AISWA deamnds second language status to Santali in Jharkhand

Baripada, Nov 5 (UNI) Santali writers, from all over the country, expressed displeasure over the Madhu Koda government's decision to give second language status to Urdu in Jharkhand.

In a resolution, unanimously adopted on the concluding session of the two-day conference here yestrday, the All India Santali Writers' Association(AISWA) demanded that in addition to Urdu, Santali should be given the status of second ''Rajbhasa'' or the state language in Jharkhand.

A memorandum addressed to Chairman of the UPA Steering Committee for Jharkhand Affairs Sibu Soren, the AISWA said there were over 40 lakh Santali-speaking people in Jharkhand, which constituted nearly 22 per cent of the total population of the state.

Claiming Santali as the 'lingua franca' of the 'Adibasis', the memorandum said that many people of Jharkhand understand and speak this language.

The Santali writers urged Mr Soren to intervene and ask the Jharkhand government to include 'Santali' also as a second Rajbhasa in the state.

UNI