A protest by the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) demanding categorization of Scheduled Castes (SCs) turned violent on Monday, leaving two constables injured in a stone pelting incident. The MRPS had organized a road blockade along the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway as part of their demonstration. Dozens of protestors gathered at Thotacharla, waving flags and raising slogans, and blocked the highway. When police attempted to remove the protestors, a scuffle broke out between the two sides. Several protestors were arrested and taken to the police station. The police also entered homes in nearby villages to arrest those believed to be involved in the stone pelting, leading to strong protests from residents. The demand for categorization of SCs remains a contentious issue, and the MRPS is calling for the relevant bill to be tabled in Parliament.
