Ex-DGP calls for equitable political representation for Bahujans

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Marking the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, former DGP and National Coordinator of the All India Bahujan Samaj Party (AIBSP), called for equitable political representation for Bahujan communities, stating that the ideals of Shahu Maharaj can be realised only when political power is shared in proportion to population. 

Addressing a gathering on Friday, Dr. Rao said it was a matter of serious concern that even after 78 years of Independence, more than 200 castes in Andhra Pradesh have never had a representative elected to the Assembly. According to Dr. Rao, 124 Backward Class (BC) communities, accounting for nearly 26 per cent of the state’s population, have never elected a single MLA.  

Dr. Rao further alleged that 57 Scheduled Caste sub-groups, along with several ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups’ such as the Erukala, Yanadi, Chenchu and Nakkala communities, have never secured representation in the Assembly. Dr. Rao alleged that the concentration of political power in the hands of a few socially dominant groups has limited opportunities for hundreds of Bahujan communities to enter legislatures.

Dr. Rao demanded that the Andhra Pradesh Government conduct a comprehensive caste census and urged political parties to reform their candidate selection process so that representation in elected bodies reflects the demographic composition of society. “Shahu Maharaj’s vision extended beyond reservations in education and employment. His philosophy was about ensuring equal participation of the Bahujan majority in political power as well,” he said.

The appeal was made during the “Bahujan Maata–Paata” programme organised by Veeravalli Srinivas and P. V. Ramanaiah, which was attended by Bahujan leaders and representatives of people’s organisations from across the state. The participants resolved to take the message of Shahu Maharaj’s vision of social justice to villages across the state and appealed for a united movement to secure equitable political representation for Bahujan communities.