EBC Committee demands legal action against hate speech targeting forward castes

The EBC Joint Action Committee has called for legal action against individuals inciting caste-based hatred and defaming forward castes. At a round-table in Hyderabad, leaders reaffirmed their support for constitutional reservations and announced a new committee to address economic and social concerns.

Hyderabad: Decrying what they called “hate-filled propaganda” by certain individuals posing to be representatives of specific communities, the EBC Joint Action Committee, representing economically backward classes within the forward castes, on Sunday called for stringent legal measures to address the issue.

At a round table conference held at the Somajiguda Press Club, the JAC leaders called for police action against those inciting caste-based violence and disrupting social harmony.

---

They highlighted a surge in derogatory remarks targeting forward castes and their leaders.

For the past few months, some individuals claiming to represent certain caste groups have been systematically defaming general castes through media channels, fostering deep-seated caste animosities and threatening social harmony, noted the speakers.

They urged authorities to invoke relevant laws to prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that such acts of verbal and physical aggression are “unforgivable crimes.”

On the ongoing debates around reservations, they refuted claims that forward castes are against reservations’. It is a deliberate falsehood aimed at maligning our communities,” they noted.

The leaders clarified that while forward castes fully support constitutional reservations as mandated by the Supreme Court and provided to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), they oppose any misuse or overreach.

They also announced the formation of an Executive Committee under the EBC Joint Action banner to safeguard economic interests, self-respect, and community pride. The committee aims to serve as a platform to question ruling and opposition parties on upliftment issues, ensuring accountability.

The key speakers at the event included V. Ravinder Reddy, National President, EBCWA, B. Shankar Rao , President Telangana Kamma Sangham, N. Diwakar Rao, National Vice president, Velama Sangham and V. Yadagiri Gupta, President Vasavi Federation.