Delhi recorded 133 cases of crimes and atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) in 2024, slightly higher than the previous year, according to NCRB data. Despite the increase, Delhi's crime rate against SCs remains significantly lower than the national average.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that individuals converting from Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism cannot retain Scheduled Caste status, reinforcing existing constitutional provisions.
Opposition leaders have questioned how caste responses will be recorded without state-wise pre-prepared lists.
'All of these guys who are opposing the Supreme Court judgment are from dominant scheduled caste communities and none of them come from the scavenging community.' 'Not a single scavenging leader will oppose this Supreme Court judgment.'
The Centre has notified 40 questions for the upcoming Census 2027, including caste and place of Covid vaccination, marking the first time caste details will be collected as part of the decadal exercise. The population enumeration will be a fully digital process, with an option for self-enumeration.
'They want to sabotage the caste census and bury Muslim backward classes, Hindu backward classes, Sikh backward classes and Buddhist backward classes.'
The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a review petition challenging its earlier verdict that a person from a Scheduled Caste (SC) community loses their SC status upon converting to a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism, effective from the moment of conversion.
The West Bengal government has initiated a re-verification process for all caste certificates issued since 2011, following allegations of irregularities during the previous administration.
A special court in Mumbai has sentenced a 32-year-old man to six months rigorous imprisonment for making derogatory remarks against Dr B R Ambedkar and hurling casteist slurs at an advocate. The court rejected the defence's argument about lack of independent witnesses, noting the incident occurred in public view.
Delhi Police detained several anti-reservation protesters at Jantar Mantar who were demanding that economic criteria be prioritised over caste for government support and reservation. The protest, mobilised via social media by 'Reservation Hatao Andolan', proceeded despite police denying permission for Jantar Mantar and offering Ramlila Ground as an alternative venue. Demonstrators called for a review of the existing reservation system and the introduction of a creamy-layer criterion.
Job aspirants and guest faculties in Bihar are protesting in Patna, demanding the timely conduct of the BPSC TRE-4 exam, transparency in recruitments, and the resignation of education officials. They also seek implementation of UGC regulations, increased age limits, and regularisation of assistant professor appointments, threatening further agitation if demands are not met.
The Bharatiya Janata Party's new national team integrates women, minority leaders, and regional representatives to strengthen its organisational structure and national appeal.
In addition to caste details, the Census will, for the first time, collect personal information such as the total number of bank accounts held by individuals, along with their mobile number, Aadhaar number, voter ID number, passport number and driving licence status, according to the 40 questions notified by the Registrar General of India on Friday.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that the 'creamy layer' principle, which excludes affluent individuals from reservation benefits, does not apply to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This stance opposes Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking to implement such a principle for SC/ST reservations and to direct the government to formulate policies for more equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
The Delhi High Court has raised concerns about Jantar Mantar remaining a designated protest site, questioning why the city should be inconvenienced by demonstrations. The court directed Delhi Police to decide on a protest request by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee, while noting the Supreme Court is also examining alternative protest venues.
Meerut SSP Avinash Pandey has defended the police's handling of a Scheduled Caste college student's death, asserting that all actions were evidence-based. He warned against disturbing law and order and appealed for peace, even as an alleged threat call to his PRO surfaced and police arrested several protesters involved in a recent demonstration.
Two policemen, including one from the MP police special task force, have been arrested in Bhopal for allegedly luring and raping a 17-year-old Dalit girl. The main accused, Santosh Sen, is charged under POCSO and SC/ST Act, while his colleague, Jitendra Rajput, is accused of abetment.
A Nashik court has granted bail to TCS employee Nida Khan, arrested two months ago in connection with alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion cases at the company's unit. Her co-accused, Danish Shaikh, was denied bail. Khan's bail was sought on grounds of pregnancy, while the prosecution argued against it, citing evidence of sexual assault and religious coercion, including attempts to convert a Scheduled Caste victim. A Special Investigation Team is investigating nine such cases at the TCS Nashik unit, and TCS has stated a zero-tolerance policy.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has apologised to the Scheduled Caste community for his recent objectionable remarks, stating that as a minister, he should not have used such language.
'Once the numbers come out, they fear that the OBCs would start to demand, and articulate what they are lacking, why they are lacking and what should be done to go forward.'
Kit Harington replaces Nicholas Hoult as Gilderoy Lockhart in Season 2 of HBO's Harry Potter series.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has apologised to the Scheduled Caste community for his recent objectionable remarks, stating that as a minister, he should not have used such language. The apology follows a controversy stemming from an incident on May 26 where Bittu allegedly used casteist remarks against police officers in Dhuri.
An 18-year-old Dalit youth, Ketan Lal, was allegedly beaten to death and his friend injured by the family of a minor upper-caste girl in Uttarakhand's Pratapnagar block. The incident occurred after the girl called Ketan to her village, leading to their assault. Police have registered a murder case and invoked the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, detaining one accused.
The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on a plea by the Tamil Nadu government challenging a Madras High Court verdict. The High Court had ruled that individuals converting to Islam are not automatically entitled to reservation benefits under the Backward Class (Muslim) category solely based on their conversion.
'Some people may not like what I am saying, but shortcomings have to be pointed out. These deficiencies should be rectified within the next three months.' 'This is Gorakhpur, where our CM himself resides. If such shortcomings exist here, then what will happen?'
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has deemed WhatsApp messages sent by a deceased tribal man to his father as a "prima facie crucial dying declaration" in a suicide abetment case. This ruling led to the denial of bail for three accused individuals, who were allegedly involved in harassing the victim over an agricultural land dispute. The court highlighted the electronic evidence and corroborating family statements.
A man in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly tying a Dalit girl to a tree and beating her after accusing her of stealing from his shop. The incident came to light after a video went viral on social media.
Akshaye Khanna makes a striking Telugu cinema debut as the formidable Shukracharya in the newly unveiled glimpse of Mahakali.
Two Dalit men in Punjab's Muktsar were paraded semi-naked and dragged through a field by villagers after allegedly snatching a mobile phone. A viral video captured the incident, prompting police investigation and suo motu action by the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini affirmed the government's commitment to fulfilling its promises to the Dhanak community by 2029, highlighting welfare measures and initiatives already undertaken.
"It is a matter of self-respect and dignity to live in Indra Nagar rather than in a street that identifies your caste.'
The Supreme Court has ruled that mere swear words, profanities, and vulgar expletives, however offensive, do not amount to obscenity under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code. The court clarified that for an utterance to be considered obscene, it must be lascivious, appeal to prurient interests, and have the tendency to deprave and corrupt minds. This ruling came while hearing a plea challenging a high court order confirming a conviction under IPC Section 294.
The Kerala High Court has intervened to protect a young woman, known as the 'Kumbh Mela girl', from being transferred to Madhya Pradesh police without its order, despite a directive from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
'There is no college that can guarantee a Rs 14 lakh per annum (LPA) package,' clarifies rediffGURU Chocko Valliappa.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a video clip allegedly showing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee using derogatory language against the SC community during an election rally.
The Congress party has strongly condemned the 'purification' of a rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, after a public meeting addressed by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging it reflects an 'anti-Dalit' mindset of the BJP and RSS.
A Dalit labourer was allegedly abducted, strangled, and his body dumped in a canal in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, following an altercation. Police have arrested one suspect and are investigating the case.
The Kerala High Court has vacated its order for police protection to a young woman, who gained fame during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, after police reported they could not trace her. Her husband faces kidnapping charges, as her family claims she is a minor and opposed their marriage. The court stated protection would be provided if she approaches them.
The management of Kannur Dental College has refuted allegations of caste discrimination in connection with the death of a BDS student, attributing the incident to issues related to a loan obtained through a mobile app.
Emraan Hashmi reprises his role as Shivam Pandit in the Awarapan 2 trailer, which teases a high-stakes narrative of revenge and redemption, featuring new cast members Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi.
