Will Rahul and Kharge's Call for Presidential Assent on Backward Class Quota Bills Change the Game?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 42% reservation for backward classes is at stake.
- Presidential assent is critical for the Bills’ enactment.
- Congress leaders are united in their advocacy for social justice.
- Protests reflect the urgency of the situation.
- This issue transcends state borders, impacting national discussions on equity.
New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge have urged for Presidential approval on two Bills that the Telangana legislature has passed, which aim to provide 42 percent reservation for backward classes. Rahul Gandhi expressed optimism that the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, would grant her approval to these important Bills.
“The Telangana Government, alongside Congress, staged a dharna in Delhi today, pressing for the President to endorse the law that reserves 42 percent for backward classes in education, employment, and local governance. This legislation marks a significant step forward towards the Constitution's vision of social justice, based on data from the caste census,” he posted on X.
“I am thankful to the leaders of INDIA who have shown their support, and I hope the Hon'ble President will take this into account and provide her assent. This struggle is not limited to Telangana; it is a unified effort to secure rightful representation and progress for marginalized communities across India,” added the Congress leader.
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the delay by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in approving the Telangana Bills.
“The Congress-led Telangana government has passed a Bill to ensure 42 percent reservation for OBC categories in education, government jobs, and local self-governance. This Bill is now awaiting the Honourable President's approval. Today, the Chief Minister of Telangana, along with ministers, MPs, MLAs, and leaders from the Congress party, protested in Delhi,” Kharge stated in a post on ‘X’.
“Following the caste survey, our government has taken this initiative, which will bolster social justice. The Modi government's claim of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is empty as it seeks to obstruct this Bill and the rights of the underprivileged,” Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, added.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also called for prompt Presidential approval for the Backward Class reservation Bill.
“The Congress government in Telangana has enacted a historic Bill that ensures 42 percent reservation for OBCs in education, employment, and local governance — a decisive move rooted in caste census data. However, the Bill remains stalled, pending the President’s approval. In response, the CM, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Congress leaders organized a dharna in Delhi, demanding immediate action,” remarked the MP from Wayanad.
“This is more than just a fight for Telangana — it is a national call for justice, equity, and rightful representation for marginalized communities. Justice delayed is justice denied,” she concluded.