KCR: Will lead stir for SC/ST categorisation

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday offered to lead a movement demanding the categorisation of scheduled castes. He said that MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga would not be able to achieve that goal and urged the Madiga community to follow him instead.

Justifying Manda Krishna's arrest, Mr Rao said that he had conspired with the Congress to cause problems in Hyderabad during the World Telugu Conference. “The Telangana Assembly has passed a unanimous resolution seeking the categorisation of SCs, and all parties have extended their support. Now, the ball is in the Centre's court. The constitution has to be amended,” Mr Rao said.

He asked why Manda Krishna felt the need to protest in Hyderabad. “If he wants to protest, he should do it in Delhi. He wanted to create problems here. We will not allow this. That's why we have arrested him. And we will arrest him again if he continues to indulge in such acts,” Mr Rao warned.

Responding to comments that the TRS government was being undemocratic by not allowing protests or rallies to be conducted in the city, he said, “We will not allow pro-tests if the intention is to create law and order problems. We will not allow protests near Indira Park or Tank Bund, as it will inconvenience people. Such programs can be organised at Saroornagar Stadium, or on the outskirts of the city. In these times of live television and social media, it does not matter where protests are held. Protests are meant to bring issues to the notice of the government. That will happen wherever protests are held.”