RTIH inks pact with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation to empower women entrepreneurs
Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH), Vijayawada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dalit Philanthropy Foundation (DPF) at the NTR District Collectorate on Tuesday. According to a press release, the partnership aims to promote women entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, livelihood development, and social enterprises, with a special focus on empowering marginalised and underserved communities. Through this collaboration, both organisations will work together to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, facilitate capacity-building initiatives, provide mentorship opportunities, and support sustainable livelihood interventions. Dalit Philanthropy Foundation executive director Santosh Kumar Samal and Ratan Tata Innovation Hub CEO G. Krishnan exchanged the MoU. Speaking on the occasion, the representatives of both organisations emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in creating equitable opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth. 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
Anti-Conversion Laws in India: Not Only Anti-Minority but Also Anti-Dalit in Annihilate Caste
Anti-conversion laws, formally known as Freedom of Religion Acts, have been enacted in approximately twelve Indian states. These laws seek to regulate religious conversions by prohibiting those induced through force, fraud, or allurement. They typically mandate prior intimation to district authorities and prescribe penalties, often with enhanced punishments when the convert belongs to vulnerable groups such as women, minors, Dalits (Scheduled Castes), or Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes). While proponents present these statutes as protective measures safeguarding cultural identity and vulnerable populations from coercive missionary activities, critics contend that they curtail individual freedom, enable selective enforcement, and disproportionately harm Dalits seeking dignity and escape from caste oppression. The stated rationale behind these laws is rooted in concerns over demographic shifts and exploitation of the socio-economically disadvantaged. Advocates, often aligned with Hindu nationalist perspectives, argue that conversions—particularly to Christianity or Islam—frequently involve material inducements, social services, or “love jihad,” targeting lower castes and tribals who are portrayed as especially susceptible. By imposing stricter penalties for conversions involving Dalits, the laws ostensibly shield them from manipulation. However, this framing reveals a paternalistic undertone: it assumes Dalits lack the agency to make informed religious choices, thereby infantilizing a community that has long fought for equality. The impact on Dalits is particularly profound and multifaceted. Historically, conversion has served as a powerful tool for social mobility and resistance against caste discrimination. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s landmark 1956 mass conversion to Buddhism exemplified this quest for dignity free from the hierarchies of Hinduism. Similar patterns exist among those embracing Christianity or Islam in pursuit of equality. Anti-conversion laws erect administrative barriers, invite police scrutiny, and foster fear of prosecution, effectively deterring voluntary exits from the Hindu fold. This restricts a vital avenue for asserting personal autonomy in the face of persistent untouchability and social exclusion. A more glaring inequity arises from the linkage between religious identity and affirmative action benefits. Under the 1950 Presidential Order (and subsequent amendments), Scheduled Caste reservations, protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and related safeguards are largely confined to Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Dalits. Conversion to Christianity or Islam typically results in the loss of these benefits, despite evidence that caste-based discrimination often continues irrespective of faith. Dalit Christians and Muslims have long argued that this framework is discriminatory, as it ties constitutional protections to religious affiliation rather than lived social reality. Supreme Court rulings have largely upheld this distinction, treating caste as intrinsic to Hinduism for reservation purposes while adopting a more ethno-cultural approach for Scheduled Tribes. Consequently, anti-conversion laws compound this disadvantage by raising the cost of leaving Hinduism, sometimes compelling individuals to re-convert or conceal their faith to retain reservations. Enforcement patterns further underscore the laws’ adverse effects on Dalit communities. Reports frequently document arrests of pastors, missionaries, and community workers engaged in charitable activities—schools, health services, or prayer meetings—in Dalit-majority areas, often triggered by third-party complaints from Hindutva groups rather than the alleged victims themselves. Vague provisions such as “allurement” (which may encompass education or humanitarian aid) lend themselves to misuse, chilling social service initiatives and heightening vulnerability. While the laws claim to protect Dalits, they simultaneously limit access to services that could empower them and penalize those facilitating spiritual choices. This is not to suggest the laws are exclusively anti-Dalit. They are primarily deployed against conversions to minority faiths, notably Christianity and Islam, and have featured prominently in cases involving interfaith marriages or alleged demographic engineering. Claims of widespread forced conversions remain contested, with empirical data often showing limited scale relative to natural population growth. Mass Buddhist conversions by Dalits, notably, frequently preserve eligibility for benefits, highlighting inconsistencies in application. Moreover, general criminal laws under the Indian Penal Code already address coercion, cheating, and fraud, raising questions about the necessity of religion-specific statutes that risk majoritarian overreach. From a broader perspective, these laws intersect uneasily with Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to reasonable restrictions. The tension between protecting vulnerable groups and upholding individual liberty remains unresolved. Caste, as a deeply entrenched social reality, does not vanish upon conversion, yet Indian law treats it inconsistently across religions. This creates a contradictory framework: one that claims to safeguard Dalits while constraining their religious choices and material opportunities. In conclusion, anti-conversion laws are not merely instruments targeting religious minorities; they also function as barriers to Dalit emancipation. By restricting exit options from caste-laden Hinduism, paternalistically curtailing agency, and linking affirmative action to religious fidelity, they undermine the very dignity and equality Dalits have historically sought through conversion. Genuine protection against coercion can and should be achieved through neutral criminal laws applicable equally to all, without selective burdens on propagation rights. Reforming these statutes—through clearer definitions, uniform application, and decoupling reservations from religion—would better align with constitutional values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Ultimately, a society committed to truth and human flourishing must prioritize individual agency over majoritarian control, empowering every citizen, including Dalits, to choose their beliefs free from both coercion and state-imposed obstacles. By SR Darapuri, I.P.S.(Retd), National President, All India Peoples Front Courtesy : Counter Currents Note: This news is originally published on https:/countercurrents.org/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar: 40-year-old homes in danger! Victims demolish families’ huts; victims approach police after assault
Nearly 50 Dalit families in Nauachak village, under the Barh police station area of Patna, have accused locals of demolishing their homes, assaulting them, and harassing them. The families, who have been living on government land for 40 years, have demanded protection, rehabilitation, and action against the culprits from the police. A case of harassment of Dalit families has emerged from Nauachak village, under the Ibrahimpur Panchayat area of Patna district’s Barh police station. Nearly 50 Dalit families, who have been living on government land for nearly four decades, have accused local locals of assaulting them, demolishing their homes, and continuously harassing them. The victims have demanded protection and action against the culprits from the police. The affected families say they have been living in huts on government land for years. Recently, some people damaged their homes and assaulted them when they protested. Following the incident, a large number of people reached the Barh police station demanding justice. They built their homes on government land. According to information, these families originally hail from the Diara region. Over time, displacement and land scarcity forced them to settle in the Nauachak area. Lacking private land, they built their homes on government land and have lived there for the past 40 years. However, the owners of the surrounding agricultural land have opposed these families’ residence there, leading to a long-standing dispute. Allegations of Home Demolition and Intimidation The victims allege that they are periodically pressured to remove them from the area. Their homes were damaged several times, and they were beaten up for protesting. They say that this time too, their huts were demolished, creating a housing crisis for many families. Waiting for Land Allotment for Years Local resident Dharamveer Manjhi said that administrative officials had previously assured them of government land, but no permanent arrangement has been made. They said they were not provided with land to live in, nor were they provided with basic amenities like electricity and water. Allegations of obstruction in filling soil Victim Tilka Devi stated that whenever she attempts to level the land by filling soil at her residence, some people remove the soil and take it away. She alleged that her house was demolished several times and she was beaten up when she protested. At present, the affected families have demanded security, permanent rehabilitation, and a fair investigation from the administration. The police have begun investigating the entire matter. Courtesy: Hindi News
In Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit youth was beaten to death after refusing to massage their feet at a liquor party. An accident was staged.
Unruly men in Lalitpur were rampaging, forcing a Dalit youth to massage their feet while drunk. When he refused, they beat him to death with belts and iron rods. Uttar Pradesh: A shocking and tragic incident has come to light in Lalitpur district. Three men brutally beat a 33-year-old Dalit youth to death. The sole reason for this horrific incident was that the victim had flatly refused to massage their feet while drinking. Fearing arrest after committing the murder, the accused hatched a heinous plot. They dumped the deceased’s body on the road to make it appear like a road accident. However, after a prompt and thorough police investigation, the horrific truth of the murder was revealed. According to Lalitpur’s Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kalu Singh, Kotwali police received initial information about the incident on Sunday morning. Police were informed that a man was lying unconscious on the road behind Varni Jain College, located near Gurunanak Dharamshala. When police arrived at the scene and identified the man, they identified him as 33-year-old Rajkumar alias Chhannu, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste community. Police immediately rushed him to a local hospital, but doctors there declared him dead after examination. Upon further investigation, police discovered that a drinking party was taking place in the Civil Lines area on Saturday night. The party was held at the home of 38-year-old Samyak Rajnayak alias Rahi Jain, where Rajkumar was also present. 37-year-old Gajendra Narwariya alias Gajendra Singh Rajput and 25-year-old Gaurav Raikwar were also present. Police investigations have revealed that the three accused, who were intoxicated, pressured Rajkumar to massage their feet. When Rajkumar flatly refused, they became enraged. The three then attacked Rajkumar with a belt and an iron rod, resulting in his tragic death on the spot. The ASP stated that immediately after the murder, a failed attempt was made to make it look like an accident by throwing the body on the road. Acting swiftly, the police have arrested all three accused. Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother, they have registered a case of murder as well as under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. During rigorous interrogation, the arrested accused confessed to their horrific crime. The police have taken possession of the deceased’s body and sent it for post-mortem, and further legal proceedings in the case are being carried out with vigor. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Land grabs in Mahoba: Victim appeals to DM, alleges caste-related abuse
A case of alleged illegal land grab has come to light in Mahoba. Maheshchandra Ahirwar, a resident of Fatehpur Bajaria, has filed a petition with District Magistrate Gazal Bhardwaj alleging that some individuals have forcibly occupied his land in Khata No. 151. The victim also alleges that he was threatened and abused with caste-related abuses when he protested. According to Maheshchandra Ahirwar, his land is located in Khata No. 151 in Fatehpur Bajaria. He stated that he had gone to Delhi for his wife and children’s treatment. During his absence, the land was taken advantage of. The victim alleges that when he returned and protested the grab, the individuals involved and their supporters hurled caste-related abuses and threatened him. He says that as a result, he is unable to cultivate his own land. Maheshchandra Ahirwar has demanded that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) investigate the matter, take legal action, and free the land from illegal occupation. The victim also stated that despite the complaint, no concrete action has been taken. He has appealed to higher authorities to intervene and provide justice. Mohammad Shariq Nawaz | Kabrai (Mahoba), Mahoba Courtesy: Hindi News
Haryana: 32-year-old Dalit youth brutally murdered, head severed from body; police investigating
A heartbreaking murder has come to light in Rohtak. A young man has been beheaded and his body severed. Murder of Dalit Youth in Rohtak Rohtak: A case of the brutal murder of a Dalit youth has come to light in Rohtak, Haryana. The youth has been identified as Neeraj of Ismaila village. He was 32 years old. The incident has created a stir in the area. A Dalit youth was brutally murdered in Ismaila village, under the jurisdiction of Sampla police station in Rohtak. The youth’s head was severed from his body. No information has yet been released about the murderer. All that has been known is that someone slit his neck with a sharp-edged weapon. The youth’s body was found in the village water tank this morning. The deceased’s name was Neeraj, and he was only 32 years old. Police and FSL teams arrived at the scene to investigate. The deceased’s body was taken into custody and sent to Rohtak PGI for post-mortem. The police have registered a murder case and initiated an investigation. This incident has created a sensation in the area and created an atmosphere of fear among the people. The visuals of the incident are so terrifying that even a normal person would be shaken by them. Even the police team arriving at the scene was stunned. This incident was carried out with extreme brutality. The case is under investigation, and people say that the perpetrator of such a crime should be severely punished. At present, no information has been obtained about the accused, but the police are conducting a continuous search operation. So far, no update has been received regarding the motive behind the murder or any enmity with the deceased. Discussions are ongoing in the surrounding area, and people are hoping for justice from the police. People believe that the police will soon uncover the truth behind this brutal murder and reveal the truth to the public. It remains to be seen how long it takes the police to solve this case. Currently, this incident has sparked anger among the Dalit community. Written By: Rituraj Tripathi Report by Sunil Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
UP Father Held for Killing Daughter at Police Station Over Marriage to Dalit Man
The incident occurred after the daughter reaffirmed her decision to remain with her Dalit husband A 19-year-old woman was fatally stabbed inside the Badausa police station in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, on 14 June. The incident occurred shortly after she reaffirmed her decision to remain with her Dalit husband, whom she had married against her family’s wishes. The accused, her father, was immediately apprehended by police at the scene. The victim was transported to a medical facility but succumbed to her injuries during treatment. As reported by The Indian Express, the woman, identified as Shivani Chauhan, had left her home on 18 May with Lalit Verma, a neighbour, and married him in Madhya Pradesh. Her family filed a complaint after her departure, leading police to trace and recover her. She was brought to the police station for legal formalities, including recording her statement. During the proceedings, Shivani reiterated her wish to stay with her husband, stating she had left home voluntarily. Coverage revealed that her family was present at the police station for counselling when her father, Satya Kumar Chauhan, allegedly attacked her with a knife. Police personnel intervened and overpowered him, but Shivani had already sustained critical injuries. Courtesy : The Quint Note: This news is originally published on https:/thequint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit Man Beaten to Death in UP’s Lalitpur After Refusing to Massage Coworkers’ Feet During Drinking Party
Police said a 33-year-old Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death by three co-workers in Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh, after he refused to massage their feet while they were drinking. The victim has been identified as Rajkumar alias Chhannu, a Scheduled Caste man. According to police, the accused allegedly attacked him with a belt and an iron rod and then dumped his body on the roadside to make the death appear like a road accident. The incident came to light on Sunday morning when police received information about an unconscious man lying behind Varni Jain College near Gurunanak Dharamshala in Lalitpur. Lalitpur Additional Superintendent of Police Kalu Singh said Rajkumar was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. “The man was identified as Rajkumar alias Chhannu (33), a Scheduled Caste man. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead,” Singh said. Attack during a liquor party During the investigation, police learned that Rajkumar had attended a liquor party at the home of one of the accused, Samyak Rajnayak alias Rahi Jain, in the Civil Lines area on Saturday night. Two other associates—Gajendra Narwariya alias Gajendra Singh Rajput and Gaurav Raikwar—were also present at the meeting. According to police, the three accused, under the influence of alcohol, allegedly asked Rajkumar to massage their feet. Additional Superintendent of Police Kalu Singh said, “When he refused, the three men attacked him with a belt and an iron rod, killing him on the spot.” Police said the accused later dumped Rajkumar’s body on the road to make the death appear like a traffic accident. Accused arrested, murder case registered Police have arrested all three accused in connection with the case. Officials said they allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. Based on a complaint from Rajkumar’s mother, police registered a case under murder charges as well as relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said, “The accused have been arrested and legal action is underway.” The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while investigators continue to collect evidence in the case. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘TN elections showed the way, now the government must bring about ‘true change”: Madras High Court grants bail to SI in Dalit engineer ‘honor killing’ case, makes 5 key observations on casteism
The court issued a stern warning to the state government, stating that laws like the SC/ST Act have failed to deliver the desired results. The court noted that incidents registered under this law are increasing day by day. The court directed the government to change the curriculum at the school level to change the mindset of the younger generation. Madurai – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, while hearing the highly publicized case of the ‘honor killing’ of a Dalit IT engineer, strongly criticized the casteism prevalent in society by granting bail to a police sub-inspector. The High Court said that the recent Tamil Nadu assembly elections have proven that people can vote beyond caste and community barriers, and now it is time for the state to take responsibility for bringing about ‘true change’. A bench headed by Justice B. Pugalendhi made this observation while hearing the bail plea of Saravanan, a police sub-inspector. Saravanan is accused of harboring his son, who had brutally murdered a Dalit youth because he was in love with his sister, Saravanan’s daughter. What is the entire case? Kavin (the deceased) was an IT engineer and belonged to the Dalit community. The accused, Saravanan, is a sub-inspector in the Tamil Nadu Police, and his daughter attended the same school as Kavin. They were in a love relationship, which the girl’s family did not approve of. On July 27, 2025, Kavin came to Tirunelveli for his grandfather’s treatment. He informed Saravanan’s son, Surijit (accused No. 1), of his arrival. Surijit put Kavin on his bike and took him to Lakshmipuram. At around 2:17 p.m., a quarrel broke out between the two. It is alleged that Surijith poured chili powder into Kavin’s eyes and then attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon (Aruval). Kavin tried to escape but was chased and killed near Ambala Hospital. A total of 19 wounds were found on the deceased’s body. Just one minute after the murder, Surijith called his father, Saravanan, to inform him of the incident. Police say Saravanan informed his wife (Accused No. 3) about the incident and contacted relatives (Accused No. 4) to help his son hide. Saravanan himself visited the scene and falsely informed the head constable present there that the deceased belonged to a different community. It is alleged that he purchased a bike with a fake license plate for his son and conspired to destroy evidence. Saravanan and his son were arrested on August 11, 2025, and have been in judicial custody since then. Why the Court Granted Bail Saravanan claims he is innocent and was the one who provided information about his son to the police. He also stated that he surrendered his son to the police, which was reported in the newspapers. He argues that he played no active role in the murder and did not destroy any evidence. The Court decided to grant Saravanan bail for the following reasons: Saravanan had been in jail for the past 10 months (since August 11, 2025). The investigation had been completed and a charge sheet had been filed. The case is pending as SC.No. 120/2025. The Court acknowledged that “there were no calls between Saravanan and the deceased or the victim’s family before the incident.” Therefore, there was insufficient material to prove his active role in the murder. The Court stated, “If this were a simple murder case, he would have been granted bail by now.” The court also stated that it was not appropriate to keep the accused in “pre-sentence detention” for a long period. Saravanan filed a petition (Crl OP(MD) No. 995/2026) in the High Court requesting the quashing of the proceedings against him, which the court granted an interim stay on April 29, 2026. However, the court granted bail with strict conditions: Saravanan will be released on a bond of ₹1 lakh and two sureties (one lakh each). He will have to reside in Coimbatore and report to the B2 R.S. Puram police station twice a day (at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.). He will not go near the crime scene (Tirunelveli) or attempt to influence any witnesses. If he violates any of the conditions, his bail will be revoked. The recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election results have proven that people can vote without regard to caste or community. A government has been formed by ignoring caste factors. – Madras High Court 5 key observations from the Madras High Court on casteism This decision was not limited to granting bail. Justice Pugalendhi used it as a platform to comment on the “disease of caste” prevalent in society. Some of his key observations are as follows: “Even we judges are not immune to casteism.” The court openly acknowledged that casteism is not limited to ordinary people but also affects the judiciary. The court said: “Every person, no matter how powerful or privileged, experiences casteism in some form or another. Even we judges are not immune. Our orders are often influenced by caste, even when cases are being decided on merit.” “There is no honor in honor killing; it is a shameful act.” The court described honor killing as the “extreme form of casteism,” stating that it is wrong to call it “honor.” “Honor killing is the extreme manifestation of casteism. Casteism is a curse for the nation. Nature recognizes no caste. The sun gives light to everyone, rain falls on everyone, and air is for everyone. Only when society transcends the artificial barriers of caste will it realize the truth: there is no honor in honor killing; rather, it is a shameful act.” Praising the Tamil Nadu Elections – “Voting Without Caste Is Possible” In its judgment, the Court commended the Tamil Nadu voters and the recent Assembly election results, making a landmark observation: “The recent Assembly election results in the state of Tamil Nadu have proven that people can indeed be confident in voting without considering the caste or community of the candidates. A government has been formed by largely
Uttarakhand: Dalit taxi driver humiliated by garlanding him with shoes for picking up passengers at a lower fare, video also filmed!
The accused allegedly abused, used casteist slurs, assaulted him, and demanded 50,000 rupees for charging a lower fare. When Prem Ram protested, they put a garland of shoes around his neck, snatched his mobile phone, and uploaded a video of the incident to social media. Champawat – A shameful incident involving a Dalit taxi driver has occurred in the Lohaghat area of Champawat district, Uttarakhand, following a dispute over carrying passengers at a lower fare. The victim driver was allegedly assaulted and publicly humiliated by other taxi drivers by garlanding him with shoes. After the video of the incident went viral on social media, police took immediate action and filed a case against four accused under the SC/ST Act. On June 10, Prem Ram was carrying passengers from Lohaghat to Delhi at the old fare rate when other taxi drivers stopped his vehicle near Devradi Band. The accused allegedly abused Prem Ram, used casteist slurs, assaulted him, and demanded 50,000 rupees for charging a lower fare. When he resisted, they put a garland of shoes around his neck, snatched his mobile phone, and uploaded a video of the incident on social media. The victim has filed a complaint at the Lohaghat police station. The family stated that they are deeply hurt by the incident. Prem Ram is currently in Delhi. Lohaghat police have registered a case against four accused: Sohan Singh, Harish Bohra, Virendra Singh, and Mohan Chandra. The case has been registered under various sections of the SC/ST Act, the IT Act, and the BNS, including sections 352, 351(3), 133, 126, 308(2), 309(3), 356, and 152(2). Champawat SP Rekha Yadav has personally monitored the case. CO Niharika is investigating. The search for the accused is ongoing. On June 13, the victim’s side submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Manish Kumar. The District Magistrate assured strict action and directed the Transport Department to investigate fares on the Delhi-Dehradun route. Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered at the Lohaghat police station and demanded strict punishment for the accused. The SC community called it “inhumane.” Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News