Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali now among classical languages

The number of classical Indian languages has now reached 11 as Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Oriya had already got the tag.  

In Short

• Count of classical Indian languages reaches 11
• Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya already in club
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces decision

The Union government on Thursday conferred the classical language tag to five more Indian languages, including Marathi and Bengali.

The five more languages that have been recognised as classical languages are Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit and Assamese, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision in a media briefing on Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is a historical decision and this decision goes very well with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA government's philosophy of taking ride in our culture, taking pride in our heritage and taking pride in all the Indian languages and the rich heritage that we have," Vaishnaw said at a cabinet briefing.

After the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his thoughts on the government's move.

"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! Each of them are beautiful languages, highlighting our vibrant diversity. Congratulations to everyone", PM Modi posted on X.

Also, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked PM Narendra Modi and the Union government for conferring classical language status to Assamese.

"ASSAMESE IS NOW A CLASSICAL LANGUAGE On behalf of the people of Assam, I extend my gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and the entire Union Cabinet for the historic decision to accord Assamese the status of Classical Language. Assamese joins a select group of languages to enjoy this status", Sarma posted on X.

"This exemplifies the unique civilisational roots of Assam that have withstood the test of time. With today’s decision, we shall be able to better preserve our beloved mother tongue, which not only unites our society but also forms an unbroken link to the ancient wisdom of Assam’s saints, thinkers, writers and philosophers", he added.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his gratitude towards PM Modi and the Union Cabinet for fulfilling the state's 'long-standing' demand of according classical language status to Marathi.

"I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire Union Cabinet that they accepted our longstanding demand that Marathi language should be given the status of a classical language. From today, our Marathi language will be known as an elite language. This is a day to be written in golden letters. Prime Minister Modi Ji, thank you very much", Fadnavis wrote on X.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Mamata Banerjee expressed happiness over Bengali being accorded the honour.

"Most happy to share that Bengali/ Bangla has been finally accorded the status of a classical language by 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. The Union government has accepted our well-researched claim today evening, and we finally reach the cultural apex in the body of languages in India", the TMC chief posted on X.

The number of classical Indian languages has now reached 11 as Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Oriya had already got the coveted status.