Bhubaneswar:After BJP and Congress make ‘Odia Asmita’ as their poll plank, ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) slammed back the Opposition parties alleging both the parties have done nothing for promotion of Odia language, culture and heritage.
Holding a press conference here at Sankha Bhawan, BJD General Secretary (Headquarters) Sanjay Das Burma said people of Odisha knew how the developmental work at Puri Jagannath Temple has been obstructed by the Opposition.
Though Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was invited to attend the inauguration of Parikrama Prakalpa, he did not attend it, he said.
Stating ‘Odia Asmita’ lies on Odia language and culture, he put forth the steps taken by the BJD Government for promotion of Odia language and culture.
In 2011, due to the effort of the BJD Government, Orissa was renamed as Odisha for proper pronunciation in Odia. Similarly, Odia language has been given classical language status in 2014, for which the BJD has fought for a long time, Shri Das Burma said.
The senior BJD leader further informed that the Government has constituted the Heritage Cabinet in 2017 and its first meeting will be held in Puri. As per the decision of the Heritage Cabinet, Bhagabat Tungis have been revived and many heritage projects have been taken up like Puri Parikrama Prakalpa, Ekamra Kshetra project, Samalei Project, etc.
Odia University has been set up at Satyabadi, an international conference on Odia language organized in Bhubaneswar, Odia chair set up in JNU & BHU, waived off tuition fee of Odia college students, scholarship launched for Odia language students, etc, he informed.
Besides, the Odia Official Language Act 1954 has been amended to make provision for punishment and promotion for use of Odia language in official works. The birthplace of renowned Odia poets and linguists have been redeveloped, he pointed out.
The former Minister asked what steps Shri Pradhan had taken for promotion and protection of Odia pride during his tenure as Union Minister in two important ministries.
Former CM and freedom fighter Biju Patnaik, who always tried for the development of Odia community, has been neglected by the Centre as Baharat Ratna has not been yet conferred on him. “Is this how the BJP treat Odia people and their pride?” asked Shri Das Burma.
Many leaders have been conferred with Bharat Ratna. Though the BJD has been demanding Bharat Ratna for a long period, the Central Government has rejected it, he said.
The BJD leader asked the Union Minister to come with a detailed document of what they have done for promotion of Odia Asmita. He also targeted the BJP Government over delay in execution of Coastal Highway project.