Former BC Commission Chairman Calls Delhi Protest Stunt

Former Telangana BC Commission chairman Dr Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao today criticised the ongoing protest for BC reservations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar led by CM Revanth Reddy, describing it as a political spectacle rather than a genuine fight for the BC rights.

"If the government truly intended to act, it could have filed a Writ of Mandamus and sought a swift decision from the Supreme Court on the pending Bills. Instead of taking the available legal route, why resort to such drama? This is not a battle for the BC rights but a publicity stunt to catch the attention of the party high command," he said at the Somajiguda Press Club.

He added that, in light of the recent Tamil Nadu judgment, the President had referred 14 crucial questions to the Supreme Court under Article 143(1), leaving ample scope for legal recourse. "The real battle for BC reservations must be fought in the Supreme Court, not through Revanth Reddy's presentations in Delhi or staged protests. True justice for BCs will come only through the courts, not political dramas. But rather than pursuing justice through the apex court, the Chief Minister chose to stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar, misleading people and turning it into political theatre," he said.

Calling out the government's "double standards", he said, "If the Busani Dedicated Commission report was sufficient to implement reservations in the local body elections, why did the Chief Minister and ministers not make time to receive it? In the end, the Commission had to submit its report quietly to the Chief Secretary without publicity. Yet, when the Justice Sudharshan Reddy Working Group submitted its report, the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and several ministers went to MCRHRD to receive it. Why this disparity? This reflects the Revanth government's negative attitude towards the BCs."

He also criticised the government for rushing through critical processes. "The same government that took 16 months for what it called a comprehensive study on the Kaleshwaram project decided the future of crores of BCs in just a few days. The commissions appointed for this crucial task were not given adequate time for thorough examination," he said.

"The government must act with sincerity by placing all reports in the public domain, constituting a statutory commission, and acting immediately on its recommendations," he added.

Commenting on the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Tamil Nadu case, he said, "The Court has stated that Governors do not have pocket veto powers and cannot indefinitely hold Bills. There must now be a clear and focused debate on the limits of the President's reference powers under Article 143(1)."