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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Using religion for political gains
For the last four decades, political narratives in Andhra Pradesh have always hinged on caste equations. Even if we look at the composition of the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the two major parties — the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP) — are largely represented by two major castes in Andhra Pradesh — the Kammas and the Kapus. Similarly, the Congress and YSR Congress Party are dominated by the Reddy community. This was not always the case. Before the 1980s, the key players in Andhra Pradesh were the Congress and Left parties, and their narratives were largely based on social issues. Though there were underlying currents of caste-based politics, these did not surface often. The narrative of caste-based politics started with the entry of N.T. Rama Rao into politics in 1982. Rao, the founder of the TDP, advocated for Telugu pride, yet his party was often termed a 'Kamma party'. Ever since the composite State of Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014, and Telangana was formed, the politics in the residual State of Andhra Pradesh has changed and has assumed religious overtones. While this was noticeable during the previous YSRCP government headed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, it has become all the more evident during the current NDA regime, which came to power in 2024. Political narratives have been based largely on a number of issues revolving around places of worship and have caused quite a stir in the State. The most prominent of these is the controversy surrounding the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD). It broke out in September 2024 when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu alleged that the laddu prasadam was being made with adulterated ghee containing animal fat. He claimed that the contract for the supply of sub-standard ghee had been given to a firm by the earlier YSRCP government. The accusation caused political and religious outrage across the country. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, who is the JSP chief, claimed that adding adulterated ghee was a concerted move to attack Sanatana Dharma. The parties and allies of the NDA left no stone unturned in attacking Mr. Jagan Reddy and his party. They went to the extent of saying that the practice of hiring staff from other faiths had led to 'sacrilege' of the TTD. A Special Investigation Team was constituted to probe this matter and the issue finally reached the Supreme Court. When the controversy died down after a couple of months, Mr. Reddy turned the tables on the NDA following a stampede at the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at the TTD temple in Tirupati. The incident, which took place on January 8, claimed six lives. Mr. Jagan Reddy and his party alleged negligence, and held the NDA responsible for it. Before this incident too could die down, TTD's former chairman, former MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, alleged that over 170 cows had died in a month at the devasthanams goshala (cow shed) and said that funds for the goshala were being misused by the present TTD board and officials. This led to tense moments in the temple town. Both the YSRCP and the NDA locked horns over the issue. All the political parties in the State, including the Left parties, took turns to add to the discourse. The issue reached a feverish pitch and dominated the political narrative in the State. However, this is not the case only with the present NDA regime although it seems more prominent now. The desecration of Lord Rama's idol at the 12th century Ramatheertham yemple in Vizianagaram district in December 2020 gained considerable political traction. The YSRCP was in power then. All the Opposition parties, including the TDP, the JSP, and the BJP, raised their pitch and made this an election issue in the 2024 general elections. In the same year, a century-old wooden chariot of the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, located in Sakhinetipalli Mandal in East Godavari district, was set on fire by miscreants. The Opposition parties alleged that people from other faiths had set fire to the chariot. The suspect in the case, who hails from a minority community, was killed in a road accident. Senior politicians and political analysts say that this appears to be a new trend in the State. With religious issues taking centre stage, core issues are taking a backseat. sumit.b@
The Wire
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Andhra's U-turn on Appealing Tuni Arson Verdict Spotlights Clout of Kapu Community
New Delhi: The Andhra Pradesh government has quickly reversed its decision to appeal the 2023 acquittal of 41 people in the 2016 Tuni train arson case. This sudden reversal, made within 24 hours, throws into sharp relief the political sensitivity surrounding the Kapu community. Events began Monday (June 2), when the Home (Courts-B) Department issued a government order (G.O. Rt. No. 852). The order directed the public prosecutor at the Andhra Pradesh high court to appeal the May 1, 2023 judgment of Vijayawada's VII Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Court for Railways. That judgment had acquitted all accused in the Tuni arson case. By Tuesday, however, another order, G.O. Rt. No. 869, formally withdrew the earlier directive. The public prosecutor was instructed not to proceed with the appeal. The initial G.O. reportedly prompted concern among political leaders. Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, president of the Jana Sena Party (JSP) and a prominent Kapu leader, was reportedly displeased by the move to reopen a case affecting Kapu sentiments. The decision to withdraw the G.O. drew public statements from Kapu community representatives. Chinamilli Venkatarayudu, Kapunadu West Godavari district president, was quoted by South First saying the initial move was intended to 'persecute the Kapus'. Bandi Srinivasa Rao, a Kapu Ikya Vedika leader from Eluru district, reportedly called the initial decision 'vendetta politics', adding that the government had 'hurt the feelings of the Kapus'. The Tuni incident, central to these government orders, occurred on January 31, 2016. During a 'Kapu garjana ' ('roar of Kapus') rally in Tuni in East Godavari district, led by former minister Mudragada Padmanabham, to demand OBC status for the Kapu community, protesters allegedly stormed the Tuni railway station. Four coaches of the Ratnachal Express were set on fire and other public property was damaged. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) later filed cases against 41 individuals, including Padmanabham (accused #1) and Dadisetti Raja (accused #3), then a Kapu leader and now Tuni MLA, under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Railways Act. On May 1, 2023, the Vijayawada railway court acquitted all 41 accused, citing insufficient evidence and procedural lapses in the investigation. The court also ordered disciplinary action against three RPF officials for a flawed investigation. The Wire has reached out to Padmanabham. We shall update the copy once he responds. Why is the Kapu community politically so important? The Kapu community forms an estimated 15-17% of Andhra Pradesh's population, concentrated in coastal districts, particularly East and West Godavari. This demographic strength translates into considerable electoral influence. For decades, some Kapus have persistently demanded inclusion in the OBC list, similar to agitations by Jats, Marathas and Patels elsewhere in India. This demand often accompanies a sense of historical underrepresentation in political power compared to the Kamma and Reddy communities, which respectively provide much of the leadership and support for the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress Party. Kapu community leaders assert large population figures to bolster these claims for political power and resources. Historical analyses show various cultivating sub-groups (Munnurukapus, Balijas, Telagas) consolidated under the broader 'Kapu' identity, a term originally meaning cultivator. Pressures from the post-liberalisation economy also intensify these socio-political dynamics and demands. There have been previous attempts to politically mobilise the Kapu community. In 2009, Chiranjeevi, a popular Telugu actor and Pawan Kalyan's elder brother, launched the Praja Rajyam Party. Stating 'social justice' as its motto, it won about 18% of the vote and around 20 assembly seats. However, the party was merged into the Congress immediately after the elections. Pawan Kalyan, himself a major film star, began his political journey in 2014, initially backing the National Democratic Alliance. He later distanced himself, aligning with Left parties and the Bahujan Samaj Party for the 2019 elections, before later embracing a more pronounced Hindutva stance. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Govt targeting Dalits, Kapus: alleges ex-MP
Rajamahendravaram: Former MP GV Harsha Kumar has come down heavily on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accusing him of targeting various social groups, beginning with the Dalits and now turning his focus towards the Kapu community. Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Harsha Kumar condemned the state government's decision to reopen the Ratnachal Express train burning case, which was part of the Kapu reservation agitation in Tuni. He termed the move outrageous and politically motivated. He further criticised the YSRCP government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy for cancelling 26 welfare schemes for Dalits and expressed disappointment that the current coalition government has not reinstated even one of those schemes in the past year. Harsha Kumar also accused the present government of failing to fulfil its promise of setting up a commission to investigate false cases filed against Dalits. He questioned the rationale behind the government's persistence in pursuing cases that had already been dismissed by the judiciary, particularly the Tuni train incident. Alleging a political vendetta, Harsha Kumar demanded to know why there was such a determination to revive these cases. He expressed confusion over the silence of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on the issue and questioned his stance on the cases filed against Kapus. Harsha Kumar stated that the entire Kapu community stood behind Pawan Kalyan, but criticised him for not delivering anything substantial for the community since assuming power. Harsha Kumar claimed that while real ganja smugglers are being let off the hook, common citizens and Dalits are being falsely implicated and subjected to injustice through fabricated cases. He alleged that ganja is readily available in prisons across the state. He called for an urgent investigation into the matter.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Settibalija community to stir for BC status in Telangana
KAKINADA: Backward Community (BC) groups, particularly the Settibalija community, are preparing to launch a Statewide agitation against the growing politicisation of reservations. Community leaders, led by Chollangi Venugopal, convened in Kakinada on Saturday to strategise their demand for BC status in Telangana, similar to the BC-B category they hold in Andhra Pradesh. Settibalijas are currently categorised as Other Castes (OC) in Telangana, resulting in the loss of reservation benefits in jobs and education. He slammed the Telangana government for denying BC recognition to Settibalijas residing in Hyderabad and urged the AP government to secure political reservations for them. The demand comes amid increasing pressure from other communities like Kapu, Balija, Telaga, and Ontari, who are also seeking BC status. During the previous TDP regime, a 5% reservation was proposed for Kapus and allied groups, but no official order was issued. MROs are unable to issue BC certificates, causing frustration among Kapus and backlash from BC communities fearing dilution of their rights. BC groups are now planning protests to demand clarity and protection of their reservation status amid uncertainty.
