Revanth demands Centre to approve Telangana’s 42% BC quota Bill

Hyderabad:Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday defended the Telangana Legislative Assembly’s decision to increase reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in education, employment, and local bodies to 42 per cent as it was legitimate and necessary.

Speaking at a protest rally organised by Backward Classes Welfare Associations at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday, Revanth Reddy demanded the BJP-led government at the Centre to give Constitutional protection from judicial scrutiny to Telangana’s two Bills providing 42 per cent reservations for BCs by including them in the Ninth Schedule.

“If they do not, BCs will bring the Congress to power at the Centre, and secure 42 per cent reservations for BCs ourselves,” Revanth Reddy said. The Assembly passed two Bills on March 17 seeking to enhance BC reservations to 42 per cent.

The protest witnessed strong participation from BC welfare associations and leaders from various political parties.

Revanth Reddy said that the Telangana government has taken decisive steps toward increasing BC quotas, in line with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s promises during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

“Within 100 days of assuming office, the Congress government in Telangana resolved to conduct a caste-based census. On February 4, 2024, we presented the caste census findings in the Assembly, declaring it as ‘Social Justice Day,’” he said.

Revanth Reddy accused the BJP of being fundamentally opposed to increasing reservations for weaker sections. He alleged that the BJP conspired against the Mandal Commission in late 1980s and launched the 'Kamandal' movement to counter it, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being its key representative.

He praised Indira Gandhi for working like a mother to uplift Dalits and Adivasis by providing them with reservations, housing, and land acquired from landlords. He pointed out that even today, many Dalit and Adivasi households still have Indira Gandhi’s photos in their houses as a mark of gratitude.

The Chief Minister slammed the BJP for delaying the 2021 Census to avoid caste-based enumeration, fearing it would expose the socio-economic status of weaker sections. He alleged that due to Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on caste census, the BJP is trying to postpone national census even in 2025. Telangana, however, has already completed caste-based enumeration and set an example for the country, Revanth Reddy said.

Revanth Reddy questioned why the BJP and Narendra Modi are troubled by Telangana's efforts to increase BC reservations. He pointed out that BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have not conducted caste-based enumeration. He demanded to know why the Centre refuses to recognise Telangana’s efforts to hike BC reservations.

Drawing a parallel with Lord Krishna’s "Hastinapuram peace mission" before the Kurukshetra war, Revanth Reddy said they had come to Delhi with a request. “If Parliament approves Telangana’s Bills, we will organise a rally of 10 lakh people to honour Modi in Hyderabad. If not, we will intensify our agitation,” he warned.

"We have sent the 42 per cent BC reservation Bills to the Centre for approval but there has been no response. We are requesting Narendra Modi that we want to implement it in our state, not in Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh. If we want to give 42 per cent reservation in our state, what problem does Modi have in approving it," Revanth Reddy asked.

The Chief Minister appealed to Modi to listen to the state government's concerns and approve the Bills. "We are ready to implement it, approve the bill," he said.

"I am not bothered whether you will implement it across the country. I am not bothered whether you will implement it in your Gujarat. As the Telangana Chief Minister, we have decided in the Assembly to increase the BC quota to 42 per cent. What problem do you have?" Revanth Reddy asked.

He also said that the Modi government should not try to dominate the state by being in power at the Centre. "If you dominate, you know what happened to Nizams and Razakar in the past in Telangana.."

Throwing a challenge at Modi, Revanth Reddy said, “You passed laws against Triple Talaq, Article 370, and farm laws. Why are you silent when 15-16 parties support increased BC reservations? If you refuse to act, either you must step down, or your party will be brought down by the people.”

DMK MP Kanimozhi, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, TPCC chief B Mahesh Kumar Goud, CPI national secretary K. Narayana, NCP MP Supriya Sule, and representatives from 42 BC unions joined the protest, signaling widespread support for the 42 per cent BC reservations demand.