HYDERABAD: Prominent leaders of the Backward Classes (BC) gathered at Jagadgirigutta on Thursday to pay tribute to Sai Eshwarachari, hailing him as a martyr who sacrificed his life for the cause of BC rights and social justice.

Leading the delegation, Dundra Kumara Swamy, National President of BC Dal and Chairman of the BC Reservations Sadhana Samakhya JAC, visited the deceased's residence to offer condolences to the grieving family.

He was joined by several senior leaders, including Legislative Council Opposition Leader S. Madhusudhanachari, Rajya Sabha MP and National BC Welfare Association President R. Krishnaiah, former BC Commission Chairman Vakulabharanam Krishna Mohan Rao, former IAS officer Chiranjeevi, and intellectuals Gujja Satyam and Arun.

‘First Martyr of the Movement’

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kumara Swamy drew a parallel between the Telangana statehood struggle and the current fight for reservations.

“If Srikanthachari is remembered as the first martyr of Telangana’s second phase statehood movement, Sai Eshwarachari must be recognized as the first martyr of the BC reservation movement,” Swamy said. “It is deeply painful that in a democratic nation, one has to sacrifice his life to secure constitutional rights.”

He affirmed that Eshwarachari's sacrifice would serve as a rallying point to strengthen the ongoing fight for self-respect and equal opportunities.

Demands for Compensation and Legislation

Mr. Kumara Swamy urged the State Government to immediately announce an ex-gratia payment of ₹50 lakh to the bereaved family and provide a government job to one eligible family member.

Turning his attention to the central government, he demanded the enactment of the BC Reservations Bill during the ongoing Parliament session. He warned that the ruling leadership would be “condemned by history” if they delayed further.

Expressing anguish over what he termed conspiracies to deny 42% reservation to BCs—who constitute nearly 52% of the country’s population—Swamy cautioned that BC voters are prepared to give a “strong response” to this injustice.