India's Salvation May Lie With Poor

Kumar belongs to oppressed lower caste

(NEWSER) - India’s otherwise divided parliament unanimously hailed the appointment of the nation’s first female speaker today, the BBC reports. Meira Kumar, 64, is the daughter of a renowned politician and a longtime member of the Congress party, victorious in recent general elections. She’s also from a lower-caste community that has long faced discrimination, and her selection signals Congress’ support for minorities. More»

(NEWSER) - Inspired by the Iraqi reporter who hurled his shoes at President Bush, the world’s largest democracy has picked up the habit, the Los Angeles Times reports. In recent weeks, three people have enlivened India's national election by flinging footwear at politicians—always missing, but sparking much publicity. "Flying footwear are now the weapons of mass distraction," ran one headline. More»

3 states bar movie, worried it could infuriate lower castes

(NEWSER) - Three Indian states have banned a new Bollywood film that addresses the caste system. The film has already sparked the anger of lower caste groups, who say it fuels prejudice, the AP reports. The lower caste groups, called Dalits, make up about a quarter of India’s population. The film, called Aarakshan, or “Reservation,” addresses quotas ("reservations') for caste members in education and government, the Times of India reports. More»

It's the first time in 80 years

(USER SUBMITTED) - It has been 80 years since India included caste information in a census. But now at the behest of lower caste groups who believe they are not getting a fair share of jobs and other benefits, it will be included as part of next year's census. So the government has decided to count what is awkwardly referred to in India as the Other Backward Classes. Not everyone is excited at the prospect, with some believing that the census will encourage caste discrimination now banned by the constitution but still very much a part of the culture. Read the full article at CNN. More»

Woman's family arrested for Delhi 'honor killing'

(NEWSER) - The well-to-do family of a 19-year-old Delhi woman who fell in love with a taxi driver from a lower caste responded to the couple's desire to marry by torturing them to death. Police say the woman and her boyfriend, 21, were bound, beaten and electrocuted, the Independent reports. More»