Baba Saheb’s picture near Lalu’s feet, may change RJD’s fate, 36 hours of Ambedkar controversy
Political uproar in Bihar due to Lalu Yadav’s video going viral, Ambedkar’s picture controversy has a bad effect on RJD, RJD’s influence on Dalit vote bank may reduce. Patna: Before the assembly elections to be held at the end of the year in Bihar, RJD is constantly seen embroiled in controversies. The crisis on Lalu Prasad Yadav does not seem to reduce. Recently, after the controversy over the love affair of elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, now the RJD supremo himself is embroiled in the controversy of insulting Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s picture. It is about his 78th birthday. When a person reached with a picture of Baba Saheb Ambedkar to congratulate him. He started taking photos while presenting the picture. He held the picture in such a way that it appeared near Lalu Yadav’s feet. Then 3 days later, the video of the incident which went viral created a political uproar. This controversy can have a deep impact on the image of RJD before the assembly elections. It is being speculated that this controversy may change the fate of RJD. Let’s understand how… What did Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary say? After the Ambedkar photo controversy, political parties are continuously targeting Lalu Prasad Yadav. The state’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said that “It has been more than 36 hours since the video of Baba Saheb’s insult came out. The whole of Bihar is hurt by that video, but till now not even two words of regret have come from RJD. However, Bihar has definitely seen the arrogance of Lalu Prasad’s beloved son Tejashwi. Tejashwi refused to accept the insult of Baba Saheb. He called it a frivolous topic. Our question is that even after insulting Baba Saheb by keeping his photo near his feet, Lalu ji’s beloved son does not feel insulted in it, then after what other insult will RJD accept that it has been insulted? RJD first ‘insults’ Baba Saheb and then shows ‘arrogance’. The picture of Baba Saheb’s insult that everyone has seen in the video is the real character of RJD.” What will be the impact on RJD? Before the assembly elections to be held at the end of the year in Bihar, all the parties are busy gathering their vote banks. But the Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s picture insult controversy can have a bad effect on RJD. This can cause RJD to lose control over the Dalit vote bank. Let us tell you that 18 to 20% of the population in Bihar is Dalit. 31.3 percent of the total Dalit population is of the Chamar caste. Dusadh caste is in second place. 30.9% of the total Scheduled Caste population is of Dusadh or Paswan. After this, there is the population of Musahar, Pasi, Dhobi and Bhuiya caste respectively. That is, the Dalit community in Bihar has the role of forming the government and spoiling the equation. Talking about the last election, 38 Dalit MLAs won the election in the year 2020. Which includes 13 from Paswan caste, 13 from Ravidas caste, 7 from Musahar community, 3 from Pasi caste and one MLA from Mehatar caste. Courtesy: Hindi News
Rape And Death Of A Minor Dalit Girl Has Shaken Bihar
Caste and gender violence under scrutiny after horrific assault in rural Bihar Rape and death of a 10-year old Dalit girl in MuzaffarpurCaste and Gender Assault in Rural Bihar Photo: Illustration by Anupriya Yoga The rape and death of a 10-year-old Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur on May 26 has intensified the political scene in Bihar. The incident triggered state-wide outrage, prompting the National Commission for Women (NCW) to take suo motu cognisance and direct the state’s chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) to conduct a thorough investigation. The opposition has strongly condemned the state government, organising protests and demanding justice. The girl, who was raped in Muzaffarpur, died during treatment at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The family of the girl has accused the hospital of negligence, while the hospital administration claimed that every effort was made to save her. Commenting on the update of the investigation, Apsara, chairperson of Bihar State Women’s Commission, said, “The Commission is taking this case very seriously. We are in contact with all officials concerned. The commission will soon set up its inquiry committee and go to Muzaffarpur and conduct an independent investigation.” The Muzaffarpur incident involving a minor girl is not an isolated case. In the aftermath of this incident, reports of sexual violence against at least half a dozen other minor girls have emerged. According to recent reports, 10 minors are alleged to have been raped across Bihar within a single month. On May 6 and 25, girls aged three and four were raped in Danapur, Patna. On May 25, a 10-year-old was gang-raped in Saran. On May 26, a nine-year-old was raped in Turki, Muzaffarpur. On May 27, a 13-year-old was gang-raped in Rajgir. On May 28, an eight-year-old was raped in Darbhanga. On May 31, an 11-year-old was raped in Sitamarhi and another 11-year-old was raped in Katni, Muzaffarpur. On June 4, an 11-month-old baby was raped in Gaya. The rising number of rape cases is raising serious questions about governance and the system of justice in the state. The Bihar Women’s Commission states that it currently has over 6,000 pending cases; the highest is from Begusarai alone―395 cases. In response to the Muzaffarpur case, several arrests have been made and officials have been suspended. The Bihar government, facing severe criticism from all quarters, has taken disciplinary action against both police and healthcare officials. However, the Congress Party, which has been protesting against the issue, has labelled this as a mere eyewash. State Congress President Rajesh Kumar says, “The government is trying to bury the matter by suspending a few people. We will not tolerate this, and Congress will continue its agitation.” He also confirmed that the issue will be included in the party’s upcoming election manifesto. Rape has become a serious issue in the state. The Congress Party in Bihar is working on a roadmap to tackle this. The ruling JD(U), meanwhile, asserts that strong action has been taken and investigations are ongoing. The opposition does not have any work, and that is the reason they are politicising the issue, the JD(U) says. However, except for one or two cases, the victim’s family does not receive timely help, nor do the criminals get punished. JD(U) party spokesperson Nihora Prasad Yadav said, “The opposition is politicising the issue to divert attention from its criminal record. The people of Bihar know that crime is now more controlled than before. Whenever any crime occurs, swift action is taken and arrests are made.” The JD(U) maintains that under its administration, crimes against women have reduced. But government data paints a grim picture. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that rape cases in Bihar were 651 in 2018, 730 in 2019, 1,210 in 2020, 786 in 2021, and 881 in 2022. According to data from the Union Home Ministry, there were 51,896 cases of sexual violence against women in India from 2019 to 2021. In this, 18,587 cases were registered in 2019, 15,359 cases in 2020, and 17,950 cases in 2021. Of these, Bihar accounted for 22,360 cases of missing girls, including 8,006 minors. “These incidents reflect a deeply disturbing mindset,” said Apsara. “The rising statistics against women in the state are a matter of deep concern. The commission will review all incidents. Additionally, it will run awareness campaigns to make girls in colleges and schools more vigilant.” To curb crime in Bihar, fast-track courts have been established to ensure that legal proceedings can be completed swiftly. There is a total of 179 fast-track courts in Bihar where cases related to serious crimes are being heard. The case concerning the incident involving a Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur has also been sent to the speedy trial court. The Union government had created Nirbhaya Fund after the Nirbhaya incident to prevent rape cases and directed the establishment of courts (fast-track courts) for swift trials of such incidents. This is to provide some assistance to the victim’s family in fighting their case and to ensure that criminals are punished quickly. Md Asghar Khan (Translation by Kaveri Mishra) Courtesy : Outlook India` Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindiaindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
BCs must unite to fight for social justice, says TPCC chief
Hyderabad: Telangana Congress president and MLC B Mahesh Kumar Goud on Saturday emphasised the urgent need for unity among all Backward Classes (BCs) in the state. He stated that the time has come for these communities to rise above political boundaries and assert their rightful share in politics and all other sectors of society. Speaking at the launch of the book ‘OBC Porubata’ at Gandhi Bhavan, he pointed out the historical marginalisation of BCs, who, he said, had long been treated merely as vote banks. “Today, the BCs are demanding justice, representation, and their rightful share across all sectors,” he said. “BCs, SCs and STs represent 55% of the state cabinet led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy. Also, these communities, apart from minorities, represent 68% in the composition of vice presidents and general secretaries of the TPCC,” Goud said. Crediting Congress’ commitment to social justice, he cited the Centre’s decision to conduct a nationwide caste census as a major political milestone. “Telangana has become a national model by implementing the caste-based survey in a transparent and scientific manner under the leadership of chief minister Revanth Reddy, despite him being from the OC category,” Goud said. He highlighted that the very concept of the caste survey stemmed from Rahul Gandhi’s vision during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which helped him understand ground realities across India. A detailed presentation on the Telangana caste survey was earlier made to over 450 Congress representatives, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi by both Mahesh Goud himself, and later by chief minister Revanth. As per the Congress Kamareddy Declaration during the 2023 assembly polls, the current govt legislated 42% reservations for OBCs in education, employment, and political representation. “The BJP-led Central govt, which earlier opposed the caste census, has now announced its intention to conduct one alongside the general census—reflecting the impact of the Congress’ push for social justice,” he said. The TPCC chief urged BC communities to unite in pressing for legal backing of the BC bills and its inclusion in the IX Schedule of the Constitution. “The movement for the BC bill must transcend caste divisions and be driven by a collective spirit for equity and justice,” he added. 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.
Which way will Bihar’s Dalit politics turn, tussle between Manjhi-Chirag, what is the plan of RJD-Congress?
There are 19 percent Dalit votes in Bihar. 38 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. All parties are eyeing this vote bank. So far three Dalit leaders have become CM in Bihar. The bugle for Bihar Assembly Election has been blown. Parties have started laying their respective chessboards. All eyes are on the Dalit vote bank. NDA and India Alliance are constantly engaged in wooing 19 percent vote bank of Bihar. Path of non-cooperation in NDA Union Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan are taking the path of non-cooperation regarding Dalit politics in NDA. Both of them took different paths on the Supreme Court’s decision to deprive the creamy layer from the facility of reservation. Manjhi was seen with the decision of the Supreme Court Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was seen with the decision of the Supreme Court. He called it a decision in the interest of Dalits. He said that this decision should have come ten years ago. Today, the same people who took advantage of it for 76 years are against the decision on reservation. He said that why only four castes are taking advantage of reservation for the last 76 years? Till date, how many IAS-IPS have been made from castes like Bhuiyan, Musahar, Mehatar. How many Chief Engineers are there from these castes. The literacy rate of these castes is still very low. There should be no division in the facility of reservation: Chirag LJP (R) chief Chirag Paswan said that he does not want any division in the facility of reservation. He said that people from the creamy layer should not be deprived of the facility of reservation. Chirag said that an environment should be created for them to voluntarily give up reservation. Taunting Chirag’s rally Jitan Ram Manjhi has indirectly taunted Chirag Paswan’s rally held in Ara recently. Manjhi said that leaders who are really strong do not need to speak much. Weak people often pretend and speak more. Manjhi said that our party stands strongly with the NDA. Congress made Dalit Rajesh Ram the state president Since the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi has been constantly talking about social justice and caste survey. He is looking for a way to bring back Congress in Bihar with the help of Dalit and backward politics. Recently, during his Bihar tour, he also interacted with Dalits and backward classes. He also went to Patna to watch the film Phule based on the life of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule. There was a lot of uproar over this. Earlier, former Union Minister Akhilesh Prasad Singh, who belonged to the Bhumihar caste, was removed from the post of Bihar Congress state president. Then the reins of Bihar Congress were handed over to Rajesh Kumar, a two-time MLA from the Dalit community. Congress has a strong legacy of Dalit politics in Bihar. Babu Jagjivan Ram was once the Dalit face of the Congress. Rajesh Ram’s father, former minister Dilkeshwar Ram, has also been a big Dalit face in Bihar. Rajesh Ram had contested from Kutumba seat in 2015 against Jitan Ram Manjhi’s son and HAM (Secular) chief Santosh. Manjhi was defeated in the election. In 2020 also, he defeated the candidate of Hindustani Awam Morcha. Rajesh Ram is also the Deputy Chief Whip of Congress in Bihar Legislative Assembly. Lalu’s birthday, RJD fed cake to Dalits RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav celebrated his 78th birthday on Wednesday. Party workers organized a feast in Dalit Basti on this occasion. Distributed books, copies and pens among Dalit children. Cut cake in Dalit settlements. Actually, all this exercise is on 19 percent Dalit vote bank in Bihar. This time RJD is trying its best to get OBC, minorities as well as Dalits in its camp to gain power. Attempt to capture 38 reserved seats There are a total of 243 seats in Bihar Legislative Assembly. 38 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. Dalits have the power to make and break the government. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, NDA won 21 out of 38 seats, while the Grand Alliance won 17 seats. JDU’s Dalit-Mahadalit politics Earlier, there were 22 castes in the Dalit community in Bihar, but in 2005, Nitish Kumar came to power in Bihar. To manage the vote bank and to counter Ram Vilas Paswan’s Dalit politics, he divided the Dalits into two castes. Out of 22, he included 21 castes in Mahadalit, while he kept the Paswan caste in the Dalit category. Nitish Kumar’s social engineering in the last 20 years revolved around non-Yadav OBCs and Mahadalits. From time to time, he also got the support of the upper castes, but Nitish suffered a major setback in the last assembly elections. JDU won only 8 seats in the SC category. JDU is once again engaged in Dalit politics. All three Dalit CMs proved to be useless Dalits have always been used as vote bank in Bihar. Three Dalit leaders have become CM of Bihar so far, but all three proved to be useless. Congress leader Bhola Paswan Shastri became the first Dalit CM of Bihar. He became CM of Bihar thrice. He was also a minister at the center. After Bhola, Ram Sundar Das became the Dalit CM of Bihar. Jitan Ram Manjhi, who comes from the Dalit community, also became the CM of the state. All three leaders could not leave any special impact Courtesy : Hindi News
I will not join BJP, nor will it accept me: Lakshman Singh
Bhopal: Former Congress MLA Lakshman Singh, who was expelled from the party on Wednesday, said he received a phone call and was asked to write that Rahul Gandhi would be Prime Minister. “I got a phone call and was asked to give in writing that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister, then my expulsion would be stopped. I refused,” he said, speaking to reporters in Guna on Thursday. “Since I did not agree to write that, I was expelled from the party. Only those who say that Rahul Gandhi will be Prime Minister can remain in the Congress party. I cannot do that,” he said, explaining his expulsion from the party. Lakshman Singh, who joined the BJP in late 2003 and contested as a party candidate from Rajgarh Lok Sabha seat in the 2004 Parliamentary elections, said, “Neither will I go to join the BJP and nor will the BJP accept me.” 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.
Dalit hostel row: Samrat slams Rahul over ‘baseless’ charges
Patna: Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary on Friday lashed out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his June 10 letter to PM Narendra Modi. In the letter, Rahul alleged poor conditions in Ambedkar hostels and delays in scholarships for Dalit and EBC students in Bihar. Samrat responded by stating that the state govt had disbursed Rs 4.7 crore through direct benefit transfer (DBT) in 2024-25, providing Rs 4,000 per month in scholarships to Dalit students. Rahul, citing his May 15 visit to the Ambedkar hostel in Darbhanga, claimed that six to seven students were cramped into each room and the hostel suffered from filthy toilets, unsafe drinking water, poor food quality and a lack of educational resources. He also alleged that no student had received a scholarship in 2021-22. Dismissing these claims, the Choudhary said the allegations were “baseless and prejudiced”, accusing Rahul of misleading the public and engaging in “politics of spreading discontent”. Invoking the legacy of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, Choudhary said, “The Gandhi family, which once sent Karpoori Thakur to jail, is now questioning the hostel named in his honour. Congress has never respected the backward-Dalits and has always opposed reservation. The NDA govt is working for these sections of society.” He added that any deficiencies found in hostels for Dalit and EBC students were promptly addressed. “Hostel residents also achieve success in competitive exams by taking advantage of the peaceful environment and high-quality facilities,” he said. Choudhary detailed the state’s efforts, citing the existence of 100 Jananayak Karpoori Thakur hostels, 100 OBC welfare hostels and 39 OBC girls’ residential +2 schools equipped with libraries, smart classrooms, TV sets, CCTV, sanitary napkin vending machines, generators, computer labs, biometric devices, medical check-up facilities and messes. He said hostel grants had been provided up to April and food distribution would continue till March 2025. Regular inspections and necessary repairs were carried out, he added. Choudhary, who also oversees the finance portfolio, said Rs 321 lakh had been sanctioned in 2025 for the repair, painting, water supply and electrification of Karpoori hostels. 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.
Lalu Prasad faces backlash over viral video showing Ambedkar portrait near his feet in Bihar
BJP’s Dalit leader and minister Janak Ram asked that the entire family of Lalu Prasad should tender an apology for the incident as 14 crore people of Bihar were feeling ashamed of it. PATNA: RJD chief Lalu Prasad was caught in the thick of controversy after a video allegedly showing him having a portrait of the Dalit icon Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar placed at his feet, went viral on social media on Saturday. In the video, Lalu is seen seated on a couch with his feet placed on a sofa nearby as a supporter enters the room carrying the portrait of Ambedkar, and places it close to former’s feet before greeting him. Bihar deputy chief minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary also shared a video clip of the incident that happened when the former CM was celebrating his 78th birthday earlier this week. “This is testimony to the fact that Lalu Prasad holds Dalits in contempt and has no respect for the greatest leader from the depressed classes. He can have even pictures of Gods placed at his feet,” alleged Choudhary. Lalu’s old associates like Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes also left him due to his arrogance as voters from the weaker sections also got alienated from him due to the same reason, deputy chief minister added. Reacting sharply to Choudhary’ allegations, Lalu’s son younger and former deputy chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav said, “Lalu Prasad Yadav has installed many statues of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Bihar. We are the people who believe in Ambedkar’s ideology. Lalu Yadav works for 10 hours at the age of 78 and meets people. “These (BJP) people have nothing to do with Baba Saheb, the Constitution and reservation,” he added. On the other hand, BJP’s Dalit leader and minister Janak Ram asked that the entire family of Lalu Prasad should tender an apology for the incident as 14 crore people of Bihar were feeling ashamed of it. “The leader (Lalu) cuts a cake with a sword which indicates that his party wants to bring back the use of muscle power in public life,” he remarked. He claimed that people of Bihar were watching the RJD supremo’s action closely and they would give him a befitting reply at appropriate time. Courtesy : Ramashankar, TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rob Gronkowski doesn’t support transgender men competing in women’s sports
As the debate over transgender participation in women’s sports reaches a new peak in 2025, a quote from Rob Gronkowski is suddenly back in circulation and it’s as blunt as ever. The NFL legend’s comments are being revisited online as leagues, lawmakers, and athletes take firm positions on who should be allowed to compete in female categories. “There are men’s sports for men, women’s for women”: Rob Gronk’s words strike again in a divided sports world In an October 2023 interview with Fox News and the Daily Caller, Rob Gronkowski made his stance crystal clear: — _MLFootball (@_MLFootball) “There’s really no argument. It’s the obvious,” he said. “There are men’s sports for men, there’s women’s sports for women. It should just stay like that. How it’s been is how it should be. Men play men’s sports, women play women’s sports. It’s as simple as that. It’s really unfair if a man went into a women’s sport and played it. It just doesn’t really make much sense to me.” At the time, the comment made headlines but now, nearly two years later, it’s resurfacing across social media as new policies echo the very sentiment Gronk voiced. The timing isn’t random. In February 2025, the U.S. government issued a sweeping executive order redefining Title IX protections, stating that women’s sports teams must be “reserved for biological females.” Since then, several leagues including the NCAA, USA Track & Field, and swimming’s World Aquatics have adjusted their eligibility rules in line with that definition. With the sports world recalibrating, Gronkowski’s 2023 soundbite is being clipped, quoted, and reposted as symbolic of a broader shift. Other athletes are echoing similar opinions and fueling the fire Gronk’s stance isn’t isolated. In recent months, several current and former athletes have joined the conversation: Jonathan Isaac (NBA) praised the Title IX move and emphasized protecting fairness in women’s sports. Riley Gaines, former collegiate swimmer, has become a prominent voice advocating for biological sex-based competition. Meanwhile, some athletes including WNBA players and Olympic stars are pushing back, calling the new rules discriminatory and harmful to trans youth. So Gronk’s words now sit at the intersection of sport, law, and culture, a flashpoint in a fast-evolving conversation. Rob Gronkowski’s 2023 remarks weren’t part of any campaign or legislative effort, they were just his raw, unfiltered opinion. But in 2025, they’ve taken on new weight. As sports organizations codify rules and public figures line up on either side of the aisle, Gronk’s quote serves as a reminder of how deeply personal, political, and polarizing this debate has become. 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.
Transgender people name colony after collector
Virudhunagar: As many as 24 transgender people who received permanent residences in Virudhunagar under a housing initiative have named the colony ‘Anbu Aatchiyar VP Jeyaseelan Nagar’ (Beloved collector V P Jeyaseelan Nagar) as a mark of gratitude to the district collector. They installed a board with the name, saying that no amount of thanks would be enough for finally managing to get a roof over their heads. It was in February that collector V P Jeyaseelan inaugurated 24 newly established houses for transgender people under the ‘Kalaignar Kanavu Illam’ scheme at Kovilpulikuthi under E Kumaralingapuram panchayat. Apart from the houses, Rs24 lakh from CSR funds was used to provide basic facilities, including water and electricity connections. Paver blocks and small bridges were constructed in the vicinity of the houses with Rs21.15 lakh from panchayat union public funds. The collector also assured continuous support to the transgender community for their upliftment. Around two months ago, the transgender people who moved into the colony came up with the idea of putting up a name board for the colony. The colony thus became ‘Anbu Aatchiyar VP Jeyaseelan Nagar’ in recognition of his contributions and support to the community. “We were all living in rented houses before. Being transgenders, many landlords often charged us more, which we couldn’t afford as we had no jobs with regular salaries. If a normal person paid Rs2,000 as rent, we had to shell out Rs4,000. Only after moving here did we feel free. It was a godsend for us,” said Santhini, a resident. She said employment remains one of the major challenges for transgender people even now. “I applied to be an anganwadi worker several times but am yet to be successful. Unless we get employed, we can’t come out of this cycle of being looked down upon in society,” she said. Shilpa, another resident, said permanent housing was a luxury for them, and demanded reservation in govt jobs for transgender people so that they get more opportunities. 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.
MP: Dispute over ration in Chhatarpur turned into murder of Dalit youth, tension in village, Rahul Gandhi said- “When Dalit demanded his rights, he was shot”
Villagers say that irregularities in ration distribution were going on for a long time. No action was taken even after complaining. Bhopal. The dispute over ration distribution in Bilhari village of Naugaon police station area of Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh escalated to such an extent that 19-year-old Dalit youth Pankaj Prajapati died due to firing, while his brother Ashish was injured. The incident took place at around 10 am on Sunday at the ration shop of the Gram Panchayat, which was being operated from the house of Advocate Praveen Pateria of the village. Videos of this shootout surfaced on Monday, in which the accused Praveen Pateria can be clearly seen firing from the roof. After the incident, there was huge outrage in the area. The family refused to get the post-mortem of the body done and blocked the road in front of the tehsil office. During the protest, a person tried to burn himself, who was saved by the police. The dispute arising due to non-availability of ration became the reason for murder The deceased Pankaj Prajapati and his brother Ashish had reached the ration shop of the village to get the ration pending for three months. There they had an altercation with the shop owner. When they came again with the family to get the ration, Praveen Pateria, Naveen Pateria and Ramsevak Arajaria abused and started beating them. Praveen Pateria climbed on the roof of his house and fired a shot from there. A bullet hit Pankaj’s thigh, he was immediately referred to Gwalior Hospital, but he died on the way. At the same time, the bullet also grazed Ashish, who was discharged after first aid. People came out on the road, refused to keep the dead body, tried to self-immolate The family members and villagers, angry with the incident, reached Naugaon Hospital on Monday morning and refused to get the post-mortem of the dead body done. After this, everyone gathered in front of the tehsil office and blocked the road. During this, a person tried to commit self-immolation by pouring petrol, who was saved by the police in time. Anger over initial negligence, later case registered under murder and SC-ST Act Initially, the police registered a case against only one accused under minor sections, which further increased the anger. After about five hours of protest, the police registered an FIR against the three accused – Praveen Pateria, Naveen Pateria and Ramsevak Arjaria – under serious sections of murder, conspiracy and SC-ST Act. The police have registered a case under BNS (Indian Penal Code) 115(2), 109(1), 296, 3(5), conspiracy, breach of social harmony SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 3(1)(d), 3(1)(dh), 3(2)(v), 3(2)(va), murderous attack and harassment on Scheduled Caste, Arms Act 25-27, firing with illegal weapon. Additional SP Vidita Dangar said that a police team has been formed to arrest the accused, they will be caught soon. Dalit demanded his rights, he was shot: Rahul Gandhi Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reacted sharply to the incident. Describing the BJP government as anti-Dalit, he said, “When a Dalit youth demanded his rights, he was shot. First FIR was not lodged and then postmortem was also postponed. Demanding justice has also become a crime under BJP rule. The culprits should be arrested immediately and given strict punishment.” Ration was not being given for three months The villagers say that the rigging in ration distribution was going on for a long time. No action was taken even after complaining. According to the deceased family, they were not being given ration for three months and when they raised their voice, they were attacked. Tension in the village, police deployed After the incident, there is a lot of tension in the village. In view of the situation, police force of many police stations has been deployed in the village. The family is still adamant on the demand for the arrest of the accused. In a conversation with The Mooknayak, Scheduled Caste Congress state president Pradeep Ahirwar attacked the state government. He said that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s government has completely failed to stop the atrocities on Dalits. He alleged that the government is only doing politics of events and show-off, while at the ground level injustice and violence against the Dalit community is continuously increasing. Courtesy: Ankit Pachauri, Hindi News