VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html ‘Leader’ box office collections day 5: Saravanan film stays flat with Rs 35 lakhs; R.S. Durai Senthilkumar’s film struggles Capricorn Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Small action will make you feel more in control ‘Lift all sanctions’: US-Iran agree to 2-week ceasefire – what’s in the 10-point plan Image: PTI NEW DELHI: In a debate over faith and belief vs fundamental rights emerging from the striking down of the customary ban on the entry of menstruating women into Lord Ayyappa Temple at Sabarimala, Justice B V Nagarathna on Tuesday criticised the past social practice of treating women as ‘untouchables’ for three days every month.Part of the CJI Surya Kant-headed nine-judge constitution bench that commenced what promises to be an intense yet interesting elucidation of contesting constitutional and legal principles on equality, religion, religious practices, faith and belief, Justice Nagarathna said, “As a woman, I do not agree.”Slated to be the first woman Chief Justice of India in Sept next year, she questioned the social practice that isolated menstruating women and said, “There cannot be three days of untouchability in a month for women, after which they are treated normal.”The remark came when solicitor general Tushar Mehta was questioning the rationality of the Sept 28, 2018, SC judgment in the ‘Indian Young Lawyer Association vs Kerala’ case in testing the practice of barring entry of women in the 10-50 age group into the Sabarimala temple on the touchstone of Article 17, which abolished untouchability and made its practice a penal offence.He said in India women are worshipped, and “we have a president, PM, governors and constitutional post-holders in women”. Equality for women is the cornerstone of govt policies, and hence, applying the Article 17 test to declare the custom at Sabarimala as unconstitutional appears to stretch the jurisprudence far beyond the ambit, he said.He said women of all ages enter all Ayyappa temples, but the practice of barring entry of menstruating women into Sabarimala was unique as devotees consider the Lord Ayyappa deity at the temple a “naistik brahmachari”.”This unique attribute of the deity can’t be tested by SC,” Mehta said, and complained that the jurisprudence of testing every issue with the gender equality litmus paper has unfortunately crept into constitution benches in the last few decades. “Women are equal in every aspect and must be treated equally,” he said.Justice M M Sundresh said it is the Centre’s argument that since the attribute of the deity is intrinsically linked to the faith and belief of devotees and Lord Ayyappa followers at Sabarimala, the court cannot embark on the validity test of such faith and belief.Mehta said the Sabarimala temple practice is ‘sui generis’ (of its own kind) and similar attributes could be found in other religious institutions also. “Someone may find that his/her right to freedom of expression in keeping their hair uncovered is being violated when they are forced to cover their head while entering a mazhar or gurdwara,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123Photostories10 short baby girl names inspired by beautiful flowersFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and moviesTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned6 Japanese ideas that quietly help calm an overthinking mind123Hot PicksThierry HenryUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Sagittarius Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Income improves through consistent work ‘Double-sided ceasefire’: Donald Trump agrees to suspend Iran attack by 2 weeks if it opens Hormuz immediately Decoding Dhurandhar success: Anand Pandit, Taran Adarsh explain how Ranveer Singh–Aditya Dhar’s franchise rewrote Bollywood’s rulebook | Exclusive Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers linked to high-stakes $82 million pursuit of ex-Giants All-Pro Image: PTI PATNA: Trains rolled in. Platforms swelled. Migrant families from Bihar stepped down at Patna Junction with bedding, steel containers, plastic sacks – returning from cities where cooking has become unaffordable. Faces carried fatigue and a decision driven by empty cylinders and the search for a flame that costs less than a day’s wage. LPG shortage bites.”LPG vendors are charging Rs 500 a kg. It lasts two days,” said Manoj, a construction worker from Punpun in Patna district who arrived from New Delhi with his wife and two children. “We could not continue.”Ramu, a Chennai factory worker bound for Saharsa, did the maths. “Two days’ wages for gas to cook one meal. Better unemployed at home than starving in a big city.”Officials said around 2,500 workers have returned so far, many citing cooking gas costs. Bihar has an estimated 48 lakh migrants working across Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Labour department teams have begun panchayat-level surveys to track returns.Magadh Express from New Delhi pulled in around 12.30pm Tuesday to a surge of workers heading home. By 2.20pm, Brahmaputra Mail brought another wave. Azimabad Express from Gujarat. Ernakulam Express from the south. Each arrival added to the churn.Danapur mirrored the flow – Sanghamitra Express from Bengaluru, Udhna Express from Gujarat – unloading passengers who have walked away from jobs as fuel costs spike.Many returnees hail from Siwan, Gopalganj, Madhubani, Darbhanga and Saharsa. Work left behind spans construction sites, factories, dhabas and housing complexes. Sonu, a security guard in Noida earning Rs 6,000 a month, said options ran out when his cylinder emptied. “We ate on the streets for a few days. Coal or wood not allowed in residential area,” he said.Nishi Devi, a domestic help returning to Bhojpur with three children, counted days since a proper meal. “The employer helped at first. Then they faced the same crisis. We cannot pay black-market rates and rent. At home, I will cook on cow dung cakes,” she said.Trains kept arriving. Bikash, a porter with 12 years at the station, saw the shift in footfall. “Not like pandemic rush, but numbers are rising the past two weeks,” he said.About the AuthorAdwitiya DebAdwitiya primarily covers crime and civic stories. She has in the past written on varied topics, including decline of the glass bangle culture, illegal trade of firecrackers in Champahati, West Bengal apart from many more on food and travel. She has recently completed her PGDM in journalism from Xavier’s, Mumbai. She loves music and is very affectionate about animals.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TablePurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Shah Rukh Khan bows out of Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’; declines cameo to focus on ‘King’: Reports Scorpio Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Settle one old conflict politely World Health Day: AI doctors vs real doctors — where machines win and where they fail Rasmr: “This is why content is so boring”: Streamer Rasmr backs Rakai in MrBeast controversy KOLKATA: “Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person,” the appellate tribunal ruled on April 5 in its first SIR appeal, accepting the Congress Farakka candidate’s Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission provided no reason for his exclusion.Retired judge TS Sivagnanam, while adjudicating Motab’s appeal, said the tribunal sought the specific reasons recorded by the judicial officer for exclusion of Motab’s name. The EC, however, failed to provide any, citing “technical reasons”.In an earlier proceeding regarding SIR in West Bengal in Supreme Court, Justice Joymalya Bagchi pointed out that the software includes a specific column designed to record the “reason” for every voter’s inclusion or exclusion.Justice Bagchi had said: “The architecture of the software provides a field for remarks, where the officers concerned must provide reasons when deciding whether a logical discrepancy justifies deletion or warrants inclusion.”Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing EC, had assured the bench that the entire digital record would be made available to the appellate tribunal.The dispute stemmed from discrepancies between Motab’s name as on the 2002 voters’ list and the first list after SIR on Dec 16 last year.The tribunal examined the entire record placed before the AERO, where Motab’s Aadhaar card proved crucial. While Aadhaar is not a document proving citizenship, it serves as a document of identity. In fact, following the SC judgment in the Bihar SIR case on Sept 8, 2025, Aadhaar was included by EC as a “supporting” document.Applying that logic to Motab’s appeal, the tribunal said his Aadhaar reflects his name as Motab Shaikh. “This would be sufficient to accept the case of the appellant,” it said.The tribunal also took note of his passport (issued in 2018) and driving licence (issued in 2001), both of which identified him as Motab Shaikh, son of Ejabul Shaikh.The tribunal also considered the affidavit he filed for correction after his name was recorded as ‘Motab Herul’ instead of ‘Motab Shaikh’ following the 2002 SIR.Furthermore, he produced the birth certificates of his four children; on the certificate of the eldest, born in 1993, his name was recorded as ‘Motab Shaikh’. Interestingly, all six of Motab’s siblings had cleared the SIR process, with their names appearing on the poll rolls, while Motab’s was the only one excluded.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Here’s why Kanye West was barred from entering UK, performing at Wireless Festival Libra Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Don’t start new investments or risky ventures today NFL Trade Rumors: San Francisco 49ers could land $90M New York Giants Pro Bowler after underwhelming season Serena Williams: Serena Williams posts rare family Easter photos with Alexis Ohanian, Olympia and Adira and reveals why motherhood changed her life | International Sports News NEW DELHI: BJP Tuesday flayed Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for his “illiterate” barb at those supporting the governing party in Gujarat and other states, as home minister Amit Shah retorted that the country is looking to decimate the opposition party in elections for remarks it should be “ashamed of”.Addressing rallies in Assam, Shah slammed Kharge for likening RSS and BJP to a venomous snake Muslims should finish off to survive. This is not language befitting democracy, he said, alleging Congress under Rahul Gandhi has become a threat to democratic system.Kharge at a poll meeting in Kerala had praised its voters for their education standards and said BJP can “fool” people in Gujarat and other states as they are “illiterate”. In another meeting, he, in an apparent address to Muslims, said, “Quran allows you to kill a venomous snake near you, even if it means breaking your namaz. RSS and BJP are venomous snake, which if you don’t kill then you won’t survive.”Conduct of Congress netas has fallen since Rahul became the party’s face, Shah said, asking voters in Assam to give Congress a befitting reply. “Vote in such a way that Congress is not visible even through a microscope.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingBuffalo BillsIShowSpeedStephen CurrySheldon KeefeUS stocks todayIran AdvisoryCarlos AlcarazIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date The Academy announces dates for 99th and 100th Oscars ceremonies | Virgo Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Money can come from hidden sources Rahul Gandhi’s absence fuels alliance friction buzz | India News Got picked in H-1B lottery: Redditor wants to come back to India, says ‘feeling weirdly sad and confused’ Amid Iran war, government extends freeze on channel TRPs | India News Samay Raina takes digs at Sunil Pal, B Praak, Mukesh Khanna amid India’s Got Latent fallout: ‘Hum Kashmiri cross fire me hi marte hain’ Leo Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Lucky day for speculation Scientists build a quantum battery that charges using light in seconds Mere use of word ‘bastard’ without sexual element not obscenity: Supreme Court ICE agents shoot man in California wanted in El Salvador; suspect tried to run over officers Appellate tribunal accepts Aadhaar card in first SIR appeal | India News Cancer Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Spend with joy, not pressure Atmanirbhar atom: Why India’s PFBR at Kalpakkam, a ‘breeder reactor’ that produces its own fuel, is a game-changer Indian restaurant faces 10-day suspension after serving alcohol to minor without checking ID in Canada Deepika Padukone breaks ‘silent treatment’ on Dhurandhar 2 amid Ranveer Singh’s success: ‘I watched it way before any of you did’ Gemini Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Spending rises because the day feels celebratory CM vs CM: Pinarayi-Revanth slugfest on last campaign day Us Citizenship Laws: Woman gives birth on NYC-bound plane: Immigration attorney explains if baby will be considered US citizen Image: IANS, PTI GUWAHATI: An Assam Police team searched Tuesday the New Delhi residence of Congress neta Pawan Khera in connection with a case filed by CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, escalating a political clash over alleged multiple passports and foreign assets.Khera was not found at his Nizamuddin residence during the search carried out with assistance from Delhi Police, officials said. “We will trace him wherever he is,” said DCP Debajit Nath.Police seized electronic devices during the operation. “Some incriminating material was found, but its details cannot be disclosed at this stage,” Nath added. An FIR was lodged in Guwahati around midnight Sunday after Khera and Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi alleged Riniki held passports of UAE, Egypt and Antigua and Barbuda, owned properties in Dubai and had assets routed through US shell companies. The case includes charges such as forgery under BNS.CM Sarma rejected the allegations, calling documents shown by Congress “AI-generated fake”. “Khera had dared Assam Police to arrest him, but I’ve come to know through media that police went to his residence in Delhi, but he ran away to Hyderabad. The law will take its own course,” Sarma said. Opposition voices sharpened demands for scrutiny. Congress ally Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi called for a CBI probe into allegations that Sarma’s family holds assets abroad. Gogoi accused the CM of deflecting questions. “Khera’s questions should be answered directly. The CM doesn’t have the courage and is using police instead,” he added.Khera must face consequences: BJP; Congress calls it witch huntBJP and Congress sparred over Assam Police’s action against Khera Tuesday, with the governing party backing the move and the latter calling it a “witch hunt”.If someone makes fake allegations and raises questions over the citizenship of the CM’s wife, he should be ready to face consequences, BJP said. He should face police and not run away after levelling such a big charge, it said.Congress’s Jairam Ramesh said the deployment of a “full army of police officials” to arrest Khera for asking basic questions in public interest proves that the CM is “disturbed, desperate, and rattled”. Sarma is acting like a bully who is rattled by questions asked in public interest, he said.On the action, he said, “This is not due process but instead a witch hunt, a bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the opposition that is exposing his many black deeds.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again After Deadly Blast Kills 2 Children; Curfew Imposed, Internet Shutdown’Avoid Military Areas, Stay Indoors’: India Issues Advisory For Indians In Iran As Tensions RiseManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata Threat123PhotostoriesFrom Divyanka Tripathi to Karishma Tanna confirming their pregnancies to Surbhi Jyoti flaunting her baby bump; TV actresses who are all set to embrace motherhoodWhy this is the only Indian dish among the 50 Best Bean Dishes in the World5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date Samay Raina roasts Amitabh Bachchan, admits he lied on KBC about his grandmother being Big B’s fan: ‘You play the room’ | Hindi Movie News Aries Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: A calm choice brings better returns today Drake Maye’s New England Patriots strongly linked to $81M New York Giants nose tackle Indian man arrested in New York state for $200,000 scam; called people and told them ‘you are wanted on a warrant’ Taurus Horoscope Today, April 8, 2026: Don’t take money decisions while feeling upset Theo Von draws criticism after Easter post with Candace Owens leaves fans debating his stance following Joe Rogan episode Nobody except President Trump knows why Bondi was fired, says replacement Todd Blanche in first press conference The story of Kerala’s electoral politics is often told through binaries. Left versus Congress, secular versus communal, reform versus identity. But beneath these familiar frames lies a quieter, decisive current that has shaped outcomes for decades and is now beginning to shift in ways that could redraw the map ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. At the centre of that churn stands the Ezhava community, a group whose journey from social exclusion to political centrality mirrors Kerala’s own transformation, and whose evolving political choices may well determine who governs God’s Own Country next. Watch Assembly Election 2026: CVOTER’s BIGGEST Opinion Poll In Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu All about Ezhava communityLong before electoral arithmetic began to matter, the Ezhavas were fighting for something more fundamental. Recognition, dignity and access. In 1896, a petition signed by 13,176 members of the community was submitted to the Travancore maharaja, protesting their exclusion from government jobs. It was not merely a grievance letter. It was an early articulation of collective political consciousness.The community, classified as avarna within the rigid caste hierarchy, faced restrictions that extended into every aspect of life. Access to temples, public roads and even education was limited. Yet, unlike many other marginalised groups, the Ezhavas began organising early, using petitions, reform movements and education as tools of resistance. Kerala demographics This phase of mobilisation found its most powerful expression in the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru. His philosophy rejected caste hierarchies and emphasised education, self respect and social equality.In 1903, the formation of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam marked a turning point. The organisation became the institutional backbone of the community’s transformation, promoting rational thinking and social reform in a region then steeped in orthodoxy.What followed was not just social upliftment but a gradual politicisation. Leaders such as T K Madhavan aligned with broader national movements, including Gandhi’s non-cooperation campaign. By the early twentieth century, the Ezhavas had become one of the most organised and educated communities among those once labelled untouchable. Ezhavas based on a 1998 sample survey The Left connectionIt is no coincidence that the rise of the Ezhavas coincided with the emergence of Left politics in Kerala. The ideological overlap was almost natural. A community shaped by anti-caste reform and a political movement rooted in class struggle found common ground.By the 1930s and 1940s, many followers of Narayana Guru were actively involved in the early Communist movement. Over time, the Ezhavas became the backbone of Left parties, especially the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM). Their support was not episodic. It was structural. Castes & communities respresentation in the 2021 Kerala state assembly The numbers highlight this relationship. The community constitutes around 23 percent of Kerala’s population, making it the largest Hindu caste group in the state. Their presence is geographically spread across Travancore, central Kerala and parts of Malabar, ensuring influence across regions rather than in isolated pockets.Electorally, this translated into consistent support for the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Leadership positions within the Left also reflected this bond. Chief ministers such as VS Achuthananthan and Pinarayi Vijayan emerged from the community, reinforcing the perception of representation and alignment.The assembly composition further highlights their weight. Ezhava legislators account for roughly 19 percent of seats, a significant share in a state where no single community dominates beyond a quarter of the assembly. Their rise since the late 1980s has also coincided with the decline of other backward caste groups, consolidating their position as the most politically influential segment within the OBC category.Shifting towards Sangh?What appears stable on the surface appears to be undergoing a gradual but unmistakable shift. The recent electoral cycles, particularly the Lok Sabha elections, have revealed cracks in the long standing alignment between the Ezhavas and the Left.The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) growing vote share in Kerala, touching nearly 20 percent, has been partly attributed to inroads into the Ezhava base. Constituencies such as Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Attingal and Kottayam have shown signs of this shift. The BJP’s victory in Thrissur, its first Lok Sabha seat in the state, has added symbolic weight to this trend. Sub-regions of Kerala In several assembly segments, the party has emerged as the leading force based on vote share, a first in Kerala’s political history. The numbers alone do not tell the full story, but they indicate a change that is no longer marginal.At the centre of this realignment is the evolving role of the SNDP Yogam and its leadership. Accusations from Left leaders that sections of the organisation are aligning with the Sangh Parivar have been met with both denial and defiance. Leaders within the SNDP argue that the shift is a response to perceived neglect and political marginalisation.The argument is framed in terms of betrayal. That a community which formed the backbone of Communist movements feels reduced to a vote bank. That representation has not translated into equitable distribution of power or opportunities. Those policies are seen as favouring other communities at their expense.These perceptions, whether entirely accurate or politically amplified, have created fertile ground for alternative political narratives. Castes and communities distribution among parties’ MLAs in 2021 polls The push factorsSeveral factors are driving this shift, and they are not purely ideological. Economic change is one of the most significant.Kerala’s economy has moved away from agrarian structures towards services, migration driven remittances and emerging sectors such as information technology and tourism. Within the Ezhava community, this transition has created a divide. A section has moved up the economic ladder, becoming professionals, entrepreneurs and part of the global workforce. Another large segment remains tied to traditional occupations or informal labour, facing economic uncertainty. Religion and caste wise votes polled for parties in 2016 and 2019 elections This divergence has produced new aspirations and frustrations. Younger, educated members of the community often find limited opportunities within the state, leading to migration or dissatisfaction. Welfare schemes, while providing support, are seen as insufficient to address structural challenges.Political messaging has tapped into these sentiments. The idea that the Left has shifted focus towards minority appeasement, whether accurate or not, has been a recurring theme in the rhetoric of leaders seeking to draw the community towards alternative platforms.The role of identity politicsThe attempt to bring the Ezhavas into a broader Hindutva fold represents a significant departure from their historical trajectory. The community’s reformist legacy, rooted in anti caste principles and universalism, sits uneasily with identity driven mobilisation.Critics argue that this shift risks undermining the very foundations laid by Narayana Guru. Voices within the community, including religious and social institutions such as the Sivagiri Mutt, have expressed concern over the politicisation of the Guru’s teachings.At the same time, proponents of the shift argue that political realities have changed. That communities must adapt to new alignments to secure their interests. That ideological purity cannot come at the cost of political relevance.This tension between legacy and pragmatism is playing out within the community, making it far from a monolithic voting bloc.Electoral arithmetic for 2026As Kerala heads towards the 2026 assembly elections, the importance of the Ezhava vote becomes even more pronounced. In a state where no single community dominates, even marginal shifts can have outsized effects.The distribution of Ezhava voters across regions means their influence is not confined to a handful of constituencies. They play a role in shaping outcomes in dozens of seats, particularly in interior districts where their presence is strong. Kerala party-wise seat The Left Democratic Front continues to field a higher proportion of Ezhava candidates compared to its rivals, reflecting an awareness of this importance. However, candidate selection alone may not be sufficient if voter sentiment continues to shift.The United Democratic Front, while historically less dependent on the Ezhava base, could benefit indirectly from any fragmentation of votes that weakens the Left.For the BJP and its allies, the strategy is clear. Consolidate incremental gains, deepen engagement through organisational networks such as SNDP branches, and present themselves as a viable alternative. Even if outright victory remains challenging, increasing vote share and influencing seat outcomes can reshape the political landscape. Beyond numbersReducing the Ezhava community to electoral arithmetic alone would miss the larger point. Their significance lies not just in numbers but in the ideas they have historically represented.From early petitions against discrimination to leading social reform movements, from shaping Left politics to now questioning it, the community has consistently been at the forefront of Kerala’s socio-political evolution.Their current crossroads reflects broader changes within the state. The tension between welfare and growth, identity and ideology, tradition and modernity. How the Ezhavas navigate these choices will offer insights into the direction Kerala itself may take.The 2026 assembly polls are unlikely to produce a sudden, dramatic realignment. Political shifts in Kerala tend to be gradual, layered and shaped by multiple factors. But the direction of movement is becoming clearer. Party-wise seat share acorss years in Kerala If the Left can address the economic and representational concerns of the Ezhava community, it may retain its core support while adapting to new realities. If not, the erosion could deepen, creating space for rivals to expand.For the community, the challenge is equally complex. Balancing historical legacy with contemporary aspirations, resisting divisive politics while seeking greater influence, and ensuring that political choices translate into tangible benefits.What is certain is that the Ezhavas will remain central to Kerala’s political story. Not as passive voters, but as active participants shaping outcomes.And as April 9 approaches, the question is no longer whether they matter. It is how they will choose to matter this time.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. 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