News for 'caste identity'

Our identity is...: TVK leader Vijay slams DMK in maiden speech; flays NEET

Our identity is...: TVK leader Vijay slams DMK in maiden speech; flays NEET

Rediff.com27 Oct 2024

In his maiden public speech eight months after announcing the launch of TVK, Vijay said the late veterans MG Ramachandran and NT Ramarao were ridiculed as mere cinema actors when they made their political plunge "but they continue to remain in the hearts of the people" of the respective states, i.e Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Vijay Or EPS: Who Will Fill Anti-DMK Space?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

The two weeks that EPS took fending off the Sengottaiyan rebellion has since become lost time for the AIADMK as that was also the time Vijay took to go all-out against Stalin and the DMK, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'Fraud on Constitution': SC rules against religious conversion for quota benefits

'Fraud on Constitution': SC rules against religious conversion for quota benefits

Rediff.com27 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that religious conversions undertaken solely to avail reservation benefits without genuine belief in the adopted religion amount to "fraud on the Constitution". The court upheld a Madras High Court decision denying a scheduled caste certificate to a woman who converted to Christianity but later claimed to be a Hindu to secure employment benefits.

From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Red Square and VDNKh easily rank among the most striking places I've visited -- both for their historical significance and architectural splendour.
My admiration for Russian culture, vision and ambition grew with every step as I clocked the miles, Nitin Sathe tells us after a visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

BJP wasn't in power then: EC sources on duplicate voters

BJP wasn't in power then: EC sources on duplicate voters

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Amid opposition allegations of manipulation of electoral rolls, sources in the Election Commission Monday said the matter related to duplicate voter identity card numbers is a 'legacy issue' with such cards being issued even between 2008 and 2013 when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance was not in power.

Neither panacea nor...: Anand Sharma differs with Cong over caste census

Neither panacea nor...: Anand Sharma differs with Cong over caste census

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

Sharma's letter comes at a time the Congress has intensified its demand for a nationwide caste census and promised to carry out the exercise if elected to power in the Lok Sabha elections.

'ECI Has No Right To Ask Anyone To Apologise'

'ECI Has No Right To Ask Anyone To Apologise'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'The EC should not have let the initiative go into the hands of the political leadership. By allowing this to happen, they have opened a Pandora's box.'

She was spared because...: Ramgopal Yadav's claim on Vyomika sparks row

She was spared because...: Ramgopal Yadav's claim on Vyomika sparks row

Rediff.com15 May 2025

The SP MP said when the mentality is bad, then instead of telling about the achievements of the army, people start talking about their own achievements.

'Every Citizen Will Become A Doubtful Voter'

'Every Citizen Will Become A Doubtful Voter'

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'Today, the State looks at everyone with suspicion.'

Film Body Wants Diljit Dosanjh Banned; He Reacts

Film Body Wants Diljit Dosanjh Banned; He Reacts

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Amid a storm surrounding his collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has taken to social media with a cryptic message.

Duplicate voter I-cards issue to be addressed in 3 months: EC

Duplicate voter I-cards issue to be addressed in 3 months: EC

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of a "scam" after the poll panel admitted to the existence of duplicate voter ID numbers. The ECI has said it will address the issue in the next three months. TMC leader Saket Gokhale alleged that the ECI is trying to "protect" someone and demanded answers about the extent of the duplication and why it took 25 years to address the problem.

Why BJP Wants JMM To Contest Bihar Polls

Why BJP Wants JMM To Contest Bihar Polls

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'It is good for us if the JMM contests. That will divide the Opposition and give us the upper hand.'

Bill in California Senate against caste-based discrimination

Bill in California Senate against caste-based discrimination

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

A bill seeking to explicitly ban caste discrimination has been introduced in the California Senate by a Democratic lawmaker, which, if passed, could make America's most populous state also the country's first to outlaw caste-based bias.

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.

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

>The Indian Army still uses old British-era names and recruits soldiers based on caste or region, which hurts national unity, argues Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (retd).

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Vijay, with his chief ministerial ambitions, is a one-man army, at least as of now, and his campaign team considers him omnipresent. He has to be present in all districts, if not all constituencies at the same time, as there is no second-line leader or platform speaker in the party, who can draw crowds, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Israel, Syria agree to US-brokered ceasefire amid Suwayda turmoil

Israel, Syria agree to US-brokered ceasefire amid Suwayda turmoil

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

The ceasefire follows Israeli airstrikes on Syria on Wednesday, which Israel said were carried out to protect the Druze, a minority Arab religious group.

Plan to separate Mumbai: Raj; Will stay together: Uddhav

Plan to separate Mumbai: Raj; Will stay together: Uddhav

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

MNS chief Raj Thackeray alleges the state government's three-language formula is a precursor to separating Mumbai from Maharashtra, speaking at a rally with Uddhav Thackeray.

'For The First Time Voters Will Have To Prove Their Indian Citizenship'

'For The First Time Voters Will Have To Prove Their Indian Citizenship'

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

'40 percent of voters in Bihar will be excluded.'

Spate of killings rock poll-bound Bihar

Spate of killings rock poll-bound Bihar

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

A surge in violent crimes, including targeted killings, has raised concerns about law and order in Bihar. Police attribute the rise to the widespread availability of illegal firearms and ammunition.

Kerala ex-CM, veteran CPM leader Achuthanandan dies at 101

Kerala ex-CM, veteran CPM leader Achuthanandan dies at 101

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran CPI(M) leader V S Achuthanandan, a key figure in Kerala's political history, died on Monday at the age of 101. He was a founding member of the CPI(M) and served as Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011.

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

There is no guarantee that if we speak in only Indian languages, all our faults will be washed away and India will shine. Why then do they bully and belittle the English-speaking? asks Shyam G Menon.

EC to set up mobile phone deposit facility at polling stations

EC to set up mobile phone deposit facility at polling stations

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that it will set up mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations to ensure that voters do not have to carry their phones inside the polling booth. This decision was taken after it was observed that several voters were concealing their phones in their clothes due to the absence of a facility to deposit it. The ECI has also rationalized the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of the polling station.

When Ramdev can reveal identity, why can't Rehman: Yoga guru on Kanwar Yatra order

When Ramdev can reveal identity, why can't Rehman: Yoga guru on Kanwar Yatra order

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

Ramdev said one does not need to hide their name, but do one's work with truth and honesty.

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".

Ready for June's OTT Line-Up?

Ready for June's OTT Line-Up?

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

It's going to be an exciting month for OTT as numerous titles across languages will premiere online.

Bihar's Revision Of Voters List: What's Cooking?

Bihar's Revision Of Voters List: What's Cooking?

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'The Election Commission is conducting the National Register of Citizens in Bihar through the backdoor.'

SC-ST Act applicable only if there is intention to humiliate: SC

SC-ST Act applicable only if there is intention to humiliate: SC

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

An offence under the SC-ST Act is not established merely on the fact that the complainant is a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe community unless there is an intention to humiliate, the Supreme Court said on Friday.

TMC gives 24-hr ultimatum to EC to 'accept mistake'

TMC gives 24-hr ultimatum to EC to 'accept mistake'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) accept its error in issuing duplicate voter card numbers within 24 hours, threatening to release more documents on the issue if the EC fails to do so. The party alleged that the EC issued the statement after the TMC announced it would hold a press conference on the issue, and termed it an "Epic Scam." The EC had said it would rectify the issue and update its technology-driven platform, but the TMC insists the EC must accept the error. The party also demanded an in-depth probe into the matter.

Pahalgam attack: Kashmir newspapers print black front pages in protest

Pahalgam attack: Kashmir newspapers print black front pages in protest

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Several prominent newspapers in Kashmir on Wednesday printed their front pages black to protest the brutal terrorist attack that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead in the Pahalgam hill resort the previous day.

England V India 2025 Will Be Talked About For Years

England V India 2025 Will Be Talked About For Years

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Across five fiercely contested Tests, more than 7,000 runs were scored, including a record-equalling 21 individual centuries. Every match stretched into a gripping fifth day. The sun shone, the stands were full, and the cricket -- emotional, enthralling, and endlessly unpredictable -- captured imaginations around the world.

PIX: Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool parade, 27 in hospital

PIX: Car ploughs into fans at Liverpool parade, 27 in hospital

Rediff.com27 May 2025

A car ploughed into a crowd of Liverpool fans during a parade celebrating their side's English Premier League title triumph on Monday, hospitalising 27 people, with two seriously injured.

Just Who Was Mahatma Phule?

Just Who Was Mahatma Phule?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

The latest biopic on Jyotibai Phule has come at a time when the Department of Taking Offence is super-active. Utkarsh Mishra feels it will be interesting to see if it portrays his attack on Brahminism in the same 'no holds barred' manner-- and, if it does, what reaction it provokes.

California governor vetoes anti-caste discrimination bill

California governor vetoes anti-caste discrimination bill

Rediff.com8 Oct 2023

The governor's move has been welcomed by a large segment of the Indian-American community who were opposing the bill.

'Identity politics responsible for Manipur situation'

'Identity politics responsible for Manipur situation'

Rediff.com20 Jun 2023

'The State uses identity politics as part of divide and rule; the militant groups too use identity politics and civil society groups are also divided along ethnic groups.'

'Schools cannot compel students to disclose caste'

'Schools cannot compel students to disclose caste'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2007

The bench, however, dismissed a PIL filed by an 81-year-old freedom fighter, Salemvelu Gandhi alias Velu, from Tamil Nadu who sought a complete ban on "caste disclosure" forms circulated by schools to students during admissions.

Sambhal predates Islam, Vishnu temple destroyed in 1526: Yogi

Sambhal predates Islam, Vishnu temple destroyed in 1526: Yogi

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that forcibly seizing someone's faith and trampling over their beliefs is "unacceptable," especially "when we know the truth about Sambhal" which predates Islam, with the Vishnu temple there being destroyed in 1526. He said that Sambhal has been mentioned in scriptures that are 5,000 years old, which contain references to Lord Vishnu's future incarnation. He also mentioned that a temple of Lord Vishnu in Sambhal was demolished in 1526, and two years later, in 1528, the Ram temple in Ayodhya was destroyed, both acts carried out by the same person.

Bihar caste survey out; OBCs, EBCs 63% of population

Bihar caste survey out; OBCs, EBCs 63% of population

Rediff.com2 Oct 2023

According to the data released in Patna by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state's total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the EBCs (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the OBCs at 27.13 per cent.

Pune businessman abducted, murdered in Bihar; 7 arrested

Pune businessman abducted, murdered in Bihar; 7 arrested

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

Laxman Sadhu Shinde's body was found in Bihar's Jehanabad district on Tuesday. He had landed at the Patna airport on April 11.

Apology could've saved the situation, HC tells Kamal Haasan

Apology could've saved the situation, HC tells Kamal Haasan

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

The Karnataka high court on Tuesday strongly criticised actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his recent remark suggesting that "Kannada was born out of Tamil", and observed that a "single apology could have resolved the situation."