Linguistic organisations serve ultimatum to govt

Jamshedpur, Nov 8 (UNI) A coordination committee, formed for the recognition of nine tribal and regional languages in Jharkhand, has served an ultimatum to the state government and decided to boycott the state's foundation day celebration on November 15.

Chief convenor of the committee Surya Singh Besra told newspersons here today a convention of Jharkhand tribal and regional languages was held in Ranchi yesterday to press the demand for due recognition to four tribal and five regional languages.

Mr Besra said the convention, attended by renowned educationists like Ramdayal Munda and B P Kesri, decided to take out ''Dhikkar Rally'' from Birsa Munda Chowk to Albert Ekka Chowk here on November 15 to lodge protest against the government's ''apathetic'' attitude towards the prime tribal and regional languages.

He said the committee issued the ultimatium to the state government to introduce the nine languages in government offices and in primary level of government schools under Sections 345 and 347 of the constitution by December 31.

Mr Besra said the pro-language organisations would also launch an indefinite movement ''School Chhodo, Taala Jodo'' from January one next year, if the ultimatum was ignored by the government.

He lamented that despite the fact that five tribal Chief Ministers were at the helm during the past seven years after formation of the state the recognition of tribal languages was overlooked and no Chief Minister even bothered to take oath in tribal language.

UNI