The Union Cabinet of India has conferred classical language status on five more Indian languages: Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese. According to an article from NDTV, this decision brings the total number of recognized classical languages to 11; Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia already had the status, with Odia being the most recent addition in 2014.
According to an article in the Times of India, in order for a language to be designated as classical, it must meet specific criteria established by the country’s Ministry of Culture. These include a recorded history spanning 1,500 to 2,000 years and a rich body of ancient texts and literature that are still valued by generations of speakers. The language must also be distinct from its modern form or any offshoots. Assamese, Marathi, and Bengali are widely spoken today, while Pali and Prakrit hold deep historical significance. Pali, in particular, is known as the language of Buddha’s sermons and continues to be studied in universities across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, emphasizing its importance for India’s cultural heritage. “We have been unwavering in our commitment to popularising regional languages,” he said on X. “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.”
The recognition of these languages as classical brings several benefits, especially in the academic and research sectors. The government plans to establish research chairs in universities, national awards for scholars, and centers of excellence dedicated to the promotion and preservation of these languages. Additionally, the digitization and preservation of ancient texts will generate jobs in fields such as translation, archiving, and publishing.
By expanding the list of classical languages, the government seeks to enhance appreciation for India’s linguistic heritage. This decision is expected to have a lasting impact both within India and internationally as efforts to protect and promote these languages continue.
