Final rites of Sai Eshwar held amid tight security in Hyderabad

The funeral of Sai Eshwar Chary, who died by suicide demanding 42% BC reservations, was held amid heavy police security in Hyderabad. His death sparked protests by BC groups, while the BRS accused the Congress government of deceit and insensitivity

Hyderabad: The final rites of Sai Eshwar Chary, who died by suicide by self-immolation allegedly demanding the implementation of 42 per cent reservations for Backwards Classes (BCs), were performed in Jagadgirigutta here on Saturday.

The funeral process was conducted amidst deployment of additional forces by the Jagadgirigutta police. Officials said no untoward incident was reported and they had been continuously monitoring the situation.

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Eshwar Chary (32), a cab driver, who is survived by his wife Kavitha (30), two young daughters Krithika (6) and Saichitti (1) and a four-year-old son Saidatta, had attempted suicide by setting himself on fire outside a YouTube channel office run by MLC Chintapandu Naveen alias Teenmaar Mallanna near Uppal in Medipally on Thursday. He later succumbed to his burn injuries in Gandhi Hospital on Friday.

Following his death, BC organisations and community leaders staged protests at various locations in the city on Friday raising slogans and demanding immediate action from the government. Though the bereaved family had requested that his last rites be performed in his native Pocharam village as per their customs, officials apparently planned funeral arrangements in Hyderabad, leading to further anger among activists who decried what they called an “insensitive’ act by the government.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao had reacted strongly, holding Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responsible for the tragedy. Calling it a murder committed by the Congress government, he had said the precious life of a young man was lost due to the horrendous deceit committed by Revanth Reddy in the name of BC reservations.

Eshwar Chary, was born at Pocharam in Pulkal mandal, with his family migrating to Jagadgirigutta in search of livelihood about 25 years ago.

A large number of BRS leaders and BC leaders participated in the funeral. Stating that the Congress and BJP were responsible for his death, BC leaders demanded an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore, a house for his family and a government job for his wife. If these demands were not met, they would lay siege to Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi, they said, adding that his wife had also demanded that the government do justice to his family.

Apart from political leaders, a large number of people from across the State participated in the funeral. BRS leaders V Srinivas Goud, Dasoju Sravan, Palle Ravi Kumar Goud, Chanti Kranthi Kiran and others paid last respects to Chary and comforted the family members.

The BRS leaders assured the family that they would put a collective fight until the government provided 42 per cent reservations for BCs besides extending support to the bereaved family.