Congress wants Sudhir Commission Report to be made public

Hyderabad, Aug 13 (INN): The Congress party on Saturday demanded that the Telangana Government place the Sudhir Commission Report in public domain.

Greater Hyderabad Congress Committee (GHCC) Minorities Department Chairman Shaik Abdullah Sohail said that the State Government should have placed the report in public domain immediately after it was submitted to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao on Friday. “The Commission of Enquiry, headed by retired IAS officer G. Sudhir, was constituted under Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 and its contents pertain to the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in Telangana State. Therefore, its report should not be treated as a classified document. It should be immediately made public without any delay,” he said.

Abdullah Sohail, who recently spearheaded the ‘One Million Yes for 12% Muslim Reservation’ campaign, said that the people have a right to know the actual findings and recommendations made by the Sudhir Commission before it is presented before the State Cabinet for approval. “Since the constitution of Sudhir Commission was projected as a prelude to provide 12% reservation for Muslims in jobs and education in Telangana State, people are keen to know whether or not the Commission recommended quota proportionate to the Muslim population. The government should act on this report in a totally transparent manner,” he demanded.

The Congress leader pointed out that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, led by KCR, was part of Congress Government when it provided 5% reservation for Muslims in the then united Andhra Pradesh. “KCR himself was a minister in the Union Cabinet of UPA Government. He is aware of the legal complications faced by the then Congress Government in providing reservation for Muslim community. The quota in jobs and education for Muslims was reduced from 5% to 4% to maintain the Supreme Court’s ceiling of 50%. But now KCR is acting ignorant and have been promising 12% reservation on Tamil Nadu model. The Chief Minister must explain the roadmap to bring clarity on the issue,” he said.

Abdullah Sohail reiterated that the State Government could not provide reservation based on the recommendations of Sudhir Commission. It will be essential for the government to constitute a Backward Classes Commission. Therefore, instead of delaying the issue further, the Chief Minister should order constitution of a BC Commission.

He threatened that the Congress party would launch a mass agitation if TRS Government causes further delay in giving promised 12% reservation for Muslims in Telangana State. (INN)