Shabbir Ali says Telangana caste census set national precedent, credits Rahul Gandhi

LatestPoliticsTelangana
By HNH Web Desk
caste census

Hyderabad: Senior Congress leader and Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday asserted that the caste census undertaken by the Congress-led Telangana government has set a national benchmark, compelling the BJP-led Centre to follow its lead. Speaking at a district-level Congress meeting in Kamareddy, Shabbir credited Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for championing the cause of a nationwide caste census to advance social justice.

The meeting, held under the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan’ campaign, aimed at defending constitutional values and mobilising grassroots support. It was chaired by Kamareddy District Congress Committee President Kailas Srinivasa Rao, with attendance from Jukkal MLA Lakshmi Kantha Rao, Yellareddy MLA Madan Mohan Rao, former MLA E Ravinder Reddy, Agro Industries State Chairman Kasula Balaraj, and district in-charges Satyanarayana Goud and Venugopal Yadav.

Praising Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership, Shabbir Ali said Telangana’s caste census produced critical data—revealing that over 56% of the population belongs to backward classes—thereby shaping the national policy narrative. “This initiative has become a model for the entire country. It reflects what a committed government can achieve through transparency and dedication to equity,” he remarked.

Referring to the Centre’s recent move to collect caste data in the upcoming national census—the first such attempt since 1931—Shabbir said the decision was a direct consequence of the Congress party’s sustained pressure and Telangana’s example. “Despite claims by Union Ministers, it was Rahul Gandhi’s persistent advocacy and the momentum built through movements like Bharat Jodo Yatra that forced this policy shift,” he said.

caste census

He added that Gandhi had not only called for a caste census but also offered the Congress party’s support in framing a transparent and inclusive process for its implementation.

Urging Congress workers to stay united and disciplined, Shabbir Ali stressed that the party’s strength lay in public service, not internal rivalry. “Leadership is not about seeking posts; it’s about solving people’s problems. Factionalism will not be tolerated—those who divide the party will face disciplinary action,” he warned. He assured grassroots workers that their efforts would be acknowledged and rewarded.

Shabbir also took aim at the previous BRS regime, accusing it of stalling key water projects—Packages 21, 22, and 23—that were launched during his tenure as a minister. “Projects needing ₹300 crore were inflated to ₹3,000 crore, benefitting contractors at the public’s expense,” he alleged.

He highlighted the Congress government’s renewed focus on the Indramma housing scheme, announcing that 3,500 houses were being sanctioned per constituency, with a plan to scale up to 10,000. “We are committed to providing homes to every eligible family without bias,” he stated.

Concluding his address, Shabbir urged party cadres to expand the reach of the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan’ campaign to every village, reinforcing unity within the party. “There should be no distinction between old and new members. Every dedicated worker has a role in the Congress,” he said.

The meeting witnessed wide participation from mandal and block leaders, village Congress presidents, former ZPTCs and MPTCs, sarpanches, and hundreds of local workers. A two-minute silence was observed in memory of those killed in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

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