Telangana’s caste survey evokes more criticism than praise

The survey's claim that BCs account for 56.33 percent of the State's population, with 10.08 percent being BC Muslims, came under question for its discrepancies

Hyderabad: The survey of the Backward Classes (BCs) in Telangana has sparked a wave of reactions from various political parties. The survey, which aimed to provide clarity on the demographics of the BC segment and addressing the injustice meted out to the communities concerned, however, has evoked more criticism than praise.

The survey’s claim that BCs account for 56.33 percent of the State’s population, with 10.08 percent being BC Muslims, came under question for its discrepancies.

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BC leaders wondered as how the population of all other communities including the SCs, STs, minorities and the forward caste had seen a rise while the BC community witnessed a decline in population figures.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): BJP legislator Payal Shankar has been vocal in his criticism of the survey. He claimed that the State’s population has decreased by 98 lakh due to the government’s policies and questioned the use of the term “Muslim BC,” arguing that it undermines the legal sanctity of the survey.

Shankar also pointed out discrepancies and omissions in the survey, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive effort. Questioning the survey’s ability to capture the true picture, he said around three lakh families had missed the survey exercise. It led to objections about its comprehensiveness. Shankar emphasized the need for the government to address these issues to make the survey a truly comprehensive effort.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM): Akbaruddin Owaisi, the floor leader of MIM, criticized the Telangana government for not tabling the caste survey report in the Assembly. He emphasized that without tabling the report, the government’s commitment to social justice remains questionable.

“The government has conducted the survey, but without tabling it, what are we supposed to discuss? It was not an official announcement. The government must take the report seriously and table it for transparency,” he insisted.

CPI MLA Kunamneni Sambhasiva Rao urged the State government to clearly outline its plans for the outcome of the BC caste survey. He emphasized the importance of this first-ever BC survey, congratulating the government on its efforts.

However, he noted that the ground reality did not align with expectations, and many issues need to be addressed. Rao highlighted several objections to the survey, including its lack of comprehensiveness and the exclusion of around three lakh families.

He insisted that the government must strive to overcome these issues to make the survey more inclusive and accurate. To ensure transparency and inclusiveness, Rao suggested that the report should be discussed in every village by holding grama sabhas.