Population, including that of Muslims, is stabilising: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy discusses caste survey results, Muslim population stabilization, fertility rate decline, and political alliances.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, commenting on the recently tabled caste survey, has said that the outcome alluded that the population, including that of the Muslim community in the State, is witnessing a state of stabilisation.

In an interaction with The Hindu, Mr. Revanth Reddy also addressed the slight decline in the Muslim population recorded in the caste survey as compared to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to Study the Socio-Economic Conditions of Muslims in Telangana, which was constituted by the earlier Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government. The CoI, commonly known as the G. Sudhir Committee, reported that the Muslim population stood at 12.68%, whereas the recently concluded caste survey recorded it at 12.56%.

“The last caste census was conducted in 2001. The fact is that the population is stabilising. I am working with data voluntarily shared by the people. A total of 3,54,75,554 people were surveyed. While the Samagra Kutumba Survey had four verticals — BC, SC, ST, and OC — this survey included a fifth vertical. The fifth vertical was Muslim BC and Muslim OC,” he said, adding that the entire exercise was closely monitored and supervised. The fifth vertical gave clarity, and showed that the population of OC in Muslims was 2.48% and BC in Muslims was 10.08%, he said.

The decline in the total fertility rate of Muslims in India, as shown in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), which indicated a drop from 2.6 to just over 2.3, was reflected in the caste survey data, were also discussed.

Mr. Revanth Reddy criticised Union Minister Bandi Sanjay for his comments on reservation for Muslim BCs, and in a riposte said that those belonging to Muslim BC including in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujarat were enjoying benefits. As many as 29 sub-castes were there in that State, he said. Other States include Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, he pointed out.

Ahead of the Medak-Nizamabad-Adilabad-Karimnagar Graduates’ Constituency elections, Mr. Reddy dismissed allegations about an alleged understanding between his party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He countered that, in fact, it was the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the BJP that had a truck with each other.

Mr. Revanth Reddy maintained that cases filed against BRS leaders had been taken up by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, he pointed out that no further action had been initiated in this regard, raising questions about the nature of the BJP’s approach toward its political adversaries.