Telangana Caste Census Sparks Controversy, CM Revanth Reddy Unhappy Over Premature Release
Hyderabad: The release of Telangana’s much-anticipated caste census has sparked political turmoil, with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reportedly expressing his displeasure over the premature disclosure of the findings before cabinet approval. The report, made public by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on February 1, has drawn criticism from various quarters, including Backward Class (BC) associations and Congress leaders.
Discontent Over Census Findings
The Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey covered 96.9% of Telangana’s households, collecting data from 3,54,77,554 individuals. The results indicate that BCs form 46.25% (1,64,09,179 people) of the state’s population, a figure that has reportedly caused concern among BC organizations due to its perceived decline compared to past estimates.
Additionally, the survey recorded that Scheduled Castes (SCs) make up 17.43% (61,84,319 people) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) constitute 10.45% (37,05,929 people) of the state’s population. The Muslim population was found to be 12.56% (44,57,012 people), with 10.08% (35,76,588 individuals) categorized under BCs and 2.48% (8,80,424 individuals) under Other Castes (OC).
Internal Conflict in Congress
Sources suggest that the Congress government is facing internal strife over the release of the report. CM Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, who have historically been at odds, are said to be at the center of the dispute. Uttam Kumar Reddy, a former Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, is believed to be eyeing the chief minister’s post, adding to the friction within the party.
The controversy surrounding the report led to the postponement of a scheduled press conference on February 2, which was to discuss SC sub-categorization. Reports indicate that the backlash from BC associations and Congress leaders prompted the ministers to delay further discussions on the findings.
Political and Social Implications
The caste census was expected to play a crucial role in shaping Telangana’s socio-political landscape, particularly in the allocation of reservations, welfare schemes, and electoral strategies. However, the errors pointed out by various groups and the backlash from BC leaders suggest that the government may have to revisit the findings before implementing policy decisions based on the data.
With opposition parties likely to seize upon the issue, the Telangana Congress finds itself in a difficult position. The coming days will be crucial in determining how the state government addresses the controversy and whether the report will undergo revisions before being officially ratified by the cabinet.
