Frame Law to Make Ol Chiki the First Official Language of Jharkhand, Urges Tribal Outfit
The Ol Chiki Hul Baisi (OCHB) has called upon the Scheduled Tribe (ST) MLAs in Jharkhand to address the issue of declaring the Ol Chiki script and Santhali as the first official language of the state during the forthcoming monsoon session of the assembly. The tribal outfit has urged the legislators to also demand the enactment of a law to formalize this declaration.
Furthermore, the OCHB has requested the ST lawmakers to exert pressure on the government to meet all the demands put forth by the organization. It has also declared that it will boycott all political leaders who do not support the OCHB’s demands in the 2024 parliamentary and assembly elections.
Baiju Murmu, President of the OCHB, stated, Within a week, we will approach the MLAs of the Santhal region and urge them to address this matter with Chief Minister Hemant Soren. We will also request them to raise this demand as lawmakers in the assembly, thus declaring Ol Chiki/Santhali as the first official language.
Murmu emphasized that apart from granting official status to Santhali, it is imperative that primary to post-graduate courses be taught using the Ol Chiki script and Santhali language in schools and colleges.
He further demanded the establishment of a Santhali academy by the government and the preservation of the traditional self-governance system of the indigenous people without any alterations.
Durga Charan Murmu, General Secretary of the OCHB, has announced that a delegation of 100 members from their group will soon meet with Governor C P Radhakrishnan to present their representation on the matter.
Inspired by the successful statewide bandh on July 4, the outfit has decided to intensify their agitation. In a phased manner, we will hold gram sabha meetings in Santhal-populated villages across the state and announce a boycott of sending our children to schools until textbooks are printed in the Ol Chiki script, Charan said.
He added, We will engage with school management committees, resource persons from the education department, and block and district education officials, urging them to raise our concerns with higher authorities in the state education department.
The OCHB’s persistent efforts reflect their firm resolve to establish Ol Chiki and Santhali as the first official language of Jharkhand. With their demands encompassing various aspects, including education and cultural preservation, it remains to be seen how the state government responds to this pressing matter.
