Tension prevailed for some time in the Ambedkar Bhavan area here on Saturday as activists of the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) obstructed the convoy of Congress leader and former Union Minister Mukul Wasnik, seeking an assurance on the categorisation of the Scheduled Castes for the purpose of reservation in jobs and educational institutions.
High drama unfolded as the activists, led by their State general secretary U. Brahmaiah Madiga, also obstructed the way of the Congress leaders such former Union Ministers Panabaka Lakshmi and J.D. Seelam, and APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy. The activists staged a noisy protest soon after a meeting of Dalits organised by the Congress concluded.
The police had a tough time dispersing the activists, who raised slogans urging AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to make an announcement in this regard during the Warangal meeting later this month, as the BJP had already backed the demand. Mr. Wasnik explained them that it was the Congress that was responsible for the constitution of the Usha Mehra Committee, which suggested amendment to the Constitution to provide micro-classification of the SCs after the Supreme Court had struck down the sub-quota implemented in the unified Andhra Pradesh.
Not satisfied with the explanation, the activists tore the flexi boards even as Mr. Wasnik made it clear that a broader consensus among the States was imperative before Parliament took up the issue for consideration.
Appeal to Dalits
Earlier, addressing the meeting organised as part of Indira Gandhi’s birth centenary celebrations, he said Dalits and minorities were increasingly coming under attack under the BJP-led NDA rule, and underscored the need for Dalits to fully back the Congress to restore “Indiramma raj” in the nation and the State in 2019.
Dubbing the TDP and the YSR Congress Party “anti-Dalit,” Mr. Raghuveera Reddy said it was unfortunate that both the regional parties were vying with each other to support the BJP.
“The soul of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, a staunch follower of Indira Gandhi, will not forgive YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for backing the BJP,” said Mr. Seelam. Branding the YSRCP as “nakli Congress,” former Minister S. Sailajanath said it was the Congress that paid special attention for the uplift of Dalits.
