MEELAL pulls up Govt over delay in Classical Language proposal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 06 2026: The Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) has expressed concern over inordinate delay in sending the draft proposal for inclusion of Manipuri language as a Classical Language to the Centre.

As per a release issued by MEELAL, a team led by MEELAL secretary general Paonam Thakaba Meetei met Language Department Director Dr Laishram Radha Kanta at his office chamber on Monday and discussed the matter threadbare.

MEELAL said it has been campaigning for classical status for Manipuri language and on September 9, 2022, the then Director of Language Planning and Implementation, Th Chitra Devi, handed over a draft proposal to Leishemba Sanajaoba, former MP Rajya Sabha.

However, the draft had some errors and before correction, new guidelines for classical status came in 2024.Amid this, PR was imposed in Manipur.

In December 2025, the Governor constituted a State Level Committee chaired by the Governor with Commissioner, Art & Culture as convenor, which held its first meeting on January 28, 2026 .

Despite nine months having passed, the proposal is still not sent to the Centre.

The Director reportedly assured to finalize all corrections of the draft proposal by October 15, 2026 and send it to Education (S) .

MEELAL said files should not move slowly and warned it will closely monitor till the proposal reaches the Centre.

MEELAL urged the Government to complete the process within the assured time and appealed to the public to support its campaign for classical status to Manipuri language.

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