Congress Marks Five Decades of Scheduled Tribe Reservations with Bus Yatra in Telangana

Hyderabad — A commemorative bus journey organised by the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee's Tribal Department took place at Medigadda Thanda in Balanagar village within Jadcherla constituency on Monday, celebrating half a century of constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes.

Mahabubabad MLA Dr Bhukya Murali Naik presided over the event as chief guest, emphasising the Congress party's pivotal role in establishing the constitutional reservation framework that has benefited tribal populations. He credited former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's policy decisions with opening pathways that enabled numerous tribal families to pursue educational opportunities and establish professional livelihoods.

The MLA highlighted the tangible outcomes of the reservation system, noting that tribal individuals have successfully entered diverse professional sectors. These include medicine, engineering, civil service, law enforcement, teaching, legal practice, science and government administration. Additionally, he pointed to the growing representation of tribal leaders across democratic institutions, from village-level governance structures to the national legislature.

Characterising reservations as a foundational social reform measure, Dr Bhukya Murali Naik underscored their role in fostering dignity, confidence and equitable prospects for tribal communities. He reiterated the Congress party's commitment to protecting tribal rights and preserving access to land, forest resources and traditional livelihoods.

The event drew participation from multiple political figures, including Mahabubabad MP Porika Balaram Naik, Government Whip and Dornakal MLA Dr Ramchandra Naik, Jadcherla MLA Anirudh Reddy, MLC Shankar Naik, TRICOR Chairman Dr Tejavath Bellayya Naik and former MP Ravindra Naik, among other regional leaders.