Bhubaneswar: A day after voices demanding state song status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ grew louder in Odisha, Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Saturday assured that the government will take an appropriate decision in this regard soon.
Speaking to media persons, Panda said that all have high respect for the song irrespective of where it is sung- State Assembly or in public.
“The State government will take a call after reviewing the status of state song declaration by other states in the country,” he added.
Senior Congress leader Sura Routray on the other hand stated that Bande Utkala Janani song must be given official tag as it is deeply rooted with Odia culture.
“Congress, BJP and BJD are responsible for the delay. But the Kantakabi Lakshmikant Mohapatra-composed song should be given its due respect now,” Routray added.
Several protestors under the banner of ‘Ame Odia’ organisation had staged demonstration seeking state song status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani on Friday.
Major opposition parties had also targeted the ruling-BJD government over the issue alleging lack of respect on the part of the government towards the song.
Former Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda had also expressed surprise that the song was yet to get the recognition and said that it should immediately be recognized as the state song by the State government.