BJD MP Demands Inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui, Saora and Kosli Languages in 8th Schedule of Constitution

New Delhi: BJD MP Dr. Sasmit Patra has demanded for inclusion of Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui, Saora and Kosli/Sambalpuri languages in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The BJD MP in Rajya Sabha through a Special Mention raised the demand for inclusion of these languages spoken in Odisha into the 8th Schedule of Constitution.

Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui, Saora and Kosli/Sambalpuri languages spoken in Odisha are rich with their respective history, legacy, heritage, culture and literature. There are long standing demands from the people of Odisha speaking these languages, for their inclusion in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Patra said.

Despite several letters by then Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik to the Government of India and several demands placed in both Houses of Parliament by the Biju Janata Dal MPs, these languages have not been included into the 8th Schedule of the Constitution by the Union Government, he said.

The Odisha Cabinet has also resolved several times through unanimous resolutions for the inclusion of some of these languages in the 8th Schedule. Santhali language has been added into the 8th Schedule but Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui and Saoara spoken by millions of tribal brothers and sisters in Odisha has not been included in it. The Kosli/Sambalpuri language spoken by the brothers and sisters of western Odisha is rich in literature, culture, history and heritage but that also has been kept waiting outside the 8th Schedule.

“On behalf of the Biju Janata Dal and BJD President Shri. Naveen Patnaik, I urge the Government of India to take necessary steps to ensure that Ho, Mundari, Bhumij, Kui, Saora and Kosli/Sambalpuri are included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. The official recognition of these languages by the Government of India through their inclusion in the 8th Schedule will go a long way in their development and growth”, the BJD MP said.