News for 'backward classes'

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.

First to score 6,000 runs! Root sets WTC benchmark

First to score 6,000 runs! Root sets WTC benchmark

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Root reached the milestone during his 69th WTC appearance - a single pushed to deep backward square leg brought up yet another half-century and sealed his place in the record books.

Never said we'd change Constitution for Muslim quota: Shivakumar

Never said we'd change Constitution for Muslim quota: Shivakumar

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar denied on Monday making any comments regarding changing the Constitution to accommodate four per cent reservation for Muslims in the state. He claimed he was "misquoted" and warned of moving a breach of privilege motion. Shivakumar's remarks came after the BJP forced repeated adjournments in the Lok Sabha over his alleged comments on the matter. The BJP has accused Shivakumar of seeking to change the Constitution for political gain, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding reservation policies in India.

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.

Rahul vs Scindia, royals over 'Maharaja' remarks

Rahul vs Scindia, royals over 'Maharaja' remarks

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Addressing a rally in Mhow on Monday, Gandhi said Dalits, backwards and tribals had no rights before Independence, when "only maharajas and rajas enjoyed rights".

How Jana Sangh Was Born 75 Years Ago

How Jana Sangh Was Born 75 Years Ago

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

'As we read and assess what is going on around us in the India of 2025, it is instructive to do this through the lens of 75 years ago and the events that led to the formation of the BJP as we know it,' recalls Aakar Patel.

Maha IAS officer joins Washim office amid row, uses official vehicle

Maha IAS officer joins Washim office amid row, uses official vehicle

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar on Thursday took charge as an assistant collector at the Washim district collectorate in Vidarbha region, but declined to comment on the flurry of claims that she used illegal means to clear her civil services exam.

'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.'

Udhayanidhi Stalin elevated as TN deputy CM, Balaji back as minister

Udhayanidhi Stalin elevated as TN deputy CM, Balaji back as minister

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

Amid a growing chorus in the party for his elevation, Tamil Nadu sports minister and son of Chief Minister M K Stalin, Udhayanidhi, was elevated as the deputy CM on Saturday with additional responsibility, in a cabinet reshuffle that saw the return of V Senthil Balaji to the council of ministers two days after securing bail in a money laundering case.

You are a woman, you don't know anything: Nitish to RJD MLA

You are a woman, you don't know anything: Nitish to RJD MLA

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

Kumar's outburst came as opposition members stood in the well of the House, demanding that the state's amended reservation laws be incorporated in the 9th schedule of the Constitution to make it immune from legal scrutiny.

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.

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.

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.

MUDA issue: Cong leadership backs Siddaramaiah

MUDA issue: Cong leadership backs Siddaramaiah

Rediff.com24 Aug 2024

Days after the Karnataka governor granted sanction for the prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority case, the Congress' top leadership on Friday expressed its backing for him and alleged that the Centre had unleashed a systematic assault through a 'puppet governor' to destabilise an elected government.

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/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.

Quota fraud: Puja Khedkar sacked from IAS with immediate effect

Quota fraud: Puja Khedkar sacked from IAS with immediate effect

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

Khedkar, who was from the 2023 batch, has been accused of cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes and disability quota benefits to ensure her selection in the government service.

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.

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.

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.

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Shakti Dubey has topped the civil services examination 2024, with Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag getting the second and third ranks, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Tuesday. The top five successful candidates comprise three women and two men. The civil services examination is conducted annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. A total of 1,009 candidates -- 725 men and 284 women -- have been recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various services.

Bureaucrats can't be allowed to frustrate grassroot democracy: SC

Bureaucrats can't be allowed to frustrate grassroot democracy: SC

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has upheld a Bombay High Court order reinstating a woman as the sarpanch of a Maharashtra village, stating that bureaucrats cannot be allowed to "frustrate grassroot democracy." The court criticized instances of bureaucrats misbehaving with elected representatives and attempting to disqualify them by reopening old cases. The case involved Kalavati Rajendra Kokale, whose resignation from the sarpanch's post was withdrawn, but the Raigad district collector declared a vacancy and conducted a fresh election. The court found the collector's actions illegal and upheld Kokale's reinstatement, highlighting the importance of respecting the democratic process and elected representatives at the grassroots level.

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.

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.

Indian middle class leads a selfish life:Aruna Roy

Indian middle class leads a selfish life:Aruna Roy

Rediff.com2 Apr 2008

Unlike the upwardly mobile upper middle class, the much neglected Indian backward class which struggles for a daily living knows better how to lead an enriched and harmonious life, believes Magsaysay awardee and eminent RTI activist Aruna Roy. "India's backward class, which has always been neglected and considered as socially irrelevant has empowered me and taught me how to struggle in life, while the middle class disempowered me with its urbanised thoughts," she adds.

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.

'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.

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.

SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya quits party post, accuses Akhilesh of bias

SP leader Swami Prasad Maurya quits party post, accuses Akhilesh of bias

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya on Tuesday resigned as the party's national general secretary accusing the leadership of discriminating against him and not defending him over his remarks.

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.

EC defers Bihar municipal polls after HC declares quotas for OBCs illegal

EC defers Bihar municipal polls after HC declares quotas for OBCs illegal

Rediff.com4 Oct 2022

The order that was passed less than a week ahead of the first phase of polls scheduled on October 10 throws a spanner in the election process.

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.

'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.'

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj to fight all 243 seats in Bihar polls

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj to fight all 243 seats in Bihar polls

Rediff.com25 Aug 2024

Addressing a women's convention in Patna, Kishor, the founder of political consultancy firm I-PAC, said Jan Suraaj wants to empower women of the state

Saini meets Modi after BJP's big win in Haryana

Saini meets Modi after BJP's big win in Haryana

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

Saini is likely to consult with his senior leadership on finalising his cabinet, sources said.

BJP ridiculing Savarkar when...: Rahul in Lok Sabha

BJP ridiculing Savarkar when...: Rahul in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP for claiming to protect the Constitution while citing V D Savarkar's remarks that there was nothing Indian about it. He also drew parallels to the story of 'Eklavya' to illustrate the BJP's alleged economic policies hurting small businesses and farmers. He further supported the removal of the 50 percent cap on reservations and advocated for a caste census.

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.

Will empower Muslim women: Govt tables Waqf Bill in Rajya Sabha

Will empower Muslim women: Govt tables Waqf Bill in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

The bill aims to include all the Muslims sects in the Waqf board, Rijiju said.

Maha IAS officer in soup over fake certificates, lavish life

Maha IAS officer in soup over fake certificates, lavish life

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Pooja Khedkar, a 2022 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, allegedly submitted fake disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates to clear the civil services exam, an official said on Wednesday.

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.