Telangana Jagruthi led by BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha at a day-long protest seeking 42% reservations to Backward Classes in the local bodies elections, in Hyderabad on Friday (January 3, 2025).
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
HYDERABAD
President of the Telangana Jagruthi and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K. Kavitha has alleged that Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre had historically neglected the backward classes by not taking up caste census since Independence.
Speaking at the ‘BC Mahasabha’ meet held here on Friday (January 03, 2025) she demanded that the State government implement 42% reservation to BC communities in the local bodies to undo the party’s injustice to them at least to some extent. She asked the government to include the caste census as part of the national census, to install a statue of Jyothiba Phule on the Assembly premises and also the implementation of the Kamareddy BC declaration.
Highlighting the necessity of ensuring accurate representation for BCs at every level, Ms. Kavitha said: “Those who understand history are the architects of the future. In 75 years of Independence, we must reflect on the fate of BCs. While many advocate for a caste-free society, the reality is that caste continues to shape lives in the country.”
In response to the criticism from Congress leaders about her focus on BC issues, Ms. Kavitha said her timing was dictated by necessity. She criticised the Congress for its historical failures such as rejecting the Kaka Kalelkar Commission report and suppressing the Mandal Commission report until it was implemented by a non-Congress government at the Centre led by V.P. Singh.
She blamed both Congress and BJP for their failure to release the 2011 caste census report and accused the BJP of outright refusal to conduct a caste census. Calling for the unity and support of all sections of society in the fight for justice, Ms. Kavitha asked the Revanth Reddy government to ensure the protection of the rights of all communities.
The BRS leader lauded Savitribai Phule as a trailblazer who defied societal hurdles to champion women’s education and empowerment. She described Phule as a “puli bidda”, whose legacy of social reform continues to inspire generations. BC leaders K. Swamy Goud, Tula Uma, Sardar Ravinder Singh, Sumitra Tanoba, Roop Singh, Gattu Ramchander Rao, Kyama Mallesham, P. Ravikumar Goud, G. Srinivas Yadav and a host of others spoke.
Published – January 03, 2025 09:38 pm IST
