Ho Community Stages Mass Dharna at Jantar Mantar Demanding Constitutional Recognition for Ho Language

Hundreds of members of the Ho community from across India gathered at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, today under the banner of the All India Ho Language Action Committee (AIHLAC), demanding the inclusion of the Ho language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The one-day mass dharna witnessed the participation of nearly 500 people, including students, intellectuals, and community leaders from Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. Protesters raised slogans such as “Ho Language Hamara Adhikar Hai,” “Hamara Demand Lengal Demand,” “Ho Language Include Karo,” and “Central Sarkar Hai Hai”, emphasizing their long-pending demand for constitutional recognition.

Key Demands

Inclusion of the Ho language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Grant of constitutional status to preserve and promote the rich linguistic, literary, and cultural heritage of the Ho-speaking population.

Background

The Ho language, belonging to the Austroasiatic Munda language family, is spoken by over 40 lakh people across India as their mother tongue and used by around 10 lakh non-tribal speakers in daily communication. Despite being listed in the Census of India since 1961, the language has yet to receive constitutional recognition.

Endorsements and Support

The Governments of Odisha and Jharkhand have already recommended the inclusion of the Ho language in the Eighth Schedule. In addition, expert committees chaired by Eminent Scholar Sitakant Mohapatra and Prof. (Dr.) A. B. Ota have submitted favourable reports supporting its inclusion. Several Members of Parliament have also raised this issue multiple times in Parliament, urging the Union Government to consider this long-standing demand.

The All India Ho Language Action Committee has appealed to the President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Union Home Minister to take immediate action for the inclusion of the Ho language in the Eighth Schedule.

Speaking at the protest, AIHLAC representatives said, “This is not just a linguistic issue, but a matter of identity, pride, and justice for the Ho-speaking community. If our demand is not met, we will intensify our movement across the country.”

The protest concluded peacefully, with community leaders submitting a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs, urging prompt action on their demand.