A statewide bandh called by BC organizations demanding 42% reservations brought Telangana to a standstill, with public transport heavily affected. In Hyderabad, RTC buses remained confined to depots, especially at Uppal, Chengicherla, and Kukatpally, where nearly 125 buses were stopped. Roads that are usually bustling with traffic appeared empty, as BC leaders blocked buses and staged sit-ins at various depots.
The impact was felt across district headquarters, where protests were held outside RTC depots to prevent buses from operating. Shops and businesses showed solidarity by remaining shut throughout the day. Political leaders from Congress, BJP, and BRS actively participated in the protest. Minister Konda Surekha and Cantonment MLA Ganesh joined the rally in Secunderabad, while BJP MP Etela Rajender joined a protest at Jubilee Bus Stand. Similar scenes were reported in Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, and Vikarabad.
In Dilsukhnagar, tensions rose when BC activists blocked roads near the depot, leading to heated exchanges with the police. Despite calls for a peaceful protest by the DGP, clashes briefly disrupted the otherwise calm demonstration.
The bandh also triggered opportunistic pricing by private cab drivers, especially at Uppal Ring Road, where passengers were charged double or more than usual fares.
Except for emergency services, the bandh saw statewide participation and support from student bodies, tribal groups, and civil society organizations, amplifying the BC community’s demand for fair representation.
