Assam Santali Sahitya Sabha Opposes Ol Chiki Script in School Textbooks

The Assam Santali Sahitya Sabha has launched opposition against the government's recent introduction of Santali language textbooks written in the Ol Chiki script. At a press conference in Bongaigaon, Sabha leaders argued that the Roman script, which has been in use since 1948, remains more appropriate for Santali education.

According to the Sabha's general secretary Jonathan Murmu, the Ol Chiki script poses practical challenges for students. "The Ol Chiki script comprises fewer letters than the Roman script. Therefore, the Santali school students will definitely face problems in writing meaningful sentences if they have to use the Ol Chiki script," Murmu stated.

The Sabha claims government representatives held two meetings in 2023 and 2024 to discuss the script issue, yet no resolution emerged. When Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu released Ol Chiki textbooks for pre-primary and primary classes in Udalguri district on August 22, the Sabha leadership perceived it as evidence of a 'secret plan' to implement the script statewide. The organization has committed to continuing its campaign against this decision.