Telangana Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has strongly defended the state’s caste survey, asserting that there are no errors in the data collected. Speaking to the media in Karimnagar, he urged opposition parties to refrain from politicizing the issue and instead cooperate with the Congress government in ensuring justice for the Backward Classes (BCs). The minister emphasized that the survey was conducted meticulously, with data collected from people who willingly participated in the process. He challenged opposition leaders, particularly from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), to point out specific inaccuracies if they believed there were any. According to him, the BRS did not actively take part in the survey and was now unjustly criticizing it for political gain. He further demanded that BRS leaders apologize to the BC community for their stance on the issue.

Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted that the Congress has always supported a nationwide caste census and pointed out that party leader Rahul Gandhi has been advocating for it at the national level. The minister claimed that the survey results, which show BCs making up 56.33% of Telangana’s population, provide crucial data for policymaking. This information, he stated, would allow the government to implement targeted welfare schemes, reserve jobs, and ensure fair representation in self-employment programs. He also announced that the Congress was ready to allocate 42% of seats in local body elections to BC candidates, a move aimed at strengthening their political representation. Dismissing criticism from the BJP, he accused the party of opposing caste-based enumeration and reminded the public that the BJP had filed an affidavit in court refusing to conduct a national caste census.

The Telangana government recently tabled the survey findings in the Assembly and passed a resolution demanding that the central government conduct a caste census across the country. However, opposition parties, including the BRS and BJP, have questioned the accuracy of the data, particularly in comparison to the integrated household survey conducted in 2014, which recorded the BC population at 61%. Addressing these concerns, Ponnam Prabhakar assured that the methodology used was scientifically sound and aimed at creating a more inclusive and just society. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to using this data for comprehensive planning and development, ensuring that BCs receive the benefits they deserve.