News for 'backward class communities'

If Maratha quota is not given by December 24...: Jarange Patil

If Maratha quota is not given by December 24...: Jarange Patil

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

Activist Manoj Jarange on Wednesday claimed that Maratha leaders earlier did not support quota for the community and there was also pressure from OBC leaders on the government for 30-40 years to not give reservation to Marathas.

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.

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.

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

'That a song can carry the weight of a people's dreams and move hearts across the world.' On Bhupen Hazarika's 99th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays rich tribute to the legendary singer and composer.

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.

Ahead of polls, Nitish govt announces series of schemes

Ahead of polls, Nitish govt announces series of schemes

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

Another populist decision of the government was the announcement of an unemployment allowance for the youth: Rs 1,000 per month for two years for graduates and those who have completed class 12 but remain unemployed.

10% or 20%, Maratha quota must be under OBC category: Jarange

10% or 20%, Maratha quota must be under OBC category: Jarange

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

Speaking to reporters at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district, the activist said he would wait and see if the state government converts its draft notification on 'blood relatives' of Kunbi Marathas into law and then decide on the course of his agitation.

Manhas is new BCCI president! His remote village erupts

Manhas is new BCCI president! His remote village erupts

Rediff.com28 Sep 2025

Celebrations broke out in Mithun Manhas' ancestral village in Jammu on Sunday after the former Delhi captain's ascension to BCCI presidency, with the people terming it a moment of pride for the region.

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.

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The decision comes a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said a government-appointed committee scrutinised 1.72 crore old documents (including those of Nizam-era) and among them, 11,530 records were found where Kunbi caste was mentioned.

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

K'taka caste census sparks outrage, Sidda ministers to oppose in cabinet

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Opposition to the Karnataka government's proposed implementation of a caste census has intensified with dominant communities raising concerns about the survey's findings. The report, which has not been publicly released, is said to contradict traditional perceptions regarding the numerical strength of various castes, particularly Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas. These communities, along with political parties, including sections of the ruling Congress, have criticized the survey as "unscientific" and demanded a fresh assessment. The Vokkaligara Sangha and the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha have expressed strong opposition, alleging that the report misrepresents their populations and demanding a fresh survey. Meanwhile, Dalit and OBC groups have defended the survey and its recommendations, including an increase in reservation for OBCs to 51%. The controversy has fueled political tensions in Karnataka, with opposition parties accusing the Congress government of using the caste census for political gain.

States must exclude creamy layer from SC/ST quota: Justice Gavai

States must exclude creamy layer from SC/ST quota: Justice Gavai

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

Justice Gavai, who wrote a 281-page separate but concurring verdict, said it is the duty of the State to give preferential treatment to the backward class of citizens who are not adequately represented in government jobs.

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

'Money Alone Does Not Buy Trust Or Votes'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'Bihar's voters' electoral memory is long, and their evaluations are relational; who came to the village, who followed up, who resolved a problem.'

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

When Gujarati Muslims Dominated Bombay Politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'They wanted the city to be a great business hub. They didn't like the fact that taxes collected in Bombay would go outside the city.'

From 'Reluctant Politician' To Vice President

From 'Reluctant Politician' To Vice President

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

While naming him as the NDA candidate for the Vice President's post, the BJP had described him as 'Kisan putra', a move seen in the political circles aimed at reaching out to the politically significant Jat community which had participated in huge numbers in the year-long farmers' protests against agriculture reform measures unveiled in June 2020.

Maratha protestors manhandle OBC activist in Pune

Maratha protestors manhandle OBC activist in Pune

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

OBC activist Laxman Hake was allegedly manhandled and verbally abused by members of the Maratha community in Pune, and a video of the incident surfaced on social media, the police said on Tuesday.

BJP's Bihar unit plays the backward caste card for Modi

BJP's Bihar unit plays the backward caste card for Modi

Rediff.com3 May 2013

Top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Bihar, including Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and General Secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, have been trying to woo members of the Extremely Backward Classes to garner support for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the party's prime ministerial candidate.

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.

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.

Hariprasad's remarks hint at rift within Karnataka Cong

Hariprasad's remarks hint at rift within Karnataka Cong

Rediff.com22 Jul 2023

Senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad's statements regarding ministerial and chief ministerial posts, along with his veiled dig at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have created a sense of unease within the ruling party in Karnataka.

President grants assent to bill restoring states' right to maintain OBC lists

President grants assent to bill restoring states' right to maintain OBC lists

Rediff.com20 Aug 2021

The Constitution (105th) Bill 2021 was passed by the Parliament on August 11, 2021.

'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.'

For How Long Will Nitish Hold The Fort?

For How Long Will Nitish Hold The Fort?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Now it's all jibes about his chameleon-like politics and fading grip on the administration. But there was a time Nitish had the BJP trembling in the state, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Will Jarange cost Bhujbal his election?

Will Jarange cost Bhujbal his election?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

Bhujbal stridently opposed Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange's demand for Maratha quota from the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) share.

Jarange to reveal candidate list on last day of nomination

Jarange to reveal candidate list on last day of nomination

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Thursday said the final number of seats from where he will field his candidates in the Maharashtra assembly elections will be declared on the last day of the filing of nominations next week.

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.

Will stop taking water, drugs from Sunday: Maratha quota leader

Will stop taking water, drugs from Sunday: Maratha quota leader

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

Jarange, whose hunger strike at Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district for reservation for the community in government jobs and education entered 12th day, also rejected the fresh outcome of talks held with a delegation of Maratha community leaders and the government late on Friday night in Mumbai.

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.

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.

Govt creating tension between Marathas, OBCs: Jarange

Govt creating tension between Marathas, OBCs: Jarange

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The government is thrusting new leaders to the fore and moving others aside to create a rift between the Maratha and OBC communities, he said, stressing that those protesting over their demand for non-dilution of the OBC quota are not at fault.

'U-turn' vs 'game changer': Caste census sparks war of words

'U-turn' vs 'game changer': Caste census sparks war of words

Rediff.com1 May 2025

Caste census politics took centre stage on Thursday with the Congress terming the government's decision as a 'diversionary tactic' and a move for headlines management and the Bharatiya Janata Party saying it has exposed the difference between the Centre's 'true intentions' and the 'empty sloganeering' of the opposition party.

'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.'

Caste census decision exposes...: BJP

Caste census decision exposes...: BJP

Rediff.com1 May 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said the Centre's decision to include caste enumeration in the next census has exposed the difference between the Modi government's 'true intentions' and the 'empty sloganeering' of the Congress.

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Jarange suspends fast on Maratha quota, demands action in one-month

Jarange suspends fast on Maratha quota, demands action in one-month

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

He made the announcement after Maharashtra minister and member of Maratha quota sub-committee Shambhuraj Desai, Shiv Sena MP Sandipan Bhumre met him at his native Antarwali Sarati village in Jalna district and discussed the issue.

Conversion to another religion no ground for inter-caste certificate: HC

Conversion to another religion no ground for inter-caste certificate: HC

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

The petition sought to quash an order dated June 19, 2015 of the Salem district administration and consequently direct the authorities concerned to issue the inter-caste marriage certificate to him.

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Has Vijay Changed After Karur Stampede?

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Vijay, despite the loud message from his delayed arrival at the road-show/stampede venue, and more so his continued inaccessibility for fans-turned-cadres after graduating from a super-star to a political party leader with electoral ambitions, refuses to change. Or, so it seems, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sweeping changes in bill to amend Waqf law; new name, includes non-Muslims

Sweeping changes in bill to amend Waqf law; new name, includes non-Muslims

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensures the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

'Modi has a secular image now'

'Modi has a secular image now'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2014

'Otherwise, the minorities would not have acknowledged his leadership quality. I am happy the BJP is working towards achieving a secular image,' Vellappally Natesan, the OBC leader in Kerala who has created a controversy by supporting Narendra Modi, tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

Am I a toy in your hands?: Bhujbal attacks Ajit Pawar

Am I a toy in your hands?: Bhujbal attacks Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar, claiming that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favor of his induction in the cabinet. Bhujbal expressed his disappointment and humiliation over his exclusion, alleging that he was treated like a "toy" by the party leadership. He also alleged that Ajit Pawar makes decisions for the NCP like Fadnavis does for the BJP and Eknath Shinde does for the Shiv Sena.