15/08/2026
SIO Telangana Condemns Stereotyping of Minorities, Urges CM to Uphold Dignity and Responsibility.
The speech delivered by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reflects deep-seated problems and overlooks the systematic social, economic, and political marginalisation of minorities in the country.
Firstly, the binary of Old City and New City, which portrays one as educated and developed and the other as uneducated, backward, and underdeveloped, ignores the historical making of the city. Such binaries place socially and economically marginalised Muslims in slums and reinforce stereotypes of Muslims as uneducated, unskilled, and dependent on the state. The Chief Minister associating Old City Muslims with theft and reiterating such stereotypes is deeply concerning. Such generalisations can demoralise students and undermine the dignity, aspirations, and potential of an entire community.
Secondly, the Minister's statement about the "community's habit" of learning visually and its inability to learn through studying is highly problematic. Such generalisations reinforce long-standing stereotypes of Muslims as mechanics, puncture fixers, and workers in similar occupations, structurally discriminating against and placing the Muslim community at the bottom. Following the Sachar Committee report, Telangana must take corrective measures to ensure educational opportunities—from primary to higher education—for those facing structural and social discrimination. What the state needs are schools, adequate funding, universities, and sensitivity in public rhetoric.
As the Chief Minister, he carries a greater responsibility to ensure that his words are measured, respectful, and sensitive, particularly when speaking about minority communities.
SIO Telangana urges the Chief Minister to refrain from such generalisations and uphold public discourse that encourages, respects, and empowers every community.
—Br. Faraz Ahmed
State President, SIO Telangana