The Odia Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani headed by MP Baishnab Parida will observe November 23 as Bhasa Suraksha Divas.
The day is the birth day of the great Odia freedom fighter and former Chief Minister Nabakrushna Choudhury. Choudhury was the first Chief Minister of the State to promulgate the Odia Official language Act 1954.
The Sammilani demands inclusion of seasoned and experienced personnel one each from the field of administration, academic, judiciary, technical and a computer personnel in a proposed committee which would aid and advise the Chief Minister and his Cabinet on the modalities of implementing the Act.
Widespread discontentment and ground swell of anger is discernible now not only among the Odia intellectual elite, but also among the general masses for the lackadaisical attitude of the Government for not issuing any notification and for not taking any meaningful steps to the effect for implementing the Odia language Act.
Notably, the State Government has constituted a five-member Ministerial committee headed by School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra for the implementation of the Act. The panel had categorically announced that it was going to issue a notification within five months, but nothing has been done so far.
The advisory committee of Bhasa Suraksha Sammillani consisting of eminent jurists, linguists, former bureaucrats, litterateurs, digital experts and journalists have expressed their serious concern over the matter and are of the opinion that imminent danger is lurking over the language as the Government is maintaining a double standards on the issue. That is why, the committee has unanimously agreed to launch a State-wide stir on the birthday of Choudhury on November 23 to press its demand.
Youths and intellectuals and general masses will start picketing and hold rallies before the district Collectors offices and will make meetings in the various educational institutions throughout the State. After peaceful massive rallies and demonstrations, the agitators will submit their charter of demands to the Chief Minister of the State through the respective District Magistrates and Sub Collectors.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani president MP Baishnab Parida said, “I appeal to the people of Odisha to come forward and make the November 23 movement successful. This will lead to fulfilling the dreams of Madhusudan, Fakirmohan, Gangadhar and Nabakrushna by implementing the Official language Act.”