Bawankule Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Duplicate Voter List’ Remark
Nagpur: Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday launched a sharp counterattack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of duplicate names in the state’s voter list, calling them ‘absurd’ and politically motivated. “Rahul Gandhi should first study the state’s voter lists before making such foolish claims. Duplicate names aren’t new; they exist everywhere. In Kamptee, Congress-MVA candidate Suresh Bhoyar — who contested against me in the 2024 assembly polls — himself has a duplicate entry. Why doesn’t Rahul see that?” Bawankule asked. The guardian minister dismissed Gandhi’s charge as “a desperate attempt to create confusion” ahead of the upcoming civic elections. “Even if a name appears twice, only one person can vote since indelible ink is applied. The same voter list elected 31 MPs of the MVA, but now after losing the assembly polls, they are calling it faulty. This is a pathetic effort to spread a fake narrative,” he remarked. Bawankule accused Gandhi and the opposition of lacking any positive agenda. “In the last nine months, they haven’t presented a single constructive idea. Rahul Gandhi keeps attacking the Election Commission and the Supreme Court, playing the same old, worn-out cassette. He’s restless because he knows that the NDA under Modi will rule till 2047,” he said. Turning his fire on Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Bawankule termed him a “penless chief minister”. “In my 22 years of politics, I’ve seen many CMs, but Uddhav Thackeray was the only one who never carried a pen. He wouldn’t sign MLAs’ letters for months; that’s why his legislators deserted him. He barely visited Mantralaya during his two-and-a-half-year tenure,” he alleged. He dismissed Thackeray’s ongoing Marathwada tour as a purely political exercise. “It’s an off-season tour driven by electoral motives. As chief minister, he never visited farmers’ fields or cared about flood relief. He doesn’t even know what assistance victims receive. He’s touring only to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis,” Bawankule said, in a statement released to the media. 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 to visit Pachmarhi today for Cong training camp
Bhopal: Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, is set to reach Pachmarhi on Saturday as part of a two-day visit and will halt for the night at a local hotel. He will arrive in Bhopal on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 pm and leave by helicopter to Pachmarhi, where he is scheduled to spend three hours interacting with the Congress’ newly elected district presidents at the party’s training camp. According to the state PCC office, after reaching Pachmarhi he is expected to address the district presidents on “Global Politics of India” and may discuss his recent vote-theft allegations against the ruling BJP. The Congress MP from Rae Bareilly last visited the state on June 3 this year to inaugurate the Sangathan Srajan organisation restructuring Abhiyan in Bhopal, during which 72 new district presidents were appointed. Sources said Rahul Gandhi will hold one-on-one meetings with senior party leaders including Digvijaya Singh, Kamal Nath, PCC chief Jitu Patwari, LOP Umang Singhar and former Union minister Arun Yadav. Following his overnight stay, he will meet party workers again on Sunday morning before departing for New Delhi at around 1 pm. 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
GA to secure majority and form govt in state: Rahul
Bhagalpur: In a scathing attack on the BJP and an oblique reference to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged large-scale electoral fraud in recent polls, describing it as “vote chori”. Rahul claimed that the Congress has gathered evidence of “vote chori” in the Haryana and other state assembly polls and accused the ECI of ignoring the issue. Expressing confidence that the people of Bihar would resist any such irregularities, he said, “Bihar badla ja sakta hai… hum badlenge Bihar” (it is possible to bring changes in Bihar… we will ensure positive changes in Bihar). Alleging that cases of “vote chori” were also emerging from Bihar, Rahul said those responsible for safeguarding the electoral rights of citizens had “turned a blind eye towards the theft of your votes and future.” The Congress leader made these remarks during election rallies held at Amarpur in Banka district, Bhagalpur and Kahalgaon. He said Bihar would rise and prosper under the Mahagathbandhan (GA) once it came to power, adding that the alliance would secure a majority in the assembly elections and form the govt. Describing Bihar as “a land of knowledge” with ancient seats of learning like Nalanda and Vikramshila Mahavihara, Rahul accused successive NDA govts of neglecting the state’s development. “Progress has taken a backseat in Bihar,” he said, adding that the GA would “ensure the development of Bihar and connect its ancient institutions with a tourist circuit to make the state a global tourist hub.” Referring to local products such as makhana and other farm produce, Rahul said, “We will establish food processing industries to promote agricultural products, boost the tussar industry and strengthen educational institutions and health services in Bihar.” He said the Mahagathbandhan’s goal was to promote ‘Made in Bihar’ products across India and globally, replacing ‘Made in China’ goods. “Industrial establishments will generate employment for the youth, making them and the state self-reliant,” he added. Rahul also criticised PM Narendra Modi and the NDA govt for “favouring large industrial houses while neglecting the poor”. Without naming anyone, he alluded to prominent business figures, saying the NDA govt had “done nothing for the poor and downtrodden, including not waiving loans of farmers and small borrowers.” He accused PM Narendra Modi, CM Nitish Kumar and Union home minister Amit Shah of “turning Bihar into a labourers’ colony of India,” referring to the large number of Bihari workers employed across the country. “Why is it that the home minister’s son, Jay Shah, who does not even know how to hold a cricket bat, has become an authority in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and other associations?” he asked. 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
Govt formed by way of ‘vote theft’ involved in ‘land theft’: Rahul
Pune: Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress member Rahul Gandhi reacted to the Mundhwa land deal involving a private firm linked to deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s son Parth. He said, “The govt which was formed by way of ‘vote theft’ is involved in ‘land theft’.” Rahul took to his ‘X’ handle to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversial land deal and stated that Modi’s silence on the issue speaks a lot. “Are you silent (on the land deal issue) as the govt led by your party is dependent on those who have grabbed the rights of dalits?” he wrote on Friday. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the controversial deal of a 40-acre govt land in Pune’s Mundhwa area notified as ‘Mahar Watan’. Such land cannot be sold unless the govt allows it. According to the opposition, the value of the land is at least Rs 1,800 crore, but it was illegally sold at Rs 300 crore to a private firm, Amadea Enterprises LLP, in which Ajit Pawar’s elder son, Parth, is one of the two partners. An FIR was registered late on Thursday in connection with the land deal, where the revenue officials named in the case are accused of waiving stamp duty amounting to Rs 21 crore. While the opposition in the state has targeted the state govt over the alleged involvement of Ajit Pawar’s son in the controversial land deal, Rahul Gandhi jumped into it on Friday. He said, “In Maharashtra, a govt land valued at Rs 1,800 crore and reserved for dalits was sold to a company owned by a minister’s son. Additionally, the stamp duty was also waived, which means a discount was given while legalising the loot. They know that they can continue with unlimited loot and still can form the govt by stealing votes. They do not care about democracy, people, and rights of dalits.” 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
A tutor raped a Dalit girl in 2001, converted to Islam and remained in hiding for 24 years. Find out how the police apprehended him.
Kerala police have arrested a rape accused in Chennai after 24 years. The man was accused of sexually assaulting a minor Dalit girl in 2001. Police are investigating the case further. Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala police have arrested a rape accused who was absconding in Chennai after 24 years. This Kerala man was accused of sexually assaulting a minor Dalit girl in 2001. The accused has been identified as 50-year-old Muthukumar, who converted to Christianity and was living in Chennai under the alias Pastor Sam. Police arrested the accused on Wednesday. The accused worked as a tutor. According to Thiruvananthapuram police, Muthukumar was arrested in 2001 for raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl. At that time, the accused was working as a tutor. Police say he took the Dalit girl to his home and sexually assaulted her. He was subsequently arrested and sent to judicial custody for three months. He escaped after being released on bail in 2001. A police officer stated that this was one of the longest-pending cases. The police officer stated that the police had intensified their search for him over the past year. He further stated that he may have converted to another religion to hide. The police officer stated that he had neither purchased a mobile connection nor opened a bank account. Mother and brother traced during police investigation After being implicated in the rape case, Muthukumar was asked to vacate his rented house. He lived in the rented house with his mother. After being released on bail, he moved to Nagercoil. He then moved to Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu. The police officer stated that during the investigation, police traced his mother and brother in Tenkasi. The police officer further stated that when they checked the family’s mobile phone call details, they discovered that calls from certain numbers had stopped after the police arrived. The officer further stated that funds had also suddenly stopped flowing into their accounts from some accounts. Police are investigating further. With the help of the cyber cell, the police discovered that the same mobile device was operating with two different SIM cards. Further investigation revealed that the mobile phone was being used by a woman in Chennai, who turned out to be the accused’s wife. Police stated that the court would be informed of the accused’s arrest. Authored by: NBT Desk About the Author NBT Desk: Whether it’s national, international, sports news, or insider news from the political corridors, NBT News Desk brings you every news.
3 RPF officials booked for murder after Dalit man dies in custody
His family members allege that he was beaten severely by the RPF personnel and was given electric shocks during interrogation. A 35-year-old Dalit man, taken in for theft, was found dead while in the custody of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Uttar Pradesh‘s Gonda district. The incident prompted the suspension of three officials, who have also been booked for murder. The victim, Sanjay Kumar Sonkar’s family, has claimed that his death was a result of custodial torture. They alleged that he was beaten severely by the RPF personnel and was given electric shocks during interrogation. The officers reportedly placed the body in the mortuary without informing them. The RPF had detained him on Tuesday, November 4, in connection with a recent oil theft case from a goods train at Barua Chak railway station. Soon after, Sonkar was rushed to the government medical college by the RPF officials, where he was declared dead. Three officers suspended Sub-inspectors Surendra Kumar and Karan Singh Yadave, along with constable Amit Kumar Yadav, have been suspended. RPF senior commandant Chadra Mohan Mishra confirmed that a departmental probe was initiated into the custodial death charges. Crime inspector of Gonda City Kotwali police station, Sabhajeet Singh, verified that a murder case has also been registered against the three officers. Singh stated that the preliminary medical report from the attending doctor confirmed that Sonkar was dead when he arrived at the hospital. Meanwhile, RPF senior commandant Mishra stated that the RPF team was led to Sonkar during the investigation of the oil theft case. The stolen oil was procured from the accused victim’s possession on the same day. Mishra also claimed that the accused’s condition deteriorated while they were conducting the recovery procedure. He was immediately transported to the hospital, where he later died. The circle officer (CO) of Gonda City said that the initial autopsy report was inconclusive, stating that the “cause of death is not ascertained.” However, the viscera were preserved for forensic tests to investigate further. The CO also clarified that the body showed no clear signs of injury, other than “one or two abrasions”, which cannot be a cause for death. Posted by Khadija Irfan Rahim Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi attacks Maha govt over ‘land theft’ for Parth Pawar
Rahul Gandhi attacked the Maharashtra govt over a land deal involving Parth Pawar, alleging Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1800 cr was sold for Rs 300 cr. He called it ‘land theft’ by a govt formed through ‘vote theft’. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government after it was reported that Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had acquired government land without allegedly paying stamp duty. He said the government sold Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1,800 crore in Pune’s Koregaon Park area for just Rs 300 crore, calling it “land theft” and alleging the same government came to power through “vote theft.” Gandhi Alleges ‘Land Theft’ by ‘Vote Theft’ Government In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “In Maharashtra, government land worth ₹1800 crore, which was reserved for Dalits, was sold to the minister’s son’s company for just ₹300 crore. On top of that, the stamp duty was also waived – meaning not only is it a robbery, but even a legal stamp of approval on the theft! This is ‘land theft’ by that government, which itself was formed through ‘vote theft’. They know that no matter how much they loot, they will return to power by stealing votes again.” He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence, questioning whether the central government is supporting those who “usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived.” “No regard for democracy, nor for the public, nor for the rights of Dalits. Modi ji, your silence speaks volumes -Are you staying silent for this reason, because your government is propped up by those very looters who usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived?” the post read. A company allegedly owned by the son of the National Congress Party (NCP) chief is facing major allegations over a land deal worth crores. Further, the Inspector General of Registration in Pune has submitted an interim report to the Additional Chief Secretary in Mumbai on the alleged land scam. According to the interim report, a property, allegedly valued as high as 1,800 crore rupees, was sold to a company linked to Parth Pawar for just Rs 300 crore with a nominal stamp duty of only Rs 500, allegedly bypassing proper procedures for government-linked land. Following the submission, one official has been suspended, and the government has ordered a high-level committee to conduct a full investigation into the irregularities and financial losses to the state. The final report from the investigation committee is expected within eight days. (ANI) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : Asianet News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianetnews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections 2025: Voting for the BJP proved costly in Gopalganj, RJD supporters brutally beat a Dalit family, injuring three.
Bihar Elections 2025: Following the first phase of voting in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, shocking news has emerged from Gopalganj. A Dalit family was attacked by RJD supporters for voting for the BJP in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency. Three people were seriously injured. Bihar Elections 2025: Following the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections on November 6th, a shocking incident has emerged from the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency in Gopalganj. Three members of the same family were fatally attacked while returning after casting their votes. According to reports, the attackers allegedly asked them which party they had voted for. When the three mentioned the BJP, they became enraged and brutally beat them with sticks and rods. Beaten for Voting for the BJP This incident occurred with Mukesh Ram (28), his father Chhattu Ram, and his brother Chhotu Ram. All three live in the Dalit settlement of Bucheya village. Mukesh, describing the incident, said that yesterday (November 6th), late in the evening, they were returning from the Sidhavaliya polling booth in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency. On their way to the Dalit settlement, some dominant villagers stopped them and asked whom they had voted for. According to Mukesh, as soon as they revealed that they had voted for the BJP, the men became enraged. They attacked them with deadly weapons and beat them with sticks. The attackers turned out to be RJD supporters Mukesh and his family have accused Akhilesh Yadav, Vishal Yadav, and his father, along with about half a dozen other people from the village, of the attack. Mukesh stated clearly that these people attacked them because they did not vote for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). All three men sustained serious injuries in the attack. He was immediately admitted to the Sidhavaliya Community Health Center (CHC), where he received initial treatment. Later that evening, he was referred to the emergency ward of Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for better treatment. BJP candidate also reached the hospital Upon learning of the incident, BJP candidate Mithilesh Tiwari reached Gopalganj Sadar Hospital late at night and inquired about the well-being of the victims. Mithilesh Tiwari has accused supporters of RJD candidate Premshankar Prasad of assaulting him. Police taking action Gopalganj SDPO 2 Rajesh Kumar confirmed the incident. He stated that, after voting concluded in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency, incidents of assault were reported at three locations: Bangra in Baikunthpur, Devkuli in Mohammadpur, and Bucheya in Sidhavaliya. The SDPO also stated that written complaints from the injured individuals are being taken and legal action will be taken after investigation. These incidents have raised serious questions about the security arrangements during the elections. Sunil Kumar Tiwari Courtesy: Hindi News
US Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce two-gender passport policy
The US Supreme Court allowed Trump’s administration to enforce a policy restricting passport gender markers to only “male” or “female,” sparking debate over transgender rights. The US Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy restricting passport gender markers to only “male” or “female,” reversing lower-court orders and igniting sharp debate over transgender rights and safety. The ruling permits the administration to proceed with the policy while a lawsuit challenging it continues. It halts a lower-court order that had required the State Department to let applicants choose “M,” “F,” or “X” on passports to align with their gender identity. The court’s three liberal justices dissented, according to The Associated Press. The decision marks another victory for Trump on the court’s emergency docket. Since the beginning of his second term, the Supreme Court has issued nearly two dozen short-term orders favouring his administration in various policy disputes, including one that barred transgender people from serving in the military. In an unsigned order, the conservative majority said the policy does not violate equal protection principles. “Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth,” the court wrote. “In both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment.” Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, joined by the court’s two other liberal justices, issued a strong dissent. She warned that the ruling puts transgender and nonbinary Americans at risk. “This Court has once again paved the way for the immediate infliction of injury without adequate (or, really, any) justification,” Jackson wrote, arguing that the policy stems from Trump’s executive order describing transgender identity as “false” and “corrosive.” Jackson noted that several plaintiffs reported being strip-searched, sexually assaulted, or accused of using fake documents at airports because their passports did not match their gender presentation. The majority argued that blocking the policy would harm the government’s ability to manage passports under the president’s foreign affairs authority. The dissenters countered that the link between personal identification documents and foreign policy was unclear. The passport policy originates from Trump’s January executive order declaring that the United States would “recognize two sexes, male and female,” based strictly on birth certificates and “biological classification.” Sex markers first appeared on US passports in the mid-1970s. By the early 1990s, applicants could change them with a doctor’s note. Under President Joe Biden, the State Department in 2021 removed documentation requirements and introduced an “X” option for nonbinary applicants after years of legal challenges. Attorney General Pam Bondi welcomed the ruling, saying it affirms “the simple truth that there are only two sexes,” and pledged to continue defending the administration’s position. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bar Council Approves Kerala’s Proposal To Reserve Seats For Trans Students
The approval follows a directive from the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had asked the BCI to consider and approve the government’s request. Kochi: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has granted interim approval to the Kerala government’s proposal to create two supernumerary seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state. The move is being hailed as a significant step towards inclusivity in legal education. The approval follows a directive from the Kerala High Court on October 24, which had asked the BCI to consider and approve the government’s request. The Kerala government had submitted its proposal on August 6, seeking permission to introduce additional seats under the transgender category in both three-year and five-year LLB programmes. When the matter came up on Thursday, Justice VG Arun recorded his satisfaction over the progress made. “It is heartening to note that pursuant to this Court’s order dated 24/10/2025, the Bar Council of India has granted interim approval to the proposal of the Government of Kerala for two supernumerary posts in each law college for the transgender category for the academic year 2025-26,” the court observed. The development came during the hearing of a petition filed by a transgender woman, who had qualified in the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025 and was ranked eligible for admission to the Government Law College, Kozhikode. However, she was denied admission since no separate category or seat existed for transgender candidates in the allotment list prepared by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE). The petitioner argued that the denial violated her fundamental rights, as well as the Supreme Court’s NALSA judgment and provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which mandate equal access to education and non-discrimination. She sought the court’s direction to secure her admission under the transgender category and to ensure that such reservations are implemented across all government law colleges and universities in the state. Following the BCI’s submission, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that they would implead all law colleges and universities in Kerala in the case, noting that only the University of Calicut had been named so far. The court posted the matter for further hearing on Friday, November 7, to issue appropriate directions. “Let this be helpful to others also,” Justice Arun orally remarked. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : NDTV Note: This news is originally published on https:/ndtv.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights