Amid BJP’s Dalit outreach in Telangana, PM promises to set up panel for classification of SC sub-groups

The Prime Minister also said that the Congress party and Telangana’s ruling BRS both gave a raw deal to Scheduled Caste communities, and assured that he would “try to correct the injustices done to you by political parties and political leaders”.

The classification of SC sub-groups has been a major demand of the MRPS, and Modi’s promise to set up a committee for it left MRPS chief Manda Krishna Madiga visibly emotional.

“BRS is anti-Dalit, and Congress is just like them. Congress was responsible for defeating B R Ambedkar in two elections,” the PM said in his speech. “As per the BJP’s policy of sabka saath sabka vikas, we will take our Madiga brothers along and forward. Only BJP stands for the alleviation of poverty among marginalised communities,” he said.

Accusing the BRS government in the state of betraying the Scheduled Caste communities over the last 10 years, the PM said: “To my brethren of the Madiga community, I want to say that I have not come here to seek something from you. I am here to assure you that I will try to correct the injustices done to you so far by political parties and political leaders.”

“The Congress party created hurdles when Telangana was about to be formed. And when, after so many sacrifices, Telangana was formed, BRS leaders forgot you and went and thanked Congress leaders. During the agitation (for statehood), you were promised that a Dalit person would be made the CM of Telangana, but after the state’s formation, KCR (Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao) sat in the CM’s chair by crushing the dreams of Dalit people,” he said.

He alleged that KCR had reneged on a promise to give three acres of land to Dalits, and that funds under the Dalit Bandhu scheme – a state government scheme that gives financial assistance to SC families to start their own business – were being given only to people linked to the BRS.

He said MRPS chief Manda Krishna Madiga had been demanding SC sub-castes survey and fighting for justice for the Madiga sub-group for the last 30 years. Now, the Centre will look into their demands, the PM said.

The MRPS has been demanding a separate numerical survey of Dalit castes, and the provision of quotas commensurate with their numerical strength. According to the MRPS, some SC sub-caste groups, like the Malas, have more political influence and have “cornered” the quotas, leaving the more populous Madigas on the sidelines.