Telangana Backward Classes quota bill faces pushback as BJP objects inclusion of Muslim

Hyderabad: Even though Congress has been pressuring for the president's assent for 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes, the issue has now taken a communal turn.

The BJP has accused the Congress of orchestrating a conspiracy to provide reservations to Muslims that would reduce benefits for Hindu BCs in Telangana.

The Socio, Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024 has formed the basis for the Congress government to prepare a bill providing 42 per cent reservations to BCs.

According to the SEEEPC survey, BC numbers including those belonging to the Muslim minority stand at 56.33 per cent of the total enumerated population.

The survey revealed that the BC population among Hindus stands at 46.25 per cent, while BCs among Muslims account for 10.08 per cent. The BJP has been opposing the inclusion of BC Muslims in the overall BC quota.

“In the Kamareddy BC Declaration, Congress had promised 42 per cent reservations for BCs in its manifesto. But now, under the guise of a “BC Bill”, 10 per cent of that is being diverted to Muslims, and only 32 per cent will actually go to BCs.

"In reality, the Modi government has already implemented 27 per cent BC reservations. The Congress’s so-called BC bill gives only 5 per cent additional reservation to BCs, while using it as a cover to grant 10 per cent to Muslims.

"This is not a BC declaration—it is undeniably a Muslim declaration. Congress has shattered the Kamareddy Declaration and betrayed Bcs,” pointed out Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay.

He added that with a clear strategy, Congress was plotting to turn the majority Hindus into minorities in Telangana by granting 100 per cent reservations to Muslims. “Our stand is clear.

Religious-based reservations go against Ambedkar’s Constitution, and BJP has always opposed Muslim reservations. We demand full 42 per cent reservations exclusively for BCs; otherwise, we will block the bill at all costs. If this poisonous tree is not uprooted in Telangana, it will spread across the country.

"Muslim reservations must be immediately scrapped or Congress will face public backlash. The entire BC and Hindu community is on the brink of a mass uprising against Congress. Congress is shedding crocodile tears for BCs, with no real intention of doing anything,” Sanjay added.

Union coal minister, G Kishan Reddy reminded that the High court in the past has struck down religion based reservations when 4 per cent was reserved for Muslims.

“Now Congress Party by adding 10 per cent Muslim reservations has effectively reduced BC reservations in local bodies from 34 per cent before KCR’s time to 32 per cent. In GHMC elections of the 50 of the 150 seats reserved for BCs, non-BC candidates won 31 seats.

This is 62 per cent of the BC reserved seats. In such circumstances, how will BCs get justice? The CM recently spoke about the caste census, but what was actually conducted was a rushed exercise.

"In Hyderabad city alone, even 25 per cent of the households were not properly covered. Calling such an incomplete process a 'grand survey' is not just misleading, it is shameful,” Kishan Reddy told reporters on Thursday.