Deshmukh Demands Separate OBC Column in National Census The Other Backward Classes (OBC) in India, a significant demographic group, have been historically marginalized in terms of rights and entitlements, according to Anil Deshmukh, the former Maharashtra home minister and NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA. Deshmukh called for a separate column in the national census to accurately enumerate OBC populations, emphasizing the need for this change to address systemic neglect. His remarks came amid a growing boycott of the census exercise by OBC communities across Maharashtra, where villagers have reportedly turned away census officials due to the absence of such a category. Deshmukh criticized the administrative approach of census officials, accusing them of using coercion to enforce participation. He argued that the lack of a dedicated OBC column has led to resistance from communities who feel their representation is being overlooked. The former MLA urged the central and state governments to amend census forms before the situation escalates, warning that the current tactics could undermine democratic principles. The boycott has sparked tensions in several villages, with some locals refusing to cooperate with census teams. Deshmukh highlighted that the OBC community’s stance is justified, as the absence of a separate column has perpetuated their exclusion from data-driven policies. He also condemned what he described as "high-handedness" by officials, who he claimed have resorted to mediation as a pretext for pressure. The issue has broader implications for India’s socio-economic planning, as accurate census data is crucial for allocating resources and designing welfare programs. Deshmukh’s call for a dedicated OBC column reflects ongoing debates about caste-based representation in governance and policy-making.#maharashtra #other_backward_classes #ncp #anil_deshmukh #national_census
Ex-Maharashtra Home Minister Demands Death Penalty for Accused in Pune Girl's Rape-Murder A 4-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and murdered by a 65-year-old man in Bhor tehsil, Pune district, according to police. The accused allegedly lured the child with the promise of food, took her to a shed in a cattle enclosure, and committed the crime. The incident, which occurred on Maharashtra Day, has sparked outrage among local leaders and activists. Ex-Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, demanded the death penalty for the accused, calling the crime "extremely outrageous." He criticized the state government for failing to implement the Shakti Act, a proposed law aimed at strengthening protections for women and girls. Deshmukh, who previously served as home minister during the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, stated that the Shakti Act was approved by his administration but remains pending final approval from the central government. He accused the Centre and Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis-led government of passing the buck on the law’s implementation. "When there is an urgent need for this law in the state, the Centre and the state government are passing the buck to each other instead of implementing it and wasting time," he said. Deshmukh also claimed that the accused may have a history of assaulting young children, questioning how such individuals are allowed to roam freely in society. The Maharashtra legislative council passed the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026, in March, incorporating provisions from the Shakti Bill. The bill includes safeguards for acid attack survivors and stricter penalties for online sexual harassment.#devendra_fadnavis #nationalist_congress_party #ex_maharashtra_home_minister #anil_deshmukh #shakti_act
