• Source:JND
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A 32-year-old activist who set himself ablaze while demanding 42 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Telangana’s Medchal-Malkajgiri district succumbed to his burn injuries. Hundreds of people took part in his funeral procession on Saturday.

Accoring to the HT report, the activist passed away on Friday, a day after he attempted self-immolation at Peerzadiguda on Hyderabad’s outskirts. His remains were taken to his home in Jagathgirigutta, Medchal-Malkajgiri, where leaders from multiple political parties, BC groups, and social organisations gathered to offer their respects.

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Earlier, Rachakonda police placed prominent OBC leader and MLC Chintapandu Naveen, popularly known as Teenmaar Mallanna, under house arrest at his residence in Chennareddy Enclave to stop him from leading a rally to the activist’s home. “I have every right to meet people. What law have I violated?” he questioned while arguing with officers.

The deceased, originally from Pocharam in Sangareddy district’s Andole mandal and working as a cab driver, had been living with his family in Jagadgirigutta for the past few years. According to his wife, he was deeply involved in OBC movements and had been advocating for a 42 percent reservation in education and employment.

On Thursday, he went to Mallanna’s office to discuss the reservation demand. “After learning that the MLC was unavailable, he became distressed and set himself on fire. He succumbed to his injuries at Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad on Friday afternoon,” police officials said.

His death sparked widespread demonstrations by OBC organisations across Hyderabad, demanding accountability from the Revanth Reddy-led government. Police used mild force and conducted large-scale detentions to control the situation. Those held included BC JAC state chairman Jajula Srinivasa Goud and MLC Naveen, with protesters taken to several police stations such as Trimulgherry, Karkhana, Ramgopalpet, Chilkalguda, Bollaram, Amberpet, and Uppal.

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Calling the incident a “murder” by both state and central authorities, Goud urged the government to immediately halt the ongoing sarpanch elections until the 42 percent BC reservation demand is met.

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