Munnurukapu Association -Awareness

 Munnurukapu Association -Awareness

The Andhra Pradesh backward Classes Association was formed by prominent leaders like Gouthu lachanna, Bojjam Narsimhulu and Konda Lakshman Bapuji. Before this organization, there were three backward Classes Association in Andhra Pradesh In May 1957,: (1) Andhra Rashtra backward Classes Association led by Gothu Latchanna, (2) Hyderabad State Backward classes Association led by Bojjam Narsihmulu and Telangana Backward Classes Associations headed by Konda lakshman Bapuji. All the above three Associations merged with each other’s constituting a single State wide organization, namely the Andhra Pradesh backward Classes Association. The veteran leader of backward Classes Movement Gouthu Latchanna was elected as the first president of this Association.

Munnurukapus are basically agriculturists, small and marginal farmers and listed now in the backward classes, consisting a major section of the population in Telangana. Their presence in the remaining other two regions is almost nil.  According to  the Census of 1910 in the Nizam State their population was 1, 83 356. At a time when the people ‘s level of consciousness was at its lowest ebb on account of the regimentation of the monarchic – cum – feudal order, a set up dedicated leaders worked strenuously for the cause of the toiling masses in general and Munnurukapus in particular. This included Bojjam Narasimhulu, Tunga Sambhaiah and Erram Satyanarayana who responded to the contemporary conditions and movements. In fact, Bojjam Narasimhulu could really be regarded as one of the most distinguished founding fathers of the Munnurukapu movement in backward classes in general in the State of Hyderabad. He joined the Congress party in 1920 to fight against the Nizam rule and also worked throughout his life for the social, economic and political advancement of the Munnurukapus.

The genesis of the Munnurukapu movement in the erstwhile Hyderabad State can be traced back to the first conference on 31 May to 1^st June 1935 at Hyderabad. The first Munnurukapu conference concerned itself with social, educational backwardness economic deprivation and social evils like Dowry system, child marriages, indiscriminate pomp in spending money drinking enforced widowhood etc their conference also addressed itself to the spread of literacy and improvement of economic position. The Munnurukapu movement started a process of socialization of their caste. It worked in unison with the Nizam Rashtra Andhra Mahila Sabha movement.

With the initiation of Bojjam Narasimhulu, Munnurukapu raised donations and helped construction of “Munnurukapu Bhavan” and setup Munnurukapu trust funds at Hyderabad to provide the hostel facilities, scholarships, books for the Munnurukapu students. The regular meeting and training camps for their caste were also conducted in the Bhavan. While working for the reforms among Munnurukapus, he also took the initiative to start the Hyderabad state Backward Class Association in 1954. His whole life was thus dedicated to the cause of the liberation of the country, backward castes in general and Munnurukapu in particular for the awakening and organizing them.

Due to the efforts of the Munnurukapu association social reform, education facilities, training camps spreading ideas through media and continued motivation, a large section of them entered the Politics Business Real estate, finance, bureaucracy Academics etc. In the post – independent period. In politics, the Munnurukapus occupied modern position among the backward castes in Telangana region residing such as village sarpanchs, Manadal Presedents other positions.Shiva sankar raised to the level of Union Minister, Governor and ex – president of the All India Congress committee other Backward Classes Cell and Hanumantha Rao is the secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and D. Srinivas, former President of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).

In response to formation of Andhra Pradesh and Neelam Sanjeeva Reeddy ‘s the then Chief Minister of the State, attitude of intolerance and looking down the weaker sections in general and backward castes in specifically led to the merging of the four backward classes associations paving the way for emergence of the Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Association (APBCA) after the formation of Andhra Pradesh with Andhra,  Rayalaseema and Telangana as the united state. Four of the Backward Classes Associations, were Andhra Backward Class Associations. (A.Bhagavantha Rao was president and Gouth Lachhanna was the secretary) Andhra Congress Backward Class Association (Pragada Kotaiah was the president), Hyderabad Backward Classes Association (Bojjam Narasimhulu was the president) and Telangana Backward Classes Association (Konda Lakshman Bapuji). The Andhra Pradesh Backward Classes Association was formed in 1957 with the initiative taken by Annam Viswanatham irrespective of political parties.