News for 'caste system'

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.

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.

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Modi Isn't Going To Retire On September 17

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'Mr Modi has the power and pre-eminence in the BJP-RSS to choose how long he wants to serve, and he is definitely going to want to contest in 2029.' 'He will only be 79, as old as Donald Trump now, and fitter,' observes Shekhar Gupta.

Is IMAX Luring More Audiences?

Is IMAX Luring More Audiences?

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

'We're witnessing a consistent surge in audience demand for IMAX screenings, particularly for high-octane, spectacle-driven films.'

Women We Admire: Savitribai Phule

Women We Admire: Savitribai Phule

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

This Women's Day week, we honour Savitribai Phule, India's first female teacher, who fearlessly fought for women's education, equality and social justice, reshaping the future for generations of women.

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Can Zohran Mamdani Be New York Mayor?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

Zohram Kwame Mamdani would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected New York mayor this November.

Rahul Gandhi defies ban, addresses students in Darbhanga

Rahul Gandhi defies ban, addresses students in Darbhanga

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to hold a caste census 'out of fear' of the country's deprived population, to which the opposition was lending its voice.

India pooled along Qatar, Bahrain for U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India pooled along Qatar, Bahrain for U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Qatar, the highest-seeded team among the four, will host Group H, with the matches slated to be played between September 1 to 9.

Modi's message in a battle: At Adampur, with S-400 in backdrop

Modi's message in a battle: At Adampur, with S-400 in backdrop

Rediff.com13 May 2025

T, which Pakistan claimed to have destroyed along with S-400 missile launchers. India had rubbished the claims and TV cameras following Modi corroborated that.

Why Tejashwi Threatened To Boycott Bihar Polls

Why Tejashwi Threatened To Boycott Bihar Polls

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'Talking about boycotting polls is simply a move to galvanise party leaders, workers, and supporters for the big political fight.'

'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.'

'What Indiscipline, Where Was It?'

'What Indiscipline, Where Was It?'

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

'His dismissal could backfire -- not just as a PR problem, but as a crack in the BJP's coalition of castes and communities.'

'After The Scene, He Broke Down And Wept'

'After The Scene, He Broke Down And Wept'

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

'The entire shoot paused after that.' 'There was a heaviness on set -- a shared recognition of the horror we were portraying.'

Entire system against him, this is dictatorship and Emergency: Sunita Kejriwal

Entire system against him, this is dictatorship and Emergency: Sunita Kejriwal

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

In a post on X in Hindi, Sunita said her husband got bail on June 20 in the excise policy-linked money laundering case and the Enforcement Directorate immediately got a stay.

Modi had intel 3 days before Pahalgam attack, but...: Kharge

Modi had intel 3 days before Pahalgam attack, but...: Kharge

Rediff.com6 May 2025

Kharge claimed that the Centre accepted "intelligence failure" in an all-party meeting and said it should be held accountable for "not reinforcing" security arrangements in Kashmir to protect people.

Don't bring down system like this, says SC in hearing on EVMs

Don't bring down system like this, says SC in hearing on EVMs

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

The Supreme Court on Tuesday deprecated criticism of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and calls for reverting to ballot papers, saying the electoral process in India is a "humongous task" and attempts should not be made to "bring down the system".

India's retaliatory tariff proposal may hurt trade pact talks with US: GTRI

India's retaliatory tariff proposal may hurt trade pact talks with US: GTRI

Rediff.com13 May 2025

India's proposal to impose retaliatory import duty on certain US products in response to American tariffs on steel and aluminium could cast a shadow over ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement between the two countries, think tank GTRI said on Tuesday. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that if the US engages in consultations with India on the matter or withdraws tariffs, a resolution may be reached.

Poor, women, youth, farmers are 'castes' for our govt: FM

Poor, women, youth, farmers are 'castes' for our govt: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

Presenting the interim budget for 2024-25, she said the government is working with an approach to ensure development that is all-round, all-pervasive and all-inclusive.

ISRO Will Spend 550 Cr On Shukla's ISS Trip

ISRO Will Spend 550 Cr On Shukla's ISS Trip

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

If Rakesh Sharma represented the dreams of a nascent India looking outward, Shubhanshu Shukla embodies a confident India reaching for the controls.

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

On the 134th birth anniversary of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Utkarsh Mishra revisits three incidents from Dr B R Ambedkar's life that lay bare the deeply entrenched nature of caste prejudice.

Four Indian cardinals eligible to vote for electing new pope

Four Indian cardinals eligible to vote for electing new pope

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Four cardinals from India, including two from Kerala, are eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave to elect the new Pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, as per the regulations. Anthony Poola, the Archbishop of Hyderabad; Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman; Cardinal Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Church; and George Koovakkad, the newly appointed cardinal, are the four who can cast votes in the upcoming conclave.

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.

Would ILP Have Prevented Raja's Murder?

Would ILP Have Prevented Raja's Murder?

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

'If inner line permit was in place in Meghalaya, the details of the three people who allegedly murdered Raja would have been on record.'

Pakistan will face ire of Indian Navy this time: Rajnath

Pakistan will face ire of Indian Navy this time: Rajnath

Rediff.com30 May 2025

In an interaction with naval warriors on board aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Goa, Singh sent a stern warning to Islamabad saying India will not hesitate to use the methods to deal with terrorism that Pakistan cannot even think of.

90% of women in police force serving as constables: Report

90% of women in police force serving as constables: Report

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

A new report, "India Justice Report 2025", highlights the stark gender disparity in India's police force, with less than 1,000 women holding senior positions like Director-Generals and Superintendents of Police. Despite growing awareness about the need for gender diversity in law enforcement, not a single state or Union Territory has met its target for women's representation in the police force. The report also emphasizes the significant challenges faced by the justice system as a whole, including infrastructural deficiencies, overcrowding in prisons, and inadequate staffing levels. The report calls for systemic reforms to address these issues and ensure a more equitable and accessible justice system for all.

How Subramanian Swamy Escaped Arrest During The Emergency

How Subramanian Swamy Escaped Arrest During The Emergency

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'Is it right and proper for the US authorities to allow people like Subrahmanya Swamy [sic] go round the country preaching murder, violence, overthrow of the duly elected Government of India?' A fascinating excerpt from Sugata Srinivasaraju's The Conscience Network: A Chronicle of Resistance to a Dictatorship.

California Senate passes bill banning caste discrimination

California Senate passes bill banning caste discrimination

Rediff.com12 May 2023

Promoters of the bill, being led by non-profit Equality Lab, said that a similar bill is being introduced in the State House of Representatives, before it can be sent to the Governor to be signed into a law.

AP: Fatwa against caste-based quota

AP: Fatwa against caste-based quota

Rediff.com20 Jun 2007

The Muslim United Action Committee and other Muslim organisations on Wednesday issued a fatwa, opposing the Andhra Pradesh government's move to provide reservation to Muslims in education and government jobs.

'Never in the history...': Dhankhar vs Kharge in RS

'Never in the history...': Dhankhar vs Kharge in RS

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

The acrimony started when Dhankhar aksed Pramod Tiwari of the Congress not to state unverified facts. To this, Ramesh said it would be authenticated.

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Why The South Is Worried About Delimitation

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

'Peninsular Indians could ask 'Why should we contribute half of India's tax revenues if we account for only a quarter of the seats in the Lok Sabha?'.' 'The rest of the country seems likely to counter that 'democracy means one vote per person irrespective of where that person resides in India'.' 'With no easy answers to this thorny debate, the south's economic ascendancy could end up creating a Hobson's choice.' A revealing excerpt from Nandita Rajhansa and Saurabh Mukherjea's book, Behold the Leviathan: The Unusual Rise of Modern India.

'PM does not eat chicken, Rs 7000 payment denied'

'PM does not eat chicken, Rs 7000 payment denied'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

The latest book, in Singh's words, is "not merely a recounting of events but a mosaic of narratives, each woven with the depth and nuances of storytelling".

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.

Maharashtra match was fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi's big claim

Maharashtra match was fixed, Bihar next: Rahul Gandhi's big claim

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections were a 'blueprint for rigging democracy' and this 'match-fixing' would next happen in Bihar and 'anywhere the Bharatiya Janata Party is losing'.

Gram Chikitsalay Review: Panchayat Redux

Gram Chikitsalay Review: Panchayat Redux

Rediff.com9 May 2025

Gram Chikitsalay uses the same template as Panchayat but with a fraction of its humour or charm, observes Deepa Gahlot.

'Everybody Is Scared'

'Everybody Is Scared'

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

'We want to hide it (by saying) we are too busy in our lives, we have other things to attend to, we have families.' 'But they all had families, including Jyotiba or Mahatma Gandhi, or anybody who challenged the system.'

Jorhat, Assam's Hidden Jewel

Jorhat, Assam's Hidden Jewel

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Jorhat has many attraction to offer for the discerning and offbeat traveller.

'Why Has Maharashtra Become So Cruel?'

'Why Has Maharashtra Become So Cruel?'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

'What attitude has spawned such gruesomeness in the state of Saint Tukaram, Saint Dnyaneshwar, and great leaders like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Chhatrapati Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar?'

'Make caste discrimination in schools and colleges a crime'

'Make caste discrimination in schools and colleges a crime'

Rediff.com1 Jun 2023

'The government should immediately enact an Act to make caste discrimination a criminal offence and lay down a procedure similar to that of the Anti-Ragging Act.' 'Ragging has nearly been eliminated because it is treated as a criminal offence.' 'Similar procedure should be used in case of caste discrimination.'

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Time To Embrace Inclusive Nationalism

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

'It is important India to stay focussed on its primary national objectives: Combating terrorism; not losing sight of other security and strategic concerns (on the Sino-Indian front for instance); ensuring a strong economy and registering growth which includes improving the lot of common people; and finally making certain that the social fabric remains intact and harmony among people is not jeopardised, at least any further,' asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

'Nobody Has The Right To Criticise My Dance Because Of My Skin Colour'

'Nobody Has The Right To Criticise My Dance Because Of My Skin Colour'

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

This is the story of a man who fought racism and casteism throughout his life to become a professor of Bharata Natyam at the premier centre for performing arts in India, the Kerala Kalamandalam.