The caste census report in Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state, presented in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, recommends increasing reservation in education and employment for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state from 32 per cent to 51 per cent. Implementation of the recommendation would raise total reservation in the state to 85 per cent, after adding 10 per cent for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 24 per cent for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST).&nbsp; The commission has also advised the Siddaramaiah government to implement horizontal reservation within employment quotas.
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The panel&rsquo;s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent.&nbsp; Referring to this data, the report contends that increasing reservation in proportion to the population is necessary for equitable distribution of government benefits and opportunities. &ldquo;Although the population of backward classes has increased by 69.6 per cent from the survey, the present commission has observed that even half of the population in the state of Karnataka does not have the reservation. If reservation is not given to backward classes on the basis of population, government facilities will not be distributed equally,&rdquo; the panel said. Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-of-georgia-introduces-bill-to-recognise-hinduphobia-and-anti-hindu-prejudice-8952805" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US' State of Georgia introduces bill to recognise Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu prejudice</a> The Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the caste census, was submitted in February 2024 but was presented before the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday. The state cabinet will discuss the report in a special meeting on April 17 before taking a decision on adopting the recommendations. In 2014, during his first tenure as CM, Siddaramaiah had ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census, and a committee headed by then Backward Classes Commission chairman, H Kantharaju, conducted a survey at a cost of around Rs 169 crore, but its report was put in cold storage. Opposition parties, the BJP and JD(S), have opposed the implementation of the report. Major caste groups&mdash;the Lingayats and Vokkaligas&mdash;alleged the report has done injustice to them in terms of their population representation.
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-78-to-undergo-checkup-says-never-felt-better-will-his-reports-be-made-public-8951391" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Trump, 78, to undergo checkup, says &lsquo;never felt better&rsquo;; will his reports be made public?</a> Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, said the caste census report prepared by the Siddaramaiah government was not scientific. &ldquo;The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah&rsquo;s instructions. Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, am saying that a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone&rsquo;s benefit,&rdquo; Ashoka said. Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/father-son-duo-among-3-killed-in-west-bengal-as-protest-against-new-waqf-law-turns-violent-8955166" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">3 killed in West Bengal as protests against Waqf law turn violent; Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces</a> Siddaramaiah said the caste census was conducted scientifically and his government would implement it. &ldquo;We have accepted the caste census report and will certainly implement it in the coming days. There is no doubt regarding this,&rdquo; he said.

India News: The panel’s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent.

The caste census report in Karnataka, a Congress-ruled state, presented in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday, recommends increasing reservation in education and employment for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state from 32 per cent to 51 per cent. Implementation of the recommendation would raise total reservation in the state to 85 per cent, after adding 10 per cent for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and 24 per cent for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST). The commission has also advised the Siddaramaiah government to implement horizontal reservation within employment quotas. Also Read | Indian pharma warehouse in Ukraine hit by Russian missile: Ukrainian embassy The panel’s proposal is based on the findings of a recent caste survey, which estimated the population of backward classes in the state at nearly 70 per cent. Referring to this data, the report contends that increasing reservation in proportion to the population is necessary for equitable distribution of government benefits and opportunities. “Although the population of backward classes has increased by 69.6 per cent from the survey, the present commission has observed that even half of the population in the state of Karnataka does not have the reservation. If reservation is not given to backward classes on the basis of population, government facilities will not be distributed equally,” the panel said. Also Read | US' State of Georgia introduces bill to recognise Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu prejudice The Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the caste census, was submitted in February 2024 but was presented before the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday. The state cabinet will discuss the report in a special meeting on April 17 before taking a decision on adopting the recommendations. In 2014, during his first tenure as CM, Siddaramaiah had ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census, and a committee headed by then Backward Classes Commission chairman, H Kantharaju, conducted a survey at a cost of around Rs 169 crore, but its report was put in cold storage. Opposition parties, the BJP and JD(S), have opposed the implementation of the report. Major caste groups—the Lingayats and Vokkaligas—alleged the report has done injustice to them in terms of their population representation. Also Read | Trump, 78, to undergo checkup, says ‘never felt better’; will his reports be made public? Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, R Ashoka, said the caste census report prepared by the Siddaramaiah government was not scientific. “The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions. Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, am saying that a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone’s benefit,” Ashoka said. Also Read | 3 killed in West Bengal as protests against Waqf law turn violent; Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces Siddaramaiah said the caste census was conducted scientifically and his government would implement it. “We have accepted the caste census report and will certainly implement it in the coming days. There is no doubt regarding this,” he said.

Karnataka caste census panel recommends increasing OBC quota from 32% to 51%, stirs debate

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), an Indian government body, has recommended an increase in the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector employment in Indian states of Punjab and West Bengal, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (May 16).

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), an Indian government body, has recommended an increase in the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public sector employment in Indian states of Punjab and West Bengal, the news agency PTI reported on Thursday (May 16). At present, Punjab allocates 25 per cent of public employment positions to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 12 per cent to OBCs. In an advisory, the NCBC proposed enhancing the OBC quota by an additional 13%, bringing the total OBC reservation in public employment to 25%. This adjustment would adhere to the Supreme Court's ceiling of up to 50 per cent reservation for socially and educationally backward classes. Also read | 'BJP will scrap Muslim reservation and give it to SC, ST, OBC,' asserts Amit Shah In West Bengal, the reservation quota for SCs is 22 per cent, for Scheduled Tribes (STs) is six per cent, and for OBCs is 17 per cent, concerning services and posts under the control of the state in establishments run or aided by the government. The NCBC said that in Bengal 17% reservation for the Other Backward Classes in respect of services and posts has been ensured. "Thus the total reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes for public employment comes to 45%," the commission added. Also watch | PM Modi & NCBC question Karnataka govt for giving all Muslims OBC reservation × The NCBC also observed that the remaining five per cent quota in public employment under the control of the state government may be enhanced concerning OBCs as per the ceiling up to 50 per cent in compliance with Supreme Court directions. The advisory said that the above decisions by the NCBC came following a review of the current reservation policies, oral statements and documentary evidence, aiming to align with the directives laid out by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney case. (With inputs from agencies)

Centre recommends increase in reservation quota for OBCs in public employment in Punjab, West Bengal

Launching a scathing attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that he was not born in an Other Backward Class family and that he has been "misleading" people by identifying himself as belonging to an OBC category.&nbsp;

Delivering a brief speech on the third and last day of his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in the India state of Odisha, Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi "was born in a family that belonged to the general caste".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-congresss-rahul-gandhi-promises-to-remove-50-reservation-cap-if-india-bloc-wins-polls-687295">India: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi promises to remove 50% reservation cap if INDIA bloc wins polls</a>

"Modi ji has been misleading the people by saying that he is an OBC. He was born in a family of the Teli caste, which was included in the OBC list during the BJP government's tenure in Gujarat in 2000. Therefore, Modi ji is not an OBC by birth," emphasised the Congress MP.

<h2>PM Modi avoids shaking hands with OBCs, hugs billionaires: Gandhi&nbsp;</h2>

Congress leader further alleged that Prime Minister Modi avoids shaking hands with OBCs, however, he "hugs billionaires".&nbsp;

The former Congress president, wearing a white t-shirt, resumed the yatra from the Old Bus Stand on Thursday (Feb 8) and walked towards Kissan Chowk in an open jeep.&nbsp;

"He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his entire life because he was not born in OBC, he was born in general caste," said Gandhi.

He was accompanied by OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak and AICC leader Ajoy Kumar.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra runs into rough weather in East India

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The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be entering Chhattisgarh from neighbouring Odisha on Thursday (Feb 8).&nbsp;

This will be the first visit of Gandhi to Chhattisgarh after the November 2023 Assembly elections, in which his party was defeated. &nbsp;

The yatra, after a two-day break, started from Manipur on January 14 and is set to cross the Raigarh, Sakti and Korba districts on February 11.

On February 14, the yatra will travel to Jharkhand from Balrampur.

(With inputs from agencies)

Launching a scathing attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that he was not born in an Other Backward Class family and that he has been "misleading" people by identifying himself as belonging to an OBC category.

Launching a scathing attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that he was not born in an Other Backward Class family and that he has been "misleading" people by identifying himself as belonging to an OBC category. Delivering a brief speech on the third and last day of his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in the India state of Odisha, Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi "was born in a family that belonged to the general caste". Also read: India: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi promises to remove 50% reservation cap if INDIA bloc wins polls "Modi ji has been misleading the people by saying that he is an OBC. He was born in a family of the Teli caste, which was included in the OBC list during the BJP government's tenure in Gujarat in 2000. Therefore, Modi ji is not an OBC by birth," emphasised the Congress MP. PM Modi avoids shaking hands with OBCs, hugs billionaires: Gandhi Congress leader further alleged that Prime Minister Modi avoids shaking hands with OBCs, however, he "hugs billionaires". The former Congress president, wearing a white t-shirt, resumed the yatra from the Old Bus Stand on Thursday (Feb 8) and walked towards Kissan Chowk in an open jeep. "He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his entire life because he was not born in OBC, he was born in general caste," said Gandhi. He was accompanied by OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak and AICC leader Ajoy Kumar. Watch: Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra runs into rough weather in East India The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will be entering Chhattisgarh from neighbouring Odisha on Thursday (Feb 8). This will be the first visit of Gandhi to Chhattisgarh after the November 2023 Assembly elections, in which his party was defeated. The yatra, after a two-day break, started from Manipur on January 14 and is set to cross the Raigarh, Sakti and Korba districts on February 11. On February 14, the yatra will travel to Jharkhand from Balrampur. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian PM Modi not 'OBC' but 'general caste' by birth, alleges Rahul Gandhi

Bihar cabinet cleared quota hike. The move started a political slugfest. A proposal has been passed to raise the Reservation quota for SCs, STs, OBCs and EWS .The quota has been increased to a total of 75% from the existing 50% .

Bihar cabinet approves to hike reservation quota to 75%

From the academic year 2021-22, the Government of India will provide 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental degrees.

According to the government, the decision will help almost 5,500 students each year.

It was dubbed a "landmark decision" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

"Our government has taken a landmark decision for providing 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses from the current academic year," Modi tweeted.

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This will immensely help thousands of our youth every year get better opportunities and create a new paradigm of social justice in our country.
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According to a statement released by the health ministry, Prime Minister Modi asked the central&nbsp;ministries concerned to enable an appropriate solution to this long-pending matter at a meeting held on Monday.&nbsp;

"This decision would benefit nearly 1,500 OBC students in MBBS and 2,500 OBC students in post-graduation and also around 550 EWS students in MBBS and around 1,000 EWS students in post-graduation," it said.

"The present government is committed to providing due reservation both to the backward category as well as the EWS category. The Union government has now taken a historic decision to provide for 27 per cent reservation for OBCs and 10 per cent reservation for EWS in the AIQ scheme," the ministry stated. 
 
OBC students from across the country will now be eligible to compete for seats in any state thanks to this reservation in the AIQ system.

Because this is a central system, the Central List of OBCs will be used.&nbsp;

The AIQ system was established in 1986 in response to Supreme Court orders to provide domicile-free merit-based chances to students from any state who wanted to study medicine in a good medical school in another state.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

From the academic year 2021-22, the Government of India will provide 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental degrees.

From the academic year 2021-22, the Government of India will provide 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) under the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental degrees. According to the government, the decision will help almost 5,500 students each year. It was dubbed a "landmark decision" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Our government has taken a landmark decision for providing 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses from the current academic year," Modi tweeted. This will immensely help thousands of our youth every year get better opportunities and create a new paradigm of social justice in our country. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2021 × According to a statement released by the health ministry, Prime Minister Modi asked the central ministries concerned to enable an appropriate solution to this long-pending matter at a meeting held on Monday. "This decision would benefit nearly 1,500 OBC students in MBBS and 2,500 OBC students in post-graduation and also around 550 EWS students in MBBS and around 1,000 EWS students in post-graduation," it said. "The present government is committed to providing due reservation both to the backward category as well as the EWS category. The Union government has now taken a historic decision to provide for 27 per cent reservation for OBCs and 10 per cent reservation for EWS in the AIQ scheme," the ministry stated. OBC students from across the country will now be eligible to compete for seats in any state thanks to this reservation in the AIQ system. Because this is a central system, the Central List of OBCs will be used. The AIQ system was established in 1986 in response to Supreme Court orders to provide domicile-free merit-based chances to students from any state who wanted to study medicine in a good medical school in another state. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian govt announces 27% reservation for other backward classes, 10% for economically weaker sections in medical education

Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has approved an ordinance to increase reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent.

The move is seen as an effort by the Kamal Nath-led Congress government to gain the support of the OBCs ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections, due from April-May.

It also comes before the model code of conduct for the general elections which is set to be announced soon.

Earlier on March 6, the Chief Minister had announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for OBCs from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in Madhya Pradesh.

The Chief Minister had also assured that 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in the general category will also be implemented in the state.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has approved an ordinance to increase reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent. The move is seen as an effort by the Kamal Nath-led Congress government to gain the support of the OBCs ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections, due from April-May.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has approved an ordinance to increase reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 14 per cent to 27 per cent. The move is seen as an effort by the Kamal Nath-led Congress government to gain the support of the OBCs ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections, due from April-May. It also comes before the model code of conduct for the general elections which is set to be announced soon. Earlier on March 6, the Chief Minister had announced that his government will increase the reservation quota for OBCs from 14 per cent to 27 per cent in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister had also assured that 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section in the general category will also be implemented in the state.

Madhya Pradesh governor passes ordinance to increase OBC quota

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/obc-outfit-to-challenge-maratha-reservation-in-court-180304">The Bombay High Court </a>Wednesday sought to know if the Maharashtra government had conducted any study or survey before issuing a notification in 1967 inducting several castes in the OBC category for reservation.

A division bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist B A Sarate challenging the inclusion of several castes in the Other Backward Class (OBC) group.

Sarate's counsel V M Thorat told the HC that out of the 96 castes included in the OBC category, nearly 40 per cent were not even eligible for reservation.

"Inclusion of these castes is unconstitutional. There is a procedure laid down while deciding which caste should be included in a particular category for reservation. The government is not following this procedure," Thorat said.

The bench then sought to know if the government had carried out any study or survey before issuing the Government Resolution (GR) in 1967 inducting a particular caste in the OBC category.

The petitioner has challenged the GR enlisting 180 castes and sub-castes for inclusion in the OBC category, and also another GR, dated March 1994, which increased the OBC quota percentage from 14 per cent to 32 per cent.

The petition claimed that various castes or communities were included in the OBC category without any survey, quantifiable data, investigation to determine the social, educational and economic backwardness.

"There has to be a comprehensive commission to carry out study and collect data. This is what the petition also seeks," Chief Justice Patil said.

The bench then directed that the petition be placed for hearing before an appropriate bench next week.

B A Sarate's counsel V M Thorat told the HC that out of the 96 castes included in the OBC category, nearly 40 per cent were not even eligible for reservation.

The Bombay High Court Wednesday sought to know if the Maharashtra government had conducted any study or survey before issuing a notification in 1967 inducting several castes in the OBC category for reservation. A division bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist B A Sarate challenging the inclusion of several castes in the Other Backward Class (OBC) group. Sarate's counsel V M Thorat told the HC that out of the 96 castes included in the OBC category, nearly 40 per cent were not even eligible for reservation. "Inclusion of these castes is unconstitutional. There is a procedure laid down while deciding which caste should be included in a particular category for reservation. The government is not following this procedure," Thorat said. The bench then sought to know if the government had carried out any study or survey before issuing the Government Resolution (GR) in 1967 inducting a particular caste in the OBC category. The petitioner has challenged the GR enlisting 180 castes and sub-castes for inclusion in the OBC category, and also another GR, dated March 1994, which increased the OBC quota percentage from 14 per cent to 32 per cent. The petition claimed that various castes or communities were included in the OBC category without any survey, quantifiable data, investigation to determine the social, educational and economic backwardness. "There has to be a comprehensive commission to carry out study and collect data. This is what the petition also seeks," Chief Justice Patil said. The bench then directed that the petition be placed for hearing before an appropriate bench next week.

Inclusion of castes in OBC group: Bombay HC seeks Maharashtra response on PIL

Reserved category constables who underwent a medical examination at a government hospital in Dhar had their castes marked on their chests, an exercise the district police administration said was not authorised.

More than 200 newly recruited constables were examined at the Dhar district hospital from Wednesday to measure their physical parameters like height, weight etc. A couple of police officials were also present during the medical examination by doctors.

Dhar Superintendent of Police Veerendra Singh admitted that castes were marked on the candidates’ chests. “There was no ill will. They must have done it for convenience because the number of constables was very high,” he said.

Sources in the health department said the medical examination of the more than 300 recruits to the district police and special armed force in Dhar began at the district government hospital on Wednesday.&nbsp

The ongoing medical examination, mandatory before joining duty, is being conducted by a medical board headed by Dr Sushil Kumar Khare, a civil surgeon at the district hospital.

Dhar Superintendent of Police Veerendra Singh admitted that castes were marked on the candidates’ chests. "There was no ill will. They must have done it for convenience because the number of constables was very high," he said.

Reserved category constables who underwent a medical examination at a government hospital in Dhar had their castes marked on their chests, an exercise the district police administration said was not authorised. More than 200 newly recruited constables were examined at the Dhar district hospital from Wednesday to measure their physical parameters like height, weight etc. A couple of police officials were also present during the medical examination by doctors. Dhar Superintendent of Police Veerendra Singh admitted that castes were marked on the candidates’ chests. “There was no ill will. They must have done it for convenience because the number of constables was very high,” he said. Sources in the health department said the medical examination of the more than 300 recruits to the district police and special armed force in Dhar began at the district government hospital on Wednesday. The ongoing medical examination, mandatory before joining duty, is being conducted by a medical board headed by Dr Sushil Kumar Khare, a civil surgeon at the district hospital.

SC, ST, OBC markings seen on chests of new recruits, MP police order probe

Three more&nbspwere arrested in connection with the violent agitation during the countrywide April 2 Bharat Bandh.

Overall 90 people have been arrested in the case. Also, more than 40 cases have been registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code.

Arrested persons have been identified as Dhiraj Kumar, Sumit and Arjun were arrested.

Last Friday, police has also arrested the BSP district president of Muzaffarnagar Kamal Gautam for allegedly inciting violence.

Violence erupted earlier this week during the protests organised&nbspby various Dalit communities across North India against the latest amendment of Scheduled Caster and Scheduled Tribe Act.

Protesters turned violent at several places which resulted in the death of at least 11 people and destruction of property.

The Supreme Court order bans the automatic arrest and filing of cases against people accused under the act. The court had wanted to put a stop to frivolous allegations, but the Dalits view the move as a watering down of the act. India's Dalit community still faces massive discrimination and violence at the hands of India's upper caste and OBC communities.

&nbsp

Overall 90 people have been arrested in the case. Also, more than 40 cases have been registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code

Three more&nbspwere arrested in connection with the violent agitation during the countrywide April 2 Bharat Bandh. Overall 90 people have been arrested in the case. Also, more than 40 cases have been registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code. Arrested persons have been identified as Dhiraj Kumar, Sumit and Arjun were arrested. Last Friday, police has also arrested the BSP district president of Muzaffarnagar Kamal Gautam for allegedly inciting violence. Violence erupted earlier this week during the protests organised&nbspby various Dalit communities across North India against the latest amendment of Scheduled Caster and Scheduled Tribe Act. Protesters turned violent at several places which resulted in the death of at least 11 people and destruction of property. The Supreme Court order bans the automatic arrest and filing of cases against people accused under the act. The court had wanted to put a stop to frivolous allegations, but the Dalits view the move as a watering down of the act. India's Dalit community still faces massive discrimination and violence at the hands of India's upper caste and OBC communities.

Bharat bandh violence: 3 more held in Muzaffarnagar

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi writes to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao requesting him for de-reservation of Urdu medium posts.

His request has come due to non-availability of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class candidates in Urdu medium.

According to the 1950 Presidential order in Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists can be Dalits and not Christians or Muslims.

The order initially said that a non- Hindu could not be regarded as a Scheduled Caste. This order was further amended in 1956 and 1990 to include Sikhs and Buddhists respectively.

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Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi writes to Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao requesting him for de reservation of Urdu medium posts due to non availability of ST/SC/BC candidates in Urdu medium. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/IHYauej0De">pic.twitter.com/IHYauej0De</a>
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His request has come due to non-availability of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class candidates in Urdu medium

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi writes to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao requesting him for de-reservation of Urdu medium posts. His request has come due to non-availability of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class candidates in Urdu medium. According to the 1950 Presidential order in Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists can be Dalits and not Christians or Muslims. The order initially said that a non- Hindu could not be regarded as a Scheduled Caste. This order was further amended in 1956 and 1990 to include Sikhs and Buddhists respectively. Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi writes to Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao requesting him for de reservation of Urdu medium posts due to non availability of ST/SC/BC candidates in Urdu medium. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/IHYauej0De — ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2018 ×

Asaduddin Owaisi demands de-reservation

Dalit history by Dalit historians for Dalit consumers has always had a different perspective. Celebrating the victory of British-led Mahar Regiment against the Peshwas is not new but violence meted out to the Dalit on this occasion was first in the recent past. The violence in itself was a telling reminder of the fact that, in this country, the Dalits have an alternate perspective of historical issues and its engagement with Sanatan Dharma.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

There is nothing wrong in Dalits celebrating the victory as Peshwai, like many other medieval institutions, was casteist.

&nbsp;

The Dalits continue to be orphans in the Hindu pantheon. They are needed to gain numbers in electoral politics but are not accorded social, political and cultural space in our society. Seven decades into post-colonial India, the Dalits still don&rsquo;t have an intellectual or political say in what they consider to be the history of their own lived past.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Even to the &#39;Father of the Nation&#39;, matters concerning the Dalit community was not about the Dalits in the final analysis; it always had to be in a subsidiary position with the main concern being the integrity of the Hindu community at large. This mindset was amply evident in the conclusion of the Poona Pact.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Even now, Dalit issues get related to questions of conversion, purity, pollution and, lately, anti-nationalism. Consequently, political discrimination and violence does not remain limited to political space. Dalits continue to witness violence which manifests itself in the form of rape and public humiliation.

&nbsp;

The point is that, with Constitution, the rights of Dalits have been enshrined but its accommodation at the level of the leadership and sacred has not taken place. After Babu Jagjivan Ram, there has been no national Dalit national leader in post-independent India. Ambedkar, despite being the &#39;Father of the Constitution&#39; could not rally Dalits as a political constituency after independence. The community had already electorally invested itself with Gandhinian vision, and voted for the Congress party.

&nbsp;

A disillusioned Ambedkar converted to Buddhism. His disappointment was more than one; not only have the Dalits failed to emerge as a political constituency, the moral landscape also remained unaltered. Ambedkar died a bitter man.

&nbsp;

The violence in Maharashtra, specifically, has less to do with Hinduism and more to do with Hindutva. Shivaji, a fantastic historical figure, has been appropriated by the nationalistic discourse. So, in the process, he has been situated beyond criticism. The evaluation makes Shivaji a human being which ultimately deconstructs the macho nationalistic discourse because it thrives on fantasy. It is this fantasy which denies Dalits their right to breathe and live a different history.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;The violence by the dominant caste in this context should not be surprising. The dominant castes have been agitating throughout India on a number of issues over the past 10 years. Two things have happened simultaneously. Whether it is Patel in Gujarat or Jats in UP or Maratha in Maharashtra, all of them want jobs. The dominant castes have run their course in Indian contemporary history. This is the bitter truth. When India became independent, they were not well represented and still saw the world from the angle of socialist politics which was being led by OBC leaders who championed the agrarian cause.

&nbsp;

Within 25 years after independence, not only the dominant castes came to dominate the assemblies but also ended up controlling the land. India&rsquo;s Prime Minister Charan Singh heralded this shift. Despite being a Jat, he was far more focused building a broader alliance of backward leaders. From Laloo to Nitish, all started their careers under him.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;Today, the land is not giving money and the communities are not invested fully in other economic activities. On top of it, everyone cannot get reservation. Lastly, they have been Sanskritised and feel more at home with upper castes than Dalits under whose name the biggest of OBC politicians have done socialist politics in India.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is this tectonic shift which is visible through this violence. In desperation, it latches on to pride and past. It does three things: it discredits them; it tells us that how far dominant castes are removed from their point of political origin. The dominant caste movement, which was socialist and more agrarian in outlook under Charan Singh, today has become completely castist. The rest have been incorporated by Hindutva. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

There is nothing wrong in Dalits celebrating the victory as Peshwai, like many other medieval institutions, was casteist.

Dalit history by Dalit historians for Dalit consumers has always had a different perspective. Celebrating the victory of British-led Mahar Regiment against the Peshwas is not new but violence meted out to the Dalit on this occasion was first in the recent past. The violence in itself was a telling reminder of the fact that, in this country, the Dalits have an alternate perspective of historical issues and its engagement with Sanatan Dharma. There is nothing wrong in Dalits celebrating the victory as Peshwai, like many other medieval institutions, was casteist. The Dalits continue to be orphans in the Hindu pantheon. They are needed to gain numbers in electoral politics but are not accorded social, political and cultural space in our society. Seven decades into post-colonial India, the Dalits still don’t have an intellectual or political say in what they consider to be the history of their own lived past. Even to the 'Father of the Nation', matters concerning the Dalit community was not about the Dalits in the final analysis; it always had to be in a subsidiary position with the main concern being the integrity of the Hindu community at large. This mindset was amply evident in the conclusion of the Poona Pact. Even now, Dalit issues get related to questions of conversion, purity, pollution and, lately, anti-nationalism. Consequently, political discrimination and violence does not remain limited to political space. Dalits continue to witness violence which manifests itself in the form of rape and public humiliation. The point is that, with Constitution, the rights of Dalits have been enshrined but its accommodation at the level of the leadership and sacred has not taken place. After Babu Jagjivan Ram, there has been no national Dalit national leader in post-independent India. Ambedkar, despite being the 'Father of the Constitution' could not rally Dalits as a political constituency after independence. The community had already electorally invested itself with Gandhinian vision, and voted for the Congress party. A disillusioned Ambedkar converted to Buddhism. His disappointment was more than one; not only have the Dalits failed to emerge as a political constituency, the moral landscape also remained unaltered. Ambedkar died a bitter man. The violence in Maharashtra, specifically, has less to do with Hinduism and more to do with Hindutva. Shivaji, a fantastic historical figure, has been appropriated by the nationalistic discourse. So, in the process, he has been situated beyond criticism. The evaluation makes Shivaji a human being which ultimately deconstructs the macho nationalistic discourse because it thrives on fantasy. It is this fantasy which denies Dalits their right to breathe and live a different history. The violence by the dominant caste in this context should not be surprising. The dominant castes have been agitating throughout India on a number of issues over the past 10 years. Two things have happened simultaneously. Whether it is Patel in Gujarat or Jats in UP or Maratha in Maharashtra, all of them want jobs. The dominant castes have run their course in Indian contemporary history. This is the bitter truth. When India became independent, they were not well represented and still saw the world from the angle of socialist politics which was being led by OBC leaders who championed the agrarian cause. Within 25 years after independence, not only the dominant castes came to dominate the assemblies but also ended up controlling the land. India’s Prime Minister Charan Singh heralded this shift. Despite being a Jat, he was far more focused building a broader alliance of backward leaders. From Laloo to Nitish, all started their careers under him. Today, the land is not giving money and the communities are not invested fully in other economic activities. On top of it, everyone cannot get reservation. Lastly, they have been Sanskritised and feel more at home with upper castes than Dalits under whose name the biggest of OBC politicians have done socialist politics in India. It is this tectonic shift which is visible through this violence. In desperation, it latches on to pride and past. It does three things: it discredits them; it tells us that how far dominant castes are removed from their point of political origin. The dominant caste movement, which was socialist and more agrarian in outlook under Charan Singh, today has become completely castist. The rest have been incorporated by Hindutva. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: Maharashtra violence shows Dalits have no history

The government has cleared the setting up of a commission that will examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward &nbsp;(OBC) in the central list.

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A Commission will be set up to examine sub-categorization of OBCs: Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/zqsYqytSgb">pic.twitter.com/zqsYqytSgb</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/900291468824166402">August 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The decision has been taken to ensure that benefits reach all backward castes, Arun Jaitley said while briefing reporters on cabinet&#39;s decisions.

In another decision, the union cabinet also increased the creamy layer ceiling on jobs reserved for OBCs.

The ceiling has been hiked to Rs 8 lakh per annum from the existing Rs 6 lakh for central government jobs.

Several BJP leaders welcomed the government&#39;s decision saying it was a long pending demand of the OBC community.

&quot;It is an unparallelled step towards empowering backward classes. The average income among them had risen with time and there was an increasing demand to raise the creamy layer bar. The decision will provide reservation benefits to many more people,&quot; BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav said.

The move will benefit BJP politically as it seeks to expand its presence among the backward classes.

&nbsp;

The government also raised the creamy layer ceiling to Rs 8 lakh from the existing Rs 6 lakh per annum

The government has cleared the setting up of a commission that will examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward (OBC) in the central list. A Commission will be set up to examine sub-categorization of OBCs: Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/zqsYqytSgb — ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2017 × The decision has been taken to ensure that benefits reach all backward castes, Arun Jaitley said while briefing reporters on cabinet's decisions. In another decision, the union cabinet also increased the creamy layer ceiling on jobs reserved for OBCs. The ceiling has been hiked to Rs 8 lakh per annum from the existing Rs 6 lakh for central government jobs. Several BJP leaders welcomed the government's decision saying it was a long pending demand of the OBC community. "It is an unparallelled step towards empowering backward classes. The average income among them had risen with time and there was an increasing demand to raise the creamy layer bar. The decision will provide reservation benefits to many more people," BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav said. The move will benefit BJP politically as it seeks to expand its presence among the backward classes.

Government to set up commission on sub-categorisation of OBCs

By Amit Shah &amp; Manan Kumar

Amidst the heady mix of galouti kebabs, biryani and politics, Awadh is savouring the attention of every political partiy in the battle for Uttar Pradesh.

It is in this region, most of which goes to the polls in the third phase of the UP election on Sunday, that the BJP is hoping to weaken the Samajwadi Party (SP), which had swept it in 2012, winning 55 of the 69 seats.

As polling neared, all four parties &mdash; SP, BJP, BSP and Congress &mdash; campaigned aggressively in the region, which falls in the central part of the state. &ldquo;All parties were reaching out combatively. They are giving either fuel for motorbikes or Rs 100, or both,&rdquo; said Vinay Yadav, a taxi driver who has been travelling in the region.

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<h5>The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties</h5>
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The BJP, which is confident of having &ldquo;done well&rdquo; in the first two phases in the western parts of UP, is pinning its hopes on a ripple effect in the rest of the state. The other calculation of the party is that it has managed to woo the non-Yadav OBCs like the Kurmis, Kushwahas and Mauryas. The region has a high concentration of backward communities, apart from Brahmins and Rajputs, the upper-caste communities that have been the BJP&rsquo;s traditional supporters.

Admitting that Awadh had been a major challenge for the BJP because of the caste composition of the region, a party leader said the scenario had changed after the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 when the OBCs and even some Scheduled Castes voted for it. The BJP is counting on two factors &mdash; Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s rallies and giving tickets to a large number of OBCs. Modi held two rallies in a day, in Barabanki and Hardoi, this week, besides in Kannauj, Dimple Yadav&rsquo;s Lok Sabha seat.

&ldquo;The situation has now changed. We have the support of the OBCs,&rdquo; said state BJP vice-president JPS Rathore.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav faces a bigger challenge in Awadh. He faces the task of retaining the SP&rsquo;s tally of 2012, when it had wiped out the BJP and BSP in the region under the leadership of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP, whose strongholds go to polls in this phase, had swept it in the last Assembly polls, despite a lower presence of its Yadav support base. BSP had won six seats and BJP five.

The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties. Modi, who is the BJP&rsquo;s strongest vote-puller in a battle without a chief ministerial face, underlined the fact that he was an MP from the state and described himself as UP&rsquo;s &lsquo;adopted son&rsquo;.

Meanwhile, BSP supremo Mayawati has promised a separate Bundelkhand to dent the SP&rsquo;s bastion. Part of the Bundelkhand region, a parched region that falls at the bottom of all social indicators, overlaps the Assembly constituencies that are going to polls in the third phase. Addressing rallies on Saturday near Unnao and Etawah, Mayawati also raised the pitch of the campaign by declaring that if her party came to power, it will finish the RSS in UP.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

The Awadh region, which goes to the polls today, was swept by the SP in 2012. This time around, the BJP believes things will be different

By Amit Shah & Manan Kumar Amidst the heady mix of galouti kebabs, biryani and politics, Awadh is savouring the attention of every political partiy in the battle for Uttar Pradesh. It is in this region, most of which goes to the polls in the third phase of the UP election on Sunday, that the BJP is hoping to weaken the Samajwadi Party (SP), which had swept it in 2012, winning 55 of the 69 seats. As polling neared, all four parties — SP, BJP, BSP and Congress — campaigned aggressively in the region, which falls in the central part of the state. “All parties were reaching out combatively. They are giving either fuel for motorbikes or Rs 100, or both,” said Vinay Yadav, a taxi driver who has been travelling in the region. The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties × The BJP, which is confident of having “done well” in the first two phases in the western parts of UP, is pinning its hopes on a ripple effect in the rest of the state. The other calculation of the party is that it has managed to woo the non-Yadav OBCs like the Kurmis, Kushwahas and Mauryas. The region has a high concentration of backward communities, apart from Brahmins and Rajputs, the upper-caste communities that have been the BJP’s traditional supporters. Admitting that Awadh had been a major challenge for the BJP because of the caste composition of the region, a party leader said the scenario had changed after the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 when the OBCs and even some Scheduled Castes voted for it. The BJP is counting on two factors — Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies and giving tickets to a large number of OBCs. Modi held two rallies in a day, in Barabanki and Hardoi, this week, besides in Kannauj, Dimple Yadav’s Lok Sabha seat. “The situation has now changed. We have the support of the OBCs,” said state BJP vice-president JPS Rathore. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav faces a bigger challenge in Awadh. He faces the task of retaining the SP’s tally of 2012, when it had wiped out the BJP and BSP in the region under the leadership of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP, whose strongholds go to polls in this phase, had swept it in the last Assembly polls, despite a lower presence of its Yadav support base. BSP had won six seats and BJP five. The Modi-versus-Akhilesh debate has dominated the election scenario in Awadh, which could turn out to be a make-or-break region for both parties. Modi, who is the BJP’s strongest vote-puller in a battle without a chief ministerial face, underlined the fact that he was an MP from the state and described himself as UP’s ‘adopted son’. Meanwhile, BSP supremo Mayawati has promised a separate Bundelkhand to dent the SP’s bastion. Part of the Bundelkhand region, a parched region that falls at the bottom of all social indicators, overlaps the Assembly constituencies that are going to polls in the third phase. Addressing rallies on Saturday near Unnao and Etawah, Mayawati also raised the pitch of the campaign by declaring that if her party came to power, it will finish the RSS in UP. (This report first appeared in DNA)

UP elections, phase 3: BJP takes battle to Samajwadi Party stronghold

The Indian government today cleared the inclusion of 15 new castes in the central list of other backward classes (OBCs). &nbsp;

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cabinet also approved the modification in 13 other castes.&nbsp;

The statement said, &quot;the changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail the benefits of reservation in government services and posts as well as in central educational institutions as per the existing policy.&quot;

They will also become eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. being administered by the central government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the other backward classes, it added.

On the recommendation of National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC), a total of 28 changes in respect to 8 states were made - Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile, the government is already considering to relax the creamy layer norms for the OBCs.

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The changes will make these castes eligible for reservation in government jobs, educational institutions & welfare schemes

The Indian government today cleared the inclusion of 15 new castes in the central list of other backward classes (OBCs). Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the cabinet also approved the modification in 13 other castes. The statement said, "the changes will enable the persons belonging to these castes/communities to avail the benefits of reservation in government services and posts as well as in central educational institutions as per the existing policy." They will also become eligible for benefit under the various welfare schemes, scholarships etc. being administered by the central government, which are at present available to the persons belonging to the other backward classes, it added. On the recommendation of National Commission of Backward Classes (NCBC), a total of 28 changes in respect to 8 states were made - Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Meanwhile, the government is already considering to relax the creamy layer norms for the OBCs. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian government approves inclusion of 15 new castes in other backward classes list

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