News for 'Backward Class'

Days after calling off protests, Jarange issues ultimatum to govt

Days after calling off protests, Jarange issues ultimatum to govt

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Quota activist Manoj Jarange demands the Maharashtra government implement a GR for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas before September 17, threatening further action if the deadline is missed.

57 Maharashtra local poll results depend on quota verdict: SC

57 Maharashtra local poll results depend on quota verdict: SC

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has addressed the issue of reservation quotas in Maharashtra local body elections, stating that the final results of elections in 57 local bodies, where the 50% quota ceiling has been breached, will depend on its judgment in the case.

Maha issues GR, forms panel to grant Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas

Maha issues GR, forms panel to grant Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra government has formed a committee to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas who can provide documentary evidence recognizing them as Kunbis in the past, potentially opening the door for reservation benefits.

'Hindu Unity Is Not What I Am Aiming At'

'Hindu Unity Is Not What I Am Aiming At'

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'The Kerala of today is not the Kerala of yesterday.' 'What has seeped into this society is the feeling of hatred towards other castes and religions.'

Haven't done anything for my family: Nitish's appeal ahead of polls

Haven't done anything for my family: Nitish's appeal ahead of polls

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

Nitish said that law and order have "remarkably improved" in the state after his government came to power in November 2005.

To Modi, With Love

To Modi, With Love

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

From Siliguri school students cosplaying as the PM to yagna ceremonies in Varanasi and blood donation camps in New Delhi, the celebrations showcase widespread admiration for India's leader across various cities and communities.

Suspense remains on whether PK will take on Tejashwi

Suspense remains on whether PK will take on Tejashwi

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

The Jan Suraaj Party announced its second list of candidates for the Bihar assembly elections, covering 65 constituencies. The party has kept its choice for the Raghopur seat, where founder Prashant Kishor is expected to contest, under wraps. The list includes candidates from various sections of society, including the extremely weaker sections, Other Backward Classes, and Muslims.

HC scraps OBC status for 77 Muslim classes in Bengal, calls it illegal

HC scraps OBC status for 77 Muslim classes in Bengal, calls it illegal

Rediff.com22 May 2024

The judgment will impact a sizeable number of people in the state, according to a lawyer involved in the matter.

SC relief for Bengal as HC order halting OBC list put on hold

SC relief for Bengal as HC order halting OBC list put on hold

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has stayed the Calcutta High Court's decision that stalled the implementation of a revised list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in West Bengal, providing relief to the state government.

Jarange calls off Maratha agitation after Maha issues GR

Jarange calls off Maratha agitation after Maha issues GR

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

Jarange Patil on Tuesday called off his five-day old agitation after the Maharashtra government issued a resolution on the Hyderabad gazetteer and announced the formation of a committees to facilitate the issuance of Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas who are able to produce documentary evidence recognising them as Kunbis in the past.

Uphold Constitution and adhere to 'Lakshman Rekha': RS Chairman to members

Uphold Constitution and adhere to 'Lakshman Rekha': RS Chairman to members

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan addressed members, urging them to uphold the Constitution, follow parliamentary norms, and understand their responsibilities towards the nation.

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

A string of welfare schemes and promises tests the state's budget, which is already heavily dependent on central support and spends little as capital outlay.

Rs 14,000 crore from World Bank used in Bihar polls: Jan Suraaj

Rs 14,000 crore from World Bank used in Bihar polls: Jan Suraaj

Rediff.com16 Nov 2025

Jan Suraaj Spokesperson and one of the key architects of the Party, Pavan Verma, levelled serious allegations that funds from the World Bank meant for some other project were diverted for the Bihar Assembly elections by the central government and distributed to women voters in the state.

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Cong announces farm laws-style stir against MGNREGA repeal

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

The Congress will launch a nationwide campaign against the repeal of the United Progressive Alliance-era rural employment legislation Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) on January 5, similar to the pushback against the three farm laws which eventually forced the Narendra Modi government to rollback its decision, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Maha local body poll results depend on final quota verdict: SC

Maha local body poll results depend on final quota verdict: SC

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has directed the Maharashtra government and its state election commission to conduct local body elections, clarifying that the results will be subject to the court's final verdict, especially concerning the 50% quota limit. The court will hear pleas regarding OBC reservation in local bodies in January 2026.

Plea in SC seeks OBC certificate for kids of single moms

Plea in SC seeks OBC certificate for kids of single moms

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

"Considering the importance of the matter, subject to the order of the Chief Justice of India, the matter be placed for final hearing on July 22," the bench said.

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

'What has changed is that the new regulations are backed by a clear enforcement framework. They have real consequences and, for the first time, make compliance unavoidable.'

NDA promises jobs to 1 cr youth, Rs 2000 for SC students

NDA promises jobs to 1 cr youth, Rs 2000 for SC students

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The NDA released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls, promising jobs, infrastructure development, and social welfare programs.

'Jungle Raj', Chhath puja: How Modi delivered big in Bihar

'Jungle Raj', Chhath puja: How Modi delivered big in Bihar

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

A recurring theme of the prime minister's election rallies was the reminder of the 'jungle raj' during the RJD rule under chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, and there were special efforts to ensure that the youth in the state does not get swayed by the promises made by Tejashwi Yadav.

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections on December 2 for municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The polls are seen as a test of the ruling coalition's strength after their recent assembly election victory.

Jarange demands GR from govt, warns of giving up water

Jarange demands GR from govt, warns of giving up water

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Activist Manoj Jarange's hunger strike demanding Maratha quota continues for the third day in Mumbai, following a meeting with a government delegation. The protest has caused traffic disruptions and highlights the ongoing debate over reservation policies in Maharashtra.

3 teenaged sisters, addicted to 'Korean lover game', die by suicide

3 teenaged sisters, addicted to 'Korean lover game', die by suicide

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The police said the exact circumstances that led the sisters to take the extreme step are being investigated, and statements of family members are being recorded as part of the probe.

Bihar Dy CM alleges RJD attack on convoy; EC directs DGP to act

Bihar Dy CM alleges RJD attack on convoy; EC directs DGP to act

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Reacting to the alleged incident, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the DGP to take "immediate action".

Clear off Mumbai streets, follow HC directives: Jarange to protesters

Clear off Mumbai streets, follow HC directives: Jarange to protesters

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

He also appealed to the protesters to park their vehicles only in the designated parking areas, hours after the high court frowned on the conduct of protesters.

Whatever party decides: Siddaramaiah on leadership row

Whatever party decides: Siddaramaiah on leadership row

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reiterated that he will abide by the Congress high command's decision on the leadership change issue in the state.

BJP leaders jittery as they're caught stealing votes: Rahul

BJP leaders jittery as they're caught stealing votes: Rahul

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accuses the BJP-led government of stealing votes with the help of the Election Commission during a rally in Siwan, Bihar.

Upper castes bag 22 JD-U tickets, Muslims get 4

Upper castes bag 22 JD-U tickets, Muslims get 4

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United made public the names of candidates for all 101 seats it will be contesting in the assembly polls, with more than half of them from the backward and extremely backward classes.

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Siddaramaiah reveals why he met Modi in Delhi

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and insisted on demands pertaining to the state, including on Fair Recovery Price of sugarcane, All India Institute of Medical Sciences for Raichur, the release of flood relief among others.

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Why BJP, Nitish Need Each Other

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Left to its machinations, the BJP would have loved to cut Nitish down to size, but it can't afford to do so as the JD-U is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, and cannot form a government on its own in Bihar. For now, both need each other: Nitish for legitimacy, the BJP for numbers, points out Ramesh Menon.

Bhujbal to challenge Maha order on Kunbi certificates, skips cabinet meet

Bhujbal to challenge Maha order on Kunbi certificates, skips cabinet meet

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal to challenge Maharashtra government's order expediting Kunbi caste certificates for Marathas, citing concerns from OBC leaders and seeking legal opinion on the government's authority to change people's caste.

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a Supreme Court-mandated process. The elections are seen as a key indicator of political sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory in the assembly elections.

Govt has worked out solution for Maratha community: Fadnavis

Govt has worked out solution for Maratha community: Fadnavis

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised activist Manoj Jarange for ending his fast regarding the Maratha quota demand, highlighting the government's commitment to the Maratha community's welfare.

Ranji Trophy: MP trounce Maharashtra, enter quarters

Ranji Trophy: MP trounce Maharashtra, enter quarters

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Ranji Trophy: MP enter quarterfinals; Saurashtra on brink of qualification

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Maratha Quota Stir: 'Business Is Affected'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

'All commercial and banking transactions happen in South Mumbai.'

Maharashtra govt in huddle as Jarange's fast continues

Maharashtra govt in huddle as Jarange's fast continues

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the ongoing hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarange, who is demanding a 10 per cent quota for Marathas under the Other Backward Class (OBC) category.

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Karnataka government has tabled a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. The Bill aims to address unemployment among backward classes and promote their participation in government construction projects. The BJP has called the move an "unconstitutional misadventure" and vowed to oppose it.

Congress Rout: Rahul's 'Vote Chori' Has No Impact

Congress Rout: Rahul's 'Vote Chori' Has No Impact

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The Congress on Friday posted its second worst performance in Bihar's electoral history, managing to win only six of the over 50 seats it contested and losing deposits in most seats as its 'vote chori' pitch failed to make any impact on the ground.

How NDA Outwitted Mahagathbandan

How NDA Outwitted Mahagathbandan

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The NDA in Bihar, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, strategically countered the Mahagathbandan's moves by implementing similar policies and announcements, effectively neutralising the MGB campaign promises and maintaining their political advantage.

Advertisement featuring only Fadnavis: Shinde says...

Advertisement featuring only Fadnavis: Shinde says...

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed questions about advertisements featuring only CM Fadnavis, asserting that there is no race for credit among Mahayuti allies and that they are working as a team. He also commented on the Maratha reservation issue and the government's efforts to address it.

In Bihar, Rahul says Modi will even dance for votes, draws BJP ire

In Bihar, Rahul says Modi will even dance for votes, draws BJP ire

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi during rallies in Bihar, accusing him of prioritizing votes over genuine governance and alleging that the BJP is controlling the state government through remote control.