Ruling by India’s top court on revising caste affirmative action triggers furore
![CORRECTION / In this photograph taken on May 6, 2024, women from India's marginalised Dalit caste are pictured in Ayela village on the outskirts of Agra. More than two-thirds of India's 1.4 billion people are estimated to be on the lower rungs of a millennia-old social hierarchy that divides Hindus by function and social standing. Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established itself as India's dominant political force with a different pitch: think of your religion first, and caste second. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) / TO GO WITH: India-Vote-Caste, FOCUS Arunabh SAIKIA / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Money SHARMA has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [clarifying caption to add reference of Dalit as the marginalised caste]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.”](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/straitstimes/cbac12a674cb996712993954a4a87a4adbe593b6924ce18864fb4f93febfa286?w=480)
![CORRECTION / In this photograph taken on May 6, 2024, women from India's marginalised Dalit caste are pictured in Ayela village on the outskirts of Agra. More than two-thirds of India's 1.4 billion people are estimated to be on the lower rungs of a millennia-old social hierarchy that divides Hindus by function and social standing. Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established itself as India's dominant political force with a different pitch: think of your religion first, and caste second. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP) / TO GO WITH: India-Vote-Caste, FOCUS Arunabh SAIKIA / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Money SHARMA has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [clarifying caption to add reference of Dalit as the marginalised caste]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.”](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/straitstimes/b095c85171e379144e567a89f0505571ad36c3571a1e348ed099d1ada01e9a5b?w=480)
Fast-growing India faces up to its job crisis
India’s Rahul Gandhi appointed as parliamentary opposition leader
India’s Modi calls for ‘consensus’ as parliament opens after polls
Fresh frissons in India as Priyanka Gandhi steps forward
Rahul Gandhi to retain family bastion as Congress seeks to build after polls
Against the odds: 4 MPs and their unlikely triumphs in India’s election
India’s Modi government to revise unpopular military short-service scheme
India’s Congress party rejuvenated by strong election showing, but leaders say challenges remain
Modi 3.0 must heed history and seek to avert border war with China
