Intensifying their stir demanding maximum use of Odia language, activists of Samaj Andolan on Tuesday again blackened signboards in Government offices and nameplates written in English outside Government quarters here to register their protest on the occasion of the Odia New Year. The activists staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration near AG Square and blackened the office nameplates which were inscribed in English.
Earlier on April 1 on the occasion of the Utkal Divas, the activists had organised protests, besides disfiguring the English nameplates at official residences. Black paint containers and brushes in hand, the members of the outfit shouted slogans against use of English. “As per law enacted in 1954, the official work at all the Government offices and lower judiciary has to be carried out in Odia language only. However, it is regrettable that the law has not been enforced though a period of 60 years has elapsed,” said Andolan advisor Debendra Prasad Das. The activists also sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging him to ensure introduction of Odia at all Government offices and lower courts by the Nabakalebar date, which is incidentally the death anniversary day of Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das.