By Sunil Jena, Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is once again at the centre of a heated debate after his recent speech in Jharsuguda during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. Thousands of Odias had gathered with the hope of hearing both the Prime Minister and their Chief Minister address them in a language close to their hearts. But what unfolded on stage has triggered widespread criticism and mockery across social media.
Majhi, while reading from a written script in Odia, chose to deliver his speech in Hindi. What shocked many was not just the language switch, but the way he struggled with pronunciation, failing even to read out the word “hospitality” correctly. His broken Hindi made the audience laugh, leaving an impression of embarrassment rather than leadership.
This incident has now sparked a larger debate about language, identity, and politics in Odisha. For months, Majhi and the BJP have claimed to be protectors of Odia asmita (identity). Yet, when allowed to showcase Odia pride on a national stage, the Chief Minister abandoned his mother tongue for Hindi raising questions about his priorities. Was this done to please Prime Minister Modi, or was it a deliberate political choice to align with Delhi?
Interestingly, comparisons are being drawn with VK Pandian, the former bureaucrat-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu. Though not an Odia by birth, Pandian often impressed the people of Odisha by delivering flawless speeches in Odia. Social media users are now pointing out the irony: while the BJP criticised Pandian for being an “outsider,” today Odisha’s own Chief Minister struggles to speak confidently in either Odia or Hindi.
This controversy goes beyond a slip of the tongue. It touches the raw nerve of Odia pride and the respect citizens expect from their elected leader. For many, the episode symbolised how Odisha’s political leadership risks losing touch with its cultural roots while trying to win favour at the national level.
As the video of Majhi’s speech continues to circulate online, the debate only grows stronger. One question now echoes across political circles and social media: if a Tamil-born leader could master Odia for the people, why can’t an Odia-born Chief Minister do the same?
