Hyderabad: Former Rajya Sabha member and former OBC MPs Forum convener V. Hanumantha Rao launched an indefinite hunger strike in Hyderabad demanding inclusion of Backward Classes in the BC census exercise.
Hanumantha Rao began the protest at his residence in Amberpet.
MLC Kodandaram, government whip Adi Srinivas and senior BC association leaders joined the hunger strike in support of the demand.
The leaders also raised slogans against the Central government during the protest.
BC census demand gains support from leaders
Meanwhile, Hanumantha Rao urged the Centre to include OBC communities in the nationwide population census exercise.
He said BC communities should receive justice based on their population share.
The former MP appealed to all political parties to support the demand for welfare and representation of BC communities.
Hanumantha Rao said the government should count the BC population during the census process.
He alleged that the Centre had not responded properly despite several letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
Hanumantha Rao said he would continue the indefinite hunger strike until the Central government responded positively to the demand.
He had earlier warned that he would launch an indefinite fast if authorities failed to conduct a caste census for BC communities.