The Odisha Assembly witnessed high drama as the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members continued their protest demanding proportional reservation in technical education for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Led by senior MLA Dr Arun JKumar Sahoo, the party has vowed to persist until the government fulfils its demands.
On Tuesday, BJD MLAs marched to the well of the House, holding placards and raising slogans, echoing their actions from Monday. Congress MLAs also joined the fray, protesting against violence towards women.
Speaker Surma Padhy’s repeated requests for order went unheeded, leading to adjournments and demonstrations outside the Assembly.
Dr. Arun Sahoo emphasized the need for equitable representation, citing that SC and ST communities make up 40% of Odisha’s population, while OBCs account for 55%. He argued that these groups deserve proportional access to medical and engineering education.
The BJD has accused the BJP-led state government of neglecting tribal and backward-class interests, demanding immediate action.
