NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has lauded the Telangana government’s decision to increase the OBC reservation in the state.
Responding to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s announcement, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Congress government has fulfilled its promise to increase OBC reservation in Telangana.”
The Telangana Legislative Assembly on 17 March, passed two significant bills aimed at increasing the reservation for backward classes (BCs) to 42% in educational institutions, government employment, and elections to rural and urban local bodies.
कांग्रेस सरकार ने तेलंगाना में OBC आरक्षण बढ़ाने का वादा पूरा कर दिया है।
राज्य में वैज्ञानिक तरीके से हुई जातिगत गिनती से मिली OBC समुदाय की वास्तविक संख्या स्वीकार की गई और शिक्षा, रोजगार और राजनीति में उनकी समान भागीदारी सुनिश्चित करने के लिए विधानसभा में 42% आरक्षण का बिल… https://t.co/MdXwryq34O
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 18, 2025
Gandhi highlighted the significance of the caste-based survey in Telangana, stating, “The state has acknowledged the real population count of the OBC community through a scientific caste survey. To ensure equal participation in education, employment, and politics, a bill granting 42% reservation has been passed in the Assembly.”
Calling it a “revolutionary step” in social justice, Rahul Gandhi pointed out that this move has broken the 50% reservation barrier. “This is truly a revolutionary step that has shattered the 50% reservation limit,” he added.
Telangana is proud to lead the social revolution in #India
It is my honour to announce the longest pending demand of the subaltern groups since Indian Independence, the yearning of our brothers & sisters belonging to the Backward Castes, on being counted & recognised in an…
— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) March 17, 2025
Rahul Gandhi stressed that the data from Telangana’s caste survey will guide policies to improve social and economic conditions. He also mentioned the formation of an independent expert group by the Telangana government to analyze the data.
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“I have consistently advocated that an X-ray – meaning a caste census – is necessary for backward and deprived communities to get their fair share. Telangana has shown the way; this is what the entire country needs. We will ensure a caste census is conducted in India,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy described the bill as a “historic move” for Telangana. In his post, Reddy said, “Telangana is proud to lead the social revolution in India.”
He emphasized that this decision fulfilled a long-pending demand. “It is my honour to announce that the yearning of our brothers and sisters belonging to the Backward Castes to be counted and recognised in an official census has finally found deliverance,” he wrote.
Reddy revealed that the OBC population in Telangana is now confirmed to be 56.36%. “Based on the most scientific, methodically rigorous, and excruciating efforts of our people, we can say that the OBC population in Telangana is 56.36%,” he added.
“We are now resolving to ensure 42% reservations for this group in all walks of life – education, jobs, and employment, and political representation,” Revanth Reddy stated.
He urged people to support the decision, saying, “Be on the right side of history and let each one of us become a champion of this historic move.”
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed gratitude to members across party lines for supporting the bills. He announced that he would lead efforts to secure Parliament’s approval for the increased quota, which exceeds the 50 per cent cap on reservations set by the Supreme Court
