Hyderabad: Former MLC T Jeevan Reddy has demanded that the Union government include the caste census in the Constitution’s 9th Schedule to safeguard it from legal hurdles and deliver on promised reservations for weaker sections.
Speaking at Gandhi Bhavan, he said 42% reservation for BCs, students, and job-seekers could be guaranteed only if the measure is legally protected.
The Telangana government had already passed the caste survey resolution in both Houses and secured Governor’s scrutiny, he said, crediting Rahul Gandhi’s vision for the move. Jeevan Reddy pressed BC leader R Krishnaiah to push the BJP’s state unit into formally writing to the Centre on the issue.
“The Centre must not stall. If they place this in the 9th Schedule, it’s legally secure,” he said. He welcomed the Modi government’s initial gesture on caste enumeration but said Congress had always been ahead in pushing for social justice.
Taking a jibe at Jagtial MLA Dr Sanjay, Jeevan Reddy questioned his legitimacy and political consistency. “Ask the Speaker which party he’s with today,” he said, mocking Sanjay’s switch from BRS to Congress. “Who is Sanjay to talk about working together in Jagtial? I’ve spent years here, I know what development means.”
He said Sanjay lacked the standing to dictate terms in the constituency and reminded that Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy had already assured funds for Jagtial’s growth.
