HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, addressing a gathering of BC community leaders on Tuesday, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to social justice by conducting a comprehensive caste survey. He attributed the success of this initiative to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that the promise of caste-based enumeration was made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and has now been fulfilled in Telangana.
Revanth Reddy emphasized that caste enumeration is essential for increasing reservations beyond 50%. “To legally enhance reservations, accurate population data is crucial. That is why we conducted the BC caste survey in Telangana,” he explained.
BC caste survey: A transparent, historic initiative
The Chief Minister highlighted that February 4 holds special significance, and hence, it has been declared Social Justice Day. He detailed how a well-structured plan was implemented to ensure the survey’s completion within a set timeframe. The government first established a cabinet sub-committee, followed by a dedicated commission to oversee the process. For those who missed participation in the first phase, a second phase was conducted.
“We have ensured complete transparency in this caste survey. Every policy document we create must stand the test of time,” he asserted. Revanth Reddy expressed hope that Telangana’s model would serve as an example for other states in conducting similar surveys.
Political and social implications
Revanth Reddy declared that the caste survey will remain a historic milestone and urged BC communities to recognize its significance. He cautioned against political forces trying to undermine the initiative, stating, “If this survey is dismissed, it is the BC community that will suffer.”
Unlike previous efforts that remained mere documents, the Telangana government has moved forward by introducing two separate bills in the Assembly—one for political reservations and another for education and employment reservations.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that caste-based data was never included in national censuses. He pointed out that while the Mandal Commission estimated the BC population at 52%, the Telangana caste survey has determined it to be 56.36%. “This is why we postponed local body elections—to ensure an accurate caste count,” he explained.
Revanth Reddy reiterated that the Congress party has always supported BCs, citing that most PCC presidents in Telangana’s history have been from the BC community.
A Foundation for future policy
He compared the caste survey to sacred texts, stating, “This caste enumeration is like the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, and the Quran—it lays the foundation for future policy decisions.” He assured that necessary amendments could be made after implementation but warned against political traps aiming to derail the initiative.
The Chief Minister concluded by urging BC communities to take charge of their rights and assured them of his unwavering support. “Lead the fight for your rights—I will stand with you,” he said.
