The Union Cabinet approved the granting of classical language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit on Thursday. This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The classical language category was initially established on October 12, 2004, when Tamil was designated as a classical language. Since then, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia have also been included in this prestigious list.
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In a post on X, PM Modi expressed, “Our government cherishes and celebrates India’s rich history and culture.”
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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2024
“We have also been unwavering in our commitment to popularizing 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 stated, emphasizing the beauty of each language and highlighting India’s vibrant diversity.
Recognizing Pali and Prakrit as the “roots of India’s culture,” the Prime Minister noted that these languages are associated with spirituality, wisdom, and philosophy, and are celebrated for their literary traditions. “Their recognition as classical languages honors their timeless influence on Indian thought, culture, and history,” he added.
A government statement underscored the significance of classical languages in preserving India’s rich cultural heritage, pointing out that they embody the essence of each community’s historical and cultural achievements.
The decision received praise from various politicians. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan were among those who welcomed the move. Shinde expressed his appreciation for the decision to confer classical language status to Marathi and thanked the PM. Sarma also conveyed his gratitude to Modi for granting the status to Assamese.
Pradhan remarked, “Our rich tapestry of languages is a source of immense pride and is a lucid testimony of our civilizational wealth. Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s historic decision to confer ‘classical language’ status to Pali, Prakrit, Marathi, Assamese, and Bengali is a matter of pride and joy for all.”
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