In a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress party has accused the ruling coalition at the Centre of deliberately obstructing the passage of Telangana's groundbreaking reservation bill, which aims to boost quotas for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Backward Classes (BCs) to a total of 67%. The bill, passed unanimously by the Telangana Assembly and Council in March 2025, has been languishing without presidential assent for over four months, exposing what Congress leaders call the BJP's "hollow commitment" to social justice and empowerment of marginalized communities.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a pointed post on X, highlighted the stark contrast with Bihar's similar legislation. "On November 9, 2023, the Bihar Assembly passed a bill increasing reservations for SCs, STs, OBCs, and EBCs to 65%. It received gubernatorial assent swiftly and became law by November 21, 2023," Ramesh noted.

In Telangana, however, the bill—formally known as the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Bill, 2025—was forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu on March 30, 2025, after Governor approval. Yet, no progress has been made, prompting Ramesh to question: "Why else would presidential assent be held up for over four months? The BJP is certainly creating hurdles."

The Telangana bill proposes a significant hike: 42% for BCs alone, alongside increased shares for SCs and STs, pushing the overall quota beyond the Supreme Court's 50% cap. This necessitates central government intervention, potentially through inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to shield it from judicial scrutiny. Supporters argue it's essential given Telangana's socio-economic realities, where BCs form a substantial portion of the population based on recent caste surveys.

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Escalating the row, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken the fight to Delhi, staging a high-profile dharna at Jantar Mantar earlier this week. Reddy accused the BJP of colluding with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to stall the bills, labeling it an "insult to Telangana." He further alleged that the Modi government blocked his attempts to meet President Murmu, amplifying the chorus for immediate assent. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the fray, publicly urging President Murmu to approve the legislation, emphasizing its role in uplifting backward communities nationwide.

The INDIA bloc has rallied behind the bill, hailing it as a model for equitable representation, but critics within the BJP camp dismiss the accusations as political theater. Sources indicate the Centre is reviewing legal implications, though no official statement has been issued. Meanwhile, Telangana Congress MPs have geared up for prolonged protests, including a 'Chalo Delhi' campaign launched on August 5, demanding not just assent but also exploring alternate routes like state-level implementations if the delay persists.

This standoff comes amid broader political tensions in Telangana, where the Congress government, led by Revanth Reddy, has prioritized caste-based welfare since assuming power. Historical parallels include the state's 2017 attempt to hike Muslim and ST quotas, which also faced central hurdles. As the impasse continues, experts warn it could fuel unrest among BC voters, a key demographic in upcoming elections.

The bill's fate now hangs in the balance, with Congress vowing to intensify pressure on the Centre. Will the BJP yield, or is this another chapter in India's contentious reservation saga?

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