case has been registered based on the complaint of the Dalit victim. The main mastermind of this conspiracy is Udit Narayan Srivastava, a resident of Kodwal. Bajrang, Ramlakhan Pasi, Manish Sonkar, and the local revenue officer Parmeshwardeen have also been named as accused. The Superintendent of Police has given clear instructions that no culprit will be spared. Police teams are conducting raids to arrest the accused. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News