Debate on Bhasha Andolan’s Demand to add Penal Provisions in OOLA

Do You Support Bhasha Andolan’s demand for penal provisions in #Odisha Official Language Act (OOLA) to ensure strict implementation of Governance of Odisha in Odia Language?

Jagannath Satapathy: It’s a genuine demand keeping in view of continuous downgrading of great Odia culture and literature. It should be implemented without any exception to keep our Odia pride alive. Those who are opposing should know Bengal and other southern state are more united because of use of their own language in governance and administration.

Gyanranjan Samal: Initially some time frame should be provided for facilitating the promotion of language and creating infrastructure in govt offices for working in Odia language. Also some incentives/awards to be provided for working in Odia language, which will encourage the officials to work in Odia language. After some time, may be after promoting for 2 to 4 years, the penalty provisions can be implemented, if required.

Prasanta Das: Why we need penal provisions, what’s its necessity, what impact it will have on our society and how it would protect our culture and last but not the least, how the provisions will play a role in the successful implementation of government act, need to be debated.

Sachida Nanda Swain: I think it’s a right for every Odia to have own language as part of all official or non-official transactions happening in Odisha. This requirement of Bhasha Andolan actually a shame for Odisha BJD government that people are coming down to street for own language. Odia language is our pride.

Jagannath Mahapatra: It should not be strictly implemented, it should be optional. India is a diverse country.

Rakesh Gupta: Penal provision is must. If not, who will obey? All will have their excuses to ignore Odia language.

Nabakishore Mohapatra: People of Odisha should feel proud that we have a Chief Minister, who is unable to speak anything without the help of a supporting paper.

Bhawani Mahapatra: No, I don’t. You can’t compel anyone to speak/write any particular language using a law. And moreover, Odia as a language will be history sooner or later. It will be turned to a friend-spoken language for some people only.

Subhas Chandra Pattanayak: The demand is not debatable. There is a law and contravention of a law must be punishable under the law. Odisha Official Language Act is not a mere wishful thinking. Odisha was created for by our forefathers with all struggle and sacrifices for the sole purpose of management of our official affairs in our mother tongue Oriya. And the Act was created for this purpose in the first post independence Assembly. Punishment for its contravention was spelt out in legislative intention. It is an offence on part of political leadership not to have not to have brought the penal clause into the body of the Act so far. Law must have to be made to promulgate punishment against whosoever contravenes this core law of Odisha. This is all for now.