five-indian-languages-get-classical-status-in-cabinet-move

The Union Cabinet has granted classical language status to five Indian languages: Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese. This move brings the total number of recognised classical languages in the country to eleven, further cementing India’s rich linguistic heritage.

 

The newly recognised classical languages join the prestigious list that already includes Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.

 

The announcement was made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who hailed the move as “historic” and emphasised its significance in preserving India's diverse cultural legacy.

Milestone for regional languages

Speaking on the decision, Minister Vaishnaw highlighted the government's commitment to promoting regional languages.

 

“Until now, the notified classical languages included Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. The new proposals have been examined within this framework and any future proposals will also be assessed in the same manner, based on proper scientific evidence, research, and historical data,” he said.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his delight at the decision, especially praising the inclusion of Marathi, Bengali, and Assamese.

 

“Our government cherishes and celebrates India’s rich history and culture. We have also been unwavering in our commitment to popularising regional languages. I am extremely glad the Cabinet has decided that Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit will be conferred the status of classical languages!” Modi wrote, adding, “Each of them are beautiful languages, highlighting our vibrant diversity. Congratulations to everyone.”

 

The recognition of these languages as classical is expected to generate international interest, with many global universities likely to introduce courses and research programs dedicated to them.

 

Minister Vaishnaw emphasised that “once a language is declared as a classical language, it garners significant international interest. Many international universities begin offering courses and research programs in those classical languages.”

Revised criteria for classical status

The status of "classical language" in India comes with a set of stringent criteria, first established in 2004 when Tamil was the first language to receive this recognition.

 

According to the guidelines, a classical language must have a history of recorded texts spanning at least 1,000 to 1,500 years, a vast body of ancient literature considered a valuable heritage, and a literary tradition that is distinct from any other language community.

 

In 2005, the criteria were slightly modified to accommodate Sanskrit, focusing on an antiquity range of 1,500 to 2,000 years. The revised criteria now include a requirement for the existence of knowledge texts and epigraphical or inscriptional evidence.

 

Earlier this year, on July 25, 2024, the Language Expert Committee (LEC) under the Sahitya Akademi unanimously revised the criteria for classical languages, ensuring that languages like Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali met the required standards.

 

The revised criteria not only focus on antiquity and literary heritage but also highlight the importance of preserving knowledge texts, especially prose, alongside poetry.

 

This development is the culmination of years of lobbying by linguistic and cultural advocates from various states. For instance, the push for Marathi’s classical status dates back to 2013, when the Maharashtra government first submitted a proposal to the Centre.

 

A committee of language experts, appointed by then-Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, confirmed that Marathi met all the required criteria. Former Chief Minister Chavan’s efforts bore fruit with this latest decision, coming just ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

Political reactions and cultural pride

Unsurprisingly, the decision has sparked an outpouring of pride and joy across India, particularly in states where these languages are predominantly spoken.

 

Prime Minister Modi, in his statement, called Marathi “India’s pride,” and stated, “This honour acknowledges the rich cultural contribution of Marathi in our nation’s history. Marathi has always been a cornerstone of Indian heritage. I am sure with the status of a Classical Language, many more people will be motivated to learn it.”

 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his gratitude to the Union Cabinet, crediting the long-standing efforts of the state government in achieving this status for Marathi.

 

“Finally, Marathi language has been given the status of classical language. This battle has been successful. Maharashtra government had continuously followed up with the Centre for this. I thank PM Narendra Modi ji, Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji, Union Cultural Affairs Minister Gajendrasingh Shekhavat ji,” Shinde said.

 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed the sentiment, calling the recognition a “golden moment” and a “historic day.”

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X to celebrate the inclusion of Bengali in the classical language list.

 

“Most happy to share that Bengali/ Bangla has been finally accorded the status of a classical language by the Government of India. We had been trying to snatch this recognition from the Ministry of Culture, GOI and we had submitted three volumes of research findings in favour of our contention,” Banerjee wrote.

 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also welcomed the decision, thanking the Prime Minister for bestowing classical language status on Assamese.

 

“On behalf of the people of Assam, I extend my gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and the entire Union Cabinet for the historic decision to accord Assamese the status of classical language,” Sarma said.

Benefits of classical status

The designation of a language as classical comes with several perks aimed at promoting and preserving the language. These benefits include the establishment of Centres of Excellence for Classical Language Studies, two international awards for scholars, and the creation of professional chairs in central universities.

 

Minister Vaishnaw also noted that with the addition of five new classical languages, the government would continue its efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of these languages, just as it has done with Tamil, Sanskrit, and others.

 

“Now, with the addition of five more classical languages, they too will receive promotion and support, and their heritage will be preserved in the same manner as the existing languages,” Vaishnaw said.

Historical and cultural context

The inclusion of Pali and Prakrit in the classical language list highlights their unique historical significance. Pali is renowned for its role in preserving the teachings of Buddhism, particularly through the Pali Canon, while Prakrit represents a group of vernacular languages that flourished in ancient India, often serving as the popular counterpart to the more formal Sanskrit in literary works.