BATHUKAMMA: FOR NINE DAYS TELANGANA WILL REVERBRATE WITH SONG AND DANCE

 

Bathukamma: For nine days, Telangana will reverberate with song and dance.

Elaborate arrangements are being made in Hyderabad and other parts of the State

By CR Gowri Shanker  

Published on 1 Oct 2024 12:11 PM

 

                                                                   

Hyderabad: Come Bathukamma, Telangana will reverberate with song and dance by young girls and women for nine days.

Over the years, Bathukamma has become a symbol of Telangana culture and it has crossed the State boundaries, celebrated in many parts of the country and abroad where Telugus live including the US, Australia, and UK.

Praja Bathukamma

Elaborate arrangements are being made in Hyderabad and other parts of the state for the first `Praja Bathukamma’ in `Praja Palana’ by the Congress government from October 2 to October 8.

This was the first major public festival after Congress came to power and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy assumed charge.

Bathukamma festival comes as a sigh of relief for the people, especially women amidst controversial demolitions of illegal buildings in and around lakes followed by the Musi beautification program.

Youth are also keeping their fingers crossed on whether DJs will be allowed or not after the recent announcement of clamping down on loud music by Hyderabad police. But the mood looks otherwise!

No saree distribution

Unlike in the past, the Revanth Reddy government has done away with the controversial distribution of Bathukamma sarees on the eve of the festival on the plea that “women were unwilling to wear poor quality of sarees and earned their ire during every festival.”

There is a talk of distributing gifts for the women folk in the State, but it has not been made public so far.

Bathukamma festivities in Ravindra Bharathi

Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements at Ravindra Bharathi premises for the nine-day festivities in Hyderabad. Women’s groups and social organizations can play Bathukamma daily for which logistics have been arranged including lighting, stage, and other paraphernalia.

Department of Language and Culture has also arranged music, dance, and Kavi Sammelan programs.

A small pond is also being set up in Ravindra Bharathi compound for immersion of the Bathukammas, the flower arrangements.

“We are making necessary arrangements across the State including Hyderabad for the women folk to celebrate the much-revered Bathukamma. Women groups or individual women can come and play Bathukamma in Ravindra Bharathi in Hyderabad and other select places across the State from 6 pm to 8 pm daily from Wednesday for the nine-day festival,” Mamidi Harikrishna, Director, the Department of Language and Culture told NewsMeter.

”We have also created a small pond in Ravindra Bharathi for immersion in Bathukamma,” he added.

He said similar arrangements are being made at Tank Bund Hyderabad and other Bathukamma Ghats across the State.

“The Bathukamma festival is decentralized. Arrangements have been made across Hyderabad and the state for the people to celebrate the festival with gusto. We want to ensure women folk celebrate the festival in the traditional best,’’ he adds.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is likely to participate on the last day of the festivities at Tank Bund on October 10.

Missing in action this time is the BRS and its Bathukamma symbol Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who promoted the festival in a big way during BRS rule. But after the defeat of BRS and Kavitha in jail for some time in a liquor scam, the enthusiasm is missing.

Bathukamma festival

There are several folklore on Bathukamma. Bathukamma means “Mother Goddess come back to life.”

It's a festival of life in Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh where womenfolk thank and pray to Goddess Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva, a Maha Shakthi, for giving abundance crops and prosperity. It’s time to pray to the Goddess Parvathi for prosperity, good health, well-being, and good life for families.

Women make ‘Boddemma’ (a deity of Gowri, mother Durga of earthly mud) along with a colorful flower arrangement Bathukamma, and immerse it in the pond after the traditional song and dance.

There is another story according to religious scholars. A king named Dharmangada and a queen named Satyavati belonging to Chola Dynasty. They lost several sons in the war and his wife Satyavathi gave birth to a baby girl after many years and prayers. She was named Rani Lakshmi. She went through turbulent times and survived.

The parents who prayed to Goddess Parvathi, named her Bathukamma. Bathuku in Telugu means life and Amma means mother. Since then, the family celebrated the day as a festival which caught up with others.

Nine-day festivities

Apart from traditional song and dance, modern DJ's entry added vigor to the youth and stole some traditional aspects. Yet, women folk dress in their traditional best with added gold for the nine-day festivities. The grace and attire remain unmatched!

The nine-day festival has nine different names of Bathukammas. The Bathukamma flower arrangements comprise flowers like Gummadi Puvvu (Pumpkin flower), Thangedu puvu, Gunugu puvvu, and Gummadi Akulu and they are made in different sizes according to their wish on a plate and tied with thread to avoid falling off.

The nine Bathukammas are Engili Pula Bathukamma, Atkula Bathukamma Muddapappu Bathukamma, Nanabiyyam Bathukamma, Atla Bathukamma, Aligina Bathukamma, Vepakayala Bathukamma, Vennamuddala Bathukamma, and finally Saddula Bathukamma.

Women folk prepare different dishes for the nine days as offerings to Goddess. The ninth day of Bathukamma is celebrated on the Ashtami/eighth day of Ashwayuja Masam and coincides with Durga Ashtami.

On this day, five types of cooked rice dishes: Perugannam saddi (curd rice), Chinthapandu Pulihora Saddi (Tamarind rice), Nimmakaya Saddi (Lemon rice), Kobbara Saddi (coconut rice) and Nuvvula Saddi (sesame rice) are prepared for offering to Goddess.

 

 

`SOCIAL BOYCOTT FOR PLAYING DAPPU': FEAR CONTINUES TO HAUNT DALIT FAMILY DESPITE MEDAK SP, COLLECTOR ISSUING WARNING TO VILLAGERS

 

'Social boycott for not playing Dappu': Fear continues to haunt Dalit family despite Medak SP, Collector issuing warning to villagers About 100 villagers, mostly women attended the counselling session

By CR Gowri Shanker  

Published on 25 Sept 2024 11:54 AM

Hyderabad: Fear continues to haunt the Dalit family of Gouthojiguda village of Manoharabad Mandal in Medak district.

An uneasy calm prevails in the village even as Medak District Collector Rahul Raj and Superintendent of Police D Uday Kumar Reddy held a counselling session in the village. They warned villagers of severe action if they ostracised or harassed the two postgraduate Dalit brothers Panchami Chandram, and Arjun, and their family members.

About 100 villagers, mostly women attended the counselling session.

“The visit of the District Collector and SP instilled some confidence. However, police failure to arrest the key accused and 14 others has left us in a grip of fear. Ex-Sarpanch Boddu Venkateshwarulu and Upa Sarpanch Renu Kumar are still at large. We want police to round up all the accused, especially the key ones,” Arjun told NewsMeter.

Arjun added, “Not much has changed. The villagers continue to avoid us barring one or two. Some of the villagers apologized for their actions before the Collector and SP and promised to be normal, but they are not. We want a police picket to be posted in the village till things improve. “

During the counselling session, the Collector took serious note of the village resolution and said it was against the law. “Gram Sabha is for the welfare of the villagers like laying of roads, civic amenities, etc., but it cannot be utilized like this. It’s their (Dalits) right to choose their profession. One cannot force anyone to do this or that,” he added.

SP said these incidents did happen in some of the villages. “If the Dalits did not listen to the villagers, they indulged in social boycott, denial of facilities, and other such harsh measures which are wrong and against the law. The High Court has taken cognizance of the incident. We will provide all protection to the family. Stringent action will be taken against those who harass the Dalit family.”

Telangana High Court too took a serious view of the incident and asked the district administration to provide police protection and take action against the culprits.

“The incident took place on September 10 and since then we continue to live in fear in the village. We are scared of physical assault, especially from Renu Kumar. He is the most feared person in the village. We request the Collector and the SP to take stringent action against them and ensure the arrest of all the accused,” lamented Arjun.

Asked if villagers talked to them after the counselling, he replied in negative. “One or two persons wished them while passing by. But the animosity continues. You know how people behave in a village. The topman’s order is implemented in letter and spirit,” he explained.

He added,” Some have suggested we leave the village. Why should we leave the village? We were born and brought up in the village. We have a small piece of land. We want to live and die here. The attitude of upper castes has to change. We have done no wrong.”

Asked if the village kiosks were available to them for groceries and other essentials, he said they hadn’t utilized it since the incident. “We purchased it from outside. We will approach the shops if things improve. There is scare and anger among the people. Though our police complaint gave us relief, it has angered the villagers. Counselling hasn’t changed much. Let’s wait and see for some more time.”

Out of the 19 accused, four surrendered to police and one person was arrested. Others are still absconding.

It might be recalled that the postgraduate Dalit brothers---Panchami Chandram and Arjun’s refusal to follow their traditional occupation of playing Dabbu (drum) at marriages and funerals in a village led to a social boycott of the entire Madiga family.

Furious over their refusal to play Dappu, the village ex-Sarpanch Boddu Venkateshwarulu, Upa Sarpanch Renu Kumar, and other elders in the village held a meeting and passed a resolution for social boycott of the entire family besides imposition punishment of Rs 5000 and 25 Cheppu Debbalu (25 slipper blows) for violation of their order.

Chandram added, “The fiat includes…You should not roam in the village. If someone talks to you, a fine of Rs 5000 and 25 cheppu debbalu will be imposed on that person. Potters should not supply potters to us…etc. etc.”

The villagers also warned the brothers they would also be externed from the village if they continued to defy their orders.

Fearing physical attacks, the brothers lodged a complaint with the Medak District SP, Collector and also moved the High Court, which directed the police to provide them protection and rehabilitation.

 

 

MEDAK: TWO PG DALIT BROTHERS, FAMILY OSTRACIZED FOR NOT PLAYING DAPPU AT FUNERAL; 19 BOOKED

 

Medak: Two PG Dalit brothers, family ostracized for not playing Dappu at funeral; 19 booked

Panchayat ostracizes two PG Dalit brothers and family for refusing to play Dappu in Medak district in Telangana; 19 booked by police

By CR Gowri Shanker  

Published on 23 Sept 2024 7:50 AM 

Hyderabad: Two post-graduate Dalit brothers’ refusal to follow their traditional occupation of playing Dappu (drum) at marriages and funerals in a village in Medak district has led to a social boycott of the entire family. Panchami Chandram, an M.Com from Osmania University, and his brother Arjun, who did MSc from JNTU, and their family have also been externed from the Gouthojiguda village of Manoharabad Mandal in Medak district. The village is about 45 km from Hyderabad.

The social boycott was announced after the Dalit brothers did not play Dappu at a funeral in the village due to their job preoccupation. Furious, the village ex-Sarpanch Boddu Venkateshwarulu, Upa Sarpanch Renu Kumar, and other villagers from Mudiraj, Padmashali castes, besides a few Dalits, convened a meeting in the village and passed a resolution for a social boycott of an entire family. The SC Madiga community family comprises Chandram, his wife, two children, younger brother Arjun, and mother Narasamma. The family owns three acres of land in the village and used to play Dappu, the musical instrument on different occasions.

Shockingly, the villagers also passed a resolution imposing a fine of Rs 5000 and 25 Cheppu debbalu (25 slipper blows) if they disobeyed the order. The family has been denied access to groceries and other essential commodities from village stores. 

The incident brings to light the continued oppression of Dalits in some of the Telangana villages even in this modern era.

Panchami Chandram, MSc who is married and has two children told NewsMeter that the family had been facing a social onslaught after the death of their father a couple of years ago. 

“Our forefathers, our father Shankaraiah and other family members belonging to the Madiga SC community used to play Dappu on all the occasions in the village. But father was keen that we should not follow the tradition and instead wanted us to study well and get good jobs. We studied hard and completed post-graduate degrees, which was the dream of our father. After the passing of our father, we focused on employment and got private jobs,” says Arjun. 

In the last four years, the family including their mother occasionally played Dappu but subsequently, due to job pressure, they expressed their inability to perform. 

“I played Dappu occasionally after the death of my husband. My sons are busy with their jobs. However, I am not in a position to continue the tradition due to the age factor. I am shocked at the behaviour of the villagers. It’s a torture for us. What wrong have we done? Should not our children be educated and do good jobs,” Narasamma asks. 

The brothers' refusal to play Dappu at a funeral angered former village Sarpanch Boddu Venkateshwarulu and ex-Upa Sarpanch Renu Kumar. “Venkateshwarulu summoned us one day and told us in no uncertain terms that if we wanted to live in the village, we had to play Dappu at any cost. Or else, we will be banished from the village.

`Just because you are educated you cannot refuse to play Dappu,’ they said. We told them we are focused on our jobs and we will not be able to perform anymore,” Arjun disclosed. 

A war of words ensued and subsequently the ex-Sarpanch summoned village elders meeting. They warned us that the entire family would face a social boycott and if needed extended from the village if they refused to play the Dappu. But the brothers were firm on their decision.

According to Arjun, their post-graduate qualification has become a curse for them. “Some villagers are jealous of our education and make fun of us. But we avoided confrontation. When we played Dappu at funerals and other functions we were paid Rs 300 and sometimes more. We never demanded,” he said. 

” We came to know that the resolution had been tampered with after the police case. The punishment aspect has been removed. We expect justice from police, High Court, and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.” 

After the village elders announced a social boycott, the brothers tweeted the matter to Medak SP, and police arrived in the village and booked SC, and ST atrocity cases against 19 persons.

“We are still living in the village but no one talks to us nor do grocery stores sell us goods. We buy essentials from a nearby village. It’s a living hell for us all. Police have booked a case, and counselled some villagers, but there has been no change in the attitude of the village elders. We want to live and die in this village. It’s our village,” asserted Arjun. 

Following a petition in the High Court, the HC directed the Medak SP to provide police protection to the family and the District Collector to provide relief and rehabilitation to the Dalit family.

 

PRAJA PALANA DAY OR HYDERABAD LIBERATION DAY: WHY SEP 17 MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES

 

Praja Palana Day or Hyderabad Liberation Day:

Why Sep 17 means

different things to

different political parties

The fact remains that Indian troops marched into Hyderabad when Nizam VII was dilly-dallying on the merger

By C R Gowri Shanker  

Published on  17 Sept 2024 7:58 AM

                                                 

 

Hyderabad: September 17 means different things to different political parties. And some change their tune when in power and out of government.

The day marks the ‘liberation/merger’ of Hyderabad State headed by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan with the Indian Union under the leadership of the then Union Home Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel on September 17, 1948.

Troops from Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other places marched into Nizam-ruled Hyderabad state on September 17, 1948, in what was called “Police action” or “Operation Polo”.

These misleading titles were used to avoid internationalizing the issue and show to the world that all princely states joined the Indian Union without much ado!

There are government of India films and photographs of Indian troops including tanks marching into Hyderabad and the welcome by people all along the route from Naldurg, a town in the Osmanabad district of Maharashtra.

Barring minor skirmishes at the Maharashtra border, the Nizam army did not put up a fight against the mighty Indian Army and eventually surrendered. However, the Razakars, a private militia led by Qasim Razvi, played havoc with the lives of people before they were weeded out.

While many call it the surrender of Nizam to Indian troops, some of his supporters assert it as a merger of Hyderabad state with the Indian Union.

The fact remains that Indian troops marched into Hyderabad when Nizam VII was dilly-dallying on the merger.

For a long time, September 17 was historically known as Hyderabad Liberation Day, but throughout time parties changed their stance and called it by different names to avoid hurting the sensibilities of minorities and tuned to vote bank politics.

While the government of the day in undivided Andhra Pradesh and later Telangana changed the nomenclature, Karnataka and Maharashtra maintained a steady `Liberation Day' tag irrespective of the parties in power.

Telangana Sayudha Poratam

Parallelly, the Communist led insurrection of peasant’s movement against the Nizam State between 1946-1951, weakened Nizam rule.

Popularly known as Telangana armed struggle, rebellion or Telangana Sayudha Poratam, the movement spread across Telangana against Nizam’s fascist rule.

Hyderabad State was a feudal monarchy where most of the lands were held by aristocrats known as “Doras”. 

Feudal exploitation of peasants in the region was more severe compared to others of India.

Peasants movement ignited when V Ramachandra Reddy, a hereditary tax collector, sent a group of 100 goons and 100 servants to forcibly collect the harvest belonging to village sangham. When locals resisted, some of them were arrested.

Villagers, including women and children as a mark of protest took out a procession on July 4, 1946 against violence unleased by landlords’ goons. 

When they accosted goons, the goons opened fire killing Doddi Komarayya, the sangham leader.

This ignited largescale protests and violence and spread across the Telangana. 

The peasants looked towards Communist leaders and organised themselves through various organisations including the Andhra Maha Sabha and started rights movement and fought against exploitation.

The movement escalated into a rebellion after the administration and the Doras attempted to suppress it. 

CPI was backed by the leftwing faction of the Hyderabad State Congress, many of whom later joined the Socialist Party of India when it was formed by the Congress Socialist Party (CSP).

Communists formed armed guerilla squads to fight the exploitative landlords and armed battalions of the Nizam called ‘Razakar’, who were increasingly deployed for crushing the movement. 

They established parallel governments in about 4000 villages in the region. Gaddar songs against the zamindars and Nizam added to the glory.

There were scores of unsung heroes and heroines of the Telangana Armed Struggle including Komaram Bheem, ChakkaliIlamma, Swami Ramananda Tirtha, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Konda Laxman Bapuji.

Politics on the historical event

Soon politics overtook the important event in Indian history and the political parties, be it Congress, Telugu Desam, BJP, BRS, CPI, AIMIM, etc celebrated the event with different nomenclatures keeping in view public sensibilities and political advantage.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs of the BJP-led NDA government went a step ahead and issued an official notification announcing the celebration of ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ every year on September 17.

It said the day will be celebrated to remember the martyrs who liberated Hyderabad.

The reason is even after India's independence on August 15, 1947, Hyderabad state ruled by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan did not merge with the Indian Union. It remained independent under Nizams for 13 months.

Then Union Home Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who was overseeing the merger of princely states, ordered a military action against Hyderabad State. The State was liberated from Nizam's rule on September 17, 1948, after a police action namely 'Operation Polo'.

BJP-led NDA Hyderabad Liberation Day

GOI said in the notification, "Now to remember the martyrs who liberated Hyderabad and to infuse the flame of patriotism in the minds of youth, the government of India decided to celebrate the 17th day of September every year as 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'."

In the undivided Andhra Pradesh and newly formed Telangana, the government of the day used different nomenclature to celebrate the event.

Congress Praja Palana Day

The present Congress government headed by A Revanth Reddy has announced it will observe the day as “Telangana Praja Palana Day” or the day of people’s governance.

Karnataka, Maharashtra celebrate

Karnataka calls it Kalyana-Karnataka Liberation Day and Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day, while Maharashtra names it Marathwada Liberation Day or Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din!

The day is celebrated in both the states. It is because the part of the region which was in the old Nizam state merged with the Indian Union on that day.

In undivided Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, parties in or out of power sing different tunes on the momentous occasion. Congress, BRS, BJP, Telugu Desam, CPI, etc sing different tunes keeping in view political advantage and public sensitiveness.

KCR changes tune

During Telangana movement days, former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao demanded that the then Congress government celebrate the day as Hyderabad Liberation Day.

However, after the formation of Telangana and TRS coming to power in 2014, he backtracked and observed the day as `National Integration Day’.

AIMIM supremo and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, an ally of TRS turned BRS wrote a letter to KCR and Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging them to call the day 'National Integration Day' and not 'Hyderabad Liberation Day'.

His argument was, “The struggles of the people of the erstwhile Hyderabad state against colonialism, feudalism, and autocracy are a symbol of national integration rather than merely a case of "liberation" of a piece of land."

Noorani’s version

In this book, `The Destruction of Hyderabad’, noted lawyer A G Noorani offers a revisionist account of the Indian Army’s ‘police action’ against the armed forces and government of Hyderabad ruled by the fabulously wealthy Nizam.

Noorani revealed what occurred when Indian forces “liberated” Hyderabad and ensured its accession to India rather than Pakistan.

Lastly, CPI contends that the 'Telangana Armed Struggle' spearheaded by the Communists led to the merger of the Hyderabad state with the Indian Union.

Below:

From Government of India archives:

The state of Hyderabad, as we know it today, was not part of Independent India from the beginning. It had its own royal insignia, armed force, and railway and airline network, among others. 

The idea of a merger with the Indian Union was opposed. Negotiations were held between the government of Independent India and Nizam of the princely state. But nothing seemed to work out. Consequently, rumours led to tensions in the state.

Thereafter, the government of Free India decided to launch an armed attack on the princely state of Hyderabad. This operation was known as ‘Operation Polo’ or ‘Operation Caterpillar’. Fighting took place all along the far-flung borders of the state, tactically independent of one another. 

The operation was started by the Indian Army when they entered the state from all cardinal points, lasted for five days, and ended on 18 September 1948 whence Hyderabad became an integral part of the Indian Union. The formal surrender of General El-Edroos from the Hyderabad army was accepted, and this great victory was celebrated by the subjects of the princely state.

Meanwhile, it was announced that an interim government ‘consisting of representatives of public opinion’ would be installed at the earliest.

 India's Home Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel welcomed by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan in Hyderabad State.

    Kasim Razvi, Razakar leader

Source: Hyderabad from 29th August 1948…13.09.48. F. No. 169-GG/47. 1948. President Secretariat. The National Archives of India (NAI).

Hyderabad -  Operational Reports. F. No. 169-GG/47. 1948. President Secretariat.  The National Archives of India (NAI). and Prasad, S.N. (1972)  Armed Forces of the Indian Union. Operation Polo: The Police Action Against Hyderabad, 1948. Historical Section, Ministry of Defence (Delhi: Manager of Publications, Government of India Press).

Dr. Divya Sethi, Ministry of Culture (MoC), New Delhi.

Galvanised the Telangana Rebellion

   Doddi Komaraiah                                                                 ChakkaliIlamma

Doddi Komuraiah was the first martyr of Telangana Peasant Armed Struggle waged against the 7th Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan. Doddi Komaraiah belongs to Kadavendi village of jangaon taluq. He belongs to Kuruma (Shepherd) caste. 

The revolt started in 1946 against the oppressive feudal lords and quickly spread to the Warangal and Bidar districts in around 4000 villages.  Peasant farmers and labourers revolted against local feudal landlords (jagirdars, doras deshmukhs). 

Telangana had a feudal landowning system due to the Nizam's militaristic rule, and the Nizam utilized deshmukhs and doras to extract rent and revenues from his citizenry.

Born in 1919 in Krishnapuram village of Warangal district, 

ChityalaIlamma (also known as ChakkaliIlamma)played a key role as a revolutionary during the 

Telangana Peasants Armed struggle. Her revolt against a feudal lordto save her four acres of land 

when he tried to occupy it, inspired many others during the rebellion against the feudal lords of 

Telangana, during that epoch of history.

Ilamma is hailed as a fearless warrior, who mobilised the oppressed people mainly the farmers, 

agricultural labourers and other toiling masses, during the valiant armed struggle against the 

feudal forces. She worked actively against the Nizam government, and her house was the center 

for activities conducted against the feudal landlords who collaborated with the Nizam.

TELANGANA STATE TO CONDUCT MEGA CASTE CENSUS; EXERCISE BEGINS

 

 Siasat.com/News/Telangana/Telangana State to conduct mega caste census; exercise begins

Telangana State to conduct mega caste census; exercise begins

                                              

 C R Gowri Shanker Follow on Twitter|   Published: 11th September 2024 2:06 pm IST

Hyderabad: The Telangana Government is gearing up to conduct a mega caste census in the State.
The newly nominated 4-member BC Commission headed by G Niranjan has begun the exercise the day after taking charge and steps are being taken to complete it as soon as possible after a whirlwind tour of the State.

Interestingly, the much-touted Samagra Kutumba Survey (SKS) report conducted in 2014 by former Chief Minister and BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao has been dumped.

Sources said that the SKS report has become infructuous since it was not implemented within three months of submission, hence the fresh survey.

It is learnt the SKS cost the exchequer Rs 33.94 crore besides expenditure for maintenance of database.
“SKS is of no use now. The report is with the Planning Department. It has become redundant since it was not implemented within 3 months of preparation of the report,” sources said.

Samagra Kutumba Survey conducted on a single day on August 19, 2014, soon after the new TRS government was sworn in created a stir among the people and forced them to stay at home for the whole day to ensure they do not miss the survey and lose government benefits.

Some of those staying abroad air dashed to Hyderabad and rushed to their native places not to miss the survey, which was one of the most hyped events in the State’s history.

Nearly 4 lakh government employees including police were utilised to collect details of the households.
Though the SKS report was not made public by the then Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, it revealed BCs were the largest group in the State at 51 percent.

The findings were not made public due to various court cases against it, but KCR used the same to devise schemes and identify beneficiaries for welfare schemes implemented by the State government since 2014. It also came in handy for political purposes.

Rahul Gandhi insists on caste census

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has been speaking on caste census across the country, particularly in Congress-ruled States. Taking a cue, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced it to be undertaken here.

Telangana assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recently for a comprehensive household caste survey to provide socio-economic, educational, employment, and political opportunities to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and weaker sections of the State.

The caste survey was among the guarantees promised by the ruling Congress in the run-up to the assembly elections last year. With this, Telangana will become the third state to hold such a headcount after Andhra Pradesh and Bihar.

Backward Classes Minister Ponnam Prabhakar moved the resolution for caste census and the assembly adopted it after a debate.

“This is an unforgettable day for the weaker sections. The caste census is under the purview of the central government but we are conducting the caste enumeration given the conditions in the states.

Through this survey, it is expected that justice will be done to SCs, STs, BCs (backward classes), and other weaker sections in the state,” he said.

He reminded the assembly that the Telangana cabinet had, on February 4, approved the decision to conduct a comprehensive household caste enumeration family survey.

HC directive for BC census

Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court has also directed the State government to conduct a Backward Classes caste census within three months and submit a report to the court.

HC order has come after a writ petition was filed by Backward Classes Welfare Association President Satyanarayana.

Bihar was the first State in independent India to successfully enumerate all castes and it found that OBCs comprise 63.13 percent of the state, SCs 19.65 percent, STs 1.68 percent, and upper castes 15.52 percent of the population.

Subsequently, the Bihar government hiked reservations to 75 percent in government jobs and education. Cases have been filed against the survey in the Supreme Court.

On January 19, the Andhra Pradesh government also began an exercise to create a database of people belonging to various castes.

The caste census is aimed at determining the proportion of the population of various castes, the number of welfare schemes needed for each caste, updating the reservation quotas for SCs, STs, BCs, and Minorities, and having data on population for political decisions in the future. Siasat.com/C R Gowri Shanker

C R Gowri Shanker

C R Gowri Shanker is a senior journalist based out of Hyderabad. he has served as a Political Editor for Deccan Chronicle. With great insights on the political landscape of the country.