Dalit girl taps down mom’s folded hands, faces HM’s ire; found dead next day
Madurai:: A 16-year-old dalit girl from Madurai was found hanging at her home on Aug 25, a day after a headmistress ordered her out of school for tapping down her mother’s folded hands while she was seeking admission there. Her mother P Thavamani told police that her daughter P Nijanthi was deeply distressed after Vimala, headmistress of Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, who belongs to a dominant caste, rebuked her over the gesture. Thavamani, from Ambedkar Nagar, said Nijanthi completed Class X at Thottappanayakkanur before joining a nearby govt school in Poochipatti. She attended the first group there for 20 days but discontinued because she wanted to pursue the nursing group. She remained home for a month. Later, Thavamani took her to TELC Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti, where they submitted an admission form. According to the police FIR, the school sought Rs5,000, which Thavamani could not pay immediately. So, they approached Government Model Higher Secondary School in Usilampatti. Its headmistress questioned Nijanthi and telephoned her former headmaster. Speaking over a loudspeaker, the former headmaster described her as disciplined and good at studies. As Thavamani listened with her hands folded, Nijanthi tapped them down. The model school headmistress allegedly questioned the teenager over her action. She accused her of arrogance and claimed such behaviour may have led to her leaving the earlier school, the FIR said. “She made a casteist remark, asking, ‘Why can’t people like you keep your hands folded?’ She then berated the child and ordered her out. The humiliation left her distressed,” said Selvam, a relative of the girl. Nijanthi ran from the campus and walked five kilometres towards Nallamalpatti. Her mother located her and brought her home by autorickshaw. Thavamani said her daughter skipped dinner and remained distressed. Returning from work around 5.30 pm the next day, she found the bedroom locked. A neighbour broke open the door, and Nijanthi was found dead. “She cried throughout the night after the humiliation. Police are refusing to invoke SC/ST Act and appear to be protecting the headmaster, who belongs to the Kallar community,” Selvam said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Caste-Based Attack on Dalit Youth in Moradabad: Hit on Head with Sharp Weapon for Watching DJ, Case Filed Against Five
In Sabjipur village, under the Pakbara police station area of Moradabad, a Dalit youth was attacked with a sharp weapon while being hurled caste-based insults. The youth, who had returned from work in Kerala, suffered serious head injuries. Based on the victim’s complaint, police have registered a case against five accused under serious sections and the SC/ST Act. The victim, Ajit Kumar, son of Balram, stated in his complaint to the police that he returned home from Kerala on August 17, 2026, at around 8 p.m. After returning home, he went to a mechanic to pick up his bike, which had been given for service. While returning home, a DJ was playing on the road. Ajit parked his bike to watch the DJ. It is alleged that some boys came from behind the DJ and surrounded him shortly after. According to the victim, the accused used casteist slurs and abused him, saying, “You are a Chamar and a Bhimta, you believe in Bhima, what business do you have here?” They then surrounded him and attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon on his head, causing serious injuries. The accused also said, “Son of a Chamar, what can you do?” In the complaint, the victim named the accused who assaulted him as Bablu, son of Sher Singh, Akash, son of Ramavatar, Akash, son of Prakash, Chandrasen, son of Karan Singh, and Jain, son of Netrapal. Based on Ajit Kumar’s complaint, the Pakbara police station in-charge has registered a case under the SC/ST Act and relevant sections and has begun an investigation. Police say they will investigate the matter and take strict legal action against the culprits. Shrikant Sharma | Moradabad Courtesy: Hindi News
TVK, DMK MLAs trade barbs over social justice
The minister also cited a reported 67% increase in atrocities against SCs in TN between 2019 and 2023, claiming it was the highest in the country. CHENNAI: The Assembly on Thursday witnessed fiery exchanges between members of the ruling coalition and the DMK over Dalit empowerment. PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna, responding to DMK’s claims of championing Dalits and minorities, questioned its alliance with the BJP between 1994 and 2003. He asked why the DMK did not withdraw support for the BJP after the 2002 Gujarat riots. The minister also cited a reported 67% increase in atrocities against SCs in TN between 2019 and 2023, claiming it was the highest in the country. Referring to CAG observations on SC and ST welfare funds remaining unspent, he said, “BR Ambedkar’s vision was to give authority to Dalits, not stop with providing them houses and water.” Rejecting the criticism, DMK MLA KN Nehru said it was common for governments to leave around 6%-7% of funds unspent and for such amounts to be flagged in CAG reports. He added that the same could happen to the present government “if it lasts for a year”, triggering protests from TVK members. Speaker JCD Prabakar intervened and said the people’s mandate was for five years. DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan then accused Arjuna of trying to create an impression that the party had done nothing for Dalits. He credited Karunanidhi with introducing concrete houses for Dalits and bringing legislation to enable people from all communities to become temple priests. Arjuna questioned whether the scheme to appoint temple priests had been implemented for the entire five years of DMK rule. Former HR&CE minister PK Sekar Babu said the DMK government had issued appointment orders for 32 people, but the process was halted following a case in the Supreme Court. Arjuna then accused the DMK of taking credit for schemes it could not implement fully. Aadhav also questioned why the DMK had not conducted a caste survey. DMK MLAs responded that the Supreme Court had not permitted the state to conduct one. School Education minister A Rajmohan accused the DMK of portraying Dalit rights as achievements granted by the party rather than rights secured through the Constitution. He also referred to RS Bharathi’s controversial remark that Dalits becoming judges were “alms” granted by the Dravidian movement. DMK members objected to the reference, pointing out that Bharathi had already been reprimanded by the party. Joining the debate, Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu questioned why the DMK had not shared power with the VCK when the latter had four MLAs supporting the DMK in the previous Assembly. Drawing a parallel with VCK’s representation in the TVK-led government, he said the DMK could not accept a VCK leader becoming a minister. He also took exception to the DMK’s description of the TVK government as a “sofa model government”, saying the remark could be compared to dominant caste people mocking Dalits for wearing good clothes or buying a car. Responding to statements that Dravidian parties had fielded Dalit candidates in general seats, Arasu said the move appeared to have been driven by “pity rather than principle”. ‘Assembly not a forum for political fights’ Chennai: The Assembly is a legislative forum meant to discuss people’s issues, not a battleground for political fighting, DMDK MLA Premalatha Vijayakant said on Thursday, urging the Speaker to given an opportunity for all MLAs to speak. She also singled out Aadhav Arjuna, saying his interventions were prolonging debates. ENS Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
A Dalit woman returning home for Rakshabandhan in Firozabad died under suspicious circumstances; murder alleged.
Firozabad (UP), A Dalit woman returning to her village from Gurugram to celebrate Rakshabandhan died under suspicious circumstances. The woman’s body was found in the Shikohabad police station area. Family members suspect murder, police said on Friday. Police said a case has been registered and an investigation has been initiated based on a complaint from the woman’s father. Shikohabad Station House Officer (SHO) Anuj Kumar Singh said Aarti (21), daughter of Rakesh Singh, a resident of Kutukpur village in the Nasirpur police station area, worked as a nurse at a hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. According to family members, she left her village on Wednesday night, August 26, to celebrate Rakshabandhan. During a phone call at around 8 p.m., she told them she was returning with a young man from Vijendra Colony in Shikohabad. Her mobile phone then went off. Meanwhile, police received information about the discovery of a young woman’s body in the Shikohabad area on Thursday. The Inspector-in-Charge arrived at the scene with police force. The body was identified based on documents found near it and the family was informed. The police sent the body for post-mortem and registered a case based on the father’s complaint. Several people are being questioned in connection with the case. The deceased’s elder sister, Lalita, also alleged that upon arriving in Shikohabad, Aarti had told them that since it was night, she was staying with her friend near Pratappur intersection. Police were informed of the incident in the morning, but her friend has been untraceable since then. The family has also expressed doubts about her friend’s role. Courtesy : Hindi News
‘Modi govt has created two systems in country’: Rahul Gandhi targets NCLT
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday criticised the Centre over the functioning of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), alleging that the system treats ordinary borrowers differently from large corporate borrowers.Calling the NCLT the “Leader-Company Loot Tribunal”, Rahul contrasted the treatment of farmers, salaried workers and students with that of what he described as a select group of wealthy businesspersons. “If a farmer doesn’t pay 50 thousand, his land gets auctioned off. If a salaried person misses even one EMI, bank goons show up at the house. Poor students can’t even get loans for education,” Rahul said in a post on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “But for select “friends,” bank money is like personal property – withdraw as much as you want, repay whatever you feel like,” he added. He accused the Narendra Modi government of creating unequal systems for different sections of society. “The Modi government has created two systems in the country – one for a handful of billionaires, and another for everyone else,” Rahul added. Meanwhile, Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra on Thursday said reports about his personal insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had presented an inaccurate picture of the claims against him. He stressed that he was a personal guarantor and had not personally borrowed money from any lender. In a statement issued by his office, Chandra said the total claims filed in the insolvency proceedings should not be equated with the amount currently outstanding. According to Chandra, lenders had filed claims totalling around Rs 22,006 crore, of which Rs 21,696 crore had been admitted. However, he said the claims of lenders who had objected to his repayment plan amounted to Rs 3,992 crore. Of this, Rs 620 crore had already been settled, leaving Rs 3,372 crore, he said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP cites ‘jhooth ki goonj’ site to hit out at Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: BJP Thursday latched on to claims made by the website ‘jhooth ki goonj’, which has sought to expose Rahul Gandhi’s assertions in his ‘chhatron ki goonj’ events, to dub him a “flag-bearer of lies” and said truth will prevail over his propaganda. “Rahul’s every lie will be countered with facts. The ‘jhooth ki goonj’ website is exposing every lie of his. The louder propaganda echoes, the faster truth will emerge,” BJP spokesperson Anil Banluni said. Party neta Sudhanshu Trivedi said Rahul is full of frustration and envy vis-a-vis PM Modi, but every lie of his is being exposed. The website, whose creator’s identity is not clear, has said that Rahul has so far made 40 claims, mostly directed against govt, and all of them are either false or misleading. BJP members shared its link on their handles to promote the website amid Rahul’s efforts to connect with the youth to sharpen his pitch against govt. He is scheduled to continue with the programme across the country. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Transgender athlete who was born a male cleared to play in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League after not receiving a response from India
Transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar has been cleared to pursue a place in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League from March 2027. The 25-year-old, who is the daughter of former India cricketer and national batting coach Sanjay Bangar, received confirmation under Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. The decision makes Bangar eligible for elite domestic women’s cricket in Australia once she satisfies the policy’s requirements. However, it does not guarantee her a WBBL contract. She must still attract the interest of a franchise and earn selection through her performances. Bangar has also been cleared to play women’s community and Premier Cricket across Australian states and territories with immediate effect. She described Cricket Australia’s decision as a major breakthrough after previously fearing her playing career had ended. ‘It is a great day for me, especially after knowing the fact that I can play cricket,’ Bangar told The Indian Express. ‘There was a stage when I thought I would never play cricket again, but thanks to Cricket Australia, it has given me another chance.’ Bangar underwent gender-affirming surgery in Thailand in March 2026. Cricket Australia’s elite policy requires transgender women to keep their serum testosterone concentration below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months. Players must also comply with ongoing monitoring requirements. ‘I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards,’ Bangar told Bombay Times. ‘For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever.’ Bangar previously played in Mumbai’s youth cricket system as a top-order batter and all-rounder. She trained and competed alongside players including Indian Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan before later moving to the United Kingdom, where she continued playing and training with local clubs. Her immediate task will be finding an Australian club and rebuilding her match fitness through community and Premier Cricket. ‘The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise,’ she said. ‘I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity.’ WBBL clubs recruit international cricketers through overseas-player contracts and the competition’s draft system. That means Bangar must first demonstrate that she can perform at the required level before any franchise considers adding her to its squad. ‘The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players, like it happens in the IPL or the WPL,’ she said. ‘So ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team. ‘For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.’ Cricket Australia’s domestic rules differ from those governing international women’s cricket. The International Cricket Council ruled in 2023 that transgender women who experienced male puberty could not compete in international women’s matches, regardless of whether they had undergone surgery or testosterone treatment. The policy applies to ICC-sanctioned international cricket but does not prevent national governing bodies from establishing their own eligibility rules for domestic competitions. Bangar also contacted the Board of Control for Cricket in India last year to determine whether she could play women’s cricket in the country. She said she had not received a response. A BCCI official subsequently said the governing body had not established a formal policy covering transgender women in domestic cricket. By JOSH ALSTON, SPORTS REPORTER Courtesy : Daily Mail Note: This news is originally published on https:/dailymail.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Akash’s Dalit identity known to cops who tortured and killed him, finds CB-CID
The chargesheet says the six policemen knew Akash Delison belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Devendrakula Velalar community when they took him to a secluded spot and beat him, causing injuries that led to his death. The CB-CID chargesheet in the custodial death of 26-year-old Dalit youth Akash Delison says the six policemen accused in his death knew that he belonged to the Scheduled Caste (SC) Devendrakula Vellalar community and assaulted him with the intention of causing his death. All six have been charged with offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akash, from Sivaganga district, died on March 8 while under treatment at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, two days after his arrest by the Manamadurai police. Police had arrested Akash and another man, Guna, on March 6, in connection with an attempted murder case. Even though the chargesheet on Akash’s custodial torture and murder was filed before the III Additional District Judge for Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) cases in Madurai on June 18, Akash’s parents received a copy only recently. It names Inspector Dileepan, Sub-Inspector K Guhan, Grade-I Constable S Kaleeswaran, driver constable P Mahendran, constable L Deivendran, and constable B Palaniyappan as accused. The CB-CID has charged all six under section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which applies when a person who is not a member of an SC or ST community commits an offence against an SC/ST person knowing their caste or tribal identity, along with the charges of murder and causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender. Dileepan, the first accused, has additionally been charged with knowingly recording or framing an incorrect document or electronic record as a public servant, with the intention of causing injury to another person. The caste identities of both the victim and the accused have been specifically recorded in the chargesheet. Akash is identified as belonging to the Hindu Devendrakula Vellalar community, which comes under the SC category. The chargesheet says Dileepan belongs to the Hindu Piramalai Kallar community, which is classified as Other Backward Class (OBC), and, in specified districts including Sivaganga, also as a Denotified (DNT) community. Guhan belonged to the Hindu Kallar community. Kaleeswaran belonged to the Hindu Tuluva Vellalar community. Mahendran belonged to the Hindu Gounder community and Deivendran and Palaniyappan to the Hindu Agamudayar community. All are categorised as in BC Tamil Nadu. ‘Fully aware that Akash belonged to Scheduled Caste’ The chargesheet explicitly links the alleged assault to the policemen’s knowledge of Akash’s caste identity. “The investigation conducted so far reveals that the accused, fully aware that the deceased Akash Delison belonged to the Hindu Devendrakula Velalar community, took him in a police vehicle on March 6, 2026, around 5.30 pm to a secluded, low-lying area full of eucalyptus trees, off the road to Maanambathi village,” the chargesheet states. It says that the accused took Akash there “with the intention of causing his death” and that all six beat him with an iron rod below his right knee and above his ankle, causing severe fractures. The chargesheet says the injuries resulted in fat embolism, which directly caused Akash’s death. The allegation under the SC/ST Act is significant because section 3(2)(v) applies when a person who is not a member of an SC or ST commits an offence punishable under the IPC/BNS against a person or property knowing that such person is a member of an SC or ST. In this case, the CB-CID has specifically stated that the six policemen were aware of Akash’s SC identity. Chargesheet details alleged plan to break Akash’s leg The chargesheet also gives a detailed account of how Akash was allegedly taken to the location where he was assaulted. According to the chargesheet, Inspector Dileepan told Sub-Inspector Guhan that Akash’s leg had to be broken because he was allegedly involved in criminal cases and instructed him to identify a suitable location. The chargesheet says Guhan, along with constables Deivendran and Palaniyappan, selected a secluded spot near a mud road surrounded by eucalyptus trees on the road from Manamadurai to Maanambathi. Dileepan allegedly then travelled to the location in a police vehicle with Kaleeswaran and Mahendran. Akash, who was allegedly blindfolded, was taken out of another vehicle and placed in Dileepan’s vehicle. The chargesheet says Dileepan, Kaleeswaran, and Mahendran subsequently took Akash to a government eucalyptus grove where Guhan, Deivendran, and Palaniyappan were already waiting. There, according to the CB-CID, all six assaulted Akash on his right leg with an iron rod, causing a fracture. The document says the fracture was so severe that the bone was visible. The injured Akash was then allegedly helped back to the police vehicle by Deivendran, Palaniyappan, Kaleeswaran, and Mahendran, with Dileepan also accompanying them. Police allegedly created false account of injuries The chargesheet also accuses the policemen of concealing the iron rod used in the assault and creating a false account of how Akash sustained his injuries. According to the document, Inspector Dileepan recorded that Akash had sustained the injuries after jumping from the Melappasali bridge near Manamadurai. The CB-CID says Dileepan knew that Akash had not jumped from the bridge but nevertheless recorded the false version in his capacity as a public servant. This allegation forms the basis for the additional charges under sections 201 and 238 of the BNS against Dileepan. Akash was taken to Manamadurai Government Hospital after the alleged assault and later shifted to the Sivaganga Medical College Hospital. He was subsequently admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai while in judicial custody. He died on March 8 while undergoing treatment, and Akash’s family had alleged custodial torture. Akash, a resident of Krishnarajapuram near Manamadurai in Sivaganga district, was arrested on March 6 along with another man, Guna, in connection with a case relating to an alleged attack on two men. Police had initially claimed that Akash sustained his injuries after jumping from
Dalit man held hostage, beaten, car snatched in Nawabganj: An additional 50,000 rupees demanded after repaying a loan of 100,000 rupees
A case has come to light in Gulshan Nagar Basti of Nawabganj where a Dalit man was allegedly held hostage, beaten, and his Eco car snatched. The victim has alleged that an additional 50,000 rupees was demanded from him despite repaying a loan of 100,000 rupees. In a complaint filed with the police, a Dalit man named Shankar Lal has accused a man named Badan Singh of demanding additional money in the name of interest and assaulting him. According to Shankar Lal’s wife, Reena, about six months ago, Shankar Lal borrowed 100,000 rupees from Badan Singh on interest for his Eco car. It is alleged that he has repaid approximately 1.5 lakh rupees including interest. Despite this, Badan Singh is demanding an additional 50,000 rupees. Reena alleged that on August 21st, between 2 and 3 pm, Shankar Lal was repeatedly summoned to Bhagyashree’s house via phone. When Shankar Lal did not return home for a long time, Reena went to look for him. There, she learned that Shankar Lal had allegedly been held hostage and beaten. It is alleged that the miscreants also took possession of Shankar Lal’s Eco car and promised to return it only after paying 50,000 rupees. Reena has filed a complaint with the police, demanding action against the accused and the return of the car. The police are investigating the matter. Station in-charge Arun Kumar Srivastava stated that the complaint has been received and an investigation will be conducted. Further action will be taken based on the investigation. Riyaz Ahmed | Nawabganj, Bareilly Courtesy: Hindi News
The politics of religious ‘purification’
Kharge’s is the latest case in India’s troubling history of ritualistic ‘cleansing’ of places visited by Dalits. It defies the Constitution on untouchability and violates the right to equality. A couple of days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a public gathering at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, on August 8, members of a right-wing group, reportedly Shri Ram Sena, conducted a ritualistic purification ceremony at the site where Kharge had delivered his speech. The act was widely criticised, with many seeing it as a reminder of the persistence of caste prejudice and notions of ritual purity and pollution. The incident also prompted questions about whether such an act could fall within the scope of laws dealing with untouchability and atrocities against the Scheduled Castes. Whatever its precise legal character, the episode is troubling because it appears to revive a notion that the presence or touch of a person belonging to a historically marginalised caste can render a place impure and in need of purification. The incident, however, should not be viewed in isolation. There have been several instances in the past in which places or objects associated with Dalit leaders or visitors have reportedly been subjected to purification rituals. These include the purification of a statue inaugurated by Union Minister Jagjivan Ram in 1978, a temple purification following a visit by Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in 2014, and reported instances involving Munni Devi in Kanpur in 2016 and Manisha Anuragi, a sitting Dalit BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh, in 2018. The Haldwani incident involving Mallikarjun Kharge, therefore, brings back a question that India has confronted repeatedly: how deeply have notions of ritual purity and pollution associated with caste survived despite the constitutional abolition of untouchability? The cases involving prominent public figures naturally receive attention because they are visible. But similar experiences may be faced by ordinary people in less visible ways. In all, there were as many as 55,865 atrocities registered against members of Scheduled Castes in 2024 alone. The idea of ritual purity and pollution has a long history in parts of the Hindu social order. Ancient dharmashastras and smritis contain several prescriptions concerning contact with those regarded as outside the caste order. The Vishnu Smriti was one of the earliest to refer to the need for purification after contact with a chandala or outcaste (asprushya). The Manusmriti prescribed bath after contact with a chandala, with the touching of food or earthen vessels requiring them to be thrown away and metal vessels scrubbed with ashes. The Apastamba Dharmasutra and Gautama Dharmasutra go beyond touch: if a chandala’s sight falls on another person, that person must look at the sun to purify. If spoken to, the person must converse with a Brahmin or recite a specific Vedic mantra to cleanse themselves. Thus the Kharge incident is not an isolated one, but an inherent outcome of Brahmanical religious, ethical and legal codes, in which high castes are considered victims. Kharge’s case may have been picked up deliberately because he chose egalitarian Buddhist ideology, not iniquitous Brahmanism. It is important to distinguish between the historical existence of such prescriptions and the beliefs and practices of contemporary Hindu society. Hindu traditions have themselves undergone considerable change, and millions of Hindus do not subscribe to notions of untouchability or caste-based exclusion. The Constitution, social reform movements and generations of struggles against discrimination have profoundly altered the social landscape. Yet the persistence of occasional purification rituals suggests that some older ideas have not entirely disappeared. The significance of the Haldwani incident lies precisely here. It raises the uncomfortable question of whether notions that were once embedded in a hierarchical social order continue to influence social behaviour even in a democratic and constitutional India. For B R Ambedkar, the struggle against caste was not merely a struggle for political representation. It was a struggle for equality and human dignity. His advocacy of Buddhism was part of his larger search for a social order based on equality, liberty and fraternity. The construction of a major Buddhist Vihara at Kalaburagi by Kharge can similarly be seen as reflecting his association with an egalitarian social philosophy. The history of India has witnessed a long contest between hierarchical and egalitarian ideas. Buddhism, the Bhakti traditions and later the movements led by social reformers such as Jyotirao Phule, E V Ramasamy Periyar and Ambedkar challenged entrenched forms of social inequality in different ways and in different historical circumstances. These movements did not always share the same philosophy, but they contributed to a continuing debate about social hierarchy, dignity and equality. Independent India ultimately gave this egalitarian principle its strongest institutional expression through the Constitution. Equality, liberty and fraternity became foundational values, while untouchability was expressly abolished under Article 17. The Constitution did not merely prohibit a particular social practice; it sought to fundamentally change the relationship between citizenship and caste. Ambedkar described his struggle as revolution by Buddhism against a counter-revolution by Brahmanism. The final blow to the counter-revolution was the adoption of the Constitution based on equality, liberty and fraternity, and democracy, secularism and socialism. However, the counter-revolutionaries had opposed the Constitution, too. The Shankaracharya of Puri and Hindu Mahasabha had proposed to base the Constitution on Brahmanism and varnashrama. After its adoption in 1950, the Hindu Mahasabha and the RSS had opposed it arguing it did not embody Hindu culture. The continuing appearance of purification rituals, therefore, deserves attention not simply as an isolated religious practice or a political provocation, but as a reminder of the distance that can sometimes remain between constitutional values and social behaviour. It is equally important not to generalise from individual incidents to an entire religious community or tradition. The challenge is to identify and oppose discriminatory practices wherever they occur while recognising the diversity and capacity for reform within Indian society. The Haldwani incident, like earlier episodes, brings an old question into the present. Can a democratic society that guarantees equality to every citizen continue to accommodate practices based