Jamshedpur, Dec. 22: BJP parliamentarian from Mayurbhanj Salkhan Murmu termed the day historic for tribal people. Welcoming the passage of the Constitution (one hundredth amendment) Bill 2003, facilitating the inclusion of Santhali, Bodo, Maithili and Dogri languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution Murmu said the long-cherished dreams of the tribals have been fulfiled.

“This is the first time that the Adivasis have got recognition,” he said, adding that his next move would be to fight for the inclusion of other tribal languages like Ho, Kuruk and Munda in the Eighth Schedule.

The proposal for the inclusion of the Santhali language in the Eighth Schedule was tabled by him in the Lok Sabha this afternoon and was passed by a two-third majority.

Murmu expressed his gratitude to the President and Prime Minister on behalf of the tribals for granting recognition to the Santhali language.

Adivasi youths celebrated the occasion by bursting crackers and distributed sweets at various tribal-dominated areas such as Karandih, Parsudih, Kadma and Birsanagar.

President of Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP) women cell Sumitra Murmu said the long battle which Salkhan initiated 20 years ago for the inclusion of the language in the Eighth Schedule has been won.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Sibu Soren said from New Delhi that the inclusion of Santhali language was not surprising.

“It was a political decision and had to happen some day,” he said.

He said the Santhali-speaking tribals of Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal, could now communicate through the language officially.