Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu declared in the AP Assembly that the government is fulfilling its promise of Scheduled Caste (SC) classification, reinforcing its commitment to social justice. He stated that the move honors the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jagjivan Ram, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, and NT Rama Rao, who dedicated their lives to uplifting marginalized communities.
During the Assembly debate, Chandrababu emphasized that Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has long supported the need for SC classification, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also stressed its significance in achieving social equity. Despite 70 years of independence, he noted that certain castes remain economically and socially backward, necessitating urgent reforms.
Legal and Policy Framework
Chandrababu cited the Supreme Court’s ruling that states have the authority to classify castes within the SC category. He assured that the NDA alliance is keeping its election promise and will send a resolution to the central government to ensure the inclusion of bubble clans in the SC list. He also announced that district-wise categorization would be implemented after the 2026 census to ensure equitable reservation distribution.
TDP’s Contributions to SC Welfare
The Chief Minister highlighted TDP's historic role in eradicating caste-based discrimination. He recalled that during the Manda Krishna Madiga movement, the Justice Ramachandra Rao Commission classified SCs into four groups. Additionally, he pointed to the Justice Usha Mehra Commission’s recommendations and a seven-member Supreme Court bench led by Justice Chandrachud, which upheld the need for classification. The R.R. Mishra Commission has also categorized SCs into Group-1, Group-2, and Group-3, with reservations allocated based on population and backwardness.
Chandrababu credited NT Rama Rao for pioneering SC welfare programs and emphasized TDP’s role in appointing leaders from marginalized communities, including K.R. Narayanan and Abdul Kalam as Presidents, Balayogi as Lok Sabha Speaker, and Pratibha Bharati as Assembly Speaker.
Future Initiatives and Assembly Resolution
He assured that the issue of caste certificates for Eastern Kapus would be addressed and announced the P-Four program to eliminate poverty. The Assembly unanimously passed a resolution recommending the inclusion of the Budaga Jangam community in the SC list, marking a major step towards social justice.
