Caste-religion link challenged

The Justice Mishra Committee for Religious and Linguistic Minorities has demanded that caste-based reservations must be delinked from and made available to people from all religions.

Diversity index

A Ministry of Human Resources Committee has recommended that the University Grants Commission must evolve a diversity index and tie grants to universities depending on their ranking on this index.

Periyar party promotes 'love-marriages'

In contrast to the annual vandalism organised by the VHP, the PDK has decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by honouring inter-caste couples.

Another honour killing

A couple was chopped to pieces because the caste panchayat did not approve of their relationship.

OBC reservation Bill passed

A Bill providing for reservations for STs, STs and OBCs in educational institutions has been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Incentive for inter-caste marriages

The government is offering cash incentives for inter-caste marriages.

SC stays non-discrimination in temples Ordinance

The Supreme Court has stayed a Tamil Nadu Ordinance providing for appointment of archakas in temples without any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or race on a challenge that it violates the right to religion.

Reservations in private unaided educational institutions

The Parliament has passed the Bill amending the Constitution to provide for reservations in private unaided educational institutions. Minority insitutions, are however, outside the scope of the amendment - a move that has drawn criticism.

Corporate responsibility and affirmative action for dalits

The big corporate houses have reached an agreement with the government to provide affirmative action to the scheduled castes and tribes in the industry. The move is short of reservations, and is a significant move towards the realisation of the demand of affirmative action in the private sector. Probably a first good step would be to statutorily outlaw discrimination in the private sector. Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination only by the State - a good deal of social diversity can be achieved in areas of private employment, housing, education etc. through a compensation-regime based on outlawing discrimination.