More than religious it is socio-economic reasons that triggered Kandhamal violence

On Kandhamal, M Venkaiah Naidu, former BJP President, said: ``The incidents have to be viewed in totality. The area is inhabited by the Kandhas, who enjoy the ST status, and the Panas, who have the SC tag. Both are entitled to reservation benefits under the Constitution.

However, as and when large number of the Panas got converted to Christianity, their reservation benefits ceased to operate. However, they wanted the continuance of these benefits even after getting converted and so started demanding ST status for their community.

This was not acceptable to the Kandhas, who want to maintain their traditional faith and have also been resisting conversions,’’ the former BJP president argued.

The Panas, over the years, acquired economic clout and started, through various means, purchasing the land owned by the Kandhas. ``This has been leading socio-economic tensions between the two communities.” read it all