Neighbouring state Jharkhand has long been a favourite destination for travel-loving Bengalis, and Ghatshila is one such place. The town is deeply connected to the life and works of the legendary Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. His residence, ‘Gaurikunj’, now serves as a museum dedicated to his memory.
A large number of Bengali-speaking people live in this region. On Monday, Ghatshila goes to the polls for a by-election, and throughout the campaign, the issue of preserving the Bengali language has taken centre stage. Many Bengali residents have questioned visiting candidates about their plans to protect the language in Jharkhand if elected. Naturally, the by-election has evolved into a broader debate about the future of the Bengali community in the state.
ALSO READ | Calcutta High Court rules in favour of Burdwan school, teacher denied salary over absenteeism
The by-election was necessitated following the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA and Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren. His son, Someshchandra Soren, is contesting as the JMM candidate, while the BJP has fielded Babulal Soren, son of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren.
Although other candidates are in the fray, voters believe the main contest is between these two. A significant section of these voters are Bengali speakers. Sadhucharan Pal, president of the Ghatshila regional committee of the Jharkhand Bangla Bhashi Unnayan Samiti, said, “About 80 percent of people in this area speak Bengali, and across Jharkhand, it’s around 42 percent. Sadly, Bengali has become a neglected language here.”
The organisation has demanded the establishment of a Bengali Academy, the regular supply of Bengali books in schools, and the recognition of Bengali as the state’s second official language. Pal added, “Since Jharkhand was formed in 2000, Bengali-medium education has gradually disappeared from schools. We are demanding its reinstatement and have raised this issue with all the candidates.”
ALSO READ | Driver suffers heart attack amid panic over SIR process in Kalna
Last Thursday, West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, campaigned in Ghatshila, where the organisation presented its demands to him. He assured them that he would discuss the matter with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and would take necessary steps if the BJP candidate, Babulal Soren, wins. The ruling JMM’s candidate has also promised to stand by Bengali speakers.
As Ghatshila’s Bengali-speaking residents head to the polls on Monday, they hope that, whoever wins, the long-standing neglect of the Bengali language in Jharkhand will finally begin to fade.
