Kapu Agitations In Andrapradesh

Why in news?

The farming community of Kapus in Andhra Pradesh started agitations for theirinclusion in notified Backward Classes.

What are the demands of the Kapus?

They constitute about 20% of the population, demanding its inclusion in notified Backward Classes.
The demand for quota for the Kapus has been there for more than two decades.
This will help them to get reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.

What are the reasons for the agitations?

Present government promised quotas for the Kapus, three years on there has been no announcement on the quota.
An agitation in 2016 stirred violence across the states, to address the issue came up with Manjunatha commission.
It looked into the demands for quota by the Kapus and other communities.
There is no word yet from the Commission though it has been touring the State and taking representations.
Recent protests, it was inspired from the Gujjars and the Patels agitation.

How political parties gains from Kapu demands?

The issue has been used effectively by ambitious Kapu leaders and political parties to garner votes from this numerically strong community.
Few parties make a political impact, riding on the sentiment that none from the community could rise to the level of Chief Minister.
They raise the caste divide among the people for their secure vote bank.

Source: The Hindu

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