TRS Chief Kalvakuntla Kavitha Launches Nationwide Campaign for 50% BC Reservation, Sets Deadline for Centre

Hyderabad: Telangana Rashtra Sena (TRS) Chief Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Thursday launched a nationwide campaign demanding 50% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in legislative bodies, while unveiling an 11-point resolution aimed at the social, political and economic empowerment of marginalised communities. 

Speaking at the Samajika Nyaya Telangana Sankalpa Sabha in Saroornagar, Hyderabad, which was attended by thousands of party workers, delegates and citizens from across Telangana, Kavitha said the movement would continue until constitutional protection for 50% BC reservation in legislative bodies is achieved.

Addressing criticism over her speaking for BC rights, Kavitha said her commitment was based on conviction and not birth.

“When I speak for the rights of BCs, some mock me citing my background. But let me be crystal clear. My birth was not in my hands, but deciding who I dedicate my life and work for is entirely in my hands. I am dedicating my life to working alongside communities that have not even seen the threshold of a Gram Panchayat, until every single one of them is fully empowered.”

She said every political decision she takes is guided by her conscience.

“I will never utter a word or undertake an action that my soul does not agree with. I have stepped onto this battleground with the absolute confidence that we will bring structural change.”

Kavitha explains social justice, cites leaders who worked for equality

During her speech, Kavitha spoke about the meaning of social justice and said it is about ensuring equal access to the country's resources.

“What is social justice? If there are 100 loaves of bread for 100 people, allowing just 10 people to consume 90 loaves is grave injustice. Ensuring that 100 loaves feed all 100 people is true justice. Unfortunately, in our country today, 10 people continue to hoard 90% of the resources while the vast majority is left hungry.”

She referred to several leaders whom she said worked for social equality despite coming from privileged backgrounds.

Kavitha said Gautama Buddha, though born into royalty, left his kingdom to build an egalitarian society. She also mentioned Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, saying he introduced reservation policies in his state for the upliftment of oppressed communities.

Speaking about the implementation of the Mandal Commission, she said the Congress had kept the report pending for more than two decades, while former Prime Minister V. P. Singh took the decision to implement it.

She also referred to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, saying she fought to protect 69% reservation by ensuring its inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Kavitha further said that if BCs had received reservations similar to SCs and STs immediately after Independence, India would today have been competing with countries like the United States at the highest level.

Centre asked to clear BC Bill before Budget Session

Kavitha also criticised what she described as political double standards in Telangana. She alleged that leaders were “wrestling in the alleys of Hyderabad while maintaining friendships in Delhi.”

She demanded that the 42% BC reservation bill passed by the Telangana government, which is awaiting approval from the Centre, should not be delayed further.

She also issued an ultimatum to the Central Government, asking it to pass the BC Reservation Bill providing 50% representation in legislative bodies before the upcoming Parliamentary Budget Session.

“If the Central Government fails to pass the BC Reservation Bill before the budget session, we will mobilize thousands of activists and lead a massive 'Chalo Delhi' rally with over 1,000 cars. Drawing inspiration from the revolutionary spirit of Maroju Veeranna, we will force the powers in Delhi to yield to the democratic rights of the people.”

Calls fulfilment of Prof. Jayashankar's dream a ‘sacred duty’

Remembering late Professor Jayashankar, one of the key ideologues of the Telangana movement, Kavitha said he had once told activists that the struggle for a separate Telangana and the fight for a "Social Telangana" could not happen together. According to him, once statehood was achieved, the movement for social justice should begin with the same commitment.

"We are here today to fulfill the unrealized dream of Jayashankar Sir. Fulfilling his vision of a Social Telangana is our sacred duty," she said.

11 resolutions adopted at the Sankalpa Sabha

The Samajika Nyaya Telangana Sankalpa Sabha adopted 11 resolutions outlining the party's roadmap for social justice:

1. Launch a nationwide movement demanding 50% reservation for BCs in legislative bodies until it receives constitutional backing.
2. Request the Government of India to confer the Bharat Ratna on social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.
3. Install a statue of Professor Jayashankar at Tank Bund in Hyderabad and urge the Telangana government to recommend his name for the Padma Vibhushan.
4. Ensure that funds allocated for SC and ST communities are not diverted and are spent only on their welfare and development.
5. Immediately issue special recruitment notifications to fill all pending SC and ST backlog vacancies in Central and State government departments.
6. Guarantee complete forest rights for Adivasis and ensure tribal communities living in plain areas receive full reservation benefits.
7. Demand immediate passage of the Women's Reservation Bill without linking it to the delimitation process.
8. Enact the Waqf Board Act, protect minority properties and introduce schemes to promote the economic self-reliance of Muslims.
9. Create institutional measures and financial support systems to strengthen the economic security and self-reliance of Sikh and Christian communities.
10. Ensure full constitutional and civil rights, protection against discrimination, social dignity and affirmative action for transgender persons.
11. Immediately implement the promised pension hike for persons with disabilities and provide reservation for them as co-option members in local government bodies.

Three-phase campaign announced

The TRS also announced a phased action plan to take the movement across Telangana and beyond. In the first phase, village-level public meetings and awareness programmes will be organised across Telangana until Savitribai Phule Jayanti.

In the second phase, if the Central Government does not pass the 50% BC Reservation Bill during the Budget Session, the party will organise a 1,000-car 'Chalo Delhi' rally.

The third phase will include a national review meeting on August 6, 2027, to assess the progress of the campaign and decide the next course of action. Concluding her address, Kavitha appealed to BC organisations, civil society groups, democratic forces and citizens to unite for the movement.

“To fight for equal justice for all sections, one needs guts and courage. I have both, and I will stand on the frontlines until true social justice is delivered.”