MEELAL points at ineptness of Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05 2024:
The Manipuri language not making the Classical language list is the fault of the State Government and its ignorance, said Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) .
Speaking to reporters at its office near Kangla Pat, MEELAL president Khaidem Ingocha Meetei said the non-inclusion of Manipuri language in the list of Classical language is unfortunate.
Notably, MEELAL's reaction came after five new languages--Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit were classified as classical languages.
India now has a total of 11 classical languages.
The 6 other classical languages include Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia.
MEELAL president Khaidem Ingocha Meetei said the Manipuri language could have been included in the classical language group if the State Government had taken an interest.
When MEELAL investigated, it came to light that the Language Department of the Centre had written to the State Education Department to consider inclusion of the Manipuri language in the list of classical languages.
When the State Education Department should have forwarded the matter to the Art and Culture Department and then to the Chief Secretary, these processes were found not done properly, Ingocha claimed.
This gross negligence on the part of the Government of Manipur and its institutions led to the Manipuri language not getting the recognition it deserves, he said.
Expressing disappointment, Ingocha said the State Government should take up appropriate steps to classify Manipuri as a classical language in the future.
MEELAL and its partner organisations will continue to seek classical language status for Manipuri, he added.
Ingocha said the 2024 recruitment for Primary Teachers will be banned until persons who have cleared the 2016 Meetei Mayek Supplementary TET are allowed to submit forms and become candidates.
A memorandum to this effect has also been submitted to the Education Minister, he said.
He further urged the Government to include the Meetei Mayek in all educational policies it formulates for further development.