The political landscape in Telangana and Karnataka is becoming increasingly charged with the ongoing debates over caste-based surveys and the demands for expanded reservations for backward classes (BCs). This debate has not only gained national attention but has also placed the Congress party under intense scrutiny, as its leadership in both states grapples with how to handle the findings of caste surveys and address the growing demands for social justice.
Rahul Gandhi’s vocal support for a nationwide caste census and his endorsement of the Telangana caste survey have resulted in a complex political situation, particularly within the state of Telangana. Gandhi’s endorsement of the survey, which highlighted that BCs make up 46% of the state’s population, has intensified calls from various groups and leaders, particularly those from the BC community, for a more significant increase in reservations for BCs. This political shift has placed the Congress government under pressure to fulfill its earlier promise to raise BC reservations to 42% in the upcoming local body elections. If the Congress government fails to meet these demands, it risks triggering widespread protests and unrest, which could significantly destabilize the party’s position in Telangana.
The caste survey in Telangana, which has broken down the demographics into various categories, reveals that BCs, who make up the largest share of the population at 46.25%, are followed by Scheduled Castes (SCs) at 17.43%, Scheduled Tribes (STs) at 10.45%, and Muslim BCs at 10.08%. This demographic breakdown has sparked a fresh wave of demands for a fair and proportional allocation of political power and resources. The results have further solidified the argument for increasing reservations for BCs, leading many to question whether the Congress-led Telangana government will act on its promises or risk alienating a significant portion of the electorate.
Rahul Gandhi’s slogan, “jitni aabadi, utna haq,” which translates to "rights proportional to population size," has resonated with the demands for increased reservations. It has become a rallying cry for BC leaders in Telangana, who believe that the Congress party must adhere to its commitment of raising the reservations for BCs in local bodies to 42%. Many prominent BC leaders, such as Rajya Sabha MP R Krishnaiah, National BC Association president, and former chairman of the Telangana BC Commission, Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao, have amplified these calls for action. They argue that the Congress government in Telangana has no choice but to implement the promised increase in BC reservations. Failure to do so, they warn, could lead to major political fallout and a loss of credibility for the party in Telangana.
In response to the growing calls for action, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has also lent its support to the idea of increasing reservations based on the caste survey findings. K Kavitha, a senior BRS leader and the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has called for the Congress government to raise the reservations for BCs and Muslim BCs to 56.3%, in line with the survey results. This position further complicates the political scenario in Telangana, as the Congress finds itself under increasing pressure from both its allies and adversaries to act on the findings of the caste survey and ensure that BCs are granted equitable representation in local governance.
At the heart of the matter lies the question of whether the Congress party can navigate the growing demands for BC reservations in Telangana while also maintaining support from other communities. As it stands, BC reservations in Telangana local bodies are set at 23%, but the Congress party had previously promised to raise them to 42% within six months of taking office. This promise has now become a point of contention, and the pressure from BC leaders and the general public for the government to fulfill this commitment is mounting.
The situation in Telangana has also drawn comparisons to the ongoing debate in Karnataka, where the Congress-led government has initiated its own caste survey. The Karnataka survey, which was commissioned by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2014 and completed in 2018 at a cost of Rs 160 crore, has not been released to the public. Despite being ready for several years, the findings of the Karnataka caste survey remain under wraps, primarily due to internal divisions within the Congress party. Some senior leaders, particularly those from the upper-caste communities, have reportedly pressured the leadership to keep the results of the survey hidden, fearing that it could lead to political backlash and divisions within the party.
The delay in releasing the Karnataka caste survey has intensified the political divide within the Congress party. Some party members, including Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, have expressed their concerns about the potential repercussions of releasing the findings, which are seen as crucial for understanding and addressing social and economic inequalities. Rahul Gandhi, who has frequently praised the caste surveys in both Telangana and Karnataka as critical tools for assessing and addressing the needs of various communities, has faced pushback from factions within his own party regarding the release of the Karnataka survey. The internal divisions within the Congress have further complicated its position on caste-based surveys and reservations.
The ongoing tensions in Telangana and Karnataka underscore the broader challenges the Congress party faces as it navigates the politics of caste-based reservations. With the party’s leadership divided over the caste surveys in both states, its efforts to push for a nationwide caste census have encountered resistance within its own ranks. The challenge for the Congress party is how to balance the demands of various factions while maintaining a unified and coherent position on caste-related policies, especially as elections loom on the horizon in both states and nationally.
The outcome of these caste surveys, particularly the handling of the findings in Telangana and Karnataka, will have significant political implications for the Congress party. How the party responds to the demands for increased reservations, particularly in light of Rahul Gandhi's advocacy for a nationwide caste census, will be closely watched by voters and political observers alike. The party’s ability to manage these sensitive issues in a way that maintains its political alliances and ensures fair representation for marginalized communities will likely play a pivotal role in determining its success in future elections.
