Bombay High Court orders SIT probe into custodial death of Dalit law student
The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court dissolves earlier inquiry panel; says constitutional rights “prima facie violated” in Somnath Suryawanshi case. In the custodial death case of Somnath Suryawanshi, the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within one week. The court orally passed the order on August 14, 2025. A Division Bench comprising Justice Vibha Kankanwadi and Justice Sanjay A. Deshmukh observed that the Inquiry Committee earlier appointed by the Maharashtra Government will be dissolved, and all documents related to the 35-year-old Dalit law student Suryawanshi’s custodial death will now be handed over to the new SIT. Magisterial probe holds cops responsible for custodial death of Parbhani protester “If the petitioner, Vijayabai Venkata Suryawanshi, has any objections to the members of the SIT, she may register them before the court,” the Bench observed. Advocate Hitendra Gandhi representing Ms. Suryawanshi, told The Hindu, “The High Court’s direction to constitute a SIT in the custodial death case of Somnath Suryawanshi is a significant step forward, we hope the SIT will conduct a fair and thorough investigation to deliver justice that has long been denied. This order restores faith that the truth cannot be buried, and accountability will have to follow.” On July 4, 2025, the court directed the Parbhani police to register a First Information Report (FIR) within a week, noting prima facie evidence of custodial torture and violation of fundamental rights. The Bench passed the interim order in response to a petition filed by Mr. Suryawanshi’s 61-year-old mother, Vijayabai Vyankat Suryawanshi. The petitioner alleged that her son was subjected to brutal torture during his illegal detention following a protest in Parbhani on December 11, 2024, and that authorities subsequently attempted to cover up his death as a cardiac incident. Mr. Suryawanshi, a final-year law student and a member of a Scheduled Caste family from Latur, was reportedly arrested while filming a protest against the desecration of a replica of the Constitution near a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The petition alleged that despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, he and several others were picked up during an indiscriminate police crackdown, subjected to custodial assault, and denied timely medical attention. On July 30, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the Maharashtra government challenging a Bombay High Court order directing the police to register a FIR. Mr. Suryawanshi, a final-year law student and a member of a Scheduled Caste family from Latur, was reportedly arrested while filming a protest against the desecration of a replica of the Constitution near a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The petition alleged that despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, he and several others were picked up during an indiscriminate police crackdown, subjected to custodial assault, and denied timely medical attention. The petition stated, “In the videos, it could be seen that Somnath was carrying the book of the Constitution of India and recording the incident in the protest. His arrest was illegal and then he was subjected to inhuman atrocities. He as well as other persons were produced before the Magistrate on 12.12.2024. The others were also subjected to brutality and their injuries were visible, swollen, however, they were afraid to speak to the Magistrate due to the threats those were given.” It further said that the Court had granted police custody of two days. “Further brutal assault was given to Somnath. His situation worsened when he was again produced before the Magistrate on 14.12.2024. Thereafter, his custody was transferred to Magisterial custody. Around 6.49 a.m. suddenly Somnath died on 15.12.2024, while in judicial custody,” the petition read. It was further submitted that police claimed Mr. Suryawanshi had complained of chest pain prior to his death. The petitioner also alleged that on reaching Parbhani, she was taken by Police Officer Ashok Ghorband to the Inspector General of Police, where she was informed that Somnath’s brothers could be offered police jobs and was advised to perform the last rites in Latur instead of Parbhani. She further claimed she was offered ₹50 lakh to refrain from filing a complaint. She declined, demanding that her son’s death be acknowledged as custodial murder and not classified as death by natural causes. The court noted that the post-mortem, conducted by a seven-member medical team, had recorded 24 visible injuries and concluded that the cause of death was “shock following multiple injuries”. A judicial inquiry under Section 196 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) also reportedly found gross human rights violations and directly linked the death to custodial assault. “This Court cannot remain a mute spectator when constitutional rights of a person in custody are prima facie violated,” the Bench observed, criticising the State for failing to register a cognisable offence despite substantial evidence from the post-mortem, inquest report, and the magistrate’s findings. The Bench further questioned the delay by the CID in acting on the findings and expressed concern over the credibility of the internal inquiry, which bypassed the autopsy doctors and instead sought a second opinion from J.J. Hospital, Mumbai. The court directed that an FIR be registered based on the petitioner’s complaint dated December 18, 2024, and that the investigation be handed over to a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The prior order restraining CID officer D.B. Talpe from submitting a final report has been vacated following this direction. Purnima Sah 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.
‘Chori chori, chupke chupke’: Rahul Gandhi shares new video as part of ‘vote theft’ campaign; watch
NEW DELHI: A fresh jibe added to Rahul Gandhi’s string of attacks on the Election Commission, as the Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP on Saturday used a parody clip from the Hindi film “Laapataa Ladies” to target the poll body.Sharing a one-minute video inspired by Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, Rahul posted on X: “Chori chori, chupke chupke… Ab aur nahi, jantaa jaag gayi hai” (Now, no more, the public has woken up). — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) In the video, a man walks into a police station to report a theft. While the policeman lists usual stolen items, the man responds that he has fallen victim to “vote theft.” Meanwhile, the Congress party has urged people to join its “Vote Chori se Azaadi” campaign in support of Rahul’s allegations against the Election Commission and BJP. Rahul also announced the launch of “VoterAdhikarYatra” from August 17 in Bihar, calling it a direct fight against vote theft. “From August 17, with #VoterAdhikarYatra, we are launching a direct fight against vote theft from the soil of Bihar,” he said on X. This comes amid INDIA bloc protests and Rahul’s repeated charge that elections are being manipulated. On August 7, he alleged: “Elections are choreographed. Our internal polling told us we would win 16 seats in Karnataka; we won nine. We then focused on seven unexpected losses. We chose one Lok Sabha, and our team decided we could only focus on one Vidhan Sabha (seat). So we focused on Mahadevapur. Here is the broad math. All data is 2024 data from the Election Commission. Total votes polled in the Lok Sabha were 6.26 lakh. The BJP won with 6,58,915, securing a margin of 32,707. But then we look at Mahadevapura, where Congress polls 1,15,586 and BJP polls 2,29,632. Congress wins all Vidhan Sabhas but this one. This seat wins them the election.” He also said on August 7 that “Elections are choreographed and EC colluding with the BJP.” 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.
Independence Day: Rahul, Kharge absent from Red Fort event; BJP questions no-show
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge over their absence from the official Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort on Friday. Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge holds the same post in the Rajya Sabha — both official positions whose holders mostly attend the event. “Rahul Gandhi, leader of opposition, was missing from the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort. At the Congress HQ event, he appeared visibly disoriented. The nation deserves to know — is he well?” wrote BJP I-T cell chief Amit Malviya on X. He further said, “And why did he choose to skip the official ceremony? For someone in his position, such absence sends a poor message about his commitment to national occasions.” — amitmalviya (@amitmalviya) There has been no official statement from the Congress party over the two leaders not attending the Red Fort ceremony. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi greeted the nation on X and wrote: “Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. This freedom, achieved by the sacrifice of great freedom fighters, is a pledge to build such an India — where justice is based on truth and equality, and there is respect and brotherhood in every heart. It is our duty to protect the pride and honour of this precious heritage. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also posted on social media and said, “Heartiest greetings and congratulations to all countrymen on Independence Day. We pay our humble tribute to the countless great freedom fighters who made invaluable contributions to the national movement. “Today is an important day because we, the people of India, are now fighting for our rights, protection of constitutional institutions, social justice, economic empowerment, and brotherhood. Let us take this struggle forward together and pledge to protect the interests of every Indian. Jai Hind,” he further wrote. 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, Kharge skip Red Fort event, draw BJP fire
NEW DELHI: Absence of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, leaders of opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively, from the Independence Day event at Red Fort on Friday drew a sharp reaction from BJP which alleged that the main opposition party, Congress, has hit a “new low” with its top functionaries “insulting” the country by “boycotting” the event. Rahul had attended the programme last year but was absent this time. Kharge was absent last year as well. The Congress leadership steered clear of making a statement on the issue but sources said party heads have chosen to distance themselves from such events as they feel the governing dispensation discriminates against opposition members in terms of seating arrangements and protocol. “Even those holding constitutional positions are not shown due respect – instead of being seated in the front row, they are placed in the third row,” a source said. BJP sources refuted the charge as a “lame alibi”. “We are following the same protocol that they had put in place,” a source said. “From opposing a party to insulting the nation – every time you think Congress can’t fall further, they hit a new low,” BJP said. “Only a handful of chairs were empty at Red Fort, and no points for guessing who missed the event again,” BJP said, posting a media report on X about Rahul and Kharge skipping the official event. The stalemate over seats and protocol is not new and has seen BJP and Congress engage in a war of words with BJP members alleging in the past that during UPA era, its members were not given seats i VIP areas. 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.
GMR group conducts aviation training program for transgender persons in Kochi
With this, beneficiaries will be imparted with domain-specific knowledge and practical skills that will help them enhance employability in the airport and aviation services. GMR Aero Academy Kochi, operating partner of the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) by the Government of Kerala, has commenced a professional training program for transgender beneficiaries under ‘Project Pride’. ‘Project Pride’ is a collaborative initiative supported by the Kerala State Social Justice Department and the Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM), a press release informed. Funded by the Social Justice Department of the Kerala government, the training program provides beneficiaries with a 90-day offline course with certification in Airport Operations. The training is delivered by GMR Aero Academy at its Kochi centre. With this, transgender beneficiaries will be imparted with domain-specific knowledge and practical skills that will help them enhance employability in the airport and aviation services. A state-wide webinar was conducted by GMR Aero Academy on January 27, to raise awareness and draw engagement from all over Kerala. The formal inauguration of Project Pride was held on August 4 and was attended by the Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice, Dr. R Bindu. Commenting on this initiative, CEO of Airport Strategic Initiatives, GMR Group, Andrew Acquaah Harrison stated, “Project Pride is more than a training program – it is a platform for empowerment, dignity, and social inclusion. At GMR, we believe in building opportunities for all, and this collaboration with the Government of Kerala is a testament to what can be achieved when industry and public institutions work together to foster equity. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative.” 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.
Revision of report on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes sought; protest staged
Members of the Dalit Right community take out a procession and stage a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi Thousands of the Dalit Right community members took out a procession and staged a demonstration outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kalaburagi on Thursday, opposing the H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes. Organised under the banner of Scheduled Castes Right Community Internal Reservation Protection Committee, community leaders, members of caste-based organisations and supporters gathered at Jagat Circle where they paid floral tributes to B.R. Ambedkar before marching to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The rally, accompanied by drum beats, echoed with slogans such as Jai Bhim and Down with the biased Nagamohan Das report. Banners emblazoned with Jai Bhim fluttered during the procession. Upon reaching the district administrative complex, the protesters blocked vehicular movement for nearly two hours disrupting traffic movement. As vehicles were diverted to different roads, several narrow streets and circles saw traffic jams and heavy congestion. The agitators, meanwhile, in a symbolic gesture of dissent, burnt copies of the Nagamohan Das Commission report. They said that the Nagamohan Das Commission report is unscientific and the recommendations of the report appear to be highly biased. They also noted that the report wrongly clubbed several sub-castes belonging to the Scheduled Castes Right group under the Scheduled Castes Left thereby affecting the distribution of internal reservation benefits. “There are several flaws in the Nagamohan Das Commission report. Many castes which are part of the Scheduled Castes Right have been brought under Scheduled Castes Left. The Scheduled Castes Right communities population size has also been shown smaller than their actual size,” State vice-president of the BJP’s Scheduled Castes Morcha Ambaraya Ashtagi said during the protest. Clarifying that the protest is not against the Madiga community, which got a relatively greater share in the Scheduled Castes reservation in the commission’s report, another Dalit Right leader Arjun Bhadre said that the Scheduled Castes Right communities did not have an objection to the 6% reservation allocated to Scheduled Castes Left communities which include the Madigas. “This is not a fight against the Madiga community. We have no objection to the 6% reservation they enjoy. This is a struggle to secure a fair share of internal reservation for the Scheduled Castes Right communities based on our actual population,” he said. Mr. Bhadre also noted that most enumerators were instructed to use a specific app for the survey but were not provided equipment/tablets. “Later, the app was uninstalled from their devices resulting in the deletion of thousands of survey entries and a re-survey was conducted for those families. The abrupt shift in survey method from ration card-based to Aadhaar-based resulted in the leaving out of at least eight lakh children who did not have Aadhaar. The enumerators were not provided identity card, leading to unverified surveys and most of the Scheduled Castes population was not covered,” Mr. Bhadre said. Leaders who spoke at the agitation site said that the population size of the Scheduled Castes Right communities was around 40 lakh and criticized the Nagamohan Das Commission for recording it as 30 lakh. “Around 10 lakh-15 lakh Dalit Christians were wrongly included under the Scheduled Castes Left category. These numbers must be corrected and our (Scheduled Castes Right) rightful share in internal reservation ensured. The government should approve the report only after such corrections are made,” Mr. Bhadre insisted. A memorandum, addressed to the Chief Minister, was later submitted to the district administration before the protest concluded. Prominent Scheduled Castes Right leaders including Mariyappa Halli, Vishal Dargi, A.B. Hosamani, Basanna Singe, Dinesh Doddamani, Mallappa Hosamani, Arjun Gobbur, Ramesh Pattedar, Mahantappa Sangavi and Srinivas Khelagi participated in the agitation. 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.
Protest held in Mysuru against Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation
The protest was called by the Karnataka State Federation of Dalit Right Groups, which alleged that their population was undercounted and hence, the quantum of reservation has been reduced. The federation urged the government to reject the report and conduct the survey afresh for providing internal reservations. It alleged that more than 40 lakh people belonging to various sub-castes under Dalit right groups were either kept out of the purview of the survey or were not enumerated at all. Instead of the Dalit right groups, members of other castes have been included in Chitradurga, the federation said. Besides, more than 40% of the people under Bengaluru city limits have not been accounted for, it added. Instead of carrying out the survey for a projected population of 1.47 crore, the survey has been restricted to 1.16 crore people, out of whom, 1.05 crore people were surveyed, according to the leaders of the federation. The report was also faulted for not adhering to the norms stipulated for recommending the reservations based on sub-castes. Community leaders allege that faulty enumeration has led to serious errors in data collection, and hence the recommendations are based on false figures. Urging the State government to reject the report, the federation warned that all elected representatives from the SC community in Congress will have to face the consequences. In case the report was accepted by the government, all MLAs and Ministers belonging to SC right groups should tender their resignation, the federation added. 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.
Communal Tensions Erupt After 40-Year-Old Dalit Woman Brutally Murdered In Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur
The city observes Burhanpur Bandh and markets remained closed; accused in police custody Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district observed a ‘Bandh’ on Thursday morning as communal tensions flared up after the brutal murder of a 40-year-old woman by a man belonging to a minority community on Wednesday evening. SP Ashutosh Bagri said that the accused has been arrested and FSL team is collecting evidence from the spot for further investigation. After the post-mortem, enraged members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha, Bhim Army, and BSP took out a funeral procession in the town on Thursday morning. Police made tight security arrangements to maintain law and order in the town. Traversing the main streets of the town, they submitted a memorandum to SDM Ajmer Singh Gaur, demanding capital punishment for the accused. During the rally, participants raised slogans and urged people to close their businesses. They expressed concerns over rising violence and urged authorities to take strict action against the perpetrators. They had also gheraoed Shikarpura police station, demanding capital punishment against the accused on Wednesday evening. MLA Archana Chitnis met the victim’s family and assured them of strict action against the accused and financial assistance. She said she had talked to CM Mohan Yadav. As per reports, the incident occurred at victim Sharda Sirture’s home, when accused Sheikh Salim, of Maharashtra, barged into the house and attacked her with a hammer. Sharda’s brother-in-law Mithun Sirture tried to intervene and got into a scuffle with Salim. However, Salim pushed him away and struck Sharda on the head three to four times. She sustained a skull fracture and bled profusely. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries at the district hospital. Sharda’s husband, Manoj Sirture, said that she had left home for work on Wednesday and he was not at home during the incident, as their son was in hospital. SP Bagri said that prima facie, the incident occurred due to personal relations between the victim and accused, which had gone sour for some reason. To maintain peace, additional police forces have been deployed in the area as community members seek justice for Sharda. Courtesy : TFPJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thefreepressjournal.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
40yo man gets life in jail for raping Dalit girl in 2022
Meerut: A special Pocso court in Bulandshahr sentenced a 40-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping and threatening a 15-year-old Dalit girl three years back. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him. Special public prosecutor Mahesh Raghav said, “On July 7, 2022, while the girl was alone at her house, a man from her neighbourhood barged in and raped her. He then threatened to kill her if she reported the incident. After her parents, who work as sanitation workers, returned from their shifts, the survivor narrated her ordeal.” Based on her parents’ complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 376C (rape) and 442 (house trespass), section 5/6 of the Pocso Act, and 3(2) (V) SC/ST Act. Subsequently, the accused was arrested and a chargesheet was filed in the court. “During the trial, six witnesses testified. The girl’s testimony and medical report played a crucial role in the conviction. The man’s pleas for mercy were rejected,” he added. While pronouncing the sentence on Wednesday, the court of Additional District Judge Manoj Kumar Singh observed, “Such a heinous and most serious crime of aggravated sexual assault has left a negative impact on the body and mind of the victim.” 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.
The Dalit Leader Who Chose Pakistan, Became Law Minister, Then Returned To India: Jogendra Nath Mandal’s Story
Know the untold story of Jogendra Nath Mandal, a prominent Dalit leader who became Pakistan’s first Law Minister, only to return to India after Jinnah’s death amid rising religious extremism. With India marking its 79th Independence Day, the tale of Jogendra Nath Mandal, the eminent Dalit leader who opted for Pakistan over India during Partition, presents a heart-wrenching and lesser-known page from the history of the subcontinent. Disillusioned with India’s social order and initially attracted by the promises of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mandal became the first Law Minister of Pakistan. But his expectations were thwarted as religiosity did a rapid turnaround, eventually forcing him back to India. Born into a farmer’s family belonging to the Namasudra community (a Dalit group) from Barisal, British India, Jogendra Nath Mandal overcame odds to seek education, eventually graduating with a law degree in 1934. Far from practicing law, he spent his life fighting against injustice and striving for the betterment of Dalits. Mandal’s political life started with Barisal municipal elections, where he worked relentlessly to enhance the lives of marginalized people. During the 1937 provincial election, he defeated the Congress district committee president and secured the Bakarganj North-East assembly seat as an independent candidate. Under the initial influence of Subhas Chandra Bose, Mandal was eventually drawn towards the Muslim League when Bose quit Congress. Mandal was also highly impressed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Mandal was pivotal in making Ambedkar win the 1946 Constituent Assembly polls from Bengal when Ambedkar lost from Bombay. Mandal was a member of the Constituent Assembly himself and played a significant role in formulating the Indian Constitution through his deliberations and suggestions to Ambedkar. Influenced By Jinnah, Warned By Ambedkar In the 1946 riots, Jogendra Nath Mandal went through East Bengal, advising Dalits not to retaliate against Muslims but to consider both groups as victims of oppression by Hindu upper castes. It was then that he sided with the Muslim League and became a close associate of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Although he was not the first to favor India’s partition, he eventually became convinced that the condition of Dalits would never change in an upper-caste dominated Hindu-majority country and Pakistan could provide a better alternative. In October 1946, Jinnah selected Mandal as one of the five representatives of the Muslim League in the interim Indian government. When Mandal opted to immigrate to Pakistan after Jinnah’s assurances, he was cautioned by his peer and India’s leading Dalit leader, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. However, influenced by Jinnah, Mandal opted for Pakistan. Pakistan’s First Law Minister And Later Disillusionment On Partition, Jogendra Nath Mandal shifted to Pakistan and became its Constituent Assembly member and temporary chairman. Jinnah assigned him the responsibility of chairing the first session of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. By a stroke of fate, while Dr. Ambedkar was made India’s first Law Minister, Jogendra Nath Mandal was made Pakistan’s first Law Minister and Labour Minister. Yet, Mandal’s dreams started to fall apart soon after Jinnah’s demise in September 1948. He saw firsthand the worst kind of discrimination inflicted upon Dalits and was shook to the core by the growing violence against Hindus in Pakistan. His political stock declined sharply after Jinnah’s death. Even though he made sincere appeals to Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, regarding the issues faced by Hindus and Dalits, his appeals came to naught. Mandal had dreamed about Pakistan being a country where Dalit emancipation could bloom, but the open discrimination against Hindu minorities crushed all his dreams. Religious extremists started oppressing Hindus, and Mandal felt more and more alone in Pakistani politics. The Painful Return To India A chain of events following the death of Jinnah disillusioned Mandal, who felt that there was no one remaining in the government that would ensure promises to minorities were kept. He witnessed the emergence of people who were bent on putting religion into the state. Things became so tough for Mandal in Pakistan that he was forced to escape. In 1950, Pakistan enacted the controversial ‘Objectives Resolution,’ which was favored by nearly all Muslim members of the Constituent Assembly (with the exception of Mian Iftikharuddin) but opposed by nearly all minority members. Even one of the minority members had the following to say: If Jinnah were alive, this resolution would never have been passed.” Mandal stayed in Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan’s cabinet until 1950, even grumbling all along about atrocities committed on Dalits in East Pakistan. Jogendra Nath Mandal eventually put in his resignation on October 8, 1950. In his letter of resignation, he showed deep despair regarding the future of the minorities and listed the reasons why he had lost faith. He mentioned hundreds of Dalit killings in Bengal by the army, police, and Muslim League activists, which hurt him deeply and totally severed his attachment to Pakistan. Upon resigning from the Pakistani government, Mandal’s re-entry into India, or more precisely West Bengal, caused a political commotion. He migrated to India in 1950. Ironically, in India too he was suspicious of his own kind because of his Pakistani background. Though he had been a close confidant of Dr. Ambedkar, India’s leading Dalit leader prior to Partition, Mandal now had no political backing. He spent his later years in a highly backward section of Calcutta until his death in 1968. Mandal tried to revive his political life by repairing his Congress connections, running elections in North Calcutta in 1952 and 1957, a Dalit reserved constituency, but lost both times. He died in 1968 from a heart attack while he was crossing a river by a boat. The reason for his death is still uncertain since no post-mortem was carried out. Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news andworld News on Zee News. Written By Nitin Kumar Courtesy : Zee News Note: This news is originally published on https:/zeenews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.