The Hindu : Front Page : Mala Mahanadu leader to decide on his indefinite fast today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 03, 2007
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Mala Mahanadu leader to decide on his indefinite fast today

Special Correspondent

STEADFAST FASTING: Major Industries Minister J. Geeta Reddy (right) persuading Mala Mahanadu president J. Prabhakara Rao to end his fast in Hyderabad on Saturday. — Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: High drama was witnessed when four Ministers made an unsuccessful attempt to persuade Mala Mahanadu president Jupudi Prabhakara Rao to call off his four-day-old indefinite hunger strike opposing categorisation of Scheduled Castes on Saturday.

Led by Social Welfare Minister Pilli Subash Chandra Bose, the Ministers including J. Geeta Reddy, G. Vinod and G. Surya Rao called on Mr. Prabhakara Rao twice during the day and expressed willingness to concede two of the three major demands put forth by him. They were deputed by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy following the Mala Mahanadu leader's insistence that he meet him personally. The Ministers agreed to constitute an expert committee to study the social, financial and other issues facing SCs. They also conceded his demand to form a committee of Ministers, MPs and MLAs along with a Mala Mahanadu nominee to represent to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh their opposition to SC categorisation.

Mr. Prabhakara Rao insisted on an assurance on scrapping Usha Mehra Commission. Mr. Subash Chandra Bose expressed helplessness as the Commission was constituted by the Government of India. Even as the Ministers were trying to convince the fasting leader, Mr. Prabhakara Rao's supporters, who gathered in good numbers at Khairatabad, raised slogans against the Commission and the State Government.

Self-immolation threat

At one stage, Mr. Prabhakara Rao appeared convinced by the Ministers' response and some supporters even kept lemon juice ready for him to end the fast. But a handful of the activists threatened to immolate themselves if he ended his fast without securing a firm commitment from the Government. Giving in to their demand, Mr. Prabhakara Rao announced that the Mahanadu's State committee would hold an emergency meeting here on Sunday to decide about the future course of action.

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