HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Feb. 22: Under the leadership of Santosh Patel, the Bhojpuri Jan Jagran Abhiyan staged a day-long dharna at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on International Mother Language Day, demanding the inclusion of the Bhojpuri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
The protest highlighted the cultural and linguistic significance of Bhojpuri, spoken by approximately 250 million people across 16 countries, including India, and already granted constitutional status in Mauritius and Nepal.
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The demonstration saw participation from prominent Bhojpuri artists, including Assam-born singer Kalpana Patowari and actress Sharda Singh, who voiced strong support for the cause. Patwari, a long-time advocate stated, “Just as the government recognised Dogri and other languages, Bhojpuri spoken globally deserves constitutional dignity.”
Sharda Singh echoed the sentiment, “deep love for Bhojpuri and urging immediate governmental action”.
Patel criticised the political marginalisation of Bhojpuri, noting, “Despite its ancient roots, some dismiss it as a mere dialect of Hindi to block its constitutional status.”
He revealed that activists have consistently petitioned the Home ministry and Prime Minister’s Office since August 6, 2015 and that the government remained unresponsive to the “sentiments of 25 crore Bhojpuri speakers.”
The state unit Bhojpuri Jan Jagran Abhiyan president, Dharmendra Chauhan and president of Rachnatmak Nonia Sanyukta Sangh, Assam, Arjun Mahato warned of escalated protests, including road blockades and Parliament sieges, if demands were ignored.
