Telangana Minister's "Buffalo" Remark Sparks Major Caste Controversy Within Congress Cabinet

Minister Ponnam Prabhakar (right) allegedly referred to Adluri Laxman (left) as a "buffalo".

An internal discord erupted within the Telangana Cabinet when BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar allegedly described his colleague, SC Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman, as a "buffalo" who "has no value for life".

This purportedly derogatory comment was made during a Jubilee Hills by-election campaign event and quickly escalated into a significant caste-based controversy. The remark was captured when Prabhakar's microphone remained active after Laxman arrived late to the event, and subsequently became widely circulated across social media platforms.

Laxman, a member of the Madiga community, responded with a powerful six-minute video statement expressing his deep hurt and demanding a formal apology from Prabhakar. He emphasized that while personal criticism could be tolerated, insulting his marginalized community crossed a line. "As Laxman Kumar, he can abuse me, but abusing my caste is not correct," the minister declared, questioning the appropriateness of such public denigration from a cabinet colleague.

The footage shows Prabhakar making the comment while conversing with another SC leader, Vivek Venkataswamy, stating: "We know about time, we know about life. What does that buffalo fellow know?"

Laxman warned that he would hold Prabhakar accountable for any "consequences" if an apology was not forthcoming. He indicated intentions to escalate the matter by filing a complaint with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside representatives from his community.

Facing mounting criticism, Prabhakar denied directing any derogatory remarks toward Laxman. He claimed his words had been deliberately misrepresented and distorted by opposition parties. According to Prabhakar, his comments were actually addressed to his staff regarding delays with flight ticket confirmations, not about Laxman's late arrival.

Recognizing the damaging potential of this public disagreement, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud intervened, urging better cooperation and coordination between the two ministers.