Pradhan Slams Congress, BJD for Denying SEBC Students Reservation; Hails Odisha Cabinet’s Historic Decision

Bhubaneswar, May – Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan came down heavily on the previous Congress and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) governments in Odisha, accusing them of denying reservation in education and jobs to students from the Socio-Economically Backward Classes (SEBC).

Addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan alleged that both parties, during their 35-year rule in the state, failed to implement constitutional rights for SEBC communities under the pretext of an ongoing court case. He claimed that a mock survey had been carried out to evade implementing the Mandal Commission recommendations, depriving lakhs of students of their rightful access to opportunities.

“Odisha was the only state in the country where the SEBC list was not recognized. Social justice was blatantly ignored,” said Pradhan, emphasizing the long-standing neglect faced by backward classes in the state.

Highlighting a recent development, Pradhan hailed the Odisha Cabinet’s approval of an 11.25 percent reservation in higher secondary and higher education for SEBC students. The decision, he said, was a result of the “double-engine” government formed by the BJP at both the Centre and the state, which is committed to ensuring social justice.

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for taking this landmark step toward empowering the backward classes of Odisha,” Pradhan said.

He noted that due to the Supreme Court’s 50 percent cap on total reservation, the state had only 11.25 percent of the quota left to accommodate SEBC students after accounting for existing reservations. The Cabinet decision reflects the BJP’s commitment to maximizing that space for inclusive growth, he added.

Pradhan also revealed that he had earlier written to Chief Minister Majhi, urging him to extend the benefits of SEBC reservation to higher, technical, and medical education. With the current approval for general higher education in place, he assured that similar provisions for technical and medical streams would soon follow.

Calling the move a “major milestone,” the Union Minister reiterated that the BJP remains committed to upholding the principles of social justice and equitable access to education for all.