Article Today, Hyderabad: The Congress-led Telangana government has intensified its push for 42% BC reservation s for Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies, education, and jobs. In a high-level Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the state decided to organize a large-scale protest in Delhi on 5th, 6th, and 7th August.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, along with ministers and MPs, will meet the President of India to urge approval of two pending reservation-related bills. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar called upon BC communities from Telangana to join the protests in large numbers.
42% Reservation Demand at the Forefront
The Cabinet discussed 25 key issues, with BC reservations emerging as the main focus. As per the decision, Revanth Reddy and his team will stage a dharna in Delhi on August 6 to highlight their commitment to social justice. Addressing the media after the meeting, ministers Konda Surekha and Vakiti Srihari joined Ponnam Prabhakar in explaining the government’s stand. They emphasized that the reservation bill reflects the state’s genuine intent to uplift BCs.
Previous Government Under Fire
Minister Ponnam strongly criticized the previous TRS-led government, calling it a “feudalist regime.” He alleged that BC reservations in local bodies were slashed from 34% under the 2018 Panchayat Raj Act, which capped overall reservations at 50%.
In contrast, the current government issued an ordinance on July 7, seeking to repeal this cap and raise BC reservations to 42%. The ordinance was sent to the Governor on July 14, and the state now awaits her approval before forwarding it to the President.
Ponnam urged the Centre to help clear the bills pending with the President. He pointed out that the BJP has five BC MPs from Telangana—Bandi Sanjay, Etela Rajender, R. Krishnaiah, G. Kishan Reddy, and D. Arvind—who should support the legislation.
He accused BJP state president Ramchandra Rao of opposing the bill and challenged the party’s BC leadership to support weaker sections instead of opposing their rights. He reminded that leaders like K. Keshava Rao and Vakiti Srihari had supported similar efforts in the past.
“Fight Like Telangana Movement”
Minister Ponnam likened the BC rights movement to the Telangana statehood struggle. He said that over 90% of Telangana’s population, including SCs, STs, BCs, and minorities, deserves justice. He condemned efforts to block the bill in the name of technicalities, saying that some were “backstabbing” the cause. Despite opposition, he affirmed that the Congress government stands firm on its commitment to deliver 42% BC reservations.
All Eyes on August 5th–7th Protest
The minister revealed that over 100 MPs and Rajya Sabha members from Congress and its allies would participate in the protest. Telangana’s entire Cabinet, along with MLAs, MLCs, and MPs, will head to Delhi to press their demand. Ponnam also called on BC intellectuals, caste organizations, and social groups to fight unitedly, just as they did during the Telangana movement. He appealed for their active participation in what he termed a historic moment.
Legal Hurdles and EWS Reservations
Addressing legal concerns, Ponnam said the 50% cap on reservations no longer applies after the introduction of EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) quotas. Telangana currently has 64% total reservations—29% for BCs, 15% for SCs, and 10% for STs. He said the President must act before courts raise objections. He concluded by asserting that the reservation bill has strong constitutional backing and political will behind it.
