Why Kamal Nath’s Hindutva lite might dent Congress in this Madhya Pradesh region
Even Congress leaders worry that his public religiosity is turning OBCs against the party in Chhatarpur district, home to the temple of Bageshwar Dham.
No nationwide caste census since independence, limited data available
An official nationwide caste census has not been conducted since Independence, numbers collected by private and government entities as part of other data collection exercises provide some insights.
Tamil Nadu: 46-year-old Dalit cook attacked by MBCs, hospitalised
People of both SC and MBC communities reside in Arunachalapuram village. Some months ago, the SC residents attempted to install a party flag and this irked the MBC residents.
Bhima Koregaon: NIA court directs prison authorities to provide Sagar Gorkhe treatment
An application was filed by Sagar Gorkhe, praying the court to direct urgent and necessary treatment for his mental and physical health. According to the application, the prison authorities have deprived Gorkhe of medicines and treatment for his psychiatric conditions.
DMK’s Chennai Mayor R Priya is spoken over, patronised in meetings by male councillors
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won a majority in Chennai’s local body elections in 2022, and was lauded for making Dalit member R Priya the GCC Mayor, a move many perceived as progressive. But at the council meetings, patriarchy continues.
Mohan Bhagwat May Quote Ambedkar, But RSS Is Polar Opposite of His Ideology
It is ironic that despite core contradictions in ideologies, RSS leaders make a show of paying respect to Ambedkar for electoral gains, writes Ram Punyani.
Somnath Waghmare’s Chaityabhumi shows celebration is inseparable from anti-caste struggle
Like a chapter in a book, Waghmare’s documentary leads you to explore the vast overlaps between history, geography, religion, identity, and the fight for freedom from caste.
In Yogi’s Gorakhpur, an Ambedkarite Outfit Speaking for Land Rights Faces State Crackdown
The Ambedkar Jan Morcha views the arrests in Gorakhpur as an attempt by the government to tarnish its image and weaken their movement for land rights for Dalits.
Buddhism’s long fight against brahminism and caste
‘Dust on the Throne’ focusses on grossly overlooked aspects of Buddhism in Southasia and beyond, highlighting casteless and anti-caste legacies connecting ancient and modern Buddhists. Gajendran Ayyathurai writes.
Why A 79-Year-Old Former Police Officer & Dalit Human Rights Defender Faces Attempted Murder Charges
After a protest for land rights in Gorakhpur on 10 October 2023, the Uttar Pradesh police arrested 10 activists, mostly Dalit, including Sarwan Ram Darapuri despite little evidence of any overt violence at the gathering. Even though videos show police officers were present and listened to demands of an acre of land for marginalised communities, the protestors face charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy.
Gujarat: Five booked after Dalit principal dies by suicide in Amreli
In a video message, Kanti Chauhan had alleged that the village head used casteist slurs against him and asked to hand over grants that he had received.
Our government will conduct a country-wide caste census: Congress Working Committee
‘We will remove the cap of 50% on reservation through legislation and implement women’s reservation law to provide 33% quota for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies at the earliest’, says resolution.
59% General Category students agree with or are neutral to casteist remarks: 2019-20 IIT-Delhi survey
One of the disturbing findings of the survey shows that one in two “general category” respondents admitted to making casteist comments intentionally or unintentionally. Of them, nearly 15% admitted to having intentionally passed casteist comments.
Beyond Politics: Caste Census Is About Deepening India’s Social Justice Paradigm
There is an unstated consensus that the BJP’s Kamandal politics is a necessary evil to reverse Mandal politics. It perpetuated caste hegemonies and stymied numerous progressive policy measures. This is why the INDIA bloc’s championing of the caste census offers a rare window to unleash India’s third democratic upsurge.
We must oppose Indian Hindu nationalist forces in Canada
“Hinduphobia” is a reverse-racism-type narrative, manufactured to delegitimize the fight against casteism and oppression of minorities in and by India. MV Ramana and Harsha Walia write.
Victim ‘converted Christian’, can’t get aid under SC/ST Act in Balveer case: Madras HC
Additional advocate general filed a counter affidavit, stating Kumar is neither a member of a SC nor a ST community and that he is a converted Christian, and not entitled for compensation.
Activist Beena Johnson becomes first Dalit woman to address UN General Assembly
Beena Johnson, the General Secretary of the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights said that principles of non-discrimination should be upheld if poverty has to be eradicated.
Bihar Caste Survey: Why the BJP Is Jittery and INDIA Bloc Upbeat
While the prime minister and colleagues sang different tunes, leaders of the INDIA bloc foregrounded the formula that a share in governance should be proportionate to the size of a community's population, writes Nalin Verma.
West Bengal: Civil Society is Mobilizing People to Vote for INDIA
The INDIA Alliance may not have declared their seat-sharing plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls yet, but civil society in West Bengal is mobilizing people to vote for INDIA. The United Forum of Vote for INDIA organized a rally in the heart of Kolkata, with participants including members of the Matua community, Dalits, and Muslims. Prominent social and human rights activists addressed the gathering.
USCIRF Reiterates Concerns on Religious Freedom in India, Calls for Release of Religious Prisoners of Conscience
“Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and Adivasis are experiencing increased levels of attacks and acts of intimidation," said USCIRF Chair Abraham Cooper. “Authorities have continued to suppress minority voices and those advocating on their behalf. These trends, and their implication for U.S. foreign policy, should not be ignored.”