Bahujan unity essential for social justice: Dr J. Purnachandra Rao

Metro India News | KURNOOL

Former Director General of Police and AIBSP National Coordinator Dr J. Purnachandra Rao on Wednesday described Tipu Sultan as one of the earliest Indian rulers to challenge British colonialism and said his legacy should inspire the Bahujan society for achieving unity. Speaking as the Chief Guest at a Tipu Sultan commemoration meeting organized by BAMCEF in Kurnool, Rao said Tipu Sultan was not merely a king but a courageous leader who resisted British imperial expansion.

He said Tipu Sultan introduced reforms in military technology, agriculture and administration, earning a distinct place in Indian history. Rao said Tipu Sultan demonstrated religious accommodation by extending grants and patronage to institutions such as the Sringeri Peetham and temples at Melkote and Nanjangud. He also recalled that Hindu officials including Purnaiya, Krishna Rao and Shama Iyengar held key positions in Tipu Sultan’s administration.

Expressing concern over the present political situation, Dr. Purnachandra Rao said that although SCs, STs, BCs and minorities constituted a demographic majority in the country, they remained politically fragmented and therefore distanced from political power. Explaining the concept of “Bahujan”, he said the term originated from the Buddhist principle of “Bahujana Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya”, and was later given social and political direction by reformers such as Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Periyar and Kanshi Ram.

Referring to the 62 Assembly constituencies in Rayalaseema and Nellore , he said there were only two Muslim MLAs and eight BC MLAs, despite their substantial population strength. He argued that the region should have at least five Muslim MLAs and more than 30 BC MLAs in proportion to their population.