Article Today, Hyderabad:
Veteran BC leader R. Krishnayya, long regarded as a symbol of backward class empowerment, is facing mounting criticism over his current political trajectory. A public letter written by social activist Dr. Chintam Praveen Kumar has ignited a debate across social media, expressing deep concern over what he calls the “dilution” of the BC movement.
A Leader Beyond Positions
In the letter, Dr. Kumar recalled Mr. Krishnayya’s decades-long struggle for the rights of the backward classes. He cited the 1980s student movements and the Assembly siege, which established Mr. Krishnayya as a forceful advocate of social justice. The activist stressed that positions such as MLA or MP were insignificant when compared to the leader’s larger role in shaping the BC movement.
Legacy of a Mass Movement
Dr. Kumar highlighted that Mr. Krishnayya had once united the BC community during N.T. Rama Rao’s tenure, particularly while advancing the proposal for 44 per cent reservations. According to him, “BC is a brand, and Krishnayya is its face.” He emphasised that a leader of such stature should not be confined within the framework of political office.
Allegations of Political Strategy
The letter further alleged that major political parties were attempting to use Mr. Krishnayya as a pawn in their efforts to weaken the BC cause. Dr. Kumar argued that the leader’s symbolic value far exceeded the limits of party politics. He urged Mr. Krishnayya to resist such political manoeuvres and reaffirm his independence as a movement leader.
A Call to Reclaim the Movement
Dr. Kumar urged Mr. Krishnayya to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to redefine the BC movement. He argued that with the support of nearly two crore BC citizens, Mr. Krishnayya could reshape the political discourse in Telangana. The letter concluded that if Mr. Krishnayya chose the path of people’s struggle over party allegiance, even major political headquarters like Gandhi Bhavan, Sangh Bhavan, and Gulabi Bhavan would gravitate towards his leadership.
A Question of Identity and Legacy
The public letter, now widely circulated online, has sparked introspection within BC organisations. Many activists view it not merely as a critique but as a reminder of Mr. Krishnayya’s pivotal role in the history of BC assertion. The debate it has triggered may well determine whether the leader remains a symbol of resistance—or becomes bound by the very political system he once sought to challenge.
