In Telangana, there was a bandh in the entire state on Saturday regarding 42% reservation for backward castes. The bandh, organized with the support of backward caste organizations and major political parties, affected businesses, educational institutions and public transport across the state.
The bandh was organized by the Backward Castes Joint Action Committee (BC JAC). It got the support of the ruling Congress, opposition Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During the bandh, protesters were also seen attacking and vandalizing shops and petrol pumps at many places in Hyderabad and other major cities.
Government bus service was also affected. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (RTC) buses remained in the depot, leaving people traveling for Diwali stranded at bus stands and intersections.
Most of the shops, business establishments and schools and colleges remained closed during the bandh. The organizers urged all sectors except emergency and essential services to cooperate in the bandh.
Let us tell you that this protest started after the High Court’s order of October 9, in which the government’s plan of 42% reservation for backward castes in local bodies was banned. The Supreme Court refused to overturn the ban, leading to anger among BC organizations and their political allies.
Leaders and ministers of Congress, BRS and BJP also participated in the protest. Congress’s Ponnam Prabhakar, Vakiti Srihari, Seethakka, Kaunda Surekha and MP Anil Yadav took part in the protest in Hyderabad, while minister Tummala Nageswara Rao took part in the protest in Sattupalli. Opposition BRS leaders and former ministers also participated in the rallies, while BJP’s Etala Rajendra participated in the agitation at Jubilee Bus Station.
Congress leaders emphasized the peaceful nature of the bandh. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President B Mahesh Kumar Goud and other leaders gave a message of unity in support of BC reservation.
Telangana Jagruthi founder Kalvakuntla Kavitha criticized the government and said, “Whether it is Congress or BJP, stop confusing the BCs. It doesn’t matter even if there are no elections, first ensure reservation.”
Congress Minister Vakiti Srihari said, “The Congress government is and will remain committed to 42% reservation. Our demand from Prime Minister Modi is to complete the process of giving 42% reservation to BCs.”
Minister Danasari Seethakka said, “This bandh is a collective effort of all the BCs of Telangana. We put forward a proposal in the Assembly, but have not received any response till now. Our people want that 42% reservation should be given immediately and we are protesting for this.”
—- End —-
