: The South Odisha Minority Conclave was held here, hosted by the Odisha Christian leaders, with an aim to advocate for communal harmony and minority representation in the region.
The participants underscored Odisha's legacy of peaceful coexistence, noting that except for the unfortunate incident in Kandhamal, the State has remained largely untouched by communal tensions on a national scale.
Census data from 2011 reveals a mosaic of religious affiliations in Odisha. Hindus constitute a significant 93.63%, while Christians account for 2.76%, Muslims 2.16%, Buddhists 0.03%, and Jains 0.02%. Notably, an estimated 9.12 lakh Muslims reside in specific districts such as Bhadrak, Cuttack, Khurdha, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri district. Similarly, Christian populations are predominantly concentrated in Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj districts at an estimated 19.09 lakh.
Central to the discussions at the conclave was the urgent need for the establishment of a dedicated Minority Commission in Odisha. The envisioned commission will empower minority communities, ensuring their rights and access to justice. The leaders emphasized that such an institution would serve as a pillar of support, aiding in the progression and welfare of the minority communities.
Furthermore, the conclave deliberated extensively on strategies for political empowerment of minorities. A key agenda item involved planning to contest upcoming elections across various Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Odisha. The members expressed determination to actively engage in the democratic process, aiming to amplify the voices and concerns of minority communities in the corridors of power.
Among others, social activist Kulamani Nayak, Bishop Amson Malick, NGO leader Manoj Badanayak, journalist Amodh Bardhan, Supreme Court lawyer Dibyasingh Parichha and Rashmi Rekha Malick participated.
