BARIPADA: Inclusion of Santhali language (Ol Chiki) in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, making it the medium of instruction in primary and secondary levels of education and setting-up departments of Santhali, Kurmali and Mundari in North Orissa University have been demanded in three separate resolutions adopted at All Jharkhand Students’ Union (AJSU) Convention held at Mahuldiha in Rairangpur recently.

Speaking at the convention, former MLA of Ghatsila and founder secretary of AJSU, Surya Singh Besra said traditional tribal institutions were disappearing due to the invasion of urban culture.

He called for revival of ‘Manki-Munda’ and ‘Majhi Pargannas’, two ancient Santhali social institutions, and said AJSU would organise a special conference at Rairangpur on June 25 for this.

Besra, who is also chief advisor to AJSU’s Central Committee, recounted AJSU’s role in Jharkhand movement and urged the activists to tighten their belts for a fresh agitation to demand ‘Greater Jharkhand’. Greater Jharkhand, it is learnt, will comprise of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Sambalpur districts from Orissa and Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts from West Bengal in addition to the existing Jharkhand state.

It was decided to organise the state level AJSU Convention at Baripada on July 15.

Among others, AJSU leaders, Durga Murmu and Judhistir Mohanta, chairman of Bijatala block, Majhia Majhi, chairman of Bahalda block, Jasmi Tudu and AJSU general secretary, Upendra Mohanta were present.