Minority problem in Orissa has roots in reservation benefits: BJP

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Condemning the ongoing attacks on the minority community in Orissa, the BJP today said it was basically ''a conflict of interest over the reservation benefits between the tribals and the converts.'' BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, while the Orissa government was acting against the attackers, it should not forget that the attacks were triggered off by the killing of Hindu leader Lakshmanananda and four others in Kandhamal district.

He said the conflict was basically a fight between the tribals, who already had the benefits of reservation and see the converts as 'usurpers' staking claim to the benefits of tribal status even after giving up their original faith.

Mr Javadekar said the party did not approve of the attacks in either way and wanted the perpetrators to be punished, but at the same time it hoped that the Orissa government, which was taking action on attackers, should look into the real problem.

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