42% reservation demand shuts Telangana, sparks protests across cities

A statewide bandh was observed in Telangana on Saturday, organized by Backward Classes (BC) associations demanding 42% reservation in local body elections. The bandh received support from several political parties including the Congress, BRS, BJP, CPI, and CPM, as well as various trade and community unions. Most businesses and educational institutions remained closed, and RTC buses were largely off the roads.

Although the state police and Telangana DGP Shivadareddy had urged the organizers to conduct the bandh peacefully without causing inconvenience to the public, minor incidents of violence were reported in Hyderabad. In Nallakunta, protestors attacked an open petrol pump and the Bajaj Electronics showroom with stones. Additionally, the Raghavendra Tiffin Center was forcibly closed. Authorities noted that these incidents caused disruption to local businesses and commuters. Police maintained that precautionary measures were in place across the state to ensure public safety.

Youth Congress leaders hold bike rally in Amberpet

In Amberpet, a bike rally was organized by Youth Congress leader Moth Rohith in support of the Telangana BC JAC bandh. TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, MLA Danam Nagender, former MP V. Hanumanth Rao, and several senior leaders participated in the rally. The event aimed to raise awareness among youth about BC community issues and demonstrate support for the bandh. The rally was conducted peacefully.

At the Mushirabad Depot 2 along RTC Cross Road, Minister Vakiti Srihari joined a protest against the central government’s policy on 42% BC reservations, backing the BC JAC bandh.

BRS-Led BC bandh in Mahbubnagar

In Mahbubnagar, the BRS party successfully organized the BC bandh at the RTC bus stand. Former minister V. Srinivas Goud participated, calling for the implementation of 42% legal reservations for BCs in state and central government bodies, as well as in educational and employment sectors, before conducting elections.

Support from Telangana Jagruthi and community groups

Telangana Jagruthi President Kalvakuntla Kavitha led a rally with auto-rickshaws from Khairatabad to support the BC bandh, emphasizing that political commitment is necessary for the enactment of BC reservation bills.

In Peddapalli, all local grocery stores, petrol pumps, gold shops, clothing outlets, flower and vegetable shops, service sector businesses, vehicle showrooms, and electronics outlets voluntarily closed in support of the bandh. All caste and trade associations, along with political parties, participated in a large-scale bike rally, which was conducted successfully and peacefully.

BJP support in Secunderabad

At Secunderabad’s Jubilee Bus Station, the BJP extended full support to the BC bandh as per the call of the BC JAC. MP Etala Rajender expressed support for the bandh, criticizing the state government for failing to implement BC reservations despite assurances in the state assembly. He cited Tamil Nadu as an example where reservation policies were implemented with integrity, highlighting surveys conducted by retired IAS officers on the social, educational, and economic conditions of BC communities, which informed inclusion under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.