The Centre on Tuesday submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court to defend its decision to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the economically weaker section (EWS) of the general category.

In the affidavit, the Centre said that the Constitution Amendment that gives 10% reservation has not violated the basic structure of the Constitution or Supreme Court ruling of 1992 which had put 50 per cent cap on the reservation.

The top court will hear on March 28 whether pleas challenging the Constitution Amendment giving 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the economically weak should be referred to a Constitution bench.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, had told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Monday that the issue involves the basic structure of the Constitution and should be heard by the five-judge Constitution bench.

The bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said it would hear arguments on March 28 whether the matter should be referred to a Constitution bench.

Earlier, the apex court had refused to stay the implementation of 10 per cent reservation given to the EWS in the general category in jobs and education.

The court was hearing pleas by NGOs and others.

One of the petitions, filed by Tehseen Poonawala, has challenged the 103rd Constitution amendment saying it was against the basic structure of Constitution, which does not allow for any reservation based on economic criteria.

The 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached, the plea said.

Youth for Equality has also sought the quashing of the Bill, stating that it violated the "equality code of the Constitution" as a reservation on economic grounds cannot be restricted to the general category.

By way of the present amendment, the exclusion of the OBCs and the SCs/STs from the scope of the economic reservation essentially implies that only those who are poor from the general category would avail the benefits of the quotas, the organisation has contended.&nbsp;

The Centre on Tuesday submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court to defend its decision to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the economically weaker section (EWS) of the general category.

The Centre on Tuesday submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court to defend its decision to give 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the economically weaker section (EWS) of the general category. In the affidavit, the Centre said that the Constitution Amendment that gives 10% reservation has not violated the basic structure of the Constitution or Supreme Court ruling of 1992 which had put 50 per cent cap on the reservation. The top court will hear on March 28 whether pleas challenging the Constitution Amendment giving 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to the economically weak should be referred to a Constitution bench. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, had told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Monday that the issue involves the basic structure of the Constitution and should be heard by the five-judge Constitution bench. The bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said it would hear arguments on March 28 whether the matter should be referred to a Constitution bench. Earlier, the apex court had refused to stay the implementation of 10 per cent reservation given to the EWS in the general category in jobs and education. The court was hearing pleas by NGOs and others. One of the petitions, filed by Tehseen Poonawala, has challenged the 103rd Constitution amendment saying it was against the basic structure of Constitution, which does not allow for any reservation based on economic criteria. The 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached, the plea said. Youth for Equality has also sought the quashing of the Bill, stating that it violated the "equality code of the Constitution" as a reservation on economic grounds cannot be restricted to the general category. By way of the present amendment, the exclusion of the OBCs and the SCs/STs from the scope of the economic reservation essentially implies that only those who are poor from the general category would avail the benefits of the quotas, the organisation has contended.

10% quota to economically weak does not violate basic Constitution structure: Centre to Supreme Court

Reservation has always been a game changer in Indian politics. The BJP was the only political party, which never tried to play it to its advantage. Thus far.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi by amending the Constitution to reserve ten per cent in education and jobs for the economically weaker sections has redefined reservation politics and introduced new poll chemistry that will influence the election outcome in 2019 in a big way. &nbsp;

For the first time, the party has a consolidated and committed vote bank. This segment, though largely inclined towards the BJP, has often been successfully weaned away by the Congress and regional outfits like the BSP, AIADMK, TRS, CPM, Trinamul, BJD and TDP.&nbsp;

The new Modi initiative has made it impossible for non-BJP parties to poach on this segment. Like demonetisation and the SC-ST Act 2018, it has made Modi the messiah of the poor, reinforcing the Prime Minister’s agenda of sab ka saath sab ka vikas.&nbsp;

Sadly, general apathy for the forward category people and the antipathy of a major section of intelligentsia and political class to the BJP, has prompted the media to underplay the move.&nbsp;

Opposition parties like the Congress, CPM, Samajwadi Party and BSP were so stunned that they grudgingly supported the Bill. It was passed within 48 hours of its introduction and made history when it became an Act, with presidential assent, within four days.&nbsp;

For the so-called general category, not covered under the 50 per cent reservation like the SC, ST and OBC, a long-standing demand had been fulfilled.&nbsp;

Supreme Court rulings had made it difficult for states and parties to think beyond 50 per cent. Hence, most reservation politics were working models tinkering with the 50 benchmark and including new categories within the existing quota.&nbsp;

The Congress, TDP and TRS repeatedly tried to tinker with OBC reservation by including the converted SC, ST, Christians and Muslims, Jats and Marathas in the SC, ST and OBC quota.&nbsp;

They also had tried to give five and seven per cent reservation for Muslims beyond the fifty per cent ceiling. These were struck down by courts.&nbsp;

So far only Tamil Nadu and Kerala have managed to cross the fifty per cent ceiling to accommodate the minorities.&nbsp;

Why the Modi amendment becomes a game changer is because it is going to alter the political narrative. It is bold because it has amended the Constitution and changed the ceiling itself.&nbsp;

It is innovative because it goes beyond castes and religions and includes the most egalitarian and welfarist idiom of economic backwardness, by replacing class instead of caste.&nbsp;

For the first time in India, the so-called upper castes consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Banias, Kayasth, Jat, Marathas and Patels will get reservation and matter as a major political factor.&nbsp;

In states like in Gujarat, Kshatriyas are included in the OBC category. The Modi initiative will take the fizz out of the Jat, Maratha and Patel reservation politics, which Ajit Singh in UP and Hardik Patel in Gujarat were playing.&nbsp;

In North Indian states like UP, Himachal, Uttarakhand, MP, Rajasthan, Haryana and Chhattisgarh, the upper caste population is over 30 per cent and this is bound to gravitate towards the BJP.&nbsp;

So far BJP has been accused of playing into SC/ST and OBC politics because of their exaggerated numerical predominance. Empirical studies have shown that these numbers are often manipulated and exaggerated in favour of minorities, the OBC and the SC/ST.&nbsp;

In the recent state polls in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the BJP lost because of wide perceptional resentment among the upper castes. In UP, for instance, in the context of the SP-BSP tie-up, the BJP is likely to benefit from a consolidation of its traditional base.&nbsp;

The new reservation policy will also help the BJP in a big way in the South. Here reservations have long been a very sensitive issue and the upper class found themselves in a hopeless condition.&nbsp;

Modi’s reformist move will give them fresh hope. For instance, in Kerala, the Nair community, which constitute 18 per cent of the population, has been actively campaigning for economic reservation for over six decades.&nbsp;

The Nair Service Society (NSS), which runs hundreds of educational institutions, have made representations to successive governments for this.&nbsp;

The UPA in 2004 had set up the Sinhu Committee to study the feasibility of reservations for Nairs. The Commission had submitted its report in 2009, but the UPA did not do anything further.

Now the NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair has written a letter profusely thanking the Prime Minister for “doing what nobody else had shown the courage”.&nbsp;

“When the Sinhu Commission submitted their report to the former UPA Government, we had expected favourable action from them. But they had put aside that report. After that, we had submitted our prayers and resolutions for your favourable consideration also. We reiterate our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for making the economic reservation of the forward community a reality with your strong determination”, wrote the NSS leader.&nbsp;

NSS, which follows a policy of equi-distance between all parties, though traditionally a majority of Nairs and upper castes have been LDF supporters, is now inching towards the BJP.&nbsp;

In about ten Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the NSS holds the key. The NSS, which is at the forefront of the agitation against the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala Temple tradition, has been moving away from the LDF, whose stance has angered the Hindu community.&nbsp;

Similarly, Lingayats in Karnataka, Reddys and Kammas in Andhra and Telangana and upper castes in Tamil Nadu who were in the AIADMK camp, will take a second look at the BJP after this.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-game-changer-for-2019-2708370">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

Reservation has always been a game changer in Indian politics. The BJP was the only political party, which never tried to play it to its advantage. Thus far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi by amending the Constitution to reserve ten per cent in education and jobs for the economically weaker sections has redefined reservation politics and introduced new poll chemistry that will influence the election outcome in 2019 in a big way.

Reservation has always been a game changer in Indian politics. The BJP was the only political party, which never tried to play it to its advantage. Thus far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi by amending the Constitution to reserve ten per cent in education and jobs for the economically weaker sections has redefined reservation politics and introduced new poll chemistry that will influence the election outcome in 2019 in a big way. For the first time, the party has a consolidated and committed vote bank. This segment, though largely inclined towards the BJP, has often been successfully weaned away by the Congress and regional outfits like the BSP, AIADMK, TRS, CPM, Trinamul, BJD and TDP. The new Modi initiative has made it impossible for non-BJP parties to poach on this segment. Like demonetisation and the SC-ST Act 2018, it has made Modi the messiah of the poor, reinforcing the Prime Minister’s agenda of sab ka saath sab ka vikas. Sadly, general apathy for the forward category people and the antipathy of a major section of intelligentsia and political class to the BJP, has prompted the media to underplay the move. Opposition parties like the Congress, CPM, Samajwadi Party and BSP were so stunned that they grudgingly supported the Bill. It was passed within 48 hours of its introduction and made history when it became an Act, with presidential assent, within four days. For the so-called general category, not covered under the 50 per cent reservation like the SC, ST and OBC, a long-standing demand had been fulfilled. Supreme Court rulings had made it difficult for states and parties to think beyond 50 per cent. Hence, most reservation politics were working models tinkering with the 50 benchmark and including new categories within the existing quota. The Congress, TDP and TRS repeatedly tried to tinker with OBC reservation by including the converted SC, ST, Christians and Muslims, Jats and Marathas in the SC, ST and OBC quota. They also had tried to give five and seven per cent reservation for Muslims beyond the fifty per cent ceiling. These were struck down by courts. So far only Tamil Nadu and Kerala have managed to cross the fifty per cent ceiling to accommodate the minorities. Why the Modi amendment becomes a game changer is because it is going to alter the political narrative. It is bold because it has amended the Constitution and changed the ceiling itself. It is innovative because it goes beyond castes and religions and includes the most egalitarian and welfarist idiom of economic backwardness, by replacing class instead of caste. For the first time in India, the so-called upper castes consisting of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Banias, Kayasth, Jat, Marathas and Patels will get reservation and matter as a major political factor. In states like in Gujarat, Kshatriyas are included in the OBC category. The Modi initiative will take the fizz out of the Jat, Maratha and Patel reservation politics, which Ajit Singh in UP and Hardik Patel in Gujarat were playing. In North Indian states like UP, Himachal, Uttarakhand, MP, Rajasthan, Haryana and Chhattisgarh, the upper caste population is over 30 per cent and this is bound to gravitate towards the BJP. So far BJP has been accused of playing into SC/ST and OBC politics because of their exaggerated numerical predominance. Empirical studies have shown that these numbers are often manipulated and exaggerated in favour of minorities, the OBC and the SC/ST. In the recent state polls in MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the BJP lost because of wide perceptional resentment among the upper castes. In UP, for instance, in the context of the SP-BSP tie-up, the BJP is likely to benefit from a consolidation of its traditional base. The new reservation policy will also help the BJP in a big way in the South. Here reservations have long been a very sensitive issue and the upper class found themselves in a hopeless condition. Modi’s reformist move will give them fresh hope. For instance, in Kerala, the Nair community, which constitute 18 per cent of the population, has been actively campaigning for economic reservation for over six decades. The Nair Service Society (NSS), which runs hundreds of educational institutions, have made representations to successive governments for this. The UPA in 2004 had set up the Sinhu Committee to study the feasibility of reservations for Nairs. The Commission had submitted its report in 2009, but the UPA did not do anything further. Now the NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair has written a letter profusely thanking the Prime Minister for “doing what nobody else had shown the courage”. “When the Sinhu Commission submitted their report to the former UPA Government, we had expected favourable action from them. But they had put aside that report. After that, we had submitted our prayers and resolutions for your favourable consideration also. We reiterate our sincere and heartfelt gratitude for making the economic reservation of the forward community a reality with your strong determination”, wrote the NSS leader. NSS, which follows a policy of equi-distance between all parties, though traditionally a majority of Nairs and upper castes have been LDF supporters, is now inching towards the BJP. In about ten Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, the NSS holds the key. The NSS, which is at the forefront of the agitation against the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala Temple tradition, has been moving away from the LDF, whose stance has angered the Hindu community. Similarly, Lingayats in Karnataka, Reddys and Kammas in Andhra and Telangana and upper castes in Tamil Nadu who were in the AIADMK camp, will take a second look at the BJP after this. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

10% quota for economically weak: A game changer for 2019

President Ram Nath Kovind has signed off on the bill providing for a 10% quota for the poor among the upper castes, thereby making it law.&nbsp;

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The bill was passed this week by both houses of parliament by large majorities. All it required after that was the president's assent.&nbsp;

The bill provides for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational institutions for the poor among the general quota.&nbsp;

The quota can be availed by people whose incomes are less than Rs 8 lakh an annum and who own less than five acres of land.&nbsp;

The bill however, coming as it does only a few months before the general elections, has been criticised as a cynical election sop.&nbsp;

President Ram Nath Kovind has signed off on the bill providing for a 10% quota for the poor among the upper castes, thereby making it law. President Ram Nath Kovind gives nod to 10% quota bill for economically weaker section in general category.

President Ram Nath Kovind has signed off on the bill providing for a 10% quota for the poor among the upper castes, thereby making it law. President Ram Nath Kovind gives nod to 10% quota bill for economically weaker section in general category. pic.twitter.com/PDvx3OD58u — ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2019 × The bill was passed this week by both houses of parliament by large majorities. All it required after that was the president's assent. The bill provides for a 10% quota in government jobs and educational institutions for the poor among the general quota. The quota can be availed by people whose incomes are less than Rs 8 lakh an annum and who own less than five acres of land. The bill however, coming as it does only a few months before the general elections, has been criticised as a cynical election sop.

President Kovind signs off on bill providing 10% quota for poor among upper castes, it is now law

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections in government jobs and educational institutions does not contravene the basic structure of the Constitution and termed the move the single greatest recognition for the poor in the general category.&nbsp;

He also accused the main opposition party Congress of only paying "lip sympathy" and grudgingly supporting the Constitution Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament earlier this week.

Caste in India was considered as a key determinant of either social or historical oppression as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or a determinant of social and educational backwardness as in the case of the Other Backward Classes, he said in a Facebook blog.&nbsp;

"Poverty, however, is a secular criteria" and it cuts across communities and religions," he said adding that "poverty as criteria for a carve-out does not in any way contravene the basic structure of the Constitution".

The union minister noted that the original Constitution (unamended) in its Preamble mentions equality of opportunity and justice for all whether political, social or economic to be ensured by the state.&nbsp;

The Preamble expresses the intent of the Constitution framers, he added.&nbsp;

"It is an aid to the interpretation of what constitutes the basic structure. Nor does the carve-out amongst the general non-reserved categories for 10 per cent of their poor in any way get restricted by the 50 per cent reservation embargo placed by the Supreme Court," said the senior BJP leader.&nbsp;

In the Indra Sawhney case, Jaitley said the Supreme Court had categorically mentioned that 50 per cent criteria applies only to the caste-based reservations envisaged in Article 16(4) of the Constitution.&nbsp;

Nonetheless, the Prime Minister's decision to force an agenda for poverty-based reservation is "the single greatest recognition/concern" for poor across the general categories and the need to eliminate poverty.&nbsp;

"The principal opposition party showed only lip sympathy for the measure and grudgingly supported it while poking holes in the same," the minister said.&nbsp;

He also highlighted other government's initiatives like housing for every rural poor, universal health scheme - Ayushman Bharat, and interest subvention, for economic upliftment of the poor.

On relief measures for the middle class, Jaitley said that in the last five years, not a single tax has been increased, GST has been brought down on most commodities, and income tax relief has been provided.

Commodities have been made cheaper, even though the revenue sacrificed now after the rates revision would be close to Rs 1 lakh crore, he said.

"This is the first time that during the five-year tenure of a government a Rs 2 lakh crore annual tax rebate for both direct and indirect taxes is given to the middle-class taxpayer without a single tax being increased," Jaitley said.

The finance minister further listed out measures taken by the present government for the upliftment and economic empowerment of the poor.&nbsp;

"There is a method for economically empowering the poor. Their purchasing power has improved. This helps trade and businesses which impacts positively on the economy.&nbsp;

"This is the first five-year tenure of a government where India has consistently remained the fastest growing economy in the world," he said.&nbsp;

"This indeed helps every Indian&nbsp;the poor, the neo-middle class, the middle class and, of course, the large business community", the minister added.&nbsp;

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections in government jobs and educational institutions does not contravene the basic structure of the Constitution and termed the move the single greatest recognition for the poor in the general category.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Friday said the 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections in government jobs and educational institutions does not contravene the basic structure of the Constitution and termed the move the single greatest recognition for the poor in the general category. He also accused the main opposition party Congress of only paying "lip sympathy" and grudgingly supporting the Constitution Amendment Bill, passed by Parliament earlier this week. Caste in India was considered as a key determinant of either social or historical oppression as in the case of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or a determinant of social and educational backwardness as in the case of the Other Backward Classes, he said in a Facebook blog. "Poverty, however, is a secular criteria" and it cuts across communities and religions," he said adding that "poverty as criteria for a carve-out does not in any way contravene the basic structure of the Constitution". The union minister noted that the original Constitution (unamended) in its Preamble mentions equality of opportunity and justice for all whether political, social or economic to be ensured by the state. The Preamble expresses the intent of the Constitution framers, he added. "It is an aid to the interpretation of what constitutes the basic structure. Nor does the carve-out amongst the general non-reserved categories for 10 per cent of their poor in any way get restricted by the 50 per cent reservation embargo placed by the Supreme Court," said the senior BJP leader. In the Indra Sawhney case, Jaitley said the Supreme Court had categorically mentioned that 50 per cent criteria applies only to the caste-based reservations envisaged in Article 16(4) of the Constitution. Nonetheless, the Prime Minister's decision to force an agenda for poverty-based reservation is "the single greatest recognition/concern" for poor across the general categories and the need to eliminate poverty. "The principal opposition party showed only lip sympathy for the measure and grudgingly supported it while poking holes in the same," the minister said. He also highlighted other government's initiatives like housing for every rural poor, universal health scheme - Ayushman Bharat, and interest subvention, for economic upliftment of the poor. On relief measures for the middle class, Jaitley said that in the last five years, not a single tax has been increased, GST has been brought down on most commodities, and income tax relief has been provided. Commodities have been made cheaper, even though the revenue sacrificed now after the rates revision would be close to Rs 1 lakh crore, he said. "This is the first time that during the five-year tenure of a government a Rs 2 lakh crore annual tax rebate for both direct and indirect taxes is given to the middle-class taxpayer without a single tax being increased," Jaitley said. The finance minister further listed out measures taken by the present government for the upliftment and economic empowerment of the poor. "There is a method for economically empowering the poor. Their purchasing power has improved. This helps trade and businesses which impacts positively on the economy. "This is the first five-year tenure of a government where India has consistently remained the fastest growing economy in the world," he said. "This indeed helps every Indian the poor, the neo-middle class, the middle class and, of course, the large business community", the minister added.

10% quota for poorer sections doesn't violate basic structure of Constitution: Jaitley

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-change-on-the-ground-under-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-army-chief-bipin-rawat-189394">No change on the ground under Pakistan PM Imran Khan: Army Chief Bipin Rawat</a>

He assured that the army has managed the situation both at the western and northern border and there is "no cause for concern."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/referendum-not-a-good-way-to-decide-on-brexit-spain-foreign-minister-to-wion-189392">Referendum not a good way to decide on Brexit: Spain foreign minister to WION</a>

In an exclusive interview to WION, Spain's foreign minister Josep Borrell said that India is a remarkable example of unity in diversity and that it has an important role to play together with the western democracies in combating terrorism.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/seek-assurance-from-india-on-currency-notes-of-higher-denomination-nepal-foreign-minister-to-wion-189396">Seek assurance from India on currency notes of higher denomination: Nepal foreign minister to WION</a>

Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, who is in India, spoke to WION's Siddhant Sibal on the ban on Indian currency notes and a host of other issues. He also called for reactivation of the Southeast Association of Regional Cooperation or Saarc.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/no-indian-content-to-be-aired-in-the-country-as-it-damages-our-culture-says-pak-chief-justice-189398">No Indian content to be aired in the country as it 'damages our culture', says Pak Chief Justice</a>

The Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar has said that the country's Supreme Court will not allow Indian shows to be aired on Pakistani TV channels. The court has stated that the shows damage the country's culture.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ranveer-singh-vicky-kaushal-alia-bhatt-and-others-feature-in-selfie-of-the-year-with-pm-modi-189416">Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Alia Bhatt and others feature in selfie of the year with PM Modi</a>

The meeting was facilitated by Karan Johar and had leading Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra in attendance. Ekta Kapoor, directors Rohit Shetty and Ashwini Iyer Tiwari were also part of the delegation.

No change on the ground under Pakistan PM Imran Khan: Army Chief Bipin Rawat He assured that the army has managed the situation both at the western and northern border and there is "no cause for concern.

No change on the ground under Pakistan PM Imran Khan: Army Chief Bipin Rawat He assured that the army has managed the situation both at the western and northern border and there is "no cause for concern." Referendum not a good way to decide on Brexit: Spain foreign minister to WION In an exclusive interview to WION, Spain's foreign minister Josep Borrell said that India is a remarkable example of unity in diversity and that it has an important role to play together with the western democracies in combating terrorism. Seek assurance from India on currency notes of higher denomination: Nepal foreign minister to WION Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali, who is in India, spoke to WION's Siddhant Sibal on the ban on Indian currency notes and a host of other issues. He also called for reactivation of the Southeast Association of Regional Cooperation or Saarc. No Indian content to be aired in the country as it 'damages our culture', says Pak Chief Justice The Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar has said that the country's Supreme Court will not allow Indian shows to be aired on Pakistani TV channels. The court has stated that the shows damage the country's culture. Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Alia Bhatt and others feature in selfie of the year with PM Modi The meeting was facilitated by Karan Johar and had leading Bollywood stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra in attendance. Ekta Kapoor, directors Rohit Shetty and Ashwini Iyer Tiwari were also part of the delegation.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/there-should-be-talks-with-the-taliban-army-chief-bipin-rawat-189220">There should be talks with the Taliban: Army chief Bipin Rawat</a>

Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said that "there should be talks with Taliban" but without any preconditions. Speaking at the fourth Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, he said talks with Taliban should happen "so long they don't come with a precondition and so long they look at lasting peace in Afghanistan and bring about stability in the country" and this is "in our interest, in region's interest, and it's in Pakistan's interest. We all want stability."

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-others-protest-as-government-moves-constitution-amendment-bill-in-rajya-sabha-189203">10% quota for poor: Congress, others protest as govt introduces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-others-protest-as-government-moves-constitution-amendment-bill-in-rajya-sabha-189203">bill</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-others-protest-as-government-moves-constitution-amendment-bill-in-rajya-sabha-189203"> in Rajya Sabha</a>

The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded the sending of the 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019' to a select committee, after the government introduced the key legislation.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-has-changed-but-still-much-work-to-do-malala-yousafzai-189223">Pakistan has changed but there's still much work to do: Malala Yousafzai</a>

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says Pakistan has changed since she left the country nearly six years ago after being attacked by the Taliban and there is more peace but a lot of work is left to be done.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bharat-bandh-2nd-day-violent-protests-rail-blockades-witnessed-in-many-states-189235">Day 2 of Bharat Bandh: Bank attacked in Kerala, stones pelted at school buses in WB</a>

Sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal and Kerala and rail blockades in certain states were witnessed Wednesday on the second day of Bharat Bandh, which also saw a partial disruption of banking and insurance services across the country.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/how-hardik-pandya-got-carried-away-comments-that-led-to-storm-and-show-cause-189240">How Hardik Pandya got 'carried away'; the comments that led to a storm and show cause notice</a>

It was meant to be a fun, no-holds-barred interaction but cricketer Hardik Pandya, by his own admission, got "carried away".

Appearing on "Koffee with Karan", hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, with teammate K L Rahul, Pandya's apparent loose talk on women and his sexuality took many by surprise.&nbsp;

Three days after the celebrity chat show aired on Sunday, the two cricketers on Wednesday were issued show cause notices by the BCCI, which took note of the massive outrage on social media and elsewhere. 
&nbsp;

There should be talks with the Taliban: Army chief Bipin Rawat Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said that "there should be talks with Taliban" but without any preconditions.

There should be talks with the Taliban: Army chief Bipin Rawat Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said that "there should be talks with Taliban" but without any preconditions. Speaking at the fourth Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, he said talks with Taliban should happen "so long they don't come with a precondition and so long they look at lasting peace in Afghanistan and bring about stability in the country" and this is "in our interest, in region's interest, and it's in Pakistan's interest. We all want stability." 10% quota for poor: Congress, others protest as govt introduces bill in Rajya Sabha The Congress and other opposition parties on Wednesday strongly protested in the Rajya Sabha and demanded the sending of the 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty- Four Amendment) Bill, 2019' to a select committee, after the government introduced the key legislation. Pakistan has changed but there's still much work to do: Malala Yousafzai Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says Pakistan has changed since she left the country nearly six years ago after being attacked by the Taliban and there is more peace but a lot of work is left to be done. Day 2 of Bharat Bandh: Bank attacked in Kerala, stones pelted at school buses in WB Sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal and Kerala and rail blockades in certain states were witnessed Wednesday on the second day of Bharat Bandh, which also saw a partial disruption of banking and insurance services across the country. How Hardik Pandya got 'carried away'; the comments that led to a storm and show cause notice It was meant to be a fun, no-holds-barred interaction but cricketer Hardik Pandya, by his own admission, got "carried away". Appearing on "Koffee with Karan", hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, with teammate K L Rahul, Pandya's apparent loose talk on women and his sexuality took many by surprise. Three days after the celebrity chat show aired on Sunday, the two cricketers on Wednesday were issued show cause notices by the BCCI, which took note of the massive outrage on social media and elsewhere.

The government's bill providing for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-10-quota-for-economically-weak-among-upper-castes-188798">a 10% quota for the poor among the general category</a> has been passed by the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

The bill was passed by a vote of 323 ayes versus only 3 nays.&nbsp;

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Lok Sabha passes Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019 with 323 'ayes'. The bill will provide reservation for economically weaker section of the society in higher educational institutions <a href="https://t.co/mzsHxQoUva">pic.twitter.com/mzsHxQoUva</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1082677656599040000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The 10% quota can be availed by people in the general category — that is everybody other than the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and the other backward&nbsp;classes — whose incomes are lower than Rs 8 lakh an annum and who own less than five acres of land.&nbsp;The quota is for government jobs and educational institutions.&nbsp;

The 10% quota however will take the current reservations offered by the central government above the 50% cap ordered by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

In the Lok Sabha debate on the bill on Tuesday, Finance Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/every-political-party-supported-quota-for-the-poor-in-general-category-jaitley-189059">Arun Jaitley said the 10% quota would not fall foul of the Supreme Court order</a>&nbsp;since the court's 50% cap on quotas was for caste-based reservations, while the government's quota was for the poor.&nbsp;

After the bill&nbsp;was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that the passage of the "Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nation’s history."&nbsp;&nbsp;

He added that his government was "resolutely committed to the principle of sabka saath, sabka vikas.&nbsp;

"It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities."

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We are resolutely committed to the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ 
 
It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1082689487409479680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on LS passes Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019: I felt good as my children used to ask me 'what about us, what about economically weak, will only caste matter?'. Many questions were answered today. It'll be very beneficial in the long run. <a href="https://t.co/saBTJXxoLC">pic.twitter.com/saBTJXxoLC</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1082689437618839553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Rajnath Singh: It's a historic bill. Those people who couldn't get the benefits of reservation till now will be benefited. It had been a demand of people since a long time. This bill has been brought in interest of the nation. I'm assured that it'll be passed in Rajya Sabha also <a href="https://t.co/S61LobNHHP">pic.twitter.com/S61LobNHHP</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1082685940718546945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The bill still has to be passed&nbsp;by the Rajya Sabha.

And it remains to be seen whether it will be challenged in the courts.&nbsp;

The government's bill providing for a 10% quota for the poor among the general category has been passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill was passed by a vote of 323 ayes versus only 3 nays.

The government's bill providing for a 10% quota for the poor among the general category has been passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill was passed by a vote of 323 ayes versus only 3 nays. Lok Sabha passes Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019 with 323 'ayes'. The bill will provide reservation for economically weaker section of the society in higher educational institutions pic.twitter.com/mzsHxQoUva — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × The 10% quota can be availed by people in the general category — that is everybody other than the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and the other backward classes — whose incomes are lower than Rs 8 lakh an annum and who own less than five acres of land. The quota is for government jobs and educational institutions. The 10% quota however will take the current reservations offered by the central government above the 50% cap ordered by the Supreme Court. In the Lok Sabha debate on the bill on Tuesday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the 10% quota would not fall foul of the Supreme Court order since the court's 50% cap on quotas was for caste-based reservations, while the government's quota was for the poor. After the bill was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that the passage of the "Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nation’s history." He added that his government was "resolutely committed to the principle of sabka saath, sabka vikas. "It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities." We are resolutely committed to the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’ It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 8, 2019 × Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on LS passes Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill, 2019: I felt good as my children used to ask me 'what about us, what about economically weak, will only caste matter?'. Many questions were answered today. It'll be very beneficial in the long run. pic.twitter.com/saBTJXxoLC — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × Rajnath Singh: It's a historic bill. Those people who couldn't get the benefits of reservation till now will be benefited. It had been a demand of people since a long time. This bill has been brought in interest of the nation. I'm assured that it'll be passed in Rajya Sabha also pic.twitter.com/S61LobNHHP — ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2019 × The bill still has to be passed by the Rajya Sabha. And it remains to be seen whether it will be challenged in the courts.

10% quota for poor in general category: Lok Sabha passes bill

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News brief: Big stories of the day

News brief: Big stories of the day

10% quota for poor in general category: Lok Sabha passes bill