16.12.2025.UT Daily News.(A collection of SC.ST.Buddhist,Adivasi,reservation,atrocity news of India.)by Team Sivaji.9444917060.asivaji1962@gmail.com.
Jharkhand: Tribal woman Nisha Bhagat shaves her head to protest against religious conversions; learn who this tribal leader is
Her main issue is the delisting of converted tribals from reservation benefits. She argues that those who convert to Christianity or other religions avail of reservation benefits but harm tribal identity.
Ranchi – Nisha Bhagat, a tribal leader from Gumla district of Jharkhand, recently shaved her head. This step is part of her campaign against religious conversions. Nisha Bhagat says that tribals who have changed their religion should not get reservation benefits. She belongs to the Oraon community and is fighting to protect tribal identity, water, forests, and land. Her main issue is the delisting of converted tribals from reservation benefits. She argues that those who convert to Christianity or other religions avail of reservation benefits but harm tribal identity.
Nisha Bhagat is a resident of Gumla. Her father, Handu Bhagat, was a Jharkhand movement activist who spent half his life in jail during the movement. Nisha started working on social issues at the age of 15. She was associated with the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) and contested the assembly elections from Gumla in 2024. However, she parted ways with the party after differences of opinion. JLKM criticized her, calling her “mentally ill,” to which Nisha responded, “There was a time when they called me ‘Didi’ (elder sister), and today they are making baseless statements.”
The demand for delisting is essential for the protection of tribal identity, the Sarna religion, and constitutional rights. This is a fight for existence, identity, and self-respect. — Nisha Kumari Bhagat
In an interview with a local media outlet, Nisha said that the idea of shaving her head came from the inspiration of her ancestors. She says, “I was born into a tribal family, so I have a responsibility to save society, our existence, water, forests, and land.” Her main demands are:
• Implementation of the PESA Act.
• A separate column for the Sarna Code.
• Restoration of the tribal column removed after the 1961 census. • Delisting of converted tribals from reservation benefits.
She accuses missionaries of spreading superstition in the name of healing and insulting the Sarna flag. She has undertaken a foot march to Ranchi against violations of the CNT-SPTP Act and land grabbing. She also protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The CNT-SPTP Act (Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act 1908 and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act 1949) are crucial laws enacted to protect the land and identity of tribal communities in Jharkhand, prohibiting the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals and safeguarding their rights. However, there have been controversies surrounding attempts to amend these laws from time to time, as was the case in 2016-17.
Nisha has faced allegations of receiving funding from the BJP-RSS. Her response: “Get it investigated, I am fighting alone. They can’t digest how a tribal girl is surviving.” She has received death threats, against which she wrote letters to the DGP, DC, SP, and Home Minister. Her photo was even sent to the Vatican. She says, “Fear is not in our nature. We are inhabitants of the forest, we are fearless.”
Nisha’s family gave her the opportunity to dedicate herself to society. Her mother was raised in a Christian family, but Nisha is a Sarna follower. She says, “I was born into the Sarna faith, and I will remain so.” She is also facing opposition from her family.
What is the Sarna religious code?
The Sarna religion is recognized by its followers as a distinct religious group, primarily composed of nature worshippers. The core tenets of the Sarna faith revolve around “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land),” with followers emphasizing the conservation of forest areas and worshipping trees and hills. Unlike traditional practices, Sarna believers do not engage in idol worship and do not believe in the caste system or the concepts of heaven and hell. Most of Sarna’s followers are concentrated in the tribal belt of states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
In the 2011 census, nearly 5 million followers of the nature-oriented Sarna religion declared their faith, yet the Sarna religious code is still awaiting official recognition.
The number of Jains is 4.4 million, who have already been recognized as a separate religious community. The Sengel campaign, along with several tribal organizations, held protests and rail and road blockades between 2022 and 2024 demanding the Sarna religious code. A series of demonstrations were also held in Kolkata and Ranchi advocating for the recognition of the Sarna religious code.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News
The Modi government is directly attacking Dalit rights and the Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress President targets the BJP, saying, "Dalits' rights in education and employment are being taken away, and there's a conspiracy to weaken the Constitution."
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday launched his sharpest attack yet on the Modi government at the center. He accused the government of weakening the Constitution and trampling on the fundamental principles of social justice, especially the rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
Addressing the first meeting of the party’s newly formed “Scheduled Caste Advisory Committee,” Kharge said that the BJP’s policies have eroded all the achievements in the fields of education and employment, achieved through years of hard work by previous Congress governments. He expressed concern that the current regime is diluting the reservation system and attempting to justify discrimination.
“We will not allow the Constitution to be weakened.”
Kharge declared, “We will not allow Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution to be weakened at any cost.” He stressed that Congress will continue its fight to protect constitutional values. Turning the pages of history, he recalled that Congress began its fight against discrimination even before independence. This struggle resulted in the 1955 Civil Rights Protection Act, which criminalized untouchability. Subsequently, during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, the 1989 SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act was enacted, which recognized atrocities against Dalits as an attack on social justice.
Kharge explained that subsequent Congress governments further strengthened this law. They added stringent provisions such as a ban on anticipatory bail, speedy investigations, increased compensation for victims, and the establishment of special courts.
Education: The Greatest Weapon of Empowerment
Emphasizing the role of education in Dalit empowerment, Kharge detailed Congress initiatives. He credited the Congress with providing pre- and post-matric scholarships, hostels for Scheduled Caste students, the “Top Class Education Scheme,” and reservations in IITs, IIMs, and medical colleges. He also cited the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the Right to Education (RTE) Act, saying these initiatives increased school enrollment and provided the country with millions of Dalit doctors, engineers, officers, and entrepreneurs.
Serious Allegations Against the Current Government
Kharge accused the Modi government of suppressing the voices of Dalits. He cited the suicide of Rohith Vemula, the Bhima Koregaon incidents, and alleged discrimination against Dalit students in universities. He said that the promotion of privatization, reductions in government jobs, weakening of reservations, and the decline in the recruitment of SC/ST faculty in higher educational institutions are a direct attack on social justice.
He accused the government of promoting a “Manuvadi mindset,” which justifies inequality rather than ensuring equality. Recalling Ambedkar’s words, Kharge said that a society’s progress is measured by how safe its weakest members are, but the current government has completely reversed this principle.
Roared at the “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rally
Later, addressing the “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod” rally held at Ramlila Maidan, Kharge further sharpened his tone. He called those involved in alleged vote theft “traitors” and accused them of betraying the country. He called on the public to oust such forces from power to protect voting rights and the Constitution.
Kharge warned that the RSS ideology would destroy the country. He appealed to the people to unite under the Congress flag, claiming that only the Congress party is capable of protecting democracy and constitutional values.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News
Dr Ambedkar News.
Here are the latest India tribal/Adivasi-related news and developments (as of 16 December 2025) — focusing especially on significant events and issues currently affecting Adivasi and Scheduled Tribe communities:
✅ Most Current Tribal News
๐ง Voter rights at risk for displaced Bastar Adivasis
• Thousands of Adivasi families originally from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region — now residing in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh after fleeing past conflict — are facing deletion from voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• These internally displaced persons lack formal ID, land titles, or documentation, raising major concerns about disenfranchisement and loss of political voice. Tribal and civil society activists are urging the Election Commission to intervene and protect their rights.
๐ง Infrastructure boost for tribal areas after youth appeal
• Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan approved a new blacktop road for a remote tribal village (Tenumulabanda) following a heartfelt request by a newly appointed tribal constable — a notable example of local advocacy leading to development.
⚡ Electrification delays for tribal homes in Karnataka
• Work to electrify ~2,400 tribal homes near forests in Chamarajanagar district has stalled due to regulatory clearances from wildlife authorities, highlighting ongoing challenges in delivering basic services to tribal settlements.
๐ข Koraga tribal community demands a development corporation
• The Koraga and Jenu Kuruba tribes in Karnataka pressed state leadership for a dedicated tribal development corporation, land rights, job reservations, and other socio-economic support measures.
⚖️ SC orders SIT after tribal youth suicide case
• In Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court ordered a high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the suicide of an Adivasi youth who accused a minister of harassment — underscoring legal accountability issues in tribal contexts.
๐ Burial dispute highlights religious and tribal tensions
• In Chhattisgarh, Christian tribal families were reportedly denied ancestral burials, prompting criticism of rising communal intolerance affecting tribal converts.
๐ก Opinion on tribal women’s leadership
• Commentary across media emphasizes the important leadership roles that tribal women play in community cohesion and sustainable livelihoods.
๐ง Broader Tribal Issues & Developments
๐️ Recent Policy & Rights Moves
Jammu & Kashmir designates Tribal Affairs Department to implement the Forest Rights Act (FRA)
• The J&K government assigned its Tribal Affairs Department as the nodal agency for FRA implementation, an important step hoped to better secure ancestral forest rights for Adivasi and forest-dwelling groups — roughly 20 years after the law’s passage.
๐ Structural Challenges & Advocacy
Calls for stronger FRA compliance mechanisms
• The national Tribal Affairs Ministry has urged states to set up compliance and grievance redressal frameworks to protect tribal land and forest rights, particularly in the face of unlawful evictions from protected areas.
Debates around ST status expansion in Assam
• Proposed recognition of six more communities as Scheduled Tribes has led to protests and warnings of wider agitation by existing tribal groups concerned about identity dilution and political repercussions.
๐ Cultural & Language Empowerment
Advances in tribal language tech
• Research initiatives like AdiBhashaa are building machine-translation resources for tribal languages (e.g., Bhili, Mundari, Gondi, Santali) — a step toward digital inclusion and linguistic preservation.
๐ Ongoing Socio-Political Context
• Adivasi protests (e.g., in Tinsukia, Assam) reflect ongoing frustration about socio-economic neglect and recognition delays.
• Increased budget outlays for tribal welfare schemes highlight continued focus on development, though implementation varies widely by region and community.
๐ Summary
On 16 December 2025, key Adivasi/tribal developments in India include:
- Tribal voter disenfranchisement concerns in Bastar-origin communities.
- Local infrastructure wins prompted by tribal voices.
- Service delivery challenges (electricity, development corporations).
- Legal and social tensions involving tribal rights and justice.
- Policy actions to strengthen land/forest rights and language inclusion.
If you want, I can also provide state-wise tribal news updates for 16 Dec 2025 (e.g., Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Northeast India) or a timeline of recent tribal rights events.
Man convicted of raping mentally challenged Dalit woman sentenced to life imprisonment: Court also imposes a fine of one lakh rupees, with additional sentence for non-payment
Firozabad. In a case of rape of a mentally challenged Scheduled Caste woman, the court has sentenced the convict to life imprisonment. He has also been fined one lakh rupees. If the fine is not paid, the convict will have to serve an additional one-year sentence. This case is from the Nagla Singhi area and came to light in 2023.
The complainant filed an FIR on October 13, 2023. She stated that her 24-year-old niece had gone to the field to graze goats in the afternoon. Around 4 pm, she received information that her niece was lying injured in the field. She was immediately admitted to the government trauma center.
Based on the investigation and statements, an FIR was registered against Vipin Yadav alias Vipan of the village under sections of rape, the SC/ST Act, and other relevant sections. The police later arrested Vipin during an encounter. The investigating officer completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet against him in court.
The case was heard in the court of Special Judge (SC/ST Act) Navneet Kumar Giri. ADGC Narendra Singh Solanki represented the prosecution. After considering all the evidence and arguments, the court declared Vipin Yadav guilty. The court also ordered that 50 percent of the fine amount be given to the victim as compensation.
It is noteworthy that Vipin Yadav was arrested in an encounter after the incident. During this time, action was also taken against him under sections of attempted murder and the Arms Act. However, the court acquitted him of the charges under the sections of attempted murder and the Arms Act.
Arun Kumar Rawat
Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit woman thrashed & molested by farmer, his sons over flagging ‘irregularities’ in income cert
Pilibhit: A 28-year-old Dalit woman from a village in Pilibhit district was allegedly abused with casteist slurs, brutally beaten and molested in front of her paralysed husband by a farmer of the same village and his two adult sons, police said. The incident took place around 8 pm on Friday, following which an FIR was registered on Saturday morning.
In her complaint, the woman stated that she had approached the Bareilly divisional commissioner on Oct 8 this year, alleging irregularities in the income certificate obtained by the main accused. She claimed that despite owning over five acres of agricultural land, a fishery farm and two tractors, the accused had procured an income certificate showing his annual income as only Rs 45,000.
Police said that after an inquiry was ordered into the complaint, the accused and his sons allegedly barged into the woman’s house in retaliation. The woman said that the main accused knocked her to the ground, assaulted her and subjected her to criminal force with intent to outrage her modesty. She also alleged that she was threatened with dire consequences.
The complainant further stated that the dispute had its roots in rivalry over the selection of an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker. Both the complainant and the accused’s daughter had applied for the post last year, but the complainant was dropped, and the accused’s daughter was selected in April this year. Police said the complainant had been keen on securing the job to support her family, particularly in view of her husband’s paralysed condition.
SHO Vipin Shukla said the accused trio has been booked under BNS Sections 333 (house trespass after preparation for hurt), 352 (intentional insult), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 74 (criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act. Investigation is underway.
Courtesy : TOI
News Adivasis, Dalits will lose Aadhaar, ration cards next
Created On: 15 Dec 2025 6:54 AM IST By K Venkateshwarlu Share :
Hyderabad: ChiefMinister A Revanth Reddy, while slamming the Narendra Modi regime for removing the names of certain sections from the voters’ lists in the guise of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and indulging in ‘vote chori’, has warned that Adivasis, Dalits and minorities will lose their Aadhaar cards, ration cards, lands and their properties in the next stage. He was addressing a mammoth ‘Vote Chor - Gaddi Chhod’ rally in New Delhi on Sunday. Also Read - Jupally credits CM Revanth for panchayat poll victory Advertisement The Chief Minister said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, its second chief Golwalkar, and their associates had obstructed granting voting rights to Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and the poor. It was Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar who fought for granting voting rights to the poor and thereby provided them an opportunity to form governments in the country. Also Read - Global Summit sets the stage for Telangana’s rapid rise The Chief Minister recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had strategised to win 400 MP seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with the aim of implementing the RSS’ ideology. As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had cautioned people that the BJP will change the Constitution and abolish reservations should it win 400 MP seats and exposed the saffron party’s conspiracies, people gave a mandate limiting BJP to 240 seats and therefore the Constitution was protected. “Now, to implement the RSS ideology by deceit, the BJP government has resorted to the removal of voting rights of particular communities,” the Chief Minister charged. Also Read - BJP chief condemns CM Revanth’s ‘egregious deceit’ at Delhi protest Advertisement Like Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar, presently Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge were fighting against Modi and Amit Shah to safeguard the rights of the deprived communities, Revanth Reddy said. “Today, we are standing in Ramlila Maidan against the ideology of RSS and Golwalkar. It is not a Congress problem, but a grave national problem", he observed. Also Read - CM, TPCC chief brief Rahul about ‘Cong victory’ in GP polls Appealing to people to support Rahul Gandhi in the fight against the Centre on ‘vote chori’, the Chief Minister said that tribals will lose everything if their voting rights are taken away. The Chief Minister asserted that Rahul Gandhi was continuing the fight “like a soldier” against the Modi government; and hence, everyone should rally behind the Congress for a great cause.
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