Dalit woman rape case: Police arrested the accused in Etah, sections increased after the statement of the victim
Awagarh police station of Etah district has arrested a person and sent him to jail on the charge of raping a 48-year-old Dalit woman. Earlier, a case of molestation was registered against the accused in Awagarh Kotwali. The victim had accused the accused of forcefully raping her and biting her face. After the statement of the victim was recorded before the magistrate, the section of rape was added in the case. The incident took place on Wednesday when the victim was returning home with grass. During this time, the accused Hanif, who was already naked, raped the woman. When the victim informed her family about the incident, they caught the accused and admitted him to the hospital. The police arrested the accused Hanif on August 9 at around 12:10 pm. The accused has been charged under sections 64(1), 352, 351(3), 115(2) B.N.S. And a case is registered under 3(2)va SC ST Act. 42-year-old Hanif son of Noor Mohammad is a resident of Jinawali village. After the arrest, necessary legal action is being taken at the police station. Etah Police Captain Shyam Narayan Singh has issued strict instructions to maintain law and order. Continuous action is being taken against the criminals. The police team that made the arrest included Sub-Inspector Vijay Singh, Head Constable Omveer Singh and Head Constable Ramtej Singh. According to police officials, such action against criminals will continue so that law and order is maintained in the area. Nand Kumar Courtesy : Hindi News
Dalit forum condemns attack on YouTubers
Mangaluru: The Karnataka Dalit Horata Samiti condemned the attack on YouTubers and a reporter from a private Kannada news channel in Dharmasthala recently. Samiti district leader SP Anand told reporters on Saturday, that while the Dakshina Kannada police arrested one person in connection with the incident, around 50-60 individuals were involved in the attack. “All those responsible must be arrested and booked under stringent laws,” he demanded. Anand pointed out that one of the injured, cameraman Abhishek, belongs to the Dalit community. “The FIR should also include provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with sections related to robbery,” he said. The Samiti plans to petition the DK superintendent of police and home minister on the matter. According to Anand, the miscreants alleged that false propaganda was being spread on social media about Dharmasthala’s sacred place. “We too respect Dharmasthala and are not against it. We only want the police to identify those who orchestrated the attacks,” he said. He welcomed the Special Investigation Team’s probe into the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala and urged it to bring out the truth. “It is an attack on the democratic process, which is aimed at uncovering the truth,” he said. Samiti leader Anil Kumar alleged that the assault was a deliberate conspiracy to suppress facts. “All wrongdoers must be punished. Law is equal for all in this country,” he asserted. 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.
Officials demolish wall denying Dalits access to government land in Tamil Nadu
Ahead of the wall’s demolition, a contingent of around 200 personnel led by District SP K Josh Thangaiah took position at the spot. KARUR: Two days after issuing eviction notice to the caste Hindu residents, revenue authorities amid tight police security on Saturday demolished a wall, allegedly constructed to restrict Dalits from accessing a parcel of government land, at Muthuladampatti in the district. Ahead of the wall’s demolition, a contingent of around 200 personnel led by District SP K Josh Thangaiah took position at the spot. Noticing this, caste Hindu women in the locality surrounded the wall in a bid to prevent its demolition. Following this, the police held peace talks with members of both communities, who reside in separate settlements in Muthuladampatti, at the office of the Karur RDO. After officials assured that the concerns of both sides would be addressed, the wall was demolished, officials said. It may be noted that the Dalit residents alleged that the caste Hindus raised the wall on the parcel of poramboke land to restrict their access to it as well as the locality where the latter reside. Refuting the allegations, the caste Hindu residents claimed that the wall was constructed to protect the government land they have been “occupying for decades from miscreants”. The “untouchability wall” came under opposition from several quarters, including the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front, whose members on Friday threatened to demolish it themselves if official orders were not complied with. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Dalit women survivors seek separate law for caste crimes
Madurai: Dalit women survivors of caste violence, especially murder of spouses, have emphasised their demand for a separate law to deal with crimes involving inter-caste love marriages or relationships. In several such cases, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act may not be applicable, they said. At a programme organised by the dalit rights NGO, Evidence, in Madurai on Saturday, activist and survivor Kausalya said that even now, the state and central govts do not have any data on caste (‘honour’) killings. Her husband Shankar was murdered in a gruesome instance of caste violence in 2016. “When there is no separate law to deal with these cases, some of the accused named remain free. Every time a caste killing happens, I feel depressed and saddened. Recently, I reached out to the girl who was Kavin’s lover as I knew the pain she must have been feeling,” she added. When a woman is subjected to caste crimes directly or indirectly by physical or verbal means by her own family, she is often forced to toe their line due to fear. “Only when the perpetrator is from another caste and the victim is SC, can the SC/ST Act be invoked. Convictions are also difficult to get. A separate law is the need of the hour,” said A Kathir, executive director, Evidence. Two other survivors, Arulmozhi and Rekha, also shared their experiences of facing caste violence, and stressed how important it was for dalit women to stand together. Rekha said she is working hard and studying to complete engineering. They said mustering the courage to speak out against the violence is more important than worrying about what society thinks. A S Kumari, chairperson, state commission for women, stressed the need for women from marginalised backgrounds to speak out about crimes and issues they face or witness regularly. “In cases of domestic violence as well, we see many women coming forward to complain at police stations. But the husband comes out of jail in a while and his wife is subjected to abuse again, and stripped of freedom. We need stricter laws. Only when women come together, society can change,” she 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.
Dalit man killed over Rs 70 in 2020: 2 brothers get life imprisonment
AGRA: An SC/ST court in Aligarh sentenced two brothers, Virendra Singh and Hoshiyar Singh, both in their early 50s, to life imprisonment for murdering 26-year-old Dalit man Manoj Jatav over a Rs 70 dispute in 2020. The judgement, delivered on Friday, was made available on Saturday. Prosecution officer Chaman Prakash Sharma said that on June 5, 2020, Manoj and his cousin had gone to a shop in Sarkoriya village, where the shopkeeper demanded Rs 70 that Manoj owed, leading to an argument. Later, the brothers and four others allegedly attacked Manoj’s house, killing him and injuring his uncle, Arun. Police booked all six accused under IPC sections for murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, attempt to murder, insulting the modesty of a woman, and criminal conspiracy, along with the Arms Act and SC/ST Act. Five were granted bail months later, but Virendra remained in custody. After the trial, four co-accused were acquitted for lack of evidence, while Virendra and Hoshiyar were convicted and fined Rs 55,000 each. They were taken into custody after the verdict. “The case was being heard in the SC/ST court. After examining all evidence and witnesses, the court on Friday acquitted the four co-accused but convicted Virendra and Hoshiyar, imposing life terms and a fine of Rs 55,000 each. As the court pronounced its judgement, both convicts were taken into police custody and sent to jail,” prosecution officer Sharma 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.
INDIA bloc has no objection to Uddhav-Raj coming together: MP Raut
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS is directly or indirectly discussed at the INDIA bloc meetings, and no one in the INDIA bloc has any objection to the two brothers, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, coming together. Raut also said that the Raj-Uddhav alliance was not a subject of the INDIA bloc, and local body polls are not discussed at the national level. “The alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray is not a matter of the INDIA bloc. It is a matter of local bodies, and local body elections are not discussed at the national level. Since some people’s party chiefs are in Delhi, they may have gone to Delhi and discussed it. The two brothers have taken the decision to come together. Politically, this is a big development in Maharashtra. That is why it is being discussed,” Raut said. “This issue is discussed directly and indirectly in the INDIA bloc meetings. Therefore, no one in the INDIA bloc has any objection to the two brothers coming together. The picture there was such that no one has any objection to this. This is the position of (state Congress Chief) Harshvardhan Sapkal on the Marathi issue, that is, the Congress here on the Marathi issue also,” Raut said. On Thursday, Uddhav dismissed speculation about any third-party involvement in a potential alliance with his cousin Raj. During his Delhi visit, when asked if Raj was also going to meet Congress Neta Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav said the two brothers are capable of taking their own decision and do not need any third-party intervention. On being asked if Raj will also attend the INDIA alliance meeting and meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, Uddhav said, “Both the brothers are capable enough. We will do whatever we have to do. There is no need for any third person.” Uddhav was on a three-day Delhi trip on August 6, 7, and 8 to attend the meeting of the INDIA bloc. In Delhi, Uddhav called on Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Uddhav met NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar at his residence. Pawar hosted a dinner meeting of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) MPs at his residence. Uddhav’s son, Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya, wife Rashmi, and Raut were also in Delhi with Uddhav. Uddhav attended the dinner meeting hosted by Rahul on Thursday and also attended the INDIA bloc meeting. 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.
‘Huge criminal fraud’: Congress launches campaign against ‘vote chori’; urges citizens to register
NEW DELHI: The Congress party rolled out a dedicated portal to rally public support behind Rahul Gandhi’s explosive allegations of large-scale poll rigging, which he has called “vote chori”. The platform allows citizens to register their backing for the Congress leader’s demand for digital voter rolls and to access what the party claims is proof of electoral fraud. The website hosts Gandhi’s video reiterating his charge of a “huge criminal fraud” carried out through alleged collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI). Citing analysis from a Karnataka constituency on Thursday, Gandhi called it “a crime against the Constitution.” Alongside the video, a message on the portal warns that “the vote is the foundation of our democracy, but it’s under systematic attack by the BJP, with the Election Commission complicit”. It claimed, “In just one assembly segment of Bangalore Central, we found over 1 lakh fake voters that helped the BJP win this Lok Sabha seat. Imagine this happening in 70-100 seats – it would destroy free elections.” The Congress asserted it has previously raised concerns in states like Maharashtra, but now has “proof”. “We will fight this vote chori with all our strength. Join us to defend our democracy,” the message adds. Visitors to the portal can register by clicking a link or by calling a phone number to receive a registration link via SMS. Once signed up, they receive a personalised certificate declaring their opposition to “vote chori” and stating, “I support Rahul Gandhi’s demand of digital voter rolls from the EC.” The document carries the signatures of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary K C Venugopal and treasurer Ajay Maken. Several party leaders and supporters have posted their certificates on social media to amplify the campaign. The move comes as the Election Commission doubles down on its pushback. On Saturday, poll officials again called on Gandhi to either sign a formal declaration backing his allegations or issue a public apology for making what they term “fake” charges. This followed a day of heated exchanges between the Congress leader and the EC over claims of voter list manipulation in at least three states. 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.
‘Voter fraud’, SIR row: Kharge to host dinner for INDIA bloc MPs; what’s on agenda?
NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for MPs of the INDIA bloc on Monday, as opposition parties intensify their joint push against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged poll rigging, sources told news agency PTI. The gathering at the Hotel Taj Palace in Chanakyapuri will coincide with a protest march by opposition MPs from Parliament to the Election Commission’s office over what they call “poll fraud.” The dinner comes on the heels of a rare show of unity last week, when top INDIA bloc leaders met at Rahul Gandhi’s residence and pledged to resist the electoral roll revision in Bihar and the “vote chori model” they accuse the BJP and Election Commission of running. That meeting marked the first in-person session of the bloc’s senior leaders since June 2024, shortly after the Lok Sabha elections, when they assembled at Kharge’s residence. Leaders from 25 parties attended, including Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, SP’s Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva and T R Baalu, CPI(M)’s M A Baby, CPI’s D Raja, CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya and MNM chief Kamal Haasan. During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi gave what the Congress described as a detailed presentation on the “vote chori model” allegedly executed by the BJP via the Election Commission. He laid out “the entire game” of how elections were being “rigged,” according to the party. “A united front against electoral manipulation! We are committed to protecting democracy and will save it from being destroyed at all costs,” the Congress later posted on X. Earlier, at a press conference, Gandhi had reiterated his charge of a “huge criminal fraud” in elections through “collusion” between the BJP and the Election Commission. “The way opposition parties have been united in Parliament in national interest and have cornered the government, the same unity was visible in the meeting as well,” said Gaurav Gogoi, Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. Opposition parties have strongly opposed the ongoing SIR exercise in Bihar, warning it could result in the disenfranchisement of many voters. 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 govt sets up board to protect transgender community’s rights
A notification for the constitution of the ‘Bihar Rajya Kinnar Kalyan Board’ was issued by the Social Welfare Department The Bihar government has constituted a welfare board to protect the rights of the transgender community and take measures for their social development and empowerment, an official said on Friday. A notification for the constitution of the ‘Bihar Rajya Kinnar Kalyan Board’ was issued by the Social Welfare Department, she said. Bihar Social Welfare Minister Madan Sahni has been made the chairman of the 28-member panel, the official said. The department has constituted the ‘Bihar Rajya Kinnar Kalyan Board’ to protect the rights of the transgender community and take measures for their social development and empowerment. The board has seven members belonging to the transgender community,” Social Welfare Department Secretary Bandana Preyashi told PTI. The measures for the social development of the transgender community will be implemented and monitored by the board, she said. The state government also wants to provide them education and vocational training to prepare them for respectable and regular employment, said Preyashi, adding, “it will also allow them to enhance their socio-economic status”. “The government is trying to provide them an atmosphere where they feel protected and live a respectful life like any other citizen in the country,” she added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : BS Note: This news is originally published on https:/businessstandard.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights.
Madurai NGO serves free meals to trans community
Madurai: Abinaya V, 22, a transwoman who travelled from Coimbatore to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) for treatment, had food at The Transgender Resource Centre (TRC), an NGO that created the first transgender library in India, at the launch of a free meal initiative for the community on Friday. She had to drop out of school at the 8th-grade due to poverty in her family consisting of her mother and sister. “If I had gotten food, perhaps I would’ve continued my studies,” says she. At the age of 14, when she experienced gender dysphoria, she attempted suicide, she said. Within a year, she ran away to Bangalore and lived in the railway station for a month. She was then supported by people of the community. She returned to Madurai at the age of 17, and now lives with her mother. Priya Babu, founder of TRC, told TOI that the meal initiative was born after seeing an increased number of trans members visiting GRH for various hormone-related treatments. Every Thursday, GRH holds medical sessions for transgender people, and of late, many come from various districts, she said. “The transgender clinic in Madurai GRH is by far the most successful in the state,” Priya said. The NGO’s desk functioning in the hospital guides community members. Over time, they also sensitised and increased awareness around gender among hospital faculty, which has made it a more favourable place, she added. “Now we see people coming from Chennai and other districts. Often they may not be able to afford meals and will have to return overnight. Through our new initiative, we will provide them food which they could pack for their travel too,” she said. Hafeez A, a transman and member at TRC, said the initiative aims at providing healthy food to not just those who come for treatment but also transgenders who may not be able to afford three meals a day. Food is available from 12am to 4pm, he said On the inaugural day, TRC served food to 40 transgenders, Priya said. “Every Thursday, we would take a head count at 9.30 at the hospital, and pack food for them accordingly,” Priya added. 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.