Three Odisha Rajya Sabha MPs Take Oath in Odia

Three newly elected Rajya Sabha members from Odisha made a significant linguistic statement by taking their oath of office in Odia, their mother tongue. Manmohan Samal (BJP), Dilip Kumar Ray (BJP-supported Independent), and Santrupt Misra (BJD) were sworn in before Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, with Deputy Chairman Harivansh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in attendance.

The oath ceremony followed the Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16, 2026, for four seats from Odisha. While four candidates won - including Sujeet Kumar on a BJP ticket - only three members appeared for the oath-taking ceremony. The reason for Sujeet Kumar's absence remains unclear.

The event represents a proud moment for Odisha, as the state's linguistic heritage was showcased prominently in the national legislature, reinforcing the constitutional provision that allows members of Parliament to take their oath in any of India's scheduled languages.