The Opposition, BRS leaders assembled at Telangana Bhavan before dispersing to various demonstrations across the city.
Published Oct 18, 2025 | 12:31 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 18, 2025 | 12:31 PM
BC Bandh. (X)
Synopsis: Ponnam Prabhakar, BC Welfare Minister, also extended his support to the bandh, noting, “The Telangana government conducted a state-wide caste survey to provide 42 percent reservation to BCs and passed a law in the Legislative Assembly, which has been pending with the President since the Governor’s approval. The Central Government, which should have taken the decision, is silent and does not take further action, which is delaying the implementation.”
On Saturday, 18 October, a statewide bandh is in action in Telangana, in protest against the Telangana High Court stay order on 42 percent reservation to Backward Classes in local body polls.
The bandh call given by the Joint Action Committee (JAC), and has been widely supported by all major political parties, including the ruling Congress in the state.
The Opposition, BRS leaders assembled at Telangana Bhavan before dispersing to various demonstrations across the city.
Former Minister V Srinivas Goud, speaking at Telangana Bhavan, said, “Congress is playing a big drama in the name of BC reservations. Only due to the fraudulent policies of the Congress party, BCs did not get 42 percent reservation.”
Joining the protest at the RTC bus stand in Mahbubnagar, Srinivas Goud added, “Kamareddy Declaration is a hoax, the central and state governments are deceiving and cheating the people of Telangana.”
ఆర్టీసీ క్రాస్ రోడ్డు వద్ద BRS పార్టీ ఆధ్వర్యంలో నిర్వహించిన బీసీ బంద్ కార్యక్రమంలో పాల్గొని రాష్ట్ర, కేంద్ర ప్రభుత్వాలు బీసీ లకు చట్టసభలలో మరియు విద్యా, ఉద్యోగాలలో 42% చట్టబద్ధమైన రిజర్వేషన్లు కల్పించిన తర్వాతనే ఎన్నికలు నిర్వహించాలని డిమాండ్ చేస్తూ, నిరసన వ్యక్తం చేయడం… pic.twitter.com/UptakSr8gO
— V Srinivas Goud (@VSrinivasGoud) October 18, 2025
Telangana Jagruti president Kalvakuntla Kavitha took out a rally in autos to form a human chain at Khairatabad intersection in support of the BC bandh. Aditya, son of Kavitha, also participated in the human chain protest.
Speaking to the media, Kavitha, noting that, “BC children are demanding reservations for themselves,” added, “We will launch another BC movement, just like the Telangana movement. The commitment shown by Telangana’s BC youth should serve as an example for the entire country.”
Criticising the government she added, “What is the urgency to hold elections now? Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have not held elections for five years. Elections should be conducted only after the issue of BC reservations is resolved.”
దొంగ జీవోలు ఇచ్చిన కాంగ్రెస్, బీసీ బిల్లును పాస్ చేయించాల్సిన బీజేపీ పార్టీలు బంద్ కు మద్దతు తెలపడం అంటే హంతకులే వచ్చి నివాళులు అర్పించినట్టు ఉంది.
తెలంగాణ బీజేపీ ఎంపీలు రాజీనామా చేస్తే బీసీ బిల్లు నడుచుకుంటూ వస్తది. రాజకీయ సంక్షోభం సృష్టిస్తేనే బీసీల రిజర్వేషన్ల పెంపు… pic.twitter.com/5E2M2ITez9
— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) October 18, 2025
Meanwhile TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud has been monitoring the BC bandh in the state since morning.
MLC Balmoor Venkat, speaking to the media said, “We are striving to realize Rahul Gandhi’s dream here that reservations are allocated based on the proportion of each community in the population.”
Criticising the BJP, he added, “If the BJP is truly sincere about the welfare of the Backward Classes, the MPs representing the state, along with the two Union Ministers, should take the initiative and lead an all-party delegation to meet the President.”
Ponnam Prabhakar, BC Welfare Minister, also extended his support to the bandh, noting, “The Telangana government conducted a state-wide caste survey to provide 42 percent reservation to BCs and passed a law in the Legislative Assembly, which has been pending with the President since the Governor’s approval. The Central Government, which should have taken the decision, is silent and does not take further action, which is delaying the implementation.”
He added, “Although it is inconvenient for the people, the bandh will have an impact on the governments. We should continue our struggle with the spirit of the Telangana movement to achieve 42 percent reservation.”
The controversy traces back to the Telangana government’s decision to expand BC reservations in gram panchayats, zilla parishads, and urban local bodies. In September 2025, the state issued GO No. 9, increasing the BC quota from 25% to 42%, following recommendations from the Backward Classes Commission.
The move was preceded by an ordinance and a subsequent Bill, which the government claims became law through deemed assent due to the governor’s inaction.
The Congress-led government presented the enhanced quota as a social justice initiative, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasising the need for greater representation for BCs, who constitute nearly 50% of Telangana’s population, according to socio-economic surveys.
The government cited a comprehensive 2024–25 survey as the empirical foundation for the decision.
However, the policy soon faced multiple legal challenges. Petitioners, including individuals and organisations, approached the Telangana High Court, arguing that the GO violated constitutional principles and Supreme Court precedents.
On 9 October 2025, a division bench of the high court headed by Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh stayed the implementation of GO No. 9, citing non-compliance with the triple test and breach of the 50% ceiling. It directed the state to treat the additional 17% (beyond the existing 25%) as general seats and to conduct local body elections under the existing Panchayat Raj Act.
Following the stay, the Telangana State Election Commission suspended the ongoing poll process, forcing the government to move the Supreme Court with an urgent SLP on 14 October 2025.
The issue of “deemed assent” was central to Telangana’s argument in the Supreme Court. The state relied on the Supreme Court’s April 2025 ruling in the State of Tamil Nadu vs. Governor of Tamil Nadu, which held that governors cannot indefinitely withhold assent and, in exceptional cases, deemed assent can be applied under Article 142.
Telangana invoked this precedent to justify proceeding with its reservation policy despite the governor’s delay.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sai Charan Sana)
