The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s chairmanship, has approved the granting of classical language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit in a landmark decision on Thursday. This significant expansion follows the establishment of the classical language category on October 12, 2004, when Tamil became the first language to receive this recognition, followed by Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia, bringing the total number of classical languages in India to eleven.
A government statement emphasized the crucial role these classical languages, particularly Assamese, play in preserving India’s deep cultural heritage. Assamese, with its distinct literary and cultural traditions dating back centuries, now joins the ranks of globally recognized classical languages like Latin, Classical Greek, Classical Arabic, and Classical Chinese. This recognition acknowledges Assamese’s significant contribution to India’s linguistic diversity and its role in shaping the cultural identity of the Northeast.
The classification criteria for classical status requires that languages possess a substantial collection of ancient literature, which continues to hold relevance and respect among its speakers. Assamese, with its rich repository of ancient texts, medieval literature, and continuous literary tradition, convincingly meets these stringent requirements. Like other classical languages, Assamese demonstrates a clear distinction between its classical form and modern adaptations, reflecting its historical evolution and enduring influence.
This recognition of Assamese, alongside the other four languages, reinforces the language’s historical significance and ensures its preservation for future generations. For Assam and its people, this designation represents not just a recognition of their linguistic heritage but also acknowledges the language’s role in maintaining the region’s cultural continuity and its contributions to India’s diverse linguistic landscape. The decision opens new avenues for research, documentation, and study of Assamese classical literature and its historical development, while also celebrating the broader tapestry of India’s classical languages.
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