Who’s counting? In Andhra, chorus grows for Telangana-style caste survey

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In Andhra, chorus grows for Telangana-style caste survey Activists from Backward Classes say that while the TDP-led NDA government claims to have started the census, no one knows which department is conducting the exercise, and no one has reached out to BC communities to record their details Written by: Sreenivas Janyala4 min readHyderabadUpdated: Apr 18, 2026 03:12 PM IST Goud said that as the numerical strength of BCs in Andhra Pradesh rises, it is important to conduct a census of BC castes. (Credits: Facebook/ Jajula Srinivas Goud) Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT Following the Telangana Socio, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey, leaders and organisations representing the Backward Classes (BC) in Andhra Pradesh are demanding a similar exercise there. BC leaders recently met Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and suggested conducting a survey on the same lines. On April 16, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the state government to file an affidavit by April 23 about the survey. Several BC activists had filed petitions in the court stating that while the TDP-led NDA government claims to have started the BC census in the state and is nearing completion, no one knows which department is conducting the exercise, and no one has reached out to BC communities to record their details. BC leaders are demanding that the state government conduct the survey or declare the results of the census before announcing local body elections. BC Welfare Minister S Savitha said that the Planning Department, in coordination with village and ward secretaries, is conducting the survey and enumeration of BC communities. Leaders of the Andhra Pradesh BC Welfare Association, led by state president Kesana Shankara Rao and National President J Srinivas Goud, met the CM and submitted representations outlining their demands. One of the suggestions was providing reservations to BCs based on population proportion, for which fresh population numbers of each BC caste and sub-caste should be available. “To extend tailor-made benefits to BC castes, it is necessary to know their numbers, just as the Telangana survey has found. If their numbers and socio-economic conditions are known, then the state government can plan to extend help accordingly,” Goud said. Goud also requested the early introduction of a protection law for BCs, stating that many groups were vulnerable to exploitation at workplaces and faced mental harassment. The BC delegation further demanded implementation of 34 per cent reservations in local bodies, establishment of a separate ministry for OBCs at the central level, formulation of an OBC Sub-Plan with a dedicated budget allocation and filling of backlog vacancies in government departments. For establishing a union ministry for OBCs, the BC leaders urged Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is an ally and partner in the NDA, to request the BJP central leadership to consider the request. “The CM has asserted that the government remains committed to the welfare and development of the Backward Classes. He stated that his government is continuously working to uplift BC communities. He said that issues falling under the purview of the central government would be taken up through consultations and efforts would be made to address them,” the BC Welfare Association said. Goud said that as the numerical strength of BCs in Andhra Pradesh rises, it is important to conduct a census of BC castes. It is not about the delivery of government schemes anymore, but about political representation proportional to the population of each caste/sub-caste, he said. In Andhra Pradesh, there are 139 BC communities, classified into five groups: the BC-A group, including aboriginal tribes, vimukta jatis, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes; the BC-B vocational groups; the BC-C Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity; other castes in BC-D; and the BC-E socially and educationally backward Muslim classes. Responding to the representations, Naidu said that his government would ensure justice and equitable opportunities for BC communities. Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram