OC Federation Announces Major Delhi Protest for EWS Commission and Political Quotas
In a significant development, the Federation of Other Castes (OC) Social Welfare Associations has announced a large-scale protest, termed a Maha dharna, scheduled for February 23 in Delhi. The primary demand is the establishment of a separate national commission dedicated to the effective implementation of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservations and the introduction of political reservations specifically for the EWS category.
Political Engagement and Preparatory Meetings
The federation's national president, Poladi Rama Rao, extended an invitation to Union minister Bandi Sanjay during a meeting held on Sunday in Karimnagar. Rao sought the minister's cooperation in advancing their demands, and the minister subsequently released the official poster for the upcoming Maha dharna. This engagement highlights the federation's strategic approach to garner political support for their cause.
During the preparatory meeting, Rama Rao articulated the core issues faced by the economically weaker sections within the upper castes. He emphasized that these communities are currently unable to benefit from various welfare schemes or secure political positions due to the absence of targeted reservations. This lack of representation, according to Rao, constitutes a significant injustice that needs urgent redressal.
Challenges in Political Representation and Electoral Dynamics
Rama Rao provided a concrete example of the challenges faced by OC candidates in the political arena. He pointed to the recent Sarpanch elections, where OC candidates struggled to compete against the financial and physical strength of other groups in general seats. This disadvantage resulted in OC candidates winning less than 50% of the available seats, underscoring the need for political reservations to ensure fair competition.
He criticized what he described as ongoing injustices perpetuated by vote bank politics, which he claims marginalize the OC community. The federation's goal, through its Joint Action Committee (JAC), is to advocate for justice across all communities in every field, ensuring equitable opportunities for all.
Comprehensive Demands for Educational and Employment Equity
The federation has put forth a series of detailed demands aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the OC EWS category. These include:
- Increasing the age limit for education, employment, and competitive exams specifically for OC EWS students to provide them with more opportunities.
- Immediate filling of backlog posts allocated to EWS by individuals from these categories to address historical underrepresentation.
- Raising the income limit for issuing EWS certificates to 10 lakh rupees to expand eligibility and include more deserving families.
- Extending all central and state government welfare schemes to the poor within the OC community, ensuring they receive the same benefits as other disadvantaged groups.
Addressing Misinformation and Defending Constitutional Provisions
Rama Rao also addressed concerns about misinformation surrounding EWS reservations. He stated that the federation would actively oppose any conspiracies aimed at undermining the constitutionally established 10% EWS reservations. He clarified that there is false propaganda and personal gain-driven conspiracies misleading certain communities about these reservations, and the federation is committed to protecting this constitutional provision.
Organizational Structure for the Dharna
To ensure the success of the massive dharna and to coordinate efforts in achieving their demands, a committee has been appointed. This committee includes prominent members such as Ravula Narsimha Reddy, Gangu Upendra Sharma, Tadishetti Pashupathi, and Rontala Keshava Reddy, among others. Their role will be to oversee arrangements and mobilize support for the protest in Delhi.
The federation's actions reflect a growing movement among OC communities to address systemic inequalities and secure their rights through organized advocacy and public demonstration.
