K Kavitha launches 72-hr hunger strike, demands separate quota for Muslims without mixing in BC reservation

Hyderabad: Telangana Jagruthi Chairperson and MLC K Kavitha launched a 72-hour hunger strike on Monday, demanding 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes.

Kavitha specifically called for 10 per cent separate reservations for Muslims rather than including them within the BC quota.

She urged Congress to provide clarity on introducing a dedicated bill for 10 per cent Muslim reservations, challenging the party to see what BJP does then.

Kavitha's protest coincides with Congress's planned three-day demonstration in Delhi, where party leaders will press for presidential assent to the bill sent by the state government seeking 42 per cent reservations for BCs. Congress leaders and workers departed for Delhi on Monday in a special train.

"Telangana Jagruthi has fought many battles for BC reservations. We brought Telangana so that backward communities could prosper. After achieving statehood, we have accomplished many things. In the Telangana we achieved, everyone should get their share of governance," she said.

Kavitha noted that half the population consists of BCs and emphasised that her organisation is pursuing the government to implement the Kamareddy Declaration.

"Due to Telangana Jagruthi's struggles, a BC reservations bill was introduced in the Assembly. Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary was declared as Women Teachers' Day. When we requested Jyotiba Phule's statue to be installed in the Assembly, the government placed it on Tank Bund instead," she said.

Kavitha reiterated her demand for separate Muslim reservations, "Congress should provide clarity on introducing a separate bill for 10 per cent Muslim reservations. We demand 10 per cent separate reservations for Muslims. Let's see what BJP does then."

Kavitha also threatened to hold a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to press for BC reservations and called upon all BC communities in the state to unite for their cause.

She demanded that local body elections be held only after BCs secure their rights, citing Tamil Nadu's example where local body elections weren't conducted for nine years while fighting for BC reservations.

"Congress is trying to blame the center and wash its hands clean. BJP claims reservations are a state matter. The government should announce 10 per cent separate reservations for Muslims. BC and Muslim reservations should remain separate. Congress shouldn't deceive BCs by saying the BJP at the center won't provide approval. Local body elections should be conducted only after BCs get their rights," she added.