Statewide Bandh in Telangana Demands 42% BC Quota in Local Body Elections

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Telangana came to a standstill as a statewide bandh, called by the BC Joint Action Committee (BCJAC), garnered widespread support from major political parties, including Congress, BRS, BJP, CPI, and CPM. The bandh, dubbed “Bandh for Justice,” demanded a 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections, following a high court stay order that has stalled the electoral process.

The Telangana Recognised School Managements’ Association declared a holiday for schools, while Osmania University postponed all examinations scheduled for the day. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) announced that bus services would operate according to police advisories. The bandh saw participation from 135 BC associations and 35 BC organizations, reflecting the scale of the movement. Prominent leaders, including Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha and MRPS founder Manda Krishna Madiga, also backed the agitation.

BCJAC leaders highlighted the unprecedented nature of the high court’s stay, noting that never in India’s history has a stay been granted after an election notification was issued. Rajya Sabha member R Krishnaiah emphasized that 30 BC organizations had filed implead petitions challenging the stay, arguing that it was granted without hearing their side. He cited Article 243-D(6) of the Constitution, which empowers state governments to set reservation percentages for BCs, and referenced GO Ms No 9, issued to implement the 42 per cent quota. Krishnaiah also pointed to the Mandal Commission case, where a nine-judge bench ruled that reservation percentages could be increased based on population data.

Also Read: Telangana’s OBC Quota Push Hits Legal Wall as Supreme Court Reaffirms 50% Ceiling

BC leaders further argued that the Supreme Court’s decision to lift the 50 per cent reservation ceiling for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) sets a precedent. “If the ceiling can be relaxed for EWS from forward castes, why not for BCs?” they questioned, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met.

The bandh saw significant public participation, with Left, Dalit-Bahujan, BC, and Independent Joint Action Committees, along with Osmania University professors and research scholars, organizing a bike rally to amplify the cause. Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy urged participants to maintain peace, warning of strict legal action against any unlawful activities. Police and Intelligence teams were deployed to monitor the situation closely.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to the 42 per cent BC quota, as outlined in its manifesto. He highlighted the government’s efforts, including a comprehensive socio-economic, educational, and political survey—the first of its kind since India’s independence. Based on this survey, the Telangana Assembly unanimously passed a Bill for 42 per cent BC reservations, which was sent to the Governor. Mallu criticized the previous BRS government for capping total reservations at 50 per cent during the 2018 local body elections, a law that the current government repealed. He accused the BJP-led central government of obstructing the implementation of the BC reservation Bill, holding it solely responsible for the delay.

In a related announcement, Mallu shared that Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) workers would receive a Rs 400 crore Diwali bonus, recognizing their contribution to “lighting up the nation.” He extended Diwali greetings to Telangana’s people, wishing for lives filled with light, happiness, and prosperity.

The bandh underscores the growing demand for equitable representation for BCs, with the outcome of the ongoing legal and political battle likely to shape Telangana’s reservation policies in the years to come.

Also Read: Telangana to Challenge High Court Stay on 42% OBC Quota in Local Bodies Elections