Context: In recent times there has been an increased demand for the reclassification of marginalised communities from the backward classes of society.

• Instances of protests and agitation have been on the rise such as the Kurmis seeking ST status in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.

• This issue requires a deeper understanding of the process of internal differentiation within large caste groups and the ever-changing caste dynamics.

Kurmis

• Kurmi is traditionally a non-elite tiller caste in the lower Gangetic plain of India.

• They are present in southern regions of Awadh, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar.

Eighth Schedule

• It lists the official languages of the Republic of India.

• Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351.

• Official Languages: The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution consists of the following 22 languages.

• The Sindhi language was added by the 21st Amendment Act of 1967.

• Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were included by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992.

• Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali were added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.