Question : CLASSICAL STATUS TO MARATHI LANGUAGE

(a) the total number of classical languages recognized by the Government;

(b) whether the Government has received any proposals from the State Government of Maharashtra and the Abhijit Marathi Bhasha Samitee for conferring the status of classical language to Marathi language;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the criteria adopted by the Government in this regard;

(d) whether the Government has taken any decision on the above proposal; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the present status of the proposal?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR CIVIL AVIATION (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a): Madam, So far 6 languages i.e. Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malyalam & Odia have been recognized as classical languages.

(b),(c),(d)&(e): A report from Government of Maharashtra (Department of Marathi Language) is under consideration of this Ministry. No proposal has been received from Abhijit Marathi Bhasha Samitee. The criteria laid down by the Government of India is as under:-

(i) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;

(ii) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;

(iii) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;

(iv) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.