Telangana observes bandh as BC quota protests intensify.
In Hyderabad, protests disrupted major RTC depots, leaving buses stuck and commuters stranded amid growing BC quota demonstrations.
Telangana Bandh Shuts Down State Over BC Quota Protests, Political Parties Join Agitation
Hyderabad: Telangana came to a near standstill on Saturday as a statewide bandh was observed to protest the High Court’s interim stay order on providing 42 per cent quota to Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. The shutdown, supported by all major political parties including the ruling Congress, drew participation from leaders and citizens across the state, reflecting the deep-rooted demand for greater representation for backward classes.
The Telangana High Court, on October 9, issued an interim stay against a Government Order granting 42 per cent BC reservation in local body elections. This decision triggered widespread outrage among political leaders and communities advocating for the enhanced quota, prompting a coordinated bandh that began at 4 a.m.
The closure immediately impacted daily life across the state. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus services were severely disrupted as protesters blocked depots in multiple districts. In Hyderabad, major depots such as MGBS, Rathifile, and Amberpet were at the center of demonstrations, with buses confined to their depots and commuters left stranded. Despite the shutdown, essential services like medical shops, hospitals, and ambulances continued to operate, ensuring that critical needs were met.
Political participation in the protests was notable. The ruling Congress, opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Telangana Jagruthi, and other parties extended full support to the bandh. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud called upon party leaders, ministers, and legislators to actively participate in the agitation, emphasizing that the state’s backward classes deserved stronger legal backing for their rights.
BRS leaders, including former minister Srinivas Goud, were also visible at various depots, taking part in the protests. They criticized both Congress and BJP for not legislating on BC reservations, yet joining demonstrations on the streets. Their involvement underscored the cross-party nature of the demand, as leaders put aside political differences to rally for social justice and fair representation.
In Hyderabad, the disruption was visible across educational institutions and commercial establishments, many of which declared holidays in light of the bandh. Public transport grids remained paralyzed as thousands of employees and commuters were unable to travel. The city witnessed large gatherings, sit-ins, and rallies, with demonstrators demanding immediate legal validation for the 42 percent BC quota.
Telangana Jagruti, led by MLC K Kavitha, organised a human chain at Khairatabad to amplify the call for implementation of the quota and cooperation from the Centre. The visually striking display symbolized the unity and determination of backward class communities, sending a message that their demands would not be ignored.
Protesters across the state were vocal about the importance of legal backing for enhanced BC reservations, highlighting how the interim stay has stalled the promise of equitable representation. Leaders declared that the agitation would continue until justice was achieved and the rights of backward classes were fully recognized. Many participants emphasized that the movement was not simply a political exercise, but a matter of social justice, equality, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
While the bandh caused temporary disruption to daily life, it highlighted the intensity of sentiment surrounding BC representation and the commitment of political leaders and citizens to ensure their voices are heard. Public rallies, human chains, and sit-ins reflected a collective determination to press for legal reforms and institutional recognition of backward classes’ entitlements.
As the day progressed, the message from Telangana was clear: the demand for a 42 percent BC quota is a matter of social justice, and political and community support for the cause is unwavering. The protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations serve as a reminder that communities will continue to mobilize until their rights are secured and their representation guaranteed.