“Justice delayed is justice denied” says Priyanka as Telangana CM leads dharna for OBC quota bill

Telangana chief minister A. Revanth Reddy on 6 August, Wednesday, led a protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand presidential assent for the state's Backward Classes reservation bills and alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre was stalling the bills passed by the state legislature as it was "anti-OBC".

The Telangana assembly passed the two bills in March to enhance reservation for other backward classes (OBC) to 42 per cent in education, employment and local bodies. The bills were forwarded to the governor and are currently awaiting presidential assent.

Reddy told reporters that the caste census was duly approved by the state cabinet, the assembly and the people, and questioned how the Centre could undermine the decision of an elected state government.

“We are pro-OBC. Rahul Gandhi is pro-OBC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anti-OBC. We will see how to give this reservation. If he won't give this time, we will defeat him in the coming election. The prime minister is least bothered about the caste census. His intentions are there against OBC,” the Congress leader said.

The BJP in Telangana has alleged that Congress, despite promising 42 per cent quotas to OBCs, is now allocating 10 per cent of it to Muslims in the guise of backward classes.

Dismissing these allegations as a political stunt, Reddy said it will not save the BJP.

"The governor has approved the bills. Rahul Gandhi is trying to get the legitimate rights for the OBC. Modi has refused to give legitimate rights to OBC," he alleged.

Scores of Congress workers from Telangana participated in the protest and raised slogans of 'Congress ki Jai' and 'Telangana ki jai'.

Congress leader from Telangana Vijayashanti said they have been fighting for the rights of backward classes for years.

"This is the second time we are holding such an event. We are demanding 42 per cent reservation for the backward classes,” she said.

Asserting that the OBCs are the backbone of the country, she alleged that the BJP-led central government has been trying to block the move. “Just as Sonia Gandhi helped create Telangana, we will also achieve 42 per cent reservation through our fight,” she asserted.

Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, said if a revolution begins in this country, “it always starts from the South, and Punjab and Bengal support it”.

“If there is anyone who truly has the courage to be the voice of the last person in line, it is Rahul Gandhi. He is a Brahmin. If he wanted the Prime Minister’s chair, he could have taken it after Dr Manmohan Singh. But instead, he chose to walk across the country. No one else has the courage to do what he has done,” the MP said, while calling Revanth Reddy a "tiger leader".

“The Telangana government is the first in the country to take the right steps towards implementing enhanced caste survey,” said Jothimani Sennimalai, Congress leader from Tamil Nadu.

“I come from Tamil Nadu, a state that already has more than 50 per cent reservation. With this amendment, Telangana will follow suit and become the next state to ensure such inclusive representation,” she said.

Congress MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on her social media handle in a show of support for Telangana’s dharna, saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Pointing out that the “bold step” of 42 per cent reservation mooted by Telangana is grounded solidly in caste census data and yet “the Bill remains stuck, awaiting the President’s assent”, Gandhi Vadra said, “This is not just Telangana’s fight — it’s a national call for justice, equity, and rightful representation for marginalised communities.”

Allies such as Supriya Sule of the NCP (SP) were also seen at the venue, extending solidarity for Telangana’s campaign.

BRS MLC K. Kavitha was another supporter from an allied party to speak up.

DMK leader Kanimozhi also spoke up and said, "Nobody can cap justice... We have to get what justice demands," pointing to her own state Tamil Nadu’s 69 per cent reservation.

RJD MP Dharmendra Yadav to spoke at the dharna, promising Uttar Pradesh’s support for Telangana’s agitation.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his part offered his gratitude for the support of the many INDIA bloc leaders, posting, “This law is a major advance towards the Constitution's vision of social justice... hope the Hon'ble President will take note and assent.”

“This fight is not just for Telangana. It is a collective fight to ensure that Indians from marginalised communities have their rightful share in power and progress,” Gandhi concluded.

With PTI inputs