WAMA demands action over Manipuri missing classical tag
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 08 2024: Wakhallon Mannaba Apunba Lup (WAMA) has blamed the Art and Culture Department for failure to secure classical language status for Manipuri language, citing delays in submitting the necessary proposal as the key reason.

The Lup also called on the chief minister, who is in charge of the department, to take immediate and appropriate action against the officials responsible for the delay, which they contended resulted in Manipuri language missing the golden opportunity.

Addressing the media on Tuesday at Manipur Press Club, WAMA president Moirangthem Naokhomba expressed deep dissatisfaction with handling of the proposal process.

He highlighted that Manipuri, already included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, has a history spanning over 3,000 years and meets all the criteria required for achieving classical language status.

As such, it is undeniable fact that administrative inefficiencies were the primary factor for Manipuri not enlisted as classical language.

Naokhomba called as major setback the delay in submitting the proposal by the Art and Culture Department.

This bureaucratic delay, he said, effectively nullified the efforts made by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, who had worked to bring the issue to national attention.

According to him, the submission process got stalled when the officials concerned failed to forward the necessary documents to the chief secretary in a timely manner, causing Manipuri language to miss the opportunity during the latest round of approvals for classical languages.

WAMA had previously raised concerns over the department's slackness on the matter.

In June 2022, the organisation had issued an ultimatum to the department, serving 10-day deadline to submit the proposal.

WAMA even cautioned that they would lock the department's office if the officials fail to meet the deadline.

During a meeting held shortly after the ultimatum, a senior official from the department assured WAMA that a comprehensive proposal would be prepared and Submitted as soon as possible.

Despite this assurance, the department failed to act, resulting in the current situation.

Naokhomba strongly condemned the lackadaisical attitude of the department's officials and accused them of being indifferent towards the language, culture, and identity of Manipuri people.

He opined that such gross negligence underscore disregard to significance of Manipuri's rich linguistic heritage and its script.

The WAMA president stated that the officials' failure riot only delayed the proposal but also disrespected the language's long history and cultural importance.

The officials seem to have no empathy for their own language, script, community, and identity, Naokhomba said during the press meet, expressing outrage over the department's conduct.

He urged the CM to take immediate arid suitable actions against those responsible for the delay.

It may be noted that the classical language status is a prestigious recognition given by the Government of India to languages with rich heritage and historical significance.

It provides various benefits, including increased funding for language preservation, scholarships, and the establishment of language research centres.

Attaining this status would have greatly contributed to the preservation and promotion of Manipuri language, ensuring its continued relevance and prominence in the future.

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