News for 'scheduled castes and scheduled tribes act'

Plea in SC seeks probe into demand for proof of periods from women

Plea in SC seeks probe into demand for proof of periods from women

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre and others on a plea alleging that female sanitation workers at the Maharashi Dayanand University in Haryana were asked to prove through pictures of their private parts that they were menstruating.

UGC issue: New rules won't be discriminatory or misused, says govt

UGC issue: New rules won't be discriminatory or misused, says govt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

The new UGC regulations mandating all higher education institutions to form "equity committees" to look into discrimination complaints and promote equity were notified on January 13.

Court to Decide on Bail for Couple Accused of Racially Abusing Neighbours

Court to Decide on Bail for Couple Accused of Racially Abusing Neighbours

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

A Delhi court has reserved its order on the bail plea of a couple accused of hurling racial slurs at their neighbours from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The arguments were presented by both parties, with the court set to deliver its decision on Tuesday.

BJP files plaint against Kerala rapper over anti-Modi, casteist song

BJP files plaint against Kerala rapper over anti-Modi, casteist song

Rediff.com23 May 2025

A BJP leader from Palakkad, Kerala, has filed a complaint against popular rapper Vedan, accusing him of defaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promoting caste-based division through his music. The complaint, filed with the Union Home Ministry and NIA, alleges that one of Vedan's songs contains defamatory remarks about the Prime Minister and inflammatory language aimed at dividing the Hindu community along caste lines. The complaint also highlights Vedan's past legal issues, including his arrest on April 28 in connection with a drug case. Vedan has denied the allegations, claiming that the criticism is part of a broader attempt to portray him as an extremist.

'People Will Tilt Towards BJP After Caste Census'

'People Will Tilt Towards BJP After Caste Census'

Rediff.com2 May 2025

'There were deep discussions within the Sangh Parivar before this decision was made.' 'They were convinced, and only then did the Modi government proceed with the caste census.'

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with top officials to address concerns related to the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The government is considering actions based on a complaint filed by Kumar's wife.

SIT formed to probe Haryana IPS officer's suicide

SIT formed to probe Haryana IPS officer's suicide

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Chandigarh Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the suicide case of Haryana police officer Y Puran Kumar, ensuring a prompt and thorough investigation.

Bihar govt moves SC challenging HC verdict striking down quota hike

Bihar govt moves SC challenging HC verdict striking down quota hike

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

The Bihar government has moved the Supreme Court challenging a Patna high court verdict that has set aside the amended reservation laws in the state, which enabled the Nitish Kumar government to increase the quotas for Dalits, tribals and backward classes from 50 per cent to 65 per cent.

Dalit family 'ostracised' in Telangana; 16 held

Dalit family 'ostracised' in Telangana; 16 held

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

Sixteen people of a village in Medak district of Telangana were arrested for allegedly enforcing a social boycott on members of a Dalit family after they refused to play 'Dappu' (percussion instrument) during village ceremonies, police said on Tuesday.

IPS officer's wife claims harassment led to his suicide

IPS officer's wife claims harassment led to his suicide

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

The wife of a Haryana Police officer who allegedly died by suicide has claimed his death was the result of 'systematic persecution' by high-ranking officers and has filed a complaint requesting an FIR be registered.

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Census exercise with caste enumeration will be carried out with the reference date of October 1, 2026, in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and of March 1, 2027, in the rest of the country, the Home Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Haryana IPS officer's suicide note alleges anti-Dalit bias, names DGP

Haryana IPS officer's suicide note alleges anti-Dalit bias, names DGP

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

A senior Haryana Police officer's suspected suicide has sparked controversy after a note he left behind accused senior officers of harassment and caste-based discrimination. His wife has demanded an FIR against the state police chief.

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.

'Will BJP Abolish Reservations?'

'Will BJP Abolish Reservations?'

Rediff.com14 May 2024

'In Western UP, last time a lot of Dalits voted for the BJP.' 'This time, there is a rethink among Dalits about the extent of their support for the BJP.'

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.

Dalit boy tied, beaten up for plucking pomegranate in Telangana

Dalit boy tied, beaten up for plucking pomegranate in Telangana

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

A 14-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly tied up and beaten by a man on the outskirts of Hyderabad for plucking a pomegranate from his house, police said on Wednesday.

To call Dalit by caste is an offence: SC

To call Dalit by caste is an offence: SC

Rediff.com19 Apr 2011

Calling a Dalit by his caste with a view to insulting him or her is an offence under Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), the Supreme Court has ruled, upholding the conviction of two persons in Tamil Nadu.

Tribal woman assaulted, forced to eat human faeces in Odisha

Tribal woman assaulted, forced to eat human faeces in Odisha

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the woman's agricultural land, causing damage to crops, to which she protested.

Uttam Nagar Holi Clash: Victim's Family Seeks CBI Investigation After House Demolition

Uttam Nagar Holi Clash: Victim's Family Seeks CBI Investigation After House Demolition

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Following the demolition of a house linked to an accused in the Uttam Nagar Holi clash, the victim's family is demanding a CBI probe and strict action against all those involved in the incident.

DMK MP, 5 others held over clash

DMK MP, 5 others held over clash

Rediff.com29 Mar 2011

J K Ritheesh, a Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam member of Parliament and five others were arrested in connection with a clash between his partymen and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam-All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam workers at Kalavankudi in the district, police said here on Tuesday.

The Politics of A Caste Census

The Politics of A Caste Census

Rediff.com2 May 2025

While data can empower communities, it reinforces identities, making local politics more caste-centric, with decisions increasingly contested on the grounds of representation.

Such dynamics could lead to shifting alliances and, in the worst case, local governance getting paralysed as each group demands proportional power-sharing, explain Amitabh Kundu and Mehebub Rahaman.

SC to consider listing all pleas on SC/ST Act together

SC to consider listing all pleas on SC/ST Act together

Rediff.com25 Jan 2019

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it will consider and do the needful.

Haryana IPS suicide: Wife asks why DGP not named in FIR

Haryana IPS suicide: Wife asks why DGP not named in FIR

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The wife of a senior Haryana police officer who allegedly committed suicide has questioned the FIR filed in the case, citing incomplete information and seeking amendments to include all accused and reflect appropriate sections of the SC/ST Act.

SC/ST Act: SC to give verdict on Centre's plea on Friday

SC/ST Act: SC to give verdict on Centre's plea on Friday

Rediff.com12 Sep 2019

The verdict had led to massive outcry and violent protests by different SC/ST organisations across the country in which several people had died and many injured.

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Why UGC's New Equity Rules Finally Have Teeth

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

'What has changed is that the new regulations are backed by a clear enforcement framework. They have real consequences and, for the first time, make compliance unavoidable.'

Sonia should apologise to the nation,says Mayawati

Sonia should apologise to the nation,says Mayawati

Rediff.com16 Jul 2009

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday demanded that the Centre book UP Congress Committee president Ritu Bahuguna Joshi, for her alleged inflammatory comments against the Bahujan Samaj Party chief, under the Prevention of Atrocities Act against Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.Mayawati condemned the language used by the Congress' state unit chief and said that BSP workers were so upset that they wanted to take to the streets.

One lakh cases of atrocities against SC/STs pending

One lakh cases of atrocities against SC/STs pending

Rediff.com17 May 2012

With over one lakh cases of atrocities against members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe pending, the government is considering amendments in the existing law to fast-track the trial, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said during Question Hour that a concept note was sent to state governments for comments on amending the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

SC once again refuses to stay amendments to SC/ST Act

SC once again refuses to stay amendments to SC/ST Act

Rediff.com30 Jan 2019

The bench refused to stay the amendments to the SC/ST Act after senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for one of the petitioners who had challenged the changes made to the Act, sought an immediate stay on it.

Dalit boy stripped, forced to dance for wire theft

Dalit boy stripped, forced to dance for wire theft

Rediff.com14 Sep 2024

A purported video showing the boy dancing to a song with four to five men sitting around surfaced online. In the video, the men were compelling the boy to dance with a smile.

Parl passes bill to club 7 TN castes in one nomenclature

Parl passes bill to club 7 TN castes in one nomenclature

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill-2021 to club seven castes in poll-bound Tamil Nadu under one nomenclature of Devendrakula Vellalars.

Odisha college girl blackmailed by boyfriend, gang-raped for days

Odisha college girl blackmailed by boyfriend, gang-raped for days

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

Six people, including a minor, were arrested for allegedly raping a 19-year-old college student for several days and videographing the act in Odisha's Cuttack district, police said on Friday.

SC refers govt's plea to review SC/ST Act verdict to 3-judge bench

SC refers govt's plea to review SC/ST Act verdict to 3-judge bench

Rediff.com13 Sep 2019

The top court had on May 1 reserved the judgment on the Centre's review plea while observing that laws in the country should be caste neutral and uniform.

Gujarat hikes OBC quota in local bodies to 27 pc, leaves SC/STs untouched

Gujarat hikes OBC quota in local bodies to 27 pc, leaves SC/STs untouched

Rediff.com29 Aug 2023

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in Gujarat on Tuesday announced 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities and civic corporations on the basis of a commission's report, paving the way for polls in these self-governing institutes.

Maximum cases of atrocities against SC/STs in MP

Maximum cases of atrocities against SC/STs in MP

Rediff.com21 Apr 2008

A total of 5,711 cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have been registered in Madhya Pradesh in 2006, while in Rajasthan, the number was 4,877.Northeastern states of Meghalaya and Mizoram registered zero cases of atrocities against SC/STs and similar was the case with Lakshwadeep and Puducherry.In Uttar Pradesh, 4,838 cases were registered, 4,579 in Andhra Pradesh and 1,918 in Karnataka.

Govt considering ordinance route to overturn SC/ST act verdict

Govt considering ordinance route to overturn SC/ST act verdict

Rediff.com15 Apr 2018

Sources say promulgating an ordinance to restore the original provisions would help calm tempers.

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Assam assembly passes bill to ban polygamy, tribals kept out

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a bill to ban polygamy, making it an offence which may lead to a maximum of 10 years of imprisonment, barring some exceptions.

Got offer to conduct encounter of Walmik Karad: Suspended cop

Got offer to conduct encounter of Walmik Karad: Suspended cop

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

A suspended police sub-inspector from Beed, Maharashtra, India, has alleged that he was offered money to carry out an "encounter" of Walmik Karad, an accused in the murder case of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The suspended cop, Ranjeet Kasle, claims he mentioned the names of the individuals who made the offer in a local police station diary. However, a senior police official from Beed has dismissed Kasle's claims as baseless and demanded proof. Kasle was suspended earlier while serving as a sub-inspector in the local cyber crime department. Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village, was abducted and killed last December allegedly for attempting to stop extortion targeting an energy company. Karad is among eight individuals arrested in connection with the murder and charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The state Crime Investigation Department (CID) filed a chargesheet in the case last month. Kasle's claims come amidst ongoing investigations into the custodial death of Badlapur sexual assault case accused Akshay Shinde. Kasle has demanded a central government SIT to investigate Shinde's death, believing it will reveal the truth.

SC quashes criminal case against DMK MP R S Bharathi under SC/ST Act

SC quashes criminal case against DMK MP R S Bharathi under SC/ST Act

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

A bench comprising justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose closed the criminal case against the lawmaker after holding that his speech did not fulfill the ingredients to attract the offenses for which he has been charged.

SC refuses to stay Patna HC order on Bihar's 65% quota

SC refuses to stay Patna HC order on Bihar's 65% quota

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwla and Manoj Misra, however, agrees to hear as many as 10 petitions of the Bihar government against the Patna HC verdict.

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Karnataka assembly clears 4% Muslim quota in contracts

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed a Bill providing 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts, sparking protests from the opposition BJP. The Bill, which amends the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, aims to increase Muslim participation in government contracts valued up to Rs 2 crore for civil works and Rs 1 crore for goods and services. The BJP criticized the move as unconstitutional and vowed to challenge it in court.