Dr. Purnachandra Rao, Andhra Pradesh Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and former DGP, has issued a stern warning to the ruling parties and other principal political parties on caste census. He warned them of serious consequences, including intense public movements in days to come, if the TDP government continued to drag its feet on caste census implementation. Speaking on the occasion of formation of BC coordination committee for future movements, held in Vijayawada on Thursday, he opined that the political party that has historically branded itself as the party for BCs, has been showing utmost laxity and indifference in this regard, much to the chagrin and discontent of the BCs of the state. The time is ripe for enhanced political representation of BCs, and this was possible only with caste census.
“Following the grand success of our most recent Mahadharna, we have resolved to intensify our struggle for the caste census. In this regard, we have established a coordination committee with BC organizations. In the near future, we will escalate our fight for caste enumeration in every village and at grassroot levels across the state,” Dr. Rao stated.
He criticized the Andhra Pradesh government, which “boasts of being a government for BCs”, for failing to take meaningful action. “While the Telangana government is now addressing BC demands by embarking on a caste census, our government is still in deep slumber. Why can’t they implement the BC Protection Act and provide reservations for BCs in legislative bodies, that does not cost them at all?”
Dr. Rao called upon the Reddys and the Kammas, to empathize with their concerns and share the political space with BCs, SCs, STs, and minorities in a more just fashion. “Capitalist-driven politics will not endure longer. As a former police officer and a passionate advocate for our nation’s welfare, I warn that if this continues, the days of upheaval for the governments is close. It is time governments made poverty am issue and address it, rather than engaging in diversionary politics.”
BSP State president Bakka Paramjyothy announced that the BC Coordination Committee and the Bahujan Coordination Committee will work together moving forward. “The BSP will take up the initiative to unite leaders across all parties and organizations to strengthen the movement for caste enumeration and the rights of BCs, ensuring the political empowerment of the marginalized.”
