"Hindi policy threat to indigenous language"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 25 2022: Council of Higher Secondary School (CoHSEM) former secretary and chairman Dr Hamom Nabachandra has stated that the announcement made by the union home minister to make Hindi language compulsory could simply be taken as an injection to make the indigenous language of the state disappear.

He made the statement while speaking as the chief guest of a one-day discussion programmme on the 'impact of making Hindi language compulsory till class X', organised by Patriotic Writers' Forum, Manipur (PWFM) at Manipur Press Club here on Wednesday.

The programme was presided over by PWFM president N Khamba Luwang.

Dr Nabachandra continued that there is no issue in learning and speaking Hindi.

Language enthusiasts can learn the language if they want but it is unreasonable to force young children to learn the language, for it will only bring about confusion.

It is important to instead teach our Manipuri Language, which is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, to the young students, he asserted.

Delivering the keynote speech, PWFM secretary Rakesh Naorem contended that Manipuri language holds no less importance than other Indian languages.

The state government needs to take the responsibility in this regard and help save our beautiful language for the sake of future generations.

He then pointed out that UNESCO had declared 2022-2032 as the Decade of Indig enous Language.

It would be best if the announcement to make Hindi compulsory is withdrawn from being imposed in a small state like Manipur.

The word "compulsory" should be removed and the government should work with the people towards preservation of our native language, he maintained.

The discussion programme was moderated by veteran journalist and language activist L Saratchandra, while social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram, MU Manipuri Department assistant professor N Sanatomba, IRE Group of Institute Wangjing principal Rajeevkumar, PWFM lifetime member SK Apanba, AMSU president Chalamba and DESAM president Lamyanba spoke as resource persons.

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