BC Reservation for 29 Muslim Communities in BJP States, Says Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister Criticizes BJP Leaders Over Caste Survey Debate

Karimnagar: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has responded to the BJP’s criticism regarding the inclusion of Muslims in the Backward Classes (BC) category during the recent caste survey. He pointed out that 29 Muslim communities are already receiving BC reservations in BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar.

He explained that in 1979, the Mandal Commission had listed 29 backward Muslim castes under the BC category. Since then, these communities have been getting reservations as Most Backward Classes (MBCs) and BCs in different states. Reddy criticized Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar for opposing the inclusion of Muslims in the BC category, saying that as a central minister, he should have basic awareness of these facts.

During the 2023 elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had stated that Gujarat, where he governed for 25 years, had given BC reservations to 70 Muslim castes.

Speaking at an MLC election campaign in Karimnagar, Reddy accused BJP leaders Bandi Sanjay Kumar and G. Kishan Reddy of using communal issues for political gains. He mocked Kishan Reddy, saying it was ironic for him to speak about BCs when he became the BJP state president by replacing a BC leader, Sanjay Kumar. He also pointed out that Kishan Reddy was elected as an MP from the Secunderabad constituency, previously represented by another BC leader, Bandaru Dattatreya.

Reddy further alleged that Kishan Reddy was creating obstacles for important infrastructure projects in Telangana, such as the Hyderabad Metro Rail and the Regional Ring Road, by pressuring union ministers not to clear necessary approvals.