BJP Advocates for SEBC Quota in Odisha's Medical and Engineering Colleges

In a significant move, the BJP in Odisha has announced its support for a 11.25% reservation for students from socially and economically backward classes (SEBC) in medical and engineering institutions. This announcement comes ahead of a planned protest by the opposition BJD, which is demanding a higher 27% quota. BJP's Odisha president, Manmohan Samal, emphasized the party's commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for SEBC students, while also criticizing past governments for their inaction on this issue. The debate continues as opposition parties call for a more substantial reservation to reflect the demographic realities of the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2025, 17:33 IST

BJP's Push for SEBC Reservation

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP announced its support for a reservation system for students from the socially and economically backward classes (SEBC) in medical, engineering, and other technical institutions, proposing a 11.25% seat allocation.

This declaration was made just a day prior to the BJD's planned protest advocating for a 27% reservation for SEBC students.

Last week, the state government had already set aside 11.25% of seats in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at general colleges for SEBC students, but no such allocation existed for technical institutions.

During a press briefing, Manmohan Samal, the president of the Odisha BJP, expressed the party's endorsement of the reservation for SEBC students in medical and engineering fields.

Samal stated, "We have recommended that the state government implement a 11.25% reservation for SEBC students across medical, engineering, technical courses, and even in school education."

He assured that the party has engaged with the state government on this matter, which is expected to be enacted soon.

"SEBC students in Odisha will benefit from a 11.25% quota in all types of courses," he affirmed.

Samal criticized the BJD and Congress for their failure to implement SEBC seat reservations during their time in power.

"The BJD and Congress lack the moral authority to discuss SEBC reservations. What actions did the BJD take over the past 24 years? They denied SEBC reservations citing a court ruling," he claimed.

He noted that the Supreme Court has ruled that caste-based reservation cannot exceed 50%, leading the state government to allocate 11.25% for SEBC students.

He elaborated that ST candidates receive 22.25% reservation, while SCs are allotted 16.50%, leaving the remaining 11.25% for SEBC students.

"The BJP is dedicated to ensuring full constitutional rights for SEBCs," Samal added.

He also mentioned that Biju Patnaik was the first chief minister to challenge backward class reservations in the Supreme Court.

Samal remarked, "When the Mandal Commission report was presented, Rajiv Gandhi opposed it. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi are actively working for the upliftment of backward classes."

He highlighted that the Modi administration plans to conduct a caste-based census, while the Majhi government is providing job and educational reservations for other backward classes.

"I urge opposition parties not to mislead the public," he concluded.

In response, senior BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo expressed satisfaction that the BJP government is considering SEBC reservations in medical and engineering courses but insisted on a 27% quota instead of 11.25%.

Congress leader Srikant Jena echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that SEBCs make up 54% of the state's population and deserve proportional representation.