
Nair Service Society opposes Kerala caste census, plans to take legal action
KOTTAYAM: Asserting that the caste census announced by the Union government would divide people on the basis of caste and religion, the influential Nair Service Society (NSS) is planning to challenge the move in court.
The Centre had on June 4 announced that Population Census-2027 will be conducted in two phases along with the enumeration of castes. The first phase will begin on October 1, 2026, and the second on March 1, 2027. On Tuesday, the Karnataka government too announced a fresh caste survey.
The NSS' move is expected to create significant political challenge for the BJP, which has been making all-out efforts to widen its political base in Kerala ahead of the local body elections this year and the assembly elections in 2026.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Air India plane crash: Forensic team arrives at the site in Ahmedabad
A forensic team reached the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Friday, a day after a London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board, including 12 crew members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived at the Ahmedabad airport on Friday morning and is scheduled to visit the crash site of the Air India flight AI171. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2024-2025 Models: Small SUVs Are Turning Heads (Take A Look) FrequentSearches | Search Ads Learn More Undo Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. Live Events "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Maritime incidents: Kerala HC asks state to proceed against shipping firms
KOCHI: Expressing concern over repeated maritime incidents off the state's coast, Kerala High Court has directed the state government to proceed against the shipping companies, including by taking actions such as seizing sister vessels. This (the incidents) is costing the public exchequer, said a division bench headed by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar. 'If these instances keep happening, the burden will be on the state exchequer. It is best to proceed against the companies, and the state can also arrest sister vessels. Slow or no action should not become a precedent... there has to be prompt action. If there is a bigger incident in the future, this action will set a precedent,' it said. '...the state should not leave any stone unturned as far as offenders are concerned.' The bench said the Union and state governments should take all possible action under law. Under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, a collector can file a suit to enforce a maritime lien on a vessel. This lien arises from dues owed to the port, such as charges for using port facilities or damage caused by the vessel to port property. The cost to the public exchequer should be recovered from the persons responsible, the bench added. It sought to know whether the incidents would require the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to step in. Advocate General (AG) Gopalakrishna Kurup informed the court that police have registered an FIR and started an investigation. The AG added that no court can take cognizance of any offence under the Environment (Protection) Act except on a complaint made by the central government or any authorised officer. The court replied that it's for the central and state governments to take action. It also said it will appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The loss of fish resources from pollution and the resulting economic loss must be considered, the bench added.


NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
241 Dead In Air India Crash, PM Modi Visits Site In Ahmedabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday and visited the site of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash that killed 241 people a day earlier, one of the worst air disasters in recent times. The Prime Minister arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport and drove straight to the crash site in the Meghaninagar area, officials said. He was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. PM Modi, who served as Gujarat Chief Minister for 12 years, earlier said he was "stunned" by the tragedy. "It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," he said on X on Thursday. On Thursday Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had visited the site to take stock of the situation. The Centre has formed a high-level committee to probe the crash, Mr Kinjarapu said. Only one person - an Indian-origin British national - survived the crash that took place seconds after AI 171 took off for London Gatwick airport from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Officials said the flight lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm, before crashing into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area and going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air. The pilot had issued a 'Mayday' distress call, denoting a full emergency, soon after takeoff, the Air Traffic Control at Ahmedabad said. Aviation experts said that going by the available visuals, lack of thrust in both engines and a bird hit could be among the probable causes. Visuals from the wreckage area showed bodies being pulled out and the injured, many with burns, wheeled into the city civil hospital close by.