Hyderabad: A law for backward classes (BCs) similar to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. That’s one key demand that the Telangana Commission for Backward Classes has repeatedly received in the two public hearings (Adilabad and Nizamabad) it has held so far as part of a caste survey in the state.
Either a law for BCs or an exemption from being charged under the SC/ST Atrocities Act has been the refrain of several BC caste welfare associations during the two public hearings.
Enquiries by TOI revealed that the main reason for the demand is that one, several BC sub-castes are treated worse than even SCs and STs and two, in many villages BCs often end up facing SC/ST atrocities cases from influential people over land row or their political and social rise.
“There are several BC sub-castes such as Vaddera, Pichakuntala, Budabukkalollu, Mandulollu etc., generally referred to as ‘Sanchara Jatulu’ who roam from place to place begging, but are treated even worse than SCs and STs. They are far more backward and illiterate compared to a majority of the SCs and STs. There have been cases of harassment against them and of being booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. It is a genuine demand,” said former MP and National BC Welfare Association chairman R Krishnaiah.
Backward Classes commission’s former chairman Krishna Mohan Vakulabharanam too said that several such representations were made during his tenure too. There were allegations that cases under the SC/ST Act were booked against BC castes under the influence of powerful people in villages, he said.
On their part, BC caste associations told the commission that while ‘Sanchara Jatulu’ are the most affected community, the fact is that self-proclaimed village development committees formed in several panchayats do not tolerate economic or political rise of any BC caste. If BCs do not fall in line with the diktats of the forward castes, they face the threat of SC/ST Atrocities Act cases, they said.
BC Commission chairman G Niranjan said, “We will examine each and every representation submitted to us and take it to the govt if intervention is required.
He urged the people, especially BCs, to ensure authentic information is provided to the Commission while warning that criminal cases will be booked if false claims are made.
Row at hearing over BRS delegation
Mild tension prevailed during the BC commission public hearing in Karimnagar on Friday, with various BC associations protesting over allowing a BRS-delegation led by Padi Kaushik Reddy to make their representation.
Kaushik questioned how the commission could conduct a public hearing even after the Telangana high court directed the constitution of a dedicated commission.
However, BC associations said that backward classes should be given priority at the public hearing.
Noisy scenes were witnessed before commission chairman G Niranjan brought the situation under control by not allowing any other member from the BRS to speak after Kaushik, stating that only one person from each group is allowed to speak.
