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)