Dalit Classification a Threat to National Unity: Former Union Minister Chintamohan

DECCAN FREEDOM NEWS

JANUARY 22, Kakinada

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Chintamohan expressed grave concerns over the issue of SC classification, describing it as a significant threat to national unity. Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he warned that the classification of Scheduled Castes could divide India into North and South within the next 20 years due to regional caste disparities—Madigas predominantly in the North and Malas in the South.

Citing the division of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra states as a result of caste-based politics, Chintamohan attributed the split to the exploitation of Dalit communities. Referring to recent controversies, including the alleged attack on actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s residence, he linked these issues to long-standing caste-based divisions.

He questioned Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s stance on SC classification and demanded immediate clarification. He accused the Telugu Desam Party of fostering division among Dalit communities since its inception, alleging that TDP leaders conspired to separate Malas and Madigas for political gains.

Chintamohan also addressed the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, criticizing corporate greed and the sale of its 25,000 acres of land. He dismissed the central government’s ₹11,000 crore aid as insufficient, comparing it to “offering a banana to a starving man.” He blamed the TDP for pushing the steel plant into financial crisis, calling recent statements by former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu about reviving the plant “laughable.”

The Congress leader raised concerns about massive non-performing loans, alleging that a prominent individual borrowed ₹45,000 crore and repaid only ₹450 crore, leaving ₹40,000 crore unpaid. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling such financial mismanagement and questioned plans to extend another ₹10,000 crore in loans to the same individual.

Chintamohan concluded by condemning the exploitation of Dalit communities for political and economic gain and called for urgent measures to protect their rights and welfare.