Healing Wounds, Empowering Voices

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Government of India, has taken serious cognizance of a complaint filed by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , Founder-Convener of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), concerning the physical injury inflicted upon a 4.5-year-old student by a teacher at a private school in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In its official Notice No. UP-EBN-85920/2025-26/NCPCR/RTE issued under Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005 , the NCPCR has directed the District Magistrate, Varanasi , to conduct an immediate inquiry into the matter and submit a detailed action report, along with relevant documents, within seven days. The Commission emphasized that such incidents constitute a grave violation of child rights and contravene several legal provisions, including the Right to Education Act, 2009 , the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 , and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 where ap...

On 7 October 2025 , the National Commission for Women (NCW) conducted a virtual hearing in the case of Ms. Sangeeta Prajapati vs. Sunbeam Women’s College, Varanasi , regarding alleged denial of maternity benefits. The hearing was presided over by Hon’ble Member Ms. Archana Majumdar . Ms. Prajapati shared that she had been terminated by the college management while on maternity leave , and one month’s salary was withheld as security. The People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) provided advisory support, guiding her on her rights under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 , without intervening directly. College authorities argued that the Act did not apply to self-financed institutions. However, the Commission clarified that legal precedents confirm the Act applies to all educational institutions , whether government-aided or self-financed. Outcome: The NCW directed the college to provide the complainant with full maternity benefits within seven days , reaffirming that denying ...

📸 Image: Late Santosh Kumar (File Photo) as reported by Dainik Jagran.   The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a final reminder to the District Magistrate, Varanasi, and the Chief Engineer-II, Tube Well Department, following a complaint filed by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) . The case concerns Santosh Kumar (45) , a farmer from Pachraw village, Varanasi, who tragically lost his life on 3 August 2024 due to electrocution while attempting to operate a government tube well for irrigation. Despite the family's plea, no official from the Tube Well Department arrived at the scene, reflecting serious administrative negligence. The NHRC has now directed both authorities to submit a detailed report by 31 October 2025 , warning of coercive measures under Section 13(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 if they fail to comply. This case highlights PVCHR’s continued fight for accountability, justice, and di...

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint filed by Lenin Raghuvanshi , human rights defender and founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), regarding the alleged custodial death of Devnarayan Yadav (22) in Nawabganj, Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. According to the complaint (Diary No. 15696/IN/2022), Devnarayan Yadav was allegedly subjected to brutal beating by police personnel , leading to his death on 14 September 2022 . Following the incident, an FIR No. 369/22 under Sections 147 and 302 of the IPC was registered at Police Station Nawabganj on 15 September 2022. The NHRC, through its communication dated 3 October 2025 (Case No. 30196/24/33/2022-AD) , has directed the District Magistrate of Gonda to submit the Magisterial Inquiry Report within eight weeks , noting that the report has not yet been received despite earlier reminders. The Commission also observed that the police have filed a final report citing lack ...

South Asia Research Institute for Minorities PODCAST: The Future of Social Justice Movements in South Asia: Dalit Voices and Beyond Held on: Thursday, 29 September 2025 Guest Speaker: Lenin Raghuvanshi Dalit rights activist, political thinker, and social entrepreneur. He is one of the founding members of the People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) Moderator: Heman Das, Senior Research Associate, SARIM #SARIMPodcast #FutureOfSocialJustice #DalitVoices #LeninRaghuvanshi #HumanRightsSouthAsia #PVCHR #InclusiveFutures