OBC Sangharsh Samiti Holds Press Conference in Dharamshala, Announces Protest on December 3

TNR News Network
Dharamshala
The OBC Sangharsh Samiti, Himachal Pradesh, organised a press conference today at the Press Club Dharamshala. The meeting was attended by Committee President Saurabh Kaundal, Secretary Ram Lal, Vice President Ravi Saini, and members Rajinder Choudhary, Suresh Choudhary, Sachin Nanda, Pawan Choudhary, Vijay Bahdi and Pankaj Choudhary.

Key Concerns Raised

The committee expressed disappointment that despite three days of the ongoing Winter Session in Dharamshala, no discussion has taken place on the pressing demands of the OBC community.

President Saurabh Kaundal highlighted that a massive rally of 20,000 people was organized from Kangra to Dharamshala on September 20. Yet, neither the government nor legislators have engaged with the committee or the OBC community. He alleged that the current government is deliberately denying constitutional rights to the OBCs.

He further criticized OBC legislators — Sukh Ram Choudhary, Pawan Kajal, and Chander Kumar — for failing to raise OBC issues in the Assembly. Similarly, MLAs from OBC-dominated constituencies, including Raghubir Singh Bali (Nagrota Bagwan), Keval Pathania (Shahpur), and Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), were accused of neglecting community demands after winning elections. Kaundal warned that if OBC issues are ignored in the remaining Winter Session, the community will respond in the upcoming elections.

Secretary’s Statement

Secretary Ram Lal announced that the committee will meet the government in the Assembly on December 3. He stressed that all 20 demands are lawful and constitutional, but the government is deliberately avoiding discussion. He assured that the protest will remain peaceful but cautioned that if the government underestimates OBC strength, larger movements — including an Assembly gherao — could be organized.

Major Demands of the Committee

The Samiti listed 21 key demands, including:

Implementation of OBC reservation in higher education institutions as per the 93rd Constitutional Amendment and Supreme Court directives.
Enforcement of 27% OBC reservation in government and semi-government services.
Construction of OBC hostels in all universities, including the Central University.
Full implementation of the Right to Education Act in Himachal Pradesh.
Legal action against officials misusing the “Not Found Suitable” clause against reserved categories.
Proper roster-based reservation in all departments and corporations.
Conduct of OBC census in Himachal Pradesh.
Representation of OBCs in HPPSC and other selection commissions.
Separate budget allocation for OBC welfare, similar to SC/ST.
Filling of OBC backlog posts before new appointments.
Reservation in gas agencies and petrol pump allotments.
Lifetime validity of OBC certificates.