Ruckus in Odisha Assembly Over Reservation for ST, SC, and OBC Students

The Odisha Assembly was engulfed in uproar on Saturday as opposition members from Congress and BJP staged a vociferous protest regarding alleged inadequacies in the reservation system for Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the admission process for MBBS and BDS courses. The disruption led to the adjournment of the House until 4 pm.
The controversy erupted during the Zero Hour when Congress Legislature Party Leader Rama Chandra Kadam raised concerns over the alleged denial of proper reservation for ST, SC, and OBC students. Kadam accused the administration of failing to provide the constitutionally mandated quota, which has resulted in these students losing out on numerous seats in medical and dental colleges.
According to Kadam, the STs, SCs, and OBCs, who together constitute 94 percent of Odisha’s population, are not receiving the reservation benefits they are entitled to, thereby undermining their opportunities for higher education. He emphasized that the inadequacy of the reservation system is depriving a significant portion of the state’s population of crucial educational opportunities.
In response, members from Congress and BJP raised slogans and disrupted the proceedings, demanding immediate action to rectify the situation. The protestors argued that the lack of proper reservation undermines the principles of social justice and equality, which are enshrined in the Constitution.
The Assembly was subsequently adjourned as the Speaker sought to restore order and address the concerns raised by the opposition members. The issue remains contentious, with both sides gearing up for further debate on the matter.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding reservation policies in India, reflecting broader debates about equality and access to education.