Try GOLD - Free

The Paradox Of Ushering In Mandal 2.0

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

|

May 05, 2025

BJP's volte face on caste census surprised many within the party, too. It remains to be seen how the party communicates the significance of its action down the line

- RADHIKA RAMASESHAN

VERY now and then, India witnesses a politically momentous event arising from the internal compulsions of the ruling establishment. Often masked in utilitarian jargon, suggesting that these decisions are meant for the greatest good of the greatest number, the cynicism at the root is unmistakable.

Demonetisation was announced in November 2016, before the Uttar Pradesh polls. The run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election was marked by the criminalisation of 'triple talaq', the reading down of Article 370, amendments to the Citizenship Act, and air strikes on Balakot inside Pakistan—all of which whipped up the poll season's volatility.

Six months hence, Bihar, an electorally significant heartland state, will elect its next legislature. Until last week, it seemed that the dominant issue would be the Centre's anticipated retaliatory punch on Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam carnage. Narendra Modi's red-blooded personality embedded in the larger theme of the BJP genre of nationalism was believed to shape the overriding narrative.

Indeed, when the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) met on April 30, as it did in 2019 before the Balakot air raids, an announcement of a counter-assault by India was expected. To the surprise of many, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav, the official spokesperson, informed that the government would include caste enumeration of all groupings, including the other backward classes (OBCs), in the impending census that was deferred because of the pandemic. However, no timeline was given, stoking the opposition's charge that this decision would be in limbo, like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Interstellar comet 3I/Atlas set to make spectacular close sweep past Mars today

A comet from another star system will swing by Mars on Friday as a fleet of spacecraft trains its sights on the interstellar visitor.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

One farmer died by suicide every hour in country, reveals 2023 NCRB report

HIGHLIGHTING the economic stress faced by those in the agriculture sector in the country, a latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has revealed that in 2023, at least one person working in the farm sector died by suicide every hour. Though, the number of suicides has relatively come down compared to the previous year (2022), the intensity and geography remained the same.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Democracy under attack, says Rahul, lights into RSS with 'cowardice’ jibe

IN a scathing attack on the BJP and its ideological mentor RSS on its 100th anniversary, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said “cowardice was at the heart of the ideology of both the outfits” and that “democracy is under attack in India”.

time to read

1 mins

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

HOW TO HELP THOSE WHO HELP US

THE Supreme Court, in the Ajay Malik (2025) case, has underlined the urgency for a legal framework to protect and regulate domestic workers’ rights. The judgement stated, “Any avenue for employment—domestic help—being opened to marginalised women merit celebration” and that the legal gaps must be plugged to ensure the rights of this indispensable workforce for Indian households.

time to read

3 mins

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Govt-society disconnect led to Nepal unrest: RSS

EXPRESSING serious concern over the recent unrest in India’s neighbourhood, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday linked the turbulence to the disconnect between governments and societies, as well as the lack of capable and people-oriented administrators there.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Karur stampede: Over 300 intellectuals urge TN govt to bring Vijay to justice

OVER 300 writers, poets, intellectuals, activists and journalists on Thursday issued a joint statement demanding the state government not to hesitate to bring actor and TVK president Vijay before the law for the stampede that happened during his rally in Karur on Saturday in which 41 people were killed.

time to read

3 mins

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Indian Railways accelerates export efforts to establish global presence

KEEPING pace with its ongoing infrastructure development across the country, Indian Railways is also making determined efforts to establish a global presence by rapidly emerging as an exporter of critical railway equipment to several nations.

time to read

1 mins

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

CJI attends Gandhi Jayanti fete in Mauritius

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai and his family participated in the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute in Mauritius and paid a floral tribute to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

Vocalist Pt Channulal Mishra passes away

RENOWNED classical singer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Pandit Channulal Mishra passed away at his residence in Mirzapur, in Eastern UP, after prolonged illness on Thursday.

time to read

2 mins

October 03, 2025

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

The New Indian Express Tirunelveli

PLANNING TO BUY IPHONE 17 OR 17 PRO?

Here are our thoughts and recommendations.

time to read

5 mins

October 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size