Demanding that students in primary schools are taught in Chhattisgarhi dialect from the next academic session, the ‘Chhattisgarhi Rajbhasa Manch’ began a three-day dharna on Monday at Azad Chowk in the city.
The organisation, which is working towards the promotion of Chhattisgarhi dialect, has also demanded that Chhattisgarhi should be used as the official language in the state. The dharna will be staged from 11 am to 5 pm and a public meeting will be conducted on the concluding day.
“It is unfortunate how step-motherly treatment is meted out to the locals of the state. Teaching in Dhurva, Halba, Godi will begin from this academic session in primary schools in southern part of the state but why isn’t similar steps being taken for Chhattisgarhi!” said Regional Organiser of the organisation Nandkishore Shukl on Monday.
“By this dharna we strongly demand that education from Class 1 to 5 is given in Chhattisgarhi,” said Regional Joint-Organiser of the body Jageshwar Prasad. Several students also took part in the dharna at Azad Chowk.
Poet and lyricist laxman Masturiya, Rajkumar Behar, President of Chhattisgarhi forum for folk art Ramadutt Joshi, Rekhadutt Joshi, Rameshwar Sharma, Chandrashekhar Chakor, Govind Dhangar, Jitendra Dewangan, journalist Kaushal Sharma and others were present during the dharna.