Intensifying their agitation against the State Government’s lackadaisical attitude for promotion of Odia language, culture and resources, activists of Samaj Andolan, Odisha on Monday organised a massive rally here at Mahatma Gandhi Marg. They slammed the Government for not doing enough to promote the regional language.
Shouting slogans against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his lack of command over Odia language, the protestors demanded that immediate steps be taken to give Odia language its rightful place in the State. The members of the organisation led by its secretary Kahnu Charan Behura also took on the Government for playing with the sentiments of crores of Odia people by not adopting the language as the State’s official language.
“From April 1, the Utkal Divas, we have started our drive against the anti-Odia attitude of the State Government. We hoped that the Government would consider our demands, but in vain,” rued Behura. “The Government is not showing any genuine interest to use Odia as the official language. This should be protested by everybody. There are no proper fonts or software to promote usage of the language in computers and Internet,” added Behura. The organisation also submitted a seven-point charter of demands to the Governor and the Chief Minister to this effect.