Protecting ‘Odia Asmita’-Slogan Versus Action

Among the many new topics of discourse introduced in the 2024 assembly elections in Odisha, the slogan of protection/promotion of ‘Odia Asmita’ or Odia identity was undoubtedly the most talked about one. The word ‘Asmita’ was rarely used or spoken in vernacular media or personal interactions in the state before that. BJP, which for the first time was taking a serious shot at power then, harnessed it successfully to drive home the point of dominance of persons of non-Odia origin in the state’s polity, most obviously symbolized by the near total control of affairs of Odisha Government and ruling party BJD by V. K. Pandian, the bureaucrat turned politician and alter ego of the then CM Naveen Patnaik. 

The slogan struck a chord among large sections of Odisha’s citizenry who were seething with resentment at the dominance of Mr. Pandian, a couple of other fellow Tamil bureaucrats and contractors from outside the state who had bagged major contracts, mainly in the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Naveen’s reluctance to learn and speak the state’s language fluently even after being at the helm of the affairs of Odisha for about a quarter-century added fuel to this fire of anger atOdias being given short shrift in their own state. Thus, the issue of ‘Odia Asmita’ proved a catalyst in unseating BJD and Naveen Patnaik (who seemed invincible at that time) from power. 

Neither a straight yes nor an emphatic no

Now, as the first BJP government is poised to complete its first year in office in about a month or so, the question that arises is ‘Is the government acting on the ground on the issue of Odia Asmita or has it been forgotten like many other election promises?’ The answer is not a straight yes nor an emphatic no, as detailed below. 
Most of the ministers in the new BJP government including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi are first-time ministers and hence are taking time to have a grip over the affairs of their respective ministries and responsibilities. Even then, the most virulent critic of the BJP would have to admit that after the new government assumed power in the state, the widespread impression of ‘outsiders’ running the show with complete control and the Chief Minister being CM only in name has dissipated. 

Odisha Government observed Odia Paksha or Odia Fortnight starting from 1st April (which is the date of formation of a separate state of Odisha), 2025. Activities organized as part of this celebration wereKhadi Chhuan Divas (initiation of children to education), wearing traditional Odia attire, an awareness campaign for writing nameplates in Odia, distribution of Varnabodha (basic Odia grammar) books, a special drive to buy books written in Odia, felicitation of artists of Odia folk artforms, observance of Odia traditional food day, conferences of young Odia writers, etc. The fortnight culminated on 14th April of 2025 (Odia New Year's Day) marking the said day with competitions of Hula Huli (ululation), Jhoti/Chita/Muruja (traditional Odia decorations with ground rice/rice paste), and making of traditional cakes (Pitha) and drinks (Pana).

‘Yatha Raja, Tatha Praja’

Do the above activities held under the aegis of the Odisha Government contribute to the promotion and protection of Odia's identity? Of course, yes. Are they enough to promote Odia Asmita? Certainly not. 

Due to the mass exodus of students to English medium schools, Odia medium government schools are facing multi-front challenges. As most parents who can afford prefer to enroll their wards in English medium schools, many government schools are getting closed or being merged with nearby schools, thus dealing a body blow to education in Odia medium. There have been reports in print media about one government school in Puri District having the unique distinction of having 6 teachers for a single student. The government schools also have to deal with a dearth of talent and will to excel among their students, as most of the latter belong to the economically lower strata of society wherein consciousness among parents about the importance of their children’s education has been generally low. So, the majority of these students eventually don’t get good jobs when they become employable, thereby further discouraging parents of younger children from sending their kids to Odia medium schools. Hence, the government has to take and implement measures like providing reservations in admission into all types of professional courses across government colleges to students from Odia medium background. 

Further, lack of interest in promoting the Odia language has led to many among the younger populace speaking Odia interspersed with Hindi/Urdu and English words. Crash courses on speaking and writing proper Odia can be given to serving government servants and aspirants for government jobs should clear such courses as an eligibility criterion. 

Out of about 2 dozen states of India that this writer has visited, Odisha perhaps has the largest number of nameplates of shops and other commercial establishments exclusively in English. So, only creating awareness about having nameplates in Odia as included in the Odia Paksha won’t do. Some sort of punitive action like imposition of finesshould be taken to goad people to have nameplates in Odia as well.  
Another area where the state government can chip in is promoting the Odia movie industry. Reserving slots in theatres and multiplexes for showing Odia movies will give the latter a level playing field to stand up to the might of Hindi movies, whether made in Bollywood or multilingual/remakes from Southern India. 

Lastly, the government must promote and be seen to promote Odia by using Odia in their affairs to the extent possible. Ministers and bureaucrats must speak in Odia while addressing government programmes and while interacting with the media. There is an adage in Sanskrit: ‘Yatha Raja, Tatha Praja’ which means that ‘The subjects follow their rulers’. Not by rhetoric but by using and promoting Odia language and culture through their actions, the ministers and top bureaucrats can set examples for the citizens to be inspired by them. This will go a long way in promoting ‘Odia Asmita’ not on paper but in reality.