Latest news with #Kunbi
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Gear up for Aug 29 march to Mumbai, Jarange to supporters
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange has called upon his supporters to prepare for the planned Mumbai march on Aug 29, advocating for Maratha quota rights. On Sunday, Jarange conducted a gathering with supporters from 123 villages located along the Godavari river in Jalna's Ankush Nagar. During the meeting, Jarange described the Maratha reservation as "amrut", urging the community to secure it without fail. "The reservation is not a favour by anybody. It is our just right. Don't remain silent, don't be careless," he said. During his speech, Jarange criticised chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. "Fadnavis is responsible for the Marathas not getting caste validity documents for Kunbi certificates. He has asked authorities to deliberately find flaws in our certificates," he said. Jarange revealed that senior govt officials told him about the CM's alleged involvement in instigating conflicts between the Maratha and OBC communities. Addressing the appointment of NCP politician Chhagan Bhujbal as cabinet minister, Jarange said Fadnavis was utilising Bhujbal to create discord between Marathas and OBCs.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Fugudo, a dance form of Kerala' Kudumbi community, practised in and around Kochi, is on the path of revival
R Sadanandan, 62 remembers not being allowed to watch Fugudo, a traditional dance, of his Kudumbi community. The retired employee of the District Court, Ernakulam, says, 'We kids would be shooed away if we attempted to watch the Fugudo performances put up by the grown-ups. And by the time I was 'old' enough, it was not staged as often as it was back in the day. Certain songs were supposedly suggestive, laden with sexual innuendo!' We are sitting at his house at Thundiparambu near Cherlai, Fort Kochi. His wife, Mayadevi PS, listens intently as Sadanandan unpacks his memories of Fugudo . The couple is among a handful of people attempting to keep the dance form alive, practised in the coastal areas around Kochi including Pizhala, Kadamakkudy, Varapuzha, North Paravur, Kodungallur, and Poya among others, where the Kudumbi community set down roots. While Sadanandan is part of the team that sings, Mayadevi does both. The Sri Kurumba Konkani Kala Samskarika Vedi is working towards sustaining the culture and language of the community in the area and Fugudo is one of the important items on the agenda. 'Although I knew about it, via my husband, I had never seen it performed. My family is from Tripunithura and it wasn't done there,' says Mayadevi, an employee of the Forest Department. 'After coming to Kochi (Fort Kochi) is when I heard about it. But by then very few people were practising it, our way of life was also changing,' she says. As the community adapted to life away from home, holding on to cultural markers of home became important and Fugudo was one such. Over time assimilation demanded marginalisation of those markers and Fugudo met the same fate. 'There are very few people who know it and those who do have aged and cannot perform. It has been an uphill task finding the songs but we are working on it,' adds Sadanandan. Not a performative art form Although men and women used to do the Fugudo together, the Kurumba Samskarika Vedi is mostly an only-women group with a couple of men in supporting roles as singers. It is not performative, there are no complicated steps with the dancers moving rhythmically in a circle or semi circle. 'Back in the day, it is believed people used to go into a trance-like state or were possessed when they did the Fugudo and people chewed pan to avoid that,' Mayadevi, 56 adds. The costume is the sari tied like the traditional 'gusali', back to front. A number of Kudumbi people (also known as Kurumbi in Kerala and Kunbi in Goa) left their home in Goa, with other Konkani-speaking communities, in the period from the 16th century, to escape religious persecution at the hands of the Portuguese. They made their way to the coastal areas of the Western Ghats — Karnataka and Kerala — and set down their roots. They came to Kerala and continued their way of life here. They are believed to have brought climate-resistant Pokkali farming to Kerala, and are one of the communities that practice it. They also into prawn farming. Fugudo showcase In February this year, Thudippu Dance Foundation held a Fugudo showcase as part of its Friends of Thudippu initiative. Mayadevi, Sadanandan and the entire troupe put up a performance that also served as an introduction to it. Mayadevi is happy that they are able to take Fugudo out into the world via Thudippu. 'With this initiative we are trying to showcase and document/archive art forms (dance and theatre) practised by various communities in Kerala. For instance we had Chavittunatakam and Kaikottikali, Fugudo was our third such event. We hope to be able to cover as many as possible despite our limitations as a small outfit,' says Anjali Krishna, one of the founders of Thudipu. 'Fugudo is a version of Fugudi performed by the Kunbis in Goa. Obviously the move from Goa caused the disconnect; the name is a corruption of the original. Fugudo would have some steps of the original. Fugudi, today, is different — it has more Portuguese —inspired steps and Flamenco-like spins, we don't have those,' says Mayadevi. Her foray into Fugudo happened by chance when there was an enquiry about it from a film crew in 2019. Though the project was shelved, Fugudo got another chance. Waning interest in Fugudo 'The number of people performing had shrunk, but there were old-timers around here from whom we learnt the steps and the songs. The younger lot are not interested, we hope to attract a few of them so that we can keep our tradition alive,' says Mayadevi. Kudumbis are primarily farmers, and Fugudo is significant as a dance form related to farming or harvest and their social life as well as a form of community building. She adds, 'The dance was mainly performed on the days after Sivaratri, there is an element of devotion around it. However, it was also done as a form of relaxation after a day's hard work, I have heard. Another, very different version is performed as part of the function after a woman delivers a baby. The songs sung for functions such as this and wedding ceremonies are different from those for Fugudo.' Referring to the sexual innuendo in the songs, she points out, 'Perhaps, because as a farming community, fertility of the soil was important, there was a certain degree of that and even descriptions of a woman's physical attributes.' The songs that they perform to today have been 'sanitised' to some extent. 'When we practice, some of the women ask to take out some lines. Sometimes the innuendo escapes me!' she adds laughing. Today Fugudo is 'performed' as part of cultural programmes to keep it alive, 'We cannot afford to be insulated now, we need to move into performance spaces,' Mayadevi says. The troupe comprises 16-odd members, all from the Kudumbi community, mostly women, a couple of men (who provide the vocals) and a few children. 'Fugudo belongs to our community, it is part of our heritage,' Mayadevi reiterates in response to a question about other communities performing Fugudo.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
SC orders release of degree to Yavatmal student caught in caste verification delay
Nagpur: In a case highlighting the consequences of administrative delays in caste verification, the Supreme Court recently directed North Maharashtra University , Jalgaon, to release the marks sheet and degree certificate of a BTech graduate whose caste claim was invalidated years after he completed his course. A division bench of justices Bhushan Gavai and Augustine George Masih, while disposing of the appeal filed by Anand Patel of Yavatmal, ruled that his completed education must not be jeopardised due to prolonged inaction by the caste scrutiny committee. Patel secured admission to a chemical engineering course under the OBC quota in 2015, claiming to belong to the Kunbi community. "The appellant's education deserves to be protected," the court observed, while clarifying that Patel will not be entitled to any future benefits linked to the OBC category. "We are passing this order in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and the same shall not be treated as a precedent," the bench said. Patel's caste certificate was sent for verification in 2015, but no decision was made for years. He was forced to approach the Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench in 2017. In a judgment delivered in February 2020, the High Court slammed the scrutiny committee's "callous attitude" and imposed personal costs of Rs75,000 on its members. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Though the scrutiny panel later invalidated Patel's claim on March 11, 2020, he had already completed his final year examinations by then. After authorities withheld his mark sheets and degree, Patel moved the Aurangabad bench of the High Court, which dismissed his petition on the grounds that he was not entitled to relief due to the invalidation of his caste status. He then challenged the HC's ruling in the Supreme Court through counsel Shilpa Giratkar. The apex court, however, took a different view. "The scrutiny committee failed to decide the claim within a reasonable period. The appellant was compelled to litigate though no fault of his own," Giratkar contended. "The respondents (North Maharashtra University) are directed to release the marks sheets and degree certificate of the petitioner within a period of four weeks," the bench said before disposing of the plea.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jarange sets deadline for Maratha quota demands; warns of indefinite fast in Mum
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange said on Wednesday he would launch an indefinite fast in Mumbai from August 29 if the state govt failed to implement the pending demands related to Maratha quota by August 28. He said he would either arrive with a "victory chariot" or a "funeral procession". Reacting sharply to Jarange's announcement, OBC activist Laxman Hake said the day Jarange heads to Mumbai, "we will break a coconut before Khandoba in Malegaon (Nanded) and start our own long march to Mumbai." He said the govt should stop focusing on Jarange and instead concentrate on safeguarding OBC reservation. "It was the OBC community that had helped bring this govt back to power. The state must not compromise the rights of backward classes under any pressure," he said. There has been increasing tension between Maratha and OBC groups over Jarange pressing for inclusion of Marathas as Kunbis under the OBC category, while OBC leaders staunchly opposed the move, calling it a direct threat to their share of quota benefits. Jarange, while speaking to newspersons, accused the state govt of betraying the Maratha community. "It's been two years and we've shown enough patience. The govt promised to implement four of our key demands immediately after the last fast. Three months have passed, and not a single demand has been fulfilled. We now have no choice but to come to Mumbai. The time for compromise is over," he told reporters. He warned of a largescale protest in Mumbai, stating that the indefinite fast would be launched from either Azad Maidan or outside Mantralaya. "Start preparing now. We are not returning this time," he told Maratha community members. Jarange took aim at chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal, saying, "Give us what is rightfully ours. Do not deny us our rights even if others oppose it." In a direct warning to Fadnavis, he said, "Don't act out of arrogance. Even Congress ruled for decades and was unseated. People remember betrayal. Power doesn't last forever." Among the list of demands made by Jarange are issuance of caste certificates based on 58 lakh historical Kunbi records found, immediate enforcement of 'sage soyre' (blood relatives) notification, promulgation of ordinance declaring Marathas and Kunbis as one and the same, withdrawal of all police cases filed against protesters, implementation of Hyderabad Gazette for quota eligibility, and free education for girls across all castes. He alleged that officials were deliberately delaying or denying certificates. "One boy lost his admission due to this delay. This is sabotage," Jarange claimed. He demanded strict action against negligent or biased officials. Jarange also appealed to the Maratha community not to be disheartened. "All I ask is that people drop me in Mumbai on August 28. I am ready to fight for the future of our children," he said. He stated that he would announce the final protest roadmap on August 1, with preparations already underway.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Shinde panel finds 58 lakh Kunbi records, may help up to 2 crore Marathas get OBC quota benefits
Pune: The Maratha-OBC politics is flaring up again in the state after the Shinde Committee submitted its fourth report to state govt stating that over 58 lakh Kunbi records had been found. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These would enable up to two crore Marathas obtain Kunbi certificates to avail OBC quota benefits , a panel member said. OBC leaders and activists strongly objected to the report. OBC activist Laxman Hake said the state should not accept it, while senior NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal said the court would decide on the issue. The committee's report, submitted to state govt last week, stated that it had found 58,82,000 Kunbi records. Based on these, a total of 8,25,851 Kunbi certificates had been issued. "Going by the applicant's details, up to two crore Marathas are expected to be eligible for reservation under the OBC category with these certificates," the committee member said. OBC leaders opposed the Shinde Committee's fourth report, like its previous three. Former cabinet minister Bhujbal said some people had approached the court, challenging the issuance of certificates. The court would decide on the issue, the NCP MLA said. OBC activist Hake took a firmer stand on the report and demanded that state govt should not accept it. He said, "If two crore Marathas are included in the OBC category, it will have an adverse impact within the OBC community. The inclusion of such a large number of people in the category will destroy the entire reservation for the OBC community in the long run. Therefore, we demand that state govt should not accept the report. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Otherwise, we will have to start a statewide agitation." On the other hand, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange welcomed the report and criticised Bhujbal for opposing it. He said, "Bhujbal has always tried to create hurdles for the Maratha community in getting reservation, but he will never be successful. We are happy that some of our demands have been accepted by govt, but still some demands have not been accepted. I will be holding a rally on April 30 to decide the future course of action on the issue." The Mahayuti govt had constituted the Shinde Committee in its earlier tenure, when Eknath Shinde was the chief minister. It became a focal point in state politics, with Maratha activist Jarange holding multiple rallies across the state to demand the inclusion of the Maratha community in the existing OBC category. In response to his demand, the committee searched several documents to find Kunbi records. When govt began issuing Kunbi certificates after the committee started finding the records, OBC leaders and activists opposed the move. Last year, state govt had issued a notification to recognise Maratha community members as Kunbi, whose caste records could be found. It referred to the draft rules mentioned as Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate (Amendement) Rules, 2024. According to it, the Kunbi certificate can be issued to the applicant who can establish his blood relationship with Kunbi records. Pune: The Maratha-OBC politics is flaring up again in the state after the Shinde Committee submitted its fourth report to state govt stating that over 58 lakh Kunbi records had been found. These would enable up to two crore Marathas obtain Kunbi certificates to avail OBC quota benefits, a panel member said. OBC leaders and activists strongly objected to the report. OBC activist Laxman Hake said the state should not accept it, while senior NCP member Chhagan Bhujbal said the court would decide on the issue. The committee's report, submitted to state govt last week, stated that it had found 58,82,000 Kunbi records. Based on these, a total of 8,25,851 Kunbi certificates had been issued. "Going by the applicant's details, up to two crore Marathas are expected to be eligible for reservation under the OBC category with these certificates," the committee member said. OBC leaders opposed the Shinde Committee's fourth report, like its previous three. Former cabinet minister Bhujbal said some people had approached the court, challenging the issuance of certificates. The court would decide on the issue, the NCP MLA said. OBC activist Hake took a firmer stand on the report and demanded that state govt should not accept it. He said, "If two crore Marathas are included in the OBC category, it will have an adverse impact within the OBC community. The inclusion of such a large number of people in the category will destroy the entire reservation for the OBC community in the long run. Therefore, we demand that state govt should not accept the report. Otherwise, we will have to start a statewide agitation." On the other hand, Maratha activist Manoj Jarange welcomed the report and criticised Bhujbal for opposing it. He said, "Bhujbal has always tried to create hurdles for the Maratha community in getting reservation, but he will never be successful. We are happy that some of our demands have been accepted by govt, but still some demands have not been accepted. I will be holding a rally on April 30 to decide the future course of action on the issue." The Mahayuti govt had constituted the Shinde Committee in its earlier tenure, when Eknath Shinde was the chief minister. It became a focal point in state politics, with Maratha activist Jarange holding multiple rallies across the state to demand the inclusion of the Maratha community in the existing OBC category. In response to his demand, the committee searched several documents to find Kunbi records. When govt began issuing Kunbi certificates after the committee started finding the records, OBC leaders and activists opposed the move. Last year, state govt had issued a notification to recognise Maratha community members as Kunbi, whose caste records could be found. It referred to the draft rules mentioned as Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Denotified Tribes, Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate (Amendement) Rules, 2024. According to it, the Kunbi certificate can be issued to the applicant who can establish his blood relationship with Kunbi records.
