Announcements from state governments and official reports

India Grants Classical Status to Marathi and Four Others; PM Modi Hails 'Golden Moment'

Oct 5, 2024, 01:00 PM

The Union Cabinet of India has approved classical language status for Marathi, along with four other languages, acknowledging their rich heritage and historical contributions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision during a public meeting in Thane, Maharashtra, calling it a 'golden moment' for the Marathi language. He emphasized that this status will encourage the study and research of Marathi, with Indian universities offering opportunities to delve into its literary tradition. This decision fulfills a demand pending since 2013 and is seen as a moment of pride for the 90 million Marathi speakers worldwide. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed gratitude to the central government, highlighting the recognition's significance for Maharashtra's culture. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar also welcomed the move, acknowledging it as a significant honor. Prime Minister Modi noted the contributions of Marathi to India's freedom struggle, citing how Lokmanya Tilak used the newspaper 'Kesari' to inspire self-rule. The classical language status is expected to boost academic interest, providing opportunities for advanced studies and research.