Telangana may soon release BC caste survey data, says Minister Vakiti Srihari
Hyderabad: Minister Vakiti Srihari said the Telangana government would soon release the long-awaited BC caste survey and empirical data to support 42 per cent BC reservations. His statement, made during the BC bandh on Saturday, triggered fresh political debate across the state.
Srihari hints at data release soon
Speaking to the media, Srihari said the government would publish the Dedication Commission and BC Commission reports along with complete empirical findings. “We will make the data public soon,” he said. According to him, legal restrictions delayed the process earlier.
The minister said the government avoided releasing the report to prevent political interference. “Even the data submitted in court created hurdles,” he added. Srihari said no one should question the Congress government’s sincerity toward BC welfare.
Congress defends its commitment to the BC quota
Srihari said the Congress-led caste survey had exposed the real strength of BCs in Telangana. He criticised the BJP for spreading false claims that Congress lacked the intent to implement BC quotas. “Congress divided the state despite political risks. The same commitment drives our stand on BC reservations,” he said.
He credited Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for working sincerely to achieve 42 per cent BC reservations. The minister added that, unlike the BRS, the Congress was following a legal and transparent process to avoid court disputes.
Legal efforts to secure BC justice
Srihari said Deputy Chief Minister and BC ministers personally appeared before the Supreme Court in the ongoing case — something unprecedented in the country. “I stayed in the High Court for two days to ensure BC justice,” he said.
He urged political groups not to link the Konda Surekha issue with BC reservations. “That matter is separate. The Chief Minister is handling it,” he said.
Debate over caste data intensifies
Opposition parties have long demanded the release of the Telangana caste survey conducted by the Planning Department. They accuse the government of hiding the data. In response, Congress leaders said the summary alone was released to protect individuals’ privacy.
Srihari’s latest comments, however, renewed speculation that the government might soon publish the full report. Political analysts believe this step would strengthen Telangana’s legal and political case for 42 per cent BC reservations.