News for 'backward communities'

'You are using the Army against your own people'

'You are using the Army against your own people'

Rediff.com23 Feb 2016

'You are sending the army to Rohtak? There are six paramilitary forces in the country. Why can't you use these people?' 'What is the need to call out the army? And that too at a place where there is an army man in every house.' 'Can you imagine how stupid this decision is? How insensitive?'

AIADMK opposes the NEET bill, terms it 'illegal and unconstitutional'

AIADMK opposes the NEET bill, terms it 'illegal and unconstitutional'

Rediff.com1 Aug 2016

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Monday opposed in Rajya Sabha the government move to put in place a single examination for medical and dental courses through National Eligibility cum Entrance Test

Andhra MP files complaint against Ashis Nandy

Andhra MP files complaint against Ashis Nandy

Rediff.com1 Feb 2013

An MP from Karimnagar district in Andhra Pradesh on Friday filed a complaint against eminent scholar Ashis Nandy, for making remarks alleged to be anti-Dalit at the Jaipur Literature Festival, police said.

Even bypoll win won't smoothen things for Yediyurappa

Even bypoll win won't smoothen things for Yediyurappa

Rediff.com29 Apr 2021

'New Delhi is in a perpetual dilemma. It can't do without Yediyurappa, but it doesn't want a powerful CM. It stokes the opponents within against him. The result is he has never settled down in office, even in the present tenure'

Ram Vilas Paswan: Kingmaker who outlasted many kings

Ram Vilas Paswan: Kingmaker who outlasted many kings

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

It is an ode to his politics that believed in building bridges across social or political divides that he was one of the most liked state leaders among the upper castes even as he drew his support mostly from Dalits, a group which at times shared antagonistic relations with the more prosperous communities due to a number of social and political reasons.

The new-age warrior behind the Maratha protests

The new-age warrior behind the Maratha protests

Rediff.com4 Aug 2018

Pravin Gaikwad, the state coordinator of Maratha Kranti Morcha, has two rare qualities: he has an unparalleled connect with people from his community and, at the same time, underpins his ideology on a strong analytical base.

'We believe in only one leader and that is Mamata'

'We believe in only one leader and that is Mamata'

Rediff.com12 Apr 2021

'Mamata is synonymous with Bengal, its culture, language, traditions.'

Will anti-CAA protests help Mamata?

Will anti-CAA protests help Mamata?

Rediff.com14 Jan 2020

'When violence spread, it looked as if Mamata was losing control, but soon, she was able to contain the situation.' 'Now, the TMC stands to gain the most.'

SP demand for special status poll gimmick, says Mayawati

SP demand for special status poll gimmick, says Mayawati

Rediff.com19 Aug 2013

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati dismissed as "drama" Samajwadi Party's demand for special category status for Uttar Pradesh, saying they are raising the issue with an eye on the forthcoming general elections.

Rajasthan: Gujjars call off agitation

Rajasthan: Gujjars call off agitation

Rediff.com19 Jun 2008

The nearly month-long agitation by members of the Gujjar community demanding Scheduled Tribe status -- was called off by their leader Kirori Singh Bainsla on Thursday. The decision comes in the wake of the agreement finalised between the Rajasthan government and leaders of the Gujjar community on Wednesday.The 27-day Gujjar agitation, which witnessed large-scale violence, claimed 43 lives in police firing in Rajasthan and Haryana.

Gowda was first OBC PM, not Modi: Lalu, Nitish remind Amit Shah

Gowda was first OBC PM, not Modi: Lalu, Nitish remind Amit Shah

Rediff.com11 Jul 2015

Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah's claim about the party giving first prime minister from the Other Backward Class in Narendra Modi, was on Saturday sharply contradicted by both the Janata Dal-United and the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

Why BJP snagging Duraisamy from DMK is not a big thing

Why BJP snagging Duraisamy from DMK is not a big thing

Rediff.com23 May 2020

V P Duraisamy's exit will in no way upset the poll scene in western Tamil Nadu, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Amit Shah's money can't buy 150 seats for the BJP'

'Amit Shah's money can't buy 150 seats for the BJP'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2017

'In Gujarat, for 22 years when the BJP was in power, they sold only dreams, but the delivery was zero.'

In Bihar's 3rd phase, all eyes on what Owaisi will do

In Bihar's 3rd phase, all eyes on what Owaisi will do

Rediff.com5 Nov 2020

However, as the region with the state's highest concentration of Muslims readies for polls on November 7 in the last phase of the elections, it is the Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress-Left alliance that draws considerable support from the community amid sporadic voices in Owaisi's support as they weigh their choices.

Maya stokes Jat reservation fire in West UP

Maya stokes Jat reservation fire in West UP

Rediff.com22 Feb 2012

Virtually stroking the fire on the suddenly hyped issue of reservation to the Jat community, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Wednesday blamed the Congress-led central government for its continued dilly-dallying.

New Lokpal Bill tabled; MPs flay 'undue haste'

New Lokpal Bill tabled; MPs flay 'undue haste'

Rediff.com22 Dec 2011

The new Lokpal Bill was introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal in Lok Sabha on Thursday after an hour-long acrimonious debate among members of various political parties.

Mamata announces sops for minorities in Bengal

Mamata announces sops for minorities in Bengal

Rediff.com14 Mar 2012

Announcing sops for minorities ahead of the panchayat elections next year in the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that her government has ordered a survey for ensuring job reservation for Muslims and would also bring a bill for 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats.

Ajit Jogi: The politician who never gave up

Ajit Jogi: The politician who never gave up

Rediff.com29 May 2020

The first chief minister of Chhattisgarh, was known in the political circles as someone who never gave up despite defeats, controversies and debilitating health issues.

Poor Marathas should get reservation: Shiv Sena

Poor Marathas should get reservation: Shiv Sena

Rediff.com19 Sep 2008

The Shiv Sena on Friday came out in support of the demand that the Maratha community be included in the Other Backward Classes category. The Marathas are considered to be the 'ruling caste' of the state, yet a demand for inclusion in OBCs has been gaining strength of late.

Unemployment rises across religions, social groups

Unemployment rises across religions, social groups

Rediff.com22 Feb 2019

The problem of unemployment is spread across the economy.

'Not just under BJP, Muslims have been feeling alienated since 1947'

'Not just under BJP, Muslims have been feeling alienated since 1947'

Rediff.com24 May 2015

Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla has rejected the contention that Muslims are feeling insecure under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime and said the community has felt alienated since Independence because of the policies of successive Congress governments.

Haryana Cabinet clears Jat reservation bill

Haryana Cabinet clears Jat reservation bill

Rediff.com28 Mar 2016

The draft bill on reservation to Jats and four other castes was cleared at a Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

'Nothing in 12th Five Year Plan for upliftment of Muslims'

'Nothing in 12th Five Year Plan for upliftment of Muslims'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2011

Several Muslim members of Parliament on Monday complained to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the 12th Five-Year Plan had nothing concrete in it to uplift the Muslim community. They claimed that the plan made a mockery of the prime minister's vows of "inclusive" development.

Infrastructure growth quintessential to boost economy: Survey

Infrastructure growth quintessential to boost economy: Survey

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

Terming investment in infrastructure "quintessential" to boost growth, the Economic Survey on Friday said post unlocking of the economy, infra sectors are poised for growth and construction of roads is expected to return to the high pace attained before COVID-19. The infrastructure sector will be the key to overall economic growth and macroeconomic stability, the Survey said emphasising that the year after the crisis (2021-22) will require sustained and calibrated measures to facilitate the process of economic recovery and enable the economy to get back on its long-term growth trajectory. "Basic infrastructure facilities in the country provide the foundation of growth. In the absence of adequate infrastructure, the economy operates at a suboptimal level and remains distant from its potential and frontier growth trajectory.

'We are in the driver's seat in Maharashtra'

'We are in the driver's seat in Maharashtra'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2019

'The Congress-NCP is a declining force while we are a rising force.'

BJP Dalit MP Savitribai Phule quits, says party playing divisive politics

BJP Dalit MP Savitribai Phule quits, says party playing divisive politics

Rediff.com6 Dec 2018

"Desh ke chowikdar ki pehredari mein, sansadhono ki chori karai ja rahi hai (the country's resources are being looted under the watch of the country's gateman)," she said in a derisive reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hardik Patel reveals his national ambitions

Hardik Patel reveals his national ambitions

Rediff.com8 Sep 2015

The Patel quota agitation leader formed the Patel Navnirman Sena bringing together the Patels, Kurmis and Gujjars.

Haryana bans Internet, SMS following Jat protests

Haryana bans Internet, SMS following Jat protests

Rediff.com19 Feb 2016

Internet and mobile SMS services have been suspended indefinitely by authorities in Rohtak district in the wake of protests by Jat community.

Transgenders category in UPSC exam only after SC clarifies: HC told

Transgenders category in UPSC exam only after SC clarifies: HC told

Rediff.com17 Jun 2015

The govt said that once the apex court clarifies the issue, then it can frame rules for the benefit of transgenders.

Sadhvi Jyoti: The BJP minister who abused during a speech

Sadhvi Jyoti: The BJP minister who abused during a speech

Rediff.com2 Dec 2014

On Tuesday, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti kicked up a storm when she used expletives during a campaign speech in Delhi. While campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party, she called the electorate to choose between Ramzadon and h********n.

Was offered Rs 1 crore to join BJP, claims Hardik Patel's aide

Was offered Rs 1 crore to join BJP, claims Hardik Patel's aide

Rediff.com23 Oct 2017

Narendra Patel also showed bundles of cash that he said were handed over to him, at a late-night press conference on Sunday.

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Full Text: President's joint address to both houses of Parliament

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Here's the full text of President's Ram Nath Kovind's address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on the first of Budget Session 2022.

Special: Dark patches mar Bihar's growth story

Special: Dark patches mar Bihar's growth story

Rediff.com31 Aug 2011

Bihar's development is not uniformly sweeping over the state. There are less visible aspects of the state's society and polity is which this wave bypasses.

Mayawati slams Centre over Jat protests

Mayawati slams Centre over Jat protests

Rediff.com19 Mar 2011

Barely 24 hours after the Allahabad high court expressed serious concern about her government's inaction to resolve the two-week old agitation by the Jat community seeking inclusion among backward castes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has chosen to blame the Centre for the spiraling protests.Mayawati sought to take credit for removing the agitators from the railway tracks in parts of western UP, where services had been completely disrupted.

Amid AMU row, BJP MP calls Jinnah a 'maha purush'

Amid AMU row, BJP MP calls Jinnah a 'maha purush'

Rediff.com11 May 2018

Savitri Bai Phule said a 'mahapurush' like Jinnah should be installed with respect... Jinnah is respected from the times of freedom struggle... His portrait is installed in the Lok Sabha... His name should be taken with respect."

In Haryana, Khattar's problems stretch beyond farmers' protest

In Haryana, Khattar's problems stretch beyond farmers' protest

Rediff.com2 Aug 2021

Apart from the second pandemic upsurge in Haryana which devastated its cities and villages, in most districts panchayats stopped inviting BJP-JJP leaders to social gatherings, while a few announced a boycott.

Modi visits Akshardham temple, reaches out to Patels

Modi visits Akshardham temple, reaches out to Patels

Rediff.com2 Nov 2017

Modi did not speak much about politics but made a reference to the agitation by the Patels for quotas.

Will Yogi's citadel re-elect BJP?

Will Yogi's citadel re-elect BJP?

Rediff.com8 May 2019

Ravi Kishan, the BJP's candidate, is an outsider. The BSP-SP candidate is from the powerful Nishad community. Yogi faces a tough task in ensuring that the Gorakhpur seat, which he represented from 1998 to 2017, stays with the BJP.

'Rajputs feel their rights are being snatched'

'Rajputs feel their rights are being snatched'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

'The Rajputs feel they are being left behind.'

'There is no feeling of honour involved in these killings'

'There is no feeling of honour involved in these killings'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2016

'Most of those involved in these honour killings are the people who belong to the class that feels left out.' 'The high development index in a way is perpetuating conditions that result in social tension.' 'The only solution to the problem is politicise inter-caste marriages.'