Pattabhi Alleges Bhumana Family’s Role In Dalit Youth Assault Case
Pattabhi alleged that Abhinay’s close aides, Anil Kumar Reddy and Jagadish Reddy, abducted Pavan Kumar, a Dalit youth from Pulicherla in Chittoor district, and tortured him. “After videos of the assault surfaced, the victim was forced to make a statement that his own brother had attacked him,” he said TIRUPATI: Swachh Andhra Corporation chairman and Telugu Desam leader Kommareddy Pattabhi Ram on Sunday sought legal action against former TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar Reddy and his son Bhumana Abhinay for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and assault of a Dalit youth in Tirupati. Addressing the media, Pattabhi alleged that Abhinay’s close aides, Anil Kumar Reddy and Jagadish Reddy, abducted Pavan Kumar, a Dalit youth from Pulicherla in Chittoor district, and tortured him. “After videos of the assault surfaced, the victim was forced to make a statement that his own brother had attacked him,” he said.The TD described the incident as an example of inhuman behaviour by YSRC leaders. Pattabhi said that after the video went viral, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu directed the police to immediately trace the victim and ensure justice to him. This led to the arrest of the main accused. The TD leader accused the Bhumana family of large-scale corruption and land encroachment. “They illegally occupied nine acres in the Swarnamukhi river area and registered 21 properties in the names of the family members during Karunakar Reddy’s tenure as TTD and TUDA chairman,” he said. Pattabhi referred to Bhumana’s past, saying that he had risen from the level of running a photocopy shop to owning assets worth thousands of crores. “He must explain his huge source of wealth.” Meanwhile, police traced the whereabouts of Pavan, who went missing after the alleged assault by Anil, the YSRC’s Tirupati social media in-charge, and his aides over a rented two-wheeler dispute. According to the complaint, Pavan was confined in an office room for about 12 hours and beaten with a police baton. They continued this despite his bleeding and pleadings with them to stop the assaults. The gang sent a video of the attack to his father along with a demand for the pending rent payment for the vehicle. The victim’s parents lodged a complaint saying his whereabouts were unknown. Dalit organisations sought police action. His mother, Sunitha, posted a video appeal on social media. Four police teams were formed and Pavan was found in Chittoor. He was shifted to SVR Ruia government general hospital in Tirupati, where doctors confirmed a fracture below his left knee. He remains under treatment in a special ward and a police investigation is under way. Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Dalit Christians seek SC status, hoist black flag at St Mary’s Cathedral in protest
Madurai: A black flag was hoisted at St Mary’s Cathedral here on Sunday as part of a protest demanding the inclusion of dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. The demonstration was led by Archbishop of Madurai Antonysamy Savarimuthu and Bishop Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakar. Addressing reporters, Archbishop Savarimuthu said the demand was not for any special favour but for rightful entitlements. “This is not a protest of dalit Christians or Christians alone; it is not a minority protest. Every citizen must get their rights,” he said. He noted that dalit Sikhs and Buddhists were included in the SC list after protests, but dalit Christians have been denied the same for 75 years on religious grounds. The protest was joined by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s Ellalan, Madurai South MLA Boominathan, Untouchability Eradication Front Madurai district president Balasubramanian, Tamil Nadu Women’s Movement representative Arokia Mary, and Dalit rights NGO Evidence director Kathir. They urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure constitutional safeguards and reservation benefits for Dalit Christians. MSID:: 123218931 413 | 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.
CEOs of Maharashtra, Haryana issue fresh letter to Rahul Gandhi, give him 10 days to prove ‘voter fraud’ claims
NEW DELHI: The chief electoral officers of Maharashtra and Haryana on Sunday sent fresh letters to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, giving him 10 days to furnish a signed declaration with particulars of electors he alleged were fraudulently added, so that necessary proceedings may be initiated. Karnataka CEO too sent a notice to Rahul on Sunday, citing Mahadevapura voter Shakun Rani’s denial of his claim at a recent press conference that she had voted twice from Mahadevapura AC in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress leader was requested him to provide the documents based on which he had reached the conclusion, so that a detailed inquiry could be held. “On inquiry, Smt Shakun Rani (the voter in question) had stated that she has voted only once and not twice, as alleged by you. Preliminary inquiry conducted by this office also reveals that the tick-marked document shown by you in the presentation is not a document issued by the polling officer,” the CEO said in a letter sent to the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha. The Election Commission, in wake of the Karnataka CEO’s latest letter to Rahul, once again asked him to submit a timely response. “He should either file the declaration/oath under Rules 20(3)b of the Registration of Electors Act 1960 or apologise to the nation for making baseless allegation against EC,” said an EC functionary. Sources said if Rahul does not furnish a declaration, his claims cannot be investigated since the law requires evidence by any person (who is not a voter in that particular constituency himself) to be tendered on oath. If Rahul were to furnish an oath and the evidence and it is found to be fabricated or false, Section 227 and 229 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (giving false evidence) shall kick in; the section provides for jail term up to three years and, if this false evidence is repeated in court, it invites jail up to seven years. Also, making false allegations in connection with preparation, revision or correction of electoral roll or inclusion/exclusion of any entry in electoral roll, is punishable with imprisonment up to one year under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Meanwhile, EC sources on Sunday told TOI that the alleged polling records shown by Rahul as “EC data” with ‘tick marks’ against Shakun Rani’s name, appear fabricated, as such records form part of Form 17A maintained and retained by the polling officer. Access to Form 17A is limited to authorised EC officials and these are not shared with the political parties. The parties’ polling agents do get polling records but in Form 17C, which do not contain the voters’ photographs. Form 17A is only produced before the court when sought in any judicial proceeding. Flashing a “forged document” at a press conference could spell legal consequences for Rahul as he may face an FIR for violation of Section 337 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, which provides for jail term up to seven years for forging a govt-issued ID like voter identity card or a register maintained by a public servant. Also being in possession of such forged documents is a criminal offence under Section 339 of BNS, also punishable with imprisonment that can extend to seven years. EC sources said the Karnataka CEO is yet to receive any documents cited by Rahul at last week’s press conference to allege ‘massive voter fraud’ in the state’s Mahadevapura AC. Rahul Gandhi had, in his presentation at the press conference, displayed Shakun Rani’s voter details in the electoral roll “obtained through RTI from EC ERO login” and the “BLA-marked electoral roll”, and claimed in his remarks that the polling officer had ticked against her ID card twice, recording her duplicate votes. Interestingly, the role of a political party’s booth level agent (BLA) is limited to activities concerning the electoral roll; it’s the polling agents who represent the party and their candidates in the polling station are their polling agents. 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.
Vote ‘chori’ row: EC repeats ‘sign declaration or apologise’ dare; adds ‘Rahul still has time’
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission, following notices from the chief electoral officers (CEOs) of Karnataka and Haryana, has reiterated that Rahul Gandhi “still has time” he should either submit a formal declaration supporting his “vote theft” allegations or “apologise to the country.” The Karnataka CEO has asked the Congress MP to submit documents to support his “vote theft” allegations against the Election Commission of India. In a letter dated August 10, the Karnataka CEO noted that Rahul Gandhi, during his August 7 press conference, claimed to have presented documents from ECI records alleging that a voter, Shakun Rani, voted twice based on data shown by a polling officer. The polling body said that in a preliminary inquiry, Shakun Rani denied voting twice, and the tick-marked document displayed by Rahul Gandhi was not issued by the polling officer, raising doubts about its authenticity. The Karnataka CEO has asked Rahul Gandhi to “provide the relevant documents” forming the basis of his allegation so that a detailed investigation can be carried out by the state’s electoral authorities. On August 7, citing internal analysis, the Leader of the Opposition said Congress had expected to win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka but secured only nine. He said the party investigated seven unexpected losses, focusing on Mahadevapura, where he alleged vote theft involving 100,250 votes. “We found 100,250 votes stolen in five different ways. Duplicate voters, fake and invalid addresses, and bulk voters in a single address, in a building with 50–60 people living. But when we go there, there is no record of those people living there. One family living in that house,” Rahul Gandhi said. The ECI, on Saturday, again asked the Congress MP to either give a declaration in line with the rules or apologise to the country for what it called “false” allegations about voter lists. 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.
SIR row: High drama at opposition MPs’ march to EC; Akhilesh Yadav jumps barricade; Rahul Gandhi detained – Key points
NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sharad Pawar, were stopped by Delhi Police on Monday as they marched from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters. The demonstration was held against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of “voter fraud” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Wearing white caps marked with a red cross over the words “SIR” and “vote chori”, the leaders raised slogans and carried placards accusing the Election Commission of collusion with the government. The march began at Parliament’s Makar Dwar with the national anthem but was halted at Transport Bhawan, where police had set up heavy barricading. Here’s the latest developments: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained Delhi Police detained several senior leaders of the INDIA bloc — including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose — during the protest march. Speaking during the protest, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Dare hue hai. Sarkaar kaayar hai (They are scared. This government is cowardly).” Akhilesh Yadav jumps barricades Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the authorities of using police to suppress dissent. “They are using the police to stop us,” he said, before sitting down in protest. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also physically jumped over a barricade as MPs were blocked from proceeding towards the EC. Several other leaders followed suit, climbing the barriers to chant slogans against the SIR exercise. Senior leaders join in protest Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, and other top opposition figures walked alongside MPs from the DMK, TMC, RJD, and Left parties. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led chants as the group accused the EC of “murdering democracy” through voter list manipulation. Banners reading “SIR + Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy” and “SIR – Loktantra Par Vaar” were prominently displayed. Shashi Tharoor calls for credible answers Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, saying, “The Election Commission not only has a responsibility to the nation, but it has a responsibility to itself… Our democracy is too precious to be jeopardised by doubts about whether there is duplicate voting… Those answers must be provided credibly.” Don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi: SP MP SP MP Ramgopal Yadav said MPs “don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi”, questioning the need for such police restrictions. RJD’s Manoj Jha called the SIR “a fraud” and accused the EC of ignoring Supreme Court directions. SP’s Dimple Yadav alleged booth capturing and vote theft in UP by-elections, questioning why no action was taken. BJP defends Election Commission BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the opposition for disrupting Parliament and reiterated the EC’s challenge to Rahul Gandhi to provide proof for his “vote theft” allegations. “If you have any proof, show it,” Pal said. Security clampdown in central Delhi Ahead of the march, security was tightened around Transport Bhawan with multiple barricades placed to prevent movement towards the EC headquarters. Police used loudspeakers to instruct MPs to stop, insisting the group could not proceed further. 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.
Third Pride rally held in Agartala, organisers say government needs to create more awareness about transgender rights
Sneha Gupta Roy of Swabhiman – Tripura LGBTQIA+ Collective says transgender protection cells were being formed in different districts of the state. Swabhiman – Tripura LGBTQIA+ Collective organised the third Pride rally of the state on Saturday. Swabhiman, the first registered queer society in the state, had also taken out Tripura’s first Pride rally in September 2022. On Saturday, the rally started from the Umakanta Academy grounds and ended at the same spot after traversing important locations in Agartala. Speaking to reporters, Sneha Gupta Roy, one of the rally organisers, said, “We have held Pride rallies in the past. We had a gap of a year in between; this is our third Pride. Pride rallies are held in all states. Members of the queer community and our supporters joined the rally.” “Our message in this Pride is that we are equally a part of this society like everyone else. We face the same problems others do. So, we have tried to portray problems of different sections of society, including environmental pollution, and women’s education…” Gupta Roy added. Gupta Roy, who is a member of the Tripura Transgender Board, said transgender protection cells were being formed in different districts. “Once these cells are formed, it will be easier for LGBTQIA+ persons to be involved in discussions (with the government) about our issues,” she added. Swabhiman leader Gupta Roy also commented that the Indian society was still “backward” and there was a need for the government to create greater awareness on transgender rights. Saturday’s rally was joined by hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer individuals waving rainbow flags and placards. Written by Debraj Deb 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.
Deadly attack on Dalit youth: Goons attacked due to old enmity, youth injured due to head injury
A Dalit youth was attacked by goons late Friday night in Pasia Bazaar of Raebareli district. The youth has suffered serious head injury in this attack due to old enmity. The victim Abhishek somehow saved his life by running away and recognized the attackers. He immediately informed the police about the incident. The police reached the spot and brought the injured youth to the police station. Abhishek told that he is a resident of Pasia Bazaar village and he has a bicycle store there. The accused also has a hotel in the same village. There is an old enmity between the two. According to the victim, the accused had beaten him last year too, a case of which was registered in Unchahar police station. Abhishek alleged that the accused and his companion attacked him with a potato sowing hoe. On the other hand, Vipin says that he has no quarrel with the accused. He alleged that the accused is trying to implicate him in a false case and is taking advantage of his belonging to the Scheduled Caste. On this matter, Unchahar Kotwali in-charge Sanjay Kumar said that a case of assault has come to light. Complaints have been received from both the parties. At present, the police have challaned both the parties under section 151. The matter is being investigated and further legal action will be taken after the investigation. Doctors have refused to do a normal medical after seeing the injury on the youth’s head, from which the severity of the injury can be estimated. Mehtab Ahmed | Dinshah Gaura, Courtesy: Hindi News
Mangaluru: Attack on media personnel in Dharmasthala condemned by Dalit Sangharsha Samiti
Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada district unit of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) has strongly condemned the assault on media personnel, including YouTubers and private TV reporters, during the ongoing SIT-led excavation and investigation in Dharmasthala village following an anonymous complaint. Addressing a press conference at the city’s Press Club on Saturday, district leader S.P. Anand said that Abhishek, a cameraman from a private channel who belongs to the Dalit community, was among those attacked. He demanded strict legal action against those involved and called for a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to be registered. “This is not merely an attack on individuals; it is an attempt to undermine the democratic process of bringing the truth to light. Violence against those who question and present facts to the public undermines transparency and accountability. The SIT must be allowed to complete its investigation so that the truth can emerge,” Anand stated. He added that halting the SIT probe midway would only increase suspicion about the accused. Referring to a video in which one of the attackers used the word “Dhani” (Boss) while threatening the YouTubers, Anand urged police to investigate who was behind such acts of intimidation and rowdy behaviour. DSS leaders Anil Kumar, Taluk Convener Satish Moodbidri, and members Naveen Moodbidri, Sujith Moodbidri, and Suresh Moodbidri were also present at the press conference. Get all the latest, breaking news from Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada in a single click. CLICK HERE to get all the latest news from Mangaluru. Courtesy : Vartha Bharati Note: This news is originally published on https:/varthabharati.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Dalit basti stuck between two gram sabhas: 500 people from 60 houses deprived of government schemes in Azamgarh
A Dalit basti located between Mohammadpur and Rani ki Sarai blocks in Nizamabad area of Azamgarh is deprived of development. Located between Aseelpur and Fariha gram sabhas, this basti has 500 people living in about 60 houses. Local people know it as Aseelpur Dalit basti. Being between two different gram sabhas, this basti is unable to avail the benefits of government schemes. Aseelpur gram sabha has 40 houses and Fariha gram sabha has 20 houses. The biggest problem of the basti is the lack of drains. Due to the absence of drains, people have made arrangements for the drainage of dirty water by digging pits in front of their houses. Aseelpur Pradhan Rajinder Yadav has constructed only twenty meters of drain. This drain is completely blocked and due to the absence of drains ahead, water accumulates on the road. The one kilometre long Khadanja from Lucknow-Ballia road to Sharda Sahayak Khand 32 was built 20 years ago. Now it has become dilapidated and it is difficult to walk on it. Village residents Suresh, Tilak, Rajkumar Ram, Sharda Devi, Saroji, Rajesh, Ram Milan, Santosh and Akhilesh said that due to lack of drainage during the rainy season, they have to stay awake all night and remove the water accumulated in the houses. They also told that only a few rich people have got the benefit of the housing scheme. Villagers have applied online several times for the construction of toilets. They also met the Pradhan and requested, but no action has been taken so far. Thus, this Dalit colony is deprived of development work by being trapped between two blocks and two Gram Sabhas. Shah Alam Courtesy: Hindi News
Raksha Bandhan celebrated with 100 families of Dalit community: Youth Congress District President tied Rakhi to sisters in Amethi
Youth Congress District President Shubham Singh celebrated this festival with more than 100 sisters of Dalit community in Amethi on Saturday. He assured all the sisters that he will stand with them in every situation in their happiness and sorrow. Shubham said that it is his resolution to reach the person standing in the last row of the society and understand their feelings. Youth Congress District President said that Raksha Bandhan is not just a thread. It is a symbol of trust, love and security. He said that the belongingness and blessings received by celebrating this festival among the deprived class is the biggest honor for him. Many workers including Rinku Kumar, Pawan Verma, Dinesh Kori, Ravi Maurya were present in the program. Everyone together made this special day memorable. Arun Kumar Gupta Courtesy : Hindi News