Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to participate in a major protest organized by Telangana’s Backward Classes (BC) associations at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The demonstration aims to push for the implementation of a bill recently passed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly, which seeks to increase BC reservations from 23% to 42%. However, this proposed quota hike exceeds the Supreme Court’s 50% reservation cap, requiring parliamentary approval before it can be enacted. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is also expected to join the protest, alongside several Congress MLAs and ministers who traveled to Delhi on Tuesday evening.
The Telangana government passed two bills on March 17 to enhance BC reservations across education, employment, and elections in local bodies. The move has been met with both support and legal scrutiny, as reservation policies remain a contentious issue in India’s political landscape. The Congress-led state government argues that increasing the quota is essential for the upliftment of backward communities, but critics question the feasibility of surpassing the existing legal limit. With Rahul Gandhi’s presence, the protest is expected to gain national attention, further pressuring the central government to consider the bill.
As Telangana pushes for higher BC reservations, the broader debate over reservation policies in India intensifies. Political analysts believe that this issue will play a crucial role in shaping electoral narratives ahead of the next elections. The state government’s demand for an exception to the 50% cap could set a precedent for other states seeking similar changes. With Congress rallying behind the cause, the protest in Delhi may evolve into a larger movement, testing the central government’s stance on social justice policies and reservation reforms.
