BC Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Sunday called for a nationwide caste census by including a separate OBC column in the 2027 Census to ascertain the exact population of Backward Classes (BCs) and ensure them fair representation in proportion to their population.
Speaking at a national OBC conference organised by the National BC Welfare Association and Rashtriya OBC Mahasang at Begumpet on Sunday, Mr. Prabhakar said a scientific enumeration of the BC population was essential to ensure adequate representation.
“The BC population should be scientifically enumerated, fair representation should be provided in proportion to the population and an OBC column should be included in the 2027 Census. There is a need for a united nationwide struggle for the rights of BCs,” he said.
He said Telangana had completed the caste census and the report had been sent to the Centre. The State had been taking forward the BC agenda by bringing together leaders of the Congress and other political parties, he said.
Mr. Prabhakar recalled his efforts to raise BC issues through the OBC Forum in Parliament when he was an MP.
The Minister said they were not opposed to reservations for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). However, he said the 50% ceiling on reservations should not come in the way of providing representation to BCs in proportion to their population and urged the Centre to reconsider the limit.
AICC secretary Sachin Sawant, government adviser V. Hanumantha Rao and leaders, intellectuals and representatives of various OBC organisations from different States attended the conference.
Published – September 20, 2026 07:18 pm IST
