20% reservations must for Mala population: G. Vivek Venkataswamy

Leaders of Mala community at the Mala Simha Garjana meeting to oppose the categorisation of the Scheduled Caste reservations in Hyderabad on Sunday (December 1, 2024). Chennur MLA G. Vivek Venkataswamy, G. Vinod and others are also seen.
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G

In a massive show of strength, halting Secunderabad and painting it blue, thousands of people belonging to the Mala community of Scheduled Castes converged at Parade Grounds for the ‘Mala Simha Garjana’ on Sunday (December 1).

Hundreds of private buses and yellow school buses continued to transport people from the districts from all directions even till the evening, choking the key junctions of Sangeet, Clock Tower, Patny and the radial routes leading to Secunderabad.

The meeting was led by Chennur legislator G. Vivek Venkataswamy with the rallying call: ‘protecting the self-respect of Mala community people’.

Hyderabad, Telangana, 01/12/2024: The Mala community, which is opposing the categorisation of the Scheduled Caste reservations, is organising a public meeting in Hyderabad to show its strength. The community leaders say they are the second largest caste community in Telangana and their interests cannot be ignored, at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Photo: RAMAKRISHNA G/The Hindu
| Photo Credit:
RAMAKRISHNA G

According to Mr. Venkataswamy, reservations to Mala community must be 20%, in proportion to the population as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is advocating.

“But on the other hand, the conspiracy is to treat Scheduled Castes as ‘homogenous group’ for granting reservation. It appears that they would bring a creamy layer and in future remove reservations,” he said, and pointed that the gathering was also a warning to all groups speaking against the Mala community.

According to Member of Parliament from Nagarkurnool Mallu Ravi, the meeting was also to say that Mala and Madiga communities are united and there must be no differences.

“We should stand united, and reservations must be in the private sector too. It is the Mala and Madigas that build the houses and lay the roads, but the ones enjoying it are not them. The Mala-Madiga combine must fight together against the Supreme Court decision allowing State governments to sub-categorise Scheduled Castes,” he said.