Six Languages Get Classical Status

On 3rd Oct 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the long-pending proposal to grant classical language status to Marathi, along with Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, acknowledging their historical and cultural significance.

Key Points

Significance of Marathi: Prime Minister praised Marathi as a symbol of India's rich heritage, expressing that the new status will encourage more people to learn and appreciate the language.
History of Classical Language Category: The classical language category was created in 2004, with Tamil being the first language recognized. Over time, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia were also added.
Promotion of Classical Languages: The Ministry of Education will take steps to promote these languages, as seen with the establishment of universities and institutes for Sanskrit and Tamil studies.