On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre will soon establish a committee to explore all options for empowering the Madigas, a group of Scheduled Castes, in response to their demand that Scheduled Castes be classified.
He was expressing his opinions at a meeting organized by the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS), a Madiga community organization that represents one of the biggest populations of Scheduled Castes in the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
For the previous three decades, the MRPS has fought for the classification of SCs, arguing that they have not benefited from reservations or other initiatives. Modi stated that for the previous three decades, the BJP had supported them in every conflict.
“We’re determined to put a stop to this injustice as soon as possible. We pledge that we will form a committee shortly to consider every option and give you more control. As you and I are aware, the Supreme Court is now engaged in significant judicial proceedings. We believe that your battle is right,” he declared.
“Justice will be served. Ensuring that you receive justice in court is also the Government of India’s top priority. The Government of India would support justice as your comrade with all of its might,” he declared.
The creator of MRPS, Manda Krishna Madiga, broke down in tears while sitting close to Modi during the meeting. Modi gave Madiga a shoulder pat and an embrace. Additionally, he referred to Madiga as his younger brother.
The prime minister pledged to support the community in its fight for justice, referring to Madiga as his “assistant” and calling her the agitation leader. The prime minister claimed that political leaders and parties had previously broken their pledges to Madigas. Modi remarked, “I am sorry for their transgressions.”
Modi also recalled his time spent working for the late Telangana-born and SC-affiliated BJP president Bangaru Lakshman. The prime minister claimed that only the BJP could lead Telangana state onto the golden road of development and ensure social justice for its citizens.
Prime Minister Modi accused Congress of obstructing B.R. Ambedkar’s electoral victories and preventing the installation of his portrait in the old Parliament building. He asserted that Congress delayed Ambedkar’s Bharat Ratna for decades, only made possible by BJP support.
Criticizing Telangana’s BRS government, Modi claimed they reneged on promises, specifically regarding a Dalit Chief Minister. He questioned the fulfillment of commitments like land for Dalits and financial assistance under the ‘Dalit Bandhu’ scheme, highlighting the court’s call for impartial beneficiary selection. Modi also alleged irrigation and liquor scams by the BRS government, criticizing their cooperation in corruption rather than productivity.
