Justice B Sudershan Reddy, the former Supreme Court judge and vice-presidential nominee of the INDIA bloc, praise fully lauded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his government-in-the-attics activism. According to him, inspired from the socialist thinker Rammanohar Lohia, “when streets are silent, the house becomes unruly”, adding that silence should never become part of the mission into which Rahul has put forth.
It was Telangana government directed by the people and what they achieved from government to cause it to undertake well-structured caste census, as per Reddy, terms its people-driven political pressure.
Illusions of Democracy in Bihar
Justice Reddy was alluding to the prevailing disturbances in Bihar. He professed to be fully agitated about the universal adult suffrage in India. He warned that anything that sought to weaken or limit the fundamental right to vote would strike at the heart of the Constitution.
ALSO READ: Vice-Presidential Election: CP Radhakrishnan vs Justice Sudarshan Reddy in High-Stakes Contest
“Only the right to vote is true weapon in the hands of ordinary citizens,” he declared, adding that removing these rights would reduce democracy into a mere pretense. The remarks came against the backdrop of controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll of Bihar.
On the Need of Caste Census
Justice Reddy, who led the expert group on Telangana caste census, reflects on the sort of challenge this poses for those in power.
He added that a legitimate and systematic caste census would have far-reaching political and social consequences, quite possibly unsettling established structures. While he hoped that it was going to be done sincerely, he admonished against superficial exercises done merely for political appearances.
ALSO READ: Jan Vishwas Bill 2025: Piyush Goyal Pushes Bold Reforms for Trust-Based Governance & Business Ease
Earlier today, Justice Reddy had a meeting with INDIA bloc leaders at Samvidhan Sadan’s Central Hall. His candidature was officially announced by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, calling him one of the most progressive and respected jurists in the nation. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with leaders from DMK and Samajwadi Party as well as over 80 MPs signed for his nomination.
A Battle for the Constitution
Justice Reddy speaks from the heart when he espouses the state of Indian democracy today. And with that, he would go for a good excuse in the frame of arms on behalf of the electorate and fight calling for a caste census. His voice on these themes brings urgency into the debates concerning inclusivity, accountability and the protection of democracy at a time when vice-presidential elections are around the corner.
ALSO READ: Bihar Elections 2025: NDA Talks Development, INDIA Bloc Flags Stolen Votes
