The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, March 18, passed the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025.
This landmark legislation aims to redistribute the existing 15 percent reservation among three sub-groups within the Scheduled Castes (SC) community, marking a crucial victory for the long-standing demand led by the Madiga community.
A Historic Step in Social Justice
The bill was introduced based on the recommendations of the Shameem Akhtar Commission, which was constituted to study and propose an equitable distribution of reservations among various SC communities.
The commission classified 59 SC communities into three sub-groups and reallocated the 15 percent reservation accordingly, ensuring that historically marginalised sub-sections receive proportional representation.
Following the bill’s passage, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar officially announced the decision, drawing appreciation from several Dalit legislators and medical and health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha. They extended their gratitude to Chief Minister A.
Revanth Reddy, commending him for his commitment to social justice and fulfilling what was once deemed an unattainable goal.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s Address
During the Assembly debate, CM A. Revanth Reddy hailed the bill as a "historic step" toward addressing systemic inequalities within the Scheduled Castes.
He emphasised that the Congress party has always stood by the Dalit cause, recalling significant milestones such as the appointment of Damodaram Sanjivayya as the first Dalit Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh in 1960 and Mallikarjun Kharge’s election as President of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Congress government’s active advocacy for SC sub-categorisation before a seven-judge Supreme Court bench. He noted that, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Telangana government swiftly passed a resolution in the Legislative Assembly to implement the sub-categorisation policy.
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Legal Basis and Supreme Court’s Verdict
The demand for SC sub-categorisation gained momentum after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on August 1, 2024, in the State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh case.
The ruling upheld the constitutional validity of sub-classifying Scheduled Castes to ensure equitable distribution of reservations, aligning with the principles of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. This judgment provided a solid legal foundation for Telangana’s decision to implement the new sub-categorisation policy.
Government’s Commitment to Dalit Welfare
In addition to passing the bill, CM Reddy assured the Assembly that the government would support the families of those who lost their lives in the struggle for sub-categorisation.
He pledged to provide housing for these families under the Indiramma Housing Scheme and extend financial assistance to Dalit youth through the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Programme to enhance their educational and economic opportunities.
Political and Social Impact
The passage of the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservation) Bill, 2025, is expected to have far-reaching implications for social justice in the state. It reflects the government’s commitment to rectifying historical injustices and ensuring fair representation among SC communities.
The move is also seen as a significant political milestone, strengthening the Congress party’s position among Dalit voters ahead of future elections.
With this decision, Telangana has taken a decisive step in implementing reservation policies that align with evolving legal frameworks and the principles of equitable representation, setting a precedent for other states considering similar measures.
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