Odisha's Chief Minister Announces 11.25% Reservation for SEBC Students: A Controversial Move

Major Announcement on Educational Reservations

Bhubaneswar: In what has been termed a "landmark decision," Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a reservation of 11.25% for students from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) in higher education. This move has garnered praise from the BJP's OBC Morcha and various social organizations.

However, opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, have expressed their discontent, demanding a more substantial 27% reservation for SEBCs. In Odisha, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are referred to as SEBCs and currently benefit from an 11.25% reservation in employment but lacked similar provisions in higher education until now.

The BJD has announced plans for a protest on May 21 to advocate for the 27% reservation, while Congress activists are set to surround the Chief Minister's residence on May 22 and 23.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office revealed that numerous members of the BJP's OBC Morcha and various caste-based organizations met with Majhi at the State Guest House to express their gratitude for the newly introduced reservation.

The state cabinet made the decision to implement the 11.25% quota for SEBC students in higher education on May 14. Majhi emphasized that this was a pioneering step, marking the first time such a quota has been established for SEBC students in the educational sector.

In contrast, senior BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo criticized the reservation for SEBC students, labeling it as "fraud and deception" and dismissing the BJP's claims of it being a "historic decision."

The BJD is advocating for a 27% reservation for SEBC students in all educational institutions and has announced plans for a demonstration to support this demand.

Sahoo, who also leads the BJD's OBC cell, stated, "Isn't it misleading to label this move as historic when the reservation applies only to unfilled seats and is not extended to mainstream, professional, or vocational education?"

"A large peaceful protest will take place near Governor House Square on May 21, and a memorandum addressing this demand will be submitted to the governor," Sahoo added.

Previously, OPCC president Bhakta Charan Das had declared that Congress members would surround the Chief Minister's residence on May 22 and 23, demanding a 27% reservation for SEBCs in Odisha.