BJD, Cong Slam AIIMS-Bhubaneswar’s Attempt To Impose Hindi On Faculty, Staff

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD and Congress in Odisha have criticised the recent directive of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, to use Hindi language in official work and communication.

“All the Officers in Administration, Academic Section, Hospital Administration, Finance & Accounts and the heads of the departments are hereby, informed to do their work in Hindi and it should be ensured that the staff members working with them are doing their work in Hindi as applicable under 0L Rules, 1976,” the notification issued on Thursday read.

Ironically, the directive came on the eve of the International Mother Language Day.

The employees of the institute have been directed to use only Hindi while signing, file notings, writing names and subheadings in registers and making entries.

They have been asked to write at least 30 per cent of their notings and drafting in Hindi, write at least 55 per cent of all correspondence in Hindi, fill up all bi-lingual forms used in office in Hindi, reply to all letters in Hindi. The staff have also been directed to use Hindi in all discussions in administrative meetings and, as far as possible, prepare the minutes only in Hindi.

Opposing the move, BJD MP from Puri Pinaki Mishra said that he would lodge a protest with the Health Ministry and ask for a change in this directive.

“We are the first state to be formed on linguistic basis and we would not like to allow any body sidelining our mother tongue, particularly by any institution that is working for the people of our state. We will insist on Odia being used since our people are familiar with it and that will make their task of availing service at AIIMS easier,” he tweeted

Similarly, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik tweeted, “The circular issued by AIIMS, Bhubaneswar imposing Hindi, is an insult to the Odia language and the rich & vibrant culture of Odisha. There is no place for Hindi imposition in our state. The party will not allow this to happen.”

The lone Congress MP from Odisha Saptagiri Ulaka also took to his official Twitter handle to oppose this move, “So Bhubaneswar AIIMS has sent directives to speak, write in Hindi. Another attempt by the Central Government to impose Hindi at the cost of Odia in Odisha. Is the State Government aware of this and taking necessary steps to stop this?”