Latest news with #Dalit
Scroll.in
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Why is ED being used for ‘political battles', asks SC in alleged Mysuru land scam
The Supreme Court on Monday asked why the Enforcement Directorate was being used for 'political battles', and said that such battles must be fought outside the court, Bar and Bench reported. A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran rejected an appeal filed by the agency against a Karnataka High Court decision to quash the summons issued to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife in an alleged land scam '…Please do not force us to say something,' Bar and Bench quoted the bench as saying. 'Otherwise we have to say something very harsh about the Enforcement Directorate. Let political battles be fought among the electorate. Why are you being used for it?' Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, agreed to withdraw the appeal. 'But let it not be treated as a precedent,' Raju added. While rejecting the petition, the bench also said that there was no error in the reasoning adopted by the High Court in the matter. The alleged scam pertains to the allotment of 14 high-value housing sites in Mysuru's Vijaynagar area to Siddaramaiah's wife, Parvathi, in 2021 by the Mysore Urban Development Authority under a state government scheme. This was allegedly done in exchange for 3.1 acres of land that Parvathi owned in another part of the city. The land was allegedly illegally acquired from Dalit families. On September 25, a special court in Bengaluru ordered a Lokayukta police investigation against Siddaramaiah after the Karnataka High Court upheld the sanction granted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute him. On September 27, the Lokayukta police registered a first information report against Siddaramaiah, Parvathi, her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy and a person named Devaraju. Swamy had reportedly purchased the land in question from Devaraju and gifted it to Parvathi. On October 1, Parvathi offered to return the 14 plots in question. This came after the Enforcement Directorate booked Siddaramaiah under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the alleged scam. While the Lokayukta police said in its closure report that it found no evidence against Siddaramaiah, it alleged that the 50:50 site allotment policy followed by former Mysuru Urban Development Authority commissioner DB Natesh and his predecessors led to substantial losses to the state exchequer, according to the Deccan Herald. The anti-corruption ombudsman sought permission to investigate their actions. The Enforcement Directorate had filed a protest petition against the Lokayukta police's closure report. In April, the special court allowed the Lokayukta police to conduct further investigation into the alleged land scam involving Siddaramaiah. However, it deferred its decision on a closure report submitted by the anti-corruption ombudsman. It said that the question of whether to accept the report would be kept pending till the Lokayukta police filed its final report. Meanwhile, Justice M Nagaprasanna of the High Court on March 7 quashed the summons issued by central agency to Parvathi. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, which was heard on Monday.
The Wire
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Over 71% Dalit Voters Fear Losing Their Vote in Bihar SIR: Survey
New Delhi: Over 70% of voters from the Dalit community in Bihar have said that they fear losing their vote in the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls according to a new survey released ahead of assembly elections in the state. Despite their fears of disenfranchisement, the survey also found that 51.22% of Dalit voters have faith in the Election Commission (EC) while 27.42% do not. The survey was conducted between June 10 and July 4 by the National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Associations (NACDAOR) – an apex body of Dalit organisations in India. The survey included 18,581 samples from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities across the state. However, the question on fear of disenfranchisement as a consequence of the Bihar SIR was added only after the exercise was announced on June 24 and 8,500 samples were gathered on it. The survey results show that of those surveyed, 5,983 (71.55%) said that they fear losing their vote due to the ongoing exercise in the state, 1,959 (23.43%) said that they do not have this fear and 419 (5.01%) said that they do not have an opinion on the exercise. On the question of whether they trusted the EC, 51.22% said yes, 27.42% said no and 21.36% said that they did not know. Over 15,403 or 82.89% voters said that the scope of reservations for SC/ST/OBCs should be increased in Bihar, 9.76% said that it need not be increased and 7.34% said that they have no opinion on the matter, the survey found. Building on opposition pressure ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Union government had announced in April that caste enumeration data will be part of the population census. In June, the Union government said that the population census along with the enumeration of castes will be conducted in two phases starting October 1, 2026. Of those surveyed, 33.15% credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the caste census, while 30.81% credited leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and another 27.57% cited former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav. The survey has also revealed that unemployment remains the biggest issue for Dalit voters in the upcoming elections. Of those surveyed, 58.85% said that unemployment is the biggest issue in the election, 14.68% said health and education, 11.21% said corruption, 9.45% said law and order, while 5.81% cited migration. The survey results also show that 47.51% favoured Modi at a national level against 40.30% who favoured Gandhi. At the state-level, Tejashwi was found more favourable. Over 28% said that they favoured the RJD leader, 25.88% chose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Union minister Chirag Paswan, while 22.8% cited Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. On the question of how the Nitish Kumar government had fared in Bihar, 45.46% said 'good', 48.44% said 'bad' and 6.1% did not express any opinion. Ashok Bharti, Chairman of NACDAOR, said to The Wire that this is the "first survey of Dalits, by Dalits". The survey was conducted in collaboration with The Convergent Media. Bharti said that when the survey was being conceptualised, it was found that other such surveys often don't reach Dalits. 'This is the first unique Dalit survey done by Dalits on Dalits. If any other agency goes to them, they often don't tell the truth because they are scared. We identified Dalit activists and trained them to do the survey so we can get true responses. Hence, this is an authentic survey of the Dalits, by Dalits.' The 2023 Bihar caste survey found that people from SC communities form about 19% of Bihar's population.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
PM Modi Wishes Mallikarjun Kharge On His Birthday, Prays For His Long Life
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended birthday greetings to Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, wishing him a long and healthy life. Born on July 21, 1942, in Varawatti village of Bhalki Taluk, Bidar district, Karnataka, Kharge hails from a Dalit family and has had a decades-long political journey. He has been serving as the President of the Indian National Congress since 2022 and as the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha since 2021. A Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, he has represented the state in Parliament since 2020. In a post on X, PM Modi posted: "Best wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji, on his birthday. Praying for his long and healthy life." Best wishes to the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji on his birthday. Praying for his long and healthy life. @kharge — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2025 The Congress party also paid rich tributes to its veteran leader, highlighting his commitment to justice, democracy, and the Constitution. "Warmest birthday greetings to our esteemed Congress President, Shri Kharge ji! A relentless champion of justice and equality, he leads the party with unparalleled courage, wisdom, and political acumen," the party said in a statement. "His inspiring leadership strengthens our resolve to uphold the Constitution with unwavering integrity. His faith and commitment to democracy and decades of distinguished public service make him a true icon," the party added. "Wishing you good health, immense happiness, and many more years of bold, visionary leadership. Happy Birthday, Shri Kharge ji!" Congress said. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar also took to X and wished the Congress chief on his birthday, calling him the state's "pride". "Warm birthday wishes to AICC President and Karnataka's pride, Shri Kharge avaru. Over the years, I have witnessed your deep commitment to the people and to the ideals of the Congress Party," he posted. "Your journey from the grassroots to national leadership is an inspiration to all of us in public life. For Karnataka and for India, you remain a pillar of strength and wisdom. Wishing good health and many more years in the service of the nation," Mr Shivakumar added. Mr Kharge is the first non-Gandhi Congress president in 24 years and the 98th person to head the party.
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: July 21, 2025
Parliament Monsoon session: Open to discussion on Operation Sindoor, says Centre The Government is open to discussing all issues in Parliament, including Operation Sindoor, it said in an all-party meeting held on the eve of the monsoon session, which begins on Monday (July 21, 2025). At the same time, it cautioned the Opposition that any debate on the subject has to be held within the laid-down rules and procedures. Mumbai advocate moves Supreme Court against Raj Thackeray over 'anti-Hindi' remarks A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking criminal proceedings against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for allegedly inciting violence and spreading linguistic hatred against Hindi-speaking citizens in Maharashtra. Ishiba's coalition loses majority in Japan's Upper House election Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba 's ruling coalition failed on Monday (July 21, 2025) to secure a majority in the 248-seat Upper House in a crucial parliamentary election, NHK public television said. Mr. Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito needed to win 50 seats on top of the 75 seats they already have to reach the goal. With two more seats to be decided, the coalition had only 46 seats. 'A useful tool': annual share of abstentions in India's U.N. votes at all-time high An increasingly polarised world has led to India altering its voting strategy at the United Nations in such a way that the proportion of abstentions every year has increased while the 'yes' votes have reduced, an analysis has found. According to former diplomats, this rise in the share of abstentions could in fact help India establish its own position on various issues. Over 58% Dalit voters in Bihar think unemployment is biggest poll issue: survey More than 27.4% Dalit voters in Bihar have 'no trust' in the Election Commission of India (ECI), a new survey released ahead of the Assembly Elections due in the State has found. It also shows that over 58% Scheduled Caste (SC) voters in the State thought that unemployment was the biggest issue in the upcoming polls. Congress leaders detained in Jammu as police foil street march for J&K Statehood The top leadership of the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, including the party's national secretary G.A. Mir and its J&K president Tariq Hameed Karra, were detained in Jammu on Sunday (July 20, 2025), as the police foiled the party's street campaign for the restoration of 'full statehood' to J&K. Appellate Tribunal upholds ED's attachment of Chanda Kochhar's assets The Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has found a 'prima facie case' in the matter allegedly involving the former Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar and others. Nepal PM Oli to visit India in mid-September Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to India towards mid-September, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday (July 20, 2025). Punjab police busts BKI terror module linked to grenade attacks in Patiala Punjab police on Sunday (July 20, 2025) claimed to have busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module allegedly operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan, with the arrest of three individuals accused of carrying out grenade attacks on police posts at Badshahpur in Punjab's Patiala district and Ajimgarh in Haryana. Prioritise national interest over politics, V-P Dhankhar tells parties Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has urged all parties to prioritise national interest over politics and called for bonhomie and constructive engagement ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. UIDAI to roll out biometric Aadhaar update for children through schools in phased manner The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is working on a project to initiate biometric updates for children through schools in a phased manner within the next two months, a top official of the Aadhaar-issuing authority said. Indonesian passenger ferry catches fire at sea, killing at least 5 A passenger ferry carrying hundreds of people caught fire at sea on Sunday (July 20, 2025) off Sulawesi island in Indonesia, killing at least five people, officials said. More than 280 people were rescued and evacuation efforts were ongoing. Nitish in danger of ruled out of the remainder of Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Nitish Kumar Reddy is in danger of being ruled out of the remainder of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy after picking up a knee injury while training at the gym.
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dalit youths allege illegal detention and custodial torture by cops in MP
Bhopal: Four Dalit youths accused police in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district of illegal detention and custodial torture. The youths alleged they were stripped, beaten for four days, and had chilli powder rubbed into their private parts to force a confession in a theft case. The victims, residents of the Kanjadpur Dharampura area, stated they were returning from a housewarming ceremony on July 15 when they stopped to urinate by the roadside. A Dial-100 police vehicle allegedly picked them up without explanation. One youth, who is disabled, was released, while the remaining four were taken to the police station, hung upside down, beaten with belts, and tortured. Police had previously claimed to have arrested five individuals for stealing transformer oil. The incident prompted protests by Bhim Army workers and the victims' families, who marched to the SP office demanding action under the SC/ST Act and the suspension of the accused policemen. A sit-in was held outside the SP office, where authorities responded by locking the gates and cutting power to the premises. DIG Lalit Shakyawar later visited the site and assured that a medical examination would be conducted and action taken after investigation. Three of the victims have since undergone medical tests. "We have asked a senior officer to investigate the matter. CCTV footage from inside the police station is being examined," said Chhatarpur SP Agam Jain. Families also alleged that one of the five detained youths is missing and feared he may have died in custody. A victim's father-in-law further accused the police of threatening him with arrest and eviction from govt land if the protest continued. Former Congress MLA Neeraj Dixit also visited the protest site and demanded justice. A heavy police force from multiple stations was deployed. Investigations are currently underway.
