26.06.24.UT NEWS.(Untouchables News)India.chennai.26.by Team Sivaji.Chengleput.
Dalit Man Stripped, Beaten With Belt In Madhya Pradesh, Video Shared Online
In a clip, two men were seen stripping the man and hitting the man while another person was recording his video.
No reason has been specified for the incident, according to sources. (File)
A Dalit youth was stripped and thrashed severely in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur city following which police have arrested three persons, a senior official said on Wednesday.
No reason has been specified for the incident which, according to sources, took place three-four days back.
In a clip that surfaced on social media on Wednesday, two men were seen stripping the man, who was bleeding in the head, and hitting him with belts and butts of country-made pistols while another person was recording his video.
The accused could be heard abusing and telling the man to call his relative in the police force. Later, the accused made him run away naked.
The man was going home at night when he was intercepted and taken away by the accused under the Kotwali police station limits, Chhatarpur's Superintendent of Police Agam Jain told reporters.
Taking cognisance of the video, immediate action was taken and the three accused - Deva alias Devendra Thakur, Lucky Ghoshi and Annu Ghoshi - were arrested and the pistols seen in the clip were seized from them, the official said.
The accused have a past criminal record, he said.
Based on the man's complaint, a case has been registered against the accused on charges of attempt to murder, kidnapping, robbery, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, he said.
The accused were being interrogated and if more people are found involved in the incident, they will also be arrested, he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Boy thrashed for plucking pomegranate in Telangana
Reckless behavior like wheeling by minors leads to injuries and deaths, with 20% of offenders being underage. Sub-inspector Venkatesh emphasized the dangers posed by such actions on the road.
A 15-year-old boy's tragic death by electrocution while trying to escape the hostel in Telangana led to a case filed by his mother against the college management under Section 304 A for negligence.
Facing potential jail time, the controversial spiritual leader was found guilty of sexual assault. Despite the option to appeal, sentencing is set for July 1. Accusations of physical assaults have not hindered the thousands who continue to visit his camps for worship or residency.
The Dalit anxiety about the abolition of reservation seems to have impacted electoral outcomes in those states where the BJP has suffered major losses.
This loss of support for the BJP is attributed to its slogan, “Ab ki baar, 400 paar” (this time, more than 400 seats). This slogan, many posit, created apprehension among the Dalits about the BJP’s intention to abolish reservation through major constitutional changes. This fear, as per various ground reports, has hurt the party immensely in Uttar Pradesh (UP). But how far has this fear resonated in other parts of the country? In Bihar, which has historically been a fertile laboratory for Mandal politics quite like UP, the BJP-led NDA grabbed five out of six Scheduled Caste (SC) constituencies. One reason for the different outcomes in UP and Bihar could be the deft social engineering strategy of the Samajwadi Party (SP), the BJP’s main rival in UP. Going beyond its traditional Yadav-Muslim combine, the SP stitched together a more inclusive social coalition that accommodated more candidates belonging to non-Yadav, Other Backward Classes, and other social groups. In contrast, in Bihar, the NDA’s main rival, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) stuck to its Yadav constituency while fielding candidates.
Another pertinent question arises in this context: Did the fear of abolition of reservation also impact the Scheduled Tribes (STs)? While the BJP’s tally of ST seats fell to 25 from 31 in 2019, its Adivasi vote share has increased from 43% in 2019 to 48% according to the CSDS-Lokniti survey. This apparently suggests an absence of anxiety among the STs on the abolition of reservation. Then, why has this fear impacted only the Dalits? The results shed some insights.
Based on the performance of the BJP and its allies, it is possible to group the states into three categories: a) where the BJP has suffered major losses compared to its 2019 performance, b) where the BJP and its allies more or less held on to the 2019 tally, and c) where the BJP and its allies have greatly improved their 2019 performance. A closer look at the results data suggests that the Dalits voted differently in each of these three categories of states.
The first category comprises six major states: Maharashtra, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Karnataka with BJP’s seat loss percentage being as high as 60.87%, 50%, 46.77%, 41.67%, 33.33% and 32% respectively. In almost all these states, the BJP seems to have lost substantial Dalit votes. Compared to 2019, this time, its tally of SC constituencies has dropped to one from four in Rajasthan, to zero from two in Maharashtra, to zero from two in Haryana, to eight from 14 in UP, and to two from five in Karnataka. In West Bengal, the loss of Dalit support seems to be minimal as the party has been able to retain four out of five SC seats it won in 2019, though the winning margin in all these seats has come down significantly.
The second category includes Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The BJP’s combined tally of SC seats in all these states together stands at 12, down from 13 in 2019. Hence, in these states, its Dalit support base seems intact.
Among the third category states of Odisha, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, the party’s tally has gone up from eight to 20 in Odisha, from four to eight in Telangana, and zero to 21 in Andhra Pradesh (for the NDA, where the BJP is the junior partner in the alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, or TDP). Significantly, in these states, the Dalit support for the party seems to have also gone up. In Odisha, where the BJP failed to win any SC constituency in 2019, it has managed to win all three such seats this time. In Andhra Pradesh, too, the TDP has managed to win three out of four SC seats. Only Telangana seems an outlier to this pattern, as the Congress has managed to win all three SC seats.
Therefore, the Dalit anxiety about the abolition of reservation seems to have impacted electoral outcomes in those states where the BJP has suffered major losses. In other states, such concerns have not received similar traction. The BJP’s declining popularity in states like UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Karnataka may be because of a host of other state-specific reasons, which also may have amplified such apprehension. In 2019, the BJP won a total of eight ST constituencies in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka combined (UP and Haryana do not have any ST seats). This time, it has lost six of these seats. Therefore, it might be reasonable to presume that in these states, the Opposition’s narrative of “Constitution in danger” did have some impact, both on the SCs and STs. But, in all likelihood, in other parts of the country, it did not raise much alarm. This also suggests that the electoral behaviour of the Dalits was far from being uniform across the country.
Ayan Guha is a British Academy international fellow at the School of Global Studies, University of Sussex, UK. The views expressed are personal
His condition worsened, and on June 21, Akash was hospitalized, where he passed away during treatment.
Upon Akash’s body being brought home, his family alleged that he had been assaulted by the police while in custody. In response, they allegedly attacked the police team and set several vehicles on fire.
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Authorities mentioned that police forces used necessary measures to restore peace and order in the area amidst the unrest.
Mayawati Calls for Action
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A first information report (FIR) has been registered against 95 people in connection with the violence. Superintendent of Police (City) Sarvesh Kumar Mishra stated that 45 individuals have been identified as suspects, with 50 others have been charged in the case of violence and rioting.
Expressing her dismay on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the BSP chief described the death as deeply tragic. She demanded that the government take strict action against the police officers found guilty and extend full support to the victim’s family.
In response, Inspector General Deepak Kumar announced that the matter will be investigated by a district level judicial officer.
TELANGANA.(TDP & BJP RULED STATE)
Brutal Assault on Chenchu Tribe Woman in Telangana; Tortured with Green Chili Juice and Diesel on Genitals
Nagarkurnool, Telangana – In a shocking incident that has spurred activists into action, a Chenchu tribe woman and her family were brutally attacked in Molachintalapalli village. The attack, intended to subjugate the community’s leader, involved extreme torture over ten harrowing days. This horrific event has ignited a fervent call for justice from human rights advocates and community leaders.
Sujatha Surepally, a professor at Satavahana University and an activist for Dalit women and Telangana's marginalized communities, has initiated a campaign for justice.
The National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL), a network of women leaders from marginalized communities across India, is supporting the campaign. They are calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers and demanding comprehensive support for the victims, including medical care, psychological counseling, and financial assistance.
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She was confined to her house for ten days, where she was tied up and subjected to unimaginable torture. The attackers crushed green chilies and rubbed the mixture on her genitals.
Unsatisfied with the pain inflicted, they escalated their brutality by wrapping a cloth soaked in diesel around a stick, setting it on fire, and using it to burn her genitals. Throughout this ordeal, the victims were threatened not to report the case.
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Call for Justice
This appalling act of violence has shaken the activists who are rallying for justice and protection for the Chenchu community. They urge immediate action to be taken to apprehend and punish the perpetrators to prevent such atrocities from recurring. The community and human rights organizations are demanding swift and strict action against the accused to ensure justice for the woman and her family.
The National Council of Women Leaders demands:
Immediate arrest of the accused
Police protection for the victims
10 Lakhs compensation and Rehabilitation with a livelihood
Investigation to be done by a senior rank Police officer
Trial to be finished as per the PoA act
Credible Lawyer to be appointed as Public Prosecutor
Adequate compensation to the victims
The brutality of this attack has shocked the local and wider community. Activists and supporters are organizing protests and mobilizing public opinion to ensure that justice is served. They emphasize that such violence cannot be tolerated and that systemic measures must be implemented to protect vulnerable communities from future harm.
This case further highlights the broader issue of violence against marginalized communities in India and the need for stronger legal protections and social support systems.
As the investigation continues, the eyes of the nation are on Nagarkurnool, with many hoping that justice will be swift and comprehensive, setting a precedent that such acts of brutality will not be tolerated.
BAP's Indigenous Political Alliance: A Third Front Against NDA and INDIA Blocs—Can Adivasis Chart Their Own Course?
Jaipur- In a significant political development, the Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP), a nascent political entity just nine months old, has announced a strategic initiative to unite fragmented social organizations and political groups of indigenous communities across India.
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This effort aims to consolidate the diverse voices of tribal populations, primarily focusing on the Hindi heartlands of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat in the primary phase with a long-term vision of creating a nationwide coalition of tribal forces.
Dr. Jitendra Meena, the national spokesperson of BAP, elucidated the party’s vision in an exclusive interview with The Mooknayak. He emphasized the necessity of unifying the myriad tribal groups and organizations under one umbrella to amplify their voices and effectively address their shared concerns.
Even after 75 years of independence, India's tribal communities feel betrayed, he states. There are approximately 130 million tribals in India, living across around 25 states and union territories. During election times, political parties make grand promises to these communities. Prominent leaders engage in symbolic gestures like dancing with tribals, wearing their traditional clothes, and speaking a few words in their language to win their favor.
However, once the elections are over, these political parties, their governments, and mainstream society often marginalize tribals, labeling them as anti-development, Naxalites, jungle dwellers, uncivilized, barbaric, demons, and Vanvasis. They do not even consider it appropriate to call them by their real name, 'Adivasi.'
Faced with this situation, the choice for these 130 million tribals is clear: either watch their identity and rights erode or exercise their constitutional rights. To protect their existence and defend their rights, they must unite and fight through democratic means.
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Dr. Meena pointed out that numerous tribal political parties and social organizations often operate in isolation and tend to disband after a few years. “There are many social groups and political parties working in their own way. Those with a presence in Parliament or state assemblies can be easily identified, but there are several smaller groups which work for 4-5 years and then disappear,” he explained.
Creating a Common Minimum Program
The primary focus of BAP is to address the universal issues faced by indigenous communities, which revolve around "Jal, Jungle, and Jameen" (water, forest, and land), cultural identity, and basic rights.
Dr. Meena asserted that while there might be region-specific issues, the core problems remain consistent across different areas. By consolidating these groups and creating a common minimum program, BAP aims to form a large alliance to tackle these challenges comprehensively.
“It will take time, maybe 3-4 years, to see some good shape taking up,” he added.
Dr. Meena highlighted the current polarized political environment, dominated by the BJP and Congress, as a significant barrier to addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
He criticized both parties for exploiting the 'Adivasi' theme for electoral gains without delivering substantial benefits to the community.
“The present situation is evident where politics is polarized. One hand is the BJP and the other is Congress. Those who do not align with the BJP have to side with the Congress. This polarization is not healthy as either way, narratives are set by these two giants,” he remarked.
BAP's plan involves reaching out to various groups and organizations. "The party president is in the process of approaching numerous groups, such as the Jayas, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, Gondwana Gantantra Party etc. There is a large network of Adivasi Senegal Abhiyan in the north eastern states. We aim to include every such group under a big umbrella," Meena added.
The journey ahead is anticipated to be long, with Dr. Meena projecting a 3-4 year timeline before the alliance takes a definitive shape. However, the vision is clear: to provide a robust third front in India's political landscape, championing the rights and issues of indigenous communities.
As BAP continues to rally support and consolidate tribal groups, this movement could reshape the political dynamics in several states, potentially altering the balance of power in India's intricate political mosaic.
About BAP
Leaders, cultural activists, linguists, educators, students, historians, and grassroots workers from tribal communities across India united politically under the banner of the Bharat Adivasi Party which is rooted from Bharatiya Tribal Party, Gujarat.
BAP was founded with a vision of an all-India identity, commemorating its establishment day on September 10, 2023, at Tontya Bhil Playground, a tribal inspiration site in Dungarpur, Rajasthan.
Founding members include Mohanlal Raut (President), Kantilal Raut, Rajkumar Raut, Heeralal Dayma, Dr. Jitendra Meena, Maya Kalasua, Dilip Bhai Vasava, Rajubhai Balbhai, Ramprasad Dindor, Jitendra Asalkar, Manilal Garasia, Mangilal Nanama, and others.
Shortly after its inception, the Bharat Adivasi Party contested in the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections of 2023, winning on 4 seats out of 35 contested (27 in Rajasthan and 8 in Madhya Pradesh). Rajkumar Raut won from the Chorasi Assembly constituency in Dungarpur, Umesh Damor from Aspur, Thawarchand Meena from Dhariyawad, and Kamleshwar Dodiyar from Sailana constituency in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh.
The party secured approximately 1.1 million votes across these elections, with 4 candidates securing second place and 16 third place positions.
BAP changed the political landscape in the tribal-dominated region of southern Rajasthan after its candidate Rajkumar Roat won the Banswara- Dungarpur seat. WIth this victory the issue of tribal identity, formation of a ‘Bhil Pradesh’ and an increase in reservation for Scheduled Tribes have come to the centre stage. Roat won the reserved seat with a margin of 2,47,054 votes by defeating the veteran tribal leader, former minister and Congress turncoat Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya, from the BJP.
BAP's Political Agenda
Ensure a separate 'Tribal Code' in census to maintain tribal identity, traditions, and clan system, with a permanent ban on forced conversions.
Provide land titles of 5 acres under the Forest Rights Act 2006 to all landless tribals nationwide, reviewing rejected claims by state governments.
Implement PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 and Schedule 5 in villages with over 50% tribal population.
Dissolve the Forest Department and hand over all forest lands to tribals for conservation purposes.
Allocate a share of forest produce (vanopaj) to tribals.
Provide reservation in private sector, judiciary.
Immediately halt lateral entry into government services by the central government.
Ensure proportional representation in accordance with population ratios for all sections of society.
Implement immediate measures to stop attacks on minorities.
Merge Adivasi majority areas to form states of Adivasis.
Gujarat State.
Textbook Controversy: Swayam Sainik Dal Urges Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks to Rectify Errors in Class 12 Textbook on Buddhism
Morbi- The Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks (GSBST) finds itself embroiled in controversy following allegations of misinformation and inaccuracies concerning Buddhism in its Class 12 Sociology textbook.
Last week, the office of the GSBST director received representations from the Gujarat Buddhist Academy (GBA), former GPSC member Mulchand Rana, and numerous followers of Buddhism, demanding the removal of the "lies" from the textbook and their replacement with accurate information.
Copies of these representations were also sent to the Chief Minister, Governor, and Education Minister.
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The GBA, a prominent Buddhist organization in the state, asserted that the false information was published with "ill-intention."
The memorandum submitted by the SSD to the Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks (GSBST) through Morbi Collector, raises several critical concerns regarding the depiction of Buddhism in the Class 12 Sociology textbook. Key points of contention include:
Caste Misrepresentation: The textbook suggests a hierarchical structure within Buddhism, claiming distinctions between upper-class Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and householders, versus lower-class tribals and marginalized groups who have converted to Buddhism. This portrayal is vehemently contested by the Swayam Sainik Dal, asserting that Buddhism fundamentally rejects caste distinctions and promotes equality among all its adherents.
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Misinterpretation of Doctrine: It inaccurately presents Buddhist beliefs, such as conflating rebirth with reincarnation and introducing fabricated ideologies like 'Virajayana,' which are not recognized within authentic Buddhist teachings.
Terminological Inaccuracies: The memorandum highlights the misuse of religious terminology, such as referring to Buddhist monks as 'Lamas,' a term specific to Tibetan Buddhism and not universally applicable across all Buddhist traditions. The correct terms, 'bhikshus' or 'bhikkhus,' are advocated for accuracy.
Symbolic Misrepresentation: There are objections to the textbook's description of Buddhist symbols, notably the misidentification of the Dharma wheel as a 'wish wheel' associated solely with Tibetan traditions. The Dharma wheel, known as Dharmachakra, holds universal significance in Buddhism and should not be misrepresented.
In response to these concerns, the Swayam Sainik Dal urges the Gujarat State School Textbook Curriculum Board to promptly rectify the errors in the Class 12 Sociology textbook. They stress the importance of providing accurate and respectful information about Buddhism to ensure that students receive an authentic understanding of the religion's principles and practices.
Contentious Paragraph on Buddhism
The contentious paragraph is found in a subsection of the chapter titled 'Indian Culture and Community,' which covers eight religious communities in India, including Buddhism.
The paragraph states: “Similar to Sikhs, Buddhists form a small portion of India’s population, with most residing in Maharashtra, as well as in northwest India and Arunachal Pradesh. During Emperor Ashoka's reign, Buddhism was widely spread in India. Buddhism is divided into three branches: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. It is described as having two tiers: the upper tier, consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and certain elites, and the lower tier, composed of tribal and marginalized groups who converted to Buddhism. Important Buddhist sites include Sarnath, Sanchi, and Bodh Gaya. Their religious leader is referred to as a Lama. Buddhist temples, their places of worship, feature ‘wish wheels’. The Tripitaka serves as their sacred text, and they believe in karma and reincarnation.”
In a BBC report, Ramesh Bankar, Secretary of the Gujarat Buddhist Academy expresses deep concern over these inaccuracies. He emphasized that such misrepresentations not only misinform students but also disrespect the cultural heritage and teachings of Buddhism, which advocate for tolerance, compassion, and truth.
While in the same report, Dr. Balakrishna Anand, Chairman of the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Institute of Social Sciences (BARISS), states, "There is no caste in Buddhism. Lord Buddha himself was a Kshatriya. Initially, Kshatriyas and Brahmins were also included with him, but when they all became followers of Buddhism, their caste disappeared."
Ramesh Bankar states, "The descriptions in the textbooks have been taken from a private publication without fact-checking. How can information written in any publication be considered true?"
On the other hand, V.R. Gosai, Director of the Gujarat State School Textbook Curriculum Board, has also admitted to the error in this matter.
V.R. Gosai informed BBC Gujarati, "This textbook was published in 2017, and this is the first time we have received a report that some descriptions about Buddhism are far from the truth."
When asked where these descriptions came from in the book, V.R. Gosai said, "The information about Buddhism that was included in the Class 12 Sociology textbook in 2005 without any changes has been included in this textbook."
In response to the question of rectification of errors, he said, "Discussions have been held with the author-panel regarding rewriting the issues related to Buddhism after checking the evidence and necessary improvements."
However, he also mentioned, "This textbook was revised on September 20, 2016. The report stated that no objectionable material for any religion or community was found in the book along with other proposed amendments. Then, after approval from the government, this book was published in 2017."
He said steps would be taken to check and correct.
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