BC bandh for 42 pc reservation total in Telangana; BRS, political parties join protests

The ‘Bandh for Justice’ demanding 42% reservation for Backward Classes paralyzed Telangana, with roads deserted and commercial activity halted. BRS leaders staged rallies and sit-ins, warning of seri

Hyderabad: The ‘Bandh for Justice’ called by BC associations demanding 42% reservation for Backward Classes brought normal life to a standstill across Telangana on Friday. The shutdown saw an overwhelming response in both urban and rural areas, paralysing commercial and business activity while leaving major roads and highways nearly deserted.

Government and private institutions remained closed voluntarily, while the bandh received widespread support from all sections of society and political parties. In Hyderabad, workers and leaders from various parties actively participated in the protests.

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BRS leaders and cadres joined in large numbers, with former ministers Talsani Srinivas Yadav, Gangula Kamalakar, V. Srinivas Goud and several others leading a rally from Telangana Bhavan to RTC Cross Roads, where they staged a sit-in, raising slogans demanding the implementation of 42% reservation. Musheerabad MLA Mutha Gopal, former MLA Dasari Vinay Bhaskar, Manne Govardhan Reddy and other leaders also joined the protest.

The BRS extended full support to the bandh. Speaking at Telangana Bhavan, former minister Gangula Kamalakar urged, “Congress and BJP should not collude to deceive BCs.” He demanded that BC reservations be implemented through a constitutional amendment and warned of “serious consequences if BCs are deprived of their due.”

Former minister V. Srinivas Goud lashed out at the Congress, saying, “The Kamareddy Declaration is a sham. They lack sincerity towards BCs. The High Court stay exposed their deceit. Fake GOs and ordinances were used to fool us.” He accused both the Centre and the State governments of misleading the people of Telangana, adding, “The one who should resolve issues has become the problem.”

The bandh saw near-total response in Nalgonda district, where leaders from all political parties, including the BRS, joined the protests. Private educational institutions declared holidays in advance and commercial establishments remained closed. Vehicular movement on main roads came to a halt.

In Warangal district too, BC community leaders took out protest rallies. Buses stayed off the roads, and banks suspended their transactions as part of the bandh.