Aggrieved over the recent decision of the state government to exclude Bhojpuri and Magahi from regional language list of Dhanbad and Bokaro, more than 100 language rights activists from across the district congregated here at Randhir Verma Chowk of Dhanbad near the district headquarters and carried out a massive Dharna and demonstration.

The protesters, who reached the demonstration site under the banner of Magahi Bhojpuri Maithili Sanskriti Bachao Manch, also submitted a memorandum addressed to Ramesh Bais, state governor demanding reversal of the government decision with regard to the exclusion of Magahi and Bhojpuri from the regional language list of Dhanbad and Bokaro.

Talking to The Telegraph Online today, Jitendra Paswan, Secretary of Magahi Bhojpuri Maithili Sanskriti Bachao Manch said “Anybody who is living in Jharkhand is a native resident of Jharkhand and there is no logic in denying him education or job opportunities in the name of his language.”

“Jharkhand is the only state in the country where languages are given the status of regional language list but vote bank politics again resulting in government's U-turn within two months,” said Paswan and questioned the reason for the U-turn of the government.

“The Bhojpuri Magahi speaking people living in Dhanbad and Bokaro since several generations have played a crucial role in the all-round development of the state but they are being humiliated in the name of language with the state government being a mute spectator to entire melee,” charged Mithilesh, President of Magahi Bhojpuri Maihili Sanskriti Bachao Morcha.

“Bhojpuri, Magahi and Angika speaking people were living in perfect harmony with the native people speaking Khorha, Nagpuri and Santhali since generations but the government's decision to first accord the regional language status to Bhojpuri and Magahi and then withdrawing the status has snatched the peace,” said Singh and added they will not take rest until government repeals its earlier decision of withdrawing the regional language status to Bhojpuri and Magahi.