Dalit woman and pregnant niece attacked in Gujarat! Caste violence captured in CCTV footage – Know what is the whole matter?
The Dalit woman accused the neighbors of using casteist abuses, assault and threats, while the other side also complained of forceful intrusion and attack. Gujarat: A dispute between neighbors that started over underground electricity repairs in Baroda village in Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad district escalated to allegations of casteist abuses and assault. Both sides have lodged a police complaint against each other. According to the police, a 66-year-old Dalit woman has alleged that her upper caste neighbors abused her and her pregnant niece with casteist words, physically assaulted them and threatened to kill them. The incident took place on Sunday evening when the woman warned not to dig deep in the electricity repair work going on near her house, as there was a possibility of underground wiring. In the complaint, the woman said that when she was not heeded and the work continued, the dispute escalated and turned into violence. It is alleged that the neighbours snatched her stick and beat her as well as her niece. The woman says that the niece has injuries on her face and legs. She has submitted three video clips of the incident to the police as evidence and also named two people who allegedly intervened during the incident. On the other hand, the neighbours have also filed a complaint in return. They alleged that the Dalit woman and her niece forcibly entered their house and attacked them with an iron pipe and a wooden stick. The upper caste complainants say that they were threatened that they would be implicated in a false atrocity case and expelled from the society. The Vivekanand Nagar police station has registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on the basis of complaints from both sides. Police say that the investigation into the case is ongoing. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Transgender children must receive education equal opportunities to build empowered India UP Guv
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday underscored the need to empower transgender individuals, stressing that children within this community must be provided with love, education and equal opportunities to build an inclusive and empowered India. Speaking here at the inaugural session of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC)’s conference, “Breaking Barriers – Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship,” Governor Patel urged entrepreneurs to employ and train members of the community. “This will not only help them become self-reliant but also lead to greater social acceptance from their families and society,” she said. The Governor appreciated ongoing efforts in districts like Varanasi and Basti where transgender individuals are being trained and provided employment opportunities through district administration initiatives. She called for replication of such efforts across all districts. Expressing concern over prevailing biases against transgender individuals, Patel emphasised that if a transgender child is abandoned by their family, arrangements must be made to ensure that they can grow up in orphanages alongside other children, receive proper education, and live a dignified life. “Being transgender is not the child’s fault. It is our social mindset that is at fault. The true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) will be realised only when we walk together with respect, irrespective of gender, class or background,” she said. The Governor also emphasised the need to mainstream children from deprived communities like the Musahar caste through education. “Education is the key to empowerment and self-reliance for every section of society,” she said. On the occasion, Patel honoured 14 women entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions across various fields. She praised the changing landscape of women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, noting that women are not only excelling in their fields but are also becoming job creators. She called upon the audience to resolve to support women through training, employment, safety and ensuring quality education for their children. Highlighting the importance of women’s safety, Patel advised women to remain vigilant against exploitation and to be aware of their rights and government welfare schemes. The Governor also mentioned that state universities are facilitating HPV vaccinations for girl students with the support of society and the academic institutions. (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.
Governor bats for empowerment of transgender kids
Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday emphasised the importance of providing transgender children with affection, education and equal opportunities, as this would help in developing an inclusive and empowered India. She was speaking during the conference on breaking barriers, women in leadership, and entrepreneurship organised by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce at a private hotel. “Entrepreneurs should employ transgenders and provide them with training. This will not only help them in the direction of self-reliance, but their families and society will also start accepting them,” she said. She said in Kashi and Basti, there are many educational institutions for the transgender community. “Women today are moving ahead by overcoming all barriers. They need to be made aware and provided the benefits of the govt’s welfare schemes. The day is not far when only women will be seen in the highest posts in the country,” said the governor. On the occasion, Patel honoured 14 women entrepreneurs. Appreciating their achievements, the governor said their work is an inspiration for other women. “Whenever such programmes are organised in future, those women from rural areas should also be honoured who are bringing change in society with their hard work, courage, and innovation despite limited resources,” she said. She urged the people present to take a pledge that they will provide training, security, and employment to women and will help in providing quality education opportunities to their children. State horticulture, agricultural marketing, agricultural foreign trade and agricultural exports minister Dinesh Pratap Singh was the chief guest while folk singer Malini Awasthi and social activist Namrata Pathak were the guests of honour. Malini Awasthi shared her mother’s profound joy when the inaugural International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1975, noting its significant meaning to their generation. 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.
I’m leader of oppn in LS, but never allowed to speak: Rahul
NEW DELHI: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that he is not allowed to speak in Lok Sabha despite being the leader of the opposition (LoP) even as govt representatives make statements freely. He was referring to the fracas that broke out after defence minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in the wake of opposition’s demonstration demanding a discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack. Rahul also mocked PM Narendra Modi, saying “he ran out of the House in one second”. As Parliament’s monsoon session opened to a clash between opposition and govt, Rahul told reporters, “They let the defence minister speak, they let ‘their people’ to speak. But if opposition members want to make a statement, they are not allowed. I am the leader of the opposition, but I am never allowed to speak. This is a new approach. This (speaking) is my right.” “The convention says if a member of govt speaks, then opposition should also get an opportunity. We wanted to make a brief remark, but was not given a chance,” the leader of opposition in LS added. Congress whip Manickam Tagore said that opposition has moved adjournment motions seeking debate on the Pahalgam attack and related events. “But govt is not ready to yield. The parliamentary affairs minister and defence minister are ready to lecture us, but the LoP is not allowed to speak.” Tagore said opposition will continue to stress that the LoP be allowed to make an intervention in the House. “We are waiting for the day when the LoP is allowed to speak on the adjournment motion.” 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.
Varanasi court admits case against Rahul Gandhi for remarks against Sikhs
VARANASI: An MP-MLA court in Varanasi on Monday accepted a petition filed against the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by Nageshwar Mishra, a former village head of Tilmapur Sarnath. He has accused Gandhi of making remarks against the Sikhs during his visit to the United States. Accepting Mishra’s appeal, special sessions judge (MP-MLA court) Yajurveda Vikram Singh rejected the order of the court of additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) delivered on Nov 28, 2024. Assistant district govt counsel (ADGC) Vinay Kumar Singh told TOI that the debate on the pending monitoring application in the court concluded, and the court will hear the case regarding Gandhi’s alleged remarks. Vivek Shankar Tiwari and Alakh Rai presented arguments in the court. The ADGC presented the case as govt counsel. Last Sept, Gandhi made a statement in the US, claiming that the environment in India is not favourable for Sikhs. Mishra filed a lawsuit in the judicial magistrate (second) court, alleging that this statement was a conspiracy to incite civil war in the country. The ACJM (MP-MLA) court dismissed the case after a hearing. Mishra filed a revision petition in the sessions court against the lower court’s order. During the hearing, Gandhi’s side filed an objection, appealing to the court to dismiss the case. In response, the monitor filed a counter-objection. Gandhi filed his written response before the MP-MLA court in Varanasi in the revision petition filed by Mishra, who sought registration of an FIR against Gandhi. Mishra had filed the petition in 2024, claiming that Gandhi made an objectionable statement during his visit to the US by stating that there was an atmosphere of insecurity among Sikhs in India. His petition was dismissed by the court on Nov 28, 2024. Mishra filed an instant revision plea, on which a notice was earlier issued to Gandhi. 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 Christians allege discrimination in church, sit on hunger strike
Dalit Christians said for decades, they have not been allowed to pay subscription to the church and were kept out of planning committees. TIRUCHY: A section of Dalit Christians from Kottapalayam village near Thuraiyur sat on a hunger strike near the collectorate on Monday saying they have been facing discrimination and are not allowed to take part in the ongoing festival of the century-old St Mary Magdalene Church and other activities. The festival began on July 14. The church functions under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kumbakonam. Bishop Jeevanandam Amalanathan said he would not take part in the chariot procession which is scheduled on Tuesday to register his protest against the “persisting caste discrimination in the parish”. Dalit Christians said for decades, they have not been allowed to pay subscription to the church and were kept out of planning committees. Further, they alleged that the church chariot is not taken into their locality. “We were told by the priest and also several dominant caste Christians that this is not our festival. The church refuses to collect subscription from us as it does from others. Instead, we’re asked to make donations,” said J Doss Prakash, a long-time parishioner. The protesters submitted a petition to the DRO during the weekly grievances meeting seeking action against the parish priest and others who allegedly threatened Dalits during a festival planning meeting on July 6. “We were abused with casteist slurs and warned not to interfere,” said another member. R Raj Nobili, a parishoner, said “Once we pay subscription, we have the right to question. That is why they are not collecting it from us. Despite running seven chariots during the festival, not even the smallest one enters our streets. The district administration should at least ensure that the chariot comes to our area,” he said. “This is a violation of equality guaranteed by the Constitution. Even after raising this through latter to authorities concerned, not one has intervened,” said Jo Kennedy, a human rights lawyer who was also part of the protest. “The church must dismantle this caste wall from within,”he added. Their other demands include formation of an inclusive parish council, equal rights in religious and festival events, and legal action for caste-based discrimination. Bishop Jeevanandam Amalanathan told TNIE that he would boycott the chariot festival on Tuesday due to the persisting caste discrimination in the parish. He said dominant caste Christians are stubborn in their stand to not give equal rights to Dalit Christians. He, however, maintained that the church did not discriminate against any one. Sources in the revenue department to whom these petitions were forwarded, said they have asked the local officials to inquire into the issue. 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.
Why and How Infiltrator lived as ‘hijra’ in India for a decade:Most illegal migrants in India are Bangladeshi; why is it so easy to infiltrate?
For nearly a decade, a Bangladeshi man lived undetected in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, posing as a transgender woman named Neha. With a full set of forged Indian documents, including Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID, and even a passport, he travelled between India and Bangladesh, reportedly paying agents ₹50,000 for the fake identity. His arrest in July 2025 has exposed a shocking infiltration tactic: using gender disguise to avoid scrutiny. As police investigate his motives and local connections, the case raises unsettling questions about security lapses, document fraud, and how deeply some infiltrators can embed themselves into Indian society. Why is India particularly vulnerable along the Bangladesh border? India shares a 4,095 km border with Bangladesh: one of the longest international boundaries in the world. Over 1,100 km of this terrain is riverine, making it extremely difficult to fence and monitor effectively. Infiltrators exploit gaps, especially in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. Additionally, dense populations, similar languages, and interlinked ethnic groups on both sides complicate detection. Organised human smuggling networks facilitate crossings using boats, farmland paths or forested trails. Political sensitivities, especially in regions like Assam with a history of illegal migration debates, often hinder aggressive enforcement. The socioeconomic gap between India and Bangladesh also acts as a push factor, encouraging thousands to cross over in search of employment, housing, or even welfare access. Despite efforts by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), lack of high-tech surveillance, local collusion, and the use of forged documents by infiltrators keep this border particularly porous and vulnerable. How do local agents and touts facilitate such infiltrations? Human trafficking networks and local touts are central to successful infiltration. These intermediaries arrange everything from illegal crossings to settlement support inside India. In the Bhopal case, Abdul Kalam alias “Neha” allegedly paid local agents around ₹50,000 for forged Aadhaar, ration card, voter ID and even a passport. These networks operate in border regions and extend into urban areas, using corrupt bureaucratic links to issue fake documents. Often, infiltrators are transported through safer transit states such as West Bengal or Bihar and eventually resettled in cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Bhopal, where anonymity is easier. Some agents also train infiltrators on how to blend in, adopting local accents or false religions or even posing as transgenders to deflect suspicion. These rackets are sophisticated and difficult to dismantle because they offer a livelihood to numerous local actors who see this as low-risk, high-profit work. Why did Abdul Kalam choose the transgender identity “Neha” in Bhopal? Abdul Kalam’s choice to live under a transgender identity was likely a strategic disguise. In India, the hijra (transgender) community has cultural recognition but is often left socially and administratively isolated, making it easier for someone like him to avoid deep scrutiny. By presenting as “Neha” and integrating into local transgender circles, he deflected attention. Neighbours and even local officials rarely questioned his background due to the marginalised nature of the group. This also helped him access NGOs and welfare schemes meant for the third gender. It’s possible the identity change was advised by agents who recognised how little official oversight transgender individuals face. Currently, authorities are conducting gender verification and interrogating him to determine whether the disguise was deliberate or linked to deeper psychological or identity issues. Regardless, it is among the most unusual camouflage tactics seen in infiltration cases so far. Author: Anjali Rajgovind Courtesy : Bhaskar English Note: This news is originally published on https:/bhaskarenglish.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
LGBTQ Rights in India: Madras High Court’s Gender-Neutral Toilets Set Powerful Precedent
For many transgender persons in India, life is a long negotiation between identity and invisibility. You may walk past them on a street, share a bus seat, or smile at them briefly in an office corridor. But too often, society either stares with ridicule or looks away in silence. Very few see the human behind the label — someone seeking nothing more than dignity, respect and a chance to live as they truly are. In June 2024, the Madras high court made history by becoming one of the first in India to install three gender-neutral toilets on its campus. A LinkedIn post by transgender advocate Kanmani R (verified in June 2024) confirms the high court has installed three new gender neutral washrooms on its premises, marking a meaningful step toward inclusive facilities. This infrastructural change, while seemingly small, is a profound act of institutional empathy — a recognition of the rights and dignity of transgender and gender-nonconforming persons. In a legal landscape where detachment is often valorized, Justice Anand Venkatesh stood apart and more recently, so did the bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan when approached by a same-sex couple seeking protection from their disapproving parents. Justice Anand Venkatesh paused the hearing, stating that he needed time to “understand same-sex relationships” before delivering a judgment. He wrote to psychologists, read scientific literature, and interacted with LGBTQIA+ individuals. “I am trying to break my preconceived notions about this issue. I have no hesitation in admitting that I am not fully ‘woke’ to this subject. I am willing to understand,” he said. That journey translated into a series of bold, progressive directives such as the ban on conversion therapy in Tamil Nadu; directions to revise school and college curricula to include LGBTQIA+ issues; a mandate for sensitisation of police and government officials; a push for gender-neutral restrooms in public and institutional spaces; and monitoring of implementation through status reports. It is from this context that the gender-neutral washrooms in the Madras High Court campus must be seen, not just as construction projects, but as judicially seeded symbols of change. Toilets might seem mundane, but for transgender persons, the lack of safe, affirming restrooms can lead to harassment, violence, or complete avoidance of public life. Recognising this, in the Sushma case, Justice Venkatesh urged the Union and state govts to ensure provision of gender-neutral restrooms, especially in public institutions such as courts, colleges and govt offices. His orders made it clear that dignity begins with access. Following his directions and subsequent PILs in 2023-24, the Madras HC’s campus became the first to act on these ideals, completing the installation of three gender-neutral toilets by June 2024. Even as courts such as Madras HC move toward inclusion, India’s primary transgender law —the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 — lags behind. Justice Venkatesh had flagged issues with the law, notably the requirement of certification for gender identity, a direct contradiction of the NALSA judgment (2014); the absence of provisions for reservations, marriage, adoption, and inheritance; and tokenistic punishment for violence and abuse against transgender persons. He echoed the demand that LGBTQIA+ rights in India must not come with red tape, nor be made conditional upon medical procedures or administrative approval. The Madras HC’s move symbolises judicial responsibility not just to interpret the law, but to humanise it. It aligns with Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, guaranteeing equality and dignity. It responds to community-led demands, acknowledging that legal victories must be followed by institutional change. Building on this vision, the road ahead must include amending the 2019 Act to fully honour self-identification, introduce reservations, and grant family rights; enacting a national anti-discrimination law covering gender, caste, class, disability, and sexuality; public funding for gender-affirming healthcare, and psychological support tailored to transgender needs; mandatory training for police, teachers, and judges on gender identity and inclusion; and a curriculum changes at school and university levels to foster respect and awareness from a young age. Justice Indu Malhotra said it best: “History owes an apology to the LGBTQ community.” But an apology is not enough. The transgender community does not need charity. They deserve citizenship, not conditional sympathy. It’s time India matched its legal promises with social and institutional will. When the judiciary listened India has known and embraced gender diversity for centuries. Communities such as the hijras have been part of festivals, births and blessings. But colonial rule brought with it a rigid gender binary and criminalisation, casting the transgender identity into the shadows. The Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, reduced Hijras to a stereotype, criminal by default. This stigma, though the law is long gone, survives in whispered judgments and silent exclusions. Change didn’t begin in Parliament — it started in courtrooms. 1.NALSA v. Union of India (2014) A historic verdict that recognised the right to self-identify one’s gender. For the first time, India’s highest court said: You exist. You matter. You are equal. Transgender persons were granted constitutional rights under Articles 14, 15, 16, 19(1)(a), and 21. 2.Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) A landmark ruling on privacy, affirming that one’s gender identity is deeply personal and fundamentally protected. 3.Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India (2018) With the striking down of Section 377, the court did more than decriminalise love — it restored the humanity of millions. 4.Arun Kumar vs IG of Registration (2019) The Madras High Court reminded us that the law must evolve with empathy — recognising that a transwoman can be a bride under Hindu marriage laws. 5.S Sushma vs Commissioner of Police (2021) A rare moment of judicial humility where a judge chose to unlearn and relearn by listening to LGBTQ+ voices. The court ordered safeguards, called out police excesses and banned conversion therapy. Law with good intentions, but glaring gaps The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, tried to put NALSA into law. It made discrimination illegal. It defined transgender broadly. However, it fell short because it required certificates for self-identity,
Over 58% Dalit voters in Bihar think unemployment is biggest poll issue: survey
The survey was conducted and released by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations also found that more than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have ‘no trust’ in the Election Commission A Booth Level Officer checks documents during Special Investigation Revision to the electoral roll Drive at Kamalpur Village under Jalalgarh Block in Purnia district in Bihar. File A Booth Level Officer checks documents during Special Investigation Revision to the electoral roll Drive at Kamalpur Village under Jalalgarh Block in Purnia district in Bihar. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu More than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have “no trust” in the Election Commission of India (ECI), a new survey released ahead of the Assembly Elections due in the State has found. It also shows that over 58% Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in the State thought that unemployment was the biggest issue in the upcoming polls. Over 12,000 new polling stations created in Bihar The survey was conducted and released by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations (NACDAOR), a conglomerate of hundreds of associations across the nation. It covered a total of 18,581 SC voters from across the State and was conducted between June 10 and July 4, Ashok Bharti, Chairman of NACDAOR told The Hindu. The 2022 Bihar caste survey counted 19.65% of the State’s population as belonging to the Scheduled Castes. He added that since the Election Commission started its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the rolls as the survey was underway, one question was put on the survey mid-way, for which only around 8,500 responses could be gathered. Fear of losing vote To the question ‘Do you fear losing your vote in the new voter list?’, over 71% of respondents said yes and 23.4% said no with a little over 5% not expressing an opinion. Around 32 lakh voters yet to submit enumeration forms in Bihar, says Election Commission On the general question of whether they trusted the Election Commission to be impartial, over 27% said no, about 51% said yes, and 21% said they didn’t know. The survey asked a total of 11 questions such as ‘who is their favourite political leader at the national and state levels’, ‘how is the work of the State government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’, and ‘who do they hold most responsible for the caste enumeration that will now be conducted’. 94.68% of Bihar voters covered in electoral roll revision drive, says Election Commission It found that while over 47.5% of the respondents said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was their favourite leader at the national level, 40.3% said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and about 12% said other politicians. Credit for caste census It further reported that to the question ‘who do they credit for the caste census?’, 33.15% respondents said Narendra Modi, 30.81% said Rahul Gandhi, and 27.57% said Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav while about 8% said the names of other politicians. Further, the survey showed that about 48% said the work of the Nitish Kumar-led government was “bad”, while about 45% said it was good. Opinion: The parameters of ‘success’ in Bihar’s poll roll revision Mr. Bharti told The Hindu, “A lot of people do surveys of Scheduled Castes, but hardly do many of them actually speak to us on the ground. This survey is of Dalits, by Dalits.” He explained that they went through the process of training enumerators to survey SC respondents across about 49 Assembly segments in the six regions of Bihar, namely Kosi, Mithilanchal, Seemanchal, Bhojpur, Champaran, and Magadh Pataliputra regions. Mr. Bharti said, “We have actually surveyed people on the ground. There was higher trust in our enumerators. Unfortunately for the question on SIR, we could not cover all respondents because it came midway.” The NACDAOR conducted this survey in collaboration with political consultancy firm The Convergent Media, and this is the second survey they have put out. Mr. Bharti said the first survey they did was ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections earlier this year. Abhinay Lakshman Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit youths allege illegal detention and custodial torture by cops in MP
Bhopal: Four Dalit youths accused police in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district of illegal detention and custodial torture. The youths alleged they were stripped, beaten for four days, and had chilli powder rubbed into their private parts to force a confession in a theft case. The victims, residents of the Kanjadpur Dharampura area, stated they were returning from a housewarming ceremony on July 15 when they stopped to urinate by the roadside. A Dial-100 police vehicle allegedly picked them up without explanation. One youth, who is disabled, was released, while the remaining four were taken to the police station, hung upside down, beaten with belts, and tortured. Police had previously claimed to have arrested five individuals for stealing transformer oil. The incident prompted protests by Bhim Army workers and the victims’ families, who marched to the SP office demanding action under the SC/ST Act and the suspension of the accused policemen. A sit-in was held outside the SP office, where authorities responded by locking the gates and cutting power to the premises. DIG Lalit Shakyawar later visited the site and assured that a medical examination would be conducted and action taken after investigation. Three of the victims have since undergone medical tests. “We have asked a senior officer to investigate the matter. CCTV footage from inside the police station is being examined,” said Chhatarpur SP Agam Jain. Families also alleged that one of the five detained youths is missing and feared he may have died in custody. A victim’s father-in-law further accused the police of threatening him with arrest and eviction from govt land if the protest continued. Former Congress MLA Neeraj Dixit also visited the protest site and demanded justice. A heavy police force from multiple stations was deployed. Investigations are currently underway. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.