Students take to streets in Ranchi to protect Jharkhand's indigenous languages, vow to continue agitation

Ranchi: A large number of students, researchers, academicians and language enthusiasts took part in the Jharkhandi Bhasha Bachao Yatra in Ranchi on Tuesday, demanding protection and promotion of the state's tribal and regional languages and recognition of their linguistic rights.

Organised under the banner of the Adivasi and Regional Language Bachao Morcha, the march began at Morabadi Ground, passed through Albert Ekka Chowk and culminated at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Samadhi Sthal. Participants from various universities across Jharkhand joined the march.

Students representing Mundari, Kurukh, Ho, Kharia, Santali, Nagpuri, Kurmali, Khortha and Panchpargania wore traditional attire and displayed community symbols to highlight the state's linguistic diversity and cultural unity. They raised demands for the inclusion of Jharkhandi languages in the education system, recruitment of language teachers and protection of linguistic rights.

Former Education Minister Bandhu Tirkey, JLKM Central Senior Vice-President Devendra Nath Mahto, patron Dr Hari Oraon, Dr Khalil Ahmad, Dr Shakuntala Mishra, Dr Vrindavan Mahto, convenor Pappu Kumar Mahto, Dr Saraswati Gagrai and Dr Dinesh Dinmani were among the prominent participants, along with several academicians and social activists.

13-point charter of demands

The Morcha submitted a 13-point set of demands to the state government. Its key demands include excluding tribal and regional languages from the cluster system, creating dedicated posts for language teachers in schools and conducting subject-wise recruitment. It also called for the teaching of Jharkhandi languages from kindergarten to postgraduate levels.

The organisation demanded separate language departments in every university, a dedicated budget for language preservation and the formulation of a comprehensive language policy.

Other demands include introducing language quotas in B.Ed colleges, setting up language laboratories, providing scholarships and research assistance to students, and standardising and digitally documenting Jharkhandi languages and literature.

The Morcha also called for the use of regional languages in administrative and judicial proceedings and adequate representation for these languages in competitive examinations.

It further demanded the establishment of a Jharkhand Language and Literature Academy and effective steps to include Kurukh, Mundari, Ho, Kharia, Nagpuri, Kurmali, Khortha and Panchpargania in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule.

Agitation to continue until demands are met

The march concluded at the Convocation Hall of Ranchi University in Morabadi with the national anthem. Participants unanimously resolved to continue the agitation until their demands concerning the preservation, teaching and promotion of Jharkhandi languages, teacher recruitment and linguistic rights are addressed.

The Morcha said the campaign was not the movement of any single organisation but a collective effort to protect Jharkhand's languages, culture, traditions and identity. It urged the state government to consider the demands seriously and take positive steps towards their implementation.

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