Recurring question
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 20, 2013 -
Like every year, various organizations in the State would be observing 'Manipuri Language Day' on August 20 to commemorate inclusion of the language in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution on this day in 1992.
Despite being one of the oldest languages in Southeast Asia having own script and written literature, the inclusion and recognition of Manipuri as one of the listed scheduled languages of the Constitution which entitles to representation on the Official Languages Commission of India has not come so easily.
It was only after long years of petitioning by the Government, the agitation launched by various organizations and the sacrifices made by many people not only in Manipur but also in other parts of the globe that the demand was finally realized through the 71st amendment of the Constitution.
So, August 20 is a memorable day and its significance in the journey of development of Manipuri language is unquestionable.
But, 21 years down the line, the question of whether the Manipuri language has been able to get all the rights and benefits given by the Constitution to all the listed scheduled languages in accordance to the Language Policy of India continues to haunt the mind of the people every year, specially, when August 20 comes.
This is very sad, indeed.
While the Governments, both at the Centre and the State, seem to have abdicated their responsibility for development of Manipuri language; the same people and their leaders who, at one time, cried hoarse for inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution also seem to have called it quits after the demand for inclusion of the language was fulfilled.
So, the fate of Manipuri language has changed nothing much.
Till today, we have not come across even a single elected representative from Manipur utilizing his/her right to speak in the Parliament in their own mother tongue even for once.
Except for some members from political backgrounds, there has not been a single member from the intellectual circle ever selected in the Official Language Commission of India.
The scripts of Manipuri language has not yet been printed in the Indian currency notes.
Even though, the Central Government is giving at least Rs 1 crore to the States of the 8th Schedule languages for development of their respective languages, how that fund is being utilized in Manipur remains a mystery.
On the other hand, the State Government may have announced setting up of a separate Directorate for Language, but what activities are being taken up by the Directorate for the development of Manipuri language is not known to the people.
And thus, the question of how far Manipuri language has developed after 21 years of its inclusion in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution keeps popping up on the occasion of Manipuri Language Day without any answer.
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