Olchiki Hul Baisi, advocating for Santali language rights, announces a statewide bandh on July 4, demanding recognition and restoration for Santali culture.
JAMSHEDPUR – The Olchiki Hul Baisi group has announced a statewide bandh on 4th July, pushing for a four-point agenda to uplift the Santali community.
On the eve of the bandh, a torchlight procession was taken out from Sunder Nagar to Karandih Chowk.
The march was led by Majhi Baba of Podhesa village.
Participants in the torch procession demanded official language status for the Santali language, a separate Santali Academy, the printing and reading of Santali language books from Olchiki script, and the restoration of Santali teachers.
Accusing the Jharkhand government of ignoring their demands, the group has called for a complete shutdown of Jharkhand on 4th July.
Men and women in traditional costumes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of drums, took to the streets to voice their demands.
Manjhi Baba of Podhesa said that tomorrow’s bandh will be successful, and that they would blockade everything from roads to railway tracks in support of their demands.
