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February 23, 2016

India: Caste-Related Protests Leave 19 Dead, Cut Off Water in Delhi
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In India, days of protests related to the caste system have left 19
people dead and temporarily cut off water to up to 10 million people in
Delhi. The protesters are members of the Jat caste group, a relatively
affluent community who want officials to classify them as a "backward"
group. That classification would let them gain access to government jobs
and other benefits typically afforded to marginalized communities as
part of a system somewhat like affirmative action. Now, the government
in Haryana state has reportedly agreed to introduce a bill to grant the
Jat group "backward" status in order to appease the protesters, who have
set fire to shops and railway stations, blocked roads and damaged a key
canal.
Topics:India

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