A Dalit man died after being beaten by goons at a cowshed in Amethi. A case has been filed based on a family complaint.
The family alleges the death was due to injuries sustained during the assault; police are investigating. Amethi: A Dalit man was found injured in a cowshed in the Dandupur village council on Sunday. Villagers rushed him unconscious to the local CHC, where doctors declared him dead. The family alleges the death was due to injuries sustained during the assault. Police have filed a case and begun an investigation based on the family’s complaint. Sahab told police that his father, Ram Dulare (a resident of Barnapur, Inhauna), a leather contractor, left home for the area at 6 a.m. on Sunday. He went to the cowshed in the Dandupur village council at 4 p.m. for some work. He then got into an argument with Rajesh, a worker at the cowshed. Dalit dies after being beaten by goons! In the ensuing altercation, Rajesh and his associates attacked him with sticks, causing serious injuries. Nearby residents took him to Singhpur CHC, where doctors declared him dead upon initial examination. The hospital informed the police about the incident. Upon receiving the information, the police arrived at the scene. They informed the family, prepared an inquest report of the body, and began further investigation. The police’s preliminary investigation revealed no significant injury marks on the deceased. Tiloi Circle Officer Dinesh Mishra stated that the inquest report has been prepared and the body has been sent for postmortem examination. No injury marks were found on the body. Based on the complaint filed by the victim’s family, a case has been registered and an investigation has begun. Courtesy: Hindi News
Attempted rape case in Barhalganj: On the orders of the SSP, a case has been registered against two named individuals based on the complaint of a Dalit woman.
Barhalganj. On the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Kaustubh, a case has been registered against two individuals late Saturday evening based on the complaint of a Dalit woman in Madaria village, under the Barhalganj police station area. They have been charged with attempted rape, assault, intimidation, and various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim stated in her complaint that on July 5, 2026, at around 8 p.m., she had gone to the toilet behind her house when two young men from the same village arrived. The woman alleges that the two men, using casteist slurs, grabbed her, tore her clothes, and attempted to outrage her modesty. When the woman raised an alarm, her family members arrived at the scene, after which the two accused fled, threatening to kill her. The victim stated that the incident was immediately reported to the local police station, but no action was taken. She subsequently complained to the Senior Superintendent of Police. On the instructions of the SSP, the Barhalganj police have registered a case against the accused under sections 75, 76, 352, and 351(3) of the Indian Penal Code and sections 3(1)(d), 3(1)(g) and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and have begun an investigation. Station House Officer Atul Kumar Srivastava stated that further legal action will be taken based on the investigation. Attempts were made to contact the accused, but their version could not be obtained. Once their version is obtained, it will be published prominently. Rajiv Jaiswal | Barhalganj, Gorakhpur Courtesy: Hindi News
‘No backtracking’: Protesters dig in at Jantar Mantar despite Wangchuk’s removal
Protesters asserted the movement has only grown stronger, while organisers reiterated that the planned march to Parliament on July 20 will go ahead as scheduled. NEW DELHI: The protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar showed no signs of losing momentum on Saturday despite the absence of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly removed from the site by Delhi Police early in the morning. The entire stretch of Jantar Mantar remained heavily barricaded at both ends, restricting vehicular movement after Wangchuk’s removal from the site. Protesters asserted the movement has only grown stronger, while organisers reiterated that — ‘Sansad Chalo’ — the planned march to Parliament on July 20 will go ahead as scheduled. The protesters have been demanding sweeping examination reforms, accountability over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On the 28th day of the protest, which began on June 20, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke launched an indefinite hunger strike over Wangchuk’s removal, further intensifying the agitation, as protesters also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation. Dipke was later targeted with an ink-like liquid attack by an unidentified woman. The incident briefly disrupted the programme as supporters rushed towards the stage, triggering commotion. The woman’s identity and the motive behind the act were not immediately known. However, police said that she has been detained. Meanwhile, organisers said the health of three student activists who are already on an indefinite fast had deteriorated as their protest entered its 21st day. They alleged that Delhi Police attempted to detain the fasting students from the protest site. Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke begins an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after activist Sonam Wangchuk, unseen, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 21 days, was shifted to a hospital for medical care in New Delhi on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Speaking at Jantar Mantar, activist and Swaraj India founder Yogendra Yadav said the government’s action against Wangchuk had failed to weaken the movement. “The government thought that by picking up Wangchuk ji, the protest would fizzle out but technically, andolan ki hawa nahi nikli, sarkar ki hawa nikal gayi (the protest hasn’t run out of steam; the government has). The government may break the protest but the plan for the march on July 20 is fixed,” Yadav said. Echoing the sentiment, Saurav Das, chief spokesperson of the CJP, said there would be no change in the programme. “Call is already given for the July 20 protest. No backtracking at any cost,” Das said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the Centre over Wangchuk’s removal from the protest site. Breaking his silence on the issue, the Lok Sabha LoP accused the Narendra Modi government of suppressing peaceful dissent. Writing on X, Gandhi said the core principles of the Modi government were “Asatya” and “Hinsa” and described Wangchuk’s removal while he was observing a non-violent hunger strike as “wrong”. Hundreds of students, families, civil society members and political supporters continued to gather at the site Television personalities and former DUSU President Ronak Khatri of the NSUI were among those who joined the demonstration and extended support to the movement. Meanwhile, Supporters were seen making announcements inside Delhi Metro trains on Saturday, urging commuters to join the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march on July 20. A YouTuber, Vidhushi, announced on Instagram that she would sponsor train tickets for five students from across India who wished to travel to Jantar Mantar on July 20 but were unable to do so because of the cost. CJP chief Dipke urged supporters to arrive on the night of July 19 to avoid possible restrictions by Delhi Police on the day of the march. Organisers also claimed they had received three lakh missed calls on their helpline to register attendance for the July 20 protest. Ifrah Mufti 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
CM DK Shivkumar, Dy CM Dr G Parameshwara meet Kharge, cabinet expansion likely by Wednesday
The high command may announce the list of new ministers by Tuesday evening, sources informed TNSE. BENGALURU: With AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge returning to New Delhi, the much-awaited expansion of the DK Shivkumar cabinet has gained momentum. If all goes well, the new ministers could take the oath on Wednesday, highly placed sources told The New Sunday Express. There, however, is no clarity as yet whether all 20 vacancies will be filled or a couple of them will be kept vacant anticipating potential dissidence after the expansion. “The Congress high command can no longer defer the expansion exercise as there is a lot of pressure from the legislators, mainly to address the prevailing drought in the state,” informed sources added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called on Kharge in Bengaluru on Saturday and accompanied him to Kempegowda International Airport. When Shivakumar, his predecessor Siddaramaiah, and KPCC president BK Hariprasad held talks with the Congress top brass, including LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, in New Delhi, Kharge was in Bengaluru. According to party insiders, Kharge has been favouring new faces such as Raichur North MLA Basanagouda Daddal, Jewargi MLA Dr Ajay Singh, son of former CM late N Dharam Singh, Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima, AR Krishnamurthy, MLC Manjunath Bhandary from Dakshina Kannada, and MLC A Vasanthkumar from Raichur. Meanwhile, Shivakumar has been pushing the names of former Deputy CM and Athani MLA Laxman Savadi, Anekal MLA Shivanna, Hoskote MLA Sharath Bachegowda, Gubbi MLA SR Srinivas, Arsikere MLA KM Shivalinge Gowda, Haliyal MLA RV Deshpande, Narasimharaja MLA Tanvir Sait, Hanagal MLA Srinivas Mane, and MLC Dr Arathi Krishna. If Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna and Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad are not made ministers, they are likely to be appointed as the CM’s political secretaries, sources added. Meanwhile, former CM Siddaramaiah has been pushing the names of T Narasipur MLA Dr HC Mahadevappa, Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra, Kanakagiri MLA Shivaraj Tangadagi, Malavalli MLA PM Narendraswamy, Kalghatgi MLA Santosh Lad, Gandhinagar MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, Yelburga MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy, Hosadurga MLA BG Govindappa, Ramdurga MLA Ashok M Pattan, Chamarajanagar MLA C Puttarangashetty, and Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna. Also, MLAs SN Narayanaswamy (Bangarpet), Vijayanand Kashappanavar (Hungund), Appaji CS Nadagouda (Muddebihal), and Laxmi Hebbalkar (Belagavi Rural) are strong contenders. Former ministers Dr MC Sudhakar and TB Jayachandra are pinning their hopes on the high command to consider their track record and make them ministers. Meanwhile, KPCC president BK Hariprasad himself has emerged as a frontrunner for a cabinet berth besides proposing the names of some of his choices. But the high command has gathered information on its own from sources and also a survey conducted by the party’s election strategist, Sunil Kanugol. According to Congress insiders, the party may consider the winnability of legislators in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Kharge is likely to hold talks with Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretaries (organisation) KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala to arrive at a decision. On Monday, Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and Hariprasad are likely to be called to Delhi for a final round of talks. The high command may announce the list of new ministers by Tuesday evening, sources informed TNSE. Senior Congress leader and Aland MLA BR Patil may be made the Assembly speaker, sources added. Deputy CM meets Kharge Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara also paid a courtesy call to Kharge along with Shivakumar. “I had a cordial meeting with Kharge. During the meeting, we discussed various important matters, including the current political developments in the state, administrative issues, and matters relating to the strengthening of the party organization,” the minister posted on the social media platform ‘X’. Devaraj B Hirehalli 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
Transgenders seek expedited welfare measures
Ranchi: Members of the LGBTQIA+ community on Saturday urged authorities to expedite decisions taken by the Jharkhand Transgender Welfare Board, claiming that many transgenders continue to face hurdles in accessing housing, healthcare, employment and social security. The demands were raised during an advocacy programme held here, followed by a pride march organised by Utthan Sanstha. Participants said that although the state govt convened a meeting of the board last year, during which officials proposed a statewide survey of transgenders, district-level support mechanisms and steps to improve access to welfare schemes, many of these are yet to make a tangible difference on the ground. 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
Minorities, Dalits and deprived sections must unite to fight for their constitutional rights, say intellectuals
Meeting presided over by Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd.), former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court The representatives of the Sikh, Muslim and Dalit communities, along with intellectuals and social activists, on Saturday resolved to establish a common front to raise concerns over the constitutional rights and equal opportunities of deprived minorities and marginalised sections. The resolution was adopted at a joint meeting of Sikh, Muslim and Dalit thinkers held at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, here, to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The meeting was presided over by Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd.), former Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. GeographicReference Former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb said that the Muslims who remained in India after Partition and Sikhs who supported the Indian Union on the assurances of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel now feel those promises have not been fulfilled. He said that if the BJP seeks to establish a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, it should obtain the people’s mandate through a national referendum. The gathering observed that although India adopted democracy, secularism and constitutional governance after Independence, the successive governments have increasingly pursued policies favouring the majority community and upper-caste interests. Former Chief Justice Iqbal Ansari alleged that the ruling establishment promotes religious polarisation by setting one community against another for electoral gains. Noted Sikh scholar Gurtej Singh, IAS (Retd.), endorsed the proposal for a united platform of minorities and deprived communities and recalled that Sant Harchand Singh Longowal had entrusted him with initiating dialogue with Muslim leaders as early as 1983. The participants further stated that many minorities and deprived communities have been reduced to second-class citizens and are being used as scapegoats for advancing Hindutva politics. They stressed the need for minorities, Dalits and other marginalised sections to unite on a common platform to safeguard their rights and dignity. Among those who addressed the gathering included Prof Sham Singh (President), Dr Pyara Lal Garg, Gurpreet Singh (Global Sikh Council), Daya Singh Delhi, Anzarul Bari, Rajwinder Singh Rahi, Senior Journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu, Surinder Singh Kishanpura and several other distinguished speakers. Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit rights forum announces protest over ‘rise’ in atrocities across Haryana
The Dalit Adhikar Manch has announced a statewide protest in Haryana against the alleged rise in crimes against Dalits, social discrimination and what it termed government neglect. At a state-level meeting, the organisation decided to hold protests in all districts between July 20 and July 30. During the agitation, memorandums addressed to the CM will be submitted through the respective Deputy Commissioners. Dalit Adhikar Manch convener Ramkumar Bahbalpuria on Saturday alleged that the Dalits were facing increasing social, economic, political and caste-based discrimination under the present government. He claimed that several incidents of atrocities against the Dalits had been reported across the state over the past three months. Bahbalpuria also alleged an increase in cases of harassment and gang rape involving Dalit women and minor girls, claiming that victims were not receiving justice. He further alleged that attempts were being made in some areas to evict Dalit settlements to benefit land mafias. The body also expressed concern over the alleged reduction in and irregularities in scholarships for the Dalit students. It criticised the reported reduction in ration for pink ration card holders following changes to the Food Security Act and the discontinuation of mustard oil supply. Bahbalpuria said after the July protests, the organisation would launch a signature campaign in the Dalit colonies across the state in September and October. A detailed memorandum highlighting its demands will then be sent to the President during the Winter Session of Parliament. Anil Kakkar Courtesy : The Tribune Note: This news is originally published on https:/thetribune.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Chandru panel’s reforms to curb casteism in TN schools yet to be fully implemented
The latest incident of assault on a differently-abled Dalit student has led to renewed calls for the comprehensive implementation of the Justice Chandru panel’s recommendations More than two years after retired Madras High Court judge Justice K Chandru submitted a comprehensive roadmap to address caste discrimination in schools, Tamil Nadu has implemented only a part of the recommendations. While the state government cites progress, Justice Chandru says many of the report’s most significant reforms remain unfulfilled, leaving schools vulnerable to recurring tensions. The latest incident of assault on a differently-abled Dalit student by his schoolmates inside a government higher secondary school at Mallal in Sivaganga district on June 14, once again brought the issue into sharp focus. Although the caste angle behind the attack is yet to be established, the fracas renewed calls for the comprehensive implementation of the Justice Chandru panel’s recommendations. Why was the panel constituted? The Chandru committee’s recommendations extend well beyond preventing caste-based clashes on school campuses. They outline a comprehensive framework to foster equality, social justice and a more harmonious atmosphere in educational institutions by addressing the structural and social factors that contribute to discrimination. Constituted in August 2023 after two Dalit siblings were brutally assaulted by their relatively upper-caste classmates in Tirunelveli, the Chandru committee submitted a comprehensive 680-page report. Justice Chandru visited several districts, meeting teachers, educationists and students, including those who were attacked, before finalising his recommendations. The report proposed a multifaceted approach to address the deep-rooted problem. What are the hits and misses? Though the DMK government never announced which of Justice K Chandru’s recommendations had been accepted or rejected, it implemented some of the suggestions. For example, on June 25, 2024, a Government Order was issued directing the removal of caste prefixes and suffixes from school names, one of the suggestions of the panel. The move was subsequently reinforced by the Madras High Court, which directed that no school or college in Tamil Nadu should carry a caste appellation from the 2025-26 academic year. The court specifically ordered the renaming of government-run Kallar Reclamation Schools and Adi Dravidar Welfare Schools. In a subsequent order, it fixed the 2026-27 academic year as the deadline for removing caste names from all educational institutions. However, the recommendation to bring all government schools under the umbrella of the School Education Department, though announced as a policy decision in the assembly, has not been implemented. What are the steps taken by the School Education Department? The School Education Department also issued detailed guidelines to curb recurring incidents of caste-based violence in schools. These included constituting district-level monitoring committees comprising the Chief Educational Officer (CEO), District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and Superintendent of Police (SP). However, in many districts, these committees have remained largely inactive. The department also advised schools to prohibit students from wearing coloured wristbands or using bicycles with colours that may signify caste identity. Students displaying caste pride are to be counselled sensitively, while the use of mobile phones by students on school campuses has been ordered to be strictly prohibited. Orders have also been issued to transfer teachers found promoting caste or communal sentiments, install grievance boxes in schools, and conduct value education classes, all of which were recommended by the panel. In another reform, all 2,739 government hostels run by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department and the Backward Classes Welfare Department have been renamed Social Justice Hostels. What was the political reaction? However, the state BJP opposed the recommendations of the Chandru committee. The then state president of the BJP, K Annamalai, had argued that it would be counterproductive, adding the dominance of caste differences in schools would increase over the next five years. He suggested that the government factor in the views of all sections, and form a task force to implement the recommendations. On the contrary, the Dravidar Kazhagam, CPI, CPM, VCK, MDMK, and activists for human rights and anti-caste campaigners, welcomed the recommendations on the removal of caste names from schools, banning caste-identifying wristbands and symbols, periodic transfer of teachers, adopting a code of conduct for teachers, and creating institutional mechanisms to monitor caste discrimination. Why did the DMK government not implement it? Asked which of his recommendations needs to be implemented immediately, Justice Chandru said, “Implementation of my recommendations earlier was cosmetic, not substantive. After the submission of my report, the DMK government was in power for two years. Yet, they did not spell out their stand. They did not explain whether they would implement the report in full or issue an order stating which of the suggestions were acceptable. Except for a few like the removal of caste names from the schools, most of my recommendations remain pending.” Justice Chandru said recommendations like orientation programmes for teachers, revising the syllabus for teacher training, and recruiting teachers, should be implemented at the district level and not at the state level. The recommendation on non-posting of headmasters, CEOs, DEOs, and BEOs belonging to the dominant caste of that area in high schools and higher secondary schools is still awaiting implementation. Since his report was recommendatory, it was not placed before the assembly. As a result, the previous regime chose not to take a position on it, he said. What is the TVK’s take on it? As for the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the state, even before coming to power, its functionaries had questioned as to why the DMK government hadn’t implemented the report in full. After wresting power, School Education Minister A Rajmohan went on record saying his government will implement the panel’s report. “So, the present government should take steps to implement both short-term and long-term recommendations. The state government can make a strong statement on implementing them in stages and start discussions with the stakeholders, which can be a good starting point,” Justice Chandru suggested.The report had also recommended holding students’ union election, conducting orientation programmes for the students at the beginning of their academic year, conducting ethics classes, teaching social
Ram Temple offering theft case: Rahul Gandhi and Kharge write to PM Modi, making three major demands
Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the issue of theft at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. They demanded immediate action and named the RSS and VHP. They said that devotees feel cheated and PM Modi should break his silence on this matter. PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party national president Mallikarjun Kharge have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the theft at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. In this letter, they have made three major demands and have strongly criticized the Modi government. The letter also names the RSS and VHP. They have demanded immediate action in this matter and have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence. They said that millions of devotees across the country feel cheated by this theft. Read the full letter from Rahul and Kharge The two leaders made three demands, writing, “Prime Minister, you are aware of the theft of thousands of crores of rupees from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Millions of devotees who donated their hard-earned money with faith, devotion, and trust feel betrayed by this theft. You announced the formation of the Trust in Parliament on the instructions of the Supreme Court of India, but its members were appointed entirely by your government. It is well known that the Trust’s members are associated with the RSS, VHP, and their affiliated organizations. Its disgraced former General Secretary was also a close associate of yours. Your silence in the face of such a crime is unacceptable. It is your duty to establish accountability and ensure reparations. Please address this issue as soon as possible.” Rahul and Kharge’s Three Demands We urge you to immediately order an independent and comprehensive investigation into the Trust’s financial affairs, including the management of all offerings, including cash, gold, and silver. The investigation results and the trust’s accounts should be made public so that every devotee knows how their offerings were used. Those found responsible should be held accountable, regardless of their position or influence. Curated by: Sanjeev Kumar About the Author Sanjeev Kumar (Senior Digital Content Producer) Sanjeev Kumar currently serves as Senior Digital Content Producer at Navbharat Times. He joined Navbharat Times, the digital wing of the Times of India Group, in May 2025. He has six years of experience working on the online news desk in journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News
Khera says Indira, Manmohan engaged protesters, accuses Centre of ‘indifference’ to Wangchuk
Khera’s visit came a day after former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and other protesters at the protest site. Congress leader Pawan Khera meets activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, during a protest by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 17, 2026. Congress leader Pawan Khera meets activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 20 days, during a protest by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against alleged irregularities in NEET and other examinations, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi, Thursday, July 17, 2026.Photo |PTI Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday met climate activist Sonam Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and urged him to end his indefinite hunger strike, citing concerns over his deteriorating health, while accusing the Centre of refusing to engage with demands for education reforms. Wangchuk has been on a fast demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy. After meeting Wangchuk and the protesters, Khera said peaceful protest was a constitutional right and that it was the responsibility of any democratic government to engage with citizens who resort to fasting to make their voices heard. “In a democracy, peaceful protest is a constitutional right. When citizens undertake a fast to be heard, the duty of the government is to listen — not look away. That is Raj Dharma,” Khera said in a post on X. The Congress leader contrasted the Centre’s response with that of previous governments, saying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984 and the UPA government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 had engaged with protesters despite differences. “That is what Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji did in 1984. That is what Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government did in 2011. They understood that a government’s first responsibility is engagement, even in disagreement,” he said. Khera alleged that the present government had chosen “indifference” towards demands for education reforms raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the protesters at Jantar Mantar. “This government, however, has chosen indifference. It has refused to engage with the demand for education reforms — whether raised by Shri Rahul Gandhi and the NSUI and IYC workers across the country or the protesters at Jantar Mantar. Such indifference is not merely arrogant; it is callous and wholly unworthy of a democracy,” he said. Appealing to Wangchuk to call off the fast, Khera said preserving the movement’s leadership was more important than continuing the hunger strike. “Today, on behalf of the Congress Party, I met Shri Sonam Wangchuk and the protesters at Jantar Mantar, and urged them to end their fast in light of their deteriorating health. A movement is not strengthened by losing its people. We live to fight another day,” he said. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, one of the protest organisers, thanked Khera for extending solidarity. “I thank Congress MP @Pawankhera ji for visiting Jantar Mantar, expressing his solidarity, and checking on Sonam sir’s health. Dharmendra Pradhan Must Resign,” he said in a post on X. Doctors monitoring Wangchuk said his health continued to be under close observation on the 20th day of his hunger strike. According to medical parameters recorded at 9.30 am on Friday, Wangchuk weighed 56.55 kg, having lost 350 grams in the previous 24 hours. His blood pressure was 108/68 mmHg, blood sugar 70 mg/dL, and pulse rate 72 beats per minute. Doctors noted mild dehydration. Dr Satish Lamba said Wangchuk had progressed to a stage where organ involvement was possible because of prolonged fasting. “…It is the 20th day of the hunger strike… The person’s weight is 56.55 kg, a reduction of 350 grams over the last 24 hours… Hydration is fair, with mild dehydration observed… The initial stage involved fat loss, followed by muscle loss and the formation of ketone bodies in urine. Now, at this third stage, organ involvement is possible. The medical team is maintaining 24-hour vigilance and continuous monitoring,” he told reporters. Khera’s visit comes a day after former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav met Wangchuk and expressed solidarity with the protesters. Kejriwal backed the demand for Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, proposed Wangchuk’s name as the next Union Education Minister, and urged the Centre to address the protesters’ demands. He also warned that the NDA government could face the same electoral consequences as the UPA II government in 2014 if it ignored public concerns. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court directed authorities to clinically monitor Wangchuk’s health on a daily basis and ensure that any medical intervention recommended by government doctors is provided. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia passed the directions while disposing of a PIL filed by Rakesh Kumar Sahni, who sought the court’s intervention over Wangchuk’s deteriorating health. The Bench observed that “the life of every citizen is precious and all efforts ought to be made by the government authorities to save the same.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Delhi government, informed the court that government doctors were already conducting regular examinations and monitoring Wangchuk’s medical parameters daily. Wangchuk, an engineer, education reformer and climate activist from Ladakh, has been on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over nationwide examination irregularities and the NEET paper leak controversy. 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