News for 'Backward Class'

OBC survey in Odisha from May 1

OBC survey in Odisha from May 1

Rediff.com16 Mar 2023

The social and educational conditions of 208 OBC communities enlisted by the state government will be collected during the survey, which will be followed by a special drive to ensure that none were left out across the state, an official said.

Over 85% Billionaires Are Upper Castes

Over 85% Billionaires Are Upper Castes

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

While other backward classes had a share of 9 per cent, there were no scheduled tribe billionaires.

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'They wanted the city to be a great business hub. They didn't like the fact that taxes collected in Bombay would go outside the city.'

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Hemant Soren distributes portfolios; keeps home, gives finance to Cong

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has distributed portfolios among the new ministers, keeping key departments such as Home, Personnel, and several others to himself. The Congress' Radhakrishna Kishore was given Finance, Commercial Tax, Planning and Development Department, and Parliamentary Affairs departments. JMM's Deepak Biruwa was allotted the departments of Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms (non-registration), and Transport. Chamra Linda, another JMM leader, was allotted the departments of Schedule Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes (except Minority Welfare). RJD's Sanjay Prasad Yadav was given the departments of Industries, and Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development. The Congress' Irfan Ansari got Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, besides Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Disaster Management departments. The chief minister also kept to himself the departments of Cabinet Secretariat, Personnel, Administrative Reforms and Official Language, Road Construction, Building Construction, and those departments yet to be distributed to anyone. Among the other ministers, JMM's Ramdas Soren was given the School Education and Literacy, and Registration departments. Party colleague Hafizul Hasan was allotted the departments of Water Resources, and Minority Welfare Department. Panchayati Raj, Rural Works, and Rural Development departments were given to Congress MLA Deepika Pandey Singh. The CM gave Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Excise and Prohibition departments to JMM's Yogendra Prasad. JMM legislator Sudhivya Kumar became the minister for Urban Development and Housing, Higher and Technical Education, and Tourism, Art Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs departments. Shilpi Neha Tirkey of the Congress was allotted Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department. A total of 11 MLAs took oath as ministers in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand on Thursday.

President grants assent to bill restoring states' right to maintain OBC lists

President grants assent to bill restoring states' right to maintain OBC lists

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

The Constitution (105th) Bill 2021 was passed by the Parliament on August 11, 2021.

10% or 20%, Maratha quota must be under OBC category: Jarange

10% or 20%, Maratha quota must be under OBC category: Jarange

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

Speaking to reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, the activist said he would wait and see if the state government converts its draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into law and then decide on the course of his agitation.

Will empower Muslim women: Govt tables Waqf Bill in Rajya Sabha

Will empower Muslim women: Govt tables Waqf Bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

The bill aims to include all the Muslims sects in the Waqf board, Rijiju said.

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Opposition to the Karnataka government's proposed implementation of a caste census has intensified with dominant communities raising concerns about the survey's findings. The report, which has not been publicly released, is said to contradict traditional perceptions regarding the numerical strength of various castes, particularly Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas. These communities, along with political parties, including sections of the ruling Congress, have criticized the survey as "unscientific" and demanded a fresh assessment. The Vokkaligara Sangha and the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha have expressed strong opposition, alleging that the report misrepresents their populations and demanding a fresh survey. Meanwhile, Dalit and OBC groups have defended the survey and its recommendations, including an increase in reservation for OBCs to 51%. The controversy has fueled political tensions in Karnataka, with opposition parties accusing the Congress government of using the caste census for political gain.

SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya quits party post, accuses Akhilesh of bias

SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya quits party post, accuses Akhilesh of bias

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Tuesday resigned as the party's national general secretary accusing the leadership of discriminating against him and not defending him over his remarks.

How India Breached the Edgbaston Fortress

How India Breached the Edgbaston Fortress

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

India crushed England by 336 runs to level the series at 1-1 on Sunday

BJP ridiculing Savarkar when...: Rahul in Lok Sabha

BJP ridiculing Savarkar when...: Rahul in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP for claiming to protect the Constitution while citing V D Savarkar's remarks that there was nothing Indian about it. He also drew parallels to the story of 'Eklavya' to illustrate the BJP's alleged economic policies hurting small businesses and farmers. He further supported the removal of the 50 percent cap on reservations and advocated for a caste census.

Saini meets Modi after BJP's big win in Haryana

Saini meets Modi after BJP's big win in Haryana

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Saini is likely to consult with his senior leadership on finalising his cabinet, sources said.

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj to fight all 243 seats in Bihar polls

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj to fight all 243 seats in Bihar polls

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

Addressing a women's convention in Patna, Kishor, the founder of political consultancy firm I-PAC, said Jan Suraaj wants to empower women of the state

Indian middle class leads a selfish life:Aruna Roy

Indian middle class leads a selfish life:Aruna Roy

Rediff.com2 Apr 2008

Unlike the upwardly mobile upper middle class, the much neglected Indian backward class which struggles for a daily living knows better how to lead an enriched and harmonious life, believes Magsaysay awardee and eminent RTI activist Aruna Roy. "India's backward class, which has always been neglected and considered as socially irrelevant has empowered me and taught me how to struggle in life, while the middle class disempowered me with its urbanised thoughts," she adds.

Maratha protestors manhandle OBC activist in Pune

Maratha protestors manhandle OBC activist in Pune

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

OBC activist Laxman Hake was allegedly manhandled and verbally abused by members of the Maratha community in Pune, and a video of the incident surfaced on social media, the police said on Tuesday.

Maha IAS officer in soup over fake certificates, lavish life

Maha IAS officer in soup over fake certificates, lavish life

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Pooja Khedkar, a 2022 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, allegedly submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam, an official said on Wednesday.

Will Jarange cost Bhujbal his election?

Will Jarange cost Bhujbal his election?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

Bhujbal stridently opposed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's demand for Maratha quota from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) share.

EC defers Bihar municipal polls after HC declares quotas for OBCs illegal

EC defers Bihar municipal polls after HC declares quotas for OBCs illegal

Rediff.com4 Oct 2022

The order that was passed less than a week ahead of the first phase of polls scheduled on October 10 throws a spanner in the election process.

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The decision comes a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said a government-appointed committee scrutinised 1.72 crore old documents (including those of Nizam-era) and among them, 11,530 records were found where Kunbi caste was mentioned.

Rahul will have to reveal his caste if...: Assam CM

Rahul will have to reveal his caste if...: Assam CM

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

On Tuesday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of "abusing and insulting" him during the Lok Sabha discussion on the Union Budget.

How PM Mudra Loans Are Reshaping India's Economy

How PM Mudra Loans Are Reshaping India's Economy

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

By democratising access to finance, empowering women and marginalised groups, and adapting to India's diverse regional landscapes, PMMY has helped fortify the country's grassroots growth engines, says Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, V Anantha Nageswaran.

SC asks Bihar govt to post caste survey data in public domain

SC asks Bihar govt to post caste survey data in public domain

Rediff.com2 Jan 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Bihar government to put in the public domain the break-up of the caste survey data to enable those aggrieved to challenge the findings.

Bihar to urge Centre to include 65% quota in 9th Schedule for immunity

Bihar to urge Centre to include 65% quota in 9th Schedule for immunity

Rediff.com22 Nov 2023

On Wednesday, the Bihar Cabinet in a meeting chaired by the chief minister passed a resolution on asking the Centre to include the provision in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution, Siddharth said.

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Centre announces caste census; BJP, allies hail move

Rediff.com1 May 2025

In a significant move, the Centre on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be part of the next population census, with the inclusion of caste details for the first time since independence hailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies as a historic step to help design truly equitable and focused policies.

'Modi wants to hide the truth about caste census data'

'Modi wants to hide the truth about caste census data'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2021

'As soon as the BJP feels they are going to lose power, they will publish the caste census data of 2011 and conduct the caste census of 2021.'

BJP's Bihar unit plays the backward caste card for Modi

BJP's Bihar unit plays the backward caste card for Modi

Rediff.com3 May 2013

Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Bihar, including Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and General Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, have been trying to woo members of the Extremely Backward Classes to garner support for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate.

Cong lodges complaints with EC against Modi, Shah

Cong lodges complaints with EC against Modi, Shah

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

The Congress has lodged complaints with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of making 'false, divisive, malicious and slanderous' statements during their recent election campaign.

Sweeping changes in bill to amend Waqf law; new name, includes non-Muslims

Sweeping changes in bill to amend Waqf law; new name, includes non-Muslims

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensures the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

Hariprasad's remarks hint at rift within Karnataka Cong

Hariprasad's remarks hint at rift within Karnataka Cong

Rediff.com22 Jul 2023

Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad's statements regarding ministerial and chief ministerial posts, along with his veiled dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have created a sense of unease within the ruling party in Karnataka.

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, whose political influence has surged with the passage of time, on Monday was marked by bitter trading of charges between the ruling BJP and opposition parties as they fought for his legacy.

Shah insulted Ambedkar, should resign as HM: Cong

Shah insulted Ambedkar, should resign as HM: Cong

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The Congress on Tuesday accused Home Minister Amit Shah of harboring "hatred" towards B.R. Ambedkar, demanding an apology from him for his remarks in the Rajya Sabha. Congress leaders pointed out that Shah's comments, which criticized the frequent invocation of Ambedkar's name by the opposition, demonstrate a deep-seated animosity towards the architect of India's Constitution. The allegations sparked outrage among Congress members, who accused the BJP and RSS of having a history of disdain for Ambedkar. The incident has fueled political tensions, with the Congress vowing to hold Shah accountable for his remarks.

'India's wealth is in the hands of privileged castes'

'India's wealth is in the hands of privileged castes'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'They fear their caste privilege will be exposed if there is an OBC caste census.'

Jarange to reveal candidate list on last day of nomination

Jarange to reveal candidate list on last day of nomination

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said the final number of seats from where he will field his candidates in the Maharashtra assembly elections will be declared on the last day of the filing of nominations next week.

Jarange begins his 6th indefinite fast within a year

Jarange begins his 6th indefinite fast within a year

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

Maratha activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday launched a fresh indefinite fast, his sixth in a span of over a year, to press for the demand for reservation to his community under the OBC category.

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

SC notice to Centre over caste-based census for OBCs

Rediff.com24 Dec 2022

The top court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Krishan Kanhaya Pal who said that the governments are unable to share the benefits of the welfare schemes with all sections among backward classes due to a lack of caste-based survey and a caste-based census of the OBCs is of 'vital necessity'.

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Will The Caste Census Boomerang On Modi?

Rediff.com3 May 2025

The government has to specify what it intends to do with caste census data. It will be closely tracked if the government would simultaneously move towards removing the present 50% bar on reservations using means which are permitted in law. If this is not done, the entire exercise will become meaningless and could boomerang on the BJP, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

Maharashtra parties rush to take credit for polls with OBC quota

Maharashtra parties rush to take credit for polls with OBC quota

Rediff.com20 Jul 2022

Elections to local governing bodies can be held now with OBC quota in Maharashtra, with the Supreme Court giving its nod on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in Mumbai.

Will stop taking water, drugs from Sunday: Maratha quota leader

Will stop taking water, drugs from Sunday: Maratha quota leader

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

Jarange, whose hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for reservation for the community in government jobs and education entered 12th day, also rejected the fresh outcome of talks held with a delegation of Maratha community leaders and the government late on Friday night in Mumbai.

Does Modi Want Sharad Pawar On His Side?

Does Modi Want Sharad Pawar On His Side?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Political sources say Modi is 'keen' on getting the NCP (SP) over to the Mahayuti to counter Eknath Shinde's 'demands' and to act as a cushion against his present allies, Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu, 'in case their relationship became untenable'.