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India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Historic decision in the favour of social justice": Dharmendra Pradhan praises Odisha government
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 15 (ANI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday emphasised that the BJP government in Odisha has taken a historic decision in favour of 'social justice'. On Wednesday, the Odisha government approved 11.25% reservation for SEBC students in higher secondary, higher educational institutions and universities from 2025-26. He asserted that the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community have been awaiting fair national representation through affirmative action. The Union Minister added that the previous governments showcased their attention on the issue but did not take any concrete steps into the matter. 'In the previous times, BJP Cabinet took a historic decision in the favour of social justice. At the national level, the OBC have long awaited fair representation through affirmative action. Previous governments in Odisha showed little commitment to implementing social justice and did not take concrete steps in this direction', he told reporters. He also drew attention towards the decision of the Odisha government, which has introduced 11.25% reservation for the OBC community of the 50 per cent ceiling, which has been set up by the Supreme Court of India. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi for the decision. 'Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Odisha government, led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi, made a decision. Based on the population data of SCs and STs in the state, Odisha had a total reservation of 38.75%. For the first time after 1990, the leftover 11.25% reservation has been introduced for OBCS, of the 50% ceiling set up by the Supreme Court', Dharmendra Pradhan said. The Union Minister also expressed gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces on behalf of the nation for the success of Operation Sindoor. Pradhan emphasised that no one can raise a question on the sovereignty of India and asserted that the security of citizens of India cannot be compromised. 'On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the Indian military power for the success of Operation Sindoor. Today the world has witnessed the strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. No one can tamper with the land of this country. The security of citizens cannot be compromised and the sovereignty of the country cannot be questioned', Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters. He further mentioned the successful test of the anti-drone missile system 'Bhargavastra', which was conducted in the Ganjam district on Wednesday. Pradhan expressed his happiness over the success of the Indian Army and asserted that the world is seeing India's ability to develop 'fortless pinpoint accuracy'. 'A new achievement has been added to our state Odisha. Yesterday, the Bhargavastra anti-drone missile system was successfully tested at the missile test point of the Air Defense College located at Gopalpur in Ganjam district of Odisha. This time the world is praising the capability of our army to develop fortless pin point accuracy. Taking a step forward in that, being a resident of a state in Odisha, I express my gratitude to the Army for the test that was done yesterday', Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters. (ANI)
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Caste census: Tejashwi writes to PM Modi, demands reservation in private sector and judiciary
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and put forward several demands to be included in the caste enumeration including reservation in the private sector. On 30th April 2025, the Modi government announced the addition of a caste census in the forthcoming population survey. Mr. Yadav demanded that there should be reservation in contracts, judiciary, proportional reservation based on caste census data and full implementation of pending Mandal Commission recommendations. Mr. Yadav alleged that for years, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre dismissed the calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary. 'When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its own caste survey, central authorities including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your party colleagues questioned the very necessity of such data collection. Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society,'Mr. Yadav said in the letter posted on social media platform 'X' on Saturday. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader further said that the Bihar caste survey, which revealed that Other Backward Class (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Class (EBCs) constitute approximately 63% of state's population, shattered many myths perpetuated to maintain the status quo. 'Similar patterns are likely to emerge nationwide. I am sure that the revelation that disadvantaged communities form the overwhelming majority of our population while remaining severely under-represented in positions of power will create a democratic awakening transcending political boundary,'Mr. Yadav said. 'Caste census first step of the long journey' He added that conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice and the census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The former Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Yadav explained that the cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered post caste census. He claimed that the caste census is also an opportunity to correct enduring injustices in the upcoming delimitation exercise. 'The redrawing of constituencies should be sensitive to and reflective of the census data. Special provisions must be made for adequate political representation of OBCS and EBCs who have been systematically excluded from decision-making forums. Hence, they will need to be expanded based on the proportional representation principle in state assemblies and the parliament of India,'Mr. Yadav said. He pointed out that the Constitution, through its Directive Principles, mandates the state to reduce economic inequalities and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Mr. Yadav said that when we know exactly how many of our citizens belong to disadvantaged groups and their economic condition, targeted interventions must be designed with greater precision. 'The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives. Companies have received substantial benefits-land at concessional rates, power subsidies, tax exemptions, infrastructure support, and various financial incentives all funded by taxpayer money,'Mr. Yadav said in the two page letter. He added, 'In return, it is entirely reasonable to expect the private sector to reflect the social composition of our country. The context created by the caste census must be used to have open conversations about inclusivity and diversity in the private sector across organisational hierarchies.' Calling the decision historic, Mr. Yadav said that the decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality. He asked whether the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports? Mr. Yadav also promised constructive cooperation asserting that in utilizing the census findings for genuine social transformation. 'The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment,'Mr. Yadav said.
