Ukhrul: The Union Cabinet has officially granted Classical Language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit, while Manipuri was notably absent from the list. With this latest addition of five languages, India now has 11 officially recognized Classical Languages.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Assamese, in particular, was highlighted for its cultural importance in the Northeast, sparking celebrations from Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who thanked the Prime Minister on social media for the recognition.
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The decision has raised concerns in Manipur, where advocates for the Manipuri language, including Rajya Sabha MP and Titular King of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, have long campaigned for its inclusion among India’s Classical Languages. MP Sanajaoba, who has been actively pushing for this status for years, expressed deep disappointment and attributed the setback to a lack of political momentum and collective advocacy from the Manipuri community. However, he has vowed to continue his efforts and called for stronger cooperation from all stakeholders to achieve the desired recognition for Manipuri.
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Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi also voiced his dissatisfaction, accusing the Union Government of neglecting Manipuri’s rich linguistic heritage despite it meeting the required criteria for Classical status. Speaking at Congress Bhawan in Imphal on Friday, O. Ibobi emphasized that the language’s history, which spans over 2,000 years and includes a unique script, warrants Classical recognition. He criticized both the state and central BJP governments for their failure to secure the status for Manipuri, calling the decision an injustice to the people of the state.
It may be mentioned that the Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL), an organization committed to the preservation and promotion of the Manipuri language, has criticized the Manipur state government for its negligence in advocating for Classical Language status for Manipuri.
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