Bhubaneswar: The memorandum states that the Gandhamardan mountain range is located in the Padampur Assembly constituency. It is home to ancient temples such as the Nrusinghanath Temple and the Harishankar Temple, which attract thousands of devotees. Even the famous Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang mentioned Gandhamardan in his writings. The area was historically a Buddhist center, with evidence of a Buddhist monastery and the presence of philosopher Nagarjuna as its vice-chancellor.
Discussion with Home Minister
Meeting at Parliament House
Invitation to visit the Gandhamardan region
The memorandum also highlights that the region is rich in minerals like bauxite, limestone, and granite. In the past, the then-Congress government had leased mining rights to the BALCO company for 47 years. However, local protests led by the Gandhamardan Protection Committee successfully halted mining operations to preserve the environment and cultural heritage.
Demand to Include Kosali/Sambalpuri Language in the Eighth Schedule
Pujari also submitted a separate memorandum requesting the inclusion of the Kosali/Sambalpuri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The memorandum states that out of Odisha’s 30 districts, around 11 districts with a population of nearly two crore people speak Kosali/Sambalpuri as their primary language. It is an ancient and rich language with a strong literary tradition, including translations of epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita.
Notable figures like Padma Shri awardees Haldhar Nag, Mitrabhanu Gountia, and Jitendra Haripal have contributed significantly to the development of this language. In 2014, the then-Chief Minister of Odisha had recommended its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, but subsequent governments did not take further action.
Since the inclusion of Kosali/Sambalpuri in the Eighth Schedule has been a longstanding demand of the people of western Odisha, MP Pujari urged the Home Minister to take necessary steps in this regard.