KIMACS against 'Hindi imposition'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 22 2022:
The Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society (KIMACS) has demanded a clarification from the State Government on the call to make Hindi a compulsory subject for students of North East India.
In a statement issued today, K Shyamkumar, secretary education KIMACS, said it will not remain a mere spectator when the age-old language, culture and tradition of the State is challenged by anyone.
KIMACS will never accept the decision to impose Hindi on the students upto Class X of North Eastern States, added the statement.
More than 80 languages spoken in the North East are already facing extinction and as such the imposition of Hindi will accelerate the extinction process, claimed KIMACS.
It further alleged that despite Manipuri language being included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and the Government taking resolution to change the Bengali script to Meetei Mayek, the Government has not taken up any initiative to protect, preserve and promote the language.
Even though Hindi is compulsory in the State only upto Class VIII at present, the people have come to learn the basics of Hindi from various sources in order to communicate, added KIMACS in the statement.
Students of the State should have the liberty to choose what language they want to study and no language should be forcibly imposed, added the statement.
KIMACS added that political leaders of South Indian States have been very vocal against the decision to make Hindi compulsory and even Nagaland Government has taken a resolution that made Hindi compulsory only till Class VIII.
As such what is the stand of the Manipur Government on this issue, KIMACS questioned.
Meanwhile Iramdam Kanba Apunba Lup (IKAL) has reacted sharply against the decision to impose Hindi and said that the decision announced by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah reflects the indifferent attitude of the Indian Government towards the North East.
IKAL alleged that the decision of the Home Minister contradicts the call made by Manipur MP Leishemba Sanajaoba at the Parliament to include Manipuri in the list of classical languages and including Meitei Mayek in currency notes to promote it.