Baripada, Mayurbhanj: A state-level discussion on the overall development of Santali language, literature, and education was organized by the All Odisha Santali Postgraduate Students’ Association at the Lions Club in Baripada. Representatives from various social organizations and language-based institutions across the state participated in the event and shared their views on the present status, future prospects, and official recognition of the Santali language by the state government.
In the inaugural session, Dr. Damayanti Beshra attended as the Chief Guest. Chaitanya Prasad Majhi, Mangat Murmu, and retired IRPS officer Meghrai Murmu were present as guests of honour.
The day-long programme was conducted in four sessions. Speakers included Chunion Raghu Murmu, former Sahitya Akademi Convener Madan Mohan Soren, Arjun Marndi, Baghray Charan Hembrom, Dr. Jatindra Nath Beshra, social activist Purna Chandra Hembrom, Ratikanta Majhi, Champabati Hansdah, Associate Professor Dr. Sauna Majhi, Professor Adim Marshall Maysa Thakur Murmu, R. Ashwani Banjan Murmu, Narayan Murmu, and **Chandra Mohan Murmu>. More than 60 organizations from across Odisha participated in the programme.
During the discussions, participants expressed concern that despite repeated demands over many years for granting Linguistic Minority Status and Second Official Language Status to Santali in Odisha, no significant positive action has yet been taken by the state government. As a result, Santali-speaking communities continue to be deprived of various opportunities and benefits related to education, administrative use of the language, and other language-based facilities.
Speakers pointed out that while Santali has already been recognized as a Second Official Language in Jharkhand, and as both a Second Official Language and a Linguistic Minority Language in West Bengal, similar progress has not been observed in Odisha even after the change of government.
It was also highlighted that in 2023, the Odisha Government constituted an expert committee on matters related to the Santali language. In its recommendations, the committee supported granting Linguistic Minority Status to Santali. However, as no concrete action has yet been taken on those recommendations, the speakers expressed deep concern and disappointment.
At the conclusion of the meeting, representatives of various organizations resolved to form a Coordination Committee to collectively pursue the legitimate demands of the Santali language before the government and to work in a coordinated manner for their early implementation.
The programme was successfully coordinated with the support of Association President Bikram Beshra, along with Dukhu Marndi, Champai Murmu, Salge Kisku, Sriram Tudu, Madan Hembrom, Minati Marndi, Sumitra Tudu, Manasa Mohan Hembrom, Saner Singh Hansdah, Bidyut Prabha Hansdah, Simal Soren, Bishu Hansdah, Panchu Tudu, and Jamuna Tudu.
