Retired DGP calls for unified BC Movement to challenge caste dominance

Dr. J. Purnachandra Rao, retired Director General of Police and National Coordinator of All India Bahujan Samaj Party has urged Backward Classes (BCs) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to launch a powerful movement similar to the Telangana agitation to counter the political dominance of Kamma, Reddy, and Velama communities. Speaking at a press conference at the press club, Dr. Rao highlighted that these three castes, comprising only about 5% of the population, hold nearly 50% of Assembly seats. This imbalance, he said, allows them to control policy decisions against BC interests, describing it as “kula gnanam” or caste temper.

He alleged a deliberate strategy by dominant groups to keep the 41 BC communities divided. While BC sanghams fight over the construction of caste bhavans on land allotted in 2018, ruling castes watch with satisfaction. Dr. Rao claimed promises of land, funds and Rs 10 lakh aid to Dalits were made during elections mainly to secure votes, with little follow-through. Funds are released through nominations bypassing proper procedures, and self-styled trusts manage the lands, he added.

Dr. Rao stressed the need for “caste awareness” to understand how dominant castes exploit BCs and how the system functions more as “kula rajyangam” (caste rule) than constitutional governance .Drawing parallels with the Telangana movement, he said a strong BC agitation would put BC leaders across parties on the defensive, forcing them to extend support. He also pointed to divisions among SCs (Mala-Madiga) and displacement of Adivasis due to projects like Polavaram.