Bhasa Andolan put on hold after CM assures to amend Official Language Act

Odisha Governor Dr SC Jamir on 23 May promulgated Odisha Official Language (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016. The Ordinance empowers the state government to formulate laws to implement the Odisha Official Language Act 1954.

Earlier, the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the Odisha Official Language Act would be implemented by 15 August 2016.

Therefore, Bhasha Andolon Activists decided to put their march on hold till August 15.

Bhasa Andolan President Pradyumna Satpathy said they will restart the march if the government fails to keep its commitment by August 15, 2016.

Notably, the Bhasha Andolan Activists started ‘silent black flag march’ on April 13, 2016, on the occasion of Odia New Year. They start their march from Odisha Assembly to Madhu Babu’s statue near Governor’s House Square in order to put pressure on the state government for their linguistic demand. It has entered Day 41 yesterday.

It’s the victory for the founder-members of Bhasha Andolan, specifically, Subhas Chandra Pattanayak, Pradyumna Satpathy, Pabitra Maharatha, Sagar Satapathy, Tusarkanta Satapathy, Gajanan Mishra, Madhumita Samal, Subrat Chhatoi and all eminent personalities those who supported them.