Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: Khordha Paikas have joined voice with the echoes over the demand of ‘First War of Independence’ tag to Odihsa’s Paika Rebellion, raised by social outfits and different political parties.

Demonstrating in favour of the movement, Unions of Paika Organisations and Martial Art Institutions of the Khordha district on Tuesday, congregated under the foothill of Barunai Mountain, the historical tombstone of the Paika Rebellion of the ancient Odisha.

Thousands of legacies of valiant Paikas under the aegis of  ‘ New Thinking  Forum’ joined the convention being adorned with the attires of valiant Paikas. Being equipped with traditional weapons and armors, they demanded ‘First War of Independence’  Tag  to Odisha’s ‘Paika Rebellion’ fought against the British Colonialism in 1817, led by Valiant warriors including Buxi Jagabadhu, Jai Rajguru with the help of  Tapang’s Dalbehera and heroic paikas of Khordha.

On the occasion Jatani MLA, Suresh Routray, Jitu Mitra and Dillip Srichandan addressed the convention and urged the Union Ministry to take favourable step to tag the Paika movement as the first War of Indian Independence.

Subsequently, a team of  delegates submitted a memorandum in this connection to the Khordha District Collector, in favour of the Union Minister of Culture.

Worth mentioning, Former Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik had raised the issue with the Union Government for the first time and demanded  Paika Mutiny of Odisha to be declared as the First War of Independence.

However, the matter has been set aside by the Centre so far.

Acting on it, the BJD MPs led by the  Parliamentary Party Leader, Pinaki Mishra urged Union(State) Minister for Culture to take fabulous step on the proposal.

At the same time, the ruling BJD has presented the issue on the floor of Odisha Assembly, in its Winter Session in order to log on the attention of the Union Government for the provision of due status to Odisha’s glorious Paika Mutiny.