Even as the State is contemplating to accord State anthem status to the song “Bande Utkala Janani”, labour and Energy Minister Sushant Singh on Tuesday ruffled a few feathers with his suggestion to replace “Utkala” with “Odisha” in the song.
“The Government should consider the sentiments of western Odisha residents and change the ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ to ‘Bande Odisha Janani’. So far, I am not aware of what the State Government is planning to do,” said Singh.
After Singh’s comment, ruling Biju Janata Dal spokesperson Pratap Deb said that every individual has the right to express his personal opinion, but in this case a decision has already been taken.“In a democracy, everyone can come forward and express their opinion as law is equal for everyone. But when a decision has already been taken in the State Assembly, any individual’s view is untenable,” Deb said.
Responding to Singh’s comment, BJP spokesperson Golak Mahapatra said, “All the formalities have already been done. Whether the song will be changed or not, it is for the Government to decide.”
Notably, a few days back, protesters under the banner of the Ame Odia organisation took to streets demanding State song status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani.’ The protesters had lamented that it is unfortunate that the song which had stirred the souls of Odias during the fight for a separate province is yet to get the State song status.