Madiga launches indefinite hunger strike
HYDERABAD: The SC categorisation issue, which has been a bone of contention between the Malas and Madigas for the past 13 years, is all set to rock the State with Madiga Reservation Porata Samith (MRPS) president Manda Krishna Madiga launching an indefinite fast today. The MRPS leader is demanding that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy should immediately rush to Delhi and initiate measures to introduce the SC Categorisation Bill in the on going Parliament session.
Krishna Madiga, who launched his fast at Indira Nagar Community Hall near Musheerabad told media persons that Madigas have been agitating for the past 13 years for categorisation which he claimed was their birth right.
“We want the Chief Minister to immediately visit Delhi and using his infleunce ensure that the categorisation Bill is introduced in the current session of the Parliament. Today I met Rajasekhara Reddy and told him the same. Until our demands are met I will not withdraw my fast,’’ he said.
The MRPS leader also demanded that Rajasekhara Reddy should take action against the legislators, Members of Parliament who were thwarting the attempts for categorisation of SCs.
Meanwhile, Krishna Madiga’s decision to launch an indefinite fast came, when media reports from Delhi suggested that the National SC Commission headed by Buta Singh had opposed the categorisation. The Centre had referred Jusitce Usha Mehra’s report on the SC categorisation in the State to the National SC Commission for its clearance. However, reports indicated that a majority of the members in the Commission have opposed the categorisation fearing that it may lead to several such demands from other states.
The National Commission, reportedly, was also of the view that such categorisation would also not stand the test of law. Enraged by these development Krishna Madiga resorted to the direct action.
Reacting sharply to Krishna Madiga’s demand, Mala Mahanadu urged him to withdraw the fast and not exert pressure on the Government for categorisation.
Speaking to mediapersons Mala Mahanadu president Jupudi Prabhakara Rao said categorisation was neither feasible nor constitutionally valid. Even a Constitution Amendment would not be possible. “Krishna Madiga, instead of fighting for a non-issue, should join with Malas to capture the political power in the State. If he does so we will extend support to him,’’ Prabhakara Rao said and added that he along with a few Mala legislators will met Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
BJLP leader G Kishen Reddy and CPI-ML (New Liberation) D Subhash and several MRPS leaders visited Krishna Madiga. MRPS leaders and cadre have started relay hunger strikes all over the State in support of Krishna Madiga.