HYDERABAD: The caste census debate continues to intensify nationally following the Centre’s announcement that the upcoming population census will include caste enumeration. In Telangana, Congress leaders have welcomed this move while celebrating the state’s role in pioneering such efforts.
Telangana Congress BC leaders met Governor Jishnu Dev Verma at Raj Bhavan on Friday to express their gratitude for approving the bill that provides 42% reservations for Backward Classes in the state and forwarding it to the President for assent.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar praised the central government’s decision and said it was a significant step welcomed by all marginalised sections. He asserted that Telangana’s caste census had become a national model.
“The very people who once criticised caste enumeration are now following Telangana’s lead,” he remarked. Ponnam credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for initiating the push that led to the Centre’s move.
“Rahul Gandhi’s campaign for social justice is now being realised through the Centre’s decision. It was Revanth Reddy’s leadership and the successful implementation of caste enumeration in Telangana that forced the Centre to act,” he said.
He alleged that BJP leaders are struggling to accept the fact that Telangana’s model is being embraced at the national level. “There’s no need to pay attention to their frustration,” Ponnam added.
Telangana had earlier passed a bill in the state Assembly approving 42% reservation for BCs, which was recently signed by the Governor and sent to the President for further approval.
రాజ్ భవన్
తెలంగాణ ప్రభుత్వం బీసీ లకు రాజకీయ, విద్యా ఉద్యోగాల్లో 42 శాతం రిజర్వేషన్లు పెంచుతూ ఉభయ సభల్లో చేసిన బిల్లుకు ఏప్రిల్ 8 న గవర్నర్ ఆమోదం పొంది రాష్ట్రపతికి పంపడంతో గవర్నర్ జిష్ణు దేవ్ వర్మ కి ధన్యవాదాలు తెలిపిన టిపిసిసి అధ్యక్షుడు మహేష్ కుమార్ గౌడ్ గారు, మంత్రి పొన్నం… pic.twitter.com/zkQhJ0tvSB
— Telangana Congress (@INCTelangana) May 2, 2025
