The Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani, at its general body meeting on Sunday, decided to gherao the State Assembly on August 18 if the State Government fails to implement the Orissa Official language Act, 1954.
Earlier in July first week during a postcard campaign, Sammilani convenor and BJD Rajya Sabha member Baishnab Parida had taken an obvious dig at his party boss and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s inability to speak Odia. “Around 90 per cent MlAs have given their consent to ensure implementation of the Orissa Official language Act, 1954. If they fail to do so by August 17, we will resort to agitation by gheraoing Assembly on July 18,” said Parida.
The Sammilani under the leadership of Parida has been sending postcards to the Chief Minister urging him to promote Odia language and also to speak Odia. The Sammilani has been demanding mandatory usage of Odia in the fields of education, administration and judiciary.
It may be noted that another group named Odia Bhasa Sangram Samiti has also threatened to resort to hunger strike again from August 16 if the Government fails to keep its promises for promotion of Odia.