Bandh observed in Telangana against High Court’s stay order on BC quota

Hyderabad: Telangana came to a standstill on Saturday as Backward Classes (BC) associations called for a statewide bandh demanding 42 per cent reservations for the community.

All major political parties, including the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS and BJP, actively participated in the protests held across the state.

Many educational institutions and commercial establishments voluntarily remained closed, while RTC bus services were confined to depots.

The bandh was triggered by a recent Supreme Court verdict dismissing the Telangana government’s petition seeking to enhance BC reservations to 42 per cent in local body elections.

The Congress accused the BJP and BRS of blocking the proposal, while the opposition parties blamed the ruling Congress for the setback. The bandh received widespread support and evoked a near-total response across Telangana, including Hyderabad.

MRPS leader Mandakrishna Madiga said the demand for enhanced BC reservations represented a long-pending aspiration of the weaker sections. He noted that the issue enjoys broad acceptance among progressive segments of Telangana’s civil society and added that the bandh’s success had sent a strong message across the country.

Criticising the implementation of EWS reservations, Mandakrishna argued that they were introduced in the name of poor people from upper castes. He pointed out that while 10% EWS reservations have been implemented exceeding the population share of the economically weaker upper castes the 50% ceiling limit on reservations was not questioned then. “Why is this 50% ceiling being applied only as an obstacle for BCs?” he asked. “If it wasn’t an issue for EWS, why is it an issue for us now?,” he questioned.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said there should be a uniform approach to reservation policy within the state. He recalled that the Telangana government decided to extend 42% reservations to BCs after conducting a comprehensive caste survey and passing a bill in the Assembly. The bill, approved by the Governor, has been pending with the President since March 30.

Prabhakar said the absence of panchayat elections and the withholding of central funds for nearly two years have compounded challenges for the state. Although all political parties supported and passed the bill in the Assembly, he said the Centre’s silence and lack of follow-up action have caused significant delays in its implementation.

He added that the government and BC organisations would continue their legal fight by filing affidavits in the High Court and pursuing the issue through all available forums. At this critical juncture, Telangana’s weaker sections have united under a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising Madiga Dandora, Mala Mahanadu, and various BC associations, which collectively called for the bandh, he said.

The bandh remained largely peaceful. Prabhakar, as Transport Minister, said bus services were halted across the state in response to appeals from all political parties. Though the bandh led to some public inconvenience, he said it was necessary to ensure the government takes note of the demand.

Appealing to Union Ministers Bandi Sanjay Kumar, G. Kishan Reddy, and other BJP MPs from Telangana, the minister urged them to convey the aspirations of the state’s weaker sections to the Centre. He called on them to ensure justice for the marginalised communities and make Telangana the first state to implement progressive BC reservations under their leadership.

Warning of political consequences, Prabhakar said inaction could make the Centre appear accountable before the people of Telangana. “The state has fulfilled its responsibility. It is now up to the Centre to act without further delay,” he asserted.

He expressed readiness to defend the state’s decision in any court of law and thanked the public for supporting the bandh. “The struggle for 42% BC reservations must continue with the spirit of the Telangana movement,” he said, vowing that the JAC will sustain its agitation until the goal is realised.

Telangana Jagruthi President Kalvakuntla Kavitha accused BJP and Congress parties over enhancing the reservations for BCs in Telangana to 42 percent in local bodies. She said: “Congress gives fake GOs, BJP which has the power to pass the BC Bill supports the bandh. It's like murderers coming and paying tribute. If Telangana BJP MPs resign, the BC Bill will be approved by the BJP led Union government.”