Bhojpur bandh call against closure of Bhojpuri PG course evokes good response

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara: The Bhojpur bandh called by Hindustani Awam Morcha (secular) and supported by Bharatiya Janta Party, All Bihar Students Youth Union, Ara Youth Group, Chhatra Samagam, National Students Union of India, Rashtriya Janata Dal Student wing and others evoked good response here on Monday. The bandh call was given in protest against closure of Bhojpuri PG department in Veer Kuer Singh University (VKSU), Ara, and also for inclusion of Bhojpuri language in the VIII schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The bandh supporters under the banner of Bhojpuri Bachao Abhiyan, took out procession that passed through the main thoroughfares of the town and culminated at Ara railway station where they stopped 12304 Delhi-Howrah Purva Express for about half an hour by squatting on the rail track and also boarding the rail engine. They were shouting slogans against the Central government and the VKSU administration. As a result a number of long distance trains remained stranded at different railway stations under Danapur rail division. Later, the bandh supporters took out procession from Ara railway station and forced the traders and businessmen to down their shutters. Buses, trucks and other light vehicles were off the roads. Though government offices courts were open but attendance was thin.

The bandh supporters staged dharana at different points and blocked Ara-Patna, Ara-Sasaram, Ara-Mohania, Ara-Buxar roads and paralyzed movement of vehicles since morning till noon.

Bhojpuri PG department in VKSU was closed on July 15, 2016, following the order of the Governor cum Chancellor who questioned the VKSU administration on February 22, 2016, as to how the Bhojpuri PG teaching had started without the Raj Bhawan’s approval.

The teaching of Bhojpuri language at PG level had started on the campus of local H D Jain College in February 1991 but later shfted to Jagjiwan College, Ara, on September 8, 1993. The academic Council of the VKSU had proposed teaching of Bhojpuri at PG level on May 20, 1999, and the Syndicate had approved it on October 15, 2001.