MP News: Dalit Family Allegedly Beaten Over Forced ‘Wheat Donation’ For Temple; 4 Arrested
A Dalit family in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district was allegedly assaulted by local strongmen for failing to provide the full quantity of wheat demanded as a temple donation. Five family members were injured, and police have arrested four individuals under the SC/ST Act following the incident. In a tragic incident, a Dalit family in Maharajganj village of Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district was allegedly assaulted after they failed to provide the full quantity of wheat demanded as a “donation” for a village temple. According to reports, local strongmen arrived at the family’s home and asked for wheat in the name of temple contribution. When the family said they were unable to meet the demand and had already given what they could afford, the situation escalated into violence. The accused allegedly abused the family, dragged members outside, and attacked them with sticks, rods, bricks, and stones. Women and children were also reportedly caught in the assault, leaving several family members injured and bleeding. The victims said the demand exceeded their financial capacity. “If I give away my wheat as a donation, what will I feed my children for the rest of the year?” the victim reportedly told those who came to collect the contribution. Five members of the family sustained injuries and were later taken to a local hospital after visiting the police station. A video of the incident has also surfaced, showing the alleged assault and triggering widespread concern over caste-based intimidation in the region. The victims have named several individuals, including Shyam Patel, Hardayal Patel, Kripal Patel, Raja Bhaiya Patel, Ramswaroop Patel, and Bhagwatdayal Patel, alleging their involvement in the attack. They also claimed that their remaining wheat was forcibly taken away. Police have said the incident began over a dispute related to temple donation collection that later turned violent. “The incident stemmed from a request for wheat donations for a temple, which subsequently escalated into a physical altercation. The accused individuals have been arrested, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law,” NDTV quoted Civil Lines Inspector Ashutosh Shroti. Authorities confirmed that they have filed charges under the SC/ST Act against five people; four have been arrested, and one remains at large. However, the victims have stated that they are unhappy with the progress on their complaints and are convinced that what happened was not an impulsive disturbance but a premeditated effort to exert authority over them for the purpose of obtaining a religious donation. Courtesy : TDJ Note: This news is originally published on https:/thedailyjagran.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Casteist assault, Rs 5K fine: ASA calls out UoH’s ‘tokenism’ with hunger strike
The incident involves the physical assault and casteist abuse of Anuj, a student pursuing MA in Sociology, by a fellow student on December 11, 2025. ASA demands affirmative action against a HCU student for assaulting and hurling casteist slurs at Dallit student on campus on December 11, 2025. Representational image Hyderabad: Accusing the University of Hyderabad (UoH) administration of apathy over a caste discrimination incident against a Dalit postgraduate student on campus, the Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) has announced a relay hunger strike that began at 3 pm on Tuesday, May 5, at the Administrative Building. The incident involves the physical assault and casteist abuse of Anuj, a student pursuing MA in Sociology, by a fellow student on December 11, 2025. In a statement, ASA said that despite Anuj lodging a complaint with university authorities the very next day, it took months for them to even acknowledge the matter. This delay is a violation of the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) mandate requiring grievances to be redressed within three months, the association said. When action finally came, ASA said it amounted to little more than tokenism. The Anti-Discrimination Office imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the perpetrator and asked for a private apology. This, ASA pointed out, stands in stark contrast to the university’s track record of fining Dalit students up to Rs 10,000 for minor hostel infractions such as washing a bike on the premises. Adding to the grievance, the perpetrator reportedly released a video calling on students to socially boycott Anuj from all university spaces, even after the complaint was filed. “I was humiliated, beaten and hurled caste slurs. And even after I reported it, he put out a video asking everyone to boycott me. Do I not deserve this space?” Anuj said. ASA has also accused the administration of suppressing the fact-finding committee’s report on the incident, and demanded its immediate release along with that of the SC/ST liaison officer’s findings. 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
TN election results 2026 | Vijay alters caste matrix; Brahmins in, more room for Dalits
TVK wins 24 reserved segments, while DMK alliance (13) and AIADMK front (9) lag behind; two brahmin legislators break jinx in Dravidian heartland CHENNAI: In a verdict that departs from Tamil Nadu’s entrenched caste calculus, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has delivered a socially broad mandate while also reviving Brahmin representation in the Assembly, an area largely sidestepped by Dravidian majors, signalling a shift in the State’s electoral grammar. Led by C Joseph Vijay, a practising Christian, the party moved away from conventional caste alignments, prioritising candidate selection and local credibility. The outcome reflects that approach: more than 20 MLAs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, representation from the Muslim community, and notably, two Brahmin legislators elected from Mylapore and Srirangam. The victories of P Venkataramanan in Mylapore and Ramesh in Srirangam are being seen as politically significant. At a time when Dravidian majors have largely avoided fielding Brahmin candidates, fearing that their relatively small numbers could be outweighed by dominant caste blocs, TVK chose to field them, and they went on to win, marking a clear departure from prevailing electoral practice. Of the 234 Assembly constituencies, 46 are reserved. TVK candidates secured 24 of these seats, forming a crucial pillar of its overall tally. The remaining 22 reserved constituencies were won by the DMK-led alliance (13) and the AIADMK (9), indicating that while traditional formations retained ground in parts, TVK made decisive inroads. The party’s gains extended beyond reserved constituencies. In Virudhunagar, P Selvam, a Scheduled Caste candidate fielded in a general seat, defeated V Vijay Prabaharan, reinforcing the view that caste identity did not singularly dictate voter choice in this election. Party leaders maintain that the mandate reflects a shift in voter behaviour. “Brahminism refers to domination and discrimination, not a community itself. Those are issues of the past. Today’s youth are more aware. We chose candidates based on their work and public connect. There was no discrimination in giving tickets, including to women and minorities,” TVK treasurer and Mylapore MLA-elect P Venkataramanan said. Across both reserved and general constituencies, candidates from marginalised communities secured victories under the TVK banner, pointing to a consolidation that cut across caste and religious lines. The party’s strategy of fielding candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities underrepresented in recent electoral cycles, appears to have resonated with voters. Ramakrishna N Courtesy : DT Next Note: This news is originally published on https:/dtnext.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Casteism in Rajasthan: Initially said at a Sikar temple ceremony, “Dalits will not be seated in the yagna,” he apologized unconditionally after the video went viral!
The director of a private college in Ringas made a controversial statement, and after facing intense social pressure and criticism, he publicly apologized. Sikar – During a meeting of all communities held at the Tejaji Temple in Shahpura Tikaria, Sikar district, Rajasthan, Babulal Yadav, director of Tejal Shikshan Sansthan, Ringas, made a highly controversial statement. In the video, he is heard saying that the upcoming yagna-havan is being conducted according to Vedic tradition, and therefore, members of the Scheduled Castes will not be allowed to sit in it. He also clarified that while everyone has the right to sit in the Arya Samaj tradition, this ceremony is being conducted according to Vedic tradition, therefore, no one from the Scheduled Caste community will be allowed to sit in it. He specifically stated that women will not be allowed to sit in the ceremony. He tried to justify this discrimination by citing Vedic tradition and also stated that women could participate in the Kalash Yatra if they wished, but would not be given a place in the Yagya. He then asked those present to raise their hands, and many did. As the video spread on social media, widespread outrage erupted among Dalit organizations, social activists, and ordinary citizens. People not only described it as a vile manifestation of casteism but also a direct violation of Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which completely prohibits untouchability. It was also noteworthy that the person making the statement was directly associated with the educational world, which further deepened the controversy. After the video went viral and faced immense social pressure, Babulal Yadav publicly apologized. Such incidents have occasionally made headlines in Rajasthan, although Article 17 of the Constitution prohibits untouchability and guarantees equal rights to all citizens in religious activities. After facing immense social pressure and criticism, Babulal Yadav publicly apologized. He acknowledged his statement as incorrect, stating that he made an unintentional mistake but did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments. He stated that he respects the socio-religious sentiments of all communities and that he apologizes unconditionally, putting an end to the controversy. Many argue that an apology alone should not be the end of the matter, and that legal action should be taken against him under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This incident once again raises the question of how deeply rooted caste discrimination is on the ground, despite laws and constitutional provisions. At present, no official police action has been confirmed in the case, but social pressure and discussion continue. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit e-rickshaw driver was brutally treated in MP! He was stuffed into a tractor, beaten, and paraded around the village wearing a garland of shoes.
The Bhim Army demanded justice: “The accused should be arrested in such a way that future generations remember that no one is greater than the Constitution.” Morena – A serious case of caste-based assault, kidnapping, and public humiliation has come to light against 40-year-old Bharatlal Jatav, a resident of Jatawar village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. The victim has filed a First Information Report at the Civil Lines police station, accusing the accused of assault, abuse, caste-based insults, kidnapping, and threats to kill. The victim, Bharatlal Jatav, son of Bhikharam Jatav, stated in the report that he had a dispute with Bhura Gurjar and Sheru Gurjar, residents of Janakpur, during Diwali. Due to the same rivalry, on May 2nd, at around 3:45 pm, while returning from the bus stand to his village Jatawar in an e-rickshaw, a Swaraj tractor with a trolley stopped his rickshaw near Chambaldeep Hotel. The tractor driver refused to let him proceed, and Bhura Gurjar, Sheru Gurjar, and Surendra Gurjar got off the trolley and began assaulting him. According to the victim, the accused abused him, used derogatory terms for the Chamar caste, and said, “You behave very arrogantly.” When Bharatlal asked them to stop, the three slapped and punched him, beat him severely, and threw him into the tractor. Bhura Gurjar ordered the tractor driver to take him to Janakpur. The victim’s niece, Anjali, and nephew, Akash, were also present at the scene. Upon reaching Janakpur, Karua Gurjar, son of Surendra Gurjar, Mahendra Gurjar, and Dilip Gurjar joined in. They also hurled abuses at his mother and sister, hurled caste-related insults, and beat him with shoes. After this, the accused made a garland of shoes and placed it around the victim’s neck and paraded him around the village. A large crowd had gathered there during this time. The victim reported that when a police vehicle was seen approaching, Ballo Gurjar took out a pistol and placed it on his chest, threatening to kill him if he reported the matter to the police station. He suffered a bloody facial injury near his right eyebrow and sustained injuries elsewhere on his body. Strongly condemning the incident, Bhim Army leader Sunil Asteya said, “Just because he’s a Dalit, he was kidnapped, beaten with shoes, and made to wear a garland. The country has reached the moon, but Dalits still don’t have the right to walk on village streets like human beings. In Morena’s village of Jatawar, a man from the Jatav community was beaten in a trolley, then garlanded with shoes and paraded through the village. This isn’t an incident, but a slap in the face of the Constitution. Shame on the system that trumpets “equality” in every election, yet on the ground, Dalits are still treated worse than animals. It seems some casteist mindsets are still intoxicated with their upper caste status, not the law. It’s a good thing an FIR was filed, otherwise, the insults of Dalits are often swept under the rug under the guise of “compromise” in this country. Now, not just an FIR, but the accused should be arrested so that future generations remember that no one is greater than the Constitution.” The police have registered an FIR and begun investigating the case. The accused have been identified as Bhura Gurjar, Sheru Gurjar, Surendra Gurjar, Karua Gurjar, Mahendra Gurjar, Dilip Gurjar, and Ballo Gurjar, among others. The situation remains tense. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
A dispute in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, erupted over a demand for wheat in the name of a temple. A deadly attack on a Dalit family left several injured, including women.
The incident took place in the Maharajganj Civil Lines police station area. The dispute escalated over a demand for one quintal of wheat. The Azad Samaj Party demanded strict action. Bhopal. A serious incident has emerged from the Maharajganj Civil Lines police station area of Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. A dispute between two communities over a demand for wheat in the name of a temple escalated to a violent clash. It is alleged that some members of the Patel community forcibly demanded one quintal of wheat from poor families belonging to the Dalit Ahirwar community. When the affected families, citing their financial situation, offered only 50 kg of wheat, the dispute escalated and escalated into a physical altercation. It is reported that the Ahirwar community members clearly stated that they were unable to provide a quintal of wheat and could only provide 50 kg. Despite this, the accused refused to comply and continued to pressure them to provide one quintal. When the victim’s family persisted, it is alleged that members of the Patel community took an aggressive stance and attacked them with sticks and bricks. Both men and women were seriously injured in the attack, creating a tense atmosphere in the area. Those accused of assault include Shyam Patel, Ramswaroop Patel, Bhagwatdayal Patel, and Raja Bhaiya Patel. The victims include Kura Ahirwar, Chiddi Ahirwar, Sohan Ahirwar, Viru Ahirwar, Girija Ahirwar, and Kavita Ahirwar. The injured have reportedly been admitted to the hospital for treatment, where their condition is being monitored. According to the victims, when they demanded only 50 kg of wheat for the temple, citing their financial situation, the accused became abusive. The victims say the accused forcibly pressured them to give a quintal of wheat and, when they refused, allegedly began abusing them. The situation gradually became tense, and the matter escalated into a dispute. In the interview, the victims stated that when they protested against this indecent behavior and abuse, the accused began assaulting them. They were attacked with sticks and bricks, injuring several family members. According to the victims, women were also targeted and injured in the attack. Since the incident, the entire family has lived in fear and is demanding strict action against the accused. The incident has also sparked political backlash. Azad Samaj Party leader Sunil Astey tweeted on the matter, saying that a temple is a center of faith, but forcibly demanding grain from a poor Dalit farmer family in its name, and then attacking the entire family, especially the women, when they refused, is extremely shameful and condemnable. He said that this is not just a simple assault, but reflects a mentality of intimidation and oppression of the weaker sections. Speaking to The Muknayak, ASP leader Sunil Astey said that such illegal extortion and bullying in the name of religion is unacceptable under any circumstances. He demanded that the administration provide immediate security to the victim’s family, ensure proper treatment for the injured, and take strict legal action against all the accused. He also stated that hooliganism in the name of faith will not be tolerated in villages and that the law must be upheld. Currently, the police are investigating the case and are said to be taking action after considering all aspects of the incident. Ankit Pachauri Courtesy: Hindi News
‘We’ve been farming for 30 years’: Dalit families in a Mathura village allege forced occupation of land near a temple
“We’ve been farming this land for years, but now some people are trying to forcibly take it away.” A land dispute near the Dauji Maharaj Temple in Aicha village, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, has sparked tension. Dalit families allege that people associated with a local religious figure are trying to forcibly occupy their agricultural land. Two Dalit families, including Kewal Singh and Suresh Chandra, have accused some people allegedly associated with Mahant Baba Shyam Das of trying to take over their land behind the temple. According to a Justice News report, one of the victims said, “We’ve been farming this land for years, but now some people are trying to forcibly take it away.” The families claim that the land is still registered in their names in government revenue records. “We’ve been farming this land for 30 years” According to the families and villagers, they’ve been farming the disputed land for nearly three decades. A family member said, “We’ve been in possession of this land for the last 30 years. This is our only source of livelihood.” He added that they are deeply troubled by this sudden dispute. Accusations against Mahant’s supporters Villagers alleged that some people are trying to take over the land by using the name of Mahant Baba Shyam Das. A local resident said, “Some anti-social elements are trying to grab the land by misleading the Mahant. This has created tension in the village.” Administration intervenes, orders status quo maintained Following complaints, revenue officials visited the site and measured the land. An official said, “Both parties have been instructed not to carry out any activity on the land for the time being. The status quo must be maintained until further orders.” Officials stated that a detailed report will be submitted to higher authorities before any final decision is made. Victims plead for justice, allege threats The victim families reported that they have contacted several officials, but have received no concrete relief so far. Kewal Singh alleged, “We have been running from office to office seeking justice, but no action has been taken so far. We are also receiving threats, and no one is listening to us.” Local residents have urged the administration to ensure a fair investigation and return the land to its rightful owners. Courtesy: Hindi News
Systematic Exclusion: Caste-based atrocities across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, MP, and UP
A spate of anti-Dalit incidents—from a youth killed over leftover food in Amreli to a suspicious death after an inter-caste relationship in Tamil Nadu, and social boycotts in Khargone—also includes temple bans and clashes over Dalit wedding processions The promise of Article 17, which abolished “untouchability” in all its forms, appears increasingly fragile when viewed through the lens of recent incidents across the geographical expanse of the nation. From Tamil Nadu to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, these incidents are not mere statistical anomalies; they are symptomatic of a deeply entrenched “graded inequality” where the assertion of dignity by a Dalit—whether through love, religious participation, or the simple act of a wedding celebration is met with lethal force or social asphyxiation. The following report synthesises five harrowing accounts of caste-based hate, meticulously documenting how the intersection of social dominance, administrative apathy, and ritual purity continues to deny the Dalit community their fundamental right to life and liberty. Dalit youth found dead in Tamil Nadu after going missing; family alleges killing linked to inter-caste relationship Tamil Nadu (Pudukkottai) On April 21, in Nadupatti village of Kulathur taluk in Pudukkottai district, 20-year-old R. Hariharan, a Dalit youth, went missing after receiving a phone call. Two days later, on April 23, villagers grazing cattle near a forest area found a body floating in a water-filled quarry. The body was identified as Hariharan. Hariharan had been in a relationship with a 19-year-old girl belonging to a dominant caste. Around five months earlier, the couple had attempted to elope. Following this, both families were called to Keeranur police station, where a compromise was reached and the couple was separated. After the recovery of the body, Vellanur police registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS on April 24, treating it as a suspicious death, based on a complaint filed by Hariharan’s father, P. Rajkumar (50). The family refused to accept the body and demanded that a murder case be registered. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and the body was handed over to the family on April 27. Hariharan’s father, P. Rajkumar, stated that “The murder was committed by the family members of the girl belonging to another caste, because Hariharan had a love affair with her” as The Mooknayak reported On April 25, the FIR was altered to include Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the BNS and Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act. The accused named in the FIR include the girl’s father Rajendran, her brother Shanmugasundaram, and another person, Krishnan. The case is currently being investigated by the Pudukkottai town Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Members of Dalit community asked to bring their own plates & water for temple Gujarat (Junagadh) On April 29, during the Pran Pratishta ceremony of a Ram temple in Bhutadi village of Visavadar taluk in Junagadh district, members of the Dalit community were invited to participate in the event. Approximately ten Dalit individuals were invited by the organising committee. However, the invitation included conditions requiring them to eat separately after others had finished and to bring their own plates and glasses. They were also told that “Bring your own plates and glasses from home… stay outside the temple premises during the core rituals” as reported by The Mooknayak Ajay Chatur Boricha, aged 25, filed an FIR at Visavadar police station regarding the conditions imposed. Following this, members of the Dalit community refused to attend the event. The planned mass feast in the village was cancelled, while the temple consecration ceremony proceeded as scheduled. Police registered a case against five individuals: Babu Uka Hapani, Narendra Bhanji Siroya, Ramnik Samji Sorathia, Atul Bhikha Siroya, and Phula Popat Siroya. The case was registered under relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the BNS, 2023. Newly married Dalit couple were allegedly denied entry in temple Madhya Pradesh (Khargone) On April 26, in Khargone district, a Dalit couple, Nirmal Kanade and his wife, attempted to enter a Hanuman temple to offer prayers. The temple was initially found locked. After police intervention, the couple was allowed entry. Following this, a panchayat consisting of members from the Banjara and Patel communities held a meeting. The panchayat declared a social boycott against the couple and two other Dalit families associated with them. According to the New Indian Express, The decision included a financial penalty. “The panchayat announced that anyone engaging with the three families or selling anything to them would have to pay a penalty of Rs 11,000” as reported Following the announcement, local shopkeepers stopped selling goods to the affected families. Nirmal Kanade shared a video describing the situation and seeking assistance. Police later intervened and stated that the matter had been resolved through discussions, and restrictions were lifted. “Now, Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy” remark against Dalit wedding procession Uttar Pradesh (Shahjahanpur) On April 20, in Lai Kheda village under Tilhar police station area in Shahjahanpur district, a wedding procession arrived from Bareilly at a Dalit household. During the procession, a local individual, Rajpal Yadav, made a remark that now Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy. Following this remark, an argument took place which escalated into a physical clash between groups. Police stated that two processions had reached the same location at the same time, contributing to the situation. An FIR was registered against Rajpal Yadav and four others under provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST Act. Two individuals were detained in connection with the incident, as reported. Dalit youth dies after assault at Amreli hospital canteen following dispute over leftover food and caste inquiry Gujarat (Amreli) On April 20, at Shantaba General Hospital in Amreli district, 24-year-old Mahesh Premji Rathore from Gopalgram village died after being assaulted. Mahesh had been at the hospital to care for his 70-year-old uncle. While eating at a free canteen, he felt unwell and threw away a portion of leftover food. The canteen operator, Bharat Acharya, demanded a fine of Rs
Plates Apart: Junagadh Temple Feast Exposes Gujarat’s Caste Fault Lines
In Gujarat, a 3% conviction rate means that most accused of caste-based crimes walk free; the Bhutdi case is headed into the same odds. Junagadh: Five men walked into Bhutdi village, Junagadh district, on the evening of April 27, 2026. They had an invitation to deliver to the consecration feast of a newly built Ram temple, two days later. However, the Patostav invitation came with conditions. Residents belonging to the Dalit community were told to arrive only after members of other castes had eaten. They were to bring their own plates and bowls and food and water arranged for them would be kept separately. Lastly, they were to stay out of the temple itself. Ajay Chatur Boricha, 25, filed a formal complaint at the Visavadar police station the next morning. By the time the temple was consecrated on April 29, the community feast had been cancelled, five organisers were facing First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) Prevention of Atrocities Act, and the case had gained the attention of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Ravirajsinh Parmar of the Junagadh SC/ST Cell, who confirmed that statements had been recorded and notices issued to all accused under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 35(3). As we file this news report, investigators are also looking for digital evidence. The fact that a complaint was filed before any violence occurred and the Dalit community chose legal redress over participation on humiliating terms, marks a small but significant assertion of dignity. What happens to that complaint in the Gujarat’s courts is another matter entirely. The temple in Bhutdi where people belonging to the Dalit community were asked to bring their own plates to eat, Photo: By special arrangement, Vibes of India. A grammar of exclusion The conditions imposed on people belonging to the Dalit community in Bhutdi — separate vessels, a later sitting, barred entry to the sanctum — are not inventions of rural backwardness. Dalit manual scavengers in Ahmedabad district, whose testimonies have been documented by civil society organisations, describe the same logic at work in a city setting. Not only are members of SC/ST communities made to clean their own utensils and use separate tea tumblers in canteens, they also struggle to access basic amenities such as water, barred from using “upper-caste” water taps and forced to walk long distances for drinking water. A Dalit man engaged in manual scavenging said that when he and his colleagues demanded their rights from the municipality, officials threatened to fire them. In most so-called “posh” and “high caste” houses in Gujarat, there are two separate sets of utensils, especially tea cups and drinking glasses, which even the non-Dalit domestic workers refuse to touch. In March last year, a Dalit man from the Vadol village in Sabarkantha district was beaten, stripped, and paraded naked through the streets for an alleged extramarital affair with an upper-caste woman. Two Dalit men in Mandal village were assaulted by cow vigilantes for refusing to dispose off a dead animal, a task that caste hierarchy has historically forced upon SC communities. During Navratri, a young Dalit girl was dragged out by her hair as she was participating in a public garba event. Shailesh Solanki, a 38-year-old Dalit labourer, was assaulted and abused with casteist slurs at a crossroads in Sabarkantha, simply for wishing to visit the Kal Bhairav temple in Himatnagar. As recently as February 2026, a Dalit groom’s wedding procession in Patan district was stopped at sword-point by upper-caste men who objected to his riding a horse, a ritual they considered their exclusive right. The video circulated widely. In Banaskantha, a Dalit lawyer named Mukesh Parecha who wanted to arrive at his own wedding on horseback requested police protection. A team of 145 policemen arrived in Gadalvada village to escort him. Although the wedding passed without incident, the spectacle of state force required for a man to exercise a social custom that others take for granted was, in itself, evidence of the distance between constitutional guarantee and ground reality. The conviction rate The Bhutdi FIR, once it travels the familiar path of Gujarat’s criminal justice machinery, will encounter a set of odds that are well-documented. Between 2018 and 2021, the conviction rate in cases reporting atrocities against SCs in Gujarat was 3.06%. Of the 5,369 cases registered during that period, only 32 held the accused guilty. In 1,012 cases, including murder and rape charges registered under the SC/ST Act, the accused were quickly acquitted. A further 1,044 cases were settled out of court. Martin Macwan, veteran activist and founder of the Navsarjan Trust, noted that in the rare cases where conviction has been achieved, it is because non-governmental organisations (NGOs) looking after Dalit rights sustained the case despite the social pressure and threats the complainant and witnesses usually face. Ahmedabad alone recorded 189 cases of atrocities against SC persons in 2022, the highest of any district in the state, out of a state total of 1,425 registered cases. In March 2019, Gujarat’s then-minister for social justice told the state assembly that crimes against Dalit people had risen 32% between 2013 and 2017. The national conviction rate under the Atrocities Act stands at 3-4%. Advocates working in the space have offered a structural explanation: a prejudiced or compromised police officer at the investigation stage, or a biased judge at trial, can ensure that justice is never served while simultaneously encouraging the accused to file counter-complaints against the victim. The acquittal, in this reading, is not a failure of the law but of its gatekeepers. The prosperity paradox Gujarat’s governance record is frequently cited as evidence that development and social order can coexist. The state’s per capita income is among the highest in the country. Its industrial corridors, port infrastructure and export numbers are points of pride in every budget speech. The ‘Gujarat Model’ has been exported as a national template. Against this backdrop, the persistence of caste atrocity is not incidental. Instead it is, as researchers and activists
SC nixes Odisha’s ‘odious’ bail conditions to Adivasi, Dalit accused to clean police stations
Such “abhorrent” bail conditions, issued by both HC and trial courts, reflect the “regressive mindset”, caste-based biases of Odisha judiciary, says SC; sends warning against such bail conditions to all HCs When the Odisha judiciary set “odious” bail conditions, like cleaning police stations for two months, for members of Adivasi and Dalit communities, it suggested that judges had a “regressive mindset” and caste-based biases, the Supreme Court said on Monday (May 4, 2026). “Assuming that such conditions were imposed inadvertently or without any premeditated bias, the nature of the condition is so abhorrent, degrading, and unknown to law that it carries the potential to cast a serious aspersion, suggesting that the Odisha Judiciary is afflicted by a caste-based bias,” a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed in a seven-page order. Odisha mining project protest: Congress seeks independent probe; alleges PESA, FRA violations Indigenous protesters The subjects of these bail conditions are a group of indigenous people facing criminal charges after their three-year-old protest against the acquisition of their land for a Vedanta Group bauxite mining project in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts allegedly turned violent. Around 40 protesters were arrested and cases registered against them. Some of them were subsequently allowed bail by various courts in the State. However, a range of bail conditions, some of which the top court found extremely humiliating, were thrust upon the accused in return for exercising their fundamental right to personal liberty. New railway line proposed to connect ‘controversial’ bauxite hills in Odisha ‘Obnoxious, unpalatable’ Chief Justice Kant, who had taken suo motu cognisance of the orders imposing “obnoxious” and “unprecedented” bail conditions, said they had brought a bad name to the judicial institution itself. The Bench noted that, between May 2025 and January 2026, six such bail orders were issued by a local trial court, all imposing similar conditions. The court said it was both unfortunate and disheartening to see that the State High Court and the trial courts were on the same plane, both passing “unpalatable” bail conditions. ‘Underlying caste bias’ “Such conditions reflect the underlying, albeit unarticulated, bias of the Odisha State judiciary premised on the perception that the accused individuals belonged to the marginalised Adivasi community,” the Supreme Court observed. The court said the promise of a casteless society was one of the greatest gifts the people of India gave themselves through the Constitution. The judiciary, in its role as the sentinel on the qui vive, had to stand guard on the Constitutional guarantees and protect the most vulnerable in the society, the Supreme Court observed. The court noted that every Constitutional doctrine or philosophy in a diverse country like India stood up for substantive equality, the individual dignity of all people, and an end to caste barriers. Mining push meets tribal resistance Directive sent to all HCs “We declare such conditions and any other similarly worded condition imposed by the State judiciary as null and void. Let the petitioners approach the High Court to forthwith delete such conditions and not substitute it with any other analogous condition,” the court ordered, clarifying that the accused persons would continue on bail. The court directed that all State judiciaries should refrain from imposing conditions that carry caste implications, which could lead to social discord. “Thus, let this order be made available to all judicial officers across the country, not to impose such conditions,” the Bench said. It also directed the Supreme Court registry to circulate the order to all High Courts across the country. “Each High Court shall ensure that a copy of this order is sent to each judicial officer in its jurisdiction, accompanied by a communication that such conditions shall not be imposed while granting bail,” it said. The court directed the Registrar General of the Orissa High Court to file a compliance report in four weeks. Krishnadas Rajagopal Courtesy : The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights