Official language issue rocks Odisha Assembly

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Apr 28:

Odisha Assembly was today adjourned twice as Congress members came to well of the House demanding implementation of ‘Orissa Official Language Act, 1954’ starting today – on the birth anniversary of Madhusudan Das.

While Congress MLAs rushed to the well with placards and shouted slogans, BJP members were seen supporting the Congress members while standing at their seats.

Unable to conduct business amidst ruckus, Speaker Niranjan Pujari first adjourned the House till 12:15 PM and later till 3 PM.

“Former Chief Minister Nabakrushna Choudhary passed the bill during his tenure. It was partly implemented during the reign of Janaki Ballabh Patnaik. We had raised this issue earlier in the Assembly. Citizens across the state are now coming to the streets. BJP and other political parties have also extended their support to the cause. Unfortunately, the government is still in slumber,” said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra speaking to reporters outside the House.

“We ask the State Government to implement the official language act on the birth anniversary of Madhusudan Das, who played a key role in formation of the state on basis of language. It is unfortunate that the language continues to be neglected as the man who rules the state doesn’t speak it,” said Odisha BJP President Basant Panda.

BJD, however, refuted the charges as expected.

“Congress had its fair share to rule before this. We all know what they did for the language. It is unfortunate that they keep stalling the house for every possible thing. I would like to make it clear that the Government supports this demand and it would certainly be implemented,” said BJD Spokesperson Samir Dash.

Notably, normalcy returned to the House when it reassembled at 3 PM. The Speaker, however, expressed displeasure over display of posters in the House.