Death of Dalit woman in Ayodhya: There was no money even for the last rites, social worker took responsibility of the children
A Dalit family in Bakchuna village of Milkipur tehsil area of Ayodhya was devastated when the female member of the family, Deepanjali Pasi, died suddenly. The poverty was such that the woman’s last rites could not be performed for a day. When this news reached social worker Rajan Pandey, he not only helped financially, but also took the responsibility of the four orphaned children on his shoulders. Deepanjali Pasi’s husband Vijay Pasi is very poor and this family has only an 8×8 feet tin shed room in the name of livelihood. After Deepanjali’s death, four innocent children became helpless. According to the neighbors, the entire family had no ration, no clothes and no one to come forward for help. Social worker extended a helping hand As soon as social worker Rajan Pandey got this information, he sent his three sons to the village and immediately arranged for the last rites. After this, he himself reached the village and brought with him two cots, mattress, carpet, blanket and five sets of clothes. He also provided three months’ ration – which included pulses, rice, flour, refined oil and vegetables. He also gave immediate financial help of Rs 5,000 Rajan Pandey became emotional and said – These children are my children now. As long as I breathe, it is my responsibility to raise them. Expressing displeasure at the administration, he said that so many poor people are living in the village, yet they neither got housing nor any government assistance. Targeting the administration and leaders, Rajan Pandey questioned the inaction of the village head and village panchayat officer and demanded immediate action from the Sub-District Magistrate Milkipur and Block Development Officer Amaniganj. He alleged that there are queues of leaders during elections, but no one comes to look after the families suffering like this. Vijay Pathak Courtesy: Hindi News
62 Dalit families ordered to vacate their houses: Given time of one week, villagers demonstrated at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office
A worrying case has come to light from Gokulpura village of Jalaun tehsil area. The administration has issued a notice to 62 Dalit families of the village to vacate their houses within a week. The village has 100 percent Dalit population and more than 75 percent of these people have been given this notice. Gokulpura village was established 95 years ago by Seth Gokuldas Maheshwari. Since then this village has been the permanent residence of the Dalit community. The villagers are terrified by the sudden order to vacate the house. It has been made clear in the notice that legal action will be taken if the house is not vacated within the stipulated time. More than 50 villagers reached Jalaun tehsil in protest against this action. They submitted a memorandum to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The villagers appealed to the officials to stop the process of demolishing their houses settled for years. The villagers allege that they have been suddenly ordered to vacate without any hearing or alternative arrangement. They say that this action is completely unjust. Sub-district magistrate Vinay Kumar Maurya has assured the villagers. He said that considering the seriousness of the matter, it will be investigated by higher officials. He also said that injustice will not be allowed to happen to anyone. At present, there is an atmosphere of panic and worry in the entire village. The villagers are hoping for the administration to save their homes. Anuj Kaushik Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit youth beaten to death in Hardoi: Two parties clash over water drainage, police on the lookout for 3 accused
A Dalit youth was beaten to death in Hardoi. There was a quarrel between the two parties over water drainage. After this, the fight started. Police is on the lookout for 3 absconding accused. The body has been sent for postmortem and investigation has been started. The entire case is of Ohadpur village of Lonar police station area. The incident took place on the east road of the village. During the dispute, a youth of one side, Ram Sachche (son of Ramnivas) was badly beaten with sticks. Seriously injured Ram Sachche was taken to the hospital for treatment, where he died. CO reached the spot As soon as the information of the incident was received, CO Harpalpur Satyendra Kumar Singh reached the spot. He told that the body of the deceased has been taken into custody and sent for postmortem. Police has started further legal action. A case has been registered on the basis of the complaint of the family members. Police started investigation The family members allege that Ram Sachche was from the Dalit community. He was killed by three youths of Brahmin community- Vikas, Vivek and Anup by beating him with sticks. There is an atmosphere of tension in the village after the incident. In view of this, police force has been deployed. Police has registered a case and started searching for the accused. The administration says that strict action will be taken against the culprits. Faizi Khan Courtesy: Hindi News
Revenue officials issue eviction notice to Caste Hindus to remove alleged ‘untouchability wall’ in Karur
The 1.25-acre land has been under the informal possession of the Caste Hindus for several years, and houses a small temple and a drama stage. KARUR: Revenue officials on Thursday issued an eviction notice to remove the alleged ‘untouchability wall’ constructed by Caste Hindus on a 1.25-acre government poramboke land at Muthuladampatti, Karur. The move comes in response to objections raised by Dalit residents living near the disputed land, amid concerns that the wall was built to restrict their access. Officials said the action was taken to prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to TNIE, Karur Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) M Mohammed Byzal confirmed that he had served an eviction notice to members of the Thottia Naicker community, who built a wall using concrete blocks, allegedly obstructing access for the Arunthathiyar community. “Despite being warned during a peace meeting held on July 29, 2025, convened following a complaint lodged by Dalit residents on July 11, that members of a particular community went ahead and constructed the wall on government poramboke land, which is a violation of norms. Hence, we have issued a notice for its immediate removal,” the RDO said. According to sources, around 200 families belonging to the Caste Hindu community and approximately 45 Dalit families live in separate settlements in Muthuladampatti, which is located within the Karur City limit near the collector office. The 1.25-acre land has been under the informal possession of the Caste Hindus for several years, and houses a small temple and a drama stage. The Dalit community, which has its temple within their settlement, has long been requesting a portion of this land to construct a drama stage and a toilet. However, their demands have remained unaddressed for years, according to sources. In a sudden move, members of the Caste Hindu community began constructing a wall, approximately 200 feet long and 10 feet high, between the two settlements. Dalits have termed it a “wall of untouchability,” alleging it was built to deny them free access to the adjacent Caste Hindu locality. They also claimed the wall was built using funds collected from every household in the area. Meanwhile, the Caste Hindus denied the allegation, saying the wall was intended to protect the land they have possessed for decades from being used for other constructions, such as a drama stage or toilet. Following instructions from District Collector M Thangavel, RDO Mohammed Byzal conducted an inquiry and issued the eviction notice, instructing the immediate removal of the structure, officials said. D Vincent Arockiaraj 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.
Suspicious death of Dalit girl student in CUK: University surrounded by discrimination, silence and questions
The suspicious suicide of a Dalit girl student in Central University Karnataka has sparked a serious debate on caste discrimination, administrative negligence and social inequality in educational institutions. Suspicious suicide of Dalit girl student in Central University Karnataka raises questions, allegations of discrimination Kalburgi: The alleged suicide of 20-year-old Dalit student Jayashree Nayak of Odisha has raised serious questions about the academic environment and treatment of underprivileged communities in Central University Karnataka (CUK). The body of the girl student was found in a hostel room located in the university campus. Activists have alleged that the administration broke the door of the room without informing the police, which has increased the possibility of tampering with evidence. Protests have intensified in the university over the incident, while allegations of caste discrimination over the suspicious death of the Dalit girl have made the atmosphere even more sensitive. Serious allegations of systematic discrimination Nandakumar, former president of the Ambedkar Students’ Association of the central university and a student for 8 years, while talking to the media said that since the inception of the university, incidents of discrimination against Dalit students have been happening. He said, “When a Dalit student committed suicide in 2017, we had a place to register protest. But for the last 3-4 years, even the right to protest has been taken away. Today, if we raise our voice, an FIR is lodged against us.” Nandakumar also alleged that earlier the Scheduled Caste/Tribe (SC/ST) Cell used to give financial assistance of ₹20,000 to Dalit students presenting research papers at national and international forums, which has now been stopped. “Book banks, computer facilities and assistance for preparing for competitive exams are no longer available. The OBC cell is also closed. SC scholars are now charged the same fees as general students. A caste column has been added to the attendance register. Press releases say that SC/ST students are entitled to free accommodation and food, but in reality they are charged rent and fees, which are refunded only after protests,” he said. He also said the university had installed the Saraswati statue before the Ambedkar statue, which is in violation of Article 28(1) of the Constitution prohibiting religious symbols in educational institutions. Reaction of civil society and social activists Former Karnataka Backward Classes Commission chairman Dwarakanath C.S. also raised concerns over discrimination against Dalit students. He said he was once prevented from delivering a speech on Dr. Ambedkar on the university campus. He said, “We went there on the invitation of Dalit students, where we were only allowed to offer garlands to Ambedkar’s statue, but were not allowed to speak on their views. Many students told us that they are under mental stress due to caste discrimination. Now the government and the university administration should take this suicide seriously.” Kalaburagi-based social activist K. Neela alleged that the university has been adopting an anti-women and anti-minority stance in recent years. University administration’s stand Reacting to these allegations, Vice Chancellor Prof. Battu Satyanarayan rejected all allegations of caste or gender discrimination. He said, “It is absolutely wrong to say that the university is anti-women. We have more girl students than boys. We give equal opportunity to all students and fully implement the admission process under the reservation system.” He clarified that no caste column has been added in the attendance register and caste/class information is taken only during the admission process, so that reservation rules can be followed. Speaking on the suicide case, the Vice Chancellor said, “When the door of the student’s room did not open, the security personnel thought she might be alive and might need immediate treatment, so they broke the door. When her death was confirmed, the police was immediately informed and then her parents were informed. The family told us that the student had some health problems beforehand.” Demand for independent investigation intensifies Although the university administration has given clarification, student organizations and activists are demanding that there should be an independent and impartial investigation into the student’s death. Also, all allegations of caste discrimination in the university should also be investigated. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Madhya Pradesh: Dalit girl gangraped in Sidhi forest, 7,418 rape cases registered against SC/ST women since 2022
A case of gangrape of a Dalit girl in the forest by five people has come to light in Sidhi district. According to government data, on an average, 7 cases of rape of Dalit-tribal women have been registered every day between 2022 and 2024. Bhopal – Another heart-wrenching case has come to light in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the brutality against Dalit women. A Dalit girl who went for a walk in a forest in Churhat police station area was allegedly gangraped by five people. According to the information, the victim had gone to the forest with her male friend to take pictures and take a walk. During this, both of them were surrounded by five people. The accused first attacked the youth on the head with a stick and then dragged the girl inside the forest. The victim told the police that she pleaded with the accused for mercy, even held their feet, but they did not relent. Two of the accused held her friend, while the other three raped her in turns. While leaving, the accused threatened them that if they mentioned the incident to anyone, they would kill them. Both of their mobile phones were also snatched. After the incident, at around 2:30 pm, the victim somehow managed to get out of the forest crying and reached a nearby construction site. There, she narrated her ordeal to the labourers. After this, the police was informed with the help of Dalveer Singh Gond, husband of the local sarpanch. The police reached the spot and during investigation in the forest, recovered a blood-stained towel and marks of struggle. Throughout the night, police teams kept raiding the nearby villages in search of the accused. A senior district police officer described the incident as a “heinous crime” and said that the victim was immediately given medical assistance. The officer admitted that the remoteness of the area and the absence of CCTVs have hindered the investigation, but the accused will be arrested soon and given the harshest punishment. Some suspects are being questioned, although no formal arrests have been made so far. Amid this gruesome incident, in response to a question asked by Congress MLA Arif Masood in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the government has presented shocking figures of crimes against Dalits and tribals. According to the government, between 2022 and 2024, 7,418 rape cases were registered against SC/ST women in the state – that is, an average of 7 rapes every day. During the same period, 338 gang rapes and 558 murders were also registered against Dalit and tribal women. It is worth noting that about 38% of the total population of Madhya Pradesh comes from Dalit and tribal communities, which makes these figures even more worrying. There is increasing pressure on the police and the state government to take swift action. This case proves once again that for the safety of marginalized women, not mere rhetoric but concrete changes are needed at the ground level. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy : Hindi News
Madhya Pradesh horror: Dalit girl gang-raped during forest stroll with boyfriend; 3 held
BHOPAL: A 19-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped by five men in a forest area near Churhat in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. Police have launched a manhunt to trace the suspects, three of whom have been detained. According to police, the girl was walking with her boyfriend in the forest when the accused intercepted them. They allegedly assaulted the boy, leaving him unconscious, and took turns sexually assaulting the girl. The attackers also snatched their mobile phones and threatened them with dire consequences if they reported the incident. The victim managed to reach a nearby construction site around 2.30pm and narrated her ordeal to locals, who alerted the police. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at Churhat police station under relevant sections of the IPC and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said evidence has been collected from the spot, and teams are conducting searches in nearby villages. “We have detained three suspects for questioning, and efforts are on to nab the main accused,” said a senior officer. (The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault) 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.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis says police have clarified Pune incident involving Dalit girls
Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the police had given a clear clarification on the Pune incident where three Dalit girls alleged they were subjected to casteist slurs and humiliating treatment by a woman police officer during questioning. The incident sparked outrage, with political leaders and activists accusing Pune police of insensitivity and deliberate inaction. In a clear message to the police, Fadnavis, while speaking to the media in Mumbai, said, “The police should take action as per law. They should not take any action under pressure. Whatever fits in the law, they may take all such action.” The BJP criticised NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar for his behaviour with the police. BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said Pawar had tried to intimidate the police even in the Jitendra Awhad case a few weeks ago. 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.
Civil society condemns Haryana Police for torture, use of casteist slurs against Dalit human rights advocate
Civil society groups in Haryana’s Hisar have alleged and condemned the arrest of Dalit human rights lawyer and community rights activist Rajat Kalsan, who has also been subjected to police torture and casteist slurs. According to a statement by the Students for People’s Democracy (SfPD), Kalsan was arrested by the Hisar Police twice on the same day, in connection with two separate cases. A reputed lawyer in Haryana, Kalsan has been fighting cases on caste-based atrocities and has fought cases in India’s Khap-dominated regions, including cases of gang rapes, killings, and house burnings. On 30 July, Kalsan was arrested while he was visiting an auto market. The Haryana Police, who had been tracking him, reached the location to serve him a notice, according to SfPD. The lawyers in the case alleged that the police came in civilian clothes to serve him a notice, a pattern that is being observed in the arrest of many activists and lawyers. “However, the actual picture was that a group of 20 to 30 police officers in plain clothes came to serve him a notice at night when he was in the market. No formal procedure was followed; rather, intimidation techniques were used against him,” Lavanya Jha, activist and member of SfPD, told Maktoob. The Haryana Police, in a statement, also alleged that Kalsan had become violent and disrupted their work, for which he has been charged with “obstruction of justice as he verbally abused them and injured one officer.” SfPD has also accused the police of making Kalsan sit in a humiliating and demeaning posture. In a picture that is going viral, Kalsan can be seen squatting with two police officers standing beside him. These photographs were then circulated to shame him, Jha added. Members have also accused the police of torturing and beating Kalsan, including using casteist slurs. “Kalsan was subjected to third-degree police brutality and custodial torture, which is a blatant violation of Article 21 in the Indian Constitution. He was taken from one district to another in a police jeep. He was not given food, beaten, and abused with casteist slurs by the police. His family, who is in constant touch with him, told us that his health is in a weak state,” Jha added. Kalsan has been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 115 (causing hurt), 121.1 (hurting a public servant), 126 (wrongful restraint), and 352 (insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). According to reports, two cases have been filed against Kalsan – one in Hisar and another in Hansi. In the first instance, Hansi police arrested Kalsan in connection with a complaint filed by a man named Sushil, who alleged that the activist had circulated a video accusing the complainant’s family and the police of corruption and misconduct in the Budana case. Acting on the complaint, Narnaund police registered an FIR under multiple sections of the IPC. Civil society members have alleged that Kalsan’s arrest is linked to a case related to the blind murder of a woman in Budana village in Hisar. “Kalsan was fighting a case of atrocity and sexual assault on a person whose family has now been accused of the murder. In connection to the blind murder case, a complaint was filed against Rajat, alleging that he circulated a video accusing the victim’s family and the police of corruption in the murder case. A day after he got interim bail in this case, he was again charged with a fake case of manhandling and obstructing police officials,” they said in a statement. Kalsan was later presented before a court, which granted him bail in the matter. However, soon after being released, he was rearrested by Hisar police in a separate case involving charges of manhandling and obstructing police officials. Kalsan was released on Monday after he was presented before the Judicial Magistrate with a bail bond of Rs. 50,000. The court, after hearing that Kalsan was a practicing lawyer, stated, “The court is of the view that no useful purpose would be served by detaining the accused in judicial custody.” In the previous month, the police raided his house three times, and he has been under constant surveillance by the police for the past year. The Haryana police have also blocked his social media account. “There is misinformation being spread by local media channels and local YouTubers who are celebrating his arrest, welcoming his arrest. The local media has been instructed not to report on Rajat Kalsan or the cases that he has been fighting,” a statement by SfPD stated. Previously, Kalsan has faced various cases against him, including intimidation by police authorities for his work defending the rights of Dalit people. In 2015 and 2016, two other cases were filed against him in reaction to his work against atrocities committed by dominant caste members. Kalsan has faced multiple death threats and physical assaults. In 2011, he was provided police protection. The protection was withdrawn in 2016 without any apparent reassessment of the risks he faces, according to SfPD. “Such abduction, wrongful incarceration, and custodial torture of activists, often with fabricated cases, has increasingly become a norm under the current fascist regime. This is not an isolated instance, but part of a growing trend of state repression against those who challenge communal hatred, caste oppression, and fascist rule. The arrest and prolonged imprisonment of scholars, lawyers, and activists in the Bhima Koregaon case, many of whom are yet to be granted bail despite there not being any evidence, exposes how the regime targets voices that stand with the oppressed. Similarly, numerous students, activists, and citizens who opposed the discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) were arrested under draconian laws like UAPA, on farcical grounds and without due process,” SfPD said in a statement. Previously, in 2017, Amnesty International had also come out in support of Kalsan. In a statement, they said, “The threats and charges against Rajat Kalsan are part
RLD moots Ambedkar Panchteerth plan to tap Dalit voters
Lucknow: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary has intensified efforts to consolidate the Dalit vote bank in western Uttar Pradesh ahead of next year’s panchayat elections and the 2027 UP elections. His recent push for Ambedkar Teerth Sthal Yatra Yojana has shifted focus to the party’s strategy of strengthening support among Dalit communities. In a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on July 28, Chaudhary emphasised the need to enable Dalit and socially oppressed sections to visit Panchteerth – the five key sites associated with BR Ambedkar. These are Mhow-Janmabhoomi, London-Shiksha Bhoomi, Delhi-Mahaparinirvan Sthal, Nagpur-Diksha Bhoomi, and Mumbai-Chaitya Bhoomi. “Due to govt efforts, these pilgrimage sites have now developed into major tourist destinations as well as sources of inspiration. However, for economically weaker sections, visiting these places remains difficult. Therefore, to support them, a scheme named Ambedkar Teerth Sthal Yatra Yojana should be launched, so that people can easily visit and experience five major places associated with Dr Ambedkar’s life,” the RLD chief said. He said the scheme would make people understand Ambedkar’s principles and ideas for building an egalitarian society. “It would not only promote social harmony but also serve as a concrete step towards realising Ambedkar’s dreams,” Jayant, also a Union minister, said. Experts said that by invoking Ambedkar and focusing on Panchteerth, Jayant Chaudhary is attempting to build an emotional and ideological alignment with Dalit voters, a group that has largely been loyal to BSP, and in recent years courted by BJP and SP. They added that this also marks Jayant’s another bid to channelise the Dalit vote bank amid the rise of Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who won the Nagina parliamentary seat in 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Analysts said Jayant’s letter to Yogi puts the state govt on record. It also avoids confrontation and indicates that RLD is playing within the constitutional and cultural framework, respecting its alliance with BJP while retaining its independent identity. RLD sources said the party wants to consolidate the Dalits, primarily the Jatav community, which has traditionally been the supporter of Bahujan Samaj Party. With BSP’s political graph has been on a decline in recent years, the RLD sees an opportunity to fill in the vacuum. RLD national secretary Anupam Mishra said the party has stepped up its outreach to Dalits in recent times and added that “we need to work more aggressively to sustain our momentum and get more closely associated with Dalits and other oppressed classes.” Sources said RLD has been sending feelers amongst Dalits since 2024 when it snapped ties with Samajwadi Party and joined the BJP-led NDA. In fact, it was Anil Kumar, a Dalit MLA from Purkazi (Muzaffarnagar), who got a ministerial seat during UP cabinet expansion in 2024. 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.