FPI slams Odia language lobby

Those who are spearheading a movement in Odisha to  give effect to the ill-conceived “Official Language Act of 1954” are simply doing  a disservice to the State and to its people, said the Freethought Party of India (FPI) here.

Citing the example of Telengana where English education has been given priority despite a strong local language lobby, the FPI demanded that the same be done in Odisha.

 It said that modern science and technical education can never be adequately acquired through Odia language and the same can only be acquired in English as all the standard books are already in English.

Therefore, the FPI slammed the leaders of the Bhasa Suraksha Sammilani who have termed CM Naveen Patnaik as the main obstacle to the implementation of the Official Language Act.

“Odia language is not in danger at all. This is a fact. So, there is no need for any organisation like Bhasa Surakshya Sammilani to work for its preservation.

The resources of the State of Odisha should not be misused to meet the unreasonable demands made by vested interests to perpetuate feudalism and blind beliefs in the State,” said FPI general secretary B Ramchandra CST Voltaire.