News for 'Scheduled Castes'

Blow to Nitish as Patna HC stays Bihar govt's caste survey

Blow to Nitish as Patna HC stays Bihar govt's caste survey

Rediff.com4 May 2023

Hearing a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Madhuresh Prasad directed the government to immediately stop the caste-based survey, and ensure that the data already collected are secured and not shared with anybody till final orders are passed.

HC cancels caste certificate of Maha MP Navneet Rana

HC cancels caste certificate of Maha MP Navneet Rana

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

Rana was elected from Maharashtra's Amravati Lok Sabha seat in 2019. She is an Independent MP backed by the NCP.

Jharkhand records 66.18% voter turnout; no Maoist attack reported

Jharkhand records 66.18% voter turnout; no Maoist attack reported

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

Nearly 13.04 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 9 am on Wednesday in 43 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand where voting is underway in the first phase, officials said.

Concept of SC/ST,OBC quota not applicable to minority institutions: HC

Concept of SC/ST,OBC quota not applicable to minority institutions: HC

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

It noted that Article 15(5) of the Constitution does not empower the State to compel a minority educational institution to admit students from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Backward Classes of citizens.

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.

UP Bypolls: Yogi Wants To Prove A Point

UP Bypolls: Yogi Wants To Prove A Point

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

The BJP is leaning on Yogi's 'batenge to katenge' theme to weave a unifying narrative that transcends caste and communal lines.

Bihar House passes bills to raise quota cap to 65%

Bihar House passes bills to raise quota cap to 65%

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

The Bihar assembly on Thursday approved a hike in quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Extremely Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes from the existing 50 per cent to 65 per cent.

Inconsequential without Lalu Prasad: Nitish snubs Rabri Devi

Inconsequential without Lalu Prasad: Nitish snubs Rabri Devi

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar engaged in a heated exchange with Leader of the Opposition Rabri Devi in the Legislative Council, dismissing her as "inconsequential" without her husband, RJD president Lalu Prasad. The spat stemmed from RJD MLCs wearing badges promoting quota hikes passed during Tejashwi Yadav's tenure as Deputy CM, which Nitish Kumar perceived as an attempt to claim credit for the populist move. Kumar also remarked that Rabri Devi was only propped up by her husband when he was in trouble, referring to her becoming Chief Minister in 1997 while Lalu Prasad faced corruption charges. The war of words between the two rivals has intensified, with the RJD accusing Kumar of losing his mental balance and being unfit to rule.

Singapore's ruling party sweeps back to power

Singapore's ruling party sweeps back to power

Rediff.com4 May 2025

Singapore's long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP), led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, has secured a landslide victory in the country's general election. The PAP won 87 of 97 seats, with voters endorsing the party's focus on stability and economic security amidst global uncertainties. Wong expressed gratitude for the strong mandate and vowed to tackle concerns about the cost of living and housing. The results mark a significant win for the PAP, which has been in power since Singapore's independence in 1965.

'Uddhav, Sharad Pawar's Future Is Shaky'

'Uddhav, Sharad Pawar's Future Is Shaky'

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

'If you stay out of power for long, you become irrelevant, your party members become restless and start looking to jump ship.'

Kharge's mother, sister killed by Razakars but....: Yogi

Kharge's mother, sister killed by Razakars but....: Yogi

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a scathing attack on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, alleging that the latter purposely keeps mum on the tragic death of his mother and sister in an attack by Razakars in order to avoid losing Muslim votes. Adityanath claimed that Kharge's village, Varawatti, was burned down by Razakars and that his mother, aunt, and sister died in the attacks. He accused Kharge of suppressing this painful personal memory for political expediency and for fear of losing Muslim votes. Adityanath also alleged that Congress ignores historical atrocities for the sake of vote bank politics and conveniently forgets the history of the Razakars.

Cong promises caste census in MP after winning polls

Cong promises caste census in MP after winning polls

Rediff.com22 Aug 2023

The Congress will conduct a caste census in Madhya Pradesh after winning the assembly polls and establish a university in the name of Sant Ravidas, said party president Mallikarjun Kharge, accusing the regime at the Centre of wishing to change the Constitution.

SC refuses to stay Patna HC order on Bihar's 65% quota

SC refuses to stay Patna HC order on Bihar's 65% quota

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwla and Manoj Misra, however, agrees to hear as many as 10 petitions of the Bihar government against the Patna HC verdict.

SC sets final hearing for pleas against Bihar caste survey on Apr 16

SC sets final hearing for pleas against Bihar caste survey on Apr 16

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

Justice Khanna said all the intervention applications filed on the issue will also be taken on April 16 when the final hearing will take place.

Why Hooda Is Responsible For Congress Defeat

Why Hooda Is Responsible For Congress Defeat

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Instead of harvesting the wrath against the BJP and using it to their advantage by opting for a collective form of leadership, the Congress decided once again to bestow their trust in the Hooda family who were given a free hand in the distribution of tickets. This turned out to be the biggest blunder and this faulty selection was the single over riding factor in the Congress defeat, explains Rashme Sehgal.

SC bench hearing quota pleas for Dalit converts stumped by rejected Misra report

SC bench hearing quota pleas for Dalit converts stumped by rejected Misra report

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

What is the effect of the report of a commission of inquiry that has been rejected or not accepted by the government, and whether the empirical data which formed the basis of the report can be looked at while determining a constitutional issue, the Supreme Court wondered on Wednesday while considering the question of quotas for Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians.

Covid Reduced 2.6 Years Of Life Expectancy In India

Covid Reduced 2.6 Years Of Life Expectancy In India

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

The decline in life expectancy was higher among young individuals and those aged 50 to 60.

'Modi government will favour caste census if...'

'Modi government will favour caste census if...'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'...it gets a survey report that they are going to lose elections.' 'The fear of losing elections will make them immediately conduct a caste census.'

Ek hai, toh safe hai: Modi calls for SC, ST, OBC unity in Maha rally

Ek hai, toh safe hai: Modi calls for SC, ST, OBC unity in Maha rally

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

The PM said the Congress and its allies should not encourage the "Pakistan agenda" and speak the language of separatists.

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Simultaneous polls can promote consistency in governance: Prez Murmu

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on Republic Day, advocated for the "One Nation One Election" initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance governance and reduce financial burdens. She highlighted the government's efforts to eliminate remnants of colonialism, citing the replacement of British-era criminal laws with modern alternatives. Murmu also lauded India's economic progress, stressing the importance of inclusive growth and social welfare. She urged citizens to remember the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirmed the significance of the Constitution in guiding India's journey towards a prosperous and equitable future.

Dalits Votes Matter In Haryana Elections

Dalits Votes Matter In Haryana Elections

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has reached out to the SCs and the poor with the accelerated implementation of various schemes, especially the B R Ambedkar housing scheme.

Can Channi's caste, Sidhu's ploys win Punjab for Cong?

Can Channi's caste, Sidhu's ploys win Punjab for Cong?

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

After many years, intricate caste calculations will dominate politics in Punjab.

Banjaras protest outside Yediyurappa's house over quota

Banjaras protest outside Yediyurappa's house over quota

Rediff.com27 Mar 2023

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in the town.

IIT-Bombay rejects caste bias in student's suicide, says probe underway

IIT-Bombay rejects caste bias in student's suicide, says probe underway

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

IIT-B's rebuttal comes a day after Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle, a student group, called Solanki's death an "institutional murder".

'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.'

Nitish, Tejashwi to meet Modi on Aug 23, to discuss caste-based census

Nitish, Tejashwi to meet Modi on Aug 23, to discuss caste-based census

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

"I had sought an appointment with the PM to meet him along with an all-party delegation from Bihar, including RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, to discuss the issue of a caste-based census. I thank him for giving us time next Monday at 11 am," Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar told reporters in Patna.

UN concerned over violence against minorities in India

UN concerned over violence against minorities in India

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

On India, while appreciating the measures adopted by it to address discrimination, the Committee expressed concern about alleged discrimination and violence against minority groups, including religious minorities, such as Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs, "scheduled castes" and "scheduled tribes", and LGBTI people.

SC status for religious converts? Top court panel under ex-CJI to study issue

SC status for religious converts? Top court panel under ex-CJI to study issue

Rediff.com7 Oct 2022

The Centre has appointed a commission headed by former CJI K G Balakrishnan to examine the matter of giving Scheduled Caste status to new people who claim to "historically" have belonged to the Scheduled Castes but have converted to a religion other than those mentioned in the presidential orders.

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.

Protests after Delhi principal's casteist slur, assault on Dalit student

Protests after Delhi principal's casteist slur, assault on Dalit student

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

A Dalit student at Delhi University's Shaheed Bhagat Singh College has filed a police complaint alleging that its principal hurled casteist slurs and assaulted him after he was falsely accused of sending obscene messages on the official WhatsApp group of his department. The student, a third-year BA Hindi Honours student, claimed the incident caused him mental trauma and defamation. He has also written to the University Vice-Chancellor and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking action against those involved. The principal has denied the allegations, claiming the student was being manipulated by a faculty member against whom an inquiry is underway.

BJP replaces 25 sitting MPs in second Lok Sabha list

BJP replaces 25 sitting MPs in second Lok Sabha list

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party replaced at least 25 sitting MPs with new faces as the party released its second list of 72 candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on Wednesday.

UP: School principal removed for creating caste divide in class

UP: School principal removed for creating caste divide in class

Rediff.com13 May 2016

A principal in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district worked out his own "caste arithmetic", segregating students of Class IX on the basis of their caste and appointing class teachers on a similar basis, prompting authorities to remove him.

The Jewel Thief You Must Watch Instead

The Jewel Thief You Must Watch Instead

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Re-watching 1967's Jewel Thief evokes the joy of cinema, with its perfect blend of thrill, suspense, romance and music. A film like that can never be remade or be tampered with in any way, observes Deepa Gahlot.

Why Purvanchal Is Challenging For BJP

Why Purvanchal Is Challenging For BJP

Rediff.com29 May 2024

The youth -- their dreams of government jobs unfulfilled -- are voicing their frustration.

At mega Cong rally, Rahul promises nationwide caste census

At mega Cong rally, Rahul promises nationwide caste census

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

Addressing a huge rally in Maharashtra's Nagpur on the occasion of the Congress' 139th foundation day, he said unemployment in the country has reached its highest point in the last 40 years.

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'You can be sure that the Pakistanis knew when the Indian Air Force aircraft took off, which type these were, and what their likely targets were.' 'The question was: How would they determine that the IAF wanted to fire, and when to bounce them?', notes Shekhar Gupta.

Cong fails to open account in Delhi for third time

Cong fails to open account in Delhi for third time

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

The Congress party suffered a crushing defeat in the Delhi elections, failing to secure a single seat in the 70-member assembly for the third consecutive time. Key candidates, including Sheila Dikshit's son, Sandeep Dikshit, lost their deposits. The only consolation for the party was a slight improvement in its vote share, which they attribute to a vigorous campaign and a renewed focus on contesting elections independently. However, the defeat raises questions about the party's ability to compete in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly in light of its performance in other recent state elections.

Govt doubles Mudra loan limit to Rs 20 lakh to promote entrepreneurship

Govt doubles Mudra loan limit to Rs 20 lakh to promote entrepreneurship

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced the doubling of the upper limit of Mudra loans to Rs 20 lakh to promote entrepreneurship in the country. "The limit of Mudra loans will be enhanced to Rs 20 lakh from the current Rs 10 lakh for those entrepreneurs who have availed and successfully repaid previous loans under the 'Tarun category', she said while presenting the Budget in the Lok Sabha.

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.

Cong govt issues order for caste survey in Rajasthan

Cong govt issues order for caste survey in Rajasthan

Rediff.com8 Oct 2023

Ahead of the assembly polls in Rajasthan, the Congress government on Saturday night issued an order for the conduct of a caste survey in the state.