The Congress MP’s remarks have reignited conversations around caste, equality, and representation in religious and cultural spaces.
Published May 27, 2025 | 4:53 PM ⚊ Updated May 27, 2025 | 5:51 PM
MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna at the Saraswati Pushkaralu (Supplied)
Synopsis: Peddapalli MP Vamsi Krishna Gaddam alleged caste-based discrimination after being sidelined from the grand Saraswati Pushkaralu celebrations in Kaleshwaram. In a viral social media post, he highlighted caste’s deep-rooted influence and pledged to fight for equality, invoking constitutional rights. His remarks reignited debate on caste and representation in public and religious spaces.
In a social media post that has sparked widespread debate, Congress’ Peddapalli MP Vamsi Krishna Gaddam has hinted at caste-based discrimination during the recently concluded Saraswati Pushkaralu celebrations in Kaleshwaram, Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
The first-time parliamentarian, elected from the Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency, expressed anguish over being side lined from the grand event, which saw active participation from top Telangana leaders.
“Caste is more valuable than money,” he wrote, highlighting the persistent grip of caste in public life.
His remarks have reignited conversations around caste, equality, and representation in religious and cultural spaces.
Today, I have come to a powerful realisation — there is something more valuable than money in our society, and that is caste. This experience has shown me the deep significance caste still holds and how it can shape our lives in ways we often overlook.
I want to sincerely thank… pic.twitter.com/NdMUVzjq2L
— Gaddam Vamsi Krishna (@KakaVamsiGaddam) May 25, 2025
“Today, I have come to a powerful realisation — there is something more valuable than money in our society, and that is caste. This experience has shown me the deep significance caste still holds and how it can shape our lives in ways we often overlook,” the MP’s post read.
“I want to sincerely thank all the Dalit Sanghams for standing by me during this difficult time. Your solidarity, your strength, and your unwavering support in fighting for my rights have meant the world to me,” he continued.
“I assure you — I will stand by each one of you. In unity, we will continue to fight for our rights — the rights guaranteed to us by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar through the Constitution, especially Articles 14, 15(b), and 17, which uphold equality, prohibit discrimination, and abolish untouchability,” he assured.
Articles 14, 15(b), and 17 are the Fundamental Rights listed under the Indian Constitution. Article 14 talks about “Equality before Law.” Article 15 lays down “Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.”
Under subsection b of 15(2), the constitution prohibits discrimination on any grounds in “the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.” Finally, Article 17 talks about the “Abolition of Untouchability.”
“Let us march forward together, with courage and conviction,” Vamshi Krishna’s post concluded, ending with “Jai Bhim. Jai Hind.”
Various reports suggest that Vamsi Krishna was side lined during the Saraswati Pushkaralu celebrations in Kaleshwaram this year. The festival which occurs once every 12 years, was mounted on a grand scale by the Telangana government.
Despite the extensive involvement of the Chief Minister, IT Minister Sridhar Babu, and the local MLA in the celebrations, Vamsi Krishna was not a prominent part of it. The member of the Scheduled Caste, Mala community, was elected as a first-time Parliamentarian in 2024.
Allegedly, there he did not receive a proper invitation and was not made a part of the promotions either.
In a video, now circulating online, the MP speaking to the media said, “I feel sad talking about the Saraswati Pushkaralu today. We can see how people are behaving depending on caste.”
He also stressed that everybody has equal rights in religious places, guaranteed by the constitution.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
