BC quota in legislatures: Kavitha announces nationwide stir for 50% reservation

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Thursday announced a nationwide movement seeking 50% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in legislative bodies. Addressing the Samajika Nyaya Telangana Sankalpa Sabha in Saroornagar, she also unveiled an 11-point charter for the empowerment of marginalised communities. The announcement signals an intensification of the party's push for political representation for BCs in proportion to their population.

The central demand of the movement is the enactment of a BC Reservation Bill guaranteeing 50% of seats in Parliament and state legislatures for Backward Classes. Ms. Kavitha urged the Central government to move the Bill in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament. She cautioned that if the Bill is not brought forward, the party would escalate its agitation, including a massive 'Chalo Delhi' programme with thousands of activists converging on the national capital.

The 11-point charter unveiled at the event outlines a broad agenda for social, economic, and political empowerment of marginalised communities. While the full details of the charter were not disclosed, it is expected to include measures in education, employment, and political participation. Ms. Kavitha described the charter as a roadmap for achieving social justice.

In her address, Ms. Kavitha maintained that her political decisions are guided by conviction and conscience. She expressed confidence that the movement would bring about structural changes in society. She argued that delayed action on BC reservation has slowed India's progress. "Had Backward Classes received reservation proportionate to their population soon after Independence, India would have been among the world's leading powers today," she said.

Ms. Kavitha took aim at political leaders across the spectrum, accusing them of holding contradictory positions on BC reservation at the State and national levels. She alleged that some leaders voice support for reservations when addressing BC communities but fail to take concrete action when in power. She also demanded immediate approval of the Telangana government's proposal for 42% reservation for BCs, which has been pending with the Central government.

Paying tribute to Professor K. Jayashankar on his birth anniversary, Ms. Kavitha recalled the late ideologue's views on social justice. Jayashankar, a key figure in the Telangana movement, had argued that the struggle for separate statehood and the fight for social justice could not be pursued simultaneously. However, he had insisted that after achieving statehood, the commitment to building a socially just Telangana must continue with the same vigour. Ms. Kavitha said she is determined to carry forward that vision through the ongoing movement.

The demand for 50% reservation for BCs in legislatures is distinct from existing reservations in education and public employment. Political reservation for BCs in legislatures requires a constitutional amendment, making it a potentially long-drawn process. The BRS has been consistently raising the issue at various forums, and Thursday's announcement is seen as a move to build national pressure ahead of the Parliament session.