Rally and Dharna

Birsa Chawk, Ranchi

29 August 2011

Language and culture of Jharkhand was the basis for the establishment of new separate state. The aborigine of here have always been the victim of sploitation and negligence by the government. So the people of here have always been struggling for their right. The establishment of separate Jharkhand state was the consequence of those struggle and movements. It was hoped that after the creation of new state, they will have the right to strengthen and spread their language and culture. The history and identity of Jharkhandi people would revitalize. But after the establishment of the state all the exp

ectation was put aside by the government. The language and culture have no importance for them. Industrialist and capitalist have full control over the government because they have become the king maker. The stability and function of government is is decided by their own will. The language and culture of here are on the verge of obliteration.

In those adverse situation Ja

nmadhyam started to work in 2007 for the strengthening and spreading the language and culture of Jharkhand. For creating awareness in mass it has started the work of research, publication and campaigning by conducting seminars, debate and discussion, worksh

ops, and many cultural and educational programs.

Janmadhyam has clear concept about children that they should be provided primary education in their own mother tongue. Many child right and educational activists have been advocating for it. But not any steps yet have been taken in this direction. it is clearly

encroachment of child right to not let them knowtheir language and culture. To ensure the right the first step should be taken is providing all Jharkhandi languages the status of second language of Jharkhand. With that demand, one day rally and dharna was decided to be organized before the Legislative Assembly of Jharkhand by several social organizations in the leadership of “Akhra”.

On 29 Aug. 2011 a large number of people gathered at Birsa Chawk for the participation in rally and dharna. deman

ding second language status for 9 Jharkhandi tribal languages-Snthali, Ho, Kudukh, Mundari, Khariya, Panchparganuya, Kurmali, Khortha and Nagpuri. The rally started from St. Loyola Hostel and reached to Birsa Chawk. There were teachers, professors, writers, journalists, intellectuals social thinkers and the people from all walks of life. The main gate to the Legislative Assembly had been closed. So the dharna was held at the gate. The style of demonstration was unique. People were assembled in a circle and sang and dance on the music of dhol and nagada. Birsa chawk was echoing with the beating of drum and nagada.

The demand letter wassubmitted to the district magistrate who had come to the agitation spot. MLA Smt. Geeta Koda and ex MLA Bandhu Tirkey participated in the agitation and addressed to the gathering. They appealed to the people to demand strongly for the law for safety and development of their language and culture. They assured the people that poor Jharkhandis will not let to suffer the consequences in the name of development. There were representative of several organization who addressed the rally. Faisal Anurag, Parvin Kumar, Jitendra Mahto, Nuri Toppo, Babulal Hansda and Shamim Ansari participated in the agitation from Janmaduyam.