Mass protests erupt across Israel after Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s dismissal
Tel Aviv: A wave of mass protests swept Israel on Tuesday evening following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The announcement was met with thousands of protesters taking to the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, expressing anger over Gallant’s removal amid the ongoing attacks by Israel on Palestine.
Netanyahu stated that the trust between him and Gallant had eroded, asserting, “In the midst of a war, more than ever, full trust is required between the prime minister and defence minister.” Gallant, however, has been advocating for a temporary diplomatic deal, suggesting that military efforts have laid the groundwork for negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, a stance differing from Netanyahu’s call for sustained military pressure.
Gallant outlined his differences with Netanyahu, highlighting the need to end military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men, the urgency of a hostage deal, and the establishment of an inquiry commission to investigate the political and security lapses surrounding the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Protests intensified following the announcement, with demonstrators blocking Tel Aviv’s main highway, waving Israeli flags, and lighting bonfires. Similar scenes unfolded outside Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, where police presence escalated, and reports of scuffles emerged as protesters clashed with authorities.
Political leaders across the spectrum expressed shock at the decision, with Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarking that Gallant’s dismissal was “the last thing Israel needs” in this period of conflict.
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Telangana launches statewide caste census to assess socio-economic needs
Hyderabad: On November 6, Telangana officially launched its much-anticipated Caste Census, a major initiative aimed at gathering data on the social, economic, educational, and political conditions of various communities across the state. The census was inaugurated by Ponnam Prabhakar, the Minister for BC Welfare, at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) office.
This ambitious survey will span three weeks and is supported by a trained workforce of 80,000 enumerators and 18,000 supervisors. Specifically, in Greater Hyderabad, 18,723 enumerators and 1,870 supervisors have been assigned to ensure comprehensive coverage.
The census will focus on 75 questions, with 56 key ones covering family income, education, employment status, land ownership, and the impact of reservation policies. The survey will be conducted in two parts: Part 1 will gather personal details of family members, while Part 2 will collect broader family-level information.
Enumerators will visit each household, marking completed surveys with stickers, and entering the data into a computer system on the same day to ensure accuracy. The survey is expected to conclude by December 8, with the final report due by December 9. To further streamline the process, the government has allocated Rs 150 crore for the initiative and established a dedicated commission to oversee the census and address any legal concerns.
