The Utkal Sammilani has asserted that no more discussion is needed for according State anthem status to “Bande Utkal Janani”, written by Kantakabi Laxmikant Mohapatra.
“The Utkal Sammilani has been demanding accordance of State song status to “Bande Utkal Janani” since the year 1994. In absence of the tag, the song is not sung appropriately. Expressing concern over it, members cutting across party lines placed the demand again in the State Assembly on March 12. The Speaker has assured the House that he will hold discussions with the concerned Minister and Secretary and take a decision during the ongoing Assembly session. While discussions have already been held for the last 26 years, no more debate is needed,” Sammilani’s Mancheswar Industrial Estate Branch president Dillip Dashsharma has said in a statement.
Dashsharma further mentioned that former Speakers Sarat Kumar Kar and Maheswhar Mohanty had recommended to the Government for accordance of State anthem tag to “Bande Utkal Janani” and, subsequently, the Culture Department recorded the song and sent it to the Home Department for final approval in January 2013.
““Bande Utkal Janani” has been rightly composed in terms of rhyme, meter and time. The file is now with the Home Department. Thus, the Speaker should direct the Home Department to bring a Bill soon,” Dashsharma has demanded.