Rajamahendravaram: A nall-party meeting convened by the Congress party strongly criticised the current governance in the country, alleging that the rights granted to citizens under the Constitution by Dr BR Ambedkar were being undermined.
The meeting demanded restoration of Scheduled Caste reservations for Dalit Christians. It was held on Tuesday under the leadership of Rajahmundry Urban District Congress president Balepalli Muralidhar, with participation from leaders of various political parties, representatives of Christian organisations, pastors, and leaders from BC, SC, ST and minority communities.
Congress Rajahmundry Parliament coordinator T K Visweswara Reddy, CPI state leader T Madhu, CPM district secretary T Arun, coastal districts’ traders association leader Ashok Kumar Jain, Praja Sanghala Aikyavedika founder Desireddy Balarama Naidu and Congress state leader Talluri Vijayakumar were among those present. Leaders from CPI, CPM and Aam Aadmi Party also attended.
Speakers at the meeting urged the Central government to take steps for a review of the Supreme Court judgment on the issue. They expressed strong objection to the ruling, stating that while the Constitution guarantees the right to practice any religion, denying reservations based on religion was unjust. They called for a discussion in Parliament and a constitutional amendment to ensure Scheduled Caste reservations for Dalit Christians. The leaders appealed for a nationwide movement on the issue and stressed that democratic rights of the people should not be curtailed.
Describing the loss of reservations upon religious conversion as a major conspiracy, the speakers demanded that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu respond immediately and pass a resolution in the State Assembly.
They made it clear that the all-party committee would continue its agitation until reservations for Dalit Christians are restored. The meeting also passed a resolution seeking the immediate conduct of elections to the Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation.
Senior Congress leaders Martin Luther, Dr Vadayar, Bezawada Rangarao, and leaders from various parties, including Pawan, Kondalarao, K Rambabu, Poornima Raj, Sandhya Rani, Srinivas, Yalla Veerabhadra Rao were present.
Courtesy : THI
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