Did Odisha fight against Hindi in the past?

Yes, Odisha (formerly Orissa) has had movements against the imposition of Hindi in the past, mainly to protect and promote the Odia language. The resistance was not as intense as in Tamil Nadu, but there were significant concerns about linguistic identity.

Key Points on Odisha’s Opposition to Hindi:

1. Recognition of Odia as a Separate Language (Early 20th Century):
   • Before 1936, Odia-speaking regions were divided among Bengal, Bihar, and the Central Provinces. There was a struggle to establish Odia as a distinct language, as some tried to classify it under Bengali or Hindi influence.
   • The movement led to the creation of a separate Odisha state in 1936.
2. Opposition to Hindi Imposition (Post-Independence):
   • In the 1950s and 1960s, when the central government pushed for Hindi as the national language, many states, including Odisha, resisted.
   • Odisha prioritized Odia in administration, education, and official work, preventing Hindi from taking over.
3. Odisha Official Language Act, 1954:
   • The act declared Odia as the official language of the state, ensuring its primacy over Hindi in governance and public communication.
4. Recent Movements to Strengthen Odia (21st Century):
   • There have been demands for strict implementation of Odia in government offices, with protests against the preference for Hindi and English in administration.
   • The Odia Bhasha Andolan (Odia Language Movement) has pushed for stronger policies to preserve and promote Odia.

Comparison with Tamil Nadu:

• Unlike Tamil Nadu, where the anti-Hindi movement led to massive protests and political shifts, Odisha’s resistance was more about ensuring Odia’s prominence rather than aggressively opposing Hindi.