Telangana’s ‘Rail Roko’ Protest Set for July 17 to Push for 42% OBC Reservation

Telangana Jagruthi president and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha announced a ‘Rail Roko’ protest across Telangana on July 17, demanding swift approval for a 42% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The protest targets the delay in clearing two state assembly bills passed in March 2025, which aim to increase OBC quotas in education, employment, and local body elections.

Speaking at a press conference, Kavitha criticized the Congress-led Telangana government for failing to secure central approval for the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Bill 2025, and the Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill 2025. These bills, which propose raising OBC reservations from 23% to 42%, are pending with the President due to the 50% quota cap.

“Rahul Gandhi promised 42% OBC reservation during the assembly polls, but the bill is stuck,” Kavitha said, urging the Congress to act. She also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting his OBC background, to expedite the bills’ clearance. “The Prime Minister should ensure these bills are approved swiftly,” she added.

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Kavitha proposed emulating the “Tamil Nadu model,” where higher reservations have been implemented, and suggested adding the law to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to shield it from legal challenges. “A permanent solution requires either an act of Parliament or a constitutional amendment,” she emphasized.

The planned ‘Rail Roko’ protest aims to pressure both the state and central governments to deliver on the promised OBC reservations, a critical issue for Telangana’s backward classes. Kavitha’s call to action underscores growing frustration over delays in implementing the bills, which could reshape opportunities for OBC communities in education, jobs, and local governance.

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