Allahabad HC orders Dalit women to return ₹4.5 lakh compensation after they retract their complaints
Court also slapped 5 lakh fine on accused for manipulating the victim The Allahabad High Court on Thursday (November 6, 2025) ordered three Dalit women to return the ₹4.5 lakh compensation they had collectively received from the Uttar Pradesh government after they retracted their statements recorded before a magistrate. The Allahabad High Court on Thursday (November 6, 2025) ordered three Dalit women to return the ₹4.5 lakh compensation they had collectively received from the Uttar Pradesh government after they retracted their statements recorded before a magistrate. A Bench of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav also slapped a ₹5 lakh fine on the 19 men, accused of assaulting the women, for manipulating the victims. The matter pertains to a complaint filed by a woman and her two daughters-in-law against 19 upper-caste men, for trespassing, assault, criminal intimidation and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at Yamunapar police station in Prayagraj district in July last year. The matter is currently at the trial stage in a local court, which had summoned the accused persons. The accused later approached the HC seeking quashing of the cognisance and summoning orders from the trial court. During a hearing earlier this month, the complainant told the court she never lodged any complaint with the police and claimed that her thumb impressions were taken on a blank paper. However, the lawyer representing the State submitted that the complainant and her daughters-in-law’s medical reports and statements recorded before the magistrate, in which they unequivocally supported the prosecution. The court was also informed that each woman received ₹1.5 lakh compensation from the government. “The Court finds it deeply disturbing that the complainant now denies having filed the FIR, despite having made statements under Section 164 Cr.P.C. affirming the allegations and having availed of substantial monetary compensation under the statutory scheme meant for genuine victims of atrocities,” the court said, ordering the women to return the compensation. Justice Yadav noted that the women’s conduct prima facie reflects a “serious abuse of the process of law” and “a gross misuse of the benevolent provisions of the SC/ST Act”. Terming the sequence of events as “deliberate attempt to manipulate the criminal justice process after wrongfully obtaining public funds, thereby committing a fraud upon the State”, the court also imposed a ₹5 lakh cost on the appellants to deter recurrence of such manipulative conduct. Ishita Mishra 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
A tutor raped a Dalit girl in 2001, converted to Islam and remained in hiding for 24 years. Find out how the police apprehended him.
Kerala police have arrested a rape accused in Chennai after 24 years. The man was accused of sexually assaulting a minor Dalit girl in 2001. Police are investigating the case further. Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala police have arrested a rape accused who was absconding in Chennai after 24 years. This Kerala man was accused of sexually assaulting a minor Dalit girl in 2001. The accused has been identified as 50-year-old Muthukumar, who converted to Christianity and was living in Chennai under the alias Pastor Sam. Police arrested the accused on Wednesday. The accused worked as a tutor. According to Thiruvananthapuram police, Muthukumar was arrested in 2001 for raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl. At that time, the accused was working as a tutor. Police say he took the Dalit girl to his home and sexually assaulted her. He was subsequently arrested and sent to judicial custody for three months. He escaped after being released on bail in 2001. A police officer stated that this was one of the longest-pending cases. The police officer stated that the police had intensified their search for him over the past year. He further stated that he may have converted to another religion to hide. The police officer stated that he had neither purchased a mobile connection nor opened a bank account. Mother and brother traced during police investigation After being implicated in the rape case, Muthukumar was asked to vacate his rented house. He lived in the rented house with his mother. After being released on bail, he moved to Nagercoil. He then moved to Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu. The police officer stated that during the investigation, police traced his mother and brother in Tenkasi. The police officer further stated that when they checked the family’s mobile phone call details, they discovered that calls from certain numbers had stopped after the police arrived. The officer further stated that funds had also suddenly stopped flowing into their accounts from some accounts. Police are investigating further. With the help of the cyber cell, the police discovered that the same mobile device was operating with two different SIM cards. Further investigation revealed that the mobile phone was being used by a woman in Chennai, who turned out to be the accused’s wife. Police stated that the court would be informed of the accused’s arrest. Authored by: NBT Desk About the Author NBT Desk: Whether it’s national, international, sports news, or insider news from the political corridors, NBT News Desk brings you every news.
3 RPF officials booked for murder after Dalit man dies in custody
His family members allege that he was beaten severely by the RPF personnel and was given electric shocks during interrogation. A 35-year-old Dalit man, taken in for theft, was found dead while in the custody of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Uttar Pradesh‘s Gonda district. The incident prompted the suspension of three officials, who have also been booked for murder. The victim, Sanjay Kumar Sonkar’s family, has claimed that his death was a result of custodial torture. They alleged that he was beaten severely by the RPF personnel and was given electric shocks during interrogation. The officers reportedly placed the body in the mortuary without informing them. The RPF had detained him on Tuesday, November 4, in connection with a recent oil theft case from a goods train at Barua Chak railway station. Soon after, Sonkar was rushed to the government medical college by the RPF officials, where he was declared dead. Three officers suspended Sub-inspectors Surendra Kumar and Karan Singh Yadave, along with constable Amit Kumar Yadav, have been suspended. RPF senior commandant Chadra Mohan Mishra confirmed that a departmental probe was initiated into the custodial death charges. Crime inspector of Gonda City Kotwali police station, Sabhajeet Singh, verified that a murder case has also been registered against the three officers. Singh stated that the preliminary medical report from the attending doctor confirmed that Sonkar was dead when he arrived at the hospital. Meanwhile, RPF senior commandant Mishra stated that the RPF team was led to Sonkar during the investigation of the oil theft case. The stolen oil was procured from the accused victim’s possession on the same day. Mishra also claimed that the accused’s condition deteriorated while they were conducting the recovery procedure. He was immediately transported to the hospital, where he later died. The circle officer (CO) of Gonda City said that the initial autopsy report was inconclusive, stating that the “cause of death is not ascertained.” However, the viscera were preserved for forensic tests to investigate further. The CO also clarified that the body showed no clear signs of injury, other than “one or two abrasions”, which cannot be a cause for death. Posted by Khadija Irfan Rahim 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
Rahul Gandhi attacks Maha govt over ‘land theft’ for Parth Pawar
Rahul Gandhi attacked the Maharashtra govt over a land deal involving Parth Pawar, alleging Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1800 cr was sold for Rs 300 cr. He called it ‘land theft’ by a govt formed through ‘vote theft’. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government after it was reported that Parth Pawar, son of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had acquired government land without allegedly paying stamp duty. He said the government sold Dalit-reserved land worth Rs 1,800 crore in Pune’s Koregaon Park area for just Rs 300 crore, calling it “land theft” and alleging the same government came to power through “vote theft.” Gandhi Alleges ‘Land Theft’ by ‘Vote Theft’ Government In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “In Maharashtra, government land worth ₹1800 crore, which was reserved for Dalits, was sold to the minister’s son’s company for just ₹300 crore. On top of that, the stamp duty was also waived – meaning not only is it a robbery, but even a legal stamp of approval on the theft! This is ‘land theft’ by that government, which itself was formed through ‘vote theft’. They know that no matter how much they loot, they will return to power by stealing votes again.” He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence, questioning whether the central government is supporting those who “usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived.” “No regard for democracy, nor for the public, nor for the rights of Dalits. Modi ji, your silence speaks volumes -Are you staying silent for this reason, because your government is propped up by those very looters who usurp the rights of Dalits and the deprived?” the post read. A company allegedly owned by the son of the National Congress Party (NCP) chief is facing major allegations over a land deal worth crores. Further, the Inspector General of Registration in Pune has submitted an interim report to the Additional Chief Secretary in Mumbai on the alleged land scam. According to the interim report, a property, allegedly valued as high as 1,800 crore rupees, was sold to a company linked to Parth Pawar for just Rs 300 crore with a nominal stamp duty of only Rs 500, allegedly bypassing proper procedures for government-linked land. Following the submission, one official has been suspended, and the government has ordered a high-level committee to conduct a full investigation into the irregularities and financial losses to the state. The final report from the investigation committee is expected within eight days. (ANI) (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Courtesy : Asianet News Note: This news is originally published on https:/asianetnews.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar Elections 2025: Voting for the BJP proved costly in Gopalganj, RJD supporters brutally beat a Dalit family, injuring three.
Bihar Elections 2025: Following the first phase of voting in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, shocking news has emerged from Gopalganj. A Dalit family was attacked by RJD supporters for voting for the BJP in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency. Three people were seriously injured. Bihar Elections 2025: Following the first phase of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections on November 6th, a shocking incident has emerged from the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency in Gopalganj. Three members of the same family were fatally attacked while returning after casting their votes. According to reports, the attackers allegedly asked them which party they had voted for. When the three mentioned the BJP, they became enraged and brutally beat them with sticks and rods. Beaten for Voting for the BJP This incident occurred with Mukesh Ram (28), his father Chhattu Ram, and his brother Chhotu Ram. All three live in the Dalit settlement of Bucheya village. Mukesh, describing the incident, said that yesterday (November 6th), late in the evening, they were returning from the Sidhavaliya polling booth in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency. On their way to the Dalit settlement, some dominant villagers stopped them and asked whom they had voted for. According to Mukesh, as soon as they revealed that they had voted for the BJP, the men became enraged. They attacked them with deadly weapons and beat them with sticks. The attackers turned out to be RJD supporters Mukesh and his family have accused Akhilesh Yadav, Vishal Yadav, and his father, along with about half a dozen other people from the village, of the attack. Mukesh stated clearly that these people attacked them because they did not vote for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). All three men sustained serious injuries in the attack. He was immediately admitted to the Sidhavaliya Community Health Center (CHC), where he received initial treatment. Later that evening, he was referred to the emergency ward of Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for better treatment. BJP candidate also reached the hospital Upon learning of the incident, BJP candidate Mithilesh Tiwari reached Gopalganj Sadar Hospital late at night and inquired about the well-being of the victims. Mithilesh Tiwari has accused supporters of RJD candidate Premshankar Prasad of assaulting him. Police taking action Gopalganj SDPO 2 Rajesh Kumar confirmed the incident. He stated that, after voting concluded in the Baikunthpur Assembly constituency, incidents of assault were reported at three locations: Bangra in Baikunthpur, Devkuli in Mohammadpur, and Bucheya in Sidhavaliya. The SDPO also stated that written complaints from the injured individuals are being taken and legal action will be taken after investigation. These incidents have raised serious questions about the security arrangements during the elections. Sunil Kumar Tiwari Courtesy: Hindi News
Bahujan Samaj Party: Mayawati’s party, BSP, will contest the Bihar elections alone; who will prevail in the battle for Dalit votes?
In the 2000 assembly elections, the BSP fielded candidates in 294 seats and won five. This was the BSP’s biggest victory in the state. In the 2005 elections, the party fielded candidates in 283 seats and won two. In the October 2005 assembly elections, it fielded candidates in 212 seats and won four. Story continues below this ad Mayawati’s party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, has been steadily falling behind in Uttar Pradesh politics. In such a situation, Mayawati has once again increased her political activism. Troubled by the continued erosion of the Dalit vote bank, the BSP president has begun formulating her strategy for the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. The party has announced that it will field candidates in all 243 assembly seats. This raises questions about whether Mayawati is preparing to re-launch her nephew, Akash Anand, in Bihar’s political arena. At the same time, a crucial question arises: will the BSP, which won just one seat in the UP Assembly elections, be able to attract the Dalit vote bank in Bihar? The BSP has been steadily lagging behind in Uttar Pradesh politics. Mayawati is striving to establish herself as a national-level Dalit leader. In this context, the Bihar elections present a significant opportunity for her. Party’s Performance in Bihar The Bahujan Samaj Party entered the Bihar Assembly elections in 1990. At that time, Bihar and Jharkhand were a united state, and the number of Bihar Assembly seats was 324. In the 1990 Assembly elections, the BSP fielded candidates in 164 seats. However, with a vote share of 0.7 percent, the party failed to win any seats. In the 1995 Assembly elections, the BSP contested 161 seats and won two seats with a vote share of 1.34 percent. In the 2000 Assembly elections, the BSP contested 294 seats and won five seats. This was the BSP’s biggest victory in the state. In the 2005 elections, the party fielded candidates in 283 seats and won two. In the October 2005 assembly elections, it fielded candidates in 212 seats and won four. In the 2010 and 2015 assembly elections, the party received 3.21 and 2.1 percent vote shares, respectively, but failed to win any seats. In the 2020 assembly elections, the party fielded candidates in 80 seats, but managed to win just one seat with a 1.5 percent vote share. Why the Bihar Elections Are Important Although the BSP is severely short of options, given that the Bihar assembly elections will be followed by panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, followed by assembly elections the following year. However, ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, the BSP is attempting to send a strong message to its party workers. Even if the BSP doesn’t win a single seat in the Bihar assembly elections, the party will aim to secure a 3 to 5 percent vote share. It’s worth noting that the BSP party’s influence has been evident in the border districts of Bihar before. Districts like Buxar and Gopalganj have seen the party’s MLAs elected to the Bihar Assembly several times. Consequently, the BSP appears to be making a significant bet on the Dalit vote bank. Ananya Mishra Courtesy: Hindi News
“When in power, they forgot Dalits and backward classes,” Sanjay Nishad lashes out at Tejashwi
Basti. Political rhetoric has intensified following a recent statement by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav. On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjay Nishad issued a scathing remark on Tejashwi Yadav’s assertion that if a Grand Alliance government were formed in Bihar, Muslims and Dalits would also be given opportunities. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Sanjay Nishad said that if Tejashwi Yadav and his family had worked for the backward classes and Dalits while in power, they wouldn’t have to ask for votes today. He asked why the plight of Dalits and backward classes didn’t change when they were in power. What can they change now that they’re out of power? They can only change their language. A lot can be accomplished in 20 years. Japan gained independence 20 years after us, and where has it reached today? These people held power for 20 years, but what did they do for the people? Minister Nishad said that the politics of Tejashwi Yadav and his family has always been based on caste equations, but whenever they came to power, the backward and Dalit classes were ignored. He further said that if these people had worked for the backward and Dalit communities, they probably would not have to seek votes today. These people forget the backward and Dalit communities when they come to power. It should be noted that Tejashwi Yadav recently said in a statement that if the Grand Alliance comes to power in Bihar, more than one Deputy Chief Minister will be appointed, ensuring representation from the Muslim and Dalit communities. This statement by Tejashwi Yadav has sparked a political debate, with leaders of the ruling party calling it an election promise. –IANS Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit man dies in ‘rooftop raid’ fall in Shahjahanpur; 2 cops booked
Bareilly: A 55-year-old Dalit man died after allegedly being pushed off the roof by a sub-inspector and a constable during a late-night police raid at his home in Maujampur village under Tilhar police station in Shahjahanpur early on Wednesday. The police had gone to arrest him in connection with an attempted murder case. An FIR was registered against the two policemen on Wednesday evening under BNS section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). Satya Bhan was a Bahujan Samaj Party member and party workers said he served as zonal in-charge for the Katara assembly constituency — a detail not mentioned in the police account. His family alleged that sub-inspector Rahul Sisodiya and a constable broke into the house, abused them, and pushed Bhan off the roof. A purported video recorded before his death surfaced online, in which Bhan, visibly injured, accused the police of beating and pushing him. He said, “Rahul Sisodiya and the constable beat me and pushed me off the roof.” He was first taken to Tilhar Hospital and later referred to Shahjahanpur Medical College, where he succumbed to injuries around 3am on Wednesday. Shahjahanpur SP Rajesh Dwivedi told TOI, “We are investigating the allegations. The family did not inform the police and took the injured man to hospital on their own. He was later shifted to another facility. At both hospitals, no documents mention that he was pushed off the roof by a policeman. Two officers had gone to his house but returned after being told he was in Delhi. A team was then sent to Delhi, and that’s when we received information about the incident.” Family members claimed otherwise. They alleged that the police broke open the door during the raid and that Bhan, who was at home, was deliberately targeted and pushed. His wife, Rekha Gupta, filed a complaint later in the day, leading to the FIR being registered against sub-inspector Rahul Sisodiya and an unnamed constable. The incident has sparked outrage among local BSP workers, who have demanded stricter charges against the accused policemen. While police said they had gone to arrest Bhan in an attempt to arrest him for an attempted murder case, party workers insisted that the action was politically motivated and excessive. 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
In HP: Dalit Child Beaten, Tortured with ‘Bicchu Booti’ by School Teacher
An FIR has been lodged against the teacher at the Government Primary School, Bhaloon, under the relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST (POA) Act for inflicting severe corporal punishment on a Class One student. A school teacher gave corporal punishment to an eight-year-old Dalit boy in Rohru, barely 110 km from Shimla, the state capital. The teacher tortured the minor Dalit boy using stinging nettle, commonly called bicchu booti—a Himalayan plant known for causing itching and burning sensations from its touch. Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli confirmed that the police have booked the teachers accused in both incidents, one of which involves a Dalit boy, occurring in the same area. After a horrifying video of a schoolteacher torturing a student with stinging nettle, commonly called bicchu booti—a Himalayan plant known for causing itching and burning sensations from its touch—yet another case of corporal punishment of an eight-year-old Dalit boy has come to light in Rohru, barely 110 km from Shimla, the state capital. Director of Elementary Education Ashish Kohli confirmed that the police have booked the teachers accused in both incidents, one of which involves a Dalit boy, occurring in the same area. “Also, an inquiry has been ordered in both cases, after the matter reached the government. It’s a serious case of indiscipline and gross violation of Section 17 of the Right to Education Act, 2009. “The guilty will not be spared,” he declared. A third incident of came to light on November 5, wherein a Class IV boy was assaulted by his teacher. In the last two weeks, there have been three reported instances of violent thrashing of a student in Himachal Pradesh. Further, an FIR has also been lodged against the teacher at the Government Primary School, Bhaloon, under the relevant sections of the BNS and SC/ST (POA) Act for inflicting severe corporal punishment on a Class 1 student. As per the written complaint submitted by the child’s father, Durga Singh, the teacher named Nitish Thakur allegedly assaulted his minor son at school so brutally that the boy began bleeding from his ear. He also has suffered partial hearing loss. “Not only this, but the teacher crossed all limits and went to the extent of inserting stinging nettle into the child’s pants. This left the child in unbearable pain, discomfort due to a burning sensation, and humiliation,” he alleged. What is far more serious, said the aggrieved father, is that the accused teacher was not even serving the school or had not been engaged by the school authorities. He was coming to the school to drop off his wife, a part-time water carrier and had started teaching voluntarily. “The accused has also been accused of openly indulging in untouchability in the school and resorted to caste discrimination by making a separate place for the upper caste children and Dalits for the midday meal”, Ashish Kohli says, quoting contents of the complaint. The school head teacher, rather than taking action against the accused, attempted to protect him and threatened to expel the victim (the boy) if he dared to report the incident or file any complaints. The head teacher, accompanied by another staff member, visited the victim’s family and asked them not to approach the police or the sub-divisional authorities at Rohru; instead, try to suppress the matter, otherwise the child will be expelled from the school. Kohli said the departmental action has been initiated in the case of the Dalit boy, as also in the other case of a teacher torturing the boy in another school in the same area. “From time to time, we keep reiterating instructions about not using any kind of corporal punishment method against the students during teaching or otherwise. One good thing happening these days is the use of social media to highlight such incidents, which attracts our immediate attention and also action. There is zero tolerance in such cases,” said the Director of Elementary Education. Meanwhile, Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch—an organisation working for the rights of the Dalits—has demanded the arrest of the accused and asked the state’s education department to take action against the water carrier, who has allegedly been sending her husband to teach at the school. The Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), Yashwant Khimta, has also visited the school since then and initiated a departmental probe. He confirmed that owing to a shortage of teaching staff, the School Management Committee (SMC), with mutual consent, had permitted Nitish to assist at the school voluntarily, without any remuneration. His wife is employed at the same school as a water carrier. Khimta stated that a detailed report of the inquiry has been submitted to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDM), Rohru, for further action. The Deputy SP of Rohru, Pranav Chauhan, said the matter is under investigation. Statements of the child’s parents are being recorded, and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Rohru has been informed about the action. Education Minister Rohit Thakur has expressed deep concern over the recent incidents of corporal punishment and other complaints emerging from government schools in remote areas. “We will ensure that strict action is taken so that such incidents do not recur in the future. I have also noted with concern reports of caste-based discrimination. This has no place in our schools or society. The government is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every child,” he said. Ashwani Sharma Courtesy : Outlook India Note: This news is originally published on https:/outlookindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit group condemns violation of women sanitation workers’ dignity at MDU, Rohtak
The Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) has strongly condemned what it described as a “dehumanising and horrific” incident at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana, involving the harassment and humiliation of women sanitation workers on October 26, 2025. According to the group, the women, employed on a contractual basis and largely from Dalit communities, were allegedly coerced and subjected to gross indignities by university officials while cleaning the sports complex ahead of a scheduled visit by the Haryana Governor. The workers reportedly informed their supervisors that they were unwell and in pain due to menstruation but were allegedly pressured to continue working and threatened with dismissal when they resisted. In a shocking development, they were allegedly ordered to provide photographic “proof” of menstruation, violating their dignity, bodily autonomy, and privacy. Two of the women reportedly complied under duress. DASAM termed the incident a grave case of sexual harassment, caste-based violence, and abuse of authority, exposing the systemic oppression that continues to affect Dalit women in India’s informal and contractual labour sectors. The organisation noted that such acts reflect entrenched caste and gender hierarchies that perpetuate exploitation and indignity.Bank loan insights An FIR has reportedly been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for sexual harassment, assault, and intimidation. DASAM, while welcoming this step, insisted that mere suspension of the officials was insufficient and demanded a transparent, independent, and time-bound inquiry. It also called for strong institutional reforms to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence. The group emphasised that the incident represents institutional complicity, not just individual misconduct, and mirrors a broader culture where Dalit women sanitation workers across universities, municipalities, and public institutions face daily indignities, wage theft, and casteist treatment without adequate protection or grievance redressal. DASAM underlined that the acts committed at MDU constitute criminal offences and violate several constitutional rights, including equality before the law, protection against discrimination, abolition of untouchability, and the right to live with dignity and privacy. It noted that the incident also breaches multiple statutory provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act), and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act. Calling the episode a manifestation of the “triple oppression of caste, gender, and labour exploitation,” DASAM urged the Haryana government, the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and the University Grants Commission to intervene and ensure justice for the victims. The organisation demanded the immediate dismissal and prosecution of all responsible officials, a court-monitored investigation, and protection for the survivors from retaliation or job loss. It also called for trauma counselling, psychological support, and adequate compensation. DASAM further sought the establishment of a fully functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at MDU with representation from women sanitation workers, Dalit rights advocates, and independent observers. It urged all universities and government institutions in Haryana to introduce menstrual leave policies that safeguard women’s privacy and prohibit intrusive verification, alongside mandatory caste and gender sensitisation training for staff. Beyond this incident, the group demanded the regularisation of sanitation workers with permanent status, fair wages, and safe working conditions, in line with existing labour laws. It also proposed a state-wide audit of workplace conditions, an independent oversight mechanism to monitor implementation of the SC/ST and POSH Acts, and stronger whistleblower protections. DASAM asserted that justice must go beyond filing FIRs or punitive actions and must address structural and institutional failures that enable such degradation. It praised the women of MDU for their courage in speaking out and said their ordeal should lead to transformative reforms, not token gestures. “The right to equality and dignity is not negotiable; it is the cornerstone of democracy,” the statement declared, urging the state, judiciary, and society to uphold their constitutional and moral duty to ensure justice and systemic change. By A Representative Courtesy : Counterview Note: This news is originally published on https:/counterview.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights