CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad: Former Telangana Foods Corporation Chairman and BRS leader Maye Rajeev Sagar alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Congress party were using Dalits and Dalit Christians for political purposes.Addressing a media conference at the BRS Bhavan, Rajeev Sagar alleged that Dalits and Dalit Christians were used as political pawns during the “Note for Vote” case and questioned whether those involved were subsequently supported by the Congress leadership.
He demanded that the Chief Minister clarify the allegations surrounding the case and questioned whether using individuals for political gain and later ignoring their political and personal circumstances could be described as Dalit empowerment.
Criticism Over Revanth Reddy’s Past Statements
Rajeev Sagar also referred to alleged statements and actions by Revanth Reddy during his political career. He questioned the then Malkajgiri MP’s reported letter to the Prime Minister seeking changes concerning the Anglo-Indian nominated MLA position following the Note for Vote controversy.
He also criticised remarks attributed to Revanth Reddy in an interview about his family’s social and political influence, saying such statements reflected what he described as a “feudal mindset” and were contrary to democratic values.
Congress’ Stand on Dalit Christians Questioned
Rajeev Sagar accused the Congress party of maintaining a “dual approach” towards the Christian community and questioned the party’s response to controversial remarks allegedly made on social media platforms associated with the Kerala Congress.
He also sought clarity from the Congress leadership over criticism surrounding remarks allegedly made by Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Phool Singh Baraiya concerning SC, ST and Backward Class women.
On the issue of Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians, Rajeev Sagar said the Ranganath Misra Commission report had recommended consideration of the issue, but alleged that the then UPA government did not introduce legislation in Parliament to implement it.
KCR’s Welfare Measures Highlighted
Defending former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Rajeev Sagar said the BRS government had taken several measures aimed at Dalit welfare.
He highlighted the construction of the 125-foot Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue in Hyderabad, the renaming of the Telangana Secretariat after Dr. Ambedkar, enhancement of the Ambedkar Overseas Scholarship, and the Dalit Bandhu scheme.
He said these initiatives demonstrated the BRS government’s commitment to social and economic empowerment of Dalits.
BRS Supports SC Status for Dalit Christians
Rajeev Sagar said the BRS government had passed a resolution in the Telangana Assembly supporting SC status for Dalit Christians.
He further said a BRS delegation had submitted a detailed representation to the commission constituted by the Centre, under the leadership of former minister Koppula Eshwar, seeking SC status for Dalit Christians.
Rajeev Sagar alleged that the Congress had failed to take a similar strong position on the issue and demanded that the party clarify its stand.
He also referred to protests organised by Dalit Christians at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 10, describing the date as a “Black Day” in connection with the Presidential Order concerning SC status.
Rajeev Sagar reiterated that the BRS would continue to raise issues concerning the rights, welfare and social justice of Dalits and Dalit Christians.
