Cong: People ready to oust BJP in 2027 polls
Lucknow: National general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge of the Congress Avinash Pande on Saturday said that the 2027 state assembly election is crucial for the party and the state as the people are ready to oust the BJP from power. “We will complete organisational restructuring within the next 100 days. It is also important to understand the importance of building a five-tier organisation (district, block, division, justice panchayat, booth) and spreading the message of Congress’s glorious legacy to the last person, aiming for the party’s return to power,” Pande said, addressing a party workshop at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday. The workshop began with the resolve to form a govt in the state in 2027. Senior functionaries suggested the establishment of a war room in each district and strengthening of the organisation at the booth level. They also expressed gratitude to leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi for his initiative in furthering the demand for caste census. The event began with a two-minute silence to pay tribute to soldiers martyred in the conflict with Pakistan. A video message by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, outlining a new direction for organisational creation, was played which was followed by a short film on the works done by the Congress and its govts. “There is a need to prepare organisations in frontal departments and cells and establish coordination among them. The goal of this organisational creation is to connect with the people, struggle for the people, and offer alternatives to the people,” Pande said. He said that division committees and justice panchayat committees should make organisation more dynamic, along with appointing BLA-1 and BLA-2 to work on voter list. UP Congress president Ajay Rai said that Rahul Gandhi was “fighting a significant battle for national interest, despite the BJP’s continuous conspiracies to stop him”. Referring to organisational strengthening efforts by Priyanka Gandhi in 2022, Rai said, “Those efforts sowed the seeds for results in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.” UP Congress legislative party leader Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ said that Rahul Gandhi embarked on a path of struggle with a strong resolve, and the party would write a new chapter in 2027. 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.
‘Shashi Tharoor is looking for berth in BJP’s sleeping cells inside Congress’: CPI Kerala slams Lok Sabha MP
‘Shashi Tharoor is looking for berth in BJP’s sleeping cells inside Congress’: CPI Kerala slams Lok Sabha MP’Shashi Tharoor is looking for berth in BJP’s sleeping cells inside Congress’: CPI Kerala slams Lok Sabha MP NEW DELHI: Communist Party of India (CPI) Kerala Secretary Binoy Viswam on Sunday took a swipe at Shashi Tharoor over him leading one of the delegations for briefing partner countries and said that Thiruvananthapuram MP is looking for a berth in the BJP’s sleeping cells inside Congress. In a post on X, the CPI Kerala secretary said, “@RahulGandhi Gandhi’s concern about BJP sleeping cells inside Congress is not so simple. It seems that @sashhitharoor is in search of his berth in that cell. @BJP4India knows how to make use of such elements. For them, even the fight against terrorism is a hunt for party gains!” The comments emerged after Tharoor accepted a government invitation to head a multi-party delegation overseas to present India’s position against Pakistan regarding terrorism, despite his name not being included in Congress’s official nominations. Tharoor defended his acceptance on Saturday, stating he perceived no political agenda. He explained that Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju formally requested his leadership of the delegation, considering his diplomatic experience. “I see no politics in it. According to me, politics become important when we have a nation. We all are Indians. When the nation is in crisis and the central government seeks the help of a citizen, what other answer would you give,” he explained to reporters. The Congress party had put forward different representatives: former Union minister Anand Sharma, deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain, and Lok Sabha MP Raja Brar, following the government’s request for four MPs for the delegations. 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.
The funds are not reaching the Dalits in Bihar… Why did Rahul Gandhi make this allegation? Nitish is upset!
Bihar politics: Rahul Gandhi, who reached Darbhanga before the Bihar assembly elections, raised many big political questions in his address. Now brainstorming is going on in Bihar regarding these questions. Rahul Gandhi’s questions are about the facilities and funds given to the Dalits. According to a report, the Bihar government transfers the funds allocated to the Dalits to general schemes. Patna: During a recent interaction with students at the government-run Ambedkar Kalyan hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that Scheduled Castes are not getting benefits from the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) fund, which is a set of resources set aside for their development. The Congress MP raised this question at the inaugural meeting of the Congress’ “Shiksha Nyay Samvad” campaign on Thursday. In this meeting, Rahul Gandhi put forth his point on many issues. Let us know, what is the whole truth? Especially why is Rahul Gandhi saying this? What is Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan? SCSP is a strategy of the central government aimed at ensuring proportionate flow of resources for the development of Scheduled Castes through implementation of infrastructure, education, health and other welfare schemes in areas with substantial Dalit population. SCSP was launched in 1980 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to reach out to Dalits. SCSP funds are channelled through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides special central assistance. There are three categories of SCSP schemes: fully centrally funded, fully state-funded, and hybrid schemes that are divided in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and the state. How much does Bihar spend? According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Bihar government allocated Rs 16,777 crore for its SCSP schemes in 2021-22, but allegedly diverted Rs 10,799 crore to general schemes. Similarly, out of Rs 19,688 crore allocated for SCSP schemes in 2022-23, Rs 18,450 crore was allegedly diverted to non-SC schemes. In 2023-24, the state government allegedly spent Rs 11,796 crore on general schemes out of the total SCSP funds of Rs 16,939 crore. Where was the money spent? Some of the major SCSP schemes include income-generating initiatives, financial assistance for construction or upgradation of houses, providing free land for housing, education and skill development schemes such as free distribution of books and school uniforms. After the latest CAG report on the performance of the Bihar government highlighted problems in the SCSP funds, nine Bihar MLAs, including CPI(ML)(L) MLA Satyadev Ram, had questioned the JDU-led state government in the Assembly in March over the alleged diversion of funds. Though the state government did not reject the CAG’s findings, it said the auditor had not used the word “diversion” but only described the department-wise allocation of SCSP funds. Understand the matter For instance, the CAG report said that out of Rs 16,939 crore of SCPS funds in 2023-24, Rs 1,447 crore was allocated for Chief Minister Local Area Development Scheme and flood control, Rs 3,465 crore for construction of medical colleges, Rs 394 crore for construction of government buildings and Rs 212 crore for other projects like construction of state hospitals and healthcare buildings. Debt of Rs 460 crore of state power companies was also repaid using SCSP funds. SCSP fund utilisation rules The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes presented a report on social justice in both the Houses of Parliament in August 2018, in which it expressed concern about the utilisation of funds earmarked for the Scheduled Castes. The report said that under the allocation for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, diversion of funds is not acceptable and the funds are earmarked for Scheduled Castes only, but due to the general nature of the schemes of some ministries/departments, the funds are not fully utilised. The committee has also recommended that the Niti Aayog monitor the funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes to ensure that they are not under-utilised or diverted. Letter written to the Centre According to a report in the ‘Indian Express’, social activist Rajeev Kumar, who has written several letters to the Centre on the matter, said that neither the Centre nor the state government is ready to admit that the funds have been misused, while the money was “blatantly used by other departments”. How does this fit with the Congress’ electoral agenda? Rahul Gandhi is likely to make it a political issue ahead of the assembly elections later this year, as Dalits constitute 19.65% of the state’s population. Rahul Gandhi is making the issue Gandhi told the students in Darbhanga that there is no place for you in this country; there is no place for 90% of the people of the country. From senior bureaucracy to the top management of the Government of India, High Court and educational and medical (institutions), 90% of the population has no representation. But MNREGA is full of your people. The SCSP fund set for the Scheduled Castes is not reaching them. All the wealth is with 5-10% people. Although the Congress has raised the issue of alleged misuse of SCSP funds at the national level from time to time, but this is the first time that the party is raising this issue in Bihar. In the 2020 assembly elections, the Congress won 19 seats. Four of its MLAs are Dalits. About the author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey Active in print, digital and electronic journalism for more than 16 years. Degree in Political Science and Journalism. Started writing in Jansatta, Hindustan and Dainik Jagran in 2003. Worked for ETV, Maurya TV, Focus TV, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prabhat Khabar.com and Network 18. Reported in four Lok Sabha elections and many assembly elections. Courtesy: Hindi News
UP horror: Dalit teen found hanging from tree was gang-raped
AGRA: A Class 11 student, who was found hanging from a tree under mysterious circumstances in Mainpuri district on Thursday evening, was brutally gang-raped and strangled to death by her 23-year-old cousin and two others and then hanged with her scarf from the tree branch to mislead investigators, police said on Saturday. Police added the 17-year-old’s autopsy report on Friday evening confirmed “sexual assault and stated the cause of her death to be strangulation”. Her family suspected her cousin’s involvement and he was subsequently arrested after a brief encounter late on Friday. His brother-in-law and a friend, believed to be accomplices, were held on Saturday. The cousin — allegedly the main accused — sustained a bullet injury in his leg “in the crossfire”. He is a resident of Farrukhabad. Mainpuri SP (rural), Arun Singh, said, “Autopsy report clearly indicates that the girl was killed and then hanged. All three accused were arrested and sent to jail. Further probe is on.” An FIR was registered under BNS sections 70-2 (under 18 years raped by one or more persons) and 103 (murder) along with Pocso Act at a local thana following a complaint by the victim’s family. Both the victim and the accused belong to Dalit community. The girl left home on Thursday morning for school but never reached there. When she did not return home by evening, the family began looking for her. They later received a call from a relative in Farrukhabad, informing them that “the girl was in a farm on the village outskirts” in Mainpuri. The family thereafter rushed to that farm only to find her hanging from a tree. Police initially didn’t rule out suicide and sent the body for autopsy. No formal complaint was filed till Friday evening. Things quickly changed once the autopsy report was out and the girl’s family told the cops that they suspected her cousin. Police then laid a trap to apprehend him at night. (The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault) 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.
80 Dalit Families in Gujarat’s Surat Defy Two-Year Delays, Embrace Buddhism
SSD members describe the administration’s approach as a deliberate “Delay and Destroy” tactic, designed to discourage applicants from conversion. Surat- After enduring two years of bureaucratic roadblocks, 80 Dalit families in Surat, Gujarat, have embraced Buddhism in a poignant ceremony held on May 14, at Anand Buddha Vihar, Bombay Colony, Amroli. The families, driven by the vision of equality espoused by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the serene teachings of Lord Buddha, overcame persistent administrative delays to secure their right to convert. The Swayam Sainik Dal (SSD), a grassroots organization championing Dalit rights, played a pivotal role in navigating the systemic hurdles, making this a landmark victory for social justice and self-determination. A Protracted Battle Against Bureaucracy The journey began in 2023 when these people submitted applications to formally adopt Buddhism, seeking liberation from the caste-based discrimination embedded in traditional Hindu practices. Under Gujarat’s regulations, conversion applications (Form A) must be verified and approved by the District Collector within one month. However, the process was mired in delays, stretching over two years. SSD members describe the administration’s approach as a deliberate “Delay and Destroy” tactic, designed to discourage applicants. “For six months, we were tangled in paperwork. Then, the issuance of approval letters was stalled,” said an SSD representative. Across Gujarat, an estimated 40-50 thousand similar applications, filed by SSD and other Bahujan organizations, remain pending. Common excuses include staff shortages, officer transfers, or incomplete documentation, forcing applicants to make repeated visits to government offices. Many, exhausted by the ordeal, fail to complete the final step (Form C), resulting in their applications being quietly archived. “The system is rigged to frustrate those seeking to embrace Buddhism,” the SSD member added. “It’s not just inefficiency—it’s a strategy to maintain the status quo.” Despite these challenges, the families remained steadfast, supported by SSD’s unwavering advocacy. The Surat unit of SSD emerged as the backbone of this struggle. Through persistent phone calls, visits, and meticulous follow-ups, they kept the pressure on. As the delays dragged on, SSD escalated their efforts. Last week, they issued a stern ultimatum to the authorities: “Approve the applications, or we protests on the streets.” This bold stance compelled the administration to act, granting approvals to the pending applications. On May 14, the families gathered at Anand Buddha Vihar for an emotional ceremony. As they chanted the Buddha Vandana and reiterated the 22 vows given by Baba Sahab, the air resonated with a sense of liberation and hope. The event was not just a religious milestone but a powerful rejection of caste oppression, echoing Dr. Ambedkar’s call for social equality. SSD says the government delays conversions formalities on purpose to stop people from leaving Hinduism. How Buddhism changed their life Among those celebrating was Mayurraj Nag, a machine operator in a Surat diamond factory and an SSD member. Mayurraj, who embraced Buddhism in 2019, shared that of the 2023 applications, 110 have now been cleared, including the latest 80. His own journey reflects the transformative power of this path. “Eight years ago, I was lost—smoking, chewing gutkha, ignoring my family,” he said. “Meeting SSD in 2017 and learning about Babasaheb changed me. I quit my habits, started caring for my parents, and found purpose.” Mayurraj’s wife, Ashmita, whom he married four years ago in a love marriage blessed by their families, also embraced Buddhism. “I explained Buddhist teachings to her during our courtship. She understood, and now our family lives simply and happily,” he said. Mayurraj feels a newfound respect in his community. “People call me ‘bhai’ now, but it’s with respect. They listen when I speak, and that’s because of Buddhism.” Chandrika Shakya, a 30-year-old schoolteacher and member of SSD’s Jhalkari Brigade, has followed Buddhism for a decade. Despite her newborn keeping her from active outreach, she remains committed to empowering women. “I used to visit Dalit colonies, telling women about Babasaheb’s fight for equality,” she said. “We don’t push Buddhism first—we share his story, and people see it’s the way out of discrimination.” Chandrika’s family has also benefited financially. “We stopped spending on festivals like Holi or Diwali—no sweets, no puja items. That money now goes to our family’s future.” The administrative delays reflect a broader resistance to religious conversion, particularly to Buddhism, which challenges the caste hierarchy of Hinduism. SSD members allege that the system deliberately obstructs conversions to preserve traditional structures. “Buddhism has no rituals or caste divisions, which threatens the old ways,” an SSD member explained. “The delays are meant to tire people out, but we won’t let that happen.” SSD’s Broader Mission Founded in 2006 in Rajkot by 50 Dalit activists, SSD is dedicated to eradicating social inequalities and fostering a humane society. Rejecting hierarchies, every member is a “swayam sainik” (self-soldier). SSD conducts “chintan shivirs” (reflection camps) in rural areas to educate marginalized communities about their rights. Their ambitious goal is to facilitate the return of 20 million indigenous people to Buddhism by 2028, with planned mass conversion events on Ambedkar Jayanti from 2024 to 2028 in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Bhopal, and Mumbai. “SSD empowers communities by raising awareness about constitutional rights and exposing the divisive rituals of Hinduism,” a senior member said anonymously. “We encourage people to shape their own futures.” Buddhism, with its rejection of caste and rituals, is seen as a pathway to dismantle discriminatory practices, aligning with SSD’s vision of equality. Courtesy : Geetha Sunil Pillai, The Mooknayak Note: This news is originally published on https://themooknayak.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘No irregularities in schemes for dalits’
Chennai: Denying any irregularities in the implemantation of the 500 crore Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS) for the upliftment of sanitary workers as entrepreneurs, Tamil Nadu govt told the Madras high court that it engaged the Delhi-based Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) as it had implemented similar schemes in four states successfully. “The company implemented similar schemes in four other states successfully. The scheme is a laudable initiative that benefitted many manual scavengers,” advocate-general P S Raman told a vacation bench of justice G R Swaminathan and justice V Lakshminarayanan on Friday, in response to a public interest writ petition filed by YouTuber Savukku Shankar. The PIL sought CBI probe alleging misappropriation of funds. The vacation bench had on Wednesday directed the state to produce the files relating to the scheme. When the plea came up for hearing on Friday, additional advocate-general J Ravindran, representing the municipal administration department, submitted that the court must provide more time for the department to produce the files. “The scheme started in 2023, but the petitioner remained silent until May 2025 and moved the second vacation court. The court ordered the production of files and posted for orders today (Friday). I am seeking a reasonable time. This is only a request,” Ravindran said. 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.
Is communicating with Dalits a sin, asks Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s Darbhanga address permission
It is the height of dictatorship that the JDU-BJP government prevented Rahul Gandhi from attending the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program at the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (May 15, 2025) hit out at the JDU-BJP government in Bihar, accusing it of sheer dictatorship by “preventing” Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi from holding a ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ in Darbhanga. Mr. Gandhi addressed students at Mithila University’s Ambedkar Hostel, despite being allegedly denied permission to hold the event. “Is communicating with Dalit, deprived and backward class students against the Constitution? Is it a sin to talk to them about their education, their recruitment exams and jobs,” asked Mr. Kharge. “It is the height of dictatorship that the JDU-BJP government prevented Rahul Gandhi from attending the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ program at the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar,” he said in a post on X in Hindi. Kharge said the birthplace of democracy Bihar will remember this “injustice” and will give a befitting reply to JDU-BJP when the time comes. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a video of police action in preventing Gandhi from going to the Ambedkar students hostel in Darbhanga. “India is a democracy, it is governed by the Constitution, not by dictatorship. No one can stop us from raising our voice for social justice and education,” Ramesh said in his post on X. The Congress had also expressed outrage on the suggestion by the authorities to change the venue to an alternative site. Addressing the students, Gandhi claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to hold a caste census “out of fear” of the country’s deprived population, to which the opposition was lending its voice. The leader of the opposition made the remark at a charged-up interaction with students in Darbhanga district of Bihar. “As you all are aware, my car was stopped at the gate (of Mithila University). But I did not relent. I got out and took a circuitous route to reach here on foot,” said the Rae Bareli MP, who launched ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’, a public interaction programme in Bihar where assembly polls are due later this year. 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.
Telangana CM Revanth sanctions houses to two Dalits in Chinnamallareddy village
Advisor to CM on Minority Affairs, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, said that during his padayatra, Revanth had visited the houses of two Dalit families in Chinnamallareddy village of Bhiknoor mandal. A file picture shows the then TPCC chief and present Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy interacting with Bhikkanoor Laxmi in her dilapidated house in Chinnamallareddy village. A file picture shows the then TPCC chief and present Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy interacting with Bhikkanoor Laxmi in her dilapidated house in Chinnamallareddy village.FILE | EPS KAMAREDDY: Fulfilling a promise he made during the 2023 Assembly elections, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has sanctioned Indiramma houses to two Dalit families. Senior Congress leader and Advisor to Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, on Thursday said that during his padayatra, Revanth had visited the houses of two Dalit families in Chinnamallareddy village of Bhiknoor mandal. “He was moved by the dilapidated condition of their residences and assured them that he would sanction houses to them after the Congress forms the government in the state,” Shabbir said. “Now, the government has sanctioned houses to Bhikkanoor Laxmi and Chityala Rajamani. Sanction letters have been handed over to them,” Shabbir continued, adding that if the Congress makes any promises, it surely fulfils them. Courtesy : 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.
‘They Would Have Abused Vyomika Singh Too if They Knew She was a Dalit’: Senior SP Leader’s Dig at BJP
Ram Gopal Yadav took a dig at the BJP after its minister Kunwar Vijay Shah referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as “sister of terrorists.” New Delhi: On the backfoot after one of its ministers in Madhya Pradesh made communally-laced derogatory remarks about Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 15 tried to shift the optics by rallying against senior Opposition leader Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party after he targeted the saffron party by referring to the caste backgrounds of the officers involved in the Operation Sindoor. Addressing a public meeting in Moradabad on Thursday, Yadav – a Rajya Sabha Member as well as the national general secretary of the SP – took a dig at the BJP after its minister Kunwar Vijay Shah referred to Qureshi as “sister of terrorists.” For his controversial remarks, Shah earned the censure of the MP High Court, which ordered police to register an FIR against him for further action. Yadav first criticised the BJP for launching nationwide Shaurya Tiranga Yatras to celebrate Operation Sindoor even as infiltration incidents continued in Jammu and Kashmir. “Terrorists are getting killed daily. They are coming from Pakistan. And they (BJP) are taking out a Tiranga Yatra. They are doing this only for elections,” said Yadav. ‘Had they knew the caste of other officers, they would have hurled abuses at them as well’ The senior SP leader then referred to the MP High Court ordering an FIR against Shah. He alleged that had the BJP known about the background of wing commander Vyomika Singh and air marshal A. K Bharti, its leaders could have insulted them too like they did with Colonel Qureshi, a Muslim. “They didn’t know what Vyomika Singh’s caste was nor did they know about air marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti. Otherwise, they would have hurled abuses at them too,” said Yadav. The SP leader then went on to talk about the caste background of Vyomika Singh and A.K Bharti. “Let me tell you – Vyomika Singh is a ‘Jatav Chamar’ from Haryana, and Air Marshal Bharti is a Yadav from Purnia. All three were from the PDA (Pichda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak),” said Yadav. The PDA refers to the electoral strategy of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav – Ram Gopal Yadav is his uncle – of mobilising backward castes, Dalits and minorities, especially Muslims, against the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. Jatav is a Dalit community while Yadav is an Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. Yadav further said that while one (Qureshi) was abused because the BJP knew she was a Muslim, they did not say anything about Vyomika Singh assuming her to be an ‘upper caste’ Rajput. About A.K Bharti, they had no information whatsoever, added Yadav. The BJP, left red-faced by Shah’s remarks against Colonel Qureshi, launched an attack against Yadav accusing him of insulting the armed forces by viewing it through the lens of caste. “The uniform of the army is not seen through a ‘casteist lens’. Every soldier of the Indian army performs ‘national duty’ and is not a representative of any caste or religion,” said UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. BJP attacks SP over Yadav’s statement Targeting Yadav, Adityanath said that the SP leader’s “act of binding a brave daughter within the ambit of caste” was “not only a display of his party’s narrow-mindedness” but was also “a grave insult to the valour of the army and the country’s identity.” “This is the same mentality which dares to divide even patriotism in the name of appeasement and vote bank politics,” said Adityanath. BJP’s Uttar Pradesh president Bhupendra Chaudhary said Yadav’s “casteist statement” on wing commander Vyomika Singh, “the daughter of the country who broke the morale of terrorists and Pakistan, is not only reprehensible but is also a gross insult to the amazing courage, bravery of the army and the identity of Mother India.” “Ram Gopal Yadav has probably forgotten that by successfully completing Operation Sindoor, the daughter of the country has done the unique work of making Mother India’s pride and glory known to the entire world, which is amazing and admirable in itself,” said Chaudhary. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, herself a Jatav Dalit, criticised both Yadav and the BJP for their “shameful and condemnable” remarks. “The entire country is united and proud of the valour of Operation Sindoor of the Indian Army against the terrorists in Pakistan. In such a situation, it is extremely unfair to judge and divide the army on the basis of religion and caste,” she said. Courtesy : Omar Rashid, The Wire Note: This news is originally published on https://thewire.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
To consolidate SC votes, BJP to reach out to 6,000 influential Dalits
Lucknow: In a bid to consolidate support among Scheduled Castes, BJP has decided to launch another outreach campaign aimed at engaging 1,000 influential Dalit personalities in each of the six organisational regions of Uttar Pradesh. The campaign will be spearheaded by party’s SC Morcha in coordination with senior state functionaries. A campaign plan was recently drawn up by the BJP central leadership, which asked the state unit to reach out to the various sub-castes within the Dalits, including Jatavs, Pasis, Koris and Dhobis. “We will gather broader feedback from the influential sections amongst the Dalit and take corrective measures wherever needed,” UP BJP SC Morcha president Ram Chandra Kannaujia told TOI on Friday. The campaign is seen as part of a broader electoral strategy to counter opposition narratives while reinforcing the BJP’s footprints in the SC-dominated constituencies. BJP has demarcated UP into six organisational regions: Kashi, Gorakhpur, Awadh, Kanpur, Braj and western UP. Sources said that a dedicated team of party functionaries has been tasked to identify prominent Dalit people, including retired bureaucrats, teachers, social workers, religious figures, community leaders and professionals, whose influence could potentially impact a collective opinion within the SC community. The outreach comes at a time when the BJP faces stiff competition from the Opposition, primarily the Samajwadi Party and its ally Congress, besides the BSP, which have historically enjoyed significant support among Dalit voters. Kannaujia said that the campaign will aim to intensify its messaging around social justice, economic empowerment, and welfare measures targeted at SC communities. Experts said that personal interaction with influential Dalit figures can help dispel perceptions of exclusion and infuse a sense of political inclusion amongst the Dalit community. The campaign also aims to highlight the role of Dalit leaders within the BJP itself. Plans are also afoot to organise felicitation programmes and community service events in Dalit-dominated areas. These events will serve as platforms for dialogue on govt policies and community welfare. The development comes days after BJP initiated a ‘dialogue’ programme in various districts. The programme was spearheaded by state general secretary (organisation) Dharam Pal Singh. These meetings aimed to boost the morale of Dalit functionaries and prepare them for future campaigns, sources said. Though assembly elections are still two years away, BJP’s early start signals its intent to consolidate its support base and blunt any early moves by its political rivals. Party analysts believe that the Dalit vote, which constitutes over 21% of UP’s population, could be a deciding factor in several tightly contested seats. “The idea is not just to win elections, but to win trust,” said a BJP SC Morcha leader. “Our party believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and we are proving that through direct engagement and representation,” he said. 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.