Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against Congress' tactic of pitting one caste against another for political gains and urged the people to stay united. Launching a scathing attack on the Maha Vikas Aghadi, PM Modi also made a veiled reference to Shiv Sena's leader's recent "imported maal" remarks, saying that the Opposition has resorted to "insulting women". He cautioned the nation against falling prey to Congress' agenda of dividing the SC, ST, and OBC communities, stating that unity among communities is crucial for the progress of the nation.
In a village in Karnataka, a recent court judgment has brought a sense of justice to Dalits who were victims of a 2014 caste-related incident. However, with almost all upper caste households having at least one person implicated in the case, there is also a growing anxiety about the future. The village, which has a diverse population, still faces issues of untouchability, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in India.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to release the state's highly-anticipated caste survey report, which has faced opposition from various societal segments. The report, initiated by the Congress party, will be presented to the cabinet next month after previous attempts were hindered. Siddaramaiah's decision to move forward with the findings highlights the significance of effectively addressing historical inequalities through data-driven policy-making.
On Saturday evening, Chief Minister M K Stalin announced the promotion of his son Udhayanidhi Stalin to the position of Deputy Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu. The cabinet reshuffle also saw the addition of Dr Govi Chezhiaan as the fourth Dalit minister. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing power consolidation within the ruling DMK, solidifying Udhayanidhi's growing influence within the party and the government. However, there are concerns about potential internal party tensions and the balance of power in the cabinet. Udhayanidhi's rise also comes amid national attention for his controversial remarks on Sanatana Dharma's role in perpetuating the caste system.
Various Adivasi-Dalit organisations in Kerala have called for a state-wide hartal on August 21 to protest against the recent Supreme Court verdict on sub-categorisation of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The protestors allege that the verdict aims to divide the SC/ST list on a caste basis and introduce a 'creamy layer'. Despite the BJP government's assurance, the central government has yet to acknowledge that the creamy layer division is the basis for categorising the list, as stated by the protestors. The Union Cabinet has also asserted that there is no provision for a creamy layer in the reservation for SCs and STs in the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi faced harsh criticism from BJP leaders for his statement on the lack of representation of lower caste, OBCs, and tribals in prominent sectors. While addressing a conference, he had claimed that 90% of the population is not represented in areas such as Miss India competitions, films, and sports. This remark was met with backlash from Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who advised Gandhi to do a fact-check and reminded him of the presence of lower caste community members in prominent positions such as President and Prime Minister.
Anuradha Tiwari, the CEO of a Bengaluru-based content writing agency, sparked a heated debate on social media with her post captioned "Brahmin genes." Defending her post, Anuradha argued that upper castes, referred to as UCs, do not benefit from the reservation system and should be able to proudly showcase their lineage. While some users supported her stance, others pointed out the insensitivity of her post and the absurdity of equating Brahmin genes with superiority. This post has reignited the ongoing discussion on casteism and reservation policies in India.
During a 'Samvidhan Samman Sammelan' event, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the lack of Dalit, tribal, or OBC representation among former Miss India winners and called for a nationwide "caste census." BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari pushed back, sharing a video of a Dalit woman who won the pageant in 2019 as proof of inclusivity. Gandhi argues that without the participation of "90 percent" of the population, the country cannot function effectively, while Bhandari dismisses his claims as divisive and false.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a gathering at the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Prayagraj and voiced his demand for a nationwide caste census. He pointed out the exclusion of women from Dalit, tribal, and OBC communities in the Miss India pageant list. Gandhi also criticized the media for neglecting issues faced by farmers and laborers and promised to conduct a caste census and remove the cap on reservations when Congress forms the government.
The leader of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, has sparked controversy with his recent statement criticizing the lack of diversity in the Miss India competition. Gandhi pointed to the absence of Dalit, tribal, and OBC women on the Miss India list and used it as an argument for conducting a caste census in India. This statement has triggered a discussion on caste representation in various fields and the need for a comprehensive census in the country.