(Image source from: x.com/TelanganaCMO)
In the midst of a controversy surrounding the caste survey in Telangana, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy remarked that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not inherently from a backward class but instead belongs to a "legally converted backward class." Mr. Reddy asserted that the category to which PM Modi belongs was designated as a backward class by the Gujarat government after Modi assumed the role of chief minister in 2001.
The BJP criticized Mr. Reddy, suggesting that the Telangana chief minister was making such statements to attract media attention due to his inaction and his inability to meet the commitments he had made to the residents of Telangana. While addressing a Congress event on Friday, Mr. Reddy stated in Telugu, "While PM Modi asserts he belongs to a backward class, he was not born into one. He transitioned to a legally recognized backward class. I am being deliberate with my language. Before he became chief minister in 2001, he belonged to the forward castes. Following his ascension to the chief minister's office, he changed his caste's classification from forward to backward through legislation."
He added, "He claims his position is as a representative of a backward class. Although he possesses a caste certificate indicating backward class status, his attitude is contrary to that of a backward class supporter." BJP spokesperson RP Singh responded by saying that Mr. Reddy is making such statements to maintain his relevance. He commented, "Mr. Reddy is unproductive and aims to generate headlines with controversial remarks. Previously, he insulted the entire state of Bihar by claiming that former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao has 'Bihari genes.' He should speak only after verifying all the facts."
K Laxman, the national president of BJP's OBC Morcha, also noted that Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had previously made a similar statement. "Mr. Reddy's assertion regarding PM Modi's caste is entirely inaccurate. Rahul Gandhi made a comparable comment and lost credibility among the populace. Why do members of Congress persist in discussing the Prime Minister's caste? Mr. Reddy's remarks are intended to appease his party leaders. He has failed to deliver on the promises made to the people of Telangana, who are justifiably upset, thus resorting to these statements as a distraction from pressing issues." After Rahul Gandhi's similar comment last year, the National Commission of Backward Classes had noted that the Gujarat government issued the notification for the inclusion of the Modh Ghanchi caste in the State List of OBCs on July 25, 1994.
On November 15, 1997, the National Commission for Backward Classes recommended to the Union Government that Modh-Ghanchi be added to the Central List of OBCs for Gujarat. This recommendation led to a Gazette Notification being issued on October 27, 1999. The commission pointed out that at the time these decisions were made regarding Modh-Ghanchi's inclusion in both the State and Central Lists of OBCs, Shri Narendra Modi did not occupy any legislative or executive role.
Following the Telangana government's presentation of certain findings from a caste survey in the Assembly on February 4, opposition parties, including the BJP and K Chandrashekar Rao's BRS, argued that the survey lacked thoroughness. Additionally, some Congress leaders expressed concerns about discrepancies in the data. In response, the Telangana government revealed plans for a second round of the survey, which will focus on 3.1% of the state's population that did not take part in the initial survey, scheduled to run from Sunday until February 28.
