Chikkamagaluru temple allows Dalit entry, worship after 50 years
Expecting trouble, the district administration had deployed hundreds of police personnel in the locality; however, the caste Hindus did not put up any resistance. CHIKKAMAGALURU: Hundreds of people from the Dalit community at Nidaghatta village in Kadur taluk of Chikkamagaluru district on Tuesday entered the caste Hindu temple of Anjanaeya Swamy, where they were denied entry for decades, and worshipped the deity. Expecting trouble, the district administration had deployed hundreds of police personnel in the locality, however, the caste Hindus did not put up any resistance. Kadur Tahsildar CS Poornima, Tarikere Deputy Superintendent of police VS Halamyrthy Rao, Taluk Panchayt Executive Officer CR Praveen, Circle Inspector M Rafiq and Sakrayapatna Sub Inspector Pwan monitored the situation. Close to the Anjanaeya Swamy temple, the Dalit community has built a temple for Mahatma Gandhi and worshipped him there since independence. Educated Dalit youth and progressive protagonists of Dalit movement in the village and surroundings had been fighting for their rights, including the provision for them to gain entry into Hindu temples, for the past five decades, but villagers had always put up a stiff resistance. The Dalits leaders in the village had also taken up the issue with the Kadur taluk administration, but there were no positive steps so far. After the incident-free movement on Tuesday, Dalit leaders YT Govindapa, Raghavendra, Banur Suresh, Kadur Pramod, Banur Naganna, Y Malapaura Thammaiah, Basur Prasana, Gopal, Jayanna and Kedigere Chandrapp thanked the taluk administration and the police department for the security arrangements. 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
Deadly attack on Dalit teenager in Bhagalpur: Case filed under serious sections including SC/ST Act after two months
Nearly two months after the fatal attack on a Dalit teenager in Bhagalpur village, located in the Mail police station area of Deoria, the police have filed a case. Based on the complaint of the victim, an FIR was registered at the Mail police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the SC/ST Act. An investigation has been initiated. According to the FIR, Satish Kumar, a resident of Bhagalpur, stated that his 17-year-old son, Ashish, was on his way to a medical store to buy fever medicine between 9 and 10 pm on April 20, 2026. Near the primary school, some youths stopped him and attacked him with a sharp weapon, using casteist slurs. Ashish suffered serious injuries to his abdomen. The attackers, believing him dead, fled the scene. Ashish, who was seriously injured, was first taken to the Primary Health Center in Lar, from where he was referred to the district hospital. As his condition worsened, he was taken to Gorakhpur Medical College and later referred to Lucknow for better treatment. The teenager is currently undergoing treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Lucknow, where he underwent a second operation. The victim’s father has alleged that Vishal, Ashutosh Yadav, Akhilesh Sahni, and some of their associates were involved in the incident. Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case. The police have registered a case against the accused under sections 109(1), 191(2), 191(3), 351(3), 352 of the IPC and section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The investigation has been initiated under the direction of the Circle Officer, Barhaj. The police stated that an impartial investigation is being conducted and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence. Jay Mishra | Bhagalpur, Deoria Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit anganwadi worker alleges caste boycott over meals in Odisha village
The kitchen helper claimed villagers urged beneficiaries to reject food prepared by her and pressured her to resign, forcing officials to intervene after the centre was locked. BARGARH : A dalit woman appointed as kitchen helper at an anganwadi centre in Jharbandh block has accused a section of villagers of persuading beneficiaries to boycott the food prepared by her because of her caste and pressurising her to quit the job. The woman, 23-year-old Padmini Jagat, was appointed as a kitchen helper at the anganwadi centre in Dewanpali village around two months ago. She alleged that since her joining, some villagers have been asking parents not to send their children to the centre and discouraging beneficiaries from consuming meals, eggs and chhatua prepared by her as she belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. Padmini further alleged that the villagers have organised two meetings to pressurise her father Abhadut Jagat into asking her to resign from the post. The controversy escalated on Wednesday when a group of villagers allegedly locked the anganwadi centre, disrupting its functioning. The closure deprived children, pregnant women and lactating mothers of supplementary nutrition and other services provided through the centre. Padmini said she was among three candidates who had applied for the post and appointed through due process. “Soon after my appointment, some villagers tried to force my father to ask me to withdraw. However, I joined the centre and continued working. After the schools reopened recently, they again tried to intimidate us following which my father asked them to give a written letter stating that they were unwilling to send their children to the anganwadi centre because I belong to the dalit community.” Recalling the village meetings, Abhadut said, “Villagers repeatedly pressurised me and said they would seek appointment of someone else after Padmini resigned. ‘Do you want us to eat food cooked by a Ganda? How can we send our children there?’ they questioned.” Jharbandh CDPO Susama Patel said the newly-appointed helper had not informed her about such an incident. “After learning about it, I visited Dewanpali along with the local tehsildar on Thursday and held discussions with the villagers. They assured us of their cooperation following which the anganwadi centre was unlocked.” The CDPO said she will make a follow-up visit to the village to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. 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
“Following Ambedkar’s ideas is so…” 14-year-old Dalit content creator receives open rape threats! Why she became an online target, read the full story
A case has come to light in Delhi where a young man named ‘Gaurav Hindu’ publicly threatened and abused a minor. Nishu appealed to the Delhi Police for help in a video released on June 30. Delhi – Nishu Azad, a 14-year-old Dalit social media creator, is receiving open rape threats. Earlier, during the CJP’s Jantar Mantar protest, her father was attacked in an organized attack, his head was torn apart with a rod, and he received stitches in three places. Nishu is in trauma, and the family is pleading for justice and protection. Nishu Azad was active in the CJP movement. She and her father had declared themselves separate from Hinduism. They clearly stated that they do not consider themselves Hindus. This statement went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage among conservative groups. This led to online trolling and then a physical attack. On June 23rd, Nishu’s father was recording a video at Jantar Mantar when a gang of about 15 people attacked him. One attacker smashed the camera, then took out a bracelet and repeatedly struck him on the head, causing deep injuries to three parts of his head. Following the attack, Nishu Azad released an emotional video, identifying the accused, who were roaming in the high-security zone. She stated that the attack was carried out because of her statements and her active participation in the CJP protests. Now, Nishu is receiving repeated rape threats from individuals, including Gaurav Hindu. In a video released on June 30th, Nishu herself appealed to the Delhi Police for help. In her video, Nishu says, “I’m in trauma. I’ve been tolerating this for three days… People are abusing me, saying I won’t live long… Gaurav Hindu is threatening me… I don’t want to speak for myself… He’s making such threats.” Crying, Nishu continues, “I’m not scared, but I’m in trauma… Can showing people the truth and telling them the truth… Can following Ambedkar’s ideals be so costly? The police aren’t taking any action on this.” Expressing her helplessness, Nishu asks what she should do, against whom should she file an FIR. Following Nishu’s video, several Bahujan handles have voiced their support. Social media users are demanding the arrest of the accused who made rape threats and casteist abuses against the minor. What the Law Says: Strict Provisions on Rape Threats Indian law is very strict on the abuse of minor children. Any accused who openly made rape threats to a 14-year-old Dalit content creator like Nishu Azad can be charged with several serious sections. Sexual threats or attempts to commit a crime against a minor (under 18 years of age) also fall under the POCSO Act. Threats of rape are punishable under Sections 11 (sexual harassment) and 12 (criminal intimidation). The punishment can be a minimum of 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine. If the threat clearly contains sexual intent, it is considered more serious. Since Nishu belongs to the Dalit community, if the threat involves caste-based insults or hatred, sections of the SC/ST Act can also be invoked. This Act provides additional protection and speedy trial for such crimes. Action can also be taken for rape threats made on social media. The victim or their guardian can file a written complaint at the police station. Delhi Police should immediately register an FIR. POCSO cases require timely investigation and trial in a child-friendly court. Screenshots, videos, messages, and witness statements are important as evidence. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A deadly attack on a couple in Kurara: Violent men dragged the husband and allegedly assaulted the woman; police investigating.
A Dalit family has been fatally attacked in Umraht village, under the Kurara police station area of Hamirpur. It is alleged that the violators entered the home, attacked the couple, and mistreated the woman. The woman’s husband was seriously injured in the incident. The victim has appealed to the Hamirpur Superintendent of Police for justice and protection. In a complaint letter to the Superintendent of Police, the victim, Keshkali, wife of Santram, stated that the incident occurred at around 12:15 a.m. on June 28, 2026. Keshkali was sleeping with her family in the veranda of their home when some villagers entered their home armed with sticks and illegal firearms. It is alleged that the attackers abused and attacked the couple. They brutally beat Keshkali’s husband, Santram, and dragged him about 100 feet from their home to Ramu’s house. Santram was also severely assaulted there, leaving him bleeding and seriously injured. The victim also accused the main accused of assault, snatching, and molestation. The complaint also states that the main accused is a criminal. A case against him under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code is already pending in court at the Kurara police station. The victims filed a written complaint at the Kurara police station on the night of the incident. Subsequently, the police arranged for their medical examinations at the Primary Health Center (PHC) Kurara. However, the victims allege that instead of taking strict action against the accused, the police charged both parties under sections of “disturbing the peace.” In a letter submitted to the Superintendent of Police, the victim stated that the police’s lax action has emboldened the perpetrators. The victim and her entire family face a serious threat to their lives and property. She has urged the Hamirpur Superintendent of Police to intervene in the matter and take strict legal action against all the accused. Dinesh Kumar | Patara, Hamirpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Madhya Pradesh: Dalits and tribals suffering from low compensation in the Ken-Betwa Link Project
Chura Ahirwar, former sarpanch of Palkonha village, explains, “The main problem with the project is low compensation. In the village, some are being given Rs. 30,000, some Rs. 50,000, and some Rs. 1 lakh for their houses. With such low compensation, people can’t even buy the stones for their houses.” Read this report The Ken-Betwa Link Project in Madhya Pradesh is a river linking project. The project was approved for implementation under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The project involves transferring water from the Ken River to the Betwa River. The project cost is estimated at Rs. 44,605 crore. The project is estimated to irrigate a total of 10.62 lakh hectares annually. Meanwhile, 2.3 million trees will be cut for the project. Approximately 1,913 families will be affected by the project, and approximately 9,000 hectares of land will be submerged. In such a situation, the people primarily affected by this project are Dalits and tribals. They also face the threat of displacement. The biggest challenge in the project is the need for adequate compensation. For years, affected people have been taking steps like submitting memorandums and protesting to secure adequate compensation. Last April, the demand for compensation for the affected people took the form of a widespread Panchtatva Satyagraha movement. This movement began on April 5, 2026, and lasted for approximately 12 days. The affected people participated in the Panchtatva Satyagraha by smearing mud on their bodies, lying on pyres, committing symbolic hangings, conducting Jal Satyagraha, fasting, and extinguishing their stoves. During this period, slogans such as “Our village – your arbitrariness will not be tolerated” were raised. Ultimately, the affected people threatened a massive movement and gave the administration time to reconsider the compensation issue. We visited the rural areas of Panna district to understand the pain of the people affected by this project. These areas include Palkonha, Kadwara, Naiguwan, etc. in the Bijawar tehsil of the district. First, we arrive in Palkonha. Near the main road in this village, we discuss compensation with some villagers. Madanlal Ahirwar (50), a Scheduled Caste member, tells us, “I have been paid 30,000 rupees in compensation for my two-story house. We filed an application complaining about the low compensation, but have received no response. Can 30,000 rupees even lay the foundation for a house today?” Nanni Bai Ahirwar (70) is left without adequate compensation. She says, “I have two rooms in my house, for which I have not received any compensation. Similarly, my elder son’s house has not received compensation. Everything we have is at stake in this project. How will we manage our lives if we don’t receive adequate compensation?” Further into the village, near a platform, we meet Rammu Ahirwar (65) and Chura Ahirwar (48). In conversation, Rammu says, “My house cost around 10 lakh rupees. But I only received 4.5 lakh rupees in compensation. With that, we can’t rebuild our house like before.” He further adds, “Due to the lack of compensation, villagers are unable to go to cities like Indore, Bhopal, Delhi, and Mumbai for livelihood. Those who received little or no compensation are unable to build their own houses or get their sons and daughters married.” Chura Ahirwar, the former village sarpanch, adds, “The main problem with the project is the low compensation. Some in the village are being given 30 thousand rupees for a house, some 50 thousand rupees, and some 1 lakh rupees for a house. With such low compensation, people can’t even buy the stones for their houses.” After talking with the villagers of Palkonha, we head to Naiguwan village. We reach Naiguwan in about 30 minutes by bike. In this village, we meet some villagers near a banyan tree. Shakuntala Saur (40), a tribal woman, earns her living by working as a laborer. Sadly, she explains, “The government provides over 1 lakh rupees under the housing scheme. However, the compensation for our house is only 60,000 rupees. Just imagine, is this justice done to us? Who can build a house with this much? It can’t even build a proper toilet and bathroom.” As soon as Shakuntala finishes her sentence, Andu Saur (52) adds, “Our two-story house falls in the submergence zone of the project, and we haven’t received any compensation yet. When we complain to the officials about compensation, they say it will come…it will come. But we don’t know when it will come.” Then, we speak with Bihari Saur (55) about the project’s problems. He says, “The reason we haven’t received adequate compensation under this project is because of the lack of a proper survey. The officials didn’t conduct the compensation survey door-to-door, but instead gathered villagers together in one place. This has led to irregularities in the compensation.” After learning about the compensation issue in Palkonha village, we headed towards Kadwara village. We reached Kadwara by bike in about 40 minutes. In this village, we chatted with some villagers near a public water tap. Hakka Ahirwar (40 years old), a Scheduled Caste, says, “Our family, Bablu, Chandu, and I, three brothers, rely on 11 acres of agricultural land for our livelihood. This was acquired for the project. We received compensation of Rs. 5 lakh per acre for this land. However, when we go to buy land, we get Rs. 10-12 lakh per acre. Consequently, we are unable to purchase land. This is the problem faced by the farmers whose land is submerged in the project.” He further says, “We have only had the skill of farming for generations. The government hasn’t given us any other skills, nor has it provided any employment. Meanwhile, the government is paying 5 lakh rupees per acre as compensation for the land. At the same time, it’s deducting 5 lakh rupees from the residential plot being given to us. Is this fair?” Divya Ahirwar (60 years old) explains, “We received 2 lakh rupees in compensation for our two-story house. I spent 40 thousand rupees seven years ago to get a borewell installed in
Main accused arrested in Dalit youth’s death case: Died during treatment after assault, search for others intensified
Police have arrested Saurabh, the main accused, in the case of the death of Dalit youth Shyamveer Pratap Singh alias Sonu during treatment in Ujaramau village of Rajepur police station area in Farrukhabad. Following his arrest, the accused was produced in court and sent to jail in judicial custody. According to police, Shyamveer Pratap Singh was seriously injured in a fight on the night of June 18th due to an old rivalry. Family members allege that the accused assaulted him using casteist slurs. The injured youth was first referred to CHC Rajepur, then to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and later to Hallet Hospital in Kanpur, where he died during treatment. Section 105 added after death A case was registered under relevant sections at the Rajepur police station based on the complaint of the deceased’s brother. Following the young man’s death, Section 105 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was added to the case. Given the seriousness of the matter, a special police team was formed under the direction of Station House Officer Nagendra Singh. Based on continuous raids and technical evidence, police, led by Sub-Inspector Ashutosh Singh, arrested the main accused, Saurabh. Police stated that no culprit will be spared. Station House Officer Nagendra Singh stated that a thorough investigation into the case is ongoing. Based on the available evidence, strict legal action will be taken against all the accused, and no one will be spared. Sundram Singh | Amritpur Courtesy: Hindi News
Groom Dragged Off Mare As Wedding Procession Sparks OBC Caste Clash
A wedding celebration in Gujarat’s Patan district turned violent after a 21-year-old groom was allegedly dragged off a mare and assaulted during his wedding procession. Unlike many past incidents involving upper caste and Dalit communities, this case involves two Other Backward Class (OBC) communities—the Patni (Devipujak) community and the Thakor community. Police have registered a case against five accused based on the complaint, while rights activists say the incident highlights how social hierarchy and caste-based discrimination can exist even within communities that fall under the same reservation category. Wedding Procession Began Peacefully According to the FIR, the groom, identified as Kaushik Patni, had earlier completed a pre-wedding procession in Patan city before returning to his native village, Hajipur, where another traditional wedding procession was organised. Family members said the procession initially passed through the Thakor locality after the groom briefly got down from the mare near a temple, following local customs. Once the procession reached the Patni locality, Kaushik mounted the mare again to continue the celebrations. Groom Allegedly Pulled Off Mare Police said the violence broke out at around 9:30 pm when Ramuji Thakor allegedly entered the procession, grabbed the groom by his suit, dragged him off the mare, and tore his clothes. The incident triggered chaos as family members and relatives rushed to intervene. Family Members Also Assaulted The FIR states that Sanjayji Thakor and Mehulji Thakor allegedly assaulted the groom’s uncle, Prakash Patni. When women from the family, including Nita Patni and the groom’s mother Kamu Patni, tried to stop the assault, they too were allegedly attacked. The complaint further alleges that Rahulji Thakor and Kaushikji Thakor joined the assault, used caste-based slurs against members of the Patni community, and objected to the wedding procession passing through the area. Threat Over Future Wedding Processions According to the complaint, the accused allegedly warned the family of serious consequences if anyone from the Patni community rode a mare during wedding processions in the future. The groom also reported losing a gold chain during the scuffle. Police Register Case Patan police have registered an FIR under relevant provisions related to assault, criminal intimidation, rioting, and the use of caste-based slurs. An investigation into the incident is underway. Experts Say Incident Reflects Social Hierarchies Beyond Traditional Divides Human rights activist Kaushik Parmar said the incident demonstrates that caste- or community-based assertions of social superiority are not limited to the traditional upper caste-Dalit divide. He said the Patan incident, involving two OBC communities, shows that informal social hierarchies continue to exist despite constitutional guarantees of equality. The episode has once again brought attention to caste-related tensions during wedding processions in Gujarat, with the latest case highlighting that such conflicts can also arise within communities belonging to the same social category. Courtesy : VOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/vibesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Odisha: Mob lynches Dalit man, family accuses police of assault
The police, who arrested two persons in connection with the lynching, rejected the allegation that Nayak was assaulted after the force rescued him. Bhubaneswar: A Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death by a mob, suspecting him of being involved in a theft case in Odisha’s Khurda district, police said on Tuesday, June 30. The family members of the deceased also accused the police of assaulting Tofan Nayak (32) after rescuing him from the mob attack and taking the injured man home instead of a hospital. The police, who arrested two persons in connection with the lynching, rejected the allegation that Nayak was assaulted after the force rescued him. The incident took place at Khanat village under Banpur police station area at about 4 pm on Sunday, June 28, where the villagers allegedly tied Nayak to an electric pole and physically assaulted him by several people. He was rescued by the police at about 6 pm and handed over to his family two hours later. The family took him to a hospital. Nayak died on Monday, June 29, during treatment at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Earlier, he was admitted to Banpur Community Health Centre (CHC). The cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem examination, the police said. Also ReadRapido driver beaten to death over Rs 8k, family left devastated Police reject allegations, CCTV footage to be examined Meanwhile, based on a preliminary investigation, the Odisha Police headquarters rejected the allegation of custodial violence by Banapur Police. “The allegation is not supported by the available materials at this stage. The Zimmanama (handing over) executed by the parents, their statement before the CHC Banapur doctor, photographs of Tofan with family members at the time of release, and available CCTV footage of the police station are being examined,” the police said in a statement. Banapaur Police Station inspector in-charge Jayprakash Parida said, “One can verify the CCTV footage of Nayak being brought to the police station. He was made to sit outside the police station and never taken to the lock-up. There was no assault on him in police custody. He was healthy when being handed over to the family, though intoxicated.” Two accused arrested The police have meanwhile arrested Pabitra Rout (51) and Sarat Kumar Swain (60), both residents of Khanat village under Banapur police station. Khurda Superintendent of Police Parmar Smit Parshottamdas said a detailed investigation into the incident is underway, and further action will be taken after the postmortem report is received. The police have registered a case of murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act based on the complaint lodged by Nayak’s wife, Sasmita. She alleged that her husband was beaten up by people at Khanta village as well as by the personnel at the police station. Bhikari Nayak, the father of the deceased, held the police responsible for the death of his son. “The police rescued him from the village where my son was being beaten up. It was the duty of the police to refer him to a hospital instead of forcing us to take my injured son home,” he said. Nayak’s mother Sachala demanded a high-level inquiry and strict action against both police personnel and villagers involved in the assault. The incident came in less than two weeks after a mob attack on two NGO workers, including a woman in Rayagada district. This is also the second mob lynching incident in Khurda district where a GRP constable was beaten to death at Balianta on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on May 7. 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
Dalit groups plan statewide programme to mark 10 years of Una flogging atrocity in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Dalit leaders, social activists, and representatives of various organisations met at the Shahibaug Circuit House on Sunday to finalise plans for a statewide programme marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Una flogging atrocity on July 11. Those present included Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress SC cell chairperson Hitendra Pithadiya, social activists Dhruv Kalapi, Kamlesh Kataria, Subodh Parmar, Dikshit Parmar, and representatives of families affected by the atrocity. Attendees discussed the 2016 atrocity as a turning point for national discourse on caste discrimination, human dignity, and constitutional rights. Speakers also expressed concern over continuing incidents of atrocities, discrimination and social exclusion faced by Dalits, and stressed the need to uphold the constitutional values of equality, liberty, justice and dignity, stated a release by the group convened by activist Kanti Parmar. The leaders resolved that all future campaigns would remain peaceful, democratic and within the framework of the Constitution inspired by the ideals of Dr B R Ambedkar. Parmar said that a statewide programme will be organised on July 11 to commemorate the anniversary, with participation from Dalit organisations, youth, women, social activists and citizens committed to constitutional values. Organisers said the event would seek to highlight issues of social justice, protection of human rights, support for victims of atrocities and the promotion of equality and fraternity. They also appealed to people across Gujarat to participate in large numbers. Four Dalit youths were flogged in Una for skinning a dead cow by gau rakshaks on July 11, 2016. 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