IPC lifts partial suspensions on Russia, Belarus
Seoul: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has voted to lift the partial suspensions on Russia and Belarus, restoring their full membership rights.
At its General Assembly in Seoul on Saturday, the IPC rejected proposals for both full and partial suspensions. For Russia, the motion for a full suspension was defeated 111-55 with 11 abstentions, while the partial suspension was rejected 91-77 with eight abstentions. Similarly, for Belarus, members voted 119-48 against full suspension and 103-63 against partial suspension, with nine and ten abstentions respectively, the Associated Press reported.
“This decision means NPC Belarus and NPC Russia now regain their full rights and privileges of IPC membership, in accordance with the IPC Constitution,” the IPC said in a statement, adding that arrangements would be made to implement the decision promptly.
Russia and Belarus were banned from international sporting events following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian Paralympic Committee welcomed the move as a “fair decision” to “fully reinstate” its membership.
However, Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi strongly criticized the decision, urging European host nations not to permit the Russian flag at upcoming events, including the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games scheduled for Feb. 6–22, 2026.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already confirmed that Russian athletes will be allowed to compete as neutral participants, as seen at the Paris Olympics last year.
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Dalit officer alleges harassment by senior officials in Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate
Bengaluru: An Inspector of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) has alleged that Dalit officers are facing harassment from senior officials within the department that is meant to handle cases of atrocities against SC/ST communities.
Inspector T.R. Srinivas has made the allegations in a letter addressed to DCRE Director General of Police Umesh Kumar, which he has also shared with the media. He has also released a video reiterating the claims.
In the video, Srinivas has named DCRE SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda, alleging that he was pressured to act in favour of upper-caste accused in certain cases. He further claimed that false complaints were accepted against him and he was harassed in the name of inquiry.
Srinivas also alleged that he was not officially relieved from duty in DCRE, but that SP Karibasangouda and DySP Maheshwaragouda created “fake documents” showing that he had been relieved, which he said was in violation of an order of the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT).
He said he had served for 20 years without any adverse remarks, but is now being targeted. “Working for Dalits and serving in the police department itself seems to have become a mistake,” he said, adding that Dalit officers are not receiving protection in the state.
He also alleged lack of transparency in the department and claimed that decisions are being dominated by upper-caste officials. In the video, he appealed to the government to intervene and prevent any untoward incident, warning that if the situation continues, responsibility would lie with the Chief Minister, Home Minister and the DGP.
Srinivas had been transferred from the DCRE last month, but had obtained a stay on the transfer from the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal.
Meanwhile, DCRE SP Karibasangouda has denied the allegations made by Srinivas.
