News for 'Scheduled Castes'

'SC, not Muslim': Caste panel gives clean chit to Sameer Wankhede

'SC, not Muslim': Caste panel gives clean chit to Sameer Wankhede

Rediff.com13 Aug 2022

The order says that Wankhede belongs to Mahar caste, which is a Scheduled Caste (SC).

Panchayat Season 4 Review: Evil In Rustic Paradise

Panchayat Season 4 Review: Evil In Rustic Paradise

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Panchayat Season 4 is watchable, mainly because of the wonderful actors, who, over the seasons have developed a warm rapport, notes Deepa Gahlot.

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.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

'Votebank ka virus': Modi slams Cong for opposing new Waqf law

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Modi alleged that the Congress government in Karnataka gave reservations in tenders based on religion, "snatching the rights of SCs, STs and OBCs." But Ambedkar had said there would not be reservation based on religion and there is a bar on giving reservation on the basis of religion in the Constitution, he stressed.

'I Don't Believe Guru Dutt's Death Was Suicide'

'I Don't Believe Guru Dutt's Death Was Suicide'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

'Abrar uncle said he had started drinking from the afternoon on that fateful day. And he continued drinking till late at night.' 'Thereafter, he must have consumed some sleeping pills, as was his habit.' 'I think that combination went fatally wrong.'

IIT-B probe into student's suicide rules out caste-based discrimination

IIT-B probe into student's suicide rules out caste-based discrimination

Rediff.com6 Mar 2023

The inquiry committee set up by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay after the death of its student Darshan Solanki last month allegedly by suicide has ruled out caste-based discrimination and hinted at deteriorating academic performance as a possible cause.

Will The Jats Return To Power In Haryana?

Will The Jats Return To Power In Haryana?

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

Since it was formed 58 years ago, Haryana has had Jat chief ministers for 33 of those.

Is Omar Abdullah Nervous?

Is Omar Abdullah Nervous?

Rediff.com5 Sep 2024

'Me contesting elections from two seats is not a proof of weakness, it is a proof of the strength of the National Conference.'

'Why Has Maharashtra Become So Cruel?'

'Why Has Maharashtra Become So Cruel?'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

'What attitude has spawned such gruesomeness in the state of Saint Tukaram, Saint Dnyaneshwar, and great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Chhatrapati Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar?'

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.

Patna HC rejects pleas challenging caste survey in Bihar

Patna HC rejects pleas challenging caste survey in Bihar

Rediff.com1 Aug 2023

The caste survey in Bihar was conducted in two rounds between January 7-21, and April 15-May 15.

Unrest in Bangladesh casts shadow on Pakistan tour

Unrest in Bangladesh casts shadow on Pakistan tour

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

Reports about homes of some senior players being attacked by mobs have also deepened the crisis

Parliament should pass law on quota to exceed 50% cap: Congress

Parliament should pass law on quota to exceed 50% cap: Congress

Rediff.com30 Jun 2024

Ramesh said the current limit of 50 percent is not explicitly mandated by the Constitution, but has been decided through various Supreme Court decisions.

Odisha college girl blackmailed by boyfriend, gang-raped for days

Odisha college girl blackmailed by boyfriend, gang-raped for days

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Six people, including a minor, were arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old college student for several days and videographing the act in Odisha's Cuttack district, police said on Friday.

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.

Amid Ambedkar row, Kejriwal announces scholarship for Dalits

Amid Ambedkar row, Kejriwal announces scholarship for Dalits

Rediff.com21 Dec 2024

In the run-up to the assembly elections in Delhi, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal announced an Ambedkar scholarship for free foreign education of the city's Dalit students. The scholarship is a response to the BJP's "insult" of Ambedkar, Kejriwal said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah "insulted and made fun of Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar in Parliament. Crores of people who love Ambedkar were deeply pained," the former Delhi chief minister said. Kejriwal added that the scholarship is a response to the insult meted out by the BJP to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Under the scheme, any Dalit student from Delhi will be able to receive education in foreign universities. If they get admission in any such university, the Delhi government will bear the entire cost of their education, travel and accommodation. Children of government employees will also be eligible for the scheme.

Speaker Birla ticks off Sonia for 'Waqf bill bulldozed' remark

Speaker Birla ticks off Sonia for 'Waqf bill bulldozed' remark

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla criticized former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's remarks about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill being "bulldozed through" the Lower House. Birla said a senior member casting aspersions on the House proceedings was "most unfortunate" and against the dignity of parliamentary democracy. He pointed out that the bill was debated for 13 hours and 53 minutes with several members participating and was passed after multiple divisions.

Birla's challenger's election was cancelled in 2009, restored by SC

Birla's challenger's election was cancelled in 2009, restored by SC

Rediff.com25 Jun 2024

Kodikunnil Suresh, the Opposition's pick for the Lok Sabha speaker who will go up against the Bharatiya Janata Party's Om Birla, is a Congress veteran, an eight-term MP and one whose election in 2009 was declared invalid by the Kerala high court before being restored by the Supreme Court.

States have power to sub-classify SC/ST groups for quota: Top court

States have power to sub-classify SC/ST groups for quota: Top court

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

A seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, by a majority of 6:1, set aside the apex court's five-judge bench verdict of 2014 in the EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh case which had held that no sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) can be allowed as they are a homogeneous class in themselves.

'Not counting caste is as political an act as counting it'

'Not counting caste is as political an act as counting it'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

'The upper caste elite's belief that they are casteless is a belief that is available only to the upper castes. Because all the lower castes are reminded by society every day what their caste is.'

SC to hear pleas on Patna HC's caste survey nod on Oct 6

SC to hear pleas on Patna HC's caste survey nod on Oct 6

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it will hear on October 6 pleas challenging the Patna high court's August 1 order giving the go-ahead for a caste survey in Bihar.

Sameer Wankhede meets caste panel chief, submits caste documents

Sameer Wankhede meets caste panel chief, submits caste documents

Rediff.com1 Nov 2021

Sources added that Wankhede, also submitted divorce papers of his first marriage, birth certificate and other related documents.

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Biggest challenge for BJP, allies in Maharashtra assembly polls is...

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

'The BJP alliance needs to handle the Maratha quota issue skilfully and address its root cause, which is agrarian distress. Then there is stalled industrialisation. If these issues are addressed, caste fault lines would wither away. But, this is next to impossible in a short span of three-four months.'

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Is Maharashtra A Lost Cause For Modi?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

'There are legions of unemployed degree holders across rural and semi-urban belts in Maharashtra. Now, they aren't finding brides.' 'This issue has now snowballed into a social crisis. In 2014 and 2019, they had voted for the BJP.'

Was paraphrasing Ambedkar: JNU VC explains her 'caste of Gods' remark

Was paraphrasing Ambedkar: JNU VC explains her 'caste of Gods' remark

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

A day after her remarks during a lecture in which she had said that anthropologically Gods do not belong to the upper caste, Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said it is to the credit of Hinduism that great dissenters from Gautam Buddha to Dr B R Ambedkar are celebrated.

No proposal to release caste census data: Govt in RS

No proposal to release caste census data: Govt in RS

Rediff.com10 Mar 2021

The government has no proposal at present to release the report of the caste census carried out in 2011, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Indians have topped the number of illegal immigrants from Asian countries caught at land, sea, and air checkpoints of the US since 2022.

SC/ST Act can't be limited to a person's state of origin: HC

SC/ST Act can't be limited to a person's state of origin: HC

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The bench in its order held that the scope of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act) cannot be limited to the state where a person is declared as a member of the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe community.

Treat transgenders only as special category for job, education: HC

Treat transgenders only as special category for job, education: HC

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Justice V Bhavani Subbaroyan in an order passed on June 12, 2024 said in 'every employment and educational avenues,' the government shall prescribe separate norms for transgenders.

Bihar caste survey out; OBCs, EBCs 63% of population

Bihar caste survey out; OBCs, EBCs 63% of population

Rediff.com2 Oct 2023

According to the data released in Patna by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state's total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the EBCs (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the OBCs at 27.13 per cent.

'Make caste discrimination in schools and colleges a crime'

'Make caste discrimination in schools and colleges a crime'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

'The government should immediately enact an Act to make caste discrimination a criminal offence and lay down a procedure similar to that of the Anti-Ragging Act.' 'Ragging has nearly been eliminated because it is treated as a criminal offence.' 'Similar procedure should be used in case of caste discrimination.'

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.

'PM does not eat chicken, Rs 7000 payment denied'

'PM does not eat chicken, Rs 7000 payment denied'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

The latest book, in Singh's words, is "not merely a recounting of events but a mosaic of narratives, each woven with the depth and nuances of storytelling".

Caste survey: 34% Bihar families earn less than Rs 200/day

Caste survey: 34% Bihar families earn less than Rs 200/day

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

The percentage of households who live on less than Rs 6,000 a month or less than Rs 200 a day among the Scheduled tribe households (42.91 per cent) was almost the same as among scheduled caste households (42.78 per cent).

'We Started Our Party For 90% Of Hindus'

'We Started Our Party For 90% Of Hindus'

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

'The Dravidian movement was started for the Hindus who were rejected by the upper castes.'

First part of Budget Session ends with heated debates

First part of Budget Session ends with heated debates

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

The deportation of Indians from the United States, deaths in the Maha Kumbh stampede and the joint Parliamentary committee report on the Waqf bill were among the issues that led to heated exchanges and some disruptions in an otherwise smooth first part of the Budget session that ended on Thursday.

BJP announces more freebies in Delhi manifesto part 2

BJP announces more freebies in Delhi manifesto part 2

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Kejriwal described the BJP's election manifesto as "dangerous for the country".

Qualifier 2 PIX: Iyer's 87 stuns MI, PBKS to meet RCB in IPL final

Qualifier 2 PIX: Iyer's 87 stuns MI, PBKS to meet RCB in IPL final

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

IMAGES from the Indian Premier League Qualifier 2 match played between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad, on Sunday.

EC notices to Cong, BJP over Rahul, Shah speeches

EC notices to Cong, BJP over Rahul, Shah speeches

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

Top leaders of the two parties are campaigning in Jharkhand and Maharashtra for the ongoing assembly polls in the two states.