Implement Articles 29(1), 46, 350-A effectively : CTLLSM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 12 2022:
Council of Tribal Languages and Literature Societies, Manipur (CTLLSM) has urged Governor La Ganesan "to cause necessary directives to the State Government to effectively implement Articles 29(1), 46, 350-A in Manipur.
CTLLSM is a unified body of 35 tribal linguistic minorities of Manipur.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the council stated that there are provisions in the Constitution of India, especially Articles 29(1), 46, 350-A, etc.
to safeguard the linguistic minorities in India.
According to CTLLSM, Safeguards for Linguistic Minorities scheme formulated by the Commission for Linguistic Minorities (now the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, Government of India, Ministry of Minority Affairs) is yet to be implemented in Manipur.
CTLLSM also pointed out that there is no fund for tribal languages in the State budgets.
According to the council, there are 35 recognised Scheduled Tribes in Manipur of which 18 languages have been approved by the State Government for introduction in school education.
It also said that approval of a language for introduction in the education system is supposed to entail fund allocation in the Plan and Non-Plan with both recurring and non-recurring expenditures for continuation of the mother tongue education.
"However, it is unfortunate that funds were not earmarked for tribal language(s) education in the state budgets of Manipur.
The tribal languages after approval/recognition are left alone only to the respective literature societies," it alleged.
"Still there are 17 unrecognised/unapproved languages of 17 recognised Scheduled Tribes.
They are upcoming tribal languages.
They also need funds for investigation of their native sounds and devising a truly useful writing system for their respective native languages," the council mentioned in its memorandum.
According to CTLLSM, till today, the tribal linguistic minorities cannot find a place of pride and honour in the state as their languages are ignored and sidelined in the state budgets.
CTLLSM then stated that there are no state's plans and policies for tribal languages in Manipur.
"Being aggrieved, the Council of Tribal Languages & Literature Societies, Manipur - (CTLLSM) was compelled to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case in the High Court of Manipur (PIL No.28 of 2019) .
The said PIL was disposed with the direction to the Respondents to consider the representations of the CTLLSM and to consider for the introduction of 'Manipur State Policy of Tribal Languages'", the council said.
Further, liberty was given to the Petitioner to approach the High Court again if the grievances are not addressed.
Accordingly, vide Order No.12(HC)/67/2019-SE(S) dated 30.11.2021 issued by the Commissioner of Education (S), Government of Manipur stating that the representations of the Petitioners have been considered and introduction of "Manipur State Policy of Tribal Languages" cannot be acceded at the moment.
The Manipur State Policy of Tribal Languages is an official Bill adopted by the Hill Areas Committee of the Legislative Assembly, Manipur, CTLLSM added.
The council also alleged that the "apathy" of the state toward tribal languages is clearly evident from the responses they submitted in the PIL No.28 of 2019 .
It then said that eligibility criteria for recognition of tribal languages is unconstitutional and rather a strategy to suppress smaller tribes.