InPeeda, Arun Sahu delves into broader reflections on identity, cultural roots, and emotional connection to one’s motherland. He argues that achieving global recognition at the cost of suppressing one’s conscience and cultural values is meaningless. Emphasizing the importance of linguistic pride, he writes that respect for one’s language and land should be as instinctive as blood flowing through the body.
Sahu further suggests that a lack of emotional attachment to one’s language and homeland is akin to a separation of soul and body, asserting that genuine societal progress cannot be achieved without restoring this sense of cultural awareness and belonging.
In the book, Sahu describes the inability to read or write Odia as deeply humiliating, expressing concern over what he views as a growing acceptance of linguistic detachment, especially within urban society. He questions why such admissions are often overlooked and suggests that social privilege shields some individuals from criticism.
Although no individual is named, the remarks have fueled speculation among political observers, with some linking the discussion to long-standing public conversations about linguistic identity in Odisha. The debate has since spread across political forums and social platforms, generating diverse responses.
