Utkal Sammilani - Formation and Demands
The Utkal Sammilani (Utkal Union Conference) was the first organized political forum in Odisha dedicated to the unification of all Odia-speaking territories scattered across three British provinces and numerous princely states. Founded in 1903, it played a pivotal role in the creation of the modern state of Odisha.
Background: The Dispersed Odia Nation
By the late 19th century, the Odia-speaking population was administratively divided:
- Bengal Presidency: Cuttack, Puri, Balasore (coastal Odisha)
- Madras Presidency: Ganjam, Koraput (southern Odisha)
- Central Provinces: Sambalpur, Sonepur, Baudh (western Odisha)
- Princely States: 26 feudatory states under varying degrees of British suzerainty
Odia language and culture were neglected in all these regions, with Bengali, Telugu, and Hindi respectively being promoted as the language of administration and education.
Formation of Utkal Sammilani
The idea of a unified organization to demand linguistic unification was first proposed by Madhusudan Das (Madhu Babu), the foremost Odia nationalist of the time. On 3–4 December 1903, the first session of the Utkal Sammilani was held at Cuttack under the presidency of Raja Baikuntha Nath Dey of Balasore.
Madhusudan Das articulated the core principle:
“We are not a conquered people; we are a race. Our language is a distinct language, our history a distinct history, and we must have a province of our own.”
Demands and Activities
The Utkal Sammilani’s demands evolved over time but centred on:
- Amalgamation of all Odia-speaking territories into a single administrative unit under a Chief Commissioner.
- Official recognition of Odia as the language of administration and education.
- Proportional representation of Odias in government services.
- Protection of Odia culture, literature, and historical monuments.
Annual sessions were held in different towns, drawing delegates from across the Odia-speaking world. The Sammilani was not initially anti-British; rather, it sought to work within the colonial framework to achieve its goals through petitions, memorials, and deputations.
Challenges and Debates
- Moderate vs. Congress: The Sammilani maintained a distance from the Indian National Congress, preferring constitutional methods. Madhusudan Das believed that linking with the Congress’s anti-British stance would jeopardize the unification demand.
- Princely States: The feudatory rajas were initially reluctant to join, fearing loss of autonomy.
Impact and Legacy
The Utkal Sammilani’s decades-long campaign created a sustained political consciousness of Odia identity. It prepared the ground for the eventual formation of the separate province of Odisha in 1936. Although the Sammilani itself faded after Madhusudan Das’s death (1934), its vision was realized just two years later.
The Utkal Sammilani remains a landmark in the history of linguistic nationalism in India.