Supreme Court Verdict Deeply Regrettable — Against the Spirit of Social Justice
BC Reservations Sadhana Samakhya JAC Calls for Statewide Bandh on October 18
The BC Reservations Sadhana Samakhya Joint Action Committee (JAC) has strongly condemned the recent Supreme Court verdict striking down the Telangana Government’s petition seeking 42% reservations for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections, terming it “a severe blow to social justice.”
Addressing the media at the Secretariat Media Point, JAC Chairman and National BC Dal President Dundra Kumaraswamy expressed deep anguish over the judgment.
“This verdict is contrary to the constitutional spirit of social justice. It tramples upon the rights of BCs who have been historically marginalized. This is not merely a struggle for reservations — it is a movement for dignity and self-respect,” said Kumaraswamy.
He emphasized that the BC community has long been denied justice in a democratic nation that claims equality for all.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Governor’s assent to bills, he pointed out:
“If the Governor fails to act within the stipulated time, the bill is deemed to have received assent. The same principle should apply to the Telangana BC Reservations Bill as well.”
Legal and Constitutional Perspective
Responding to the 50% cap on reservations, the JAC explained:
The Supreme Court itself had clarified earlier that the 50% limit can be exceeded if there is adequate empirical data to justify it. In Telangana, BCs constitute a substantial population, and the proposed enhancement is legally valid and socially necessary.”
Drawing parallels with Tamil Nadu, Kumaraswamy demanded that:
“Just as Tamil Nadu increased its reservation limits through constitutional amendment and inclusion in the Ninth Schedule, the Centre must now amend the Constitution to include BC reservations under the Ninth Schedule. Only then will true social justice be achieved.”
Nationwide Call for Solidarity
The JAC urged BC communities, organizations, and all democratic forces to support the statewide bandh on October 18, calling it a “battle for equality and dignity.”
This bandh should not be limited to Telangana. It must echo across the nation as a symbol of resistance against injustice. Those opposing BC reservations are standing against the very foundation of social harmony,” the JAC said in its statement.
Final Warning to the Centre
Concluding the media briefing, JAC leaders cautioned the Union Government:
“Until the BC Reservation Bill is included in the Ninth Schedule through constitutional amendment, our movement will continue with greater intensity. This is a battle to uphold the soul of the Constitution.”
They appealed for peaceful participation:
“Every BC leader, worker, entrepreneur, and laborer must join the protest peacefully. Let this bandh burn bright like a flame of justice that forces the Centre to bow before the will of the people,” the JAC declared.