BC Youth self-Immolation bid over 42% reservation demand triggers furore

A 32-year-old BC youth, Sai Eshwar, attempted self-immolation in Hyderabad protesting the Congress government’s unfulfilled promise of 42% reservation. Critically injured, he is under treatment at Gandhi Hospital, while BRS and BC leaders demand government accountability and financial aid

Hyderabad: A BC youth’s self-immolation attempt over the Congress government’s unkept promise of 42% reservation has left him battling for life. The BRS has squarely blamed the ruling party for driving Backward Classes, who constitute nearly half of Telangana’s population,  to desperation through betrayal and neglect.

A 32-year-old man from Jagadgiri Gutta, identified as Sai Eshwar, reportedly attempted suicide by setting himself on fire outside a YouTube channel office in the Medipally police station limits on late on Wednesday evening.

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According to police and eyewitnesses, Sai Eshwar set himself afire after dousing with petrol.
He raised slogans alleging that the Congress government in Telangana had cheated Backward Classes (BCs) by failing to implement the promised 42% reservation in jobs and education.Local residents immediately alerted the fire department and police.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot and put out the flames. Sai Eshwar was shifted to Gandhi Hospital with severe burn injuries. Doctors described his condition as critical.

Former minister and Secunderabad MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav, former minister Srinivas Goud, and several BC leaders immediately reached Gandhi Hospital to inquire about his condition.

Speaking to the media outside the hospital, Talasani Srinivas Yadav questioned,  “Who asked for 42% reservation? You made the promise yourself during the elections.”  He said the Congress Party  came to power by deceiving BCs, and it is now betraying them.

He demanded that the state government immediately announce Rs 50 lakh financial assistance to Sai Eshwar’s family and ensure the best possible treatment. “Don’t let BC youth get carried away by emotions and resort to extreme steps.

He said the ruling party is indulging in power misuse and atrocities. In Nirmal district, a sarpanch candidate’s husband Ravinder died by suicide because of Congress leaders’ harassment. In Nalgonda, a sarpanch candidate’s husband was allegedly kidnapped and forced to drink urine. Even in the Chief Minister’s own constituency, 25 out of 28 gram panchayats were made unanimous” Talasani Srinivas Yadav said.

Warning the Congress government, the senior BRS leader said, “BCs constitute nearly half the population of Telangana. If they unite, they will dethrone this government.” Leaders from various BC organisations also gathered at the hospital and raised slogans against the Congress government for “betraying” the Backward Classes.