Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Karimnagar MP, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, has criticised Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his statements regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s caste background. Kumar described Reddy’s comments as a “desperate diversion tactic” aimed at shifting focus from the state’s 42% reservation issue for Backward Classes .
Taking to social media, Kumar stated, “Now, the Congress CM wants to debate the PM’s caste! Your research failed so badly that you forgot one important fact—PM Narendra Modi was listed as OBC when Congress was in power in 1994.” This response came after Reddy alleged that Modi was not a BC by birth but a “legally converted BC.”
During a recent event, Chief Minister Reddy claimed that Prime Minister Modi’s caste was originally classified as a forward caste in Gujarat. He asserted that Modi’s community was included in the BC list only after he assumed the role of Chief Minister. Reddy challenged the Prime Minister to conduct a nationwide caste census to demonstrate his commitment to the welfare of backward communities. He remarked, “Modi may carry a BC certificate, but his mindset is anti-BC.”
In a sharp retort, Kumar questioned the Congress party’s stance on caste and religion, particularly concerning their leadership. He asked, “What caste and religion does Rahul Gandhi belong to? Does he know, or do you? His grandfather was Feroz Jehangir Gandhi. Caste follows the father’s lineage. If anyone wants to debate who is legally converted, maybe the CM should start from 10, Janpath.”
Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy also condemned the Chief Minister’s remarks, labelling them as “cheap political comments” unworthy of someone holding the office of Chief Minister. He challenged Reddy to a public debate on the Prime Minister’s caste status and suggested that the comments stemmed from frustration due to the Congress party’s declining public support both in Telangana and nationwide. Kishan Reddy stated, “Revanth made the comments against the PM out of frustration because the Congress is losing its grip on the state and in the country.”
Highlighting the Modi government’s initiatives for the welfare of backward classes, Kishan Reddy noted that the administration had granted constitutional status to the BC Commission. He further emphasised the representation of various communities in the Union Cabinet, mentioning the inclusion of 27 OBCs, 12 SCs, eight STs, and five minority leaders. Kishan Reddy asserted, “Modi doesn’t need Revanth’s certificate.”
The controversy began when Chief Minister Reddy, during a programme at Gandhi Bhavan, alleged that Prime Minister Modi’s caste was reclassified from a forward caste to a backward caste after he became Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Reddy contended that while Modi possesses a BC certificate, his policies and mindset do not align with the interests of backward communities. He challenged the Prime Minister to conduct a caste census alongside the general census to accurately determine the population of backward classes in the country.
In response, Bandi Sanjay Kumar accused the Chief Minister of attempting to divert attention from the state’s reservation issues by focusing on the Prime Minister’s caste. He reiterated that Modi was recognised as an OBC during the Congress’s tenure in 1994, countering Reddy’s claims. Kumar’s remarks aimed to refocus the discourse on the state’s commitment to providing 42% reservation for BCs, a promise made by the ruling party.
The exchange has intensified the political discourse in Telangana, with leaders from both parties engaging in a war of words over caste classifications and the commitment to backward class welfare. As the debate continues, the focus remains on the implications of these statements for the state’s reservation policies and the broader political landscape.
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