Kanche Ilaiah shepherd Meets Rahul Gandhi
Discussed on Telangana Caste Census, BC Reservations
New Delhi, July 24, 2025: In a significant meeting held in Delhi, Congress top brass, including Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, engaged with Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, Vice Chairman of the Independent Experts Committee and noted author, to deliberate on the Telangana government’s caste census and the implementation of Backward Classes (BC) reservations. The meeting saw the participation of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, TPCC Chief Bomma Mahesh Kumar Goud, AICC In-Charge Meenakshi Natarajan, and ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy, Konda Surekha, and Vakiti Srihari, among others.
Caste Census: A Milestone in Social Justice
The Telangana government’s Social, Educational, Economic, and Employment-wise Poor Castes (SEEEPC) survey aims to analyze the socio-economic conditions of BC communities and sub-castes to formulate policies for achieving social equity. Based on the survey, the Telangana Assembly passed a bill to increase BC reservations to 42% in local bodies, education, and employment, which is currently awaiting approval from the Governor and the President. Additionally, the state cabinet has resolved to implement 42% BC reservations in local body elections and has sent an ordinance to the Governor for approval.
42% BC Reservations: A Step Toward Equity
Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd emphasized that despite BCs constituting a significant portion of the population, their representation in education, employment, and political spheres remains inadequate. He described the implementation of 42% BC reservations as a critical step in the fight for social justice. He urged that the empirical data from the caste census be used to legally enforce increased reservations and advocated for its adoption nationwide.
Rahul Gandhi, Kharge Laud Telangana’s Efforts
Speaking at the meeting, Rahul Gandhi hailed the Telangana caste census as a landmark initiative for social justice in India. He commended CM Revanth Reddy and the Congress leadership for exceeding expectations, noting that the survey provides clear data on wealth, land, and opportunity distribution. Gandhi criticized the BJP government for its failure to conduct a proper caste census and demanded the removal of the 50% reservation cap.
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Congress in Telangana has launched a “Social Justice 2.0” movement. He affirmed that under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, the party would continue its nationwide fight for a caste census. Kharge added that public pressure had compelled the Modi government at the Centre to agree to a caste census.
Future Roadmap
During the meeting, CM Revanth Reddy presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the methodology and findings of the caste census. He called for legislative measures to empower BCs based on the survey and demanded the inclusion of the BC reservation bill in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Efforts are underway to brief INDIA bloc MPs on the survey’s outcomes to garner national support.
Professor Kancha Ilaiah’s Recommendations
Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd offered several suggestions for implementing the 42% BC reservation. He stressed the need for comprehensive studies on the social, economic, educational, and employment conditions of BC communities to provide them with legal protections. He highlighted the Telangana caste census as a model for other states to emulate, urging them to undertake similar surveys to promote social equity.
