Dalit Christians differ on how to identify themselves in Karnataka survey
Dalit right (Holeya) groups are seeking a separate column for Dalit Christians, Dalit left (Madiga) groups believe that they are better off identifying themselves with the Dalit caste, from which they converted, to protect their reservation status An enumerator collects data on a hand-held device to record empirical data on sub-caste demographics, at Narayanaghatta in Anekal taluk of Bangalore Urban district, as Karnataka begins a statewide census for Scheduled Castes (SC). As the enumeration work to identify scheduled castes for internal reservation is underway in Karnataka, the identification of Dalit Christians has emerged as a contentious issue. While Dalit right (Holeya) groups are seeking a separate column for Dalit Christians, Dalit left (Madiga) groups believe that they are better off identifying themselves with the Dalit caste, from which they converted, to protect their reservation status. Meanwhile, the Dalit Christian Federation is advising them to be identified by their religion, arguing that it will result in better political representation. With the survey being conducted by the commission headed by retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das set to cover 101 SCs, its outcome, including the population data, social, economic and educational backwardness, will be the benchmark for the commission to draw the internal reservation within the broader 17% reservation set aside for SCs, which they together (left and right) constitute 18.27% of the total population or about 1.09 crore. Internal reservation is a decades-long demand of Dalit left groups that have accused Dalit right groups of cornering reservation benefits. They want slicing up the reservation among Dalit left and Dalit right besides touchable castes of Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and Lambani. What courts say The courts have ruled that the SC reservation should be based on castes, and since Christianity does not have castes, reservation cannot be applied. In this backdrop, Dalit right groups are urging the commission to include a separate column for Dalit Christians as the Union Government is yet to decide on their reservation. “The commission should encourage Dalit Christians to identify their religion so that they can be kept outside the SC reservation matrix. The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission led by K. Jayaprakash Hegde has recommended reservation for Dalits in the backward classes reservation matrix,” a source in Chalavadi Mahasabha, which represents Dalit right, said. The Kalaburgi-based Dhamma Deepa Buddha Vihara has also petitioned the commission seeking a religion column in the enumeration. The 2015 Socio, Economic and Educational survey by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes put the total population of Christians at 9.47 lakh, which included many caste-specific Christian groups, such as Brahmin Christians, Kuruba Christians, Holeya Christians, Jalagara Christians, Madiga Christians, Reddy Christians, Vishwakarma Christians, Vokkaliga Christians and Walmiki Christians, among many others. The survey also identified about 12,865 SC population converted to Christianity, and recommended them to be included in Backward Classes Category 1B, which is ‘most backward’. Political representation Sources in Dalit left (Madiga) group acknowledge that members of their community have converted to Christianity in big numbers, especially in the backward north Karnataka region. “Caste inequality, social backwardness, atrocities by upper castes and poverty have driven many to Christianity. However, even after conversion, their social standing has not improved. In the current context, there is a threat of losing reservation benefits if they identify themselves as Christians. We are creating awareness about identifying their caste only during enumeration,” said Basavaraj Kowthal of the Madiga Samudaya Jagruthi Andolana. However, Dalit Christian Federation president D. Manohar Chandra Prasad, who is also a pastor with the Church of South India, said that they are creating awareness among the converted population and encouraging them to identify as Dalit Christians. “The new recommendation has provided reservation in the backward classes. There is no need to worry about losing reservation status. We do not agree with the population figure cited by the commission for Christianity. Our survey in 2018 showed a population of about 40 lakh, or about 6% of the population of the State. A correct figure would help in seeking suitable political representation.” Courtesy: The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https://www.thehindu.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘He will be at peace today’: Pahalgam terror victim Shubham Dwivedi’s wife thanks PM Narendra Modi for Operation Sindoor in Pakistan, PoK
NEW DELHI: Hours after India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor, the wife of Shubham Dwivedi, the 31-year-old businessman killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack , thanked PM Narendra Modi for the action, saying her husband would now be at peace. “I want to thank PM Modi for taking revenge for my husband’s death,” Aishanya Dwivedi told reporters on Wednesday. “My entire family had trust in him, and the way he replied (to Pakistan), he has kept our trust alive. This is the real tribute to my husband. Wherever he is, he will be at peace today.” Earlier, recalling the trauma of the attack, Aishanya said, “The terrorists asked Shubham if he was Hindu or Muslim. When he couldn’t recite the Kalma, they shot him. That moment gave others a chance to run, but Shubham didn’t survive.” She added that the greatest sorrow was not being able to see his face one last time, as it was disfigured in the attack. Shubham’s uncle said the family would continue pressing for recognition. “We want future generations to remember his sacrifice,” he said. “If the Prime Minister or chief minister meets us, we will place this demand before them.” Days after attack, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the family and promised to raise the matter in Parliament. “He assured us he would write to the PM,” Aishanya said. The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, triggered widespread anger across the country. In the early hours of Wednesday, India launched precision strikes on nine terror camps inside Pakistan and PoK, including JeM’s Bahawalpur base and LeT’s Muridke facility. The defence ministry described the strikes as “measured and non-escalatory”. Following the operation, NSA Ajit Doval also briefed his US counterpart Marco Rubio about the action taken. Aishanya earlier said families of terror victims often get forgotten. “People moved on from Pulwama, and the same is happening with Pahalgam. But we don’t want Shubham to be forgotten. Please help us take this message to the government,” she 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.
Rahul Gandhi meets kin of slain Navy officer Vinay Narwal in Karnal
Karnal: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi visited the family of Pahalgam terror attack victim Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal at their house in Karnal’s Sector 7 on Tuesday. Accompanied by Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, Rahul extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Rae Bareli MP spent around two hours with the family Deepender said that Rahul paid his respects by laying a floral tribute at the late lieutenant’s photograph before engaging in a private conversation with the grieving family for over an hour. Hooda described Rahul’s visit as a personal gesture of solidarity. Trollers ‘real nation traitors’ Colonel Rohit Chaudhary (retd), head, Congress’s ex-servicemen also met with the family to offer encouragement. He slammed the online harassment targeting Narwal’s wife, Himanshi. He asserted the unwavering support of the Indian Army for the family and labeled those who denigrate the widow of a fallen officer as “real nation traitors” Chaudhary issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the removal of offensive social media posts, warning of a potential FIR if the demand is not met. MSID:: 120931706 413 | Karnal: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi visited the family of Pahalgam terror attack victim Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal at their house in Karnal’s Sector 7 on Tuesday. Accompanied by Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan and Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, Rahul extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The Rae Bareli MP spent around two hours with the family Deepender said that Rahul paid his respects by laying a floral tribute at the late lieutenant’s photograph before engaging in a private conversation with the grieving family for over an hour. Hooda described Rahul’s visit as a personal gesture of solidarity. Trollers ‘real nation traitors’ Colonel Rohit Chaudhary (retd), head, Congress’s ex-servicemen also met with the family to offer encouragement. He slammed the online harassment targeting Narwal’s wife, Himanshi. He asserted the unwavering support of the Indian Army for the family and labeled those who denigrate the widow of a fallen officer as “real nation traitors” Chaudhary issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding the removal of offensive social media posts, warning of a potential FIR if the demand is not met. MSID:: 120931706 413 | 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.
Rahul, Lalu… Everyone poured nationalism from their heart on Operation Sindoor, in 2019 they were defeated in front of PM Modi by questioning him
Operation Sindoor: Operation Sindoor, carried out by the Indian Army by entering Pakistan against the terrorists, has united the ruling party and the opposition. Along with the ruling party, all the opposition leaders are raising slogans of success of the Indian Army in one voice. Patna: After Operation Sindoor, a wave of nationalism ran among all the leaders of Bihar. In showing nationalism, whether the ruling party or the opposition, everyone is expressing gratitude to the Indian Army in one voice and praising the government wholeheartedly. It is worth noting that this also includes those leaders who were criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the delay in the attack and were pleading for his 56-inch chest. Anyway, Operation Sindoor has tied the voice of the ruling party and the opposition in the tune of patriotism. Let’s know who said what and when? Proud of the army: Rahul Gandhi Congress’s Yuvraj Rahul Gandhi did not delay in reacting to the military attack this time. Reacting to Operation Sindoor, he wrote, ‘I am proud of my Indian Army.’ RJD supremo’s patriotism awakened As soon as Operation Sindoor was successful, RJD supremo Lalu Yadav reacted and wrote on X handle ‘Jai Hind! Jai Hind ki Sena!’ Yuvraj Tejashwi Yadav was also not going to miss it. He also wrote – Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! Neither there should be terror, nor there should be separatism! We are proud of our brave soldiers and Indian Army.’ Attack welcomed: Owaisi AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi wrote on social media platform X, ‘I welcome the targeted attacks carried out by our defense forces on terrorist bases in Pakistan. Pakistani deep state should be taught such a strict lesson that there is never another Pahalgam again. Pakistan’s terror infrastructure should be completely destroyed. Jai Hind!’ Answer of 56 inch chest: Vijay Sinha Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha welcomed Operation Sindoor and said that when the Pahalgam attack took place, it was decided on the same day that now the terrorists of Pakistan will not be spared. Today, under Operation Sindoor, India has given a strong blow to the hideouts of 9 terrorists hiding in Pakistan and PoK. This is the answer of 56 inch chest! Jai Bharat! Jai Hind! Satyamev Jayate: Chirag Paswan Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) National President Chirag Paswan also expressed his feelings on Operation Sindoor in this way. Union Minister Chirag Paswan wrote in his social media post, Satyamev Jayate! Jai Hind ki Sena. Opposition did not make any mistake This time the opposition did not give any statement in haste on the military attack so that the wrong message does not go among the people of the country. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the opposition leaders had shown their negative role on the air strike and demanded proof of the air strike from the military force. Then Rahul Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking credit for the Balakot air strike and said that Modi should just pick up a rifle for five minutes or travel alone in a bus in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, RJD supremo Lalu Yadav took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in which he had said that during the Balakot air strike, he told the Air Force experts how we can avoid Pakistani radar due to clouds. Lalu Prasad Yadav tweeted in his familiar style, ‘Hey, you fool, where is your attention, the radar is here.’ But this time Lalu Yadav was very cautious. That is why the opposition also did not make any mistake regarding the army’s attack so that the ruling NDA does not get the benefit of their mistake in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Edited by Abhishek Kumar | Reported by Ramakant Chandan About the author Abhishek Kumar I work at NavbharatTimes.com. My hobby and profession are both journalism. I have had the good fortune of working in prestigious organisations like DLA, Aaj Samaj, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Hindustan, Network18, NDTV, ZEE Media. Writing fearlessly on contemporary events and learning new techniques is my nature. Courtesy : NBT, Hindi News Note: This news is originally published on https://navbharattimeshindinews.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Man gets 4yrs in jail for molesting minor Dalit girl
Pilibhit: The court of additional district and sessions Judge (Pocso Act), Geeta Singh, on Monday evening, sentenced a 28-year-old man to four years of imprisonment for molesting a 15-year-old Dalit girl. The incident took place on June, 2018 when the convict had forcibly barged into the minor’s house in a village in Pilibhit district. An FIR had been lodged, following a written complaint by the victim’s father, under multiple IPC Sections and relevant sections of the Pocso and SC/ST Act. The complainant stated that all his family members were asleep at the time of the incident. Upon hearing his daughter’s screams, he woke up and saw the accused molested his daughter. The accused then threatened to eliminate the family if they took up the matter with police, before fleeing . Public prosecutor, Anil Kumar Sharma said, “The accused was arrested and remained in jail before he was released on bail.” Courtesy: Times of India Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Mahatma Phule Jayanti 2025: Apart from Buddha and Kabir, this is Dr. Ambedkar’s third guru—know what Babasaheb learned from them
In a radio message in his last days in 1956, Babasaheb said, “Mahatma Phule was the first soldier of logic and human dignity. Without him our fight would have been incomplete.” New Delhi- On the occasion of the 198th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotirao Govindrao Phule on April 11, the country is once again preparing to remember his revolutionary contribution. On this occasion, the deep relationship between Phule and Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar—fondly called Babasaheb—is in the news. Both fought against the caste system and dreamed of uplifting the oppressed sections of society. Babasaheb considered Jyotiba Phule along with Gautam Buddha and Kabir as his three gurus. In his speech at Purandare Stadium in Mumbai on 28 October 1954, Baba Saheb had said, “I have three gurus. Everyone has a guru, so do I. I am not a sadhu or a recluse, but my first and greatest guru is Buddha … I believe that only Buddhism can do the welfare of the world. The second guru is Kabir..my father was a Kabirpanthi. So Kabir’s life and principles also had a great influence on me. According to my opinion, Kabira knew the real secret of Buddha’s philosophy … Mahar, Mang, Chabar taught and Phule taught the lesson of humanity. These are my three gurus. Their teachings have made my life.” Let us know what Babasaheb said about Jyotiba Phule and what is the similarity between these two great reformers. Jyotiba Phule was born in Satara, Maharashtra in 1827. He challenged the Brahminical system and changed the society by making education a weapon. In 1848, he opened the first school for girls with his wife Savitribai. In 1873, he started a campaign to break the shackles of caste and religion by forming Satyashodhak Samaj. His book Gulamgiri shook people. On the other hand, Babasaheb, born in 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, took forward these ideas of Phule. By becoming the architect of the Constitution, he gave legal rights to the Dalits and the oppressed. Both of them considered the Vedas and Puranas to be the weapons of the upper castes. Phule, in his public book Satya Dharma, talked about a religion that brought equality to all. Babasaheb also gave the same message by adopting Buddhism in 1956. In 1848, Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule opened India’s first women’s school in Pune, which was an important step in the field of education for women at that time. On the other hand, the slogan – “Educate, Awaken, Organize” – was the basic mantra of Babasaheb’s life. After signing the Poona Pact on 27 September 1932, Babasaheb said, “I pay tribute to Mahatma Phule, whose struggle against social injustice inspired us to this fight for justice.” The pact was a major step towards political rights for Dalits, and Babasaheb remembered Phule’s inspiration in it. At a Satyashodhak Samaj event in Mumbai in 1940, Babasaheb said, “Jyotiba Phule was the first Indian to raise his voice against the slavery of Shudras and Ati-Shudras. His pen was a sword against injustice, and his life an example of courage.” He described Phule as the man who showed the path to awakening to the oppressed. In the preface of his book Who were the Shudras? (1946), Babasaheb wrote, “Mahatma Phule’s slavery opened my eyes to the fact that the caste system is a historical fraud. He taught us that Shudras were not born to serve, but were enslaved by false myths.” This idea of Phule was very important for Babasaheb. During the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927, when Dalits demanded the right to drink water from the Chavdar pond, Babasaheb said, “Mahatma Phule showed us the way to break the chains of caste. Today we are walking on that path.” In 1954, when he visited Phule’s house in Pune, he said, “It is here that the seed of our freedom was sown.” In a radio message in his last days in 1956, Babasaheb said, “Mahatma Phule was the first soldier of reason and human dignity. Without him our fight would have been incomplete.” Babasaheb appreciated Jyotiba Phule’s questioning of the dominance of Brahmins and exploitation of Shudras in ‘Gulamgiri’, and later he also expressed similar ideas in ‘Riddles in Hinduism’ and ‘Who were the Shudras?’, in which Shudras were described as the first Kshatriyas. Phule believed that Brahmins were descendants of outside Aryan invaders who oppressed the local people. Babasaheb took this further in Who Were the Shudras? and said that the Shudras were the first Kshatriyas who were pushed down by the Brahmins. Phule’s Satyashodhak Samaj became the base of Babasaheb’s organisations. Both spoke in the language of the common people—Phule wrote Powada, Babasaheb wrote books and gave speeches in simple words. In 1868 Phule opened his well to the untouchables, and in 1927 Babasaheb took the right to water in Mahad—both had the same thinking. The spark that Phule lit was turned into the torch of the Constitution by Babasaheb. Scholars say that Phule prepared the ground, and Babasaheb built a palace of rights on it Babasaheb not only considered Phule his guru, but also lived his thinking at every step. As he said, “Without Phule our fight would have been in the dark.” On this birth anniversary, this relationship reminds us that the dream of equality is the gift of these two great souls, which shows us the way even today. Courtesy: Geetha Sunil Pillai, Hindi News
‘Scratched my chest…’ Jodhpur Dalit nurse dies by suicide after assault, police inaction
Police have now registered a case of abetment to suicide against the four accused. Hyderabad: A 26-year-old Dalit nurse died by suicide on May 2, after allegedly being molested, assaulted, and humiliated by her upper-caste neighbours in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district. The young woman was the eldest of five siblings and worked as a nurse. Her suicide has triggered protests and outrage. Dispute over water The incident occurred on April 30, after a few drops of water from cleaning the courtyard reportedly landed on the neighbour’s car. This led to a violent attack by Shankar Lal Bishnoi, his wife, and their sons Rajendra alias Raj and Vikas alias Vicky. They allegedly assaulted the victim, her mother, and her younger brother. MS Creative School According to The Observer Post, the victim’s family said she was scratched on her chest and face. In her handwritten suicide note, she named the accused and described the attack as caste-motivated. “They scratched my chest, insulted my dignity. I don’t want a life filled with casteism and people’s filthy gazes,” her letter read. She also accused the police of failing to act. Despite waiting for over nine hours at the Mata Ka Than police station, only minor charges were filed, and the accused were released immediately. In her note, the victim reportedly named station house officer (SHO) Bhanwar Singh Jakhad and local councillor Jani Devi, writing, “The councillor said they have high-level connections. The SHO told us: ‘Nothing will happen to them.’” The victim’s final words remain etched in the hearts of many: “No one stood by me. Not the police. Not the system. Not even my own.” Police register abetment case The incident has led to protests outside the police station. Demonstrators blocked Bhadwasiya Road and demanded the arrest of the accused and the suspension of the SHO. They have refused to allow the post-mortem until action is taken. Police have now registered a case of abetment to suicide against the four accused. The assistant commissioner of police, Nagendra Kuma,r said action will be taken. Courtesy: Siasat Note: This news is originally published on https://www.siasat.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
“How dare you come to the wedding procession of Brahmins..?”, the incident recorded in ‘Jyoti Kalash’ which made Jyotiba Phule a revolutionary
The incident of casteist insult in Mahatma Phule’s childhood which lit the spark of social revolution within him, is described in detail in Sanjeev’s book ‘Jyoti Kalash’. In the childhood of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, a great hero of extraordinary personality who staked everything for the marginalized society in Indian history, an incident happened after which he got inspired to start a big movement against casteism, Brahminism, superstition and ostentation. The book “Jyoti Kalash” written by Sanjeev, who edited popular magazines like “Hans”, wrote columns and authored many novels, is in itself a sequential document of true events related to the life of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. In this book published by Rajkamal Prakashan, Sanjeev, who has been awarded the “Sahitya Akademi Award”, mentions an incident from Phule’s life at the very beginning of the book after which Jyotiba Phule became firmly committed to the welfare of the Dalit-backward society. In the book Jyoti Kalash, Sanjeev tells that Jyotiba receives an invitation card for his classmate Paranjape’s wedding. It says, “Tum nahi aaye to kutti?” [If you don’t come, the friendship will end.] On seeing the invitation card for his classmate’s wedding, Phule happily starts dressing up to go to the wedding procession. Seeing him getting ready, his father Govindrao asks, “Where are you going?” Phule says, “I told you, right? I have received an invitation to go to Paranjape’s wedding procession.” Seeing his son’s enthusiasm to go to the wedding procession, Govindrao remembers some humiliating incidents in the Brahmins’ wedding procession. These were pricking him like thorns. But he did not think it right to dampen his son Jyotiba’s enthusiasm. The wedding procession had started with the sound of drums and cymbals. The boys were busy dancing and singing. Paranjape was sitting on a chariot with a sword and crown on his head, his younger brother was beside him. Jyotiba felt like meeting Paranjape. Then he came to know that the Patil who would fire the fireworks was missing. People were whispering that who would fire the fireworks now? It was also important to fire the fireworks at that time. The dancing and singing boys were asked, “Will you fire the fire?” Many said, “I am afraid.” Then Phule came forward and said, “I am not afraid.” He moves forward with the ball and then returns and starts firing the ball with the torch in front of the procession.” At that time, a person wearing a Tripund, Tilkit and a turban, who was garlanding everyone, stood in front of Jyotiba. He said, “You…?” Phule stopped. He asked, “You are Govindrao Gonhe’s son, right?” Phule replied, “Yes!” Immediately, he pounced upon Phule. He said, “How dare you come to the procession of Brahmins?” Phule said, “I had invited you!” Tripund, “Huh invitation! He (Paranjape) did whatever he wanted, but how did you forget that you are a Shudra and this is a procession of Brahmins. You had lost your senses. Since when did you become equal to Brahmins?” Then the kind Brahmin interrupts, “Let him go now, he is a boy. Thinking him to be a friend, the boy called his friend, so the poor guy came! Both are children. He also threw the ball…” “Forgive me considering him to be a child. Find a way out.” The turbaned man says, “Okay, then go to the back where the Ramoshis [a socially lower caste] and the people carrying the luggage are following behind.” Jyotiba goes and stands next to them. Feeling completely insulted! A Ramoshi standing apart from the procession comes near him. He says, “The Brahmins have thrown you out of the procession, right? What were you thinking when you came here? Have you forgotten the old days when the Brahmins used to treat the Shudras and the untouchables? Go home, child! This garland is not for you, the musical instruments are not for you, the torches, the incense, the ceremony is not for you. You are a Shudra! Shudra! You were dragged out of the ceremony by holding your arm.” Jyotiba returned home. Govindrao saw his son’s sad face, “What happened? Didn’t you go?” The son told him the whole story. The father kept listening to the tale of insult and kept looking at his son’s dark face. He remembered his humiliated past and said, “I wanted to stop you! But I kept quiet thinking that your heart will be broken.” He paused for a while and then said, “They didn’t beat you, didn’t punish you – isn’t that enough son! It was your mistake, why did you go?” “But”, Jyotiba’s eyes filled with tears. Govindrao immediately said, controlling himself, “No son, no! How can we be equal to them? They are Brahmins and we are Shudras!” Jyotiba’s wounded heart was struggling again and again. Just then Ramoshi, hiding behind the tree, interrupted, “Why did you come to the Brahmins’ wedding procession? I don’t go.” “This is the result of your previous birth that they were born as Brahmins, you were born as Shudras and I was born as Ramoshi. What can you do?” He said. That heavy night passed with great difficulty. This was perhaps the first incident in Phule’s life that shook him to his core. In his book Jyoti Kalash, Sanjeev also mentions many such incidents and those untold things that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule saw, heard, endured and faced bravely in his life. Courtesy: Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News
Wedding torchbearer to education flagbearer: Dalit boy becomes first Class X passout in UP village
The child who works as a lightbearer at weddings to earn a handful of rupees for his family has now shone a light for others in his village. On April 25, the boy became the first person from this Dalit hamlet of 200 people to clear the Class X board exam. The child who works as a lightbearer at weddings to earn a handful of rupees for his family has now shone a light for others in his village. “I earn ₹250 to ₹300 a night carrying a battery-driven lamp on my head at weddings. I get 20 to 40 days’ work a year,” Ramkeval told reporters on Sunday at his village, 28km from the Barabanki district headquarters. The Uttar Pradesh board exam results were announced on April 25 but Ramkeval’s feat became widely known only on Sunday. Ramkeval’s mother Pushpa is a cook at the Government Primary School in Nizampur and his father Jagdish Prasad is a farm labourer. “The village school teaches only up to Class V; most of the children drop out after that. Some get admitted to the Government High School in Ahmadpur but quit after failing their Class X exams,” Ramkeval said. “I secured admission to the Ahmadpur school with two other boys from my village but Luvlesh dropped out in Class VIII. Mukesh, my other friend, failed this year but has decided to try again next year.” Ramkeval has now enrolled himself in Class XI at the Ahmadpur school, 5km from his village. He wants to become an engineer. His father Jagdish never went to school but mother Pushpa studied till Class V. Ramkeval’s siblings are in Classes IX, V and I. “We have two sons and two daughters. Ramkeval is the eldest. He never asked us for money: he bought his books and stationery with his own earnings. If he doesn’t get work at weddings, he works in the fields. He studies mostly at night,” Pushpa said. Barabanki district magistrate Shashank Tripathi called Ramkeval and his parents to his office on Sunday and announced the local administration would be responsible for the teen’s further education. Villagers said that when Ramkeval’s teachers learnt that the DM had asked to meet him, they bought new clothes and shoes for him. The boy used to attend his classes barefoot. “For now, we have arranged for his education up to Class XII. We have to ensure that he can study as long as he wants,” district inspector of schools O.P. Tripathi said. Ramkeval’s success has inspired others in the village. Nanku, father of Luvlesh, said he wanted his son to resume his studies. “I studied till Class VIII and work in the fields. But I don’t want my son to remain a labourer. Education is the only way forward,” Nanku said. Many women in the village expressed joy and said they were now more determined than ever to educate their children. Courtesy: Telegraph India Note: This news is originally published on https://www.telegraphindia.com and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
UP: Dalit child who used to go to school barefoot became the first 10th pass student of the village, now he will become an engineer!
Ramkewal, a Dalit student who used to earn by carrying lights at weddings, became the first 10th pass student of Nizampur, the district administration is taking responsibility for his further studies. Uttar Pradesh: An inspirational news has come from Nizampur, a small Dalit dominated village in Barabanki district. 15-year-old Ramkewal broke the decades-old shackles of the village and became the first student of his village to pass the 10th board examination. The UP Board results were declared on April 25, but the news of Ramkewal’s achievement made headlines on Sunday, when the story of his struggle and courage came to light. Ramkewal studies during the day and at night he carries battery operated lights on his head at weddings, which earns him 250 to 300 rupees per night. In a year, he gets such work for 20 to 40 days, with which he runs his household expenses and buys his own study material. “I bought my own books and stationery. If I don’t get work at weddings, I work as a farm labourer. I mostly study at night,” Ramkewal told reporters in his village, 28 kilometres from the Barabanki district headquarters. His mother Pushpa is a cook at the village’s government primary school, while his father Jagdish Prasad works as a farm labourer. His father never went to school and his mother studied only till class V. The school in Nizampur is only till class V. After that, children have to enrol in the government high school in Ahmedpur, 5 kilometres away. But most of them either drop out or fail in Class X. “I was enrolled in the Ahmedpur school along with two other boys from my village. Lovelesh dropped out in class VIII and Mukesh, who failed this year, will try again next year,” Ramkewal said. Ramkewal is now enrolled in Class XI and dreams of becoming an engineer. His mother Pushpa says, “We have four children – two sons and two daughters. Ramkewal is the eldest. He never asked us for money. He studies hard. If he doesn’t get work, he goes to the fields and studies at night.” On Sunday, District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi called Ramkewal and his parents to his office and announced that the district administration will now take responsibility for his further studies. District School Inspector O.P. Tripathi said, “For now, arrangements have been made for his studies till Class 12, but we will ensure that he can study as much as he wants.” Villagers said that when Ramkewal’s teachers came to know that the DM was going to meet them, they bought new clothes and shoes for their student. Till now he used to go to school barefoot. Ramkewal’s success has infused new energy in the village. Lovelesh’s father Nanku said, “I have studied till Class 8 and work as a labourer in the fields. But now I want my son to start studying again. Education is the only way.” Many women of the village also expressed happiness and said that now they are more determined than before to educate their children. In a village where dreams used to die before they could even be born, now a child has not only picked up the lights but has also lit up the hopes of the entire village. Courtesy : Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News