20.01.2026.Untouchability News.(News of Dalits,Adivasi,atrocity,buddhist,Dr Ambedkar,Employement,Education news details from various sources)by Sivaji.Ayyayiram UTNews.9444917060.
Here’s a *latest snapshot of Dalit / Scheduled Caste (SC) news related to India statewise and nationally — as of 20 January 2026, focusing on key developments, incidents, court rulings, and policy issues:
🧑⚖️ 1. Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- The Supreme Court of India ruled today that simply using abusive words against a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe member is not an offence under the SC/ST Act, unless the abuse explicitly refers to their caste and occurs in a public place.
- This limits the scope of the Act and affects how caste-based verbal abuse cases are treated legally.
📍 2. Incidents & Law Enforcement — Statewise Reports
🔹 Tamil Nadu
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In Tuticorin district, a 27-year-old SC youth was stabbed to death by a neighbour after a dispute over an electricity meter.
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Police registered cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, though authorities say caste may not be the motive.
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The Madras High Court dismissed a PIL challenging ₹50 crore funds allocated for school and hostel renovations for SC/ST students, upholding government efforts to improve infrastructure for disadvantaged groups.
🔹 Andhra Pradesh
- YSRCP leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the murder of a Dalit party activist in Palnadu district, alleging political violence and calling for swift investigation and justice.
- The party claimed law-and-order deterioration and alleged political protection for accused leaders.
⚖️ 3. Justice for Dalit Victims
- In Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), a court sentenced a tantrik to life imprisonment for repeated rape and blackmail of a minor Dalit girl, under the SC/ST Act and other laws.
🎓 4. Policy & Social Issues
📌 Proposed “Rohith Vemula Law”
- At an event marking the 10th anniversary of Rohith Vemula’s death, activists and lawmakers are pushing for legislation to end caste-based bias in educational institutions.
- The proposed law aims to tackle systemic discrimination faced by Dalit students and promote accountability.
📊 Important Background (Recent Past Relevant Context)
📍 SC Sub-Categorisation and Reservation Policy
- Telangana implemented Scheduled Caste sub-categorisation ahead of other states, dividing SC communities into groups for reserved jobs and education to ensure fairer distribution of benefits.
- This move stems from a Supreme Court ruling allowing SCs to be sub-classified and was first rolled out from April 2025.
📍 Exclusion of Dalits Who Convert Religions
- Under existing law, Dalits who convert to Christianity or Islam are excluded from SC benefits (education incentives, job reservations, legal protections), based on historical caste definitions in the Constitution.
- This has been confirmed by state governments and Supreme Court interpretation, and remains a major point of contention.
📍 Caste Atrocity Data (Recent Report)
- Government data shows states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh lead in cases registered under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, indicating where crimes against Dalits are most frequently reported.
🧠 Why This Matters
- Dalits (Scheduled Castes) are officially recognised groups historically subjected to social exclusion and discrimination under Indian caste systems.
- The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and reservation policies are key legal tools meant to protect them and ensure representation in education and employment.
- Current debates — from legal interpretation limits to policy reforms and implementation — show ongoing social and political challenges affecting Dalit communities across the country.
Here’s a state-wise roundup of tribal / आदिवासी news around 20 January 2026 (India focus):
📰 Nationwide / Cross-cutting
PM JANMAN campaign continues — The central government’s large Rs 24,104 crore Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan scheme for socio-economic support of tribal communities remains a big policy focus with multi-ministry rollout plans.
Tribal youth encouragement — Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde urged tribal adolescents to pursue higher education and aim for government careers, highlighting education as key for empowerment.
🗺️ State-wise Tribal / Adivasi Highlights (20 Jan 2026)
📍 Jharkhand
Global representation for tribal leader
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, a tribal leader, represented India at the World Economic Forum in Davos — the first tribal elected leader to receive a WEF white badge and promote investment/sustainability narratives globally.📍 Assam
Ethnic clashes in Kokrajhar
Clashes broke out between Bodo and Adivasi tribal groups in Kokrajhar district, prompting local authorities to issue alerts and respond to the unrest.📍 Delhi (National Capital)
Hate-crime allegation in institution
A tribal (ST) university employee accused a professor at Jamia Millia Islamia of caste-based abuse, physical assault, and derogatory comments — sparking police action and an FIR.📍 Maharashtra (Nashik)
Forest-rights protest ongoing
Farmers in Nashik’s tribal belts launched an indefinite strike over Forest Rights Act implementation, demanding land rights and irrigation benefits, with road blockades affecting transit.
📍 Recent (Last Few Days) Tribal / Adivasi Reports — Other States
🟥 Chhattisgarh
Cultural concerns over sacred term usage — Tribal groups in Bastar objected to the use of the sacred Gondi word “Pandum” in government events, insisting it should be reserved for ritual use.
🟦 Uttar Pradesh (Sonbhadra)
Tribal murder case gets traction — After months of delay, FIRs are set to be registered against five accused (including a contractor) in the death of a tribal man, following a court directive.
🟩 Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur)
Legal scrutiny after hostel death — A tribal student died after consuming suspected poisonous food in a tribal hostel, triggering FSL confirmation and administrative scrutiny.
🟨 Karnataka
Internal ST reservation demand — A Scheduled Tribes forum demanded within-group reservation to address unequal representation among smaller tribal sub-communities.
🧠 Context & Background (Recent relevant developments)
- Adi Vaani AI tribal language translation tool launched to support tribal language access (ongoing integration).
- Tribal youth exchange programme from Rajasthan engaged tribal youths in national exchange and recognition events.
Today, January 20, 2026, activities across India reflect the enduring legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the growth of Navayana Buddhism. While there is no single national festival today, regional administrative actions and cultural discussions are prominent.
Statewise Highlights (State-wise News)
* Maharashtra (Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune):
* Statue Beautification: Local municipal councils, including Kanhan-Pimpri in Nagpur, have issued tenders for the beautification and maintenance of Dr. Ambedkar’s statues in preparation for the upcoming Republic Day (January 26) celebrations.
* Cultural Advocacy: Civil groups are holding discussions today reflecting on Ambedkar's 22 Vows, specifically debating the relevance of his rejection of traditional rituals as a form of social resistance.
* Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow):
* Academic Discourse: At Lucknow University, a national conference on "Hindutva and Civilizational Values" included participation from officials of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU). The discussions touched upon Ambedkar's vision of an inclusive society versus modern cultural revivalism.
* Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Coimbatore):
* Statue Maintenance: Tenders were closed today for the maintenance and lighting of Dr. Ambedkar’s statues in Karaikudi and surrounding municipal areas.
* Community Meetings: In northern Tamil Nadu, small Buddhist groups are conducting monthly "Dhamma" meetings to teach Ambedkar's principles of equality to the youth, a movement that has seen steady growth in the state.
* Bihar (Patna):
* Republic Day Prep: The Patna High Court gate area is undergoing specific "E/R" (Electric/Repair) works for the Ambedkar statue to ensure it is illuminated for the national holiday next week.
Multi-Language Summary
| Language | Summary of Today's News |
|---|---|
| English | Focus remains on the maintenance of Ambedkar heritage sites and academic debates in UP regarding his social philosophy. |
| தமிழ் (Tamil) | காரைக்குடி மற்றும் கோவையில் அம்பேத்கர் சிலைகளை சீரமைக்கும் பணிகள் இன்று தொடங்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. தலித் விடுதலைக்கான பௌத்த இயக்கத்தின் தாக்கம் குறித்து விவாதங்கள் நடைபெறுகின்றன. |
| हिंदी (Hindi) | लखनऊ और पटना में बाबासाहेब की प्रतिमाओं के सौंदर्यीकरण का कार्य जारी है। बौद्ध धर्म और सामाजिक न्याय पर विश्वविद्यालयों में संगोष्ठियाँ आयोजित की जा रही हैं। |
Key Upcoming Dates to Note
* January 26, 2026: Republic Day (Significant for the Constitution drafted by Ambedkar).
* April 14, 2026: Ambedkar Jayanti (135th Birth Anniversary).
Crimes against SC/STs rise 37.7% in five years in Karnataka; Bengaluru tops list
To strengthen enforcement and ensure investigation, Karnataka set up 33 DCRE police stations to exclusively handle and investigate cases related to atrocities against SC/STs.
Image used for representative purpose.(FIle Photo)Updated on:3 min readBENGALURU: Despite stringent laws to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/STs) in the state, crimes against these communities increased by 37.74 % over the last five years, rising from 1,751 cases in 2021 to 2,412 cases in 2025.
Shockingly, Bengaluru, the IT capital of the country, tops the list, followed by Tumakuru, the hometown of Home Minister G Parameshwara.
According to data, 10,573 cases were registered in the state over the last five years. Of these, 1,598 were found to be false, 47 resulted in conviction, and 1,050 cases ended in acquittal or discharge. In 2025, 2,412 cases were registered across the state. Bengaluru City accounted for the highest number of 261 cases, followed by Tumakuru (139), Belagavi (128) and Raichur (121).
To strengthen enforcement and ensure focused investigation, the state government set up 33 Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) police stations in April 2025 to exclusively handle and investigate cases related to atrocities against SC/STs.
Advocate Rajalaxmi Ankalagi said the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, was enacted to eradicate caste-based discrimination. Earlier, atrocity cases largely involved complaints of physical abuse, casteist slurs or harassment. However, in recent years, inter-caste love affairs and marriages are increasingly being brought under the Act.
“Relationships that were once treated as personal matters are sometimes given a criminal colour because families oppose inter-caste unions. The Constitution does not prohibit inter-caste marriage or relationships. Individuals are free to choose their life partners,” she said.She pointed out that many youngsters studying in cities may not initially face discrimination, but caste prejudice becomes evident once they enter workplaces or return to their hometowns. At the same time, genuine victims continue to face systemic barriers, she added.
Another advocate, who did not wish to be named, cited instances where complaints by Dalit victims against influential persons were initially ignored or discouraged by the police. “In such cases, the entire machinery often works to suppress the complaint, defeating the very purpose of the Act,” she said.
While there may be isolated instances of false complaints, a senior police officer said they should not overshadow genuine cases, especially when conviction rates remain low due to difficulties in collecting evidence. “Police must act with sensitivity and an open mind. The law must be enforced firmly, fairly and without prejudice,” he added.
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DCRE police stations set up to prevent SC/ST atrocities: HM
Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said Karnataka has set up Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) police stations, the first such in the country, to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Key issues including crowd control, cybercrime, terrorist activities, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, functioning of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and other aspects of modern policing were discussed on the second day of the Annual Conference of Senior Police Officers, at Police Headquarters. Emphasising implementation, Parameshwara said, “Only then can the efficiency of state police be enhanced”. He stressed zero-tolerance towards caste prejudice, and ‘honour’ killings.
The DCRE stations would curb exploitation and oppression of SC/ST communities. Warning against hateful content triggering unrest and riots, he directed police to initiate immediate legal action against those responsible, and curb such activities at the initial stage. He said law and order and overall development are interlinked, and states with poor policing often struggle economically due to low investments.
“For 25 years, Karnataka has been viewed differently. Investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore have come into the state last year alone because of law enforcement,” he said. On reports about illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, he questioned the role of local police. The ‘Mane Manege Police’ programme was introduced so police personnel would have detailed information about every locality.
SC/ST/OBC Employees Appeal For Job Safety Amid IDBI Bank Privatisation Plan
BW Online Bureau Jan 19, 2026Memorandum sent to president, PM and finance ministry flags impact on livelihoods
The IDBI Bank SC, ST and OBC Employees Forum has appealed to the President of India, the Union Government and the bank’s management to safeguard the rights, careers and dignity of thousands of employees from socially and economically backward communities amid concerns over the bank’s proposed privatisation.
In a memorandum submitted to the President, the forum sought what it described as urgent and compassionate intervention to protect employees and their families who could face severe uncertainty if IDBI Bank is privatised. The representation emphasised that many affected employees had joined the bank with the assurance of public sector job security and constitutional safeguards.Copies of the memorandum have also been forwarded to the Prime Minister, Union Finance Minister, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the chairpersons of the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes.
The forum highlighted that several employees, including young graduates and postgraduates, had left government departments and other public sector banks to join IDBI Bank in the early 2000s, attracted by long-term career prospects, structured progression and public sector protections. The uncertainty surrounding privatisation or a potential merger, it said, has caused deep anxiety, particularly amid fears of a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) that could leave employees struggling to find comparable roles elsewhere.
As a safeguard, the forum has proposed a one-time switch-over option for all existing SC/ST/OBC employees, should privatisation proceed. This would allow them to be absorbed into other public sector banks, financial institutions or public sector undertakings, without loss of seniority, pay, service benefits or promotional opportunities. The memorandum also called for continuity of reservation protections and postings close to current locations to minimise personal and professional disruption.
Describing the proposal as a humane and constitutionally respectful solution, the forum argued that employees who joined IDBI Bank under public sector assurances should not bear the social and economic costs of structural ownership changes.
Beyond immediate relief, the forum urged the government to consider a statutory framework or legal amendment to ensure reservation protections for SC/ST/OBC employees continue even after privatisation or disinvestment of public institutions. It suggested that future PSU sale agreements should mandatorily include social justice and inclusion clauses to protect vulnerable employees.
Recalling IDBI Bank’s legacy as an institution of inclusive banking and nation-building, the forum stressed that SC/ST/OBC employees represent the government’s broader commitment to equality, opportunity and social upliftment, rather than being merely part of the workforce.
Sree Narayana Guru’s impact on Dalits in Kerala deeper than Ambedkar’s in north, says Shashi Tharoor
Swami Vivekananda once called Kerala a lunatic asylum, Shashi Tharoor explains how Narayana Guru changed it
Updated - January 20, 2026 10:19 am IST - CHENNAI
Shashi Tharoor speaks on The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism in conversation with L.V. Navaneeth on January 18, 2026. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
Sree Narayana Guru’s influence, impact, and success in the lives of Dalits in Kerala were arguably deeper and more transformative than that of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in northern India, said Congress leader and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor at The Hindu Lit for Life in Chennai on Sunday (January 18, 2026).
Mr. Tharoor, who was in conversation with L.V. Navaneeth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The Hindu Group, on the topic ‘The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism,’ said he had grown up outside Kerala and had only a very vague sense of Narayana Guru. When he came to live in Kerala full time, Mr. Tharoor realised the immensity of the Narayana Guru’s presence in the consciousness of every Keralite, particularly in southern Kerala, where the saint was born, grew up and practised much of his work.“For me, knowing that practically every neighbourhood and every corner in my [Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha] constituency have a shrine to Sree Narayana Guru. It was astonishing that such a giant, who had done so much to transform Kerala society and Hinduism, remained so completely unknown outside the State,” Mr. Tharoor said.When a couple of Kerala’s leading newspapers conducted polls at the end of the millennium on the greatest Malayalee of all time, Sree Narayana Guru won hands down, Mr. Tharoor said addng that his book was an attempt to capture the essential details of his remarkable life and the extraordinary lessons, which were still incredibly relevant even a hundred years later.
Responding to a question on Narayana Guru’s approach to social reform when compared to other leaders, Mr. Tharoor said he would rank him in the highest plane because of the way he transformed both the understanding of Hinduism as a faith and the Hindu society, and thereby Indian society, particularly on the issue of caste.
When Swami Vivekananda visited Kerala, he was so appalled by the caste discrimination he saw, and by its depth and extent, he described the region as a lunatic asylum. Kerala has come a long way, and that the greatest and most seminal contribution to that transformation was that of Narayana Guru, Mr. Tharoor said.
Nehru, Ambedkar and Narayana Guru on caste
Comparing Jawaharlal Nehru and Ambedkar with Narayana Guru, Mr. Tharoor observed that Nehru was less focused on caste and more on class and socio-economic disabilities, while Ambedkar focused on caste. “They had complementary insights into India’s transformation. What Ambedkar later articulated had already been said by Sree Narayana Guru,” he said, recollecting what the saint had told Mahatma Gandhi — what is the point of freedom from foreign rule if there was no freedom within one’s own society.
Mr. Tharoor also said Nehru and Narayana Guru shared common ground in their views on economic transformation. While Nehru saw it through Marxist-Leninist ideas of class emancipation, Narayana Guru spoke of education and enterprise as ways for people at the bottom of the hierarchy to transform their lives. Nehru focused on self-determination, while Narayana Guru placed great emphasis on enterprise, handicrafts and business.
Speaking about his philosophy of ‘one caste, one religion, one God for humankind’, Mr. Tharoor said Narayana Guru meant that all religions lead to the same divine. It was similar to classic Advaitic understanding preached by Adi Shankaracharya and later popularised by Swami Vivekananda, Mr. Tharoor said, referring to Swami Vivekananda’s speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.
Sharing an incident from the 1921 Census, Mr. Tharoor said that when the enumerator asked Narayana Guru about his caste, he replied, “Human”. He said Narayana Guru remains the first individual in population census history whose caste was recorded as “Human”, reflecting his idea of castelessness.Vaikom sathyagraha
Speaking about the Vaikom Satyagraha, Mr. Tharoor described it as a major event in the nationalist struggle. He said the agitation began when ‘untouchables’ were denied access to roads leading to a temple in Vaikom. He said Gandhiji believed in passive resistance by Satyagrahis who would sit in front of the barricades.
“While the followers of Narayana Guru fundamentally differed on this point. Narayana Guru, felt they had to be assertive, not violent, as was misunderstood. Narayana Guru urged people to climb onto the barricades, walk into the temple and sit in the middle of the road. Their disagreement was tactical. Gandhi initially felt Narayana Guru was advocating violence, but later the Guru wrote to him explaining his position,” Mr. Tharoor said.
Mr. Tharoor said Gandhiji viewed the entire exercise as a process of Hindu self-purification and believed it was the responsibility of Hindus to expiate the sin of having practicised untouchability. Narayana Guru, however, believed that caste and religion concerned everyone and that all sections of society had to participate.
During the conversation, Mr. Tharoor also read out a few lines from chapters in his book, which were received with a warm round of applause from the audience.
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Published - January 18, 2026 03:33 pm.
Sivaji UT News opinion.Congress and Congress leaders always want to belittle the image of Dalits and Babasaheb.Now sashi tharur started it.Dividing Dalits is the main activity of Congress.
1)Congress has failed in the political career because of this dividing attitude.Election results.
| 1952 (1st LS) | 489 | 364 | 74% | |
| 1957 | 494 | 371 | 75% | |
| 1962 | 494 | 361 | 73% | |
| 1967 | 520 | 283 | 54% | |
| 1971 | 518 | 352 | 68% | |
| 1977 | 542 | 154 | 28% | |
| 1980 | 542 | 353 | 65% | |
| 1984 | 542 | 404 | 74% | |
| 1989 | 529 | 197 | 37% | |
| 1991 | 521 | 244 | 47% | |
| 1996 | 543 | 140 | 26% | |
| 1998 | 543 | 141 | 26% | |
| 1999 | 543 | 114 | 21% | |
| 2004 | 543 | 145 | 27% | |
| 2009 | 543 | 206 | 38% | |
| 2014 | 543 | 44 | 8% | |
| 2019 | 543 | 52 | 9.5% | |
| 2024. | 543 | 99. |
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