Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister, says Congress leader SR Patil
Senior Congress leader SR Patil stated on Sunday that it is natural for people from downtrodden and marginalised communities to aspire to have a Chief Minister from their fold, highlighting that Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister so far. Addressing reporters, Patil said, “The downtrodden people are protesting. It is quite natural for anyone to aspire to become the Chief Minister. Karnataka has never had a Dalit Chief Minister so far. Therefore, it is natural for people from the downtrodden and marginalised communities to hope that someone from their community becomes the Chief Minister and to express that aspiration through protests.” C Vijayabaskar denies AIADMK exit rumours amid ambiguous press encounter He further added, “I do not agree with the view that G Parameshwara has not been given importance. He is a senior leader of the Congress party and has been given due respect and an appropriate position both in the party and in the government. I am very proud of the government. The government is functioning well, and I am proud of its achievements.” Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar is scheduled to meet the party high command in New Delhi on Monday to discuss cabinet appointments and other political developments, according to Congress sources. Earlier on Sunday, Shivakumar told reporters in Bengaluru that he did not know how many leaders would be inducted into his cabinet or who would take oath with him on June 3. He said, “I don’t know. Whatever the party high command decides will happen.” After serving three years as Deputy Chief Minister, Shivakumar is set to assume office as Karnataka Chief Minister. The swearing-in ceremony is planned for June 3 at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru. On Saturday, Shivakumar formally submitted a letter to Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot informing him about his unanimous election as Congress Legislative Party leader. This followed the voluntary resignation of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 28. The Governor dissolved the previous Council of Ministers immediately but asked Siddaramaiah to continue until the new government is sworn in. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsmill.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘We never agreed to move’: Malayidom Thuruth’s Dalit families reject CM’s rehabilitation claim in assembly; CPM accuses govt of betrayal
Kochi: The controversy over the proposed eviction of seven Dalit families from Malayidom Thuruth in Ernakulam’s Kizhakkambalam has taken a fresh turn after Chief Minister VD Satheesan told the Kerala Legislative Assembly that the affected Scheduled Caste families had agreed to accept a government rehabilitation package. However, the residents alleged that they have never agreed to move out of their lands and urged the government to ensure their rights in the disputed land as assured earlier. The issue relates to a long-running land dispute involving 2.62 acres, for which the Supreme Court had upheld the Perumbavoor Munsif court’s eviction order in favour of a private individual named Kannoth Shankaran Nair four years ago. Residents and local leaders, however, contend that the disputed land forms nearly 19.98 acres of government Puramboke land and have demanded a proper survey and demarcation of the area. The Kerala High Court recently granted the state government a two-week extension to delay the eviction and comply with court directions. The matter is scheduled to come up again before the court on June 9. Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Kunnathunadu MLA VP Sajeendran in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government would stand by the affected families. “The government assures the assembly that the families will not be abandoned. Minister Roji M John and Kunnathunad MLA VP Sajeendran have met the residents and assured them of this. The government is also ready to construct houses for them, and the families have agreed to this,” Satheesan said in the assembly on Tuesday. However, the statement has been strongly disputed by the affected families and the Pariyathukavu Samara Samithi, which is leading the agitation against the eviction. Residents said no decision has been taken to relocate and maintain that they intend to remain on the land where their families have lived for generations. “We won’t move from here to live elsewhere; there is no such decision at all,” said Saji PT, a member of one of the seven affected families. “We have been living here for 130 years. Our ancestors are all buried right there, including my father, his father, and my mother. Thus, we hold that soil. Where are we supposed to go? Moving from there is not even on our minds. Even if it means dying, we will die right there. We are not going to leave,” he told Onmanorama. The families also allege that the government had earlier assured them that steps would be taken to determine the actual status of the land through an official survey. According to Saji, Minister Roji M John had conveyed such an assurance during a meeting convened by the district collector, while Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister KA Thulasi had reiterated a similar commitment during her visit to the settlement. “Minister Roji M John had initially assured us during a meeting convened by the district collector that the land would be surveyed to determine whether it was government Puramboke land. Later, Scheduled Castes Welfare Minister KA Thulasi gave a similar assurance when she visited the affected families,” Saji said. He questioned why the government had now shifted its focus to rehabilitation instead of pursuing a survey of theland. Samara Samithi questions government’s claims The Pariyathukavu Samara Samithi has also rejected the government’s assertion that the families agreed to relocation. KM Siraj, convener of the Samara Samithi, said neither the affected families nor the agitation committee had been consulted about any rehabilitation package. “The announcement that land and houses would be allotted to the affected families came as a complete surprise to both the families and the Samara Samithi, as neither was consulted on the matter,” Siraj said. “Providing a few cents of land to the families was an option that existed even under the previous government. Our consistent demand has been that the disputed 19.98 acres be surveyed and, if it is found to be government Puramboke land, ownership rights should be granted to the families who have lived there for generations,” he said. Siraj said that no discussions had taken place regarding relocation and accused the government of misleading the assembly. “To accept an offer, shouldn’t we at least know what the offer is? Just stating that they accepted it and misleading the Assembly. We are getting aware of such a plan only now, when we watched Tuesday’s assembly proceedings on Sabha TV,” Siraj said. According to him, the government’s latest position appears aimed at avoiding a survey of the disputed land, an issue that he noted had earlier been publicly supported by MLA VP Sajeendran. CPM launches offensive The CPM has seized on the issue, accusing the UDF government of abandoning the interests of Dalit families and shielding powerful land interests. Former Kunnathunad MLA and CPM leader PV Sreenijin alleged that the affected families had been misled during discussions with government representatives. “The Minister, Roji, and Sajeendran actually called them for a discussion and tricked them,” Sreenijin claimed. “The government’s land was encroached upon by a private individual. Why is that High Court verdict to measure and demarcate the land not being discussed in the Legislative Assembly? Instead of doing that, aren’t they now moving forward to evict these people? This information given in the Assembly is solely meant to mislead the public,” he added. CPM Ernakulam district secretary S Sathish also criticised the Chief Minister’s statement, alleging that it amounted to a betrayal of the affected families. “The Chief Minister has lied in the Assembly. This stance protects the land mafia and betrays the Dalit families. The demand of the families is that the land should be measured and demarcated, and its ownership rights must be granted to them. The Dalit families who have been living on that land for decades will not be allowed to be thrown out onto the streets. The CPM will protect and support the families until the residents of Pariyathukavu receive the ownership rights to their land,” Sathish said. With the temporary relief granted by the High Court
16-Year-Old Dalit Boy Allegedly Stripped And Beaten For Drinking Water In Kanpur
A 16-year-old Dalit boy in Kanpur was allegedly stripped and beaten for drinking water from a public handpump. Here is what happened. A bucket of water allegedly became the reason for a caste-based assault in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district. According to the NCRB report, Uttar Pradesh recorded over 14,000 cases of atrocities against Dalits in 2024, the highest in the country. The latest case from Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district shows how brutal that reality can still be. On 2 May, A 16-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly assaulted after drinking water from a public handpump in his village. What allegedly happened next, according to the FIR, raised fresh questions about caste discrimination that still exists in everyday spaces. A Drink Of Water Became A Trigger On May 2, a Dalit minor was reportedly working in fields near his village in Kanpur’s Sachendi area when he stopped to drink water from a public handpump in Jhakhra-Sambharpur village. He used a mug kept inside a nearby bucket. That moment allegedly triggered the assault. The FIR states that four men confronted the teenager and hurled casteist abuses at him, accusing him of “polluting” the bucket because he belonged to a Dalit community. What followed, according to police records and local reports, lasted nearly 30 minutes. The accused allegedly beat him with sticks, kicked and punched him, stripped him and forced him to lick a shoe after spitting on it. Reports also state that water was poured into the shoe and the teenager was allegedly forced to drink from it. The boy reportedly suffered a fractured arm during the assault. When his father, a farm labourer, rushed to help him, he too was allegedly attacked. According to The Times of India, the father suffered broken ribs. Then Came The “Purification” One detail from the case has especially disturbed people online. After the assault, the accused allegedly sprinkled Ganga water around the handpump area to “purify” it because the Dalit boy had touched the bucket. That act reflects a form of untouchability that India’s Constitution outlawed decades ago. The Police Case Took Time Although the assault took place on 2 May, the FIR was reportedly registered only on 17 May. The family spent days recovering in hospital before gathering the courage to approach the police. According to The Times Of India, Police have now registered a case against four accused identified as Sanjay, Deepak, Sagar and Patiya under relevant sections, including the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Assistant Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said the matter is under investigation and action will be taken based on evidence. Vageesha Shrivastava Courtesy : Brut. Note: This news is originally published on https:/brut.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Solar boom in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is polluting Delhi-NCR, study says
In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. NEW DELHI: Solar power development has advanced at an unprecedented pace in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu; however, waste management has not kept up. A significant volume of waste generated in these states is being transported to the Delhi-NCR region, which is already burdened with multiple types of waste affecting air and water quality. A joint report by the Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group and the World Resources Institute reveals that informal waste aggregators are dumping solar waste, including end-of-life solar panels, photovoltaic cells, lithium-ion batteries, and other hazardous electronic waste, into Delhi-NCR. This region is already burdened with excessive waste, contaminating groundwater, other water resources, and air quality. In informal discussions with several waste aggregators in two sates, validated by non-profits, researchers, start-ups, and formal recyclers in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the report indicated that there is no reliable quantitative data or traceability mechanism available to determine the proportion of this material that is ultimately processed through informal recycling operations in Delhi-NCR and other northern regions of India. In Tamil Nadu, the modus operandi involves formal recyclers passing on non-profitable scraps, such as aluminum frames and photovoltaic cells, along with other hazardous materials to Delhi-NCR. There is around Delhi-NCR has around 5,000 e-waste processing units that employ more than 50,000 people. Due to a lack of formal recycling capacity and technical knowledge, much of the solar waste ends up in landfills in Delhi-NCR. The report, “More Watts Less Waste,” states that informal recyclers rely on rudimentary dismantling and scrap-recovery techniques. While aluminium frames and external copper wiring or junction boxes are manually removed and sold as scrap, the remaining components of the modules, such as glass, polymer encapsulant, silicon cells, and embedded metals, largely go unrecovered. Often, the panels are crushed or broken, resulting in a mix of glass, polymer, and silicon fragments, which is disposed of as general waste or sent to landfills. The study highlights a critical gap in India’s clean energy transition. While the country is rapidly expanding its renewable energy and electric mobility sectors, systems for managing solar panel and lithium-ion battery waste remain underdeveloped. The report warns that this creates new environmental and public health concerns for Delhi, which is already dealing with legacy waste. Improper handling of solar panels can release hazardous substances into the environment, exposing workers and nearby communities to health risks. As of now, India has generated an estimated 146 kilotonnes of solar PV waste by the end of 2024. By 2047, cumulative solar waste could reach 11,221 kilotonnes, according to the report. The study also raises concerns about the next wave of clean energy waste: lithium-ion batteries. Batteries from consumer electronics are already being processed through informal dismantling channels, while India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market is expected to generate large volumes of end-of-life batteries in the coming years. These batteries contain valuable materials but also present risks of fire, explosion, and chemical exposure if handled improperly. The report calls for specific Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets for photovoltaic systems, dedicated recycling infrastructure, financial mechanisms to manage orphan waste, and greater integration of informal workers into formal collection systems. It also urges policymakers to begin planning now for the forthcoming wave of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Jitendra Choubey 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
BRS leader KT Rama Rao urges people to prepare for another movement
Recalling that the BRS always contested and won polls on its own and without any alliances, he said that the party’s defeat in the 2023 polls was due to the vicious campaign carried out by the Congress. HYDERABAD: BRS working president KT Rama Rao and other party leaders on Tuesday called upon the people to prepare for another movement to protect Telangana. Addressing the Telangana Formation Day celebrations held at Telangana Bhavan, Rama Rao said that the BRS was not fighting for the sake of power but for the development and separate identity of Telangana, which was achieved after a prolonged struggle. He alleged that the Congress came to power by giving false assurances and launching a vicious campaign against BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and the then BRS government. The former minister alleged that the Congress “polluted” the state politics. “Though the entire country rejected the Congress, it came to power in the state,” he lamented. Recalling that the BRS always contested and won polls on its own and without any alliances, he said that the party’s defeat in the 2023 polls was due to the vicious campaign carried out by the Congress. Alleging that the Congress government “pushed the state backwards by 25 years”, he said: “Though half of its term is over, this government did nothing for the state.” “Farmers, youth and all other sections are unhappy under the Congress rule,” he said and wondered what Rahul Gandhi was doing when the government failed to keep its assurance of providing a large number of government jobs to unemployed youth. He dared Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Rahul Gandhi to visit the Chikkadapally library and answer the questions of the unemployed youth. 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
Will continue to work with sincerity, commitment: DK Shivakumar
Shivakumar stated that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. BENGALURU: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader DK Shivakumar, who will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday, said he will continue to work with sincerity and commitment to build a progressive, inclusive, and prosperous Karnataka that reflects the values they collectively stand for. Taking to social media platform X, the CM-designate stated that under the leadership of the Gandhi family and with the blessings of the people of Karnataka, he will continue to work with sincerity and commitment. He said the Gandhi family has played a defining role in his political journey, not merely through leadership, but through the faith they placed in him at different stages of his life. Earlier, speaking to a news agency in New Delhi, Shivakumar said, “The faith and confidence the people of this country have shown me, I am very much obliged, and I have to do a lot of hard work and deliver. I know the roads will not be so easy. It will be difficult, but still I have to manage things. I hope the people of Karnataka have confidence in me. I have to do my job. I’ll do it very sincerely and with a lot of dedication.” “I often reflect on Shri Rajiv Gandhi avaru, who saw potential in a young worker even before I could see it in myself. His encouragement gave me the confidence to dream bigger and dedicate myself to public service. The greatest leaders are those who identify possibilities in others and inspire them to rise beyond their own expectations. Rajiv Gandhi did exactly that for me,” he posted on X. He said he was aware of the challenges ahead as “the world is seeing India through Bengaluru and Karnataka… I will have to take every section of the society together: from the farmer to the woman, to the youth…and a new ‘Yuva Yuga’ will start.” Shivakumar said senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi taught him another important lesson in leadership: true leaders do not stand by you only during moments of success; they stand beside you during your most difficult times, offering strength, encouragement, and unwavering support. Shivakumar stated that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. “His willingness to listen, his conviction in democratic values, and his vision for a more inclusive and compassionate India continue to motivate leaders like me. His support has been a strong pillar throughout my public life,” he stated. He said Priyanka Gandhi’s guidance and encouragement have always been valued. “For me, the Gandhi family represents different dimensions of leadership, recognising potential, standing by people in difficult times, listening with empathy, and inspiring others through conviction and service. As someone who began as a grassroots worker and has been entrusted today with the responsibility of leading Karnataka, I remain profoundly grateful for their trust and encouragement,” he stated. 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
‘Tender investigator’: Rahul Gandhi meets 17-year-old student who exposed CBSE-OSM anomalies
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met Jharkhand student Sarthak Sidhant, the teenager who recently presented his findings on alleged irregularities in the CBSE’s online marking system before a parliamentary panel. Sharing photographs of the meeting on social media, Gandhi praised the student and wrote, “Sarthak, stand firm on your principles. #TenderInvestigator”. The meeting came hours after Sidhant, who appeared for the CBSE Class 12 examinations this year, briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports about alleged anomalies in the tendering process used to select vendors for the board’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system. Sidhant presented a seven-page document before the committee, chaired by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, outlining what he described as irregularities in the vendor selection process and raising a series of questions for CBSE officials. His presentation was made in the presence of CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar and other senior officials from the Ministry of Education. The parliamentary panel had summoned CBSE and education ministry officials amid growing concerns over the OSM system, which has been at the centre of complaints from students regarding technical glitches, evaluation discrepancies and difficulties during the post-result verification process. During the meeting, members also questioned the board’s preparedness before introducing online marking, including concerns over system testing and teacher training. Some MPs reportedly sought accountability for the problems faced by students and suggested measures such as compensation through grace marks or faster evaluation. CBSE officials told the committee that technical issues affecting the system had been rectified and that students would continue to have until June 6 to apply for re-evaluation of their answer sheets. The board also submitted a report outlining its position on the controversy. After the meeting, Digvijaya Singh said the committee’s focus remained on addressing students’ concerns. Asked whether he was satisfied with the CBSE’s responses, he replied, “That is for the committee to decide.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesodindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Diljit Dosanjh’s Aroma song leaves bitter aftertaste with use of transgender slur
Diljit Dosanjh has come under fire for using a transgender slur in his song Aroma. The row gained momentum at the start of Pride Month, with many questioning the message and implications of the lyric. Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is facing criticism over a lyric in his song Aroma. Listeners have accused the track of casually using the term ‘chakka’ – widely considered a slur for transgender and gender-nonconforming people, while framing it in contrast to an ideal of ‘real’ masculinity. The debate gained traction on June 1, the start of Pride Month, as social media users questioned the message conveyed by the line and argued that it reinforces harmful stereotypes about gender and masculinity. Aroma, a collaboration between Diljit, Raj Ranjodh and music producer Tru-Skool, was released on April 23. The verse at the centre of the controversy reads: “Oh mardaan di gall hundi yakkyaan di nai… Jurrataan di talk hundi chakkyaan di nai.” According to translations shared by listeners on social media, the lines roughly mean: “This is the talk of men, not weaklings. This is the talk of courage, not of chhakke (cowardice)’.” Users have said the lyric uses a term widely regarded as derogatory and appears to equate courage and masculinity while belittling gender-nonconforming identities. The backlash centres on the use of the word ‘chhakka’, which is often used as a slur against transgender people. Critics have said the lyric uses offensive language and also reinforces outdated ideas about masculinity by setting strength and courage against gender-nonconforming identities. Social media users said the verse appeared to demean and marginalise the queer community. A month after the song’s release, several listeners said they had been hearing the track without understanding the meaning of the lyrics. They said they only realised what the verse appeared to mean after translations began circulating online. Actor Manish Poonam was among those who criticised the song. In an Instagram Story, he wrote, “Courage and men don’t go along each other. Hoping this move would make you more of a man. Shame.” Another Instagram user wrote, “He is working in the entertainment industry, which is built, shaped and sustained by countless queer people. I am so confused, why did nobody question it before its release. Did no one stop to think about the message it sends. And I hope there is an explanation to this (sic).” Reacting to the video, an X user wrote , “Bruh Diljit Dosanjh straight up used a transphobic slur with no filter in his latest song I can’t do this anymore I thought he was a good person (sic).” Here are few comments posted on YouTube’s comments section: Another post said, “Amazing, like in a country where people are just fighting to get their mere share of equality, their huge figures like this use words casually without thinking about anyone’s sentiments. We are evolving day by day. Happy Pride Month.” The discussion around Aroma continued on social media as users highlighted the reach and influence of major artists. Diljit Dosanjh has not publicly addressed the controversy so far. The criticism over Aroma comes weeks after Diljit Dosanjh was drawn into a controversy surrounding his citizenship. A report by The Indian Express claimed that the singer-actor has been travelling on a US passport since 2022, sparking debate on social media. Courtesy : India Today Note: This news is originally published on https:/indiatoday.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Hard work, not sycophancy, will help Congress reconnect with people at grassroots level’: Rahul Gandhi tells party leaders
NEW DELHI: In a bid to revive Congress organisational strength, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday told district presidents that hard work and direct public engagement, rather than sycophancy, will help the party grow, as he urged party leaders to reconnect with people at the grassroots level, party sources said. While addressing the concluding session of a 10-day training camp for Congress district presidents from Rajasthan and Delhi in Pushkar, Gandhi praised coordination among Rajasthan Congress leaders and described the working relationship between the Pradesh Congress Committee leadership and the Leader of Opposition as a positive example for the party, according to Congress leaders, PTI reported. He described Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Dotasra and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Tikaram Jully as a “Jai-Veeru ki jodi”.The Congress had witnessed internal infighting in Rajasthan involving the camps of Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot before its defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said party workers must remain connected to public issues and stand with the poor and marginalised in cases of injustice. He spent more than five hours at the camp and held interactive sessions on organisational strengthening, teamwork, ideology and public outreach, the sources said. Gandhi urged district presidents not to limit themselves to organisational roles but to build direct contact with citizens. He said rebuilding public trust was essential for strengthening the Congress and expanding its support base. He added that growth within the party should be based on commitment and service rather than personal loyalty to senior leaders. Gandhi also called for focus on issue-based politics and stronger engagement with people to counter what he described as the BJP’s narrative. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Dotasra gave a presentation on organisational work and efforts to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Leader of opposition Tikaram Jully said the 10-day camp under the “Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan” would infuse new energy into the organisation in Rajasthan. The training camp was attended by district presidents and senior Congress leaders from Rajasthan and Delhi. 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
Congress leader Shanimol Usman elected as Kerala Deputy Speaker
Shanimol, who contested for the ruling UDF, defeated CPI’s Pattambi MLA Mohammed Muhsin, who was opposition LDF’s pick for deputy speaker. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Shanimol Usman has been elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 16th Kerala Assembly. It’s after close to three-a-half-decades after that the assembly is getting a woman deputy speaker. The Aroor MLA was elected at the election held in the assembly on Tuesday (June 2,2026). Shanimol, who contested for the ruling UDF, defeated CPI’s Pattambi MLA Mohammed Muhsin, who was opposition LDF’s pick for deputy speaker. While Shanimol polled 99 votes, Muhsin got 34 votes. While the three BJP legislators abstained from voting, three MLAs – two from UDF and one from LDF – were absent from the House on Tuesday. Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan chose not to cast his vote. 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