Backward Classes leaders and members, anxious about their future after the inclusion of Kapus in the list, met in two camps here on Tuesday.
The group in which TDP MLA and a force to reckon with in the BCs R. Krishnaiah was present met in Hotel Ilapuram. The meeting witnessed a lot of drama when a youngster doused himself with kerosene and tried to set himself on fire.
The second group led by Backward Classes Janasabha leader G. Gangadhar met in the Timber Merchants Convention Hall.
The group that met in the hotel opposed inclusion of the Kapus in the Backward Classes, but the other group asked the Kapus to join them in an agitation demanding that seats, jobs and all other benefits from the government be shared on population basis with all castes.
Mr. Krishnaiah said that the Kapus mighty be economically backward, but were definitely not socially backward. Members of most castes in the BC list were socially backward and subject to insults by “forward castes” even to this day. The struggle of the BCs was not just one of hunger, but also self-respect, Mr. Krishnaiah said.
He said inclusion of Kapus, who were already politically ahead, would have a devastating effect on the BCs. The BCs were now enjoying 33 per cent reservation in elections for local bodies, but they would be pushed aside by the Kapus.
Trouble started at the meeting when a group of Kapu leaders approached Mr. Krishnaiah and submitted him a memorandum asking him not to oppose inclusion of the Kapus in the BC list.
Addressing the BCs who gathered from all the 13 districts of the State, Mr. Gangadhar said that Kapus should not ask for inclusion in the BC list because that would be counterproductive for all. It would be better if the Kapus asked for Economic Backward Class (EBC) status, he said.
Dr. Gangadhar said that reservation to all castes on the basis of population with the creamy layer clause would be fair for all.
He said that the Janasabha was not opposed to any caste, but only interested in protecting the interests of the Backward Classes and getting what they deserved. It would approach the Kapus and come to an understanding with them, he said.
While one group opposed the move, the other favoured EBC status for Kapus
