News for 'backward-classes'

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.

Cong, BJP spar over Manmohan Singh's funeral site

Cong, BJP spar over Manmohan Singh's funeral site

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

The Congress on Saturday accused the Centre of insulting Dr Manmohan Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could later become his memorial.

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.

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.

Development, good governance win, lies suffer defeat: Modi on Maha win

Development, good governance win, lies suffer defeat: Modi on Maha win

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The Congress has tried to inflict capital punishment on true secularism, he claimed, asserting that the Waqf law has no place in the Constitution.

No error: SC says no to review verdict on sub-classification of SCs

No error: SC says no to review verdict on sub-classification of SCs

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

A seven-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra and Satish Chandra Sharma said there is no error apparent on the face of the record.

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.

'Few OBCs fielded': Cong media cell vice president quits

'Few OBCs fielded': Cong media cell vice president quits

Rediff.com15 Oct 2023

Hours after the Congress party released its first list of 144 candidates for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, Vice President of Congress Media Department Ajay Singh Yadav resigned from his post as fewer candidates from backward classes have been fielded by the party.

Rahul will have to reveal his caste if...: Assam CM

Rahul will have to reveal his caste if...: Assam CM

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

On Tuesday, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused BJP MP Anurag Thakur of "abusing and insulting" him during the Lok Sabha discussion on the Union Budget.

Anurag's caste jibe at Rahul expunged in heated Budget debate

Anurag's caste jibe at Rahul expunged in heated Budget debate

Rediff.com31 Jul 2024

Questioning the Congress's stand on caste census, the BJP leader made certain remarks on Gandhi's caste that triggered the uproar and had Congress members trooping into the well of the Lok Sabha. "Anurag Thakur insulted me and I don't want any apology from him. Abuse or insult me as hard as you can but don't forget we will pass the caste census in this Parliament for sure," the Leader of the Opposition said.

Siddaramaiah refuses to resign, to challenge Guv's sanction

Siddaramaiah refuses to resign, to challenge Guv's sanction

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday ruled out his resignation, following the Governor granting sanction to prosecute him, in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam', and said he had done no wrong to step down.

Waqf meet: TMC MP throws smashed glass bottle at Chair, suspended

Waqf meet: TMC MP throws smashed glass bottle at Chair, suspended

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

The meeting of the Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill took an ugly turn as the Trinamool Congress MP smashed a glass water bottle and threw it towards panel chairman Jagdambika Pal of the Bharatiya Janata Party during a heated exchange of words with BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former Calcutta high court judge.

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.

UPSC cracks down on IAS officer Puja Khedkar, files FIR for forgery

UPSC cracks down on IAS officer Puja Khedkar, files FIR for forgery

Rediff.com19 Jul 2024

Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, was accused of misusing power and privileges during her training in Pune recently.

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.'

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.

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.'

Controversial IAS officer Khedkar tried to get theft accused freed

Controversial IAS officer Khedkar tried to get theft accused freed

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

The Navi Mumbai police have reported to the Maharashtra government that controversial probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar had allegedly tried to pressure a Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officer to release a man held in a theft case, an official said on Friday.

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the grant of a quota within a quota, said on Thursday that the state governments cannot be selective in granting reservation benefits to backward classes as it will lead to a dangerous trend of appeasement.

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.

IAS officer Puja Khedkar's mother arrested for brandishing gun

IAS officer Puja Khedkar's mother arrested for brandishing gun

Rediff.com18 Jul 2024

Police had launched a search for Manorama and her husband Dilip Khedkar after a video surfaced showing her allegedly threatening some persons with a gun over a land dispute at Dhadwali village in Pune's Mulshi tehsil.

Will quit politics if CM says...: Fadnavis' dig at Jarang

Will quit politics if CM says...: Fadnavis' dig at Jarang

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

Jarange is a strident critic of the senior BJP leader and has routinely accused him of being the main obstacle in the Maratha community's quest for reservations.

Mahayuti Or MVA? Which Way Will Jarange Patil Tilt?

Mahayuti Or MVA? Which Way Will Jarange Patil Tilt?

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

If Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil drops a hint of supporting or opposing a particular coalition on the eve of polling on November 20, things may change overnight.

BJP makes inroads in Dalit, Jat strongholds of Haryana

BJP makes inroads in Dalit, Jat strongholds of Haryana

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which pulled off a hat-trick of wins in Haryana by bucking anti-incumbency, managed to make significant inroads into the Dalit seats and Jat strongholds.

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.

Cops recover pistol used by Puja Khedkar's mother

Cops recover pistol used by Puja Khedkar's mother

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

Police booked Puja's parents Manorama and Dilip and four others after a video surfaced showing her allegedly threatening some persons with a gun over a land dispute at Dhadwali village in the district's Mulshi tehsil in 2023.

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.

Will Udhayanidhi Stalin lead DMK in 2026 Tamil Nadu polls?

Will Udhayanidhi Stalin lead DMK in 2026 Tamil Nadu polls?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2024

The party, rallying in his support, campaigned that national icons like Periyar EV Ramasamy, Dr BR Ambedkar and Naryana Guru had spoken against discrimination including those based on a person's birth. That the Sanatan Dharma controversy cut no electoral ice in Tamil Nadu was also seen as a success for Udhayanidhi.

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.

Joining BJP because...: Champai Soren explains switch

Joining BJP because...: Champai Soren explains switch

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

The senior JMM leader, who briefly held the chief minister's post after Hemant Soren's resignation, said only the saffron party seems serious over the issue of tribals, while others are indulging in vote bank politics.

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.

Oppn will cooperate with Centre if....: Pawar on quota cap removal

Oppn will cooperate with Centre if....: Pawar on quota cap removal

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

At the state level, Pawar appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the quota dispute.

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.

Like Abhimanyu, India trapped in BJP's 'chakravyuh': Rahul

Like Abhimanyu, India trapped in BJP's 'chakravyuh': Rahul

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

Using the Mahabharat reference as a leitmotif, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed that an atmosphere of fear prevails all around with a group of six trapping the entire country in a 'chakravyuh' he promised would be broken by the INDIA bloc.

Khedkar family removes illegal structure after civic notice

Khedkar family removes illegal structure after civic notice

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

An 'illegal' structure near trainee Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar's family bungalow in Pune has been cleared, days after the civic body issued them a notice to remove it, an official said on Wednesday.

New methods needed to uplist SC/STs, says judge in quota verdict

New methods needed to uplist SC/STs, says judge in quota verdict

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

The reservation policy requires a fresh relook and new methods are needed for the uplift of people belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Schedule Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), Supreme Court judge Justice Pankaj Mithal said on Thursday.

Ayodhya gangrape survivor shifted to Lucknow hospital for better treatment

Ayodhya gangrape survivor shifted to Lucknow hospital for better treatment

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

She was referred to King George's Medical University as the women's hospital in Ayodhya did not have the facility to provide adequate treatment, the district's chief medical officer Sanjay Jain said.

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

Narsinghanand has several cases against him, including for allegedly making a hate speech at a conclave in Haridwar in December 2021, and was out on bail.

Govt panel to check out credentials of controversial Maha IAS officer

Govt panel to check out credentials of controversial Maha IAS officer

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

In a statement, the Centre said the probe would be conducted by an additional secretary-rank officer to verify the candidature claims and other details of the 2023 batch officer, who has been allotted the Maharashtra cadre.

Who Is To Be Blamed For BJP's UP Loss?

Who Is To Be Blamed For BJP's UP Loss?

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

There was an 8% decline in the BJP's vote share across six regions in UP, and that some OBC castes moved away from the BJP.