Stir for Bhojpuri language gains momentum

Ara: The agitation for the cause of the Bhojpuri language is now no more confined to its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and the resumption of teaching in Veer Kunwar Singh University (VKSU).
Now new demands have cropped up like opening of a Bhojpuri University on the pattern of Sanskrit universities as demanded by the HAM-S and creation of a new Bhojpuranchal state comprising 38 Bhojpuri speaking districts of the country, as demanded by one of the oldest organizations fighting for the cause of the Bhojpuri language named--‘Bhojpuriya Sena’.Now the agitation is likely to get further impetus as the ruling RJD has also joined the chorus advocating various demands.
Talking to TOI on Tuesday, Ara RJD MLA Anwar Alam said, “Our party strongly supports the demand for inclusion of Bhojpuri language in the Eighth Schedule and restart its teaching in VKSU. Bhojpuri is a highly popular language spoken by millions of people not only in India but also in many other parts of the world. The official recognition of the language is long overdue.”
“A delegation of our party will soon meet governor Ram Nath Kovind, chief minister Nitish Kumar and education minister Ashok Choudhary separately,” added Alam.
“I will separately write a letter to the Union HRD minister requesting for inclusion of Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the constitution,” said the RJD lawmaker.
He said he would also request popular Bhojpuri singers, MPs and MLAs to raise the issue at proper platforms. “This has to be a joint struggle in which all the political parties should come forward cutting across party lines. I am certainly going to raise this issue in the next assembly session,” added Alam.