Hope for justice and ruin Homes: Dalits being evicted from land in Kerala express anger, FIR filed against 50
Massive protests erupt in a Dalit settlement in Ernakulam, Kerala, over a land dispute. FIR filed against 50 people for obstructing police action. A Dalit settlement in Kerala’s Ernakulam district witnessed a massive uproar during an eviction drive. Police announced on Thursday that a case has been filed against approximately 50 identified individuals for obstructing government work during the drive. The incident occurred in the Pariyathukavu area, where a long-standing dispute has been ongoing over the ownership of a piece of land. Residents prevented the police and the accompanying Advocate Commission from carrying out the eviction proceedings. This action stems from a property dispute in which a private individual has legally established ownership of the land where these Dalit families have lived for many years. An officer from the Thadiyittaparambu police station stated that a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for obstructing a public servant from performing his official duty, taking a tough stand against the protesters. Amid this tense situation, political activity has also intensified. The CPI(M) has formed a special protection committee to ensure the safety of families in the area from any potential police action. Subject to a visit to the affected area, senior CPI(M) leader P. Rajeev spoke to reporters. He clarified that the previous LDF government intended to grant land rights to the residents in accordance with the rules after the survey work was completed. Rajeev stated that the government in the state changed before the survey process was completed, leading to the administration’s use of force, which is highly condemnable. He stated that a protection committee has been formed to address this situation. The CPI(M) leader also claimed that while they could have protected these people without a committee, the situation has now changed and only a public protest can provide security to these families. He urged the state government to take the necessary steps to complete the survey process as soon as possible. He also demanded that no other punitive action be taken regarding the disputed land until the survey is completed. This eviction drive in Pariyathukavu has been a contentious issue for several years. According to reports, the administration has made several attempts to clear the area in the past, but all were unsuccessful. On Wednesday, the dispute turned violent when protesters began threatening suicide. They completely blocked the path of the heavily deployed police personnel equipped with anti-riot equipment. Given the presence of women and children at the protest, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala immediately intervened. To prevent the situation from getting out of control, he ordered the police to withdraw from the area. Meanwhile, the affected Dalit families have repeatedly approached the courts against their eviction. However, their appeals have been dismissed each time. These families have consistently claimed that the land they live on is government property and not owned by any private individual. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has upheld the ownership rights of the private individual in the legal battle. In light of this decision, the Kerala High Court directed the enforcement of the private individual’s rights, forcing the administration to launch the eviction drive. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Karnataka: Caste-Based Insults at Madeeshwara Temple Festival; Shobha Yatra Denied Entry to Dalit Settlement Despite Receiving Donations!
The Dalit community alleges that they face such disrespectful treatment every year. The procession never enters their settlement, and if they do visit the temple, they are forced to stand at a distance. Members of the Dalit community in Machalli, a remote village in Krishnaraja Nagar taluk of Mysuru district, have alleged severe untouchability and caste discrimination surrounding the Madeeshwara Temple and the deity’s Shobha Yatra. According to local residents, it is a long-standing tradition in the village that during the annual festival of Lord Madeeshwara, the bull procession is taken to every home and every settlement. This tradition was not followed in the Dalit settlement during last week’s festival. The Dalit community alleges that they are forced to perform puja in a humiliating and unequal manner. As soon as their festival is over, the idol is immediately removed and taken away, depriving them of the opportunity to worship the deity. Residents of the Dalit neighborhood reported waiting for two to three hours, but no arrangements were made for their worship. The temple doors were closed, and people left. One member said, “This is happening even in the 21st century, which is very sad.” The community alleges that this happens every year. The procession never comes to their settlement, and if they go to the temple, they are forced to stand at a distance. According to the Dalit community, this time the village elders had agreed in a public meeting and promised that full arrangements would be made for the worship in the Dalit settlement as well. Trusting this promise, every Dalit family contributed thousands of rupees for the worship. But when the deity’s procession reached the Dalit settlement, the situation suddenly changed. Within just two minutes, the idol was snatched away, and the worship was not performed. Following this, some elders and young people of the village gathered and openly declared, “They only have 15 houses, what can they do?” Members of the Dalit community allege that they were subjected to severe abuse, death threats, and other atrocities. Dalit residents also stated that they pay taxes and volunteer for public and religious events in the village, yet they are not allowed to enter the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, touch the deity, or worship on an equal footing. The village is home to approximately 60 Dalit families, most of whom are agricultural laborers. Following this incident, members of the Dalit community have protested in the village, demanding immediate action from the district administration and equal rights in the temple. They have also accused the Social Welfare Department and local authorities of failing to reach the village despite repeated complaints. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindu News
‘Blood and animal flesh on the body…’ Delhi woman gang-raped and forced to convert; 4 accused arrested
A case has come to light in Delhi in which a Dalit woman was gang-raped. Blood and flesh were also thrown at her. Four people have been arrested in this case. New Delhi: A shocking incident has come to light in the national capital. A 23-year-old Dalit woman was abducted by some men in Delhi’s Batla House area. The woman alleges that she was gang-raped and brutally tortured. According to the woman, the men also tried to force her to convert. The woman complained that in 2021, she was in contact with a man named Sahil through social media. She later learned his name was Faheem. The accused told her that he was from a wealthy Hindu family and wanted to marry her. Gang rape and pornographic video made: The woman stated that in 2022, the accused called her to Batla House, where other people were present. She was gang raped there. Furthermore, he, along with his friends, made a video of her and blackmailed her. The woman was then taken to Meerut, where she alleged she was sexually assaulted again. The woman described her ordeal: The woman stated that Faheem and his relatives were involved in illegal arms dealing. To intimidate her, Faheem would pour blood on her. Furthermore, he would throw animal meat on her. She also alleged that a man named Tasleem Maulvi tortured her afterward. Four accused arrested: Southeast Delhi Police registered an FIR in the gang rape case and have arrested four accused. Police stated that the woman was first gang raped in the Batla House area. An FIR was registered in this regard at the Jamia Nagar police station. Four people have been arrested in connection with the gang rape of the woman. It should be noted that in 2025, Gurugram police arrested Faheem and confiscated his phone. Edited By: Shilpa Srivastava Courtesy: Hindi News
Casteist language in census forms! NCSC issues notice to Punjab government on complaint
The main issue concerns words included in Punjab’s official list of Scheduled Castes, which are associated with the Valmiki community of sanitation workers. These words have been in use for a long time, but the community now considers them derogatory. New Delhi/Chandigarh – The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken cognizance of a complaint regarding the use of allegedly casteist words in the official list of Scheduled Castes being used in the upcoming census. The Commission has directed the Punjab Census Director and the Principal Secretary of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) in this matter within 15 days. The Commission’s recent notice states that it has taken cognizance of a complaint submitted on May 6 by Hardeep Singh Gill, Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis. The complaint describes certain words used in both English and Punjabi in the Punjab government’s Scheduled Caste list (specifically Entry No. 2 relating to the Valmiki community) as casteist and derogatory. The Commission has informed both officials that if a response is not received within the stipulated time, it may, invoking the powers of a civil court under Article 338 of the Constitution, issue summons to the concerned officials to appear before it either personally or through a representative. The main issue concerns the inclusion of words associated with the Safai Karamchari community (Valmiki/Balmiki) in the official list of Scheduled Castes in Punjab. These words have been in use for a long time, but the community now considers them derogatory. These words are included in the proforma being used during the preparation of the 2027 Census. Census Operations Director Navjot Khosa has clarified that this list is not new. It has been in existence for decades, and the same proforma was used in the 2011 Census. It is used only for caste enumeration, not to insult anyone. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken this complaint seriously and initiated an investigation. Community representatives have demanded the removal of these words and action under relevant provisions. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
₹730.51 crore diverted from Scheduled Caste Welfare Fund in Maharashtra to ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana’, activists say “This is caste-based financial violence.”
Allegations are that funds reserved for SC/STs are routinely being diverted to other projects to suit political expediency. Mumbai – The Maharashtra Government’s Social Justice and Special Assistance Department issued a government order on May 20th approving the use of funds allocated under the Scheduled Caste (SC) Component Scheme for the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana. Under this decision, a provision of ₹3000 crore has been made for the financial year 2026-27, of which a total of ₹730.51 crore (₹365.2550 crore each month) is being distributed to the Women and Child Development Department for March 2026 and April 2026. The order clearly states that, in accordance with the Finance Department’s circular dated 09.04.2026, the framework for fund distribution for the financial year 2026-27 has been prepared and submitted. Accordingly, the Finance Department has obtained approval for this. Under this budget head, for the “Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen” Scheme (2235-D767), an amount of ₹365.2550 crore for the month of March 2026 and ₹365.2550 crore for the month of April 2026 for female beneficiaries, totaling ₹730.51 billion, has been approved by the government for distribution through the budgetary fund distribution system to the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, as the administrative head of the department. This move was criticized on Twitter and other social media platforms. Critics and opposition leaders termed this move as a misuse of funds meant for the welfare of a particular class. Human rights advocate Priyadarshi Telang reacted sharply to the issue, stating that funds reserved for SC/STs, from the ministry to the district collectorate level, are routinely being diverted to other projects tailored to suit political expediency. He alleged that Dalit and tribal settlements are deliberately being deprived of amenities such as roads, drainage, drinking water, schools, and basic sanitation. Telang said, “Using crores of rupees of SC/ST welfare funds to build roads for influential institutions or to fill gaps in other departments is not merely an administrative lapse but a systematic attack on constitutional justice.” He termed the siphoning of ₹730.51 crore from the SC/ST component fund for the Ladki Behen Yojana as “blatant opportunism” and described it as caste-based fiscal violence. He demanded that the Maharashtra government enact a stringent law to prevent such diversion, providing for jail terms for erring officials and politicians. Telang asked whether those who appeal to Dalit votes in the name of social justice, especially the Maharashtra Congress, will demand the restoration of rights for SC/ST communities and oppose the fund diversion? Activist Rajendra Patode called it a loot. In his post on x, he wrote, “The ₹730.51 billion allocated for the ‘Ladki Behen Yojana’ for Scheduled Castes was diverted today! Through reclassification, reserving ‘open categories’ for ‘reserved categories’ without making appointments, the Chief Minister’s pilgrimages, the division of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Commission, caste and religion registration in the census, and voter re-verification programs, the state government has once again looted the ₹730.51 billion reserved funds for education, scholarships, fellowships, the ‘Swadhar’ scheme, employment, health, water supply, housing, and development works for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.” In February, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat expressed dissatisfaction with his own government’s policies, reiterating that his department’s funds were being used for schemes like “Ladki Behen,” which was unacceptable. He also stated that due to the financial burden, the government would not increase the promised amount of ₹1,500 under the “Ladki Behen” scheme to ₹2,100. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the “Cockroach Janata Party,” hails from the Dalit community and boasts 14.5 million followers on Instagram. X accounts banned in India.
What began as a satirical movement against the CJI’s controversial remarks has now become the country’s largest digital youth movement; after surpassing the world’s largest party, the BJP, in social media following, the government has resorted to digital censorship over its “legitimate demand.” New Delhi: Rarely in India’s judicial and political history has a single verbal comment morphed into such a widespread and explosive mass movement as is currently being witnessed. The “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP), which emerged in protest against Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant’s reference to youth as “cockroaches” during a hearing on a fake degrees case, is no longer merely a social media trend. This movement has seen two major and historic turning points that have shaken the country’s political analysts and the establishment. The first turning point is that Abhijeet Dipke, the movement’s architect and founder, who is pursuing a Masters in Public Relations from Boston University, has openly revealed his social background and clarified that he comes from the Dalit community. Second, within just four days, the movement has shattered all records of popularity on social media, leading to the complete banning of its official X (formerly Twitter) handle in India as a retaliatory measure. “I am a Dalit and this is the voice of the oppressed against the system.” The social background of CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who initially presented himself as merely a “lazy and unemployed” youth, gives the entire movement a new ideological edge. Abhijeet’s political understanding and his Dalit discourse are nothing new. In a Twitter post made on June 6, 2024, at 1:04 pm, Abhijeet openly discussed his identity and made candid comments on Dalit politics in Maharashtra. Criticizing Prakash Ambedkar’s politics in the context of the India Alliance after the Lok Sabha elections, Abhijeet wrote: “Prakash Ambedkar’s arrogance cost him dearly. Coming from a Dalit community, I personally witnessed how unhappy Dalits in Maharashtra were with his refusal to join the India Alliance. When Dalits rallied behind the India Alliance, Prakash Ambedkar chose the opposite path. Although I personally don’t see him as a BJP agent, people in the community were convinced that he was helping the BJP by not joining the India Alliance. You can’t demand 16 MP seats when you don’t have a single MLA in the state.” This post by Abhijeet makes it clear that he is not just a ‘chronically online’ youth, but has a deep understanding of the ground political reality and the pulse of the Bahujan Samaj. Analysts believe that the Chief Justice’s remarks are being seen not just as “anti-youth” but as a reflection of the system’s profound insensitivity towards the “historically exploited and marginalized.” When those at the helm of power call the youth “cockroaches,” it reflects a feudal and casteist mindset that has for centuries treated the oppressed as vermin. Over 14.5 million followers in just 4 days: Surpasses the BJP’s digital empire The grassroots and digital strength of this movement can be gauged from the fact that the Cockroach Janata Party has established a record of popularity on the social media platform Instagram, a level that traditional political parties take decades to achieve. According to the latest media reports, the number of followers on the CJP’s Instagram handle has incredibly increased from 10.5 million to over 14.5 million (14.5 million). With this record-breaking number, the CJP has surpassed even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the world’s largest political party, in terms of Instagram following. Currently, the BJP’s official Instagram handle has approximately 8.7 million followers, while the CJP has surpassed them by several hundred thousand. According to digital experts, Instagram’s entire system operates on an algorithm. The short videos posted by the CJP—which include sharp satire, youth anger, demands for employment, and direct criticism of systemic flaws—received millions of views immediately. Young people connected directly with this content. The number of followers reached 5.5 million in just 48 hours, 6.2 million in three days, and surpassed 14.5 million on the fourth day. Additionally, more than 600,000 young people have formally registered for membership on the CJP website so far. Is the government afraid of its growing popularity? The CJP’s ‘X’ account has been suspended in India. As the Cockroach Janata Party’s digital reach began to challenge mainstream politics, the system’s repressive nature also became apparent. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke confirmed that the Cockroach Janata Party’s official Twitter account, X, has been completely banned in India in response to a “legal demand” from the Indian government. Prior to the ban, CJP’s X handle had amassed over 200,000 followers in a short period of time. X typically bans accounts when it receives a “legitimate and reasonable request” from an authorized government entity. Whenever a movement or voice begins to stray from the control of the government, attempts are made to suppress it. However, despite the ban on the X account, CJP’s Instagram account remains fully active with 14.5 million followers. Reacting to this digital censorship, young people have called it a “sign of fear.” In a statement released on its website, the CJP clarified: “We were fully aware that there would be attempts to eliminate us and portray us as anti-social elements. But we want to make it clear that the CJP firmly believes in the Constitution of India and will always work to protect its values.” Constitutional Dignity and the 5-Point Agenda: The Serious Message Behind the Satire Political parties should not mistake the CJP for a mere ‘funny trend,’ as the five demands included in its manifesto directly attack the biggest flaws in the country’s democratic system: Impartiality of the Judiciary: No Chief Justice will hold a Rajya Sabha seat or any other government post after retirement. Protection of Voting Rights: If any valid vote is deleted in any state, the Chief Election Commissioner will be held responsible and arrested under the UAPA. True Women’s Reservation: 50% direct reservation will be provided to women without increasing parliamentary seats, and 50% of cabinet positions will also be reserved
Who is Veera Pasi, the “unsung hero” of the 1857 revolution, whose statue Rahul Gandhi unveiled in Rae Bareli?
Rahul Gandhi unveils Veera Pasi’s statue in Rae Bareli: Learn about the glorious history of the unsung Dalit hero of 1857 and the full dynamics of Dalit vote bank politics ahead of the UP Assembly elections. Uttar Pradesh: Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday unveiled the statue of Veera Pasi, the “unsung hero” who fought the British during the 1857 rebellion, in Rae Bareli. This is not the first attempt by political parties in Uttar Pradesh to woo the Pasi community through their legends. However, Gandhi’s move in his constituency is considered significant ahead of next year’s UP Assembly elections. On the same day, he also addressed a “Bahujan Swabhiman Sabha” in memory of Veera Pasi. At the event, Gandhi said that while we remember Veera Pasi and Dr. Ambedkar, their ideology is not being properly defended, as the Constitution is being constantly attacked before our eyes. Who was Veera Pasi? In the 19th century, Veera Pasi was the most trusted companion and commander of Rana Beni Madhav Bakhsh Singh, the ruler of the Shankarpur estate in modern-day Rae Bareli. This Dalit warrior, belonging to the Pasi caste, was born on November 11, 1835, into a poor family in Lodhwari village, Rae Bareli district. After losing his parents in his childhood, he went to live with his sister. In the local dialect, a brother living with his sister’s family was called “Veerna,” which later changed to “Veera.” Impressed by his extraordinary physical strength, Singh recruited him into his army. With his loyalty and bravery, he soon became one of his most trusted associates. According to local folklore, when Singh was captured by the British during the 1857 rebellion, Pasi displayed indomitable courage and rescued him safely from prison. The British government, in a panic, announced a hefty reward of 50,000 rupees for Pasi’s capture or information about his whereabouts. Although Veera Pasi’s name is not prominently recorded in history books, his legacy lives on in Rae Bareli and its surrounding areas. The Pasi community lives in large numbers in these areas, and their oral traditions have preserved this hero. Folklore also says that Pasi attained martyrdom while protecting Singh from the British army. Dalit History and Politics in Uttar Pradesh In recent years, political parties in Uttar Pradesh have begun to prominently commemorate Dalit icons of the past and their contributions to the freedom struggle. A clear example of this was provided by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya) Awadhesh Prasad, while taking oath in the Lok Sabha after the 2024 general elections. During his oath, he specifically mentioned two prominent figures from the Pasi (Dalit) community: “Veerangana” Uda Devi and “Maharaja” Bijli Pasi. Uda Devi was part of the royal guard of Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh and actively participated in the 1857 rebellion. She is credited with mobilizing the common people to take up arms against the British. In recognition of this historical contribution, the Samajwadi Party celebrated Uda Devi’s death anniversary on a grand scale at its party headquarters in November 2022. The Bijli Pasis, who ruled parts of Uttar Pradesh during the medieval period, are considered one of the most prominent Dalit symbols. The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has announced plans to develop Bijli Pasi’s fort in Lucknow as a tourist destination. In December 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid a heartfelt tribute to Maharaja Bijli Pasi. Chief Minister Adityanath echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, describing him as a brave warrior from Lucknow who openly challenged foreign rule to protect India’s eternal traditions. Dalit leaders and academics in Uttar Pradesh clearly believe that historians have largely “ignored” the community’s great men. Ajay Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, says that mainstream history writing has often neglected the contributions of Dalits, tribals, and other marginalized communities. According to Professor Kumar, these communities have long strived to reclaim their historical and cultural heritage in response to this neglect. This process is not limited to rediscovering the past, but is also a powerful means of reviving identity, self-respect, and political consciousness. He further explained that since these communities traditionally had very few written records, their history was passed down from generation to generation through folklore, folk songs, memories, and oral traditions. These oral traditions became the most important carriers of their social experiences, struggles, and collective consciousness. SP leader Manoj Paswan, who belongs to the Pasi community, also openly supported Professor Kumar’s views. He said that it was Kanshi Ram who brought Dalit heroes to the forefront and appealed to the community to learn to be proud of their history rather than be ashamed of it. Paswan believes that Dalit leaders played a vital role in the country’s freedom struggle. Despite this, unlike upper caste heroes like Mangal Pandey, they did not receive the place they deserved in history books, and now there is a dire need to correct this historical mistake. The Pasi Community and Uttar Pradesh’s Dalit Vote Bank The Pasi community constitutes approximately 7 percent of the state’s total Scheduled Caste population. This figure makes them the second largest and most influential group among Dalits in Uttar Pradesh, after the Jatavs. Although they also have a significant presence in other Indian states, their largest population resides in Uttar Pradesh. When the Samajwadi Party (SP) performed remarkably well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, winning 37 seats, the party benefited significantly from this community. Five Pasi candidates fielded by the SP won, while only three Pasi candidates from the BJP managed to win their seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), once a strong force in Uttar Pradesh politics, is now steadily losing its support base. The BSP’s total vote share in the 2017 assembly elections was 22.23 percent, which fell to 12.88 percent in the elections held exactly five years later. Interestingly, this remaining vote share is roughly proportional to the Jatav-Ravidasi Dalit population, which has been
Dalit Woman Assaulted, Denied Drinking Water In Odisha Village
Puri: In a shocking incident, a Dalit woman was allegedly denied access to drinking water and assaulted by some villagers in Kanas area of Odisha’s Puri district.Odisha Culture Blog Showing signs of caste-based discrimination, the incident reportedly took place at Karmala village under the jurisdiction of Gadisagoda police station in the district. It was alleged that the woman had gone to a local matha to fetch drinking water but she was prevented from doing so by some villagers. They claimed that the place would become impure if she entered. The villagers allegedly shut the gate of the matha and prevented her from entering to collect water. When the woman protested, she was reportedly abused with certain remarks about her caste and physically assaulted. The incident triggered widespread outrage after a video appeared on social media. Following the incident, the woman reportedly lodged a complaint at the Gadishagoda police station. She has also approached the State Commission for Women seeking justice. The family members of the woman alleged that they are being warned by some villagers not to continue living in the village. Courtesy : Odisha Bytes Note: This news is originally published on https:/odishabytes.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
In Gujarat’s Sabarkantha, Violence, Discrimination and Social Boycott are Pushing Dalit Families to Flee
Representatives of the community, who submitted a memorandum, alleged that people are being mentally, physically and economically harassed, leaving them with no option but to consider leaving their native village. In Gujarat’s Sabarkantha, Violence, Discrimination and Social Boycott are Pushing Dalit Families to Flee Dalit villagers from Rupal and Prantij gather at the Collector’s office at the district office in Himmatnagar. Photo: Dhiraj Leua New Delhi: An exodus may be imminent in some Gujarat villages, where members of the Dalit community have alleged they are increasingly facing harassment, intimidation and violence at the hands of upper-caste communities and OBC communities. “It will happen, if not today, then very soon,” says Somabhai, a resident of Rupal village in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district, alleging that the upper-caste communities do not wish to see their community prosper. On May 18, members of the Dalit community from villages in Sabarkantha district submitted a memorandum to the Resident Additional Collector at the district office in Himmatnagar demanding immediate intervention and protection from such atrocities. In it, Dalit villagers from Rupal village have alleged that despite repeated requests and appeals to the local administration, they continue to face harassment at several levels. They feel that the administration has failed to provide justice and a sense of security to the community, which now finds itself facing an effective social boycott within the village. Representatives of the community alleged that people are being mentally, physically and economically harassed, leaving them with no option but to consider leaving their native village. In the memorandum, the community clearly writes that if a lasting resolution is not reached within the next seven days, families from the Scheduled Caste community may be forced to migrate. Dalit leaders submit a memorandum to Krishna A. Vaghela, Resident Additional Collector, at the district office in Himmatnagar seeking protection from atrocities. Photo: Dhiraj Leua The allegations emerging from Rupal village are part of a wider and deeply entrenched pattern of caste violence and discrimination in Gujarat, a state often projected as a ‘model of economic development’, but where Dalit communities continue to report systemic exclusion, intimidation and violence. According to official data, thousands of cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes have been registered in Gujarat over the past decade, ranging from assault and social boycott to rape and murder. While the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data cited in the Gujarat assembly showed that more than 9,000 cases of crimes against Dalits were reported in the state between 2016 and 2022 alone, rights groups and Dalit activists argue that the actual number is likely much higher due to underreporting, pressure on victims to “settle” disputes locally, and fear of retaliation from dominant caste groups. Dhiraj Leua, a teacher and activist from Rupal village, believes that the police and administration have no will to protect them. “Does the government not have mechanisms to ensure our safety? Thakors (an upper-caste community) don’t let us build good homes, they don’t let us sport moustaches, they don’t let us ride motorcycles or cars. Why can’t we be allowed to live?” he asks, speaking to The Wire. Like Leua, others from his community have become accustomed to anti-Dalit slurs, caste based abuse which have become a daily affair. However, what made them write to the Resident Additional Collector, was a recent incident where members of the Thakor community tried to run a Dalit man over with a tractor. Bystanders filmed this, preventing the Thakors from crushing the Dalit man. “After that, we couldn’t take it anymore. We cannot die everyday just because they think we are lesser humans than them,” Leua says. He notes that in several instances when members of the Scheduled Caste community approach police stations to file FIRs against their oppressors, they are instead booked in counter cases themselves. “First we are harassed and when we go to claim our rights, we are slapped with cross FIRs with POCSO Act cases, attempt to murder, attempt to rape to break our spirit” he said. Caste violence in Gujarat has drawn national attention several times in the past, from the flogging of Dalit men by cow vigilantes in Una, 2016, to recurring reports of segregation in villages, denial of access to temples, separate utensils in schools and economic boycotts targeting Dalit families. However, according to data tabled in Rajya Sabha, the conviction rate in cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes between 2018 and 2021 was a mere 3.065 %, much lower than the national average. According to data reported in response to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, acts of discrimination in urban Gujarat are extremely high as well. Ahmedabad city reported 189 cases – the highest number in the state – of atrocities against SC people in 2022. The state recorded a total of 1,425 such cases. From 2018 to 2021, only 32 cases out of the 5,369 registered cases were proved against the accused. In at least 1,012 registered cases, the accused were acquitted, even when the charges were as serious as murder and rape. Researchers studying caste violence have also linked such attacks to assertions of social and economic mobility among Dalit communities, arguing that upward mobility often triggers backlash from dominant caste groups seeking to preserve traditional hierarchies. In many villages across Gujarat, activists say the threat of social ostracisation, denial of work, and violence continues to function as a mechanism to discipline Dalit assertion and maintain caste control. In nearby Prantij town, too, the Scheduled Caste community is mustering the courage to call out their oppressors. Gujarat MLA from Vadgam and Working President, Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, Jignesh Mevani recently took to Instagram to highlight the issue, where he said that the Dalits in Prantij felt below pests and claimed to be treated in an extremely inhuman manner. Mevani, who is also convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch, said that the police and administration just register cases for formality and then forget about the issue and this leaves Dalits in a very
Brutality in Delhi: Dalit girl trapped by posing as Hindu, bathed in blood, threatened with pieces of meat, married at gunpoint
Delhi Crime News: A heartbreaking incident has come to light from Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area. A Dalit girl was lured by posing as Hindu on social media. She was then held hostage and gang-raped. The accused subjected the girl to horrific atrocities to force her to convert. Blood and pieces of flesh were thrown at her to frighten her. Police have registered an FIR in this case and arrested four accused. New Delhi: A horrific and chilling incident has come to light from the Jamia Nagar area of South East district. A 23-year-old Dalit girl was held hostage and gang-raped, but she was also forced to convert. The mastermind behind this entire conspiracy is an illegal arms supplier named Faheem. He lured the girl by posing as a Hindu on social media. To intimidate and demoralize the victim, the accused would throw animal blood and pieces of meat at her. Serious questions have also been raised about the police’s approach in this case. Initially, the police were reluctant to register a case. Now, Delhi Police has filed an FIR and arrested four people. How did Faheem, posing as “Sahil” on Instagram, weave a web of lies? This entire story began on social media in 2021. The accused, Faheem, concealed his identity and created a fake profile on Instagram under the name “Sahil.” He described himself as a boy from a very wealthy Hindu family. The victim fell for his deception, and they began communicating. The accused even promised to marry her. In 2022, the accused invited the girl to meet him in Delhi’s Batla House area. Upon arriving, the girl discovered that Sahil was actually Faheem. Faheem and his associates then held the girl hostage and gang-raped her. The victim’s descriptions in her complaint are chilling. According to the victim, Faheem and his relatives are involved in illegal arms trafficking. The accused subjected the girl to mental and physical abuse. Animal blood was smeared all over her body to frighten her. Furthermore, pieces of meat were thrown at her to completely terrify her. Following this, a cleric named Tasleem tortured the girl and forced her to convert to Islam. How were they being targeted by threatening to kill their innocent daughter? The brutality of the accused did not stop there. After gangraping her in Batla House, the accused also made an objectionable video of the victim. She was continuously blackmailed using this video. The accused also took her from Delhi to Meerut and gangraped her there as well. When the victim tried to resist, they threatened to kill her young daughter. For the safety of her daughter, the victim endured this hell for two years, from 2022 to 2024. How did a raid by the Gurugram police change the entire case? The turning point in this case came in 2025. The Gurugram police arrested the main accused, Faheem, in another case. The police confiscated his mobile phone, which contained incriminating videos and photos of the victim. When the victim was assured that the videos had been deleted from the accused’s possession and could not be leaked, she mustered the courage to approach the police. She then contacted the Delhi Police. Which five people are named in the FIR, and what action did the police take? According to South East Delhi DCP Hemant Tiwari, an FIR was registered in this case at the Jamia Nagar police station on May 14, 2026. The victim has named five main individuals in her complaint. The FIR names Faheem, Khurshid, Zaid, Azim, Taleem, and Nafees. Police have taken action and arrested four of the accused so far. Another accused is currently in Meerut jail in connection with a separate case. Police are preparing to bring him to Delhi on a production warrant from the court. Edited by: Deepak Verma About the Author Deepak Verma, Deputy News Editor, Works as Deputy News Editor in the digital newsroom of News18 Hindi. He has over a decade of experience in journalism. Courtesy: Hindi News