Bhubaneswar, August 9: BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday reiterated the party's commitment to protecting tribal rights, dignity, identity and culture and renewed the demand for inclusion of 169 tribal communities of Odisha in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, saying the party would continue its efforts until the demand is fulfilled.

Addressing a function organised at the Sankha Bhawan, the BJD headquarters, here on the occasion of Biswa Janajati Dibasa (International Day of the World’s Indigenous People), Patnaik said that it would continue to pursue the demand to secure Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for 169 communities whose inclusion in the ST list had been proposed to the Centre during the previous BJD Government headed by him.

He said BJD has always stood firmly with tribal communities and would continue its fight for their rights and cultural protection.

“Holistic development and empowerment of tribal communities had remained at the core of the BJD Government’s development agenda, with a focus on protecting their rights, promoting education and livelihoods, and preserving their culture and heritage,” said Patnaik.

Highlighting the Special Development Councils (SDCs) formed during his Government, Patnaik said, “The Special Development councils in 23 districts, have made the tribals equal partners in development. They became stewards in preserving their own sacred sites, arts, crafts, music, and traditions while improving their livelihood.”

Bhubaneswar MLA (North) Susant Kumar Rout and other senior party leaders, including Debi Prasad Mishra, Ashok Panda and Sujata Rout Karthikeyan were also present.