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> 17.33 hrs. Title: Resolution regarding inclusion of "Santhali" Language in the Eighth Schedule. (Reolsution withdrawn) DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME (BIRBHUM): Sir, I beg to move:

"That this House urges upon the Government to bring forward a suitable legislation to include ‘Santhali’ language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution."

 Sir, I thank you for allowing me to move this Private Members Resolution seeking a suitable legislation for inclusion of Santhali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This is the main text of my Resolution.

17.36 hrs (Shri Anadi Sahu in the Chair) DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : Sir, I wanted to say that in the 19th century, the word ‘nationalism’, in the European sense referred to a political movement or a process of going through self-consciousness based on the feeling of common ethnicity. Of the several criteria of ethnicity, common language has been the prominent one with religion taking the second place. Thus, when we speak of German or Italian nationalism, we mean primarily the growth of political consciousness of the people swearing by the same language.

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): The first tribal Chief Minister was Shri Dasarath Deb in Tripura.

MR. CHAIRMAN : It is all right. He is subject to correction.

DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : He comes from a tribal State but they have failed to pass a Resolution in this direction for two years now.

SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : I do not know if Shri Dasarath Deb is a Santhal.

DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : He was the first tribal Chief Minister.

SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN : He might be a tribal like Shri Ajit Jogi, I do not know.

MR. CHAIRMAN : It is true. The initiative has been taken by the Government. Dr. Dome, would you like to ask anything by way of clarification? Would you like to withdraw the Resolution?

DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME : Sir, I have no objection in withdrawing the Resolution. The Minister has rightly said that there are so many languages which are demanding recognition. But I must point out one thing particularly regarding this language that it is spoken by about one crore people which a very big chunk of population. It is spoken in about four States. It is also spoken in Jharkhand State. The linguistic population of Santhal, Mundas, etc. is also there. So, I feel that the Government should not treat it at par with others. The Santhali language should not be kept at par with other languages. That is my primary request to the Government. The Minister is very much sympathetic and everybody has supported it. The principal Opposition Party Members are not present here and I do not know what is their view.