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NDTV
26-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Karnataka BJP Leader N Ravikumar Calls Official 'Pakistani', Police Case Filed
Bengaluru: A major political controversy erupted in Karnataka after the BJP's Member of Legislative Council N Ravikumar made a communal remark against Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, a Muslim IAS officer. During a BJP protest in front of her office, Mr Ravikumar had questioned whether the officer was "from Pakistan". It had sparked outrage and a police case was promptly lodged. The comment was made during a BJP protest against the alleged mistreatment of Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. On May 21, Narayanaswamy was reportedly confined inside a government guest house by Congress supporters during his visit to Chittapur. It was a backlash by Congress workers following his controversial comment comparing Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge to a dog. Amid the protest, Mr Ravikumar had said, "I don't know whether the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner has come from Pakistan or is an IAS officer here. Looking at your applause, it seems like the DC has indeed come from Pakistan". The remark drew instant criticism for its communal tone and content that was seen as an attack on a civil servant's patriotism and identity. Priyank Kharge Slams "Hateful Mindset" Priyank Kharge, who is also the son of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the statement, calling it "highly distasteful" and reflective of a dangerous mindset. "This is the kind of speech BJP leaders are making across the country. Attacking a respected officer like this is unacceptable. People who speak this way about their fellow citizens - can we even call them true Indians?" he asked, labeling such rhetoric as "anti-social." Legal Action Initiated A resident of Kalaburagi, Dattatreya, has filed a formal complaint with the local police. A First Information Report has been registered against Ravikumar Accusing him under sections linked to assertions prejudicial to national integration, threat of injury to a public servant, malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings and the law against atrocities on people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PM Modi agreed to caste census out of fear: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi alleged that Narendra Modi agreed to a caste census due to fear of backlash. He spoke to students in Darbhanga, Bihar, defying attempts to stop him. Gandhi criticized the government for serving the interests of a small percentage of the population. He urged students to focus on caste census, reservations, and funds for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to hold a caste census "out of fear" of the country's deprived population, to which the opposition was lending its voice. The leader of the opposition made the remark at a charged-up interaction with students in Darbhanga district of Bihar, where he defied attempts of the local administration to thwart him from reaching the venue."As you all are aware, my car was stopped at the gate (of Mithila University). But I did not relent. I got out and took a circuitous route to reach here on foot," said the Rae Bareli MP, who launched 'Shiksha Nyay Samvad', a public interaction programme in Bihar where assembly polls are due later this was speaking at the varsity's Ambedkar Hostel, where permission for holding the event had been denied by the administration, evoking outrage from the Congress which rejected the suggestion that the programme be held at an alternative former Congress president said, "Do you realise why the government in Bihar could not stop me? It was because I am propelled by the vast pool of energy that you embody. It is the same energy before which Narendra Modi had to bow.""We told Modi you shall touch the Constitution with your head and he ended up doing so. We had also told him you will have to hold a caste census. On both occasions, Modi acceded to the demands out of fear of a backlash from you people," Gandhi claimed."But the fact remains that his government serves the interests of Ambani, Adani and their ilk. The system is working for the benefit of five per cent of the population. Dalits, OBCs and tribals have no say, be it in the government, the corporate world or even the media," he urged the youngsters to not get distracted and remain focused on three demands -- an effective caste census on the lines of the survey conducted in (Congress-ruled) Telangana, reservations in private colleges and universities and release of funds allocated to the sub-plan for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes."You can expect little from the NDA. But rest assured that your interests will be taken care of when we come to power, be it in Bihar or at the Centre," he his trademark white polo T-shirt and cargo pants, Gandhi spoke into a hand-held mic and the crowds erupted in chants of 'Jai Bhim' when, towards the end of his speech, he held aloft a portrait of Dr B R also sought to strike a chord with the audience by making one of the attendees, who identified himself as a hosteller hailing from a poor family of daily wage earners, voice his youngster urged the leader of the opposition to raise in Parliament the issue of discrimination against students from the backward classes and inadequate representation of the underdogs in the media."Thanks for sharing your views. Say my namaste to your parents and siblings when you go home," said Gandhi, as he bade goodbye to the student.
News18
13-05-2025
- General
- News18
Jalna's Balmitras: The Youth Who Safeguard Future Of Migrant Workers' Kids
Last Updated: The project is the effort of Kinship and Community-Based Care Programme, supported by UNICEF, Jalna District Administration, and local partners In the drought-prone district of Jalna, where poverty and migration disrupt childhoods, a quiet revolution is taking place. A group of young people, known as Balmitras (friends of children), are stepping up to protect the most vulnerable. These youth volunteers, aged 18 to 29, ensure that children left behind when their parents migrate for work are not left alone, unsupported, or unsafe. Drawn from the same communities they serve, Balmitras offer more than just care — they offer stability, learning and emotional support. At the heart of this effort is the Kinship and Community-Based Care Programme, supported by UNICEF, the Jalna District Administration of the Government of Maharashtra, and local partners SACRED (Society for Action in Creative Education and Development) and Swaraj Gramin Vikas Pratishthan. Jalna, in central Marathwada, is one of the worst-affected regions in the state when it comes to agrarian distress. Droughts, poor irrigation, and repeated crop failures have led to chronic poverty, pushing families, especially those from Scheduled Castes and Tribes, into seasonal migration. Parents move to sugarcane farms, brick kilns or construction sites in search of work, often taking their children along. These children face unsafe living conditions, disrupted schooling, and a lack of healthcare and nutrition, while some are forced into child labour or early marriage. Those who remain behind with relatives or older siblings also face emotional neglect and limited access to basic services. Enter the Balmitras. Their primary task is to raise awareness about the dangers of unsafe migration and promote the option of kinship care, where children stay back in villages under the care of grandparents, relatives, or trusted neighbours. Through individual and group counselling with parents, they help families choose this safer alternative. The Balmitras also run vibrant after-school programmes three times a week, offering a mix of academic support, games, life skills and psychosocial care for children of the migrant workers. These sessions provide children with a safe and nurturing space to grow, learn, and express themselves. 'WHEN A GIRL REFUSES CHILD MARRIAGE…' Balmitra Bhimrao Tambe is a 30-year-old youth from Jalna district. His dedication to this cause over the last two years has earned him the title of Master Balmitra—a mentor role where he now trains and appoints new Balmitras across villages. He takes pride in seeing the real change. 'When a girl refuses child marriage and chooses to continue her education, it feels like I've done something truly meaningful," he said with a smile. Today, he and his fellow youth volunteers are being felicitated by the Jalna Collector for their contribution to child education and protection. Currently, the Jalna district has 649 Balmitras working across six blocks and the results are remarkable. Since 2014, the percentage of children staying back in family-based care during migration seasons has grown steadily, reaching 60.23% in 258 pilot villages. In 2024–25 alone, over 5,800 children stayed back in kinship care. Most were cared for by grandparents, others by extended family or trusted community members. A small number lived independently with siblings in child-headed households. This community-based care model is yielding significant outcomes like low school dropout rates, continued access to nutrition and health services, a significant reduction in child labour, early marriage, and teen pregnancies. Inspired by its success, the model has now been scaled up to 198 more villages, with leadership from the Jalna District Collector and the State Migration Committee of the Department of Women and Child Development. NOT FOR MONEY, THEY WORK WITH PURPOSE Balmitras receive no monetary compensation for their work, but what they gain in skills, confidence and purpose is invaluable. 'The training they receive—on child rights, communication, community mobilisation—helps shape their personalities and future careers. Some of our former Balmitras have even gone on to become Sarpanch, leading their villages," Ravi Kelgaonkar of SACRED said. Bhausaheb Gunjal from Gramin Vikas Pratishthan agreed. 'Balmitras play a big role in preventing child marriage. They engage with young girls and their parents, convincing them to delay marriage and support education. We've seen many girls who once resisted early marriage now excelling academically and winning awards in school," he added. For thousands of children in migration-affected communities, the Balmitra initiative is more than a support system. It ensures continuity in education, safeguards their mental health, and helps them grow up in a more secure environment. It is a model that is not just working—it is thriving and becoming a blueprint for other districts across Maharashtra. Alpa Vora, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Maharashtra, said, 'In Jalna, thousands of children are forced to migrate with their families due to drought and poverty. They miss school, live in unsafe conditions, and lose access to basic services. The Balmitra initiative is changing this. Trained youth volunteers now help children stay in their villages, attend school, access health services, and participate in after school and mental wellbeing activities. This model is not just protecting children—it is transforming futures." Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 13, 2025, 19:46 IST
