NHRC Takes Cognizance of Illegal Mining Death in Dhanbad: A Step Towards Accountability

NHRC Takes Cognizance of Illegal Mining Death in Dhanbad: A Step Towards Accountability

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint filed by human rights defender Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi concerning the death of a 55-year-old man, Bagha, and the serious injury of a woman during alleged illegal coal mining activities near Tetulmari Mansa Mandir in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

The complaint highlighted a tragic incident that occurred on 25 February 2025 when debris from illegal excavation reportedly collapsed on workers, leading to the death of Bagha and causing severe injuries to another victim. According to reports, local authorities initially denied knowledge of the incident, raising concerns about accountability, victim protection, and access to justice.

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the NHRC observed that the complaint raises important issues relating to the protection of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Commission has directed the District Magistrate, Dhanbad, to conduct an inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report within fifteen days.

This intervention is important not only for the affected family but also for the larger issue of unsafe and illegal mining practices that continue to endanger vulnerable communities. The case highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement of safety standards, accountability of responsible authorities, and effective rehabilitation measures for victims and their families.

Human rights are not limited to freedom from abuse; they also include the right to safe working conditions, dignity, and protection from preventable harm. The NHRC's action sends a message that the lives of marginalized workers cannot be ignored and that every death resulting from negligence or illegal activities deserves independent scrutiny.

PVCHR welcomes the Commission's intervention and hopes that the inquiry will ensure justice, compensation, and rehabilitation for the affected family while contributing to stronger safeguards against similar tragedies in the future.

— Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi

People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -343/34/4/2025
To: <dc-dha@nic.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023

Fax No.: 011-24651332    Website: www.nhrc.nic.in

(Law Division)

Case No.- 343/34/4/2025

---

Date : 22/06/2026

To,

THE DISTRICT MAGISTRATE DC office Station Road, Pandey Muhalla, DHANBAD JHARKHAND 826001 Email- dc-dha@nic.in

Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI SA 4/2 A DAULATPUR, PANDEYPUR VARANASI, DAULATPUR, VARANASI VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH 221002 Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -343/34/4/2025.

Sir/ Madam,

The complaint/ intimation dated 03/03/2025, was placed before the Commission on 22/06/2026. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows:

A complaint dated 03.03.2025 has been received from Lenin Raghuvanshi R/o Varanasi online (email id: pvchr.adv@gmail.com) in the Commission containing that: The complaint has been filed regarding an incident of illegal mining in Jharkhand, where a 55-year-old man named Bagha died and a woman was seriously injured due to falling debris. The incident occurred near the Tetulmari Mansa temple. The complainant is seeking compensation and rehabilitation for the victim's family. Upon perusal of complaint, this Commission is of the considered view that the complainant has leveled serious allegations of human right violations in respect of the missing person, thereby violating victim’s Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the constitution. The Commission deems it fit to call for report from the concerned authority/Police before proceeding further. Accordingly, the Registry is directed to send copy of the complaint to the District Magistrate, Dhanbad, Jharkhand to make an inquiry and submit the report expeditiously within a period of 15 days to this Commission.

2.      Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter.

3.     Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained.

Your’s faithfully Sd/- Sparsh Agarwal DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW) M-3 Section Ph. No. 011-24663291

CC to

Complainant Details Case No. 343/34/4/2025 DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI SA 4/2 A DAULATPUR, PANDEYPUR VARANASI, DAULATPUR, VARANASI VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH 221002 Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331 Sparsh Agarwal DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW) M-3 Section Ph. No. 011-24663291

Kashi at Strand: Why a People’s History of Varanasi Matters in a Fractured World

https://www.strandbooks.com/kashi-9789381043707.html

There are moments in the life of a book that transcend publication, sales, or literary recognition. They become symbolic milestones in a larger conversation about society, memory, and humanity. The arrival of Kashi: A People's Account of India's Living Civilisation at New York's historic Strand Bookstore is one such moment.

For nearly a century, Strand Bookstore has stood as a sanctuary for readers, writers, scholars, artists, and seekers of ideas. Located near Union Square in Manhattan, it has witnessed generations of intellectual debates and social movements. To see Kashi placed among the shelves of one of the world's most respected independent bookstores is not merely an achievement for its authors—it is a recognition of the voices that the book seeks to amplify.

Kashi was never conceived as a conventional history of Varanasi. The city has already been described through the lenses of kings, temples, pilgrims, and empires. Yet beneath these celebrated narratives lies another history: the history of ordinary people. The weavers who kept traditions alive despite economic hardship; the Dalit communities who struggled against exclusion while shaping the city's social fabric; the women whose resilience sustained families and communities; the sanitation workers, widows, artisans, and laborers whose lives remain inseparable from the story of the city itself.

Their experiences form the foundation of what we call civilization.

In today's world, public discourse often becomes trapped between competing identities, polarized politics, and simplified historical narratives. Complex societies are reduced to slogans. Diverse cultures are compressed into stereotypes. In such a climate, a people's history becomes not only relevant but essential.

Kashi argues that civilization cannot be understood solely through monuments, scriptures, or political power. It must also be understood through human dignity, coexistence, and the daily struggles of those who rarely appear in official records. The greatness of Varanasi lies not only in its ancient heritage but also in its capacity to absorb differences, sustain plurality, and continuously reinvent itself through its people.

This perspective has profound global relevance.

Across continents, societies are grappling with questions of inclusion, identity, migration, inequality, and democratic participation. Communities seek ways to preserve cultural heritage while embracing diversity. In this context, Varanasi offers important lessons. For centuries, it has been a meeting ground of faiths, philosophies, occupations, and social groups. Its history demonstrates that cultural vitality emerges not from uniformity but from dialogue and coexistence.

The presence of Kashi at Strand therefore represents more than international distribution. It opens a conversation between local experiences and global audiences. Readers in New York, London, Johannesburg, São Paulo, or Tokyo may encounter in the lanes of Varanasi reflections of challenges faced within their own societies. They may discover that the stories of a weaver in Banaras, a widow seeking dignity, or a marginalized community demanding justice resonate far beyond India.

This is particularly significant at a time when democratic values face growing pressures worldwide. Human rights, social justice, and participatory citizenship remain unfinished projects everywhere. The voices documented in Kashi remind us that democracy is strongest when it listens to those on the margins. Progress is meaningful only when it expands opportunity, dignity, and representation.

The journey of this book has always been rooted in that belief.

As human rights practitioners and social activists, our engagement with communities over decades taught us that knowledge does not reside only in institutions. It also resides in lived experience. The people whose stories shape Kashi are not merely subjects of observation; they are producers of knowledge. Their struggles, aspirations, and wisdom contribute to a deeper understanding of society than any official narrative alone can provide.

The encouraging letter received from Advocate Dharm Narain Dubey, appreciating the book's portrayal of Kashi and its contribution to public understanding, reflects the broader response we have encountered across India. Readers have recognized that the book seeks not to romanticize the city nor to reduce it to its challenges, but to present a balanced and humane account of a living civilization.

The recognition of such work by institutions and readers beyond India's borders is heartening because it demonstrates a continuing global appetite for nuanced narratives. In an age dominated by instant information and fragmented attention, there remains a place for stories that encourage reflection, empathy, and dialogue.

Ultimately, the significance of Kashi reaching Strand Bookstore lies not in the destination but in the journey it represents. It is the journey of local voices entering global conversations. It is the journey of marginalized histories finding wider audiences. It is the journey of a city's living heritage being understood through the people who sustain it every day.

If this book succeeds in helping even a few readers see civilization not as a monument of the past but as a shared human project of dignity, pluralism, and justice, then its purpose will have been fulfilled.

For the story of Kashi is, in many ways, the story of humanity itself: diverse, resilient, imperfect, and forever evolving.

LIVE आप देख रहे है Live बनारस और अंतरराष्ट्रीय ख्याति प्राप्त समाजसेवी डॉक्टर 

लेनिन रघुवंशी से 

LIVE आप देख रहे है Live बनारस और अंतरराष्ट्रीय ख्याति प्राप्त समाजसेवी डॉक्टर लेनिन रघुवंशी से

 

NHRC Seeks Report from Uttar Pradesh Government on Diphtheria Deaths in Azamgarh: A Test of Public Health Accountability

 

NHRC Issues First Reminder to Uttar Pradesh Government in Azamgarh Child Deaths Case

Case No.: 10451/24/0/2025

NHRC Diary No.: 15464/IN/2024

Complainant: Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder-Convener, PVCHR

Date of Complaint: 20 September 2024

Date of NHRC Reminder: 16 June 2026

Authority Concerned: Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh

NHRC Seeks Accountability in Suspected Diphtheria Deaths of Children

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a First Reminder to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh after the state government failed to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) in a case concerning the deaths of several children due to suspected diphtheria in Azamgarh district.

The case originated from a complaint submitted by human rights defender Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi on 20 September 2024 following media reports that at least ten children had died in Azamgarh due to suspected diphtheria (galaghontu), a vaccine-preventable disease.

Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the NHRC registered the matter as Case No. 10451/24/0/2025 and on 5 May 2026 directed the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh to submit a detailed report within four weeks. As no report was received, the Commission issued a reminder on 16 June 2026, directing that the report be submitted by 10 July 2026.

Background of the Complaint

The complaint drew attention to reports published in The Wire Hindi regarding multiple child deaths in villages of Azamgarh district. According to the complaint, children suffering from symptoms including fever, throat swelling, breathing difficulties, and inability to swallow were shifted between district hospitals, medical colleges, BHU, and other health facilities without receiving timely life-saving treatment.

The complaint highlighted deaths reported from villages including:

• Sidha Sultanpur
• Daulatpur
• Kujiyari
• Fariha

Families reportedly struggled to obtain emergency treatment, ambulances, and specialist care. Concerns were also raised regarding the transparency of official reporting and the adequacy of the public health response.

Public Health Failure or Human Rights Violation?

The NHRC's intervention raises a larger question: when children die from a preventable and treatable disease, does the issue remain merely a public health concern, or does it become a matter of human rights?

Diphtheria is a disease that can largely be prevented through routine immunization. When outbreaks result in multiple child deaths, important questions emerge:

• Were vaccination programmes effectively implemented?
• Was adequate disease surveillance in place?
• Were anti-diphtheria medicines and treatment facilities available?
• Were referral mechanisms functioning properly?
• Did affected children receive timely medical attention?

These questions are directly linked to the constitutional right to life and health.

Significance of the NHRC Reminder

The issuance of a reminder by the NHRC is significant because it reflects the Commission's concern regarding the absence of a response from the state authorities.

The Commission's action demonstrates that:

• Child deaths linked to systemic failures deserve independent scrutiny.
• Governments are accountable for protecting children's right to health.
• Public authorities must respond to concerns raised by citizens and human rights defenders.
• Transparency is essential for restoring public confidence.

Need for Systemic Reforms

Beyond determining responsibility in individual cases, the Azamgarh tragedy highlights the urgent need for:

Strengthening Immunization Coverage

No child should die from a vaccine-preventable disease.

Improving Rural Healthcare Infrastructure

District hospitals and primary health centres must be equipped to respond rapidly to outbreaks.

Ensuring Availability of Emergency Transport

Delays in referrals and transportation can become fatal during medical emergencies.

Establishing Transparent Disease Surveillance

Accurate reporting and public disclosure are essential for preventing future outbreaks.

Supporting Affected Families

Families who have lost children deserve justice, support, and appropriate relief measures.

The NHRC's continuing examination of Case No. 10451/24/0/2025 is an important step toward ensuring accountability and transparency in the handling of suspected diphtheria-related child deaths in Azamgarh.

The deaths of children from preventable diseases are not merely statistics. They are reminders of the collective responsibility of governments, healthcare systems, and society to protect every child's right to life, health, and dignity.

As the Commission awaits the Action Taken Report from the Government of Uttar Pradesh, civil society will continue to monitor the matter and advocate for justice, public health reforms, and protection of children's rights.

From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Tue, Jun 16, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Subject: Action Taken Report Called for - 10451/24/0/2025 (1st Reminder)
To: <csup@nic.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>

Case No.- 10451/24/0/2025   (M-1)

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

(LAW DIVISION)

MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN, BLOCK-C,

G.P.O. COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023

Fax No.: 011-24651332    Website: www.nhrc.nic.in

* * *

---

Case No. 10451/24/0/2025

Date : 16/06/2026

To,

THE CHIEF SECRETARY GOVERNMENT OF UTTAR PRADESH 101, LOK BHAWAN, U.P. CIVIL SECRETARIAT,VIDHAN SABHA MARG, LUCKNOW UTTAR PRADESH Email- csup@nic.in

Sub : Complaint from

DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI SA 4/2 A DAULATPUR, PANDEYPUR VARANASI, DAULATPUR, VARANASI AZAMGARH , UTTAR PRADESH 221002 Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Sir/Madam,

I am to invite your attention to this Commission's direction dated 05/05/2026 wherein an Action Taken Report in the matter above-mentioned was called for within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the letter.

2.     The requisite report has not been received within the stipulated time. You are, therefore, requested to submit the requisite report to the Commission by 10/07/2026. A copy of the complaint is enclosed for ready reference.

Your’s faithfully Sd/- DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW) Ph. No. 011-24663317

CC to : Case No. 10451/24/0/2025 Procceeding:The Commission has received a complaint from Dr. Lenin Reghuvanshi, a human rights activist from Uttar Pradesh referring to a news report published by "The Wire" revealing that at least 10 children have died due to "Diphtheria" disease in Azamgarh district of the State of Uttar Pradesh during the period, August-September, 2024. It is alleged that children were frequently shuffled between district hospitals, Government Medical Colleges and BHU Varanasi and they were not given timely life-saving medical treatment. The complainant has also alleged that the district administration is suppressing the actual cause of death of the children. He has requested the Commission to intervene into the matter. Transmit a copy of the complaint to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow calling for a report in the matter within 4 weeks. https://thewirehindi.com/285280/diphtheria-2-more-deaths-in-uttar-pradesh/ यूपी: आज़मगढ़ में संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से दो और बच्चों की मौत, बीमारी से अब तक 10 बच्चों ने दम तोड़ा आज़मगढ़ ज़िले के मिर्ज़ापुर ब्लॉक के दौलतपुर गांव में छह वर्षीय ज़ाकिर अहमद और कुजियारी गांव में चार वर्षीय प्रीति की संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से मौत हुई है. डिप्थीरिया जीवाणु बैक्टीरिया जनित संक्रामक रोग है जो संक्रमित व्यक्ति के खांसने, छींकने से एक-दूसरे में फैल सकता है. मनोज सिंह  18/09/2024 डिप्थीरिया का प्रकोप झेल रही एक बस्ती का फोटो. (फोटो: मनोज सिंह) आजमगढ़: उत्तर प्रदेश के आजमगढ़ जिले में संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया (गलाघोंटू) से दो और बच्चों की मौत हो गई. इसके साथ ही जिले में संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से मरने वाले बच्चों की संख्या 10 हो गई है. इससे पहले, बीते 7 सितंबर को द वायर ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में 8 बच्चों की मौत की जानकारी दी थी. ज़िले के मिर्जापुर ब्लॉक के दौलतपुर गांव निवासी हामिद के छह वर्षीय बेटे जाकिर अहमद की 13 सितंबर को संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से मौत हुई है. जाकिर को बीमार पड़ने पर पहले आजमगढ़ जिला अस्पताल ले जाया गया. वहां से उसे 10 सितंबर को आजमगढ़ के गवर्नमेंट मेडिकल कॉलेज एंड सुपर स्पेशियलिटी अस्पताल ले जाया गया. फिर वहां से उसे बीएचयू अस्पताल रेफर कर दिया गया था. बीएचयू ने उसे वाराणसी के जिला अस्पताल भेज दिया. जिला अस्पताल में 13 सितंबर की सुबह जाकिर की मौत हो गई. इससे हफ्ते भर पहले, कुजियारी गांव में सुनील की चार वर्षीय बेटी प्रीति की इसी बीमारी से मौत हो गई थी. कुजियारी गांव में संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से यह पहली मौत है. प्रीति को संभागीय जिला अस्पताल में भर्ती कराया गया था, जहां से उसे 9 सितंबर को वाराणसी के लिए रेफर कर दिया गया. वाराणसी के लिए निकलने से पहले ही अस्पताल में उसकी मौत हो गई. आजमगढ़ जिले में डेढ़ महीने से संदिग्ध डिप्थीरिया से बच्चों की मौत के मामले लगातार सामने आ रहे हैं. सबसे पहले मिर्जापुर ब्लॉक के सीधा सुल्तानपुर गांव में 2 अगस्त को एक बच्चे की मौत हुई. इसके बाद इस गांव के चार और बच्चों की इसी बीमारी से मौत हुई. अब तक सीधा सुल्तानपुर गांव में इस बीमारी से 5 बच्चों- रेहान उर्फ़ अलीराजा पुत्र मिन्हाज, कास्मिन पुत्री रोजन, साजमा पुत्री मीरु, मुहम्मद पुत्र सुहैल, आतिफ पुत्र कैश. वहीं, दौलतपुर गांव में दो बच्चों अतीकुल पुत्री पिंटू और जाकिर अहमद पुत्र हामिद की मौत हुई है. फरिहा में दो बच्चों- उम्मेमिहानी पुत्री अजीम, आरिस पुत्र अब्दुल रहमान और कुजियारी गांव में प्रीति पुत्री सुनील की मौत की खबर आई है सभी बच्चों को गले में सूजन, बुखार, खाने-पीने व सांस लेने में परेशानी के लक्षण दिखे थे. डिप्थीरिया जीवाणु बैक्टीरिया जनित संक्रामक रोग है जो संक्रमित व्यक्ति के खांसने, छींकने से एक- दूसरे में फैल सकता है. संक्रमण होने के दो से पांच दिन बाद इसके लक्षण प्रकट होते है. गले में खराश, बुखार, गर्दन की ग्रंथियों में सूजन के साथ-साथ सांस लेने में दिक्कत व कुछ भी निगलने में दिक्कत होने लगती है. सही समय से उपचार नहीं मिलने पर मौत भी हो जाती है. कांग्रेस के प्रदेश महासचिव (संगठन) अनिल कुमार यादव ने 14 सितंबर को लखनऊ में पत्रकार वार्ता कर आजमगढ़ जिले में गलाघोंटू से मरे बच्चों की सूची जारी करते हुए कहा कि उत्तर प्रदेश में गलाघोंटू बीमारी का प्रकोप बढ़ता जा रहा है. अभी तक प्रदेश के तीन जिलों आजमगढ़, संभल और उन्नाव में उक्त बीमारी के लक्षण देखने को मिले हैं. उन्होंने आरोप लगाते हुए कहा, ‘आजमगढ़ जिला प्रशासन बच्चों की मौत को यह कहकर छुपा रहा है कि बच्चों की मौत डिप्थीरिया (गलाघोंटू) बीमारी के चलते नहीं, बल्कि अन्य कारणों से हुई है. अभी तक दो बच्चों के ही डिप्थीरिया बीमारी से मरने की बात कही जा रही है. जिला अस्पताल द्वारा गलाघोंटू पीड़ित बच्चों को रेफर कर दिया जा रहा है. एक बच्चे को पीजीआई से बीएचयू रेफर किया गया. परिजन एक घंटे तक एंबुलेंस का इंतजार करते रहे. मुझे घटना की जानकारी हुई तब मैंने सीएमओ को फोन किया, तो उनका जवाब था कि एंबुलेंस की जिम्मेदारी हमारी नहीं है.यह व्यवस्था अब निजी कंपनी को सौंप दी गई है. इलाज में देरी से बच्चे की मौत हो गई.’ यादव ने कहा कि बच्चों की मौत गलाघोंटू बीमारी से नहीं, बल्कि उत्तर प्रदेश की लचर स्वास्थ्य व्यवस्था से हो रही है. (लेखक गोरखपुर न्यूज़लाइन वेबसाइट के संपादक हैं.)

🚨 SHOW THE RED CARD TO CHILD LABOUR 🚨

🚨 SHOW THE RED CARD TO CHILD LABOUR 🚨

Thirty-four years ago, I sat on a 72-hour hunger strike in Varanasi demanding rehabilitation for rescued child labourers. Today, the struggle continues in new forms.

A recent survey across four blocks of Varanasi—Bara Gaon, Pindra, Harahua, and Arajiline—identified 4,012 children aged 6–18 years. Among them, 510 children are out of school, and 168 children are working at brick kilns while migrating with their parents.

In my latest article, I reflect on three decades of activism—from the hunger strike in 1991 and the Global March Against Child Labour in 1998 to the ongoing “Red Card to Child Labour” campaign supported by ILO and CRY.

Childhood is not a privilege. It is a right.

Read the full article:
👉 https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/show-the-red-card-to-child-labour-from-a-hunger-strike-in-varanasi-to-the-unfinished-struggle-for-a6c546bbf965

#RedCardToChildLabour #EndChildLabour #ChildRights #EducationForAll #ILO #UnitedNations #CRY #Varanasi #HumanRights #LeninRaghuvanshi #JanMitraNyas #PVCHR #BachpanBachaoAndolan #LeaveNoChildBehind #ChildhoodMatters

The Invisible Kashi: Lenin Raghuvanshi on Marginalized Voices and Mahadev's Radical Equality |

 

Welcome to a new episode of The Tryst by the Samruddha Bharat Foundation, in which Dalit rights activist and People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) founder Lenin Raghuvanshi joined us to discuss his latest book, Kashi. The conversation revolved around the socio-economic realities obscured by Varanasi's traditional image. Raghuvanshi spoke about the systemic marginalization of sanitation communities and the severe economic distress faced by Banarasi sari weavers following the 1991 economic reforms. The discussion sought to bridge these contemporary struggles with the region's deeper philosophical traditions, exploring, in particular, Lord Shiva's message of radical equality through the encounter between Adi Shankaracharya and the Chandal.

Kashi, Democracy, and the Future of India: Why the Voices at the Margins Matter

 🚩 New Op-Ed Published

Kashi, Democracy, and the Future of India: Why the Voices at the Margins Matter

Kashi is often celebrated as the spiritual capital of India. Yet beyond its temples, ghats, and sacred traditions lies another Kashi—one sustained by sanitation workers, weavers, women, labourers, Dalits, migrants, and countless ordinary citizens whose contributions remain largely invisible.

In this op-ed, I argue that Kashi is not merely a city of faith but a living democratic archive that offers important lessons about pluralism, social justice, development, citizenship, and human dignity. The article examines how India's future depends on ensuring that those historically pushed to the margins become visible participants in the nation's development and democratic journey.

The piece also reflects on the growing acceptance of the book Kashi among policymakers, universities, cultural institutions, civil society leaders, and public intellectuals, including engagements with Banaras Hindu University, Sankat Mochan Temple, the BJP Central Library, Varanasi Commissioner S. Rajalingam, and other stakeholders who are contributing to a broader national conversation on inclusion and democracy.

📖 Read the full article here:

https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/kashi-democracy-and-the-future-of-india-why-the-voices-at-the-margins-matter-585537d3463b

#Kashi #Democracy #India #SocialJustice #HumanRights #Pluralism #Inclusion #DalitRights #Development #HumanDignity #Varanasi #PVCHR #LeninRaghuvanshi #PublicPolicy #Heritage #Citizenship #PeaceStudies #BHU #SankatMochan #VoicesFromTheMargins

 

 

‘Kashi’ advocates for inclusivity, compassion and equity

Tarun Kanti Bose

‘Kashi’ provides a refreshing counter-narrative to the prevailing tendency to ‘sanitise’ the historical identity of the world’s oldest living city. By prioritising human experience over architectural aesthetics, the book offers a rigorous critique of how neo-liberal capitalist economy and its urban planning disrupts local social cohesion. It effectively challenges the reader to envision a future for Kashi that transcends the reductionist framing of tourism and political branding, advocating instead for an urban environment defined by inclusivity, compassion, and equity.

Mark Twain once said, Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. The culture of Banaras is not just religious rituals. It is the city of the music maestros, it is the city of Kabir, it is the city of the holy river Ganga. Everybody shares a little bit of this city and it is only by preserving these little bits that we can save the entire city, said the American icon.

Once Tulsidas, Kabir, revolutionary Chandrasekhar Azad, Premchand had tread these lanes. It is a living museum, as I read through the pages of Kashi am filled with remorse over my lack of knowledge to identify these gems very well brought out by the authors.

One of the many ironies of Kashi is that for all the talk of tradition and heritage, the plight of the marginalised, like the Muslim weavers who make a living from the ancient arts is dismal. Living and working in dingy lanes of the city they are renowned for their skills at making Banarasi sarees — a skill that’s been passed down generations. 

However, after 2014 the project to turn the oldest city of Kashi into a big marketplace like Japan’s cultural city Kyoto, interfaced for the first time as the contemporary holds. A pall of gloom decended when Chinese looms pushed many weavers to commit suicide. In this culturally rich and diversified city, houses and shops were bulldozed for construction, transforming the entire city. This has not gone well with the Kashi population. Hundreds of temples were razed to make way for the Kashi Vishwanath corridor project. The ruling dispensation is irreversibly eroding Kashi's cultural legacy. Kashi's heritage is defined not just by its structures and monuments, but also by the people who inhabit and live in them, continuing on an unbroken path of traditional way of life. From Kashi to Kyoto the contrast is stark, a blend of hope and disillusionment. The present class-in-power with an unmistaken choice for modernity have sacrificed the traditional ways the people are used to since ages without a vision for all.  The promise it holds for some leaves in its wake a bleak future for many.  

‘Kashi’ a book of 150 pages and 12 chapters do a good job of capturing the spirit of the city's traditions. The first chapter, "Need," establishes the book's imperative. The authors then frame the discussion in terms of Exclusion vs. Resistance in the next ten chapters, which include case studies and marginalised narratives.

Authored by Lenin Raghuvanshi, Chandra Mishra and Shruti Nagvanshi covers a vast canvas of Kashi, the oldest living city which has been at the helm of political and electoral affairs in India for a few years. I know Lenin and Shruti for two decades, Lenin and Shruti, as activist couple had worked among the marginalised sections- be it Mushars, Muslim weavers, Dalit women and men working in the sewages. Lenin, whose father is a communist and grandfather a Gandhian freedom fighter. Though he was attracted towards his grandfather but as a Marxist I found his understanding of dialectics at the practical level exemplary.  In the conservative milieu in the villages of Varanasi, where untouchability is practised, Mushars are denied primary health care facilities Shruti has put the primary health care in order so that discrimination against Mushars are stopped. Both have been relentlessly fighting to bring Mushars in the mainstream so that the practice of untouchability is stopped and the exploitation of upper caste government functionaries- be it police, health care employees or other agencies is put an end to.   

Development in Kashi acts as a site of ideological conflict, presenting competing narratives that simultaneously exclude populations and provide a framework for resisting that exclusion. The central narrative of Benaras is anchored by its most marginalised population—specifically Dalit women, Muslim weavers, widows, informal labourers, sanitation workers, and the Mushars. While youth, social activists, and intellectuals are active participants, they typically emerge at the conclusion of the discourse, offering a vision for a reimagined 'dual-city' model.

Lenin Raghuvanshi, Shruti Nagvanshi and Chandra Mishra have done a commendable job. A must for all young journalists, social science students, editors, civil society groups and the academia.

Tarun Kanti Bose is a multifaceted figure whose work as an activist, journalist, media trainer and researcher, writer and a scholar demonstrates a strong dedication to social justice, grassroots empowerment and elevating the voices of the marginalised people. His emphasis on indigenous rights, environmental justice, and the sufferings of down trodden is consistent with progressive and leftist philosophies that value equity, anti-establishment critique and systemic transformation. He has published two books ‘Marginalised But Not Defeated’ (2023) and ‘And Quiet Comes the Dawn- Haryana its Identity Issues, Grassroots Movements And Alternative Endeavours’ (2025) strengthens his activist credentials.  

EDUCATION, JUSTICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: AN APPEAL FOR MRIDUL RAGHUVANSHI

"Education is not a privilege; it is a right. Yet for many children, continuing their education depends on the kindness and responsibility of society."

SAVE A CHILD'S EDUCATION: AN APPEAL FOR MRIDUL RAGHUVANSHI

Education is a Right, Not a Privilege

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a better future. Yet for many children, education becomes uncertain not because of a lack of talent or determination, but because of financial hardship and family circumstances beyond their control.

Today, we appeal to your compassion and sense of justice to support Mridul Raghuvanshi, a student of Class XI at HG School, Varanasi, whose education is at risk due to severe financial difficulties.

A Child Facing Extraordinary Challenges

Mridul lost his father at a young age. Since then, his mother, Smt. Chanchal Singh, has carried the responsibility of raising her children alone. As a widow, she has struggled to provide stability, dignity, and educational opportunities for her family despite facing numerous personal, social, and financial challenges.

According to Mridul's own written application seeking educational assistance, after the death of his grandmother in 2022, he and his widowed mother were left without family support and have since faced significant hardship while trying to continue their lives with dignity and self-respect.

Court proceedings and legal records indicate ongoing disputes relating to maintenance, family welfare, and ancestral property rights. While these matters remain subject to legal processes, the impact on the family has been severe, particularly on the education of a young student trying to build his future.

The Immediate Need

Mridul's current school fee liability is approximately ₹91,000.

Despite his strong desire to continue his studies, the family is unable to arrange this amount.

Without support, there is a real risk that his education may be interrupted.

Jan Mitra Nyas Has Already Helped

Jan Mitra Nyas has stood beside Mridul's educational journey:

• In 2025, Jan Mitra Nyas supported the payment of his school fees.

• In 2026, Jan Mitra Nyas has already contributed ₹15,000 towards his educational expenses.

Unfortunately, due to our own financial limitations and the growing number of vulnerable families seeking assistance, we are unable to cover the remaining amount ourselves.

Therefore, we are reaching out directly to compassionate individuals, members of the Raghuvanshi community, educators, alumni, philanthropists, and all those who believe in the transformative power of education.

A Question for Our Community

Recently, a public gathering highlighted the commitment of community leaders and members to support poor children and ensure that no deserving student is deprived of education because of financial hardship.

These values deserve admiration.

However, the situation faced by Mridul raises an important question for all of us:

If we believe that every child deserves an education, should our responsibility not begin with ensuring that children facing hardship within our own families and communities are not left behind?

This appeal is not about blame.

It is not about personal conflict.

It is about a child.

It is about education.

It is about compassion.

It is about ensuring that a young student is not forced to abandon his dreams because of circumstances beyond his control.

How You Can Help

To ensure transparency, donations are being received directly by the family.

Donate Directly

UPI ID:
raghuvanshicharu2@oksbi

Account Holder: Charu Raghuvanshi (Mridul's elder sister)

As the family currently does not have a separate account designated for this educational appeal, contributions are being received through the account of Mridul's sister, Charu Raghuvanshi, and will be utilized exclusively for Mridul's educational expenses and related family support.

Every contribution matters.

Whether you contribute ₹100, ₹500, ₹1,000, or more, your support will help a deserving student remain in school.

Our Appeal to You

Let us come together to ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to education.

Let us show that community values are not merely spoken from public platforms but practiced through meaningful action.

Let us stand with a widowed mother struggling to educate her child.

Let us stand with a young student who continues to dream despite adversity.

Let us stand with hope.

Support Education. Support Dignity. Support Mridul Raghuvanshi.

With gratitude,

Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN)
People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

"When we educate a child, we strengthen an entire community."

एक बच्चे की शिक्षा बचाइए : मृदुल रघुवंशी के लिए सहयोग की अपील

क्या हमारी सामाजिक जिम्मेदारी घर से शुरू नहीं होनी चाहिए?

हाल ही में दैनिक जागरण में प्रकाशित एक समाचार में रघुवंशी समाज की बैठक का उल्लेख किया गया, जिसमें समाज के गरीब बच्चों की शिक्षा, जरूरतमंद परिवारों की सहायता और विद्यार्थियों को आर्थिक अभाव के कारण पढ़ाई से वंचित न होने देने का संकल्प लिया गया। समाचार के साथ प्रकाशित फोटो में श्री सुरेन्द्र नाथ सिंह भी प्रमुख रूप से दिखाई दे रहे हैं।

यह संकल्प सराहनीय है। हर समाज की पहचान उसके कमजोर और जरूरतमंद लोगों के प्रति संवेदनशीलता से होती है।

लेकिन इसी समाचार के बीच एक दर्दनाक वास्तविकता भी हमारे सामने खड़ी है।

मृदुल की कहानी

मृदुल रघुवंशी, एच.जी. स्कूल, वाराणसी में कक्षा 11 का छात्र है। उसके पिता का देहांत हो चुका है। उसकी माता श्रीमती चंचल सिंह एक विधवा हैं और कठिन परिस्थितियों में अपने बच्चों का पालन-पोषण कर रही हैं।

मृदुल ने अपने आवेदन में लिखा है कि वर्ष 2022 में अपनी दादी के निधन के बाद वह और उसकी विधवा मां पारिवारिक सहयोग से वंचित हो गए और तब से सम्मानपूर्वक जीवन तथा शिक्षा जारी रखने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। परिवार को अपने अधिकारों और भरण-पोषण के लिए न्यायालयों का सहारा लेना पड़ा है।

आज मृदुल की शिक्षा पर संकट मंडरा रहा है। उसकी स्कूल फीस लगभग ₹91,000 है, जिसे परिवार वहन करने की स्थिति में नहीं है।

जन मित्र न्यास ने क्या किया?

जन मित्र न्यास ने मृदुल की शिक्षा को बचाने का प्रयास किया है।

• वर्ष 2025 में जन मित्र न्यास ने उसकी पूरी फीस जमा कराने में सहयोग किया।
• वर्ष 2026 में जन मित्र न्यास द्वारा ₹15,000 की सहायता प्रदान की जा चुकी है।

लेकिन संस्था स्वयं सीमित संसाधनों और अनेक जरूरतमंद परिवारों की सहायता के कारण शेष राशि वहन करने की स्थिति में नहीं है।

इसलिए हम समाज, मित्रों, शुभचिंतकों, शिक्षकों, पूर्व छात्रों और विशेष रूप से रघुवंशी समाज से सीधे सहयोग की अपील कर रहे हैं।

समाज से एक प्रश्न

दैनिक जागरण में प्रकाशित समाचार में गरीब बच्चों की शिक्षा के लिए सहयोग की बात कही गई है। उसी समाचार में श्री सुरेन्द्र नाथ सिंह का चित्र भी प्रकाशित है।

ऐसे में समाज के सामने एक नैतिक प्रश्न खड़ा होता है—

यदि हम गरीब बच्चों की शिक्षा का समर्थन करते हैं, तो क्या यह जिम्मेदारी हमारे अपने परिवार और समाज के बच्चों से शुरू नहीं होनी चाहिए?

क्या किसी भी बच्चे की पढ़ाई आर्थिक अभाव के कारण रुकनी चाहिए?

यह अपील किसी व्यक्ति विशेष के विरुद्ध नहीं है।

यह अपील एक बच्चे की शिक्षा के पक्ष में है।

यह अपील करुणा, जिम्मेदारी और सामाजिक नैतिकता के पक्ष में है।

आप कैसे मदद कर सकते हैं?

हम चाहते हैं कि सहायता सीधे परिवार तक पहुंचे।

सीधे सहयोग करें

UPI ID:
raghuvanshicharu2@oksbi

खाता धारक: चारू रघुवंशी (मृदुल की बड़ी बहन)

परिवार के पास इस अभियान के लिए अलग बैंक खाता नहीं होने के कारण सहयोग राशि मृदुल की बहन चारू रघुवंशी के खाते में प्राप्त की जा रही है और इसका उपयोग केवल मृदुल की शिक्षा तथा परिवार की आवश्यकताओं के लिए किया जाएगा।

₹100, ₹500, ₹1000 या उससे अधिक—हर सहयोग महत्वपूर्ण है।

आइए एक बच्चे का भविष्य बचाएं

आज मृदुल को दया नहीं, अवसर की आवश्यकता है।

उसे सहानुभूति नहीं, शिक्षा की आवश्यकता है।

आइए हम सब मिलकर यह सुनिश्चित करें कि आर्थिक कठिनाइयाँ उसके सपनों को न तोड़ सकें।

यदि हम वास्तव में शिक्षा, न्याय, संवेदना और सामाजिक जिम्मेदारी में विश्वास करते हैं, तो आज हमें मृदुल के साथ खड़ा होना होगा।

शिक्षा बचाइए।

एक विधवा मां के संघर्ष को सम्मान दीजिए।

मृदुल रघुवंशी का भविष्य सुरक्षित कीजिए।

सहयोग करें – क्योंकि एक बच्चे की शिक्षा पूरे समाज का भविष्य बदल सकती है।

सादर,

जन मित्र न्यास (JMN)
पीपुल्स विजिलेंस कमेटी ऑन ह्यूमन राइट्स (PVCHR)
वाराणसी