AIOBCSA demands caste census and schedule IX protection for OBC reservation at National Meet in Delhi

New Delhi : “How will we get our share if we’re not even counted?”—this question was raised at a public meeting today at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The event was organized by the All India OBC Students Association (AIOBCSA) and focused on caste census, OBC reservation, and constitutional protection. A key demand was made to include OBC rights under Schedule IX of the Constitution to prevent legal challenges to reservation policies.

Speaking at the event, Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson said, “If included in Schedule IX, reservation laws can’t be challenged in court. All parties and organizations need to come together on this.” He cited Tamil Nadu’s 69% reservation law as an example, which has stayed in effect because it’s protected under Schedule IX.

Telangana Minister for Backward Classes Ponnam Prabhakar said that BC organizations should work together to push for inclusion of Telangana’s reservation law in Schedule IX. “We must build pressure on the Modi government to protect and extend reservation,” he said.

Advocate Pankaj Kushwaha, national convenor of AIOBCSA, and Alla Ramakrishna, national advisor, both said that student unity is key to strengthening the OBC movement.

Ramakrishna said, “Student unity can give new momentum to the movement.”

Adding to this Kushwaha said, “We’ll hold meetings, events, and protests across the country—from the streets to Parliament. We’ll push for a caste census, removal of the 50% reservation cap, and proper implementation of OBC rights.” He also announced the next major event, which will take place on April 27 in Patna, Bihar.

Former Telangana Minister Srinivas Goud said the OBC community needs to take leadership into its own hands. “Social justice doesn’t come by asking—it comes through representation,” he said.

Prof. Suraj Mandal and Prof. Ratan Lal spoke about the role of student activism in movements for equality. They said students have always played a big role in bringing social change.

Former IAS officer Chiranjeevi spoke about the role of intellectuals and policy makers. He said their participation is needed to strengthen the idea of social justice and support OBC rights under the Constitution.

Student leaders from different universities also took part, including Ilaiya Kumar (SFD), Ritu Anupama (Reservation Club, JNU), Akshan Ranjan (Student RJD), Mahesh, and Rakesh. They all expressed support for the OBC rights movement and urged for more participation.

The event ended with a renewed call for caste census, stronger legal protection for reservation, and united efforts for social justice.