Article Today, Hyderabad:
The state-wide bandh called on October 18 by Backward Class (BC) associations in Telangana demanding 42 per cent reservations has taken a politically curious turn. Despite the Centre’s known opposition to expanding BC quotas, BJP Rajya Sabha member R. Krishnayya has emerged as the main face of the agitation, drawing criticism and suspicion over the protest’s real intent.
Contradictions in Leadership
The Telangana government has repeatedly urged the Centre to approve its proposal for 42 per cent BC reservations. Though the Governor forwarded the proposal, the President has yet to grant approval. Political observers point out that the Centre’s inaction and lack of cooperation led to setbacks for the state in the High Court and Supreme Court. Against this backdrop, a BJP MP leading the protest has raised eyebrows. BC leaders and political analysts alike view this as a contradiction that undermines the spirit of the movement.
A United Protest with Divided Intent
The bandh has garnered support from almost all political parties, including the ruling Congress and the BRS. However, this very unity has fueled debate about the purpose of the agitation. If all major parties claim to support the BC quota, critics ask, who is the protest actually targeting? Some activists allege that the bandh could be politically stage-managed to divert public attention from the Centre’s inaction on reservation policies.
Allegations of Political Theatre
Left parties, particularly the CPM, have accused the BJP of engaging in “political theatre.” CPM State Secretary John Wesley questioned how a party that blocks reservation bills in Parliament can simultaneously back a bandh demanding the same. He argued that such contradictions mislead the public and dilute genuine struggles for social justice. CPM leader Thammineni Veerabhadram also echoed this view, stressing that the responsibility for implementing BC reservations rests squarely with the Centre.
BCs as Political Pawns
Critics within the BC community allege that their long-standing demand for equitable representation has become hostage to political opportunism. Some activists have expressed concern that BC leaders are allowing their cause to be manipulated by upper-caste interests and electoral strategies. Without directly confronting the Centre, they argue, such protests risk becoming mere symbolic gestures rather than genuine movements for justice.
CPM Calls for ‘Chalo Raj Bhavan’
In response to what it termed a misleading bandh, the CPM has called for an independent protest titled “Chalo Raj Bhavan” on Friday. The Left party intends to directly challenge the Centre’s alleged obstruction of the reservation process. It has urged the Telangana government to convene an all-party meeting to mount collective pressure on the Union government. Without such action, the CPM warned, the ongoing bandh would fail to achieve any meaningful results and could further erode trust among BC communities.
The Road Ahead
As the bandh approaches, questions continue to swirl around its purpose and leadership. While all parties publicly endorse BC welfare, their conflicting roles in state and national politics reveal deeper contradictions. For many observers, the October 18 bandh will serve as a test — not just of political commitment, but of whether Telangana’s BC movement can maintain its independence from partisan interests.
