With a significant population of Backward Classes (BCs) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, there is a growing demand for a caste survey in both states.

The BC communities are seeking improved implementation of government initiatives and fair political representation in proportion to their population.

In this backdrop, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that if the BJP comes to power in Telangana, a Chief Minister from a BC community would be appointed.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to conduct a BC caste survey from 15 November has renewed similar demands from BC leaders in Telangana scheduled for the Assembly polls on 30 November.

R Krishnaiah, the president of the National BC Welfare Association, emphasized the significance of understanding the population of BC castes in both states.

“It is not only for their welfare but also for deciding political representation,” Krishnaiah was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Krishnaiah is a prominent BC advocate in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Despite being from Telangana, which is governed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), he has been nominated as a Rajya Sabha member by the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh.

According to Krishnaiah, knowing the exact numbers of all the BCs is crucial in order to demand reservation in local elected bodies, government jobs, and other areas in a scientific way.

“It is all the more important in mandal and zilla parishad territorial constituency elections, where candidates and sarpanchs are not chosen properly. Right now it is very disorganised,” he said.

“In both Telugu states, the BC population must be approximately 52%, but we do not know the exact numbers caste-wise, which is why we must conduct the caste census urgently. I have met President Droupadi Murmu too in this regard,” Krishnaiah said, Indian Express reported.

In Andhra Pradesh, there are 139 BC castes, while in Telangana, there are 134.

A survey is planned in Andhra Pradesh to collect data on profession, socioeconomic status, and vulnerability, which will be conducted region-wise.

“We want to conduct the BC caste census so they can be served better. Delivery of welfare schemes and various government services, financial assistance to individuals or families can be done more scientifically if we know the numbers and their vulnerability. The leaders of the 139 BC communities do not know the numerical strength of their own people. It is important to know their numbers for their appropriate representation in various fields including politics,” said Andhra Pradesh BC Minister C S Venugopala Krishna.

BC groups in Telangana have been urging Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) to conduct a BC caste survey.

“We have been demanding it for many years. It is important to find out the exact numbers of each BC community, identify the socially, economically and educationally backward and vulnerable communities and provide reservations based on their numbers,’’ said J Srinivas Goud, the Telangana BC Association president.

In Andhra Pradesh, the 139 BC communities are categorized into five groups.

The BC-A group includes aboriginal tribes, vimukti jatis, and nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.

The BC-B group consists of vocational groups, while the BC-C group comprises Scheduled Caste (SC) converts to Christianity.

Other castes are classified under BC-D, and socially and educationally backward Muslim classes are grouped under BC-E.

The BC Minister of Andhra Pradesh stated that the YSRCP government, led by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, has pledged to allocate Rs 15,000 crore annually for BC welfare.

By determining the population of each BC group, the government can effectively allocate resources to the communities that require them the most, he said.

Additionally, the government aims to establish BC residential schools and hostels based on the numerical strength of each community, thereby enhancing infrastructure.

Before conducting the BC caste survey, the Jagan government took the initiative to set up 56 caste-based BC Corporations that would represent the 139 communities.

It also appointed chairpersons and directors to oversee the operations of these corporations.

In Telangana, there are 134 BC communities, representing approximately 52 per cent of the state’s population.

The major groups include around 30 lakh Golla Kurumas, 29 lakh Mudirajs, 20 lakh Gouds, and 14 lakh Pamdashalis, according to Krishnaiah.

Additionally, Yadavs and Munnurkapus are influential BC castes in the region.

In October 2021, the Telangana Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to conduct a caste census for the BC groups.