Narendra Modi claims that Odisha’s “identity and language” are at danger
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha’s “identity and language” are in danger, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sunday remarks.
Odisha’s identity, or Asmita, is in danger. The Odia language is likewise in peril. In an interview with television station News18, Modi expressed doubts about the Odisha people’s ability to put up with this. This was on the same day when Congressman Rahul Gandhi and BJP national president J. P. Nadda both emphasized the impact of “outsiders” in Odisha politics during separate election rallies.
Following the aggressive campaign by the Odisha BJP unit against close aide and potential successor to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, V. K. Pandian, a Tamil Nadu native, Modi’s comments gained importance.
Pandian, who left the IAS to work as Naveen’s private secretary for a number of years, recently joined the BJD.
It should be recalled that, due to concerns over Odia pride and identity, the BJP apparently withdrew from coalition negotiations with the BJD last month. “We are concerned with matters concerning the welfare, pride, and dignity of the Odia people. At the time, state BJP president Manmohan Samal declared the end of coalition negotiations, saying, “We are unable to agree with the state government.”
Despite having an abundance of natural resources, Odisha has not grown at the predicted rate, according to Modi. Odisha may be the wealthiest state in India today. However, take note of the state’s existing situation. The prime minister said that the BJP needs to be given an opportunity to assist the people of Odisha and lead the state to unprecedented heights of prosperity.
It wasn’t until this report was filed that BJD released an official statement about Modi’s statements. A prominent party leader did, however, give the Naveen government credit for starting a number of initiatives for the advancement and promotion of the Odia language. The leader said, “Naveen Babu has always upheld the dignity and identity of Odisha and the Odia language.”
