Slack process likely factor for Manipuri missing 'classical' tag
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 04 2024: The Union cabinet granted classical language status to five more languages namely Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali but missed out Manipuri from the list due to non-submission of the proposal in time.

As per a reliable source, the decision for sending recommendation for granting five more languages classical language status was taken on July 25, 2024 but Manipur government did not send the proposal for inclusion of Manipuri language before the stipulated date.

Language directorate of the Government of Manipur formed a committee to pursue the classical status goal with the committee completing the entrusted task some years back.

Unaware about rectification (relaxation) made by the Government of India in 2017 on the criteria for awarding a language to classical status, the committee tried to rectify the proposal.

As the committee was working to send the revised proposal, the time set by the Government of India for submission of the proposal lapsed.

According to the source, Government of India received the proposal for granting Marathi language classical status in 2013 with the same proposal sent to the Language Expert Commit-tee (LEC) for recommendation.

However, the Ministry of Home, in 2017, advised relevant authority to revise the criteria for inclusion of a language in the classical category.

At the same time, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) directed relevant ministry to work out number of languages which could be listed as classical language.

During such time, proposals for inclusion of Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali were sent.

The LEC under the Sahitya Akademi convened a meet on July 25, 2024 and revised the criteria for inclusion of a language in classical status apart from appointing a nodal agency.

The LEC informed states about the revised criteria on the same day and also recommended Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali for inclusion in classical language status.

During the time, there was no proposal for Manipuri language and state government also did not send the proposal.

When The People's Chronicle enquired into the matter, incumbent Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Sanajaoba Leishemba, who attended the 22nd Foundation Day of MEELAL on August 18, 2024, informed the gathering that he has been voicing for inclusion of Manipuri language in the classical language status in Parliament.

He also informed the gathering that process for sending proposal was delayed as the state government did not send relevant documents but a committee formed by language department prepared all documents.

The MP even expressed high hope of Manipuri getting the classical language status during the event, declaring that Manipuri would be seventh out of 1,800 languages of the country to be listed under classical language status.

At the time when MP Sanajaoba Leishemba told the gathering at MEELAL event that preparations are on for sending proposal, the LEC of the Sahitya Akademi had already recommended languages to be listed under classical language status.

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