In Hyderabad, the Telangana Commission for Backward Classes recently conducted day-long prayers at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi, located at Bapu Ghat. Their solemn plea was for the successful implementation of a 42% reservation quota for Backward Classes (BCs) across local body elections, government employment, and educational institutions.
The event saw the presence of prominent figures, including Commission Chairman G. Niranjan, along with members Rapolu Jayaprakash, Tirumalagiri Surender, Balalakshmi Rangu, and former Member of Parliament V. Hanumantha Rao. They respectfully offered floral tributes at Gandhi’s statue within the Bapu Ghat complex.
Following this, the delegation proceeded to Gandhi’s Samadhi, where they symbolically placed four crucial Bills, previously approved by the State Legislative Assembly, before the memorial. The entire prayer program commenced with a stirring rendition of ‘Vande Mataram.’
Further underscoring the significance of the cause, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, BC Finance Corporation Chairman Nuthi Srikanth Goud, and various representatives from caste associations and social activist groups also participated in the gathering.
Mr. Niranjan took the opportunity to elaborate on the journey leading to the Assembly’s approval of these bills. He highlighted the Commission’s vital role, starting from its designation as a specialized body responsible for assessing reservations in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ‘Triple Test’ criteria.
He explained that the Commission undertook this extensive task by conducting a ‘Comprehensive Door-to-Door Household Survey,’ widely known as the Caste Survey, a more thorough approach than simply using voter lists. This ambitious survey was initiated after the State Cabinet, acting on the BC Commission’s recommendations, passed a resolution to conduct it, which was then further endorsed by the State Legislative Assembly.