News for 'caste politics'

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, once known for rubbing shoulders with the who's who of politics in Bihar, was allegedly shot dead near the state capital during an election campaign on Thursday, police said.

Arithmetic of caste politics will determine Tharoor's fate

Arithmetic of caste politics will determine Tharoor's fate

Rediff.com11 Apr 2014

'If the Nairs split between Shashi Tharoor and the BJP candidate, O Rajagopal and the Nadars combine with the Leftists and the Christians to vote for the CPI candidate, Bennet Abraham, what would happen to Tharoor. It is presumed that the voters do not cast their votes, they vote their castes,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Ashok Gehlot convinced the RJD leadership that the Congress had no issue about declaring Tejashwi as the Mahagathbandan's chief minister face.

True Stars Never Die

True Stars Never Die

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'I have always broken my image every time I went on screen. I don't know what it means to be a Greek God but people used to call me one.'

Dharmendra Was The He-Man Of Bollywood

Dharmendra Was The He-Man Of Bollywood

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

Dharmendra's demise means the loss of one of the biggest icons ever in the Hindi film firmament.

Infiltrators' wealth will be given to poor if....: Yogi at Bihar NDA rally

Infiltrators' wealth will be given to poor if....: Yogi at Bihar NDA rally

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Aditaynath alleged that the Congress, RJD and SP were "embracing" criminals in Bihar and allowing infiltrators to compromise with the state's security.

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'It flows through families, caste groups, and local WhatsApp communities where trust is personal.' 'Children are taught to defer to elders, so if a parent or uncle forwards something, you don't question it.'

'No Anti-Nitish Or Pro-Tejashwi Wave'

'No Anti-Nitish Or Pro-Tejashwi Wave'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'This will be a close election. At least now, it appears that the NDA has an edge.'

What To Watch On OTT In November

What To Watch On OTT In November

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

November is a busy month on OTT with several series arriving, in their next season after being vastly successful in earlier instalments.

No breakthrough in Karnataka cabinet meeting on caste census

No breakthrough in Karnataka cabinet meeting on caste census

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

A special cabinet meeting in Karnataka convened to discuss the contentious Social and Educational Survey report, popularly known as 'caste census', ended without a decision. The cabinet will reconvene on May 2 to discuss the report further and make a final decision.

UP: Elderly Dalit man forced to lick spot where he urinated

UP: Elderly Dalit man forced to lick spot where he urinated

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

An elderly Dalit man was allegedly forced to lick the ground near a temple on the outskirts of Lucknow after being accused of urinating there. The accused has been arrested, and the incident has sparked political outrage.

Delhi HC refuses to stay release of The Taj Story

Delhi HC refuses to stay release of The Taj Story

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The Delhi high court on Thursday refused to entertain a public interest litigation seeking a stay on the release of the Bollywood movie The Taj Story, scheduled to hit the screens on Friday.

'This Reshuffle Is Classic Modi-Shah Showmanship'

'This Reshuffle Is Classic Modi-Shah Showmanship'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'If the BJP seriously addresses employment, examination integrity and systemic corruption, they might salvage their position. Otherwise, they are heading toward serious trouble in 2027.'

Bihar polls: Will Oppn's SIR protests or NDA's dominance prevail?

Bihar polls: Will Oppn's SIR protests or NDA's dominance prevail?

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

An analysis of the upcoming Bihar elections, focusing on the key players, alliances, and issues that will shape the outcome. The article examines the strength of the ruling NDA coalition led by Nitish Kumar and the challenge posed by the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, as well as the potential impact of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party.

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.

'For The First Time, We Will Be Able To Say A Particular Caste Is More Backward Than The Other'

'For The First Time, We Will Be Able To Say A Particular Caste Is More Backward Than The Other'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

'For the first time in this country, perhaps the first time anywhere, we are going to use backwardness index.' 'It is a fundamental shift in the discourse in the country's social justice.'

Now, OBC activist threatens protests over Maratha quota

Now, OBC activist threatens protests over Maratha quota

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced forming a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of their Kunbi heritage, a social group classified as an OBC in the state.

Clash Of Bahubalis In Bihar's Mokama

Clash Of Bahubalis In Bihar's Mokama

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Mokama will witness one of this Bihar assembly election's hottest battles as Janata Dal-United candidate Anant Singh takes on the Rashtriya Janata Dal's Veena Devi, whose husband Surajbhan Singh, like her JD-U rival, is considered one of the state's tough guys or as they say in these parts, a Bahubali.

Pleas filed opposing Maratha quota in Bombay HC

Pleas filed opposing Maratha quota in Bombay HC

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

Petitions challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to issue Kunbi caste certificates to the Maratha community for reservation have been filed in the Bombay High Court. The pleas claim the decision is arbitrary and unconstitutional.

'Fruits Of Vikas Have Not Reached Dalits Under Nitish Kumar'

'Fruits Of Vikas Have Not Reached Dalits Under Nitish Kumar'

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'We have 38 Dalits who are MLAs and ministers. But that does not mean the Dalits of Bihar are prospering.'

Haryana DGP sent on leave amid IPS officer's suicide row

Haryana DGP sent on leave amid IPS officer's suicide row

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

In an eight-page "final note," purportedly left behind by Kumar, he accused eight senior IPS officers, including Kapur and Bijarniya, of "blatant caste-based discrimination, targeted mental harassment, public humiliation and atrocities."

Caste politics may be a game changer in Gujarat polls

Caste politics may be a game changer in Gujarat polls

Rediff.com5 Dec 2017

While the Congress is elated to see the new caste dynamics coming to its rescue, the BJP still believes that no one is leaving its ship.

Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani frontrunner in New York City mayoral race

Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani frontrunner in New York City mayoral race

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

New York City is preparing to elect a new mayor, with Zohran Kwame Mamdani, of Indian descent, leading the race. The election features Mamdani against Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.

Gau Bhakts To Enter Poll Fray In Bihar

Gau Bhakts To Enter Poll Fray In Bihar

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

'The Bihar assembly polls will open the eyes of everyone once the Gau Bhakts receive votes.'

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

A string of welfare schemes and promises tests the state's budget, which is already heavily dependent on central support and spends little as capital outlay.

Modi Updates Stalin's Election Strategy

Modi Updates Stalin's Election Strategy

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'Stalin's intention is plain and simple.' 'The DMK wants to convert what is an 'incumbency-centred' election for the party-led alliance into one more 'Modi/BJP election' after Stalin's successive success in 2019 and 2021, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

Nearly 15L new voters added in Maharashtra since assembly poll but...

Nearly 15L new voters added in Maharashtra since assembly poll but...

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

Mumbai suburban district saw an addition of 95,630 new voters, taking its tally to 77.81 lakh, while Mumbai city added 18,741 names, raising its voter base to 25.62 lakh.

Why Harsh Sanghvi Is So Important For Gujarat BJP

Why Harsh Sanghvi Is So Important For Gujarat BJP

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'He is a man of action and goes to the ground and solves the problem.' 'Be it the Air India crash of Ahmedabad, Morbi bridge collapse, Deesa blast or Gambhira bridge collapse, he is on the spot.'

Decision on caste census unlikely in near future: Sidda minister

Decision on caste census unlikely in near future: Sidda minister

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi has stated that a decision on the Social and Educational Survey report, popularly referred to as caste census, is unlikely in the near future and may take up to a year due to the complexities involved. He expressed concerns that any missteps in addressing the concerns raised by various castes over the report could cause problems for the ruling Congress party in the future. The cabinet is scheduled to take up the matter again on May 2.

Dr Shaibal Gupta on caste, politics and Bihar

Dr Shaibal Gupta on caste, politics and Bihar

Rediff.com20 Oct 2010

Bihar expert Dr Shaibal Gupta tells Sheela Bhatt why the upcoming assembly election is a benchmark in the state.

Nun's arrest: Chh'garh women's panel seeks FIRs against Bajrang Dal men

Nun's arrest: Chh'garh women's panel seeks FIRs against Bajrang Dal men

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Chhattisgarh State Women Commission has directed the Director General of Police to file FIRs based on complaints from three women who allege assault and molestation by Bajrang Dal workers. The women were initially involved in a human trafficking and forced conversion case.

Kerala Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution Against SIR

Kerala Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution Against SIR

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan questioned the attempts being made to implement the SIR in poll-bound Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal while the Constitutional validity of the Bihar SIR process is under consideration by the Supreme Court.

'BJP Is On Shaky Ground In Gujarat'

'BJP Is On Shaky Ground In Gujarat'

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

'The BJP will win comfortably if the Congress and AAP fight separately -- though not with 162 seats.' 'But if they form an alliance, it will become a major problem for the BJP. That's precisely why this expansion is happening now.'

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressed satisfaction over the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, stating that the exercise has 'purified' the voters' list after 22 years. He made the announcement during a press conference in Patna.

Bhujbal convenes OBC leaders' meet amid Jarange's Maratha quota stir

Bhujbal convenes OBC leaders' meet amid Jarange's Maratha quota stir

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal has convened a meeting of OBC leaders to discuss Manoj Jarange's demand for Maratha reservations under the OBC category.

'Doctor said, I will not treat a Muslim woman'

'Doctor said, I will not treat a Muslim woman'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

A controversy has erupted in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, after a Muslim woman alleged that a doctor at the district hospital refused to treat her on religious grounds. Hospital authorities deny the accusation, and an inquiry is underway. The incident has sparked political reactions and a police investigation into journalists who circulated the video of the allegation.

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

From Gujarat To Global Stage: Modi's 25 Year Journey

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'I disagree with much of Modi's politics, but it cannot be denied that in these years in office, he has carved more than a niche for himself in history,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

SC notice to BJP's Assam unit over 'Muslim takeover' video on X

SC notice to BJP's Assam unit over 'Muslim takeover' video on X

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

The application sought direction for 'X' to take down the video immediately to prevent further communal disharmony.

INDIA bloc names Tejashwi as CM face, Sahni as deputy

INDIA bloc names Tejashwi as CM face, Sahni as deputy

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

The opposition INDIA bloc has declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections.

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

India Needs SuperGen To Fight Corruption

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Correction of India's ills requires focussed direction of our energy. For this, we need a collective Conscience. We need Commitment. We need Cleanliness. We need Cooperation. We need Collaboration. We need Courtesy. And, we need enlightened Conversation, asserts Biswajit Dasgupta.