Five held for trying to illegally convert Dalits to Christianity
Lucknow: Five people, including two women, were arrested in UP’s Barabanki district on Monday on charges of trying to lure some Dalits with free medical and other benefits to convert to Christianity. A prayer meeting was convened at the house of one Rakesh Nat in Bankipur village on Sunday, where some Dalits villagers, along with 14 other people had gathered. Police said the prayer meeting was just a facade, and the plan was to convert them discreetly. However, police conducted a raid after being alerted by Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionaries, and detained 14 people for questioning. On Monday, five accused were arrested under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The arrested persons were identified as Shivani Kumari, Gyananjay Kumar, Shyam Sundar, Radheshyam Gautam and Rekha Kumari. Police said the accused were allegedly involved in misleading, coercing and inducing poor families and members of SC communities through promises and undue influence during a prayer session. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit activists allege SOP dilutes SC/ST Act; Tamil Nadu government denies charges
The SC/ST Act clearly specified a government job for the kin of the victim, but the state government refuses to allocate based on educational qualifications. MADURAI: The state government has denied allegations levelled by several Dalit activists that have the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) released by Adi Dravidar Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department has diluted the Schedule Castes And the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention Of Atrocities) Act 2015. Speaking to TNIE, state secretary of Dalit Liberation Movement (DLM) C Karuppiah said, “The SOP, released few weeks ago, mentions that FIR can be registered (Rule 12) by an Inspector who is considered as investigation officer (IO). This is wrong. Section 12 of SC/ST Act clearly mandates that police officers below the rank of DSP should not be appointed as IO.” He added “It says FIR should be sent to the SP by the Inspector to appoint the investigating officer (IO). This is also wrong. Under the SC/ST Act, the Superintendent of Police (SP) should appoint the IO after the spot inspection of the incident”. “Besides, we are disappointed by the norms about grant of compensation and government job. The SOP kin of a victim can be offered financial assistance for only undergraduate courses. But SC/ST Act highlights financial assistance all kinds of education regardless whether it is UG or PG,”he added. Kathir, founder of Evidence, said,”Apart from the Investigation Officer (IO), there are several other issues related to the SOP. After I flagged some of them on social media, an official from the department called and assured me to rectify them. We suspect the government isn’t serious enough to stop atrocities against SC/ST people. The SC/ST Act clearly specified a government job for the kin of victim, but the state government refuses to allocate based on educational qualifications. In a number of cases, a victim holding PG degree is offered office assistant job.” When contacted, the secretary to government, Adi Dravidar and tribal welfare department, Lakshmi Priya said, “DSP is the Investigation Officer (IO) and it has always been that way. Also, FIR is filed by SHO (Station House officer) who could be Inspector as it needs to be done immediately. Further action is carried out by IO who is the DSP which happens after the filing of FIR. I will check about the other things and take appropriate action if necessary.” Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https://thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Kerala: SI suspended for detaining, mentally harassing Dalit woman falsely accused of theft
The woman was detained at the police station for about 20 hours and denied food and water; another cop, Prasannan, is said to have harassed the woman the most but no action against him has been taken yet. THIRUVANATHAPURAM: A police sub-inspector attached with Peroorkada station has been suspended for mentally harassing a dalit woman, who was taken into custody on a complaint of theft, which was later proved to be false. S G Prasad was suspended on the basis of an adverse report filed by the Special Branch Assistant Commissioner, who had probed the incident on the instruction of the City Commissioner. Bindu R, who hails from Panavoor near Nedumangad, was working as a house maid at Ambalamukku when she was detained by the cops on the complaint of the house owner claiming that 20 grams of gold ornament had gone missing from house. The police detained the 39-year-old for about 20 hours where she was even denied drinking water. Her ordeal ended when the complainant found the gold, which was misplaced in her house, and conveyed it to the police. The police withdrew the FIR against the woman, but the incident snowballed into a major controversy after the victim complained with the Police Complaints Authority, SC/ST Commission and the CM’s Office. The Special Branch report said lapses from the police side were evident. It said the woman was kept in custody at odd hours without prior authorisation and the entire episode contravened existing legal conventions. Meanwhile, Bindu said though she was contended with the action against the SI, another cop named Prasannan who had harassed her the most was still untouched and that she wanted action to be taken against him. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https://thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
‘Denied water, threatened with arrest’: Dalit woman alleges harassment by Kerala police
The case centres on Bindu, a domestic worker from Chullimanoor, who was detained for nearly 20 hours on 23 April after her landlord accused her of stealing a gold necklace Synopsis: A Dalit domestic worker’s claim of police harassment at Peroorkada station has sparked public outrage in Kerala. Opposition leader V D Satheesan demanded a departmental probe and legal action, blaming government inaction and political interference for enabling such abuse. Civil society groups and political parties have also rallied behind the victim, condemning the alleged mistreatment and police excess A Dalit domestic worker’s allegation of police harassment at the Peroorkada police station has triggered widespread outrage in Kerala, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties and civil society groups. The incident has prompted Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan to demand a departmental inquiry and strict legal action against the officers involved. Satheesan lambasted the state government and the Home Department for their silence on the matter, stating that unchecked politicisation of the police force has led to such gross misuse of power. “This is not an isolated incident. Who gave these officers the right to illegally detain and mentally torture an innocent woman?” he asked. Dalit worker detained over theft claim The controversy revolves around Bindu, a domestic worker from Chullimanoor, who was taken into custody on 23 April based on an allegation by her landlord that she had stolen a gold necklace weighing two and a half sovereigns. Bindu, who was returning home from work in Ambalamukku, was summoned to the Peroorkada station, where she claims she was held for nearly 20 hours. During her detention, she alleges, she was denied water, not allowed to contact her family, and was threatened with the arrest of her daughters unless she confessed. Her family was unaware of her detention until the police brought her home later that night. The next morning, the landlord reportedly acknowledged that the necklace had been found. However, Bindu claims the sub-inspector warned her not to disclose the incident. (Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar) Stampede-like situation at rapper Vedan’s programme injures at least 15; police resort to lathi-charge As Vedan took the stage and began his first song, the crowd broke past the barricades, leading to a stampede-like situation. Synopsis: At least 15 people were injured in a stampede-like situation during a music programme conducted by Malayalam rapper Vedan in Palakkad. The police resorted to a lathi-charge multiple times to bring the situation under control. At least 15 people were injured in a stampede-like situation during a music programme conducted by Malayalam rapper Vedan at Kotta Maithanam (fort ground) in the Palakkad district of Kerala on Sunday, 18 May. The incident occurred on Sunday evening as an uncontrollable crowd surged forward, forcing police to resort to a lathi-charge multiple times to bring the situation under control. The event, jointly organised by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department and the Culture Department, had drawn a crowd of over 2,000 people. The programme, which was scheduled to start at 6 pm, began two hours behind schedule, further agitating the waiting audience. Scuffle and stampede-like situation As Vedan took the stage around 8 pm and began his first song, the crowd broke past the barricades set up for security, leading to a scuffle and a stampede-like situation. Several people suffered minor injuries, and some in the audience reportedly fainted due to the chaos. Police initially attempted to control the crowd but were soon overwhelmed by it. A team led by Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rajesh Kumar arrived at the spot and temporarily halted the programme to clear pregnant women, the elderly, and children from the venue. Despite attempts to restore order, the unrest persisted. The police were forced to lathi-charge the crowd four times during the event. Unable to manage the law and order situation, Vedan exited the stage by 9 pm after performing just three songs. The injured were admitted to Palakkad District Hospital for treatment. Tensions flared further as a scuffle reportedly broke out between the police and organisers during the commotion. Several people complained of breathlessness and dizziness near the stage but no major injuries were reported. Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the lapses in security arrangements and crowd management at the venue. (Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.) Courtesy : TSF Note: This news is originally published on https://thesouthfirst.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Jagan condemns attack on Dalit student at Tirupati
The YSRCP President demands that a police case be registered on the incident and action taken against the assailants Condemning the attack on a Dalit engineering student, James, at Tirupati, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said there is no safety for Dalits in the State as the ‘law and order situation has been deteriorating‘. In a post on X on Sunday, Mr. Jagan said, “The incidents show the growing attacks on Dalits and the failing Law and Order (L&O) situation in the State, which is not protecting weaker sections and those who raise their voice against injustice. Such incidents are taking place as the police machinery is biased towards the ruling party, and such incidents are happening at some place or the other in the State. It has become a practice that when a victim approaches a police station to report, a case is registered against the complainant,’‘ he said. In the Tirupati incident, it was not just the failure of the Police Department to register a case, but also political interference which prevented the police from registering a case, he said, adding, “I demand that a case be registered and action taken against those who attacked the Dait youth.” Courtesy : G V R Subba Rao G.V.R. Subba Rao, The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https://thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
A crime that revealed the ugly reality of caste
Murugesan and Kannagi, of Pudukkoorapettai near Virudhachalam, were poisoned to death. The reason: Kannagi, of the Vanniyar community, married Murugesan, a Dalit of the same village Nearly 22 years ago, S. Murugesan, 25, a Dalit youth, and Kannagi, 24, a Vanniyar girl, fell in love with each other. Murugesan was an engineering graduate from Annamalai University, Chidambaram, and Kannagi studied B. Com at the university. They got acquainted during their college days. Both hailed from Pudukkoorapettai, near Virudhachalam, in Cuddalore district. He was working in Bengaluru. Kannagi’s father Duraisamy was the president of the village panchayat and Murugesan’s father Samikannu was a farm worker, who lived on the outskirts of the village, far removed from where the Vanniyars and other caste Hindus lived. Apprehending stiff opposition to their marriage, Murugesan and Kannagi had their marriage solemnised at a temple at Manjakuppam in Cuddalore, on May 5, 2003. They also registered it. After marriage, they went home. On July 3, 2003, Duraiswamy learnt that his daughter was taken away by Murugesan while going to Chidambaram to attend the monthly seminars at the university. ‘Disrepute to family’ Duraisamy sent his son Marudhupandiyan to find out the whereabouts of his daughter. It was their idea to eliminate the couple for causing disrepute to their family and caste. Marudhupandiyan visited the house of Samikannu and asked Samikannu and his brother Ayyasamy to bring Murugesan to the village. Ayyasamy innocuously brought Murugesan from a neighbouring village. He was dragged to the village and beaten up by Duraisamy and his men in front of a temple, where about 100 people had gathered. Velmurugan, younger brother of Murugesan, recalled, “My brother was beaten up severely. They tortured him: tying up his legs with a rope, they lowered him, upside down, into a deep bore-well near the temple, asking him to disclose the whereabouts of Kannagi.” Murugesan begged for his life and said Kannagi was in the custody of his relative Saroja at Moongilthuraipattu. Then, Duraisamy’s men brought Kannagi to the village in the early hours of July 8 from Saroja’s house. She was taken to a burial ground. Murugesan was also taken there by Duraisamy and his relatives. Duraisamy went over to Kannagi and spat on her face. Then, he handed pesticide in a tumbler to his son Maruthupandian, and they made Kannagi consume it. Thereafter, Maruthupandian handed over poison to a relative of Murugesan and asked him to pour it into the mouth of Murugesan. As Murugesan resisted, they opened his mouth with a knife and poured the poison in. While Murugesan’s body was burnt near a stream, Kannagi’s body was taken to a crematorium meant for the caste Hindus. Sent away by the police On the day of occurrence, Chinnapillai, stepmother of Murugesan, went to the Virudhachalam police station, along with a few relatives. They were sent away by the police. The death of the couple was hushed up by the influential persons, but it spread by word of mouth. A Tamil weekly carried a report and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan raised the issue at a press conference. Initially, Duraisamy and his group claimed that the couple committed suicide because of irreconcilable differences. However, Samikannu and other Dalits alleged that the Vanniyars had brought Murugesan and Kannagi, by deceit and force, to Pudukkooraipettai and murdered them. It took nine days for the Virudhachalam police to register a case, on the basis of voluntary confession by Duraisamy. Inspector Sellamuthu implicated three Dalits, including Samikannu, and arrested eight men: four Vanniyars and four Dalits, including Duraisamy, Maruthupandiyan, Samikannu, and Ayyasamy. The police claimed that Duraisamy admitted that he felt ashamed of the love affair and asked Samikannu and Ayyasamy to bring the couple to the village. He gave poison to his daughter and Samikannu gave the left-over to his son. Both of them cremated the bodies. The arrest of Samikannu and the three other Dalits caused a controversy since the Dalits believed that they were, in no way, involved in the murder. Thereafter, the Dalits approached advocate P. Rathnam who, though not a Dalit by birth, championed their causes. Mr. Rathnam and a team of lawyers visited the village and prepared a report. They fought for justice until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict last month. Within 23 days of the occurrence, the Principal Sessions Judge, Cuddalore, granted bail to the arrested persons, reasoning that Duraisamy would be disqualified from the post of panchayat president if he was to be in judicial custody for more than 30 days. After being released on bail, Samikannu and the other Dalits approached the Madras High Court for a CBI investigation. Meanwhile, inspector Sellamuthu completed his probe and filed a charge sheet before the Judicial Magistrate, arraigning the four Vanniyars and four Dalits, who were arrested earlier, as the accused. Subsequently, the High Court ordered the CBI to conduct a fresh investigation. The CBI filed a charge sheet on October 14, 2005, before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chengalpattu, against 15 accused, including Tamilmaran, sub-inspector, and Sellamuthu, inspector, of the Vriddhachalam police station. Though the final report was filed by the CBI in 2005, the case was committed to the Court of Session only after more than four years. The trial court framed the charges and questioned the accused persons more than seven years after the crime. The reason for this inordinate delay was the filing of petitions for discharge of the accused persons, and for cancellation of the bail of some of the accused persons for intimidating the witnesses. Death sentence awarded On September 24, 2021, the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases, Cuddalore, acquitted Ayyasamy and Gunasekaran of all the charges. It awarded the death sentence to Marudhupandian and life imprisonment to Duraiswami and 11 others. Following appeals, a Division Bench of the High Court delivered a common judgment on April 13, 2022, and commuted the death sentence imposed on Marudhipandian. However, it confirmed the life
Mystery shrouds Dalit man death in fire
Mandya: In a shocking incident, a 43-year-old Dalit man, Jayakumar, was alleged to have been burned alive in Katteraghatta village, located in KR Pet taluk of Mandya district, on Saturday. Police said the incident occurred when a haystack owned by Anil Kumar, a resident of the same village and a member of an upper-caste family, was placed on land belonging to Jayakumar. Despite repeated requests by Jayakumar to remove the haystack, Anil Kumar allegedly refused. In her police complaint, Lakshmi, the wife of the deceased, complained against Anil Kumar. Jayakumar is alleged to have set fire to the haystack and then jumped into the flames, resulting in his death. On Friday, Jayakumar had also given a complaint to KR Pet Rural police station against Anil Kumar for allegedly not removing the haystack from his land, police stated. KR Pet Rural police have filed a murder case under the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https://timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Kerala Police initiates inquiry into alleged custodial harassment of Dalit woman at Peroorkada police station
While the woman was booked under Section 306 (theft by a clerk or servant) of the BNS, it is now deemed that the accusation was false The Kerala Police have instituted an inquiry into the alleged custodial harassment of a Dalit woman at the Peroorkada police station after being falsely accused of theft. Bindu R., a domestic worker and mother of two children, was taken into custody on April 23 after a complaint was filed by her employer, alleging that she had stolen 2.5 sovereigns of gold. While she took up the job at the house in Ambalamukku on April 14, she worked only for three days until April 19 before discontinuing. She was purportedly called to the police station around 3.30 p.m. and “detained” for nearly 20 hours. During her time at the station, Ms. Bindu alleges she was subjected to inhumane treatment, including being told to drink water from the washroom when she asked for water. She claims the officers coerced her into confessing to the theft by threatening to implicate her two minor daughters, and her husband in the case. Despite a search of her residence yielding nothing, she was booked under Section 306 (theft by a clerk or servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She also alleged that she spent the night at the police station and was denied food until the following afternoon. The accusations eventually unravelled when the complainant informed the police that the missing gold necklace had been found at their own residence. Ms. Bindu has since filed formal complaints with the Chief Minister, State Police Complaint Authority and the State SC/ST Commission. The Commission has initiated an inquiry and has instructed the Thiruvananthapuram City Police to submit a report in this regard. Seeks action against cop Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan called for strict legal action against the officers involved in the issue. He also criticised the perceived inaction of the Home department in redressing the complainant’s grievance. He further alleged that the absence of accountability in the department and the political patronage of law enforcement enables such abuse of power. He said that the conduct of the police officers amounts to gross violation of human rights and the law. Courtesy : The Hindu Bureau, The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https://thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Kerala police crack 15-year-old missing case, confirm murder of dalit woman through DNA evidence
Years of relentless efforts by Reshma’s family, including a 2021 habeas corpus plea and CBI probe demands, kept the case alive until the Crime Branch took charge in December 2024 under SP Prajeesh Thottathil Synopsis: Kerala Police have cracked a 15-year-old missing case, confirming the murder of 18-year-old Dalit woman Reshma through DNA testing of a recovered bone fragment. Reshma vanished in 2010 after traveling to Kanhangad for teacher training. Her disappearance remained unresolved for years until the arrest of a longtime suspect, bringing long-awaited answers in a case marked by delays and persistent advocacy In a major breakthrough, Kerala Police have confirmed the murder of an 18-year-old Dalit woman who went missing in 2010, following the arrest of a long-suspected perpetrator and DNA confirmation from a recovered bone fragment. Reshma, a resident of Balamthode in Kasaragod district, was last seen on 6 June, 2010, in Kanhangad city, where she had gone to pursue a teacher training course after completing her plus two studies. Her disappearance remained a mystery for over a decade, with limited progress in the investigation — until now. Case finally cracked The case was cracked after the arrest of Biju Paulose, a civil contractor from Bappunkayam in Panathur, by a special investigation team led by Crime Branch IG P Prakash. Paulose, who had been accused for years by Reshma’s family and Dalit rights groups, is now formally charged with sexual assault and murder. According to police sources, Paulose had been in a live-in relationship with Reshma since her school days, while concealing his marriage and family. Her father, MC Raman, had filed a complaint in January 2011 alleging that Paulose had lured her with false promises of a job and marriage. Initially treated as a missing person’s case, the investigation saw repeated delays and jurisdictional transfers — from Ambalathara Police to Bekal Police, and later to the Crime Branch on High Court orders. In earlier police statements, Paulose had allegedly admitted to killing Reshma and dumping her body in a river, but the lack of physical evidence had stalled legal action. Relentless efforts by Reshma’s family Years of persistence by Reshma’s family, including a habeas corpus petition filed in 2021 and demands for a CBI probe, kept the case in the spotlight. The turning point came after the Crime Branch officially took over the case in December 2024, under the leadership of Kannur SP Prajeesh Thottathil. A bone fragment recovered from an undisclosed location was sent for forensic testing — and DNA results confirmed the remains belonged to Reshma. Authorities are continuing their interrogation of Paulose and are searching for the exact site where the murder took place and the body was disposed of. A formal police statement is expected shortly. Reshma’s case, long emblematic of systemic failures and delayed justice in crimes against Dalit women, may finally see closure — thanks to relentless advocacy by her family and renewed investigative efforts (Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Dileep V Kumar) Courtesy : TSF Note: This news is originally published on https://thesouthfirst.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
The funds are not reaching the Dalits in Bihar… Why did Rahul Gandhi make this allegation? Nitish is upset!
Bihar politics: Rahul Gandhi, who reached Darbhanga before the Bihar assembly elections, raised many big political questions in his address. Now brainstorming is going on in Bihar regarding these questions. Rahul Gandhi’s questions are about the facilities and funds given to the Dalits. According to a report, the Bihar government transfers the funds allocated to the Dalits to general schemes. Patna: During a recent interaction with students at the government-run Ambedkar Kalyan hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that Scheduled Castes are not getting benefits from the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) fund, which is a set of resources set aside for their development. The Congress MP raised this question at the inaugural meeting of the Congress’ “Shiksha Nyay Samvad” campaign on Thursday. In this meeting, Rahul Gandhi put forth his point on many issues. Let us know, what is the whole truth? Especially why is Rahul Gandhi saying this? What is Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan? SCSP is a strategy of the central government aimed at ensuring proportionate flow of resources for the development of Scheduled Castes through implementation of infrastructure, education, health and other welfare schemes in areas with substantial Dalit population. SCSP was launched in 1980 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to reach out to Dalits. SCSP funds are channelled through the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides special central assistance. There are three categories of SCSP schemes: fully centrally funded, fully state-funded, and hybrid schemes that are divided in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and the state. How much does Bihar spend? According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the Bihar government allocated Rs 16,777 crore for its SCSP schemes in 2021-22, but allegedly diverted Rs 10,799 crore to general schemes. Similarly, out of Rs 19,688 crore allocated for SCSP schemes in 2022-23, Rs 18,450 crore was allegedly diverted to non-SC schemes. In 2023-24, the state government allegedly spent Rs 11,796 crore on general schemes out of the total SCSP funds of Rs 16,939 crore. Where was the money spent? Some of the major SCSP schemes include income-generating initiatives, financial assistance for construction or upgradation of houses, providing free land for housing, education and skill development schemes such as free distribution of books and school uniforms. After the latest CAG report on the performance of the Bihar government highlighted problems in the SCSP funds, nine Bihar MLAs, including CPI(ML)(L) MLA Satyadev Ram, had questioned the JDU-led state government in the Assembly in March over the alleged diversion of funds. Though the state government did not reject the CAG’s findings, it said the auditor had not used the word “diversion” but only described the department-wise allocation of SCSP funds. Understand the matter For instance, the CAG report said that out of Rs 16,939 crore of SCPS funds in 2023-24, Rs 1,447 crore was allocated for Chief Minister Local Area Development Scheme and flood control, Rs 3,465 crore for construction of medical colleges, Rs 394 crore for construction of government buildings and Rs 212 crore for other projects like construction of state hospitals and healthcare buildings. Debt of Rs 460 crore of state power companies was also repaid using SCSP funds. SCSP fund utilisation rules The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes presented a report on social justice in both the Houses of Parliament in August 2018, in which it expressed concern about the utilisation of funds earmarked for the Scheduled Castes. The report said that under the allocation for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, diversion of funds is not acceptable and the funds are earmarked for Scheduled Castes only, but due to the general nature of the schemes of some ministries/departments, the funds are not fully utilised. The committee has also recommended that the Niti Aayog monitor the funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes to ensure that they are not under-utilised or diverted. Letter written to the Centre According to a report in the ‘Indian Express’, social activist Rajeev Kumar, who has written several letters to the Centre on the matter, said that neither the Centre nor the state government is ready to admit that the funds have been misused, while the money was “blatantly used by other departments”. How does this fit with the Congress’ electoral agenda? Rahul Gandhi is likely to make it a political issue ahead of the assembly elections later this year, as Dalits constitute 19.65% of the state’s population. Rahul Gandhi is making the issue Gandhi told the students in Darbhanga that there is no place for you in this country; there is no place for 90% of the people of the country. From senior bureaucracy to the top management of the Government of India, High Court and educational and medical (institutions), 90% of the population has no representation. But MNREGA is full of your people. The SCSP fund set for the Scheduled Castes is not reaching them. All the wealth is with 5-10% people. Although the Congress has raised the issue of alleged misuse of SCSP funds at the national level from time to time, but this is the first time that the party is raising this issue in Bihar. In the 2020 assembly elections, the Congress won 19 seats. Four of its MLAs are Dalits. About the author Ashutosh Kumar Pandey Active in print, digital and electronic journalism for more than 16 years. Degree in Political Science and Journalism. Started writing in Jansatta, Hindustan and Dainik Jagran in 2003. Worked for ETV, Maurya TV, Focus TV, Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prabhat Khabar.com and Network 18. Reported in four Lok Sabha elections and many assembly elections. Courtesy: Hindi News