Purnachandra Rao calls for end to ‘political untouchability’

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

A national convention on the Indian Constitution and issues faced by SCs, STs and OBCs was held on Sunday at Visvesvaraya Bhavan, Institution of Engineers, Khairatabad. The event was organised by the All India SC/ST Rights Protection Society (AISC/STRPS) and the Samata Socio-Economic and Educational Trust, drawing participation from several prominent personalities and members of marginalised communities.

Dr J. Purnachandra Rao, IPS (Retd.) and former DGP, attended as chief guest. Among those present were Prof Ganta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Prof Patta Venkateshwarlu and retired district judge Nimma Narayana. Speakers including N. Susheela, Mallesham, Dr Ramana Naik and P. Yadagiri shared their views.

Dr Rao said that despite India being a democracy, equal political participation has not been realised. He noted that certain sections enjoy disproportionate representation, while backward classes, minorities and several communities lack representation in legislatures in proportion to their population. Calling this an “unequal democracy,” he said political, economic and social equality remain unfulfilled, contributing to poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. He termed the exclusion of many communities from becoming MLAs or MPs as “political untouchability” and said claims of India becoming a $5 trillion economy do not reflect ground realities.

Referring to Articles 14, 15 and 16, he said constitutional guarantees of equality are not fully implemented. He highlighted dominance of certain groups in Assemblies and Parliament, raised concerns over Adivasis’ displacement and Dalit inequalities and suggested representation caps and proportional systems, citing Germany, New Zealand, Belgium and South Africa, and urged alternative political platforms for equitable democracy.