# Santali experts seek minority language status, school subject in Odisha 2026-10-04T05:36:32+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets A Santali expert committee has urged the Odisha government to accord minority language status to Santali and introduce it as a subject in schools under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A delegation, including Padma Shri author Damayanti Besra and former MLA Kandra Soren, met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday, 3 October 2026, and submitted a memorandum outlining the demands. The delegation sought the introduction of Santali as a Modern Indian Language and elective subject from Class I to higher secondary under the NEP's three-language formula. They also demanded recruitment of Santali teachers and dedicated BEd seats at teacher education colleges in Baripada, Balasore and Anandapur. Majhi assured the delegation that the state government was committed to preserving tribal languages and literature, and would take appropriate measures based on the expert committee's recommendations. He noted that President Droupadi Murmu's occupancy of the highest constitutional office was a matter of pride and had enhanced the visibility of the Santali language and culture. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Both The Times of India and Orissa Post report the same meeting and demands, presenting the CM’s assurances without criticism. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, with no difference in framing: each outlet leads with the delegation’s request and closes with the CM’s pledge and his reference to President Murmu. No source questions the timeline or likelihood of implementation. The story leaves open which specific recommendations the government will adopt and when, with Majhi promising only that steps will be taken ‘soon’. ## Coverage Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight news reporting of delegation and CM response - orissapost.com (neutral report) Factual account of meeting and assurances This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Tags: Droupadi Murmu, Mohan Charan Majhi, NEP 2020, Odisha, Santali language Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/santali-experts-seek-minority-language-status-school-subject-in-odisha/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/santali-experts-seek-minority-language-status-school-subject-in-odisha/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/