Kavitha has no moral right to talk about BCs: Ponnam
Hyderabad: Condemning the attempts to politicise the BC Reservation Bill, BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said that MLC K Kavitha has no moral right to talk about BCs. He wondered what she was doing when the BRS was in power for close to a decade.
Addressing media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, he urged BRS and BJP to not politicise the matter of BC reservation when efforts were being made for Centre's nod. He also asked BJP MP and BC leader R Krishnaiah to join hands in putting joint efforts so that the BCs are empowered. He invited all parties, including former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his allies, in building pressure on Centre.
Ponnam Prabhakar urged Krishnaiah to accompany him to Delhi for seeking BC reservation. He asserted that the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and guided by Rahul Gandhi, is working sincerely for the welfare of Backward Classes, and has already sent the BC Bill to the Governor.
Highlighting Rahul Gandhi's efforts, Ponnam held that the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha has been advocating empowerment of Backward Castes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
19 minutes ago
- The Wire
From US Weapons to Nuclear Liability, How Modi Govt Has Turned Its Back on India to Appease Trump
For years, the BJP championed non-alignment and strategic autonomy as core to its 'cultural nationalism'. Now, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have quietly abandoned that legacy, enforcing sweeping policy shifts that will harm the interest of ordinary Indians.
NDTV
28 minutes ago
- NDTV
AIADMK Faces Backlash After Clip Targeting Periyar, Annadurai Played At Lord Muruga Conference
Chennai: What was billed as a grand spiritual celebration - the Lord Muruga conference in Tamil Nadu's Madurai on Sunday - has turned into a major political embarrassment for the opposition AIADMK. Organised by the Hindu Munnani and spearheaded by the BJP, the event took a controversial turn when a video critical of Dravidian icon Periyar and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai was screened with several senior AIADMK leaders on stage, including Deputy Leader of the House RB Udhayakumar. The AIADMK, which draws ideological legitimacy from Annadurai, whose name it carries, was caught off guard, with its leaders facing backlash for remaining silent during the episode. The video, which reportedly questioned the legacy of Periyar and Annadurai, has provided ammunition to the ruling DMK, which wasted no time in slamming the AIADMK for "mortgaging itself to the BJP". "Even God will not forgive a spiritual event being turned into a political meet," said DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafezullah, calling the episode a blatant political stunt disguised as a devotional gathering. The AIADMK said the video should not have been played. "They could have avoided using this video. In future, this has to be avoided and no room should be given for fodder to rivals to portray that all is not well in the AIADMK-BJP alliance," party spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told NDTV. Senior leader SP Velumani also sought to downplay the controversy, warning critics not to underestimate the party's reverence for its late leaders. "You know how our leader responded when our late leaders were insulted," he said, referring to the AIADMK's past decision to snap ties with the BJP following controversial remarks by former state BJP chief K. Annamalai. Despite the unease, the AIADMK has indicated that its alliance with the BJP remains intact. The conference, attended by thousands, was part of the BJP's larger effort to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu, a state where it has historically struggled to gain electoral traction. The party has pinned its hopes on leveraging religious symbolism and cultural events, such as this Lord Muruga conference, to build resonance in the Dravidian heartland. To boost appeal, the BJP roped in Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, whose appearance added star power to the event. The exhibition also showcased replicas of all six abodes of Lord Muruga, attracting large crowds. Marking their presence at the exhibition ahead of the conference were BJP-appointed governors, including Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan, offering prayers. However, the controversy over the anti-Periyar video may have overshadowed the BJP's larger messaging, with critics calling it a deliberate provocation to undermine the Dravidian movement, which remains deeply rooted in the state's political and social fabric. As the political fallout unfolds, the AIADMK finds itself on the defensive, trying to balance its alliance with the BJP while safeguarding the legacy of its founding icons.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Rahul Gandhi condemns torture of two dalit youths in Odisha, demands arrest of culprits
Bhubaneswar, June 24 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned the inhuman torture inflicted on two Dalit youths in Singipur village under Dharakot block of Ganjam district in Odisha. Terming the incident a stark reminder that caste discrimination still persists, Rahul stated on social media, "This incident is a mirror for those who say caste is no longer an issue." He demanded the immediate arrest and strict punishment of the culprits involved. "The country is governed by the Constitution, not by the selective memory of individuals," Rahul Gandhi remarked. Describing the brutality, the Congress leader said the Dalit youths were forced to kneel, eat grass, drink dirty water, and were paraded through the streets on their knees. He called the act not just inhuman but a barbaric assault on the ideals of humanity. "Every incident that violates the dignity of Dalits is an attack on Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution," he emphasized. Rahul alleged that such incidents are becoming increasingly common in BJP-ruled states due to politics rooted in hatred and discrimination. He further stated that atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women have risen alarmingly in Odisha. The horrifying incident, which occurred in Dharakote block of Ganjam district, went viral on social media. The video shows the two Dalit youths being publicly humiliated and tortured over mere suspicion of cattle smuggling. The victims, residents of Haripur village, were reportedly transporting three cows to Singipur as dowry for a wedding when they were stopped by a mob. On suspicion of illegal cow smuggling, the mob tied them with ropes, paraded them through the village on their knees, and forced them to drink dirty drain water. UNI DP PRS
