MRPS President announces fast-unto-death on SC issue

Vijayawada, Apr 19 (UNI) Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti(MRPS) President M Krishna Madiga today announced that he would go on a fast-unto-death at Hyderabad from May 17 if a bill on Scheduled Castes Categorisation was not introduced in the second phase of the ongoing budget session of Parliament which begins on April 26.

Talking to newspersons here, he look the decision as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has so far not committed himself to any deadline to introduce a bill in Parliament on the categorisation.

Mr Madiga said it was a do-or-die battle for the MRPS and it would not wait further for the Centre to enact a law on legal protection to categorisation of SCs in Andhra Pradesh as the future of the students will be in jeopardy with the new academic year fast approaching.

He warned the state government that any further delay in enactment of law by parliament on the issue would cost the ruling party dearly and warned that the state would turn into 'a pit of fire' in the hands of MRPS activists.

He alleged that the Centre and State governments were dragging their feet on the issue of categorisation and recalled the promise of Dr Reddy before the karimnagar lok sabha by-election that a bill on categorisation of the SCs would be introduced in the budget session of parliament.

The MRPS extended its support to the Congress in the Karimnagar by-election but the ruling party was firm on changing its stand with Dr Reddy stating at a Mala Mahanadu meeting in February here to be wary of those trying to divide Dalits.

Admitting that the Madigas were deprived of their rightful share in reservations, and added the Chief Minister, who participated in the 'Viswaroopa Mahasabha' here few days ago said it was the responsibility of the state government to protect the interests of Madigas by taking steps on SC reservation categorisation.

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