The Freethought Party of India (FPI) would celebrate Madhu Jayanti on April 28 as the day to emphasise one’s right to get educated in quality English medium school and the right to renounce the ‘inequality and indignity’-loaded and caste-ridden Hinduism.
Party general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire said the mothertongue of the State is not at all under any threat. Public money should not be wasted in the name of protection and promotion of Odia language, he added.
If unnecessary emphasis is laid on Odia language and if it becomes the medium of instruction, language of administration and court proceedings, the future of the Odia boys and girls would surely stand doomed, he said.
Voltaire also criticised the call for celebrating Madhu Jayanti as ‘Bhasa Surkhya Divas’. ‘If we have the real respect and honour for the great towering personality Madhusudan, then his birthday should be celebrated to highlight two basic rights of the people of Odisha i.e, right to get educated in English medium schools and the right to renounce the ‘inequality and indignity’ — loaded and caste-ridden Hinduism,’ he advised.
He also praised the Chief Minister for opening 100 English medium Model Public Residential Schools in the rural areas of the State.