Odisha sankirtan performers stage protest in Bhubaneswar demanding artist status

Thousands of Sankirtan performers from across Odisha gathered in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday to stage protest at Lower PMG Square demanding artist status.

The agitators under the banner of Sri Sri Jagannath Lokakala Parishad staged a sit in and put forth a five-point charter of demands in front of the government. They protested by performing sankirtan and bhajan at the venue.

Their demands included providing them recognition as artists, identity cards, artist allowance, free education for children of all the members in the family and inclusion in Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

“I have come from Sonepur. We are artists and we never indulge in politics, or take the path of violence. Our job is to perform sankirtan and we perform that no matter what the situation is. If the government helps us by officially recognising us, we will also help the government any way it wants,” said the working president of the association.

“The effect of ‘Harinam Sankirtan’ on the atmosphere is huge. Welfare of the world including all the people on it can be achieved by sankirtan. When the government is claiming to revive the Jagannath culture by repairing mutts and temples, then where is the problem in providing benefits to the Sankirtan mandalis which is an important part of the same," asked another protester.

The sankirtan performers have threatened to not buzz from their protest until the government fulfills their demands.