The Constitution’s emancipatory promises on caste remain elusive
Constructively criticising the Constitution is imperative at a time when its survival is threatened by the Hindutva project. For a series of 11 short treatises by leading scholars on the ideas of free India’s Constitution, we thought it fitting to invite India’s highly regarded scholar Anand Teltumbde – also one who recently served time as a prisoner of conscience – to write the closing book in the series. In this chain of books (that I am editing with Neera Chandoke for Speaking Tiger), we have looked at how the Constitution was imagined, debated and written; its understanding of secularism, socialism and democracy; and its foundational pledges of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, federalism and the scientific temper. We requested Teltumbde to reflect on what the Constitution has meant for India’s most dispossessed peoples, and how much it has contributed to helping access their rights to a life of dignity and hope. His conclusions are sobering, scathing and unsparing. Teltumbde sees an immense gap between the vision laid out in the Preamble and the realities of India’s present. “Liberty is under attack. Economic inequality is worse now than it was even under colonial rule. Fraternity has been shredded by rising communal hatred and growing caste consciousness under the revivalist Hindutva movement. Justice – social, economic, and political – remains elusive. The very foundation of our democracy feels dangerously fragile”. Teltumbde argues that we should not be constrained from constructively critiquing the Constitution because at this moment its very survival is gravely threatened by the Hindutva project of dismantling and rewriting the constitution to establish a Hindu Rashtra. With BR Ambedkar, he is convinced that a Hindu Rashtra would be the greatest calamity for India. Unlike the critique of the Constitution of the reactionary far-right, he affirms the emancipatory promise of the Preamble – liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice. Yet, he sees these as values the Constitution pledged but has failed to deliver. “Yes”, he says boldly, “the Constitution is flawed…but dismantling it without first building a genuinely democratic and pro-people alternative would be to destroy the last remaining legal and moral structure within which the struggle for justice can still be waged”. The gravest betrayals of the Constitution are arguably of Dalits His treatise focuses specifically on Dalits, who have for millennia been oppressed by structures of caste, and barred from education and dignified work. But they apply more generally to all oppressed and marginalised communities who constitute the Indian republic. Teltumbde observes that on the one hand, perhaps Dalits feel the greatest emotional connection among all Indians to the Constitution. This is because its writing was led by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who they venerate for leading the struggles for their liberation from the centuries-old bondages of caste. Yet, he believes that the Constitution has failed resoundingly in fulfilling its emancipatory promise for Dalits, arguably more than for any other community. It has contributed to the rise of a small Dalit middle-class. But this small class shares with the large mass of Dalits only “a history but not a present”. The overwhelming majority of Dalits continue to endure the caste stigma and oppression that has been their fate for millennia, living in “a vast, submerged reality of suffering and despair”. Dalits, he points out, form a quarter of India’s population, if we include Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims. Their population, exceeding 320 million, would make them the third-largest “nation” in the world, larger than the combined population of 150 of the least populous countries on the planet. However, their wide dispersal across the country has meant that – like Muslims – they rarely form a numerical majority. Teltumbde rejects the premise of some Hindutva intellectuals that the British rule created caste. But, he avers that colonial rule fundamentally transformed caste. Before the British, caste was a dynamic, localised system. The British began counting and documenting caste. This, quoting Arjun Appadurai, didn’t just describe caste – it produced it as a rigid, bureaucratised, institutionalised hierarchy, solidifying boundaries that were previously contextual and fluid. This colonial approach, Teltumbde states, continues to reverberate in India’s social and political life. He also observes that paradoxically, colonial rule also opened some emancipatory pathways for Dalits outside the rigid caste structures of Hindu kingdoms. They found non-caste employment for the first time in the military and railways, and were able to access education and stable employment. Babasaheb himself was the son of a British military soldier. Teltumbde importantly reminds us that until Mohandas Gandhi, the Indian National Congress – dominated as it was by English-educated elites, landlords, and emerging capitalists – tended to steer clear of calling for reforms in caste, untouchability and the status of women. It later made space for moderate reforms such as widow remarriage, child marriage, and even the abolition of untouchability, but never the annihilation of caste. It was Gandhi who brought fighting untouchability into the core of the Congress agenda from 1916 onward. Particularly impactful was his movement for Dalit temple entry. The limitation of Gandhi’s approach was that while he and the Congress looked at untouchability as a moral question and a social sin to be atoned for by caste Hindus, they did not frame it as a systemic injustice that required political solutions. This conflicted with Ambedkar’s demands for separate electorates. Gandhi went on a fast unto death against separate electorates because he feared this would break Hindu unity and also encourage the Muslim League to make a similar demand. The compromise in the Poona Pact of 1932 was for reserved seats for Dalits within the general electorate rather than separate electorates. Ambedkar was dissatisfied with this because he was convinced that Dalits formed a separate community from caste Hindus like the Muslims, and therefore only separate electorates would protect their political and social interests. Gandhi followed this with a temple entry movement which incensed the conservative Hindu, but this still was not a movement for political empowerment of the Dalits. The Constitution abolished untouchability but not caste Teltumbde
Dalit Girl, 13, Allegedly Raped in UP’s Amethi; Accused Threatens to Kill Her
A 13-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped in Amethi’s Fursatganj area on December 30, police said on Wednesday. The minor was reportedly dragged to a tube-well in a field by a youth from the same village, who then assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she spoke about the incident. After returning home, the traumatized girl confided in her mother, who immediately filed a police complaint. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Station House Officer Nand Hausla Yadav confirmed the case, stating, “Multiple police teams have been formed, and the accused will be arrested soon.” Authorities are conducting raids in the area as part of their investigation. (The survivor’s identity is protected as per legal guidelines) Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobsrverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Casteism; Dalit Youth Subjected to Casteist Abuse, Defamed on Social Media; Demands FIR Under SC/ST Act
Himachal News: Surajmani, a Scheduled Caste resident of Balichowki in Mandi district, has sent a complaint to the Superintendent of Police. He is receiving casteist abuses and death threats due to a private video that went viral on social media. He has demanded that an FIR be registered under sections of the BNS, IT Act, and SC/ST Act. This case comes against the backdrop of increasing caste-based atrocities in Himachal Pradesh. The Viral Video Incident Surajmani stated that a video of a private conversation of his was uploaded on Facebook without his permission a few days ago. The video did not contain any objectionable comments about deities. Yet, some people are repeatedly sharing it. This has led to Surajmani receiving abuses with casteist slurs and threats. These threats are spreading through Facebook posts, photos, and videos. Surajmani is suffering from mental stress. It has become difficult for him to leave his house. People are spreading rumors. He has been defamed throughout Himachal Pradesh. In his letter to the Superintendent of Police, he demanded an investigation. He said that the accused can be identified through social media. Complaint of Unauthorized Call Recording Facebook user “Bunty Saraji Baldev Thakur” called Surajmani. He recorded the call without informing him. Later, he made it viral on social media. Surajmani termed this a violation of privacy. He cited the Supreme Court’s 2017 Puttaswamy judgment. This judgment considers unauthorized recording a crime. Surajmani said that this is a violation of his constitutional right under Article 21. His right to life and personal liberty has been snatched away. He demanded action against the accused under sections of the IT Act. Harassment Through False Complaints “Bunty Saraji Baldev Thakur” and “Tulesh Thakur” have filed false complaints against Surajmani. These complaints were filed at the Superintendent of Police office and Janjehli police station. Surajmani says that these are motivated by caste hatred. This is negatively impacting their livelihood and social standing. They cited Section 3(1)(v) of the SC/ST Act, which provides for punishment for giving false information. Surajmani appealed to the police to take action on these complaints. Applicable Legal Sections The complaint mentions Section 351 of the BNS, which covers criminal intimidation. Section 356 deals with defamation. Section 66 of the IT Act addresses unauthorized computer activity, and Section 67 applies to the transmission of offensive material. Section 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST Act punishes public insult, and Section 3(1)(u) penalizes promoting hatred. Section 72A of the IT Act provides for two years imprisonment for disclosing confidential information, and Section 43A ensures compensation for data misuse. BNS Section 223 is the basis for action against giving false information. Surajmani demanded an FIR under all these sections. Demand for Action Against the Accused Surajmani appealed for the arrest and interrogation of the accused. They requested directions to social media platforms to remove the content and also requested police protection. They offered to provide screenshots and video links. Rising Caste-Based Cases in Himachal Cases under the SC/ST Act are increasing in Himachal Pradesh. In 2024, 213 cases were registered in the state. Mandi district alone accounted for 42 cases, while Shimla had 27 and Kangra 22. Recently, a case of caste discrimination in Rohru made headlines. The death of a 12-year-old Dalit boy sparked a debate on untouchability. The rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kangra led to protests. The CPI(M) demanded justice for Dalits. The High Court has taken a strict stance in several cases. In October 2025, a woman was denied anticipatory bail for allegedly beating an SC child for touching her. A discharge order was revoked in July 2025. The court stated that caste is determined by birth and does not change. These incidents show that caste-based atrocities are still a challenge in Himachal Pradesh. Surajmani’s case appears to be part of this trend. Poonam Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
BJP accuses Cong of defaming Dalit community over Ankita murder case
Dehradun, The Bharatiya Janata Party today accused the state Congress of tarnishing the reputation of Devbhoomi and the entire Dalit community through unverified and indecent social media posts. The party expressed outrage that although the court has already sentenced the culprits, the Congress continues to invoke new names conspiratorially, thereby insulting the soul of the departed daughter. The BJP suggested that the Congress Pradesh President raising this issue from Delhi points towards a political conspiracy. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, today, Rajpur Road MLA and former Cabinet Minister Khajan Das accused the Congress of indulging in negative and shameful politics. He stated that the Congress is using viral audio and video clips from social media, which lack any basis or decency, as political weapons for publicity. He asserted that under a deliberate conspiracy, a sin is being committed by insulting the entire Scheduled Caste community under the guise of these irresponsible statements. Das directly accused the Congress Pradesh President of holding a press conference in Delhi based on unconfirmed and obscene remarks, claiming this indicates the Congress’s intent to humiliate Devbhoomi and Dalit society, a move the BJP condemns in the strongest terms. Khajan Das asserted that as part of this planned conspiracy, the Congress is defaming a senior BJP leader who has dedicated his life to being a powerful voice for the underprivileged Scheduled Castes and their social upliftment. Though Das did not name the leader in question, but apparently he was referring to Dushyant Kumar Gautam who belongs to the SC community. Describing this as the height of shameful and unethical politics, he said the BJP strongly criticises and opposes such plots. Expressing shock, he noted that the oldest party in the country and the main opposition in the state is so frustrated by continuous electoral defeats that social media content created for cheap popularity and obscenity has become its main agenda. Das further alleged that their responsible senior leaders are deliberately trying to tarnish the image of the BJP and its leaders through evidence-less charges and baseless charges for immediate political gain. He claimed that targeting of a prominent BJP leader from the Dalit community is most unfortunate, asserting it is not just an attempt to demean one leader but an effort to cast aspersions on the character of the entire Dalit community that has progressed after long struggles. He also shared that legal action is currently under way regarding the so-called videos circulating on social media and expressed hope that the full truth would emerge soon. He described the continuous release of obscene and indecent social media posts concerning party leaders as deeply worrying, reflecting a social decline that requires serious contemplation by all. Furthermore, he suspected a massive conspiracy behind these developments aimed at creating social malice and spoiling the atmosphere of Uttarakhand. He remarked that it is tragic that the Congress is playing with the fire of social disharmony for political leverage, which will surely backfire on them. He assured that as a responsible political party, the BJP will not allow the Dalit community to be insulted or the state’s harmony to be disturbed at any cost. Regarding the tragic Ankita Bhandari murder case, he stated that the culprits have already been sentenced to life imprisonment, making the Congress’s baseless allegations shameful. He argued that the scenarios being presented by the Congress constitute a misdeed that insults the soul of the deceased girl. He noted that the opposition has previously made such disgusting attempts using various names and political deceptions. The truth, he asserted, is that the historic court decision resulted from the Dhami government’s transparent investigation, swift action, and strong advocacy. He reminded of the government’s quick decisions and clear policy, which led to the arrest and jailing of the accused within 24 hours of the incident and the formation of an SIT. He mentioned that while the SIT had requested the public to provide any evidence or information, those currently making allegations failed to present any proof to the SIT or the court. Instead, they continue to mislead the public by repeatedly chanting the “VIP” mantra for political reasons. He concluded that the government’s efforts and the court’s decision in this tragic event have restored public confidence and provided strength to the daughters of the state. BJP’s Pradesh Media In-charge Manveer Singh Chauhan, Co-in-charge Rajendra Negi, Pradesh Spokesman Mathura Dutt Joshi, and Kamlesh Raman were also present at the press conference. Garhwal Post Bureau Courtesy : Garhwal Post Note: This news is originally published on https:/garhwalpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Thackeray brothers need Marathi vote consolidation, sizable Muslim and Dalit votes to win BMC polls
In the BMC polls scheduled on January 15 of next year, Congress has refused to be part of the Thackeray brother alliance, over differences in decent space and number of seats. MUMBAI: If Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray eye to win the Asia’s largest civic body (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) polls, the leaders have to repeat Shiv Sena (UBT)’s 2024 Lok Sabha performance. It will help them to win as many as 113 seats out of 227 in the BMC polls. However, Shiv Sena (UBT) had won the three seats out of six Lok Sabha seats while it lost one seat, by 34 votes in Mumbai. Congress’s vote base — Muslim and Dalit — and Sharad Pawar’s supporters from the western Maharashtra region who stay in Mumbai, helped to secure several seats. MVA was successful in restricting the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to one seat each only in the financial capital. In the BMC polls scheduled on January 15 of next year, Congress has refused to be part of the Thackeray brother alliance, over differences in decent space and number of seats. Also, Raj Thackeray’s stand against North India is considered problematic for Congress’s North Indian voters. However, the silver lining for Uddhav Thackeray is, Raj Thackeray-led MNS has a seven per cent vote share in Mumbai, which will help them both to fill the gap caused by Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Congress, but that is not enough at all, as there is still a gap of six per cent. Thackerays has to go an extra mile by addressing as many rallies as possible, galvanising the ground network and utilising funds. Only then ther is a possiblity, that they will be able to swing the verdict in their favour. Despite Thackeray’s alliance, the BJP is unfazed and is comfortable on the ground as it has 27 per cent vote share in Mumbai, and even DCM Eknath Shinde will pull in at least five per cent vote share. Most likely, the BJP and Shiv Sena will march towards a historic win in this closely contested BMC election. Shinde led Shiv Sena has won the six state assembly seats in Mumbai, while BJP had won 15, and DCM Ajit Pawar led NCP has won one seat; therefore, arithmetically, BJP and Shiv Sena are unperturbed. The split in Maha Vikas Aghadi has boosted the confidence of the BJP and its Gujarati, Marwari and North Indian vote bank in Mumbai remains unaffected. However, the opposition are getting divided into multiple forces. Meanwhile, if Muslim and Dalit votes get divided among the Thackerays, Congress, NCP SP, Samajwadi Party, MIM, then it will be difficult to repeat the Lok Sabha’s template again in BMC polls. Sudhir Suryawanshi 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
Bhiwani Dalit Student Suicide Case: NCSC Slams Police Investigation, Handwriting Mismatch Revelation Adds New Twist to the Case
Bhiwani: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has raised serious questions about the functioning of the local police in the case of the suicide of a 22-year-old Dalit student in Bhiwani district last year. The commission has clarified that police officials were negligent in investigating the case. The commission has recommended that departmental proceedings be initiated against the guilty officers under the provisions of Section 4 of the SC/ST (POA) Act. The matter was raised prominently during a hearing held on December 11 before the commission’s chairman, Kishore Makwana. Considering the seriousness of the case, the commission has directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to investigate the matter to complete its investigation within a timeframe and in an impartial manner. The commission has also sought an ‘Action Taken Report’ within 15 days. Shocking Revelation Regarding Handwriting During the hearing, a very shocking fact came to light. DSP (State Crime Branch, Faridabad) Vikas Kumar informed the commission on December 11 that the handwriting of the deceased student did not match that on her answer sheets. The DSP stated, “According to the CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) report, the student’s handwriting did not match her answer sheet. Following this revelation, Sections 338, 336, and 340 of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) have also been added to the FIR. An SIT has been constituted to get to the bottom of the matter and is currently investigating.” What was the whole case? Last December, this 22-year-old student of the fifth semester of BA committed suicide. It was alleged that the college administration had not allowed her to sit for the examination due to non-payment of fees, which caused her mental distress. However, the college management had completely rejected these allegations made by the student’s family. This matter also took on a political dimension, with leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing Congress MLA Rajveer Phartiya from Loharu of running the institution. However, the MLA clarified that his brother-in-law, Hanuman, manages the college’s operations. Courtesy: Hindi News
Newborn of Dalit woman dies in nursing home: Husband beaten by owner after complaining, Raunahi police informed
A case of a newborn dying in the womb of a Dalit woman has come to light at Sahu Medical Center in the Raunahi police station area of Ayodhya. It is alleged that the incident occurred due to the negligence of the medical center’s staff doctor. The woman’s husband, who went to complain, was allegedly beaten by the center’s owner. The victim, Sarita Devi, a resident of Rudauli in the Baba Bazar police station area, was taken to Sahu Medical Center on the night of December 19 after experiencing labor pains. Her husband, Vivek Kumar Chauhan, said that despite being unsuccessful in delivering the baby for approximately 11 hours, they were not allowed to take her to another hospital. According to Vivek Kumar, due to the negligence of the nurse and doctor on duty during this time, the newborn died in the womb. Despite the mother’s deteriorating condition, she was hastily discharged from the nursing home and sent home. When Sarita Devi’s condition did not improve even after four days, Vivek Kumar complained to the owner, Vipin Sahu. Vivek alleges that instead of listening to his complaint, Vipin Sahu beat him with slaps and punches and hurled casteist abuses at him. Vivek Kumar informed the police control room about the incident, after which the police arrived at the spot and rescued him. The victim’s husband has appealed to the Raunahi police and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Sunil Baliyan for justice. CMO Ayodhya, Dr. Baliyan, said that he has received information from the victim over the phone and that an investigation will be conducted and necessary action will be taken upon receiving a written complaint. Amit Kumar | Bhauli (Rudauli), Ayodhya Courtesy: Hindi News
SC/ST panel rues over Dalit neglect in governance
Madikeri: Alleging neglect of Dalits and denial of due representation in the Congress and govt corporations and committees, a meeting was held at Ambedkar Bhavan on Monday, during which the SC and ST Coordination Committee was formed. H M Nandakumar has been elected president of the Coordination Committee, and Janardhan as general secretary. The meeting was held under the leadership of KPCC member H M Nandakumar and attended by leaders of various Dalit organisations from across the district. It was decided to launch initiatives to draw the attention of the govt, Congress leadership and MLAs to issues concerning the community. Addressing the gathering, Nandakumar alleged that SCs were being viewed with disdain within the district Congress. He said even MLAs elected with decisive dalit support were indifferent to their concerns. Dalits are not being given priority in internal party committees and sre denied president posts in key bodies, including Akrama-Sakrama Committee, Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee and ZP KDP committees, he said, terming it an injustice. He stressed the need to organise Dalits and fight for the fulfilment of their legitimate demands. Issues faced by govt employees from the community also require urgent attention, he added. Dalit Sangharsh Samiti leader Bellur Krishnappa said no meaningful work is being carried out for Dalits and their demands are being ignored. Manjunath of Aluvara village alleged that MLAs were unresponsive to workers, while Dalit leader Janardhan of Somwarpet taluk said SCs are being deprived of their rightful seats due to the influence of certain leaders. District Congress spokesperson T E Suresh said demands regarding representation of SCs had earlier been placed before the Congress block president. Somwarpet Taluk Guarantee Implementation Committee member Sandeep said MLAs must first be made aware of the problems faced by Dalits. 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
A man with his face covered raped an elderly Dalit woman, and then the victim’s son did this.
A very shameful incident has come to light from Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. A heinous crime was committed against an elderly Dalit woman, after which the woman fainted. Now, more details have emerged regarding this case. UP News: In our country, elders have always been respected. However, incidents of violence against the elderly are continuously increasing. Sometimes, some incidents are so shocking that they leave everyone ashamed. A similar case has come to light from Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. Here, an elderly woman went to the forest to defecate on Saturday night. But what happened to her there has shamed everyone. As soon as the elderly woman went to the forest to defecate, a man with his face covered came there and committed a heinous act against the elderly woman. It should also be noted that the elderly woman belongs to the Dalit community. As soon as the police were informed about this incident, there was a commotion. According to the information received, the man who committed this heinous crime against the elderly victim had his face covered with a cloth. After the incident, the victim fainted. When she regained consciousness, she went home and informed her neighbor about the incident. Nitesh Srivastava Courtesy: Hindi News
Tamil Nadu SIR: 1,857 Dalit voters removed from electoral rolls in Manjolai
In Manjolai, a hill hamlet under the Ambasamudram Assembly constituency in Tirunelveli district, the Election Commission of India has removed 1,857 voters In Manjolai, a hill hamlet under the Ambasamudram Assembly constituency in Tirunelveli district, the Election Commission of India has removed 1,857 voters from the electoral rolls during the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR). According to official records, Manjolai earlier had 1,906 registered voters. After the revision, only 49 names remain, with election officials categorising the rest as residents who have permanently migrated out of the area. A ground-level investigation by South First, however, contradicts this claim. Residents assert that Manjolai continues to be their permanent place of residence, even though many have temporarily relocated to the plains for work after the shutdown of the tea estate, which was the community’s primary source of livelihood. Villagers told South First that they have not changed their permanent address and that their Aadhaar cards, ration cards, and earlier voter IDs all continue to reflect Manjolai as their place of residence. Temporary migration for survival, they argue, cannot legally or morally be treated as permanent relocation. Residents have questioned the basis on which their voting rights were withdrawn, pointing out that no individual applications were submitted seeking deletion or transfer of votes. They warn that the mass removal of voters has effectively disenfranchised an entire Dalit community that has lived and voted in Manjolai for generations. The deletions, they say, raise serious concerns about electoral fairness, procedural transparency, and the right to vote, especially for marginalised communities dependent on seasonal or migratory labour. Subash Chandra Bose Courtesy : TSF Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesouthfirst.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights