The Union Cabinet has granted classical language status to five more&nbsp;Indian languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, announced Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday. This decision will almost double the number of recognized classical languages, bringing the total from six to 11.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages. The Classical Languages serve as a custodian of Bharat’s profound and ancient cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community’s historical and cultural milestone," said the government in an official statement.

"The primary states involved are Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese). The broader cultural and academic impact will extend nationally and internationally," the statement continued.

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The concept of "Classical Languages" was first introduced by the government on October 12, 2004, with Tamil being the inaugural language to receive the honour, followed by Sanskrit in 2005. Other languages like Kannada and Telugu were added in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014.

To qualify as a classical language, a language must have a history and literary tradition that dates back at least 1500–2000 years, along with a significant collection of ancient texts that continue to be valued. Additionally, the language should possess a unique literary heritage, not derived from any other language, and there should be a clear distinction between the classical language and its modern versions or dialects.

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "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"

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, responding to the news that Bengali had received classical language status, wrote &nbsp;on X: "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 Ministry of Culture, GOI and we had submitted three volumes of research findings in favour of our contention. Union government has accepted our well-researched claim today evening and we finally reach the cultural apex in the body of languages in India."

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also thanked the Prime Minister, saying, "Thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister for this decision. Your love and affection for the Assamese language and culture is unparalleled and the people of Assam will be forever indebted to you for recognising our beautiful mother tongue as a Classical language."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Union Cabinet has granted classical language status to five more Indian languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, announced Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday.

The Union Cabinet has granted classical language status to five more Indian languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, announced Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday. This decision will almost double the number of recognized classical languages, bringing the total from six to 11. "The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages. The Classical Languages serve as a custodian of Bharat’s profound and ancient cultural heritage, embodying the essence of each community’s historical and cultural milestone," said the government in an official statement. "The primary states involved are Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese). The broader cultural and academic impact will extend nationally and internationally," the statement continued. Also read: India kept in loop as Mauritius, UK agree on Indian Ocean archipelago's future The concept of "Classical Languages" was first introduced by the government on October 12, 2004, with Tamil being the inaugural language to receive the honour, followed by Sanskrit in 2005. Other languages like Kannada and Telugu were added in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014. To qualify as a classical language, a language must have a history and literary tradition that dates back at least 1500–2000 years, along with a significant collection of ancient texts that continue to be valued. Additionally, the language should possess a unique literary heritage, not derived from any other language, and there should be a clear distinction between the classical language and its modern versions or dialects. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "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" Also read: India roasts US agency alleging abuses against religious minorities West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, responding to the news that Bengali had received classical language status, wrote on X: "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 Ministry of Culture, GOI and we had submitted three volumes of research findings in favour of our contention. Union government has accepted our well-researched claim today evening and we finally reach the cultural apex in the body of languages in India." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also thanked the Prime Minister, saying, "Thank you Hon’ble Prime Minister for this decision. Your love and affection for the Assamese language and culture is unparalleled and the people of Assam will be forever indebted to you for recognising our beautiful mother tongue as a Classical language." (With inputs from agencies)

Union govt grants ‘classical language’ status to Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit

The Centre has set up a high-level committee to assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in the Assam Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people, besides providing other safeguards.

The move came days after the Union Cabinet took a decision in this effect as per the 1985 Assam Accord.

The committee will be headed by headed by former Union tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah.&nbsp;

In a notification, the Home Ministry said the committee will examine the effectiveness of actions taken since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

"The committee will assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people.

"The committee will recommend the appropriate level of reservations in employment under the government of Assam for the Assamese people," the notification said.

The notification said the panel will also hold discussions with various stakeholders, including social organisations, legal and constitutional experts, eminent persons from the field of art, culture and literature, conservationists, economists, linguists and sociologists.

It will suggest measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam.

The committee can also suggest any other measures, as may be necessary, to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. It will submit its report within six months from the date of notification (January 5).

The panel will be facilitated by the Noth East Division of the Home Ministry and the state government will provide the necessary administrative and logistic support to the committee.

The clause 6 of the Accord states, "Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people".

Besides, Bezbarauah, a retired IAS officer, the members of the panel are: former IAS officer Subhash Das, Nagen Saikia, former President, Assam Sahitya Sabha, Dhiren Bezbaruah, former editor of The Sentinel, Mukunda Rajbangshi, educationalist, Ramesh Borpatragohain, advocate general of Assam, Rongbong Terang, former president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, and one representative of the All Assam Students' Union.&nbsp;

The joint secretary in the Home Ministry will be member secretary.&nbsp;

The Centre has set up a high-level committee to assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in the Assam Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people, besides providing other safeguards.

The Centre has set up a high-level committee to assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in the Assam Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people, besides providing other safeguards. The move came days after the Union Cabinet took a decision in this effect as per the 1985 Assam Accord. The committee will be headed by headed by former Union tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah. In a notification, the Home Ministry said the committee will examine the effectiveness of actions taken since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. "The committee will assess the appropriate level of reservation of seats in Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people. "The committee will recommend the appropriate level of reservations in employment under the government of Assam for the Assamese people," the notification said. The notification said the panel will also hold discussions with various stakeholders, including social organisations, legal and constitutional experts, eminent persons from the field of art, culture and literature, conservationists, economists, linguists and sociologists. It will suggest measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam. The committee can also suggest any other measures, as may be necessary, to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. It will submit its report within six months from the date of notification (January 5). The panel will be facilitated by the Noth East Division of the Home Ministry and the state government will provide the necessary administrative and logistic support to the committee. The clause 6 of the Accord states, "Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people". Besides, Bezbarauah, a retired IAS officer, the members of the panel are: former IAS officer Subhash Das, Nagen Saikia, former President, Assam Sahitya Sabha, Dhiren Bezbaruah, former editor of The Sentinel, Mukunda Rajbangshi, educationalist, Ramesh Borpatragohain, advocate general of Assam, Rongbong Terang, former president of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, and one representative of the All Assam Students' Union. The joint secretary in the Home Ministry will be member secretary.

Centre sets up panel for reservation of seats in assembly, local bodies for Assamese

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