16-Year-Old Dalit Girl Gang-Raped In Lucknow’s Banthara Area, 4 Arrested
A shocking incident occurred in Lucknow on Saturday, October 11, as a 16-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by five unidentified men in the Banthara area. According to police, the Class 11 student left her home at noon to visit her elder sister. Accompanied by an acquaintance on a motorcycle, she stopped near a mango orchard close to a petrol pump. It was here that five men approached the pair. Three Arrested In Gang-Rape Case Of Medical Student In West Bengal’s Durgapur Police sources said that many people, including the survivor’s male friend, were being interrogated. Krishnanagar Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vikash Kumar Pandey, reported that the men beat up her companion, forcing him to flee, before subjecting the student to brutal sexual violence. The perpetrators then threatened her with death should she report the matter, and quickly fled the scene. Police investigation, arrest The survivor relayed the incident to her brother-in-law over the phone. He immediately contacted police, who responded by registering a case and assembling several teams to pursue the suspects. Within hours, two named suspects were apprehended. Later that night, police received information of two other suspects near Haroni railway station. When approached, the men attempted to escape, and one suspect allegedly fired upon police. In retaliation, one, identified as Lalit Kashyap, was shot in the leg and later hospitalised. Police also recovered an illegal pistol. The second man managed to escape, and search operations are ongoing. Meanwhile, another suspect, Meraj, was apprehended by a different team. At the time of reporting, four out of the five accused are in custody. Hunt for the last remaining accused continues. Banthara Station House Officer, Rana Rajesh Kumar, confirmed that the survivor has undergone a medical examination and further investigation is underway. The police assert that every resource is being mobilised to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and that the survivor and her family receive full support. Author Shuddhanta Patra Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Who Is Preeti, Jan Suraaj’s Transgender Candidate For Bihar Assembly
PollsPrashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj fielded Preeti from Bhorey, a constituency in Bihar’s Gopalganj. The 51 candidates unveiled Thursday by Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party showcased a sparkling collection of doctors, lawyers, retired bureaucrats and police officers. The party also fielded Preeti Kinnar, a transgender woman. Preeti has been named as the candidate from Bhorey, a constituency in Bihar’s Gopalganj. Preeti, a social activist, has been pitted against a high-profile incumbent minister of the state. The sitting MLA of Bhore is Sunil Kumar, Nitish Kumar’s minister of education. In an interview with NDTV Thursday, Kishor, a poll strategist-turned politician, said his candidates were chosen on basis of their work for the people and if they were not elected, it would reflect on the people of Bihar and not him. “If you don’t vote for such people, then it is not a burden on Prashant Kishor. This is a burden on the shoulders of the people of Bihar,” said the chief of Jan Suraaj Party, which is contesting its maiden election and is seen as a wild card. Among the candidates the party chose is well-known mathematician KC Sinha, who served as the Vice Chancellor of Patna University. The books he authored have been followed in Bihar’s schools for decades. There is also YB Giri, the candidate from Manjhi, a former Additional Advocate General of Bihar and Additional Solicitor General of India for central government cases that came up in Patna High Court. Reports said Preeti, a resident of Kalyanpur village of Bhore block, has been associated with social work for long. The party believes that her understanding of local issues will help her bring the concerns of the common man to the House of Assembly, reports said. Transgender candidates have been contesting elections for over a decade in India, but not many win. Early this year, a transgender candidate who contested the assembly elections in Delhi as an Independent secured 85 votes. Last year, all three transgender candidates who contested the Lok Sabha elections lost their security deposits, highlighting the challenges faced by the community in gaining political representation in the country. Reported by : Somu Anand Edited by : Anindita Sanyal 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
‘Women have equal rights in our country’: Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over Taliban presser; oppn flags empty Nari Shakti slogans
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi on Saturday led a wave of opposition outrage after women journalists were barred from a Taliban press conference in New Delhi. Taking direct aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress MP addressed PM Modi and said, “you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.” The remark came as several opposition leaders condemned the government for allowing such an event, calling it a shameful affront to women’s rights and democratic values. Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, voiced his disappointment over the incident and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing on X, “Mr. Modi, when you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.” He added, “In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space. Your silence in the face of such discrimination exposes the emptiness of your slogans on Nari Shakti.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) BJP hits back at Rahul BJP responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Taliban press conference, denying the allegations and linking him to Pakistan, while calling Congress the “best friend of Pakistan.” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “Yet again Rahul Gandhi is batting for Pakistan by spreading fake news!” He also fact-checked Rahul on X, noting, “Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 Article 22 declares embassy land as ‘inviolable’ and belonging to the embassy.” — pradip103 (@pradip103) Oppn slams Centre It was not just Rahul Gandhi, but several other opposition leaders also targeted PM and Centre. Lok Sabha member Priyanka Gandhi also addressed the issue, asking the prime minister to clarify the government’s position. She wrote on X, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India.” — priyankagandhi (@priyankagandhi) Priyanka added, “If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride.” Former home minister P Chidambaram expressed shock over the exclusion, writing, “I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan. In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited).” — PChidambaram_IN (@PChidambaram_IN) TMC MP Mahua Moitra also targeted the Modi-led government, saying, “The government has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser. Shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.” — MahuaMoitra (@MahuaMoitra) She added in another post on X, “How dare our government allow Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi to exclude women journalists & hold a ‘male-only’ news conference on Indian soil with full protocol? How dare EAM Jaishankar agree to this? & why did our emasculated spineless male journos remain in room?” — MahuaMoitra (@MahuaMoitra) Taliban presser in New Delhi The press conference was held at the Afghanistan embassy hours after Taliban FM talks with external affairs minister S Jaishankar, where women journalists were barred from entry. The forum was only opened to a few male journalists, reflecting the Taliban’s ongoing record of gender discrimination. Sources say the decision on journalist invitations was made by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi. The Taliban government in Kabul has faced sustained global condemnation, including from the United Nations, for its restrictions on women’s rights, education, and participation in public life. Amid backlash, the ministry of external affairs clarified to ANI that India had “no involvement” in the press interaction held by Muttaqi. When asked about the condition of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi sidestepped the question, saying, “Every country has its own customs, laws and principles, and there should be respect for them.” He claimed Afghanistan’s situation had improved since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, contrasting current conditions with previous years. “Some 200 to 400 people died in Afghanistan every day before Taliban started ruling the country,” he 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
Bihar polls: Tejashwi new Rahul? Prashant Kishor says RJD leader could meet Amethi fate on Raghopur seat
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday took a dig at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, saying Tejashwi would have to contest from two seats if Kishor decided to fight from Raghopur. He also predicted that Tejashwi would lose Raghopur, drawing a comparison with Rahul Gandhi’s loss in Amethi. “If I contest from Raghopur, Tejashwi Yadav will face the same situation Rahul Gandhi faced in Amethi,” Kishor told journalists. “Tejashwi Yadav, who was voted by the people of Raghopur – they made his parents the CM, and him the deputy CM. Now, the people there are in trouble, but Tejashwi doesn’t care about it. He must be scared because of this,” he added. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Kishor’s remarks come amid recent reports that Tejashwi may contest from two seats and the talk of Kishor himself contesting from Raghopur. Raghopur has long been an RJD stronghold. Tejashwi Yadav won the seat in 2015 and 2020. The seat was earlier represented by his father Lalu Prasad Yadav and mother Rabri Devi. Kishor was speaking in Patna before launching his party’s campaign in Raghopur. “I am going to Raghopur to get feedback from the people, who want an end to the supremacy of one family. Despite being represented by Tejashwi, a second-term MLA, and earlier by Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, the constituency still lacks basic amenities,” he alleged. Kishor, who had earlier said he would not contest elections, recently hinted that he may do so if CM Nitish Kumar, whom he alleges has deteriorated mentally, contests this year’s elections. “If he contests, I will definitely contest against him, even confronting party leaders,” he had 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
Tejashwi will meet Rahul’s Amethi fate: PK at Raghopur
Patna: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Saturday kicked off his party’s poll campaign from Raghopur assembly constituency in Bihar but the poll strategist appeared “vague” on whether he will contest elections from this high-profile seat which has given two chief ministers–Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi. Currently, Raghopur is represented by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, scion of the Yadav family and widely perceived to be the opposition’s CM face. Tejashwi has been representing this seat since 2015 but Raghopur further attracted attention with reports that Kishor, more popular as PK, could join the poll fray from there this time. “Agar ladenge toh Tejashwi ke khilaf hi ladenge. Dusre jagah se ladane ka kya matlab hai (If I contest elections, it will be against Tejashwi only. What is the point in contesting from a place other than Raghopur)?” he asked, talking to reporters last month. On Saturday, however, he ducked all questions on joining the poll fray against Tejashwi. He said he is rushing to Raghopur to interact with the people on ground and hear their opinion about who could be a suitable candidate against Tejashwi. “Jan Suraaj Party’s central election committee (CEC) meeting is scheduled for Sunday, and the feedback I receive from Raghopur will also be up for discussion. Based on that, the most suitable candidate will be decided. The decision will be taken by the party. I do not decide,” Kishor told reporters before kickstarting his campaign. On reaching Raghopur, he sounded a little bit “forthright” but again kept his card close to his chest. On being asked if PK’s name could also be discussed as a candidate at the CEC meeting, he said, “Bilkul charcha hogi…Charcha hai tabhi aaye hain (There will definitely be a discussion at the CEC meeting… I have come because there is a discussion), he said. Taking potshots at Tejashwi for mulling the options of contesting from two assembly seats this time, Kishor said the former is working on this idea because he is scared of JSP. “Tejashvi is running away from Raghopur just after the speculation that PK or Jan Suraaj will contest from the seat,” Kishor ridiculed, adding the RJD leader would also meet the same fate as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “Tejashwi’s fate in Raghopur will be the same as that of Rahul Gandhi in 2019 Lok Sabha polls when the Congress leader fought two seats, but ended up losing his stronghold of Amethi,” PK said. “The game has just begun…Aage-aage dekhiye hota hai kya (Let’s see what happens next),” Jan Suraaj founder hinted. PK’s derisive comments come amid reports that Tejashwi may contest from two assembly seats in Bihar this time. So far, he has contested the elections from one seat only—Raghopur (Vaishali), considered his family turf, but now there are reports that he could also contest from Phulparas seat in Madhubani district in the light of a suggestion provided by party leadership. Sources said Tejashwi’s candidature from Phulparas could send a strong message to the EBC community and bolster the RJD’s prospects in the region and also establish his presence in the Mithilanchal region where the NDA has traditionally held its dominance. 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
Mayawati’s show of strength: BSP fights for relevance in UP Dalit politics
Mayawati prepares a show of strength on Kanshi Ram’s Parinirvan Diwas, while Akhilesh Yadav expands Dalit outreach, setting the stage for 2027 The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is set for a display of strength on Thursday on Kanshi Ram’s parinirvan diwas, even as the Samajwadi Party (SP) has announced its own plans to mark the day, as both parties battle it out to capture the Dalit and backward vote. The BSP has claimed that more than five lakh people will throng the capital on Thursday for the rally as the party considers this a statement of its unwillingness to fade out even after repeated poll debacles. Once considered the sole party that catered to Dalit interests, the BSP has been steadily losing ground since 2017. In the state, that is a space that the Samajwadi Party and caste-based outfits are seeking to capture. In the wider political arena, the Congress is projecting its commitment to the community. Mayawati, though, is calling out all these contenders. She has asserted that the movement for self-respect and dignity of Dalits, adivasis, and the backward Bahujans, started by Bhim Rao Ambedkar, was kept alive and given momentum by Kanshi Ram, who founded the BSP. “Opposing parties, especially the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have always displayed casteist and malicious attitudes towards him. And now to celebrate him is nothing more than ‘blatant deception,” she said, while not mentioning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in her tirade. As evidence of the Samajwadi Party’s ‘casteist’ mentality, she cited how the party changed the name of the district her government had christened Kanshiram Nagar to Kasganj. The colleges, universities, and hospitals that bore his name were also renamed. “The Samajawadi Party government did not even declare a day of mourning on his passing away. Neither did the Congress, which was in power in the centre then,” she said. This, Mayawati added, is a reflection of the parties’ ‘anti-Dalit character’. She has called upon people to remain vigilant and cautious towards parties that have displayed such ‘narrow-minded’ thinking. For the Samajwadi Party, this is an occasion to intensify its Dalit outreach. Past elections have taught it that it has to go beyond its traditional Yadav-Muslim vote base to grab power. The party is pressing ahead with this. The most powerful example being the setting up of its own Dalit-focused wing named the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Vahini. This wing is visibly reaching out to the community in cases of attacks. Its larger goal is to push for greater dialogue on issues of Dalit justice, reservation, and constitutional rights. It organises seminars centered around Ambedkarite thought and felicitation events for Dalit icons. It also marks days such as Valmiki Jayanti. And here is where Mayawati’s selective criticism comes into play. This year, the state government announced a holiday on Valmiki Jayanti. Mayawati did not question why the BJP had not thought of it earlier. The Samajwadi Party is also pushing similarities between the ideologies of Ram Manohar Lohia and Dalit icons. This shared symbolism is designed to send the message that the party is as serious about Dalit issues as it is about those of the Other Backward Castes (OBC). Another message draws from political history- the formation of the Samyukt Socialist Party, in which Lohia had called together for a tying together of the interests of the Dalits and the most backwards. Akhilesh Yadav is reframing this narrative to broaden his party’s vote bank. He is taking note of and making statements on Dalit atrocities within the state. Party delegations are also being sent to all such places. But today, Mayawati will seek to demonstrate that she is not a spent force and that the interests of Dalits are safest with her. That a dedicated cadre will never desert her. It will thus be of great interest to see what she says today. It is not just about a day or a rally, but a possible indication of what the party is doing for the 2027 Assembly polls. By Puja Awasthi Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
2 more arrested for Dalit man’s lynching in UP’s Raebareli
Raebareli (UP), Two men were arrested in connection with the lynching of a 40-year-old Dalit man over suspicion of “drone theft”, police said on Thursday. With the latest arrests, 11 people are now behind the bars over the killing. Shivam Agrahari, a resident of Baniyan Majre Pachkhara, and Hemant Kumar of Jamunapar, were arrested on Wednesday night, police said in a statement. Five policemen, two of them sub-inspectors, have been suspended for dereliction of duty, they said. Hariom Valmiki was reportedly lynched by villagers who mistook him for a thief during a night vigil on October 2 in Jamunapur village. Valmiki was assaulted amid rumours that a gang was using drones for surveillance to mark houses for robberies. Earlier, police said the stringent Gangsters Act and the National Security Act (NSA) will be invoked against the accused, and warned against giving the incident a casteist slant. The NSA empowers states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner “prejudicial to the defence of India” with a maximum detention period of 12 months, which can be revoked earlier. The Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, is aimed at combating organised crime by making special provisions to deal with gangsters and anti-social activities. Five people, Vaibhav Singh, Vijay Kumar, Sahdev Pasi, Vijay Maurya, and Suresh Kumar Maurya, were arrested for the murder soon after the incident, while four more were arrested on Tuesday. The lynching, a video of which was shared widely on social media, sparked a furore, with the Congress terming it a “murder of humanity” and of the Constitution. The party said the incident posed a serious question on collective morality. In a joint statement, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi alleged that mob lynching, bulldozer injustice, and mobocracy have become a horrifying hallmark of our times. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi earlier spoke to the victim’s brother over the phone and assured him of his support. Hariom, a resident of Fatehpur, was attacked with sticks, rods, and belts. He appeared to be mentally unstable and was unable to express himself. Police were informed about the incident the next morning. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI) Courtesy : The Week Note: This news is originally published on https:/theweek.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender person can’t adopt kids: HC
Chennai: Madras high court on Tuesday refused any relief to a transwoman who wanted to legally adopt a child. The court held that Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 does not provide for legal adoption by a transgender person. For a transgender person to legally adopt a child, the regulation must be amended to include such persons as eligible for adoption, Justice M Dhandapani said. “Unless a writ of mandamus is moved against Union govt seeking to make an appropriate amendment in the Act, the relief sought cannot be granted,” the court said. The court then granted liberty to transwoman K Prithika Yashini, the first transperson appointed sub-inspector of police in TN, to approach Centre seeking an appropriate amendment to the Act enabling a transperson to adopt a child. According to the petitioner, in 2016, she moved the HC since her application for the post of sub-inspector was rejected. With a favourable order from the HC, she was appointed as a sub-inspector and is presently working as an assistant immigration officer. In 2021, she decided to adopt a child and approached Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). On Sept 22, 2022, the authority rejected her application on the grounds that she cannot legally adopt a child since she is a transgender person. Aggrieved, she moved the present petition challenging the order of CARA. She contended that the rejection of her application amounts to discrimination and infringement of her rights as a transgender person.tnn 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
Interpretation of rape against transgenders: HC seeks reply
New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a PIL seeking to define sexual offences against transgender women and children also as rape under criminal law. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela were sceptical if it could “interpret” the statute but sought the stand of the Centre on the petition. It appointed senior advocate N Hariharan as amicus curiae. The plea has been filed by one Chandresh Jain, seeking to interpret Section 63 (offence of rape) of BNS to include transgender women and such children in its ambit. “Our prima facie opinion is this interpretation is perhaps not possible. If that were possible, then 376 IPC would have long ago included transgender women in its ambit. The call must be taken by the legislature, keeping in view that no one can be punished for an offence not defined in the statute,” the court said. The plea sought a direction that the provisions of the BNS and related criminal laws be interpreted in a gender-inclusive and identity-affirming manner where the word “woman” includes trans women and children so that they may be recognised as victims of rape. According to the plea, Chapter V of the BNS, which deals with offences against women and children, must include trans women and trans children so that they are afforded the same legal protection as a man who undergoes a change of sex. The PIL advocates the need to ensure their equal protection under the law so that such victims can also lodge an FIR, experience victim-sensitive investigation, and fair trial processes. “Despite landmark constitutional pronouncements in NALSA v. Union of India (2014) and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), transgender persons continue to remain excluded from essential criminal protections extended to cisgender women, particularly in the domain of sexual offences, domestic violence, trafficking and workplace harassment,” the PIL contended. 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
Why did Mayawati target Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi? Understand the meaning of the BSP supremo’s message from the Lucknow stage.
Mayawati Attacks Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi: On the occasion of Kanshi Ram’s Mahaparinirvan Diwas, the BSP chief held a major rally in Lucknow. In this, she directly attacked Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. Lucknow: After nine years, Mayawati held a major rally in Lucknow on Kanshi Ram’s death anniversary. The BSP supremo had held a major rally in Lucknow on October 9, 2016. Mayawati had demonstrated her strength before the 2017 UP Assembly elections. Now, ahead of the 2027 election season, Mayawati appears to be trying to increase her strength once again. Indeed, the Modi wave did not give opposition parties a chance to stand up in the 2017 UP elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory in this election. Since then, the BSP has not achieved any significant success in the two Lok Sabha and one Assembly elections held in the state. Therefore, this rally by Mayawati was considered significant ahead of the 2027 UP elections. The large crowds cheered Mayawati. She then directly targeted the Samajwadi Party and the Congress. India Block, raising the issue of changing the Constitution in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, cornered the Bharatiya Janata Party. They succeeded in wooing the Dalit vote bank. Mayawati has now launched a scathing attack on this issue. Akhilesh, Rahul in the crosshairs Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi were among Mayawati’s targets. Mayawati sarcastically said that a drama is being enacted with the Constitution in one hand. These are the same people who have consistently ignored it. Mayawati also targeted Akhilesh Yadav’s “Political Democracy and Dalit Minority” (PDA) politics. She clearly stated that a large section of the society is being deceived through the PDA. It is a weapon to gain power. Addressing the Dalit vote bank, Mayawati, following the path shown by Kanshi Ram, called for a share in power, not participation in power, for the Bahujan Samaj. She called for unity to pave the way for the BSP’s victory in the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh elections. Mayawati made a major political announcement on Thursday at a massive rally held in the capital, Lucknow, on the death anniversary of party founder Kanshi Ram. She announced the appointment of her nephew, Akash Anand, as the party’s national vice president. This decision is being seen as a major step towards bringing forward a new generation of leadership within the BSP. Given the unprecedented turnout at the rally and the formal appointment of Akash Anand, it is clear that Mayawati is now gradually preparing to hand over the reins of the BSP to a new generation. The ground resounded with a crowd of millions. The rally, held at the Kanshi Ram Memorial in Lucknow, drew a large crowd of BSP supporters from Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. A large number of women, elderly people, and children also participated. The ground echoed with slogans of “Jai Bhim, Mayawati Zindabad, Akash Anand Zindabad.” For the first time, Mayawati appeared on such a large stage with her nephew, Akash Anand. Mayawati and Akash Anand waved to their supporters from the stage. Mayawati said that Akash Anand will now be given greater responsibilities within the party to further strengthen the BSP’s organization. Indicating Election Preparation Political analysts view this rally as a preparation for the 2027 assembly elections. The BSP has been steadily weakening since losing power in 2012. In the 2017 UP elections, the party won only 19 seats. In the 2022 assembly elections, the BSP won only one seat. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BSP failed to even open its account. This was the second time since the party entered the electoral fray, after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, that the BSP was not represented in Parliament. Consequently, this rally is being seen as an attempt at political revival for the party. Mayawati’s Sharp Attack In her address, Mayawati sharply targeted the Samajwadi Party. She said that when she was in power, Kasganj district was named ‘Kanshi Ram Nagar’, but the name was changed as soon as the SP government came to power. She said that the Samajwadi Party has always insulted Bahujan leader Kanshi Ram and the Dalit community. Now, Dalits and backward classes must become aware. Mayawati also launched an indirect attack on the Congress party, saying that the Constitution was trampled upon during the Emergency. Babasaheb Ambedkar was not allowed to enter Parliament, and even the Bharat Ratna was delayed in his award. Praising the Yogi Government Interestingly, Mayawati also praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in her speech. She said that she is grateful to the current BJP government for not suppressing the funds collected from visitors to the memorial, unlike the Samajwadi Party government. The BJP government has adopted appropriate policies for the maintenance of the Kanshi Ram Memorial and other parks. Mayawati said that the repair work on this memorial, built during the BSP regime, is now almost complete. She said that all of you have broken all records, and lakhs of people have come here to pay their respects. This shows that Kanshi Ram’s mission is still alive. Curated by: Rahul Parashar About the Author Rahul Parashar is a senior journalist at Navbharat Times Online. He has 20 years of experience covering politics, current affairs, development, bureaucracy, education, health, and ground reporting. Courtesy: Hindi News