News for 'scheduled castes and tribes act'

Dalit family attacked in UP for holding wedding ceremony in hall

Dalit family attacked in UP for holding wedding ceremony in hall

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

The FIR based on a complaint by one of the victim's brother, Raghvendra Gautam, said a group of around 20 armed with sticks and rods stormed Swayamvar Marriage Hall around 10.30 pm and attacked those who were holding a wedding there.

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Karnataka govt tables bill for Muslim quota in public contracts

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

The Karnataka government has tabled a Bill in the Legislative Assembly to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts. The Bill aims to address unemployment among backward classes and promote their participation in government construction projects. The BJP has called the move an "unconstitutional misadventure" and vowed to oppose it.

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.

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.

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.

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Maha to issue Kunbi caste certificates to eligible Marathas

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The decision comes a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said a government-appointed committee scrutinised 1.72 crore old documents (including those of Nizam-era) and among them, 11,530 records were found where Kunbi caste was mentioned.

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.

'Not counting caste is as political an act as counting it'

'Not counting caste is as political an act as counting it'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

'The upper caste elite's belief that they are casteless is a belief that is available only to the upper castes. Because all the lower castes are reminded by society every day what their caste is.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Man gets life term for raping Covid patient in ambulance in Kerala

Man gets life term for raping Covid patient in ambulance in Kerala

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

A court in Kerala has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for brutally raping and physically assaulting a 19-year-old COVID-19 patient belonging to the Dalit community. The incident occurred in 2020 while the woman was being transported to a treatment center. The accused, Noufal, was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 2,12,000. The court found him guilty after a trial that involved examining 55 witnesses, reviewing 83 documents, and inspecting 12 material exhibits. The investigation was led by R Binu, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) in Adoor at the time.

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.

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.

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.

Convictions in atrocities on SC/STs a measly 25.7%, 20.8%

Convictions in atrocities on SC/STs a measly 25.7%, 20.8%

Rediff.com4 Apr 2018

Cases of atrocities on scheduled castes increased from 45,000 in 2014 to 40,800 2016. Cases of atrocities on scheduled tribes went from 11,451 in 2015 to 6,568 in 2016.

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.

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.

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

SC constitutes task force to address student suicides

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court of India has formed a National Task Force (NTF) to address the growing concern of student suicides in higher educational institutions. The court took note of the recurring cases and directed Delhi Police to register FIRs on the complaints of families of two students who died by suicide at IIT Delhi in 2023. The NTF, chaired by former apex court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat, will prepare a comprehensive report, including the identification of causes leading to suicides, analysis of existing regulations, and recommendations for strengthening protections. The NTF will also have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of higher educational institutions and make further recommendations to ensure a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns and eliminating suicides.

67 of 70 Congress candidates lose deposits in Delhi

67 of 70 Congress candidates lose deposits in Delhi

Rediff.com9 Feb 2025

Congress candidates lost their security deposits on all but three seats in the Delhi assembly polls as nearly 80 per cent of all contenders, including those contesting independently, forfeited their deposits.

Assam scribe held in second case after securing bail

Assam scribe held in second case after securing bail

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Assam journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder was arrested for a second time on Thursday after being granted bail in a previous case where he was accused of attempting to steal bank documents. The arrest came after Mozumder questioned the Managing Director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Limited about alleged financial irregularities. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Mozumder is not a "recognized journalist" as the government only recognizes journalists from print and electronic media.

'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.'

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.

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.

Karnataka minister booked under Atrocities Act for assaulting woman

Karnataka minister booked under Atrocities Act for assaulting woman

Rediff.com12 Sep 2023

Karnataka Minister D Sudhakar and three others have been booked by the police in Bengaluru based on a complaint by a woman alleging atrocities against her and her family and an assault on her daughter over a property dispute, police officials said on Tuesday.

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.

Cong lodges complaints with EC against Modi, Shah

Cong lodges complaints with EC against Modi, Shah

Rediff.com14 Nov 2024

The Congress has lodged complaints with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of making 'false, divisive, malicious and slanderous' statements during their recent election campaign.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UP: Dalit student hit for saying 'Jai Bhim-Jai Bharat'

UP: Dalit student hit for saying 'Jai Bhim-Jai Bharat'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Two students allegedly hit a Dalit student, who chanted 'Jai Bhim-Jai Bharat' after finishing his speech at the Republic Day function in a school in Narauli town of this district, police on Saturday said.

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.

'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.'

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.

6-yr-old deposes in court to get her rapist sentenced

6-yr-old deposes in court to get her rapist sentenced

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has sentenced a man to 20 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) for raping a minor girl in 2021, relying on the deposition of the six-year-old victim and other prosecution witnesses.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.