The Khadial Mukta Vichar Manch, a forum of intellectuals of Khariar in Nuapada district, held its monthly seminar at Khariar on Saturday, the topic being on the relevance of reservation.
Khariar town had witnessed some unprecedented situation in March and April this year. A child of a business community was murdered in March. Dalits took an aggressive stance against the order of the Supreme Court on the ST & ST Act. An equally strong reaction was exhibited by non-dalit groups. And each of these events was followed by bandh calls with combative mass expressions.
The stand-off between dalits and non-dalits reflected a social divide. Tension continued and a possibility of clash between the two groups was always expected. So, the Khadial Mukta Vichar Manch decided to bring people of all walks of life to a debate about the issues, for which its fourth monthly seminar was dedicated.
"Reservation on the basis of castes is a Constitutional mandate. It cannot be undone till there are social discrepancies and deprivations. Demanding reservation on the basis of economic criteria is unconstitutional. We, as intellectuals, have the responsibility to make the people aware about this; otherwise, social harmony, brotherhood and peace in the society will be destroyed," said the speakers. They also stressed that the people should not resort to bandh as a method of protest.