TNI Bureau: The Bhasha Andolan, Odisha on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Chief Secretary Anu Garg, warning of a renewed black flag protest demanding strict implementation of the Odia language in government work

The organisation alleged that despite the amendment of the Odisha Official Language Act, 1954 and the notification of rules in 2019 recognising Odia as the sole official language of the state, the government has not ensured its effective implementation. It strongly opposed a government notification issued on August 27, 2024 directing that official work be carried out in both Odia and English.

Leaders of Bhasha Andolan said that if concrete steps are not taken before Utkal Divas on April 1, 2026 to enforce Odia as the language of governance, the second phase of the black flag campaign will begin from April 14, 2026, coinciding with the Odia New Year.

The protest will be held every evening from the statue of Nabakrushna Choudhury near the Assembly to the statue of Madhusudan Das near Lok Bhavan.

The organisation has placed around 18 demands, including strict enforcement of the 2019 rules on Odia governance, mandatory appointment of Odia language teachers in schools, removal of the 200-mark elective system, and introduction of Odia B.Ed and M.Ed training. It also demanded training for government employees in proper use of the language, recovery of thousands of missing manuscripts and artefacts from the state museum, restoration of the prestige of Utkal Sammilani, and appointment of Odia-speaking district collectors in border districts.

Other demands include granting heritage status to Utkal Ashram, construction of grand statues of Subhas Chandra Bose and Madhusudan Das, making the Odia Bhasha Pratisthan autonomous, and singing the state song Bande Utkala Janani in the Assembly.

The group also sought support for small and medium newspapers promoting the Odia language and social and economic security for journalists.

At a press conference, leaders including Chakradhar Mohanta, Janakish Badapanda, Pabitra Maharatha, Naba Kishore Pradhan, Sagar Satapathy, Sarada Prasad Mohapatra and Bibhuti Bhushan Kar were present. Convener Pabitra Maharatha said that if the demands are ignored, black flag protests will be launched across the state.