18.02.2026.Untouchability News.(News of Dalits,Adivasi,atrocity,buddhist,Dr Ambedkar,Employement,Education news details from various sources)by Sivaji.Ayyayiram UTNews.9444917060

On February 18, 2026, several state and national developments regarding Dalit (SC) and Adivasi (ST) communities were reported, ranging from Supreme Court interventions in tribal rights to updates on reservation policies.

📍 State-Wise News Highlights

Chhattisgarh: Supreme Court Stay on Tribal Exhumation

In a significant relief for tribal Christians in Chhattisgarh, the Supreme Court issued an interim stay on the exhumation of bodies from village graveyards.

 * The Issue: Petitioners alleged that Christian families in tribal villages were being prevented from burying their deceased in common graveyards and that bodies were being forcibly exhumed by local authorities.

 * The Ruling: A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria directed that "no further exhumation of buried bodies shall be permitted" until further notice, citing potential violations of Articles 14 and 21.

 * Link: Supreme Court Stays Exhumation of Tribal Christians

Chhattisgarh: PM-JANMAN Success in Jagima

Reports emerged on the transformative impact of the PM-JANMAN scheme (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan) in the Balrampur district.

 * Impact: Tribal women from the "Hill Korwa" community (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group - PVTG) have transitioned from traditional woodcutting to professional wood processing and broom manufacturing through Van Dhan Kendras.

 * Goal: The scheme aims to bring social and economic empowerment to remote tribal hamlets.

 * Link: PM JANMAN scheme brings change in lives of tribal women

Meghalaya: Expert Committee on Reservation Policy

In Shillong, an expert committee submitted its findings regarding the 50-year-old Job Reservation Policy.

 * Recommendation: The committee advised sticking to the existing policy rather than making radical changes based solely on population proportion. It emphasized that reservation must continue to rest on "social and educational backwardness."

 * Link: Expert committee advocates sticking with existing Reservation Policy

⚖️ National & Judicial Updates

UGC Regulations Controversy

On February 18, political leaders and student groups remained locked in a debate over new UGC Equity and Anti-Discrimination Regulations.

 * The Update: MP Nishikant Dubey assured that the government is looking to "correct" rules to address concerns of general category students, while SC/ST and OBC student groups have been mobilizing on campuses to demand the full implementation of anti-discrimination protections.

 * Judicial Context: The Supreme Court had previously stayed parts of these rules, calling them potentially "constitutionally risky."

 * Link: Nishikant Dubey on UGC rule corrections

Forest Rights Act (FRA) Data Release

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs released updated figures regarding land claims.

 * Status: Nationally, 4,43,247 claims have been settled. However, state-wise data (like that from Andhra Pradesh and Assam) shows a continuing gap between claims filed and titles distributed, with significant rejection rates still under review.

 * Link: PIB: Claims and Pending Approvals under FRA

Summary Table: Regional Focus

| State | Focus Area | Key Update |

|---|---|---|

| Chhattisgarh | Human Rights | SC stays exhumation of tribal Christian bodies. |

| Meghalaya | Policy | Expert committee upholds current SC/ST reservation criteria. |

| Jharkhand | Education | Political debate over UGC anti-discrimination rules intensifies. |

| National | Land Rights | Ministry reports 4.43 lakh FRA claims settled as of Feb 2026. |

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