MRPS founder flays SC order on Dalit converts, seeks SC status for them
Opposes SC ruling denying SC status to Dalit converts, urging equal recognition for Dalit Christians Emphasising the need to recognise India’s continuing reality of caste discrimination, Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) founder-president Manda Krishna Madiga criticised the recent Supreme Court ruling that Dalits who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism lose their Scheduled Caste (SC) status. He called for SC status to be extended to Dalit Christians on par with the recognition granted to Sikh and Buddhist Dalits, and expressed MRPS’ support for Dalit Christians if they choose to fight for their rights. Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in Somajiguda here on Monday, he said the authorities and the judiciary must consider the fact that the preaching classes of both Christianity and Islam in India largely come from upper castes. He alleged that upper castes such as Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kammas and Reddys who converted to other religions carried forward discriminatory caste practices even within religions that preach equality. “The Supreme Court judgment is completely against Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution. Because of various conspiracies, Dalits lost the benefits of the Communal Award and their rights to religious freedom. During the framing of the Constitution, upper castes represented Christians, which is why they did not speak for Dalit Christians’ rights,” he alleged. When upper-caste Christians are eligible for EWS reservations, why should Dalit Christians not be eligible for SC reservations, he asked, claiming that B.R. Ambedkar had clarified that conversion to Christianity does not alter the social conditions of Dalits. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BSP’s strength benefits Dalits, OBCs, minorities, says Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Sunday said that whenever and wherever her party has strengthened its hold, Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minority communities have benefitted immensely. In a statement, Mayawati said that it is necessary to take the master key of power into our own hands to properly implement the legal and constitutional rights given by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar for the benefit, welfare, upliftment of the bahujan across the country and for enabling them to live in an egalitarian society with self-respect. The BSP founder, Kanshi Ram, dedicated his entire life to this cause. His unfinished mission is now being pursued with enthusiasm by Mayawati, the statement said. “The need of the hour is to work diligently to achieve the missionary objectives of security, respect and identity for the bahujan, and achieve electoral success,” said Mayawati. Whenever and wherever BSP has strengthened, Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minority communities have benefitted immensely,” Mayawati said in the statement. In the meeting of BSP State committee members of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh with Mayawati held on Sunday, guidelines given in the last All India meeting were reviewed in detail. Courtesy : The Pioneer Note: This news is originally published on https:/thepioneer.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Atrocities on Dalits still continue in rural India: Athawale
Pune: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday said atrocities against Dalits remain a concern in rural parts of the country, urging state govts and political leaders to take concrete steps to address the issue. Speaking at a press conference in Pune, Athawale noted that next year will mark 100 years of the historic movement led by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in Mahad, Raigad, which fought for Dalits’ right to access water from a public tank. “Next year marks the centenary of the movement against untouchability. While a lot has changed over the past century and there has been progress, Dalits still face atrocities in rural areas. It is important for state govts, political parties and local NGOs to work together to ensure such incidents do not occur,” he said. Athawale added that he and his party are working at the national level to address the issue. “We are striving to bring Dalits and other communities, including Savarnas, OBCs, Marathas and minorities, together. This was Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision, and we are moving in that direction,” he said. Commenting on the upcoming assembly elections in four states, Athawale said his party would not contest in West Bengal and would instead support the BJP. “In Kerala, we will contest 10–12 seats; in Tamil Nadu, 20–25 seats; and in Assam, 15–20 seats. Wherever we contest, it will be on our party symbol. In constituencies where we do not field candidates, we will support the BJP,” Athawale 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
Punjab police drag Dalit woman by hair, assault her in broad daylight
Incident came to light after CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media. Chandigarh: In an alleged case of police brutality, a Dalit woman was assaulted and dragged by her hair in Punjab’s Jalandhar by a police officer on Friday, March 20. The incident came to light after CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media. The victim, Mamta Bhagat, claimed that she was trying to protect her son from the assault when the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) attacked her. He reportedly used extreme force and treated her with cruelty while dragging her out of the house. “The ASI crossed all limits. When he came, there was no woman police personnel with him. My sons were asleep at that time. I tried to talk to him, but instead he grabbed me by my hair and also entered into scuffle with my sons,” Mamta told reporters. The CCTV footage shows police officers beating half-clothed young men in the middle of the road. Mamta sustained severe head injuries and was seen with a bandage around her forehead. The issue escalated when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress leaders from Jalandhar West demanded action against the officer responsible for the attack. Former MLA Sheetal Angural, councillor Tarsem Lakhotra and former councillor Vipan Kumar were among those who staged a protest at Bhargo Camp Chowk. The protestors later arrived at the police station with the victim seeking action against the ASI. “We will not relent till the victim gets justice. We have been told that action is being mulled against the ASI concerned. We will also take the matter to the state commission for women and for SCs tomorrow,” Sheetal Angural said. Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kerala Assembly polls 2026: Adivasi, Dalit outfits extend support to UDF, flag exclusion in candidate selection
Independent candidature plan scrapped to consolidate anti-LDF votes Various Dalit and Adivasi organisations, including the Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) and the Ambedkarite Democratic Front (ADF), have decided to support United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates in all three constituencies in Wayanad district and across the State in the upcoming Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference at Kalpetta on Monday, M. Geethanandan, State coordinator, AGMS; Sreejith P. Sasi, State council member, ADF; Manikandan C and Mary Lydia of the Adi Shakti Summer School said they had submitted a charter of demands on Dalit and Adivasi issues to the UDF leadership, which had assured that the concerns would be considered. However, they expressed strong protest over the exclusion of eligible candidates from Adivasi communities such as the Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayaka and Vettakuruma in the selection of Scheduled Tribe candidates in Wayanad district by both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the UDF. The collective said that the denial of social justice in candidate selection in Wayanad for over 60 years had been brought to the attention of Rahul Gandhi, former MP of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the current MP. The issue was also communicated to the Congress State leadership, but to no avail, Mr. Geethanandan said. They further alleged that neither Mr. Gandhi during his tenure nor Ms. Vadra at present were willing to directly engage with Adivasi communities to understand their issues. In response, the group announced plans to form a “political agitation committee” to bring the matter to national attention. The committee will be officially announced at an Adivasi manifesto convention to be held in Wayanad after the Assembly election results are declared. The organisations had earlier decided to field an independent candidate from the Paniya community in the Mananthavady constituency in protest against the sidelining of marginalised communities by major political fronts. However, they withdrew the decision due to the early announcement of the election schedule and the lack of adequate preparation. They also said they did not want to miss the opportunity to politically challenge the continuation of the LDF government, which had “undermined Dalit and Adivasi rights”. The collective alleged that ₹7,411 crore of SC/ST development funds had been wasted during the decade of Left rule. Despite adequate budget allocations, the government disrupted the distribution of e-grants for students, forcing many to drop out of their studies. Around 500 Adivasi families displaced by landslides and floods are yet to be rehabilitated, they said. While a township was inaugurated for victims of the Mundakkai disaster, no rehabilitation package was provided for tribal communities, the organisations added. They further alleged that instead of rehabilitating the landless, the government had illegally handed over Adivasi land to the Centre for a museum project. They also claimed that reservation policies were being undermined and that backdoor appointments were being made to benefit insiders. The group said that O. R. Kelu, Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, should respond to these issues as he seeks re-election from Mananthavady. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Samiti seeks probe into SCs population data in Nagamohan Das report
There are discrepancies in data used in the Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, says S.R. Kollur Stating that there are discrepancies in population data used in the Nagamohan Das Commission report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, State coordinator of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkarite) S.R. Kollur has sought a high-level inquiry to determine accurate figures of various communities coming under the Scheduled Castes. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Kollur said that, according to the 1951 State Census, the population of the Dalit right communities was higher than that of the Dalit left communities. However, the commission’s report shows that the Dalit left population is higher, while indicating a decline in the population of Dalit right communities, he said. He said that the reported decline in the Dalit right community population over the years raises questions. He also pointed to differences in the district-wise data of the 2011 Census, particularly in Chitradurga district, where the Dalit right population has been shown to be in very low numbers. Mr. Kollur stated that several Scheduled Castes communities are seeking internal reservation based on their population and any errors in data can result in injustice. He said that higher population figures shown for the Dalit left community have given them priority in the A category, affecting the interests of the Dalit right communities and others. He urged the Siddaramaiah-led State government to order a comprehensive inquiry to determine the exact population of Scheduled Castes and to continue the recruitment process as per the earlier roster system until the issue is resolved. The Hindu Bureau Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Woman Attacked in Gadaganj; FIR Filed After 6 Days: Accused Also Beat Husband and Mother-in-Law; Previous Case Under SC/ST Act Also Registered
In Bishun Das Pur village, located within the Gadaganj police station area of Raebareli district, Shanti Devi—a woman belonging to a Scheduled Caste—along with her husband, Ranjit Kumar, and mother-in-law, Rajkumari, were subjected to a life-threatening assault. The attackers dragged them out of their home and beat them, resulting in a severe head injury to Shanti Devi. She required nine stitches on her head and sustained serious injuries to her hands, legs, and waist. In an unconscious state, Shanti Devi was rushed to the Dinshah Gaura Community Health Center. After receiving primary treatment, she was referred to the District Hospital; subsequently, as her condition failed to improve, she was admitted to AIIMS. Following six days of treatment, her condition has shown some signs of improvement. On Monday, March 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM, Shanti Devi’s husband, Ranjit Kumar, lodged a formal complaint at the Gadaganj police station. He has accused fellow villagers—Ghanshyam, Deshraj, Aman, Mrs. Kamlesh, and Soni Surat—of assault and verbal abuse. Station House Officer (SHO) Dayanand Tiwari stated that a case has been registered against the accused under the relevant sections of the law, and the police have initiated an investigation into the matter. The SHO further revealed that just three months prior, another case involving assault and charges under the SC/ST Act had been registered against these very same individuals. Premchandra Srivastava | Jalalpur Dhai (Dalmau), Raebareli Courtesy: Hindi News
POCSO Court Sentences Accused to 10 Years: ₹30,000 Fine Imposed in Case of Abduction and Rape of Dalit Minor
In Firozabad, a Special POCSO Court has sentenced an accused individual to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a case involving the abduction and rape of a minor Dalit girl. The court also imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on him. This verdict was delivered by Special POCSO Court Judge Mumtaz Ali. This conviction was made possible due to the effective legal advocacy by the police and the prosecution, carried out under “Operation Conviction”—an initiative launched under the directives of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saurabh. The case pertains to Garhi Harray village, located within the jurisdiction of the Pachokhara Police Station. On July 26, 2021, Mangal Singh—son of Anganlal and a resident of Dokeli under the Matsena Police Station area—was accused of enticing and abducting the complainant’s minor daughter. In connection with this incident, the victim’s father filed a complaint at the Pachokhara Police Station on July 28, 2021, based on which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against an unidentified person. During the investigation, based on the evidence gathered, relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—specifically Section 366 (Abduction) and Section 376 (Rape)—along with applicable sections of the POCSO Act, were added to the case. Furthermore, since the victim belonged to the Dalit community, Section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was also invoked in the matter. The Investigating Officer filed the charge sheet in court on October 30, 2021—94 days after the incident took place. The roles played by the police and the prosecution were pivotal in this case. The prosecution’s lead counsel, Devprakash; the police team from Pachokhara Police Station; and the Monitoring Cell played a crucial role in ensuring effective legal representation and the robust presentation of evidence before the court. This verdict by the court has sent a clear message to society that strict legal action will be taken against those who commit such heinous crimes, and they will face severe punishment. Arun Kumar Rawat Courtesy : Hindi News
Tribal-dalit collective drops plan to field independent in Mananthavady
Kozhikode: Collective of adivasi and dalit organisations including Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGMS) has decided to withdraw its earlier plan to field an independent candidate in Mananthavady constituency in assembly elections. AGMS and various groups including Ambedkarite Democratic Front has announced support for UDF, including in all the three constituencies of Wayanad. AGMS coordinator M Geethanandan said they have submitted a charter of demands focusing on dalit and adivasi issues to UDF leadership which has assured that it will be considered. At the same time, the organisations however said that despite the presence of eligible candidates from tribal communities such as Paniya, Adiya, Kattunayakan and Vettakuruma, both the left and right fronts have consistently sidelined them while selecting ST candidates in Wayanad. They said the decision to drop the plan for an independent candidate was influenced by the early announcement of election schedule and lack of adequate time for preparations. They said they do not want to miss the opportunity to politically challenge the 10-year-long continuity in power which had undermined dalit and adivasi rights. Organisations levelled a series of allegations against Left govt, including alleged underutilisation of Rs 7,411 crore in SC/ST development funds, disruption of e-grantz distribution for students and delays in rehabilitation for nearly 500 tribal families affected by landslides and floods. They also alleged lack of land rights, housing, employment and proper educational support for tribal communities. 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
HC Stays Eviction Of Dalit Women’s Stalls In Jangaon
The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. WARANGAL: The High Court has granted interim stay on eviction of two stalls run by Dalit women near the Jangaon District Collectorate, directing authorities to halt demolition until further orders. The petition was filed by Palamakula Chinna Manjula and Potkuri Vijayalakshmi, who operate a tea stall and a Vijaya Dairy outlet set up under the ‘Indira Mahila Shakti’ scheme. The dispute arose on March 16 when municipal officials, along with police, reached the site with machinery to remove the structures. The women resisted the move, stating that the units were established with loans of ₹3 lakh each under DRDA support and inaugurated six months ago. In their petition, the vendors alleged that the eviction was initiated without prior notice and raised concerns over disconnection of electricity to their stalls. They also submitted complaints alleging harassment by officials and sought action under relevant provisions. After hearing the matter, the court directed authorities to stop eviction proceedings pending further examination. The order provides temporary relief to the petitioners, while the case remains under judicial consideration. Puli Sharath Kumar Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle Note: This news is originally published on https:/deccanchronicle.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights