News for 'Economic Backward Class'

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

What Gave Birth To Maoists In Bastar

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Maoists in Bastar went from one village to another with kits providing badly needed medical intervention. The medical help was one key reason why the tribals were attracted to the Maoists, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

Will discontinue unconstitutional religion-based quota, Karnataka tells SC

Will discontinue unconstitutional religion-based quota, Karnataka tells SC

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

In its reply, the state government said reservation solely on the basis of religion is also contrary to the principles of social justice and the concept of social justice aims to protect those who are deprived and discriminated against within the society.

Ambedkar envisioned a living Constitution, not a static one: CJI Gavai

Ambedkar envisioned a living Constitution, not a static one: CJI Gavai

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai spoke about Dr. B R Ambedkar's views on the supremacy of the Constitution and the need for an independent judiciary.

Reservation policy must have a time-span: SC judges

Reservation policy must have a time-span: SC judges

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

Reservation should not continue for an indefinite period so as to become a "vested interest" and the vision of the framers of the Constitution that there should be a "time span" for such quotas has not been achieved, the Supreme Court said on Monday in its majority judgment while upholding the EWS quota.

Social justice and empowerment budget expanded by 35%

Social justice and empowerment budget expanded by 35%

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has received Rs 13,611 crore in the Union Budget announced on Saturday, while the allocation for disability welfare now stands at Rs 1,275 crore.

'Caste-based politics dangerous': SC rejects plea against AIMIM

'Caste-based politics dangerous': SC rejects plea against AIMIM

Rediff.com15 Jul 2025

The bench, which asked Jain to withdraw the plea filed against a Delhi high court order that dismissed a writ petition challenging the registration and recognition of the AIMIM by the Election Commission (EC), granted liberty to the petitioner to file a writ petition, wherein he may make a wider prayer for reforms in respect of political parties on different counts.

Karpoori Thakur: Fountainhead of OBC politics in Bihar

Karpoori Thakur: Fountainhead of OBC politics in Bihar

Rediff.com24 Jan 2024

Thakur's tenure as chief minister is best remembered for implementation of the recommendations of the Mungeri Lal Commission, whereby quotas for backward classes were introduced in the state in 1978. This panel was the forerunner of the Mandal Commission. Both Mungeri Lal and B P Mandal were from Bihar, which has a long history of socialist struggles.

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.

Maharashtra passes 10% quota bill for Marathas, leaves OBCs untouched

Maharashtra passes 10% quota bill for Marathas, leaves OBCs untouched

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

A substantial number of castes and groups are already placed in the reserved category, getting about 52 per cent of reservations altogether. It would be completely inequitable to place the Maratha community in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, it said.

Patna HC strikes down Bihar's quota hike to 65%

Patna HC strikes down Bihar's quota hike to 65%

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order on a bunch of petitions which had opposed the legislations brought by the Nitish Kumar government in November 2023.

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for grant of quota inside quota, on Wednesday said all SCs and STs may not be homogeneous in terms of their sociological, economic, education and social status.

Bihar polls: BJP, allies slam Lalu's 'backward vs forward' remarks

Bihar polls: BJP, allies slam Lalu's 'backward vs forward' remarks

Rediff.com28 Sep 2015

The BJP-led NDA leaders have attacked RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for his statement that Bihar assembly polls is a fight between 'backward versus forward' forces.

Jarange issues fresh warning to govt as he gets one more day to protest

Jarange issues fresh warning to govt as he gets one more day to protest

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

Activist Manoj Jarange has criticized the Maharashtra government for extending the permission for his hunger strike for Maratha reservation by only one day. He warned that Marathas from across the state will come to Mumbai if their quota demand is not met quickly, threatening to escalate the protest and stop taking water in the next two days.

HC says Maratha quota valid, but should be cut to 12-13%

HC says Maratha quota valid, but should be cut to 12-13%

Rediff.com27 Jun 2019

The court further held that the state's legislative competence is not affected by the amendment to Article 342(a) of the Constitution of India.

No breakthrough in Karnataka cabinet meeting on caste census

No breakthrough in Karnataka cabinet meeting on caste census

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

A special cabinet meeting in Karnataka convened to discuss the contentious Social and Educational Survey report, popularly known as 'caste census', ended without a decision. The cabinet will reconvene on May 2 to discuss the report further and make a final decision.

Day 3 of quota stir: Jarange threatens to give up water

Day 3 of quota stir: Jarange threatens to give up water

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Manoj Jarange's protest for Maratha quota at Mumbai's Azad Maidan enters its third day. Jarange is demanding 10% quota for Marathas and recognition as Kunbis. Maharashtra ministers suggest the community avail the existing EWS quota.

'Quota bill is Modi's desperate attempt to come back to power'

'Quota bill is Modi's desperate attempt to come back to power'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2019

'The moment the BJP loses a state, it announces some policy which never takes off.'

'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.'

'Caste Survey Will Generate A New Debate'

'Caste Survey Will Generate A New Debate'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

'This is going to generate a new debate on reservation because the quota for Economically Weaker Sections is 10%, and that is for nearly 16% of the population.' 'For 16% you are giving 10%. This is set to raise eyebrows among the OBCs after the caste survey.'

Caste census: Has BJP turned tables on Opposition?

Caste census: Has BJP turned tables on Opposition?

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The BJP's surprise announcement of a caste census in the next census has sparked political debate, particularly in Bihar where the issue of backward empowerment holds significant electoral weight. The move is seen as a strategic maneuver by the ruling party to counter opposition efforts to mobilize support among disadvantaged sections of society. The decision is also viewed as a recognition of the growing influence of OBC politics in India.

'This Election Marks End Of Nitish-Lalu Era'

'This Election Marks End Of Nitish-Lalu Era'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'If the RJD loses it would be out of power for nearly 25 years. Meanwhile, the JD-U will have survival issues if it gets less number of seats.'

'Lalu Family's Has Had Problems For Long'

'Lalu Family's Has Had Problems For Long'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

'In times of adversity, families unite, but the reverse is happening in the Lalu family.'

SC issues 15 guidelines to curb surging student suicides; seeks govt report

SC issues 15 guidelines to curb surging student suicides; seeks govt report

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The bench said, given the pressing nature of the crisis, particularly in cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where students migrate in large numbers, immediate interim safeguards are the call of the day.

After Bihar, Odisha starts OBC survey

After Bihar, Odisha starts OBC survey

Rediff.com1 May 2023

The survey will encompass various indicators of backwardness such as occupation, educational qualification along with the type of educational institutions attended by members of the households to gauge the social and educational conditions of the backwardness in Odisha, the official said.

Haryana assembly passes Jat reservation bill

Haryana assembly passes Jat reservation bill

Rediff.com29 Mar 2016

Haryana assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a bill to provide reservation to Jats and five other communities in government jobs and educational institutions

'People Will Tilt Towards BJP After Caste Census'

'People Will Tilt Towards BJP After Caste Census'

Rediff.com2 May 2025

'There were deep discussions within the Sangh Parivar before this decision was made.' 'They were convinced, and only then did the Modi government proceed with the caste census.'

Pressure on Siddaramaiah to release Karnataka caste survey report

Pressure on Siddaramaiah to release Karnataka caste survey report

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

With the Bihar government releasing the findings of its caste survey, pressure seems to be mounting on the Karnataka government, especially within the ruling Congress, to make the state's Socio-economic and Educational Census, popularly known as the 'caste census', public.

Will quit politics if CM says...: Fadnavis' dig at Jarang

Will quit politics if CM says...: Fadnavis' dig at Jarang

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Jarange is a strident critic of the senior BJP leader and has routinely accused him of being the main obstacle in the Maratha community's quest for reservations.

DMK moves Madras HC against 10% quota for general category

DMK moves Madras HC against 10% quota for general category

Rediff.com18 Jan 2019

The DMK claimed in its plea that reservation is not a poverty alleviation programme but is more in the nature of social justice to uplift communities that have not had access to education or employment for centuries.

Maratha quota: Jarange to start hunger strike from Jan 20

Maratha quota: Jarange to start hunger strike from Jan 20

Rediff.com24 Dec 2023

Quota activist Manoj Jarange has announced that he will start an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai from January 20 to intensify his demand of reservation for the Maratha community.

'Caste Census Will Split Hindus'

'Caste Census Will Split Hindus'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

'It will split people and create caste clashes. Unity of people will be affected for the time being.'

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.

OBC quota stir begins to haunt Maha govt amid Maratha reservation demand

OBC quota stir begins to haunt Maha govt amid Maratha reservation demand

Rediff.com18 Jun 2024

Activists Laxman Hake and Navnath Waghmare, who have been sitting on a hunger strike at Wadigodri village in Jalna district since June 13, did not allow doctors to check their health or administer intravenous fluids.

Assam to hold socio-economic survey of indigenous Muslims; Cong cries foul

Assam to hold socio-economic survey of indigenous Muslims; Cong cries foul

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

The decision is expected to provide a push for their development in healthcare, cultural identity, education, financial matters, skill development and women empowerment among others, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

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.

Supreme Court scraps Jat reservation

Supreme Court scraps Jat reservation

Rediff.com17 Mar 2015

The batch of petitioners, while challenging the UPA government's decision to extend reservation to Jats

Rajasthan assembly passes Gujjar quota bill

Rajasthan assembly passes Gujjar quota bill

Rediff.com17 Jul 2008

After the bill was passed unanimously, the House made a consensus resolution that the Central government should include the very bill in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution so that it could not be challenged anywhere in the court.

For how many generations will reservations continue, asks SC

For how many generations will reservations continue, asks SC

Rediff.com19 Mar 2021

For how many generations would reservations in jobs and education continue, the Supreme Court sought to know during the Maratha quota case hearing on Friday and raised concerns over 'resultant inequality' in case the overall 50 per cent limit was to be removed.