On 31 January 2016 a "Kapu Garjana" rally at Tuni in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, called by former minister Mudragada Padmanabham to demand Backward Classes (BC) status for Kapus, turned violent. Protesters set fire to the Ratnachal Express, two police stations and about 25 vehicles. The Naidu government passed a 5% Kapu quota law in 2017 that was never implemented; the Jagan government later withdrew most agitation cases, and a Vijayawada railway court acquitted all 41 accused in the train case on 1 May 2023.
Key takeaways
- On 31 January 2016 the Kapu Garjana rally at Tuni, East Godavari, demanding BC status for Kapus, turned violent when protesters stopped and set fire to the Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada Ratnachal Express and burnt two police stations and about 25 vehicles.
- Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called the Tuni violence "pre-planned" and the TDP blamed the opposition YSRCP; rally leader Mudragada Padmanabham said he had called only a rail and road blockade and blamed the TDP.
- The Naidu government's Manjunatha Commission led to a December 2017 law giving Kapus 5% reservation in a new BC-F category; it needed central approval because it took total reservation to 55%, and was never implemented.
- The Jagan government withdrew most Kapu agitation cases in 2019 and 2022, and on 1 May 2023 a Vijayawada railway court acquitted all 41 accused in the RPF train case, including Mudragada.
- In June 2025 the Naidu-led government ordered an appeal against the acquittal and withdrew the order the next day amid anger from Kapu leaders. Mudragada died on 14 July 2026.
Background: the Kapu demand and the 2014 promise
Kapus are a large, mostly agricultural community concentrated in the Godavari districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. Estimates of their share of the population vary, from about 15% South First to about 25% The News Minute.
Kapus were on the Madras Presidency's backward classes list and stayed on Andhra's list after 1953, but were excluded in 1956 when the state merged with Telangana areas. A later government order granting BC status was struck down by the High Court on technical grounds South First. BC groups opposed inclusion, arguing Kapus are economically and politically influential South First.
Before the 2014 election the TDP promised to include Kapus in the BC list and give them 5% reservation The News Minute. Mudragada said Naidu had also promised Rs 5,000 crore over five years for the Kapu Corporation, but only Rs 100 crore had been released in 22 months Deccan Herald.
What happened at Tuni
The rally was held on Sunday, 31 January 2016, near Tuni. IANS reported "tens of thousands" present; Deccan Herald put the gathering at more than 2 lakh IANS via The Peninsula Deccan Herald.
Trouble began around 3 pm after Mudragada told the meeting: "We will not move from highways and tracks till the government issues an order." Protesters stopped the Ratnachal Express near Tuni station, attacked the engine and set coaches on fire after ordering passengers off. A railway official said no passenger was hurt. Protesters then ransacked Tuni station, burnt the rural and urban police stations and 25 vehicles, and blocked the Chennai-Kolkata national highway IANS via The Peninsula.
Fifteen police personnel, including two officers, and four railway employees were injured. Railways cancelled 14 trains IANS via The Peninsula. Accounts of the damage differ: IANS reported all 24 coaches gutted and a railway estimate of Rs 30 crore IANS via The Peninsula; The News Minute later said eight coaches were burnt The News Minute; South First put railway losses at Rs 41 crore, including a new locomotive South First.
That night Mudragada withdrew the blockade but gave the government until the next evening to issue orders, threatening a fast IANS via The Peninsula. On 1 February prohibitory orders were imposed across East Godavari and more than 3,500 security personnel, including CRPF, RAF and ITBP, were deployed IANS via The Peninsula.
Timeline
Rally turns violent
The Ratnachal Express, Tuni station, two police stations and 25 vehicles are attacked or burnt IANS.
First hunger strike
Mudragada and his wife Padmavathi begin an indefinite fast at their home in Kirlampudi. Police set up 35 checkpoints to stop crowds gathering Gulf News. During the fast, police arrest Chiranjeevi and Congress state chief Raghuveera Reddy at Rajahmundry airport as they head to meet him IANS via Gulf News.
Fast called off
After talks with ministers, the government agrees to shorten the Manjunatha Commission's deadline, give Rs 500 crore for Kapu welfare and Rs 1,000 crore in the next budget, and book Tuni cases only after a "deep probe" Sakshi Post.
Second fast, arrest
Mudragada begins a fast demanding release of those arrested over Tuni. Police lay siege to his house and move him to hospital in Rajahmundry; supporters are arrested IANS via ap7am.
Bail for accused
Eight more of 13 arrested Kapu leaders get bail; Mudragada says he will fast until all are released The News Minute.
Kapu quota bill passed
The Assembly passes a bill for 5% reservation for Kapus in a new BC-F category The News Minute.
5% within EWS
The Naidu government passes a law and issues orders giving Kapus 5% out of the 10% EWS quota The News Minute.
Both accounts
Kapu leaders' account
Claim · Mudragada Padmanabham Mudragada said he had called for a rail and road blockade but never asked anyone to be violent: "I am responsible for the agitation but not the violence." He said he was shocked by the arson, withdrew the blockade at once, and alleged that "TDP leaders encouraged and trained rowdies to do the damage." He denied acting for the YSRCP, saying he had run similar agitations under Congress governments, and said "Kapus are being used like curry leaves" Deccan Herald. He objected to cases against about 300 people, including 27 Kapu leaders from the Congress, YSRCP and BJP, saying the TDP government "was harassing Kapus" Gulf News. In 2022 he called the cases "unlawful" and said they had been accused of a crime they did not commit Sakshi Post.
State government's account
Government's position Chief Minister Naidu called the violence "pre-planned", said some political parties were instigating people for "narrow interests", and asked officials to deal firmly with those involved IANS via The Peninsula IANS. The TDP blamed the YSRCP for bringing in "outsiders"; the YSRCP accused the TDP of breaking its promise The News Minute. Naidu said the government was committed to BC status for Kapus but that a simple government order would be struck down by courts, so inclusion had to follow a commission's recommendation Gulf News. The TDP accused Mudragada of "playing into hands" of Jagan Mohan Reddy PTI via The News Minute. Claim · YSRCP When the CID questioned YSRCP leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy for over 16 hours in September 2016, the party said this was an effort to frame him and blame the YSRCP, and demanded a CBI probe Sakshi Post.
No court has found who planned the violence. The only trial reported to have ended, the railway case, closed in acquittal.
The Manjunatha Commission and the quota laws
The Naidu government set up a commission under retired Justice K L Manjunath to examine Kapu inclusion. Reports differ on when: Mudragada said on 1 February 2016 it had been appointed "just a few days ago" Deccan Herald, while later reports say it was constituted in February 2016, after Tuni The News Minute South First.
On 2 December 2017 the Assembly unanimously passed a bill giving 5% reservation in jobs and education to Kapus and the Telaga, Ontari and Balija sub-castes in a new BC-F category; the YSRCP was boycotting the session. It took total reservation to 55%. Naidu said: "As 5% of reservation to Kapus makes total reservation exceed 50%, central govt nod is compulsory" and sought its inclusion in the Ninth Schedule The News Minute. Jagan later pointed out that the commission's report was not signed by its chairperson The News Minute. The bill awaited Presidential assent as of 2021 The News Minute.
After the Centre did not approve, the Naidu government in early 2019 gave Kapus 5% within the new 10% EWS quota. The YSRCP government's EWS orders of July 2019 left this out. Jagan government's position Jagan said the state had no authority to split a centrally approved EWS quota for one caste, and the matter was sub-judice The News Minute. Claim · Kapu JAC Vasireddy Yesudas of the Kapu Joint Action Committee said Kapus would get "barely 0.5%" within EWS and that the demand had always been BC status The News Minute. Mudragada wrote to Jagan: "Does he want to treat Kapus as slaves and vote bank?" The News Minute.
In July 2021 the state said the two Naidu-era measures contradicted each other and the EWS split was pending in the High Court, so Kapus were "neither categorised as BCs, nor are able to avail" EWS benefits; it opened the general EWS quota to Kapus and other eligible groups The News Minute. In January 2023 the Centre said the state could itself give SEBC reservation through its own list South First.
Cases, withdrawals and the railway court
Within a week police named Mudragada prime accused in 63 cases Deccan Herald. The CID registered over 60 cases The News Minute, and identified nearly 500 suspects using call records and video South First. Telangana Today put the number of cases registered by the TDP government at 69 Telangana Today.
In December 2019 the Jagan cabinet dropped cases from the January 2016 agitation "in public interest" The News Minute. A February 2022 order by Principal Secretary (Home) Kumar Vishwajeet said 329 cases had been registered over the Kapu agitation between January 2016 and March 2019, 153 had already been disposed of, and charges were being withdrawn in 161 of the remaining 176, on the DGP's recommendation Sakshi Post.
The train arson was a separate Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police case (Crime No. 77/2016), filed under the Railways Act, IPC sections including rioting, arson and conspiracy, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. It named 41 people, with Mudragada as A1, TDP leader Akula Ramakrishna as A2 and Dadisetti Raja, later a minister, as A3 South First. Mudragada appeared in the railway court on summons in 2021 Law Insider.
On 1 May 2023 the VII Additional Metropolitan Magistrate Court for Railways, Vijayawada, acquitted all accused (C.C. No. 97/2021) South First. Telangana Today reported that the court was unhappy that three railway officials had not investigated properly, directed action against them, and asked why the case was "dragged for five years"; 20 of 24 listed witnesses appeared Telangana Today.
On 2 June 2025, after a recommendation from the RPF's Senior Divisional Security Commissioner in Vijayawada, the Home Department (G.O. Rt. No. 852) directed the High Court Public Prosecutor to appeal. On 3 June G.O. Rt. No. 869 withdrew it. South First, citing sources, said the political leadership had not approved the order and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was upset South First News Arena India. Kapunadu's West Godavari president Chinamilli Venkatarayudu said: "Chandrababu Naidu is anti-Kapu. The clearance given for challenging the Railway Court order is only intended to persecute the Kapus." Kapu Ikya Vedika's Bandi Srinivasa Rao called it "vendetta politics" South First.
Outcome
- Arrests: Several accused were arrested in 2016 and later bailed; 13 Kapu leaders were in custody in June 2016 The News Minute Sakshi Post.
- State cases: Most withdrawn by the YSRCP government in 2019 and 2022 Sakshi Post.
- Railway case: All 41 acquitted on 1 May 2023; a 2025 appeal order was withdrawn within a day South First.
- Quota: The 2017 BC-F law awaited Presidential assent and the 2019 EWS split was pending in the High Court as of the latest reports found; Kapus can use the general EWS quota The News Minute.
- Mudragada: Joined the YSRCP in March 2024 and died in Hyderabad on 14 July 2026, aged 73 The News Minute. Jagan attended his funeral at Kirlampudi Sakshi Post.
Questions people ask
What happened at Tuni on 31 January 2016?
A Kapu Garjana rally demanding BC status for Kapus turned violent. Protesters set fire to the Ratnachal Express, ransacked Tuni station, and burnt two police stations and about 25 vehicles. No passenger was reported hurt; 15 police and four railway staff were injured.
Who led the Kapu agitation?
Former minister Mudragada Padmanabham, who called the rally and announced the rail and road blockade. He denied calling for violence and blamed the TDP. He died on 14 July 2026.
Was anyone convicted for burning the Ratnachal Express?
No. On 1 May 2023 a Vijayawada railway magistrate court acquitted all 41 accused and criticised the investigation. A June 2025 order to appeal was withdrawn the next day.
Did the Jagan government withdraw the Tuni cases?
Yes. It dropped agitation cases in December 2019, and a February 2022 order withdrew charges in 161 of the 176 cases still pending, out of 329 registered.
Do Kapus have reservation in Andhra Pradesh?
Not as a BC group. The 2017 BC-F law was not implemented, and the 2019 5% EWS sub-quota was dropped by the next government and challenged in court. Since 2021 Kapus can claim the general 10% EWS quota.
What was the Manjunatha Commission?
A commission under retired Justice K L Manjunath set up by the Naidu government around the time of the Tuni rally. The 2017 quota bill was based on its report, which its chairperson did not sign.
Sources
- IANS via The Peninsula: Violence rocks Andhra town as Kapus launch quota stir, 31 Jan 2016
- IANS via The Peninsula: Additional forces rush to violence-hit Andhra Pradesh, 1 Feb 2016
- Deccan Herald: Kapu leader blames AP govt for violence, 2 Feb 2016
- Deccan Herald: Kapu leader to start hunger strike today, 5 Feb 2016
- Gulf News: Kapu leader Mudragada goes on hunger strike, Feb 2016
- IANS via Gulf News: Kapu leader continues fast, government holds talks, Feb 2016
- Sakshi Post: Mudragada calls off fast, Govt partially agrees to his demands, 8 Feb 2016
- PTI via The News Minute: Kapus give time till March 10 to Naidu for reservation, 5 Mar 2016
- IANS via ap7am: Fasting Kapu leader arrested in Andhra, 9 Jun 2016
- The News Minute: Eight more get bail, Padmanabham to continue fast, 19 Jun 2016
- Sakshi Post: Tuni violence: CID serves notice on Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, 17 Sep 2016
- The News Minute: Andhra passes bill for 5% quota for Kapus, 2 Dec 2017
- The News Minute: Why trouble is brewing in Andhra over Kapu reservation once more, 17 Jul 2019
- The News Minute: Kapu leaders slam Jagan over not including them in EWS quota, 31 Jul 2019
- The News Minute: AP govt drops scores of cases filed during Kapu agitation, 18 Dec 2019
- Law Insider: Tuni riots: Mudragada and others appear in Railway Court, 2 Mar 2021
- The News Minute: AP to implement 10% quota for EWS, including Kapus, 15 Jul 2021
- Sakshi Post: Mudragada thanks Jagan for withdrawing cases, 4 Feb 2022
- South First: The reservation conundrum: Jagan caught between Kapus and OBCs, 9 Jan 2023
- Telangana Today: Tuni train burning case dismissed, 1 May 2023
- South First: Kapu backlash: Andhra withdraws GO to appeal acquittal of 41 people in Tuni arson case, 3 Jun 2025
- News Arena India: Curious case of Andhra's short-lived govt order, 5 Jun 2025
- The News Minute: Veteran Kapu leader Mudragada Padmanabham passes away at 73, 15 Jul 2026
- Sakshi Post: YS Jagan pays final tributes to Mudragada Padmanabham, Jul 2026