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Jharkhand Minister: Scheduled Castes at a Disadvantage Compared to Primitive Tribes
The letter, released earlier this week, asserts that the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Castes in Jharkhand are “worse than those of Primitive Tribes.” This claim is seen as a direct criticism of the Hemant Soren government’s efforts to uplift historically marginalized communities. While the ruling alliance has attempted to downplay the remarks as internal feedback, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized the moment to challenge the government’s record on social justice.
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo condemned the Chief Minister’s ongoing silence, labeling the government’s inaction on such a critical issue as a moral failure. He argued that, under political ethics, the Chief Minister should resign or demand the resignation of his minister. Shah Deo further accused the government of neglecting Scheduled Castes and Primitive Tribes throughout its five-and-a-half-year tenure, highlighting the failure to establish the SC Commission and the unfilled chairperson position of the Backward Class Commission, as well as the lack of leadership in the State Election Commission overseeing local bodies.
The BJP also reiterated its objections to the government’s decision to conduct panchayat elections without reservations for backward classes. Shah Deo raised concerns about unchecked activities related to religious conversion in tribal regions, claiming the government is ignoring these issues. He noted that several initiatives from the previous BJP administration, including the ‘Dakiya Yojana’ and ‘Pahariya Battalion,’ have been overlooked under the current leadership.
The impact of the letter has transcended party boundaries into civil society, with the Jharkhand Scheduled Caste Coordination Committee voicing support for the minister and reinforcing its long-standing call for a robust and independent SC Commission. Committee member Santosh Rajak praised the minister for addressing community concerns but warned that failure to take concrete action could result in widespread protests. The committee also claimed that many welfare programs for Scheduled Castes exist only on paper, with significant issues like education, housing, employment, and social security remaining largely unaddressed.
Meanwhile, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress have opted not to criticize the minister directly, framing the letter as part of an internal discussion. JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey emphasized the government’s commitment to the dignity and development of all communities, including Dalits, tribals, and other marginalized groups. Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha echoed this sentiment, portraying the letter as evidence of the administration’s attentiveness to community concerns, and mentioned that a decision to create an SC Advisory Council is forthcoming.
Nonetheless, this incident highlights the disconnect between political promises and institutional accountability. The lack of functioning commissions and delays in implementing welfare initiatives continue to provoke concerns regarding the delivery of justice to the state’s most vulnerable populations.
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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