Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a formal farewell at Begumpet Airport on Sunday evening by Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Mohammad Azharuddin, as he departed for Gujarat after completing his hectic tour of Hyderabad.

Before the Prime Minister boarded the special flight, the Deputy CM and ministers submitted a representation to the Prime Minister urging the inclusion of Backward Classes (BC) enumeration in the ongoing nationwide census. They pointed out that the current census framework does not provide for BC caste data under Column 13 of the household schedule, and requested that this be rectified to ensure accurate representation.

Protocol Chairman Harkara Venugopal also joined the delegation in presenting the memorandum. The leaders emphasised that caste-based data is critical for policy-making, welfare schemes, and equitable distribution of resources, and sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to ensure BC communities are adequately counted in the census exercise.

The appeal comes at a time when debates around caste enumeration have gained momentum nationally, with several states pressing for comprehensive data to strengthen social justice measures. Telangana’s leadership has aligned itself with this demand, highlighting the need for accurate statistics to guide future development and welfare initiatives.