Latest news with #RohitVemulaAct
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
In survey of Scheduled Castes, govt measures discrimination via 14-point checklist
Bengaluru: In its survey to determine eligibility for internal reservation among sub-groups, the state govt is also attempting to measure the "extent" of marginalisation among Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Conducted under the supervision of the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee , the survey features a questionnaire containing 42 questions — including a specific section that sought responses to 14 caste-based discriminatory practices. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Enumerators, guided by a govt-issued survey manual — accessed by TOI — were instructed to collect data on how many of these 14 social stigmas each respondent had faced. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo For instance, question 41 read: "Is your household subjected to any social discrimination?" Responses will be classified under the 14 listed practices, which included being denied the right to eat with other castes, being served in separate cups at rural tea shops, restrictions on wearing footwear or carrying umbrellas in front of dominant castes, and denial of entry into upper-caste homes. The survey also will attempt to capture public space discrimination, including denial of access to temples, roads, and burial grounds or cremation sites. In schools and workplaces, the questionnaire sought data on caste-based practices such as bonded labour, social boycotts for resisting forced labour, and separate seating for SC students — documenting what the committee identified as educational and employment-related untouchability. This line of questioning is understood to support groundwork for the proposed Rohit Vemula Act, aimed at curbing caste-based discrimination in schools and colleges and introduced by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and backed by chief minister Siddaramaiah. Community-level segregation was another key focus. The survey included questions about isolation of SC members during village festivals and events and if they were made to sit or eat separately. It also examined whether similar discriminatory arrangements existed across other public village spaces. Further, responses were sought on the treatment of denotified criminal tribes. Besides documenting discrimination, the survey assessed the economic, educational, and social conditions of SC households, aiming to build a comprehensive dataset on backwardness across castes. The report concludes with an excerpt from the survey manual that struck a note of hope: "The best score hasn't been made yet, the best song hasn't been sung, the best tune hasn't been played yet, Cheer up, for the world is young!" While the report is yet to be made public, officials suggested that the findings could become central to Karnataka's internal reservation policy, aimed at addressing intra-SC disparities.
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Action will be taken against officials in ‘janivara' row: Siddaramaiah
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said that disciplinary action will be taken against officials for asking students to remove 'janivara' ('sacred thread') while appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) last week. One student in Bidar had been denied entry to the examination hall after he refused to remove the 'sacred thread'. A similar incident was reported from Shivamogga, though he eventually wrote the exam. Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said the government would take action against officials who were responsible for the incident. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that religious symbols are not to be trifled with. Meanwhile, several Brahmin organisations continued to hold protests in various districts against the incidents in the two CET centres in Bidar and Shivamogga. In Belagavi, the organisations sought criminal action against officials who were responsible to for the incidents and threatened a State-wide protest against the State government. The BJP expressed solidarity with the community. On 'Rohit Vemula Act' Speaking in Bengaluru, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had directed the legal advisor to prepare a draft to enact 'Rohit Vemula Act'. Former Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had written to the Chief Minister urging him to enact the law for eliminating caste-based discrimination in educational institutions and ensure equitable access.
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Fadnavis lashes out at Rahul Gandhi over EC remark: ‘Raised question mark on his character'
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi of tarnishing India's democratic image on international platforms, after the Congress leader alleged at an event in Boston that the Election Commission was 'compromised". Also Read: 'EC is compromised, something very wrong in system', alleges Rahul Gandhi in US "It is very sad that Rahul Gandhi goes abroad and spreads lies about the institutions created by the constitution of this country and tries to defame it. He tries to raise questions about democracy. I feel that he is doing such acts because of the consequences that have happened to him after losing elections repeatedly," he said. Also Read: BJP on Rahul Gandhi's 'compromised' charge at EC in US: 'Entitled Child Syndrome' 'The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving has raised a question mark on his character. Instead of doing such things, if he goes among the people and gets the trust of the people back, then he will be able to win the elections. He cannot win elections by defaming anyone," he added. Rahul Gandhi, addressing the Indian diaspora in Boston, United States, alleged that, 'It's very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, there is something very wrong with the system." Also Read: Rahul Gandhi writes to Himachal, Telangana CMs to enact Rohit Vemula Act He also cited the Maharashtra assembly elections as an example of the alleged wrongdoing of the ECI, saying, 'More people voted in Maharashtra than the total number of people, and this is a fact. The Election Commission gave us a figure in the evening around 5:30 pm, and in two hours, around 7:30 pm, 65 lakh voters had voted, which is physically impossible.' During the event, the Congress leader also spoke about improving relations between India and the United States. 'We have a partnership with the US, and hopefully we will continue to work together,' Gandhi said. He also thanked members of the Indian diaspora who had carried the flag of the Congress party and been supportive towards them in the US. 'You believe, you listen to other people, and you respect them. This is what runs in the Congress party and our family. Thank you for carrying the flag here, it's a very powerful thing to do," he said. Gandhi will also address Brown University on Monday as part of his tour to the United States. With inputs from ANI
