Meet deliberates on 'Compulsory Hindi'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 24 2022: The Federal Student's Organisation Kangleipak (FESOK) organised a one day discourse on "Hindi compulsory in the schools of North East India" in association with Federation of Government College Teachers' Associations (FEGOCTA), Council of Teachers' Association (COTA) and All Manipur Student Guardians' Organisation (AMSGO) at North AOC, today.

At the function, FESOK general secretary S Shivdutta said that the people of Manipur have been preserving their culture and tradition since the past many decades but the same has been put at stake after the erstwhile kingdom merged with the India Union.

Claiming that India has been constantly scheming to abolish the culture, tradition and language of the smaller States with unique identities including Manipur under its "One Nation, One Religion, One Language" belief, he added the proposal of the Central Government to impose Hindi in all the North East States poses a grave threat to the survival of indigenous languages of the region.

Meet deliberates on 'Compulsory Hindi'

Saying that every language incorporates the culture, cultural knowledge and wealth of a particular tribe or group, Shivdutta further maintained that the proposal to make Hindi compulsory upto Class X in the North East States is a one sided approach and as such require stiff opposition by the people of the region.

Further claiming that Manipuri language is also included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution but no sincere effort is given by the Central and the State Governments to protect Meitei Mayek till date, he alleged that Manipuri has all the criteria to be enlisted as a classical language.

The Language Directorate being set up in Manipur is in name only as no budget has been allocated to develop the indigenous language, he claimed and further alleged that the State Government has also not formulated any policy to promote Manipuri language too.

Stating that a collective effort is needed to protect the culture and identity of Manipur and other States in North East India, Shivdutta urged all experts, cultural and language activists, writers, artists and media persons to oppose any move to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking States.

Former Director of JNMDA, Dilip Mayengbam said that the agenda of the Central Government to make Hindi compulsory in North East India upto Class X should not be taken seriously as it will never be successful.

AMSGO general secretary, Sougrakpam Sumati said that there is no harm in learning a new language but it should never be a compulsion.

Expressing disappointment over the silence of the State Government on the matter, Sumati contended that members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly who have taken a pledge to save the State should take the matter seriously and do the needful.

The programme was held in two sessions with veteran journalist Leihaothabam Sharatchandra as a moderator.

In the morning session, Associate Professor Chinglen Maisnam of Manipur University spoke on "New Education Policy and Language Issue" while Asst Professor Dr Homen Thangjam of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University deliberated on "Language and right to self determination" .

Asst Professor Dr Naorem Sanatomba Singh of Manipur University spoke in the evening session of the programme on the topic "Making Hindi compulsory upto Class X" while FEGOCTA vice president, Dr Kh Mohon Singh and COTA representative Laishram Jugindro deliberated on "Human evolution, language and National production" and "Language, North East and National contradiction." respectively.