AIBMMAM, ACS have planned separate agitation during budget session
The language row in Jharkhand is going to intensify in coming days, as representatives of Magahi, Bhojpuri and Angika speaking communities and those opposing these languages headed by Adivasi Chatra Sangh and Moolvasi group have decided to intensify their agitation.
Recently, State Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto is reported to have said that Bhojpuri, Magahi will be removed from the list of languages in the State recruitment policy. The All India Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili Angika Manch (AIBMMAM), which is backed by RJD’s splinter outfit RJD Loktantrik, has strongly condemned Mahto’s recent remarks where he allegedly termed Biharis as intruders and sought his immediate resignation on moral grounds. The Manch has demanded the resignation of the Education Minister.
Dhanbad and Bokaro have been on the boil for the past several days after the State government notified Bhojpuri, Angika and Maithili as the regional languages for the district-level recruitments recently. The protestors are demonstrating against the policy claiming that these languages should be replaced with Khortha, which is predominantly spoken in the area.
While the Manch is opposing State Education Minister, the members of Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) are against inclusion of Bhojpuri, Maithili, Maghi and Angika as regional languages in the State gazette for job recruitments.
Few days back the members of Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) burnt the effigy of government at the Albert Ekka Chowk to protest the government decision. ACS president Sushil Oraon said, “The State government’s decision to include Bhojpuri, Maithili, Maghi and Angika is wrong. They could be regional languages of Bihar but not Jharkhand. Even Bangla and Oriya are not regional languages of the State.â€
Sources said that the row is going to intensify in coming days especially during the budget session as both the groups have planned agitation. An opposition MLA requesting anonymity said, “The language row in coming days is going to become a big headache for the government as there are differences within the government on the issue. There are several Congress MLAs and even JMM MLAs who speak Bhojpuri, Maithali while tribal and mooolvasi MLAs are opposing it.â€
Former JMM MLA who had defeated AJSU Chief Sudesh Mahto from Silli had given 20 days ultimatum to his party to consider his decision on inclusion of Bhojpuri, Maithili, Maghi and Angika in list of languages in state recruitment policy.
