Rajakas and Bahujans must unite: Dr. Purnachandra Rao

metro india news  I hyderabad

Highlighting the political and social injustices faced by the Rajaka community in the Telugu states, Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, All India Coordinator of the All India Bahujan Samaj Party (AIBSP), called for unity among Rajakas and other Bahujan groups to secure their rightful share of political power. The address came during a lively state-level gathering of Rajaka representatives, including sarpanches, vice-sarpanches, and ward members, held at Ravindra Bharathi on Tuesday.

Dr. Purnachandra Rao stressed that only when Dalits and other backward communities receive adequate representation in legislative bodies can decades-old issues be effectively addressed. Citing population statistics, he pointed out the severe underrepresentation of Rajakas in assemblies despite their significant numbers, contrasting it with the overrepresentation of comparatively smaller communities like Reddys and Kammas in ministerial posts.

He criticized political parties for maintaining biased practices that deliberately limit the influence of Rajakas and other backward classes. Highlighting instances from local governance, he condemned the lack of accountability when a Rajaka child lost their life due to a sarpanch’s negligence, underlining the absence of protection for weaker communities.

Dr. Purnachandra Rao also accused state governments of failing to implement BC welfare promises. While the central government’s 10 percent EWS reservation was quickly enforced in the state, commitments such as the 42 percent BC reservations announced by the Congress during elections remain unfulfilled. He warned that without unity, dominant BC groups manipulate divisions among smaller communities to maintain control.

Appreciating the role of Vijayakranti newspaper, he praised the publication for standing as a voice for Bahujans, highlighting social injustices and political neglect when mainstream media often overlooks these issues. He urged the community to support such media platforms that champion marginalized voices.

The meeting concluded with several resolutions aimed at improving the welfare and political representation of the Rajaka community. These included demands to include Rajakas in the SC list, enactment of BC protection laws, legally mandated BC reservation quotas of 42 percent in Telangana and 52 percent in Andhra Pradesh, increased participation in the dry-cleaning and washing industry, and government-backed pension schemes for senior workers.

Currently, the community has secured 118 sarpanch posts, over 200 vice-sarpanch positions, and around 2,200 ward member seats. Dr. Purnachandra Rao emphasized that this number should at least double in the future, encouraging elected representatives to expand their influence beyond villages to legislative assemblies and Parliament, working in unity with SC, ST, and minority communities to amplify their political voice.

The event witnessed the participation of senior Rajaka leaders, representatives from various villages, and approximately 50 newly elected Rajaka sarpanches, alongside state-level Bahujan leaders and youth activists.