News Analysis India

Tag: OBC

  • “PM Modi’s caste wasn’t recommended for OBC list by Mandal Commission”: Gehlot backs Rahul’s claim

    Jaipur: Defending the remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said the latter’s caste was not included in Other Backward Classes (OBC) list as per the recommendations made by Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee.

    In a post on X, Ashok Gehlot said, “Rahul Gandhi has spoken the truth on the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inclusion in OBC because Modi/Ghanchi caste was not included in OBC list in the recommendations of Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee, which was formed in 1978 for backward classes in Gujarat. His caste was that of a business community in the entire country. People from Jain, Maheshwari, and Agarwal communities commonly use the Modi surname.”

    Gehlot further said if PM Modi considers himself as the biggest supporter of the OBC community, then he shoudl have a nationwide caste census conducted at the earliest. “If Narendra Modi considers himself an OBC and a supporter of the interests of the OBC class, then as per the demand of former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the central government should immediately announce the holding of a nationwide caste census. As our Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, on the one hand caste census will make it easier for the Central and state governments to ensure social justice for the backward classes from a scientific point of view and on the other hand, there should not be any confusion around caste census creating obstacles in the progress of people of general category,” Gehlot said.

    In January 1978, the Centre decided to set up a second backward classes commission, under the Chairmanship of BP Mandal. The Mandal Commission submitted its report in December 1980. The Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes that it found to form India’s Other Backward Classes, representing 52 per cent of the country’s population. Noting that OBCs only occupied 12.5 per cent of civil service posts, it recommended 27 per cent reservation for them.

    Earlier, on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category.Addressing a public rally during the Odisha leg of his ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ here, the Wayanad MP said, “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them, ‘Our Prime Minister lied to the country that he belongs to the backward class. He wasn’t born into a backward class, he belongs to the general caste’. Do say this to every BJP worker.” Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s denial of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s OBC status, BJP’s Amit Malviya accused him of spreading a ‘blatant lie.’

    Malviya shared an official document listing OBC categories from Gujarat dated October 27, 1999, asserting that Modi’s caste was officially recognized as OBC two years before he took over as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

    Malviya also claimed that the Nehru-Gandhi family, right from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, has consistently been opposed to OBCs.

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  • ‘He Belongs To General Caste’: Rahul Gandhi On PM Modi’s ‘Sabse Bada OBC’ Remark |

    Jharsuguda: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the former was not born into an OBC family but instead hails from the general caste. The Congress MP urged his followers to confront BJP workers with this revelation, accusing the Prime Minister of deceiving the nation regarding his caste identity.

    “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class. He was not born in a backward class, he belongs to the general caste. You tell this to every BJP worker.” Rahul made these remarks while speaking at a public rally during the Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Jharsuguda.

     

    #WATCH | Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, “PM Modi was not born in the OBC category. He was born Teli caste in Gujarat. The community was given the tag of OBC in the year 2000 by the BJP. He was born in the General caste…He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his… pic.twitter.com/AOynLpEZkK
    — ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2024

     

    Rahul Gandhi’s remark on PM Modi evoked a sharp response from the ruling BJP and its media cell in-charge Amit Malviya called Congress MP’s claim a ”blatant lie.” ”Prime Minister Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi. This is a blatant lie. PM Narendra Modi’s caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years BEFORE he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat,” Malviya said in a post on X. Malviya also claimed that the ”entire Nehru-Gandhi family, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, have been against the OBCs.”

     

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi got his caste notified as an OBC after he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi.

    This is a blatant lie. PM Narendra Modi’s caste was notified as an OBC on Oct 27, 1999, a full 2 years BEFORE he became the Chief Minister of Gujarat.… pic.twitter.com/lDU3uJrHwJ
    — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 8, 2024

        

    Congress Vs BJP Over OBC 

    This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in Parliament called himself ‘Sabse Bada OBC’ (the biggest OBC) and accused the Congress of indulging in hypocrisy and adopting double standards while dealing with leaders of Backward communities.

    “Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can’t tolerate OBCs…They keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?” PM Modi said in his reply to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s Address in Lok Sabha on Monday.

    Congress’ Failures And Allegations Of Bias

    PM Modi continued his attack on the UPA government and said that the previous government did not deliver justice to OBCs. “During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council – did it have any OBC members? Find out,” he added.

    Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

    The Odisha leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to be completed this afternoon before going on a two-day break from February 9-10. The yatra will resume on February 11 from Chhattisgarh. Earlier on Wednesday, the 25th day of the Nyay Yatra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, visited Vedvyas Dham in the Sundergarh district of Western Odisha. The cave of this temple is considered to be the place where sage and poet Ved Vyas ji composed the Mahabharata.

    Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rolled out from Manipur’s Thoubal on January 14. The yatra will cover over 6,700 kilometres over 67 days, traversing through 110 districts. It will cover a distance of 6,713 km, straddling 100 Lok Sabha constituencies and 337 assembly segments and covering 110 districts. The yatra will conclude in Mumbai on March 20, after 67 days.

    A follow-up to the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ which saw Rahul Gandhi cover more than 3,000 kilometres on foot–from Kanya Kumari to Srinagar–the Yatra 2.0 is following a hybrid format.

  • rahul gandhi viral video: PM Modi is not an OBC, was born in a general caste, claims Rahul Gandhi

    In a recent public rally in Odisha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stirred controversy by accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of falsehood regarding his caste identity. Gandhi claimed that PM Modi, during his time in Parliament, misrepresented himself as belonging to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community when he was actually born into the General caste.

    Gandhi’s accusations came during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, where he asserted, “PM Modi was not born in the OBC category. He was born Teli caste in Gujarat.” He further added, “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.”

    — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The Congress leader urged the public to confront BJP workers with this information, stating, “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing that our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class.”

    PM Modi’s assertion of being ‘sabse bada OBC’ (the biggest OBC) in Parliament was referenced by Gandhi, who accused the BJP of hypocrisy and double standards in dealing with leaders of backward communities.

    In his rebuttal during the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s Address in Lok Sabha, PM Modi criticized the Congress party’s historical treatment of OBCs, claiming that they did not deliver justice to the community. He highlighted the lack of representation of OBC members in certain government bodies during the UPA government’s tenure.

    Gandhi’s remarks during the Odisha leg of the yatra emphasized the need for caste census and equitable representation of marginalized communities. He questioned the media’s diversity and representation and highlighted the absence of Dalits and Adivasis in prominent sectors like top companies and government positions.Accusing PM Modi of favoring billionaires over OBCs, Gandhi also showcased a humane gesture by pausing his speech to allow an ambulance to pass, garnering attention amidst the political discourse.The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, with Gandhi clad in a white t-shirt, continued its journey from Odisha towards Chhattisgarh, accompanied by AICC leader Ajoy Kumar and OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak, aiming to address socio-political issues and connect with the masses.

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  • PM Modi Calls Himself ‘Sabse Bada OBC,’ Accuses Congress Of Indulging In Hypocrisy |

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a fiery response to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in Parliament on Monday, proudly proclaimed himself as ‘Sabse Bada OBC,’ slamming the Congress for what he termed as ”hypocrisy” and ”double standards” in dealing with leaders from Backward communities.

    Congress Insulted Karpoori Thakur, OBC Leaders: PM

    In a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi accused the party of disrespecting Karpoori Thakur, a stalwart from Bihar who dedicated his life to democratic principles and constitutional values. He highlighted the recent conferment of Bharat Ratna on Thakur, underscoring the challenges he faced during his tenure as Bihar CM in 1970.

    “Congress party and UPA government did not deliver justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what was not done to destabilise his government? Congress can’t tolerate OBCs…They keep counting how many OBCs are there in the government. Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?” PM Modi said in his reply to the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s address.

     

    #WATCH | “Can’t you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here?….” asks PM Modi to Congress.

    “Congress party and UPA govt did not do justice with OBCs. A few days ago, Karpoori Thakur ji was conferred with Bharat Ratna. In 1970, when he became Bihar CM, what not was done to… pic.twitter.com/AqMemfzLNw
    — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2024

     

    UPA’s Injustice To OBCs

    Continuing his offensive, PM Modi criticized the UPA government for failing to deliver justice to OBCs. He pointed out the formation of the National Advisory Council during their tenure, questioning its lack of OBC representation and influence. “During the UPA Government, an extra-constitutional body was formed. The government could not have its way before that body. National Advisory Council – did it have any OBC members? Find out,” he added.

    Inflation Legacy Of Congress: PM

    PM Modi delved into history, linking Congress to inflation. He recalled popular songs during Congress governance – ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi’ and ‘Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai.’ Blaming Congress for inflation during their rule, he highlighted the insensitivity of their approach. “Two songs on inflation were superhits in our country – ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi’ and ‘Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai’. Both of these songs came during Congress’ governance. Inflation was in double digits during UPA’s tenure, it can’t be denied. What was their government’s logic? Insensitivity. They said – you can have expensive ice creams but why do you cry about inflation?… Whenever Congress came to power, it strengthened inflation,” he added.

    Lok Sabha Adopts Motion Of Thanks 

    Lok Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address after PM Modi’s impassioned response, where he not only lambasted the opposition but also outlined the government’s achievements. The motion passed through a voice vote, concluding a spirited debate with over 60 members participating.

    Budget Session Dynamics

    The ongoing budget session, possibly the last before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in April-May, witnessed President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of the two Houses, setting the tone for the upcoming political events.

  • NCBC to hold hearing on demand of WB government to include 87 castes in OBC list

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Backward Classes will be holding a hearing on November 3 on the proposal of the West Bengal government to include 87 castes in the OBC list.

    In a notice to the West Bengal government, the NCBC has also sought information from the state government under various heads.

    Among the information sought are caste-wise details of the candidates selected in the 87 OBC castes, caste-wise details of Class III, Class IV and Safai Karmacharis, details of scholarships disbursed to the students belonging to the 87 OBC castes in the educational institutions run under the state during the last three years and the current year and the caste-wise details of the beneficiaries thereof.

    The NCBC said it had recommended that the reservation of OBCs in the state should be increased from 17 per cent to 22 per cent, but to date, no positive action has been taken on the recommendation of the commission. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Backward Classes will be holding a hearing on November 3 on the proposal of the West Bengal government to include 87 castes in the OBC list.

    In a notice to the West Bengal government, the NCBC has also sought information from the state government under various heads.

    Among the information sought are caste-wise details of the candidates selected in the 87 OBC castes, caste-wise details of Class III, Class IV and Safai Karmacharis, details of scholarships disbursed to the students belonging to the 87 OBC castes in the educational institutions run under the state during the last three years and the current year and the caste-wise details of the beneficiaries thereof.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The NCBC said it had recommended that the reservation of OBCs in the state should be increased from 17 per cent to 22 per cent, but to date, no positive action has been taken on the recommendation of the commission. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • OBCs and EBCs form nearly two-thirds of Bihar population, caste survey reveals

    By PTI

    PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

    According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.

    The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.

    Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

    Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.

    The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).

    Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.

    He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”

    RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.

    Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.

    Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

    The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.

    Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.

    The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.

    The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.

    However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.

    Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.

    PATNA: The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar on Monday released findings of its much-awaited caste survey which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute a whopping 63 per cent of the state’s total population.

    According to the data released here by Development Commissioner Vivek Singh, the state’s total population stood at a little over 13.07 crore, out of which the Extremely Backward Classes (36 per cent) were the largest social segment followed by the Other Backward Classes at 27.13 per cent.

    The survey also stated that Yadavs, the OBC group to which Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav belongs, were the largest in terms of the population, accounting for 14.27 per cent of the total.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dalits, also known as the Scheduled Castes, accounted for 19.65 per cent of the total population in the state, which is also home to nearly 22 lakh (1.68 per cent) people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes.

    Those belonging to the “unreserved” category, which denotes the proverbial “upper castes” who dominated politics till the Mandal wave of the 1990s, comprise 15.52 per cent of the total population.

    The survey also establishes that the state’s population is overwhelmingly Hindu, with the majority community comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims (17.70 per cent).

    Christians, Sikhs, Jains and those following other religions as also the non-believers have a miniscule presence, together making up for less than one per cent of the total population.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out with a statement lauding the teams of government officials who undertook the gigantic exercise.

    He also said, “A meeting will soon be convened of all the nine political parties with an electoral presence in the state legislature and the facts and figures will be shared with them.”

    RJD president Lalu Prasad, who is Kumar’s ally as well as the father of his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, also issued a statement, declaring that the exercise will set the tone for “a nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when we form the next government at the Centre”.

    Both Prasad and Kumar have played an instrumental role in the formation of the INDIA coalition, which affirmed its commitment to holding a caste census at a meeting it held in Bengaluru recently.

    Notably, the survey was ordered last year after the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made it clear that it would not be able to undertake a headcount of castes other than SCs and STs as part of the census.

    The last time, a headcount of all castes was undertaken, was way back in 1931.

    Those calling for a fresh caste survey insist that a new estimate was required mainly for the weaker sections of the society which, with improved life expectancy in the post-Independence era, must have seen a rise in their proportion of the population.

    The state cabinet gave its nod to hold a caste survey on June 2 last year when it also allocated an amount of Rs 500 crore for the mammoth exercise.

    The survey briefly ran into rough weather when it was stayed by the Patna High Court which was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the exercise.

    However, the deadline it then set, of February 2023, was overshot and the survey itself could take off no sooner than January 7 this year.

    Leaders of the ruling Mahagathbandhan in the state have been alleging that those filing petitions were “BJP supporters”, a charge denied by the saffron party which underscores that it was in the government when the cabinet nod was given for the survey.

  • OBC quota won’t be affected by reservations for Marathas, assures Maharashtra CM Shinde

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with the OBC community on Friday and assured them that their quota would not be affected while giving reservations to Maratha and other communities.  

    The meeting was chaired by CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House.  

    Shinde said they had appointed a retired judge to study whether people belonging to the Kunbi community in Marathwada can be given the OBC certificate on the basis of past records and genealogy.     

    “We are not here to decrease reservations of any communities presently being availed. We want to bring back reservations to the Maratha community that earlier got cancelled due to the Supreme Court order. We are also planning to undertake various schemes for the deprived communities. We will soon have separate meetings for welfare of smaller communities. There are various boards for welfare and development of various communities like BARTI, SARATI etc, which will be strengthened by giving them adequate funds,” Shinde added.

    ALSO READ | Govt committed to giving quota to Maratha community, decision must be foolproof: Maharashtra CM Shinde  

    He said that for OBC community students, the state government has decided to start 72 hostels and relax the cap of Rs 8 lakh income for them so that they can get the benefits in government college admissions. Fadnavis said that the state government has earmarked Rs 4000 crore for the welfare and development of OBC communities. He also said that the Centre has decided to give reservations to OBC students in medical admissions in higher studies.  

    “The OBC commission will be given the constitutional status so it will continue to work for the welfare of the backward community. We will not hurt any community’s reservations,” said Fadnavis.  

    In the meeting, it was reported that cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal complained that the OBC seats in government jobs are not filled completely and demanded the review of all posts. “The seats in open are filled more than the total vacancy while OBC seats are kept vacant for years,” Bhujbal said.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a meeting with the OBC community on Friday and assured them that their quota would not be affected while giving reservations to Maratha and other communities.  

    The meeting was chaired by CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House.  

    Shinde said they had appointed a retired judge to study whether people belonging to the Kunbi community in Marathwada can be given the OBC certificate on the basis of past records and genealogy.     googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “We are not here to decrease reservations of any communities presently being availed. We want to bring back reservations to the Maratha community that earlier got cancelled due to the Supreme Court order. We are also planning to undertake various schemes for the deprived communities. We will soon have separate meetings for welfare of smaller communities. There are various boards for welfare and development of various communities like BARTI, SARATI etc, which will be strengthened by giving them adequate funds,” Shinde added.

    ALSO READ | Govt committed to giving quota to Maratha community, decision must be foolproof: Maharashtra CM Shinde  

    He said that for OBC community students, the state government has decided to start 72 hostels and relax the cap of Rs 8 lakh income for them so that they can get the benefits in government college admissions. Fadnavis said that the state government has earmarked Rs 4000 crore for the welfare and development of OBC communities. He also said that the Centre has decided to give reservations to OBC students in medical admissions in higher studies.  

    “The OBC commission will be given the constitutional status so it will continue to work for the welfare of the backward community. We will not hurt any community’s reservations,” said Fadnavis.  

    In the meeting, it was reported that cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal complained that the OBC seats in government jobs are not filled completely and demanded the review of all posts. “The seats in open are filled more than the total vacancy while OBC seats are kept vacant for years,” Bhujbal said.

  • PM works for country, PM is not the country: Sibal on Shah’s ‘insult to country’ remark

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘insult to the prime minister is an insult to the country’ remark, saying his understanding of the Constitution is that the PM is not the country but works for it.

    Sibal’s dig came a day after Shah, while addressing a national convention of the Modi community in Ahmedabad, referred to Purnesh Modi’s defamation suit that led to Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP over his “Modi surname” remark.

    “If someone insults a person, it is not a big deal, but if someone insults an entire community and country’s PM, then it is an insult to the entire country. Purneshbhai fought this battle with firmness and won it. I congratulate him and others for fighting a battle for the dignity of your community. Entire country is with you,” Shah had said.

    Reacting to Shah’s remarks, Sibal said on Twitter, “Amit Shah: ‘Insult to PM is insult to country’. Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that: PM works for the country, PM is not the country. Just as: Government works for the country, government is not the country.”

    In his remarks, Shah said PM Modi gave the OBCs their due respect and understood the pain of poor citizens because he himself was born in such a family.

    Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA 1 and 2, had quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party’s support.

    He recently floated a non-electoral platform ‘Insaaf’ aimed at fighting injustice.

    Amit Shah :“Insult to PM is insult to country”Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that :PM works for the countryPM is not the countryJust as :Government works for the countryGovernment is not the country
    — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) May 22, 2023

    NEW DELHI:  Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘insult to the prime minister is an insult to the country’ remark, saying his understanding of the Constitution is that the PM is not the country but works for it.

    Sibal’s dig came a day after Shah, while addressing a national convention of the Modi community in Ahmedabad, referred to Purnesh Modi’s defamation suit that led to Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP over his “Modi surname” remark.

    “If someone insults a person, it is not a big deal, but if someone insults an entire community and country’s PM, then it is an insult to the entire country. Purneshbhai fought this battle with firmness and won it. I congratulate him and others for fighting a battle for the dignity of your community. Entire country is with you,” Shah had said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Reacting to Shah’s remarks, Sibal said on Twitter, “Amit Shah: ‘Insult to PM is insult to country’. Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that: PM works for the country, PM is not the country. Just as: Government works for the country, government is not the country.”

    In his remarks, Shah said PM Modi gave the OBCs their due respect and understood the pain of poor citizens because he himself was born in such a family.

    Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA 1 and 2, had quit the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party’s support.

    He recently floated a non-electoral platform ‘Insaaf’ aimed at fighting injustice.

    Amit Shah :
    “Insult to PM is insult to country”
    Amitji my understanding of the constitution is that :
    PM works for the country
    PM is not the country
    Just as :
    Government works for the country
    Government is not the country
    — Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) May 22, 2023

  • ‘Pregnancy test’ eligibility for mass marriage ceremony sparks off controversy in MP

    By IANS

    BHOPAL: A controversy broke out over alleged “pregnancy tests” as part of eligibility for “Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah” – a mass marriage scheme where the state government provides a Rs 51,000 grant to each bride – in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Dindori district.

    As per reports, the test was conducted before the beneficiaries were to take part in the mass marriage ceremony on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Saturday, and four women were removed after their positive pregnancy reports.

    Following the development, the opposition Congress sought to know under what guidelines these women were subjected to the tests. Local MLA Markam Singh said that he has learnt that four women were disqualified from the scheme because of their positive reports.

    He said that by conducting such tests, the government has not only insulted the poor women but also put their life at risk after releasing their reports.

    “The state government must clarify what are the guidelines or rules for such pregnancy tests. What will be the future of those women whose test reports were made public,” Markam Singh told IANS over the phone on Sunday.

    According to the Dindori district administration, a total of 219 women from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Schedule Castes (SC) and OBC families were brides in the mass marriage ceremony, conducted in the presence of local leaders and officials.

    The controversy escalated further after state Congress President Kamal Nath raised questions over the ‘pregnancy tests’ of women and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter.

    “I want to know from the Chief Minister whether this news is true. If this is true, then on whose orders was such gross insult done to the daughters of Madhya Pradesh? Do the daughters of the poor and tribal communities have no dignity in the eyes of the CM?” he said in a series of tweets.

    What is surprising is that officials had different stands while responding to the matter.

    District Collector Vikas Mishra told the press that directives were issued during the mass marriage event for the detection of sickle cell disease by those taking part. He also said that during the medical examination, some brides had complained of periods issues after which the pregnancy test was conducted.

    “There was no directive from the administration to conduct pregnancy tests. The four women who were found to be pregnant were not allowed to take part in the mass marriage ceremony,” Mishra added.

    However, another district official, talking to IANS, said as many women have love affairs and these could have resulted in disputes after marriage and it was because of this, that the tests were conducted for making it clear that the couple agreed to marriage mutually.

    BHOPAL: A controversy broke out over alleged “pregnancy tests” as part of eligibility for “Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah” – a mass marriage scheme where the state government provides a Rs 51,000 grant to each bride – in Madhya Pradesh’s tribal-dominated Dindori district.

    As per reports, the test was conducted before the beneficiaries were to take part in the mass marriage ceremony on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Saturday, and four women were removed after their positive pregnancy reports.

    Following the development, the opposition Congress sought to know under what guidelines these women were subjected to the tests. Local MLA Markam Singh said that he has learnt that four women were disqualified from the scheme because of their positive reports.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    He said that by conducting such tests, the government has not only insulted the poor women but also put their life at risk after releasing their reports.

    “The state government must clarify what are the guidelines or rules for such pregnancy tests. What will be the future of those women whose test reports were made public,” Markam Singh told IANS over the phone on Sunday.

    According to the Dindori district administration, a total of 219 women from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Schedule Castes (SC) and OBC families were brides in the mass marriage ceremony, conducted in the presence of local leaders and officials.

    The controversy escalated further after state Congress President Kamal Nath raised questions over the ‘pregnancy tests’ of women and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter.

    “I want to know from the Chief Minister whether this news is true. If this is true, then on whose orders was such gross insult done to the daughters of Madhya Pradesh? Do the daughters of the poor and tribal communities have no dignity in the eyes of the CM?” he said in a series of tweets.

    What is surprising is that officials had different stands while responding to the matter.

    District Collector Vikas Mishra told the press that directives were issued during the mass marriage event for the detection of sickle cell disease by those taking part. He also said that during the medical examination, some brides had complained of periods issues after which the pregnancy test was conducted.

    “There was no directive from the administration to conduct pregnancy tests. The four women who were found to be pregnant were not allowed to take part in the mass marriage ceremony,” Mishra added.

    However, another district official, talking to IANS, said as many women have love affairs and these could have resulted in disputes after marriage and it was because of this, that the tests were conducted for making it clear that the couple agreed to marriage mutually.

  • UP government issues draft notification with reservation for OBC, SC in mayoral seats

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Two days after the Supreme Court of India approved the report of the Backward Commission recommending quota provisions for OBC in Urban Civic bodies of Uttar Pradesh and giving a nod to the state government to go ahead with the Urban Local body polls, Yogi Adityanath issued a draft notification giving the provisional list of reserved seats for mayors of municipal corporations, andchairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats for the three-tier urban elections here on Thursday.

    While sharing the details, UP Urban Development Minister AK Sharma said, “The draft notification has been issued for the reserved seats. Objections have been sought on the list within seven days till April 6, 2023 .”

    The provisional list issued by the state authorities pertains to reserved seats for mayors across 17 municipal corporations of the state, chairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats. At present, there are 762 urban local bodies including 17 municipal corporations, 200 Nagar Palika Parishads and 545 Nagar Panchayats. The total population of these 762 urban local bodies is 4.85 crore.

    Meanwhile, proceeding towards holding the urban civic polls in the state, Yogi cabinet had on Wednesday approved an ordinance for the amendment of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act and the Nagar Palika Act, and it was sent to Governor Anandiben Patel for her assent which was given by her on Thursday.

    A senior state government official confirmed that the Governor gave her assent to the ordinance. The official added that the amendment to the Municipal Corporation and Nagar Palika Act was necessary after the recommendations of a dedicated Backward Commission constituted to look into the backwardness of areas in the state for reservation.

    Notably, on March 27, the Supreme Court had directed the State Election Commission to issue a notification within two days for holding the urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh with the provision of OBC reservation.

    Nine of the 17 mayoral seats have been reserved for members of different categories. While Agra has been reserved for SC (woman), Jhansi for SC, Shahjahanpur and Firozabad OBC (women), Saharanpur and Meerut for OBC, besides Lucknow, Kanpur and Ghaziabad for women, according to the draft notification.The rest of eight mayoral seats of Varanasi, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Bareilly, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan would go unreserved, the minister said.

    Earlier, a draft notification regarding the provision of quota for OBCs was issued by the state government on December 5, last year. However, it was challenged in the Allahabad High Court which then ordered the UP government to go ahead with the urban civic polls without OBC quota. The High Court hadclaimed that the criteria of the UP government for recommending quota for OBC was not in consonance with the norm of  “triple test” formula laid by the Supreme Court.

    A five-member commission headed by Justice (retired) Ram Avatar Singh was formed on December 28. It submitted its report to Chief Minister Adityanath on March 9 and it was accepted by the Cabinet on March 10.

    LUCKNOW: Two days after the Supreme Court of India approved the report of the Backward Commission recommending quota provisions for OBC in Urban Civic bodies of Uttar Pradesh and giving a nod to the state government to go ahead with the Urban Local body polls, Yogi Adityanath issued a draft notification giving the provisional list of reserved seats for mayors of municipal corporations, and
    chairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats for the three-tier urban elections here on Thursday.

    While sharing the details, UP Urban Development Minister AK Sharma said, “The draft notification has been issued for the reserved seats. Objections have been sought on the list within seven days till April 6, 2023 .”

    The provisional list issued by the state authorities pertains to reserved seats for mayors across 17 municipal corporations of the state, chairpersons of municipal councils and nagar panchayats. At present, there are 762 urban local bodies including 17 municipal corporations, 200 Nagar Palika Parishads and 545 Nagar Panchayats. The total population of these 762 urban local bodies is 4.85 crore.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile, proceeding towards holding the urban civic polls in the state, Yogi cabinet had on Wednesday approved an ordinance for the amendment of the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act and the Nagar Palika Act, and it was sent to Governor Anandiben Patel for her assent which was given by her on Thursday.

    A senior state government official confirmed that the Governor gave her assent to the ordinance. The official added that the amendment to the Municipal Corporation and Nagar Palika Act was necessary after the recommendations of a dedicated Backward Commission constituted to look into the backwardness of areas in the state for reservation.

    Notably, on March 27, the Supreme Court had directed the State Election Commission to issue a notification within two days for holding the urban local body polls in Uttar Pradesh with the provision of OBC reservation.

    Nine of the 17 mayoral seats have been reserved for members of different categories. While Agra has been reserved for SC (woman), Jhansi for SC, Shahjahanpur and Firozabad OBC (women), Saharanpur and Meerut for OBC, besides Lucknow, Kanpur and Ghaziabad for women, according to the draft notification.
    The rest of eight mayoral seats of Varanasi, Prayagraj, Aligarh, Bareilly, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan would go unreserved, the minister said.

    Earlier, a draft notification regarding the provision of quota for OBCs was issued by the state government on December 5, last year. However, it was challenged in the Allahabad High Court which then ordered the UP government to go ahead with the urban civic polls without OBC quota. The High Court had
    claimed that the criteria of the UP government for recommending quota for OBC was not in consonance with the norm of  “triple test” formula laid by the Supreme Court.

    A five-member commission headed by Justice (retired) Ram Avatar Singh was formed on December 28. It submitted its report to Chief Minister Adityanath on March 9 and it was accepted by the Cabinet on March 10.