State-wide bandh was observed across Telangana on Saturday, in a response to the call given by BC associations to achieve 42 percent BC reservations in the local body elections. The main parties in the state, Congress, BRS, BJP, CPI, CPI(M), TJS, CPI-ML New Democracy, Maoist parties, along with MRPS, Mala Mahanadu, Adivasi, Tribal, Minority, Student and Public Organizations, have announced their support for this bandh.
The bandh began at 4 am. JAC leaders have blocked buses from coming out in front of RDC depots. Due to this, buses are limited to depots in all districts including Hyderabad. BC associations and leaders of all parties have staged a protest in front of the depots. They are shouting slogans against the central government.
Buses have not come out of the depots in Hyderabad. On the other hand, due to the Diwali festival and weekend holidays, the Bus Stands have become crowded with passengers going to different districts. Due to the lack of advance information, passengers are facing severe difficulties at the bus station. On the other hand, shops, petrol pumps and other traders have voluntarily expressed their support for the bandh.
The management of educational institutions in the state have declared a holiday. Except for essential services, all other sectors are participating in the bandh. The police have appealed to the people to observe the bandh peacefully under the auspices of the BC JAC in the state. They have advised people not to cause any trouble. They have warned that strict action will be taken if they indulge in any untoward incident.
Due to the bandh, the exams scheduled to be held under Osmania University today have been postponed. The OU Registrar said that a new date will be announced soon. This is the bandh that all parties are supporting after the formation of a separate state.
Telangana Jagruthi president Kavitha deplored that it is ridiculous that the parties that should provide reservations are supporting the bandh. On Saturday, a human chain was organized at Khairatabad intersection under the auspices of Telangana Jagruti in support of the BC bandh. Kavitha’s son also participated in this protest organized at Khairatabad intersection.
Later, she criticized the Congress, which gave fake votes, and the BJP, which should have passed the BC bill, for doing dramas in the name of supporting the bandh. She lamented that they are acting as if the murderers themselves have come and paid tribute to them.