Hyderabad, May 11 (UNI) Telangana BC Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar emphasised that the state has set a precedent for the entire nation by successfully conducting a transparent BC caste survey and passing a landmark bill to increase reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in political and educational spheres by 42 per cent.
In a statement here on Sunday, Prabhakar recalled that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, had promised a caste census across the nation to reflect the true social realities of India.
Fulfilling this promise at the state level, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Batti Vikramarka, and the state cabinet undertook a legally sound and comprehensive BC caste survey in Telangana. A dedicated BC Commission led by Busani Venkateswara Rao, supported by one lakh government employees, carried out the survey with full transparency.
The minister confirmed that the bill enhancing BC reservations was passed in both houses of the Telangana legislature and approved by the governor and is now pending Presidential assent. He called on Telangana BJP leaders to take responsibility for ensuring its passage at the central level.
Prabhakar contrasted Telangana’s progressive efforts with the political turmoil in other states such as Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand, where governments faced collapse or chief ministers were jailed after initiating similar BC welfare measures. “This reflects the BJP-led central government’s hostility toward genuine social justice,” he said.
Criticising BJP leader Laxman’s remarks on the Congress party’s BC initiatives, the minister said, “If Laxman has doubts, we are ready to clarify. We have already explained our methodology to prominent BC associations and intellectuals, all of whom commended our work.”
Prabhakar questioned the BJP's internal representation, asking, “Are BCs not eligible to lead as BJP President or Leader of Opposition? Society won’t accept tokenism while the highest posts are denied to BCs.”
He also highlighted the economic vulnerability of BC communities, pointing out that rising prices, job cuts, and welfare reductions disproportionately affect them. “If the welfare of BCs is truly a priority, support must be extended to such landmark efforts, not undermined,” he said.
Calling the 42 per cent reservation move a "role model for the country", Prabhakar urged the central government to follow Telangana’s lead and implement a national caste census, as earlier announced.
He also demanded the BJP withdraw its past affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing caste census.
The minister urged swift approval of the Telangana bill, affirming, “Only through such decisive action can true justice be delivered to BCs across the country.”
UNI VV ARN