'Classical language status for Marathi': Maharashtra CM Shinde writes to PM Modi for approval

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modiurging him to accord classical status to Marathi language. Shinde said the proposal is pending with the Union ministry of culture which needs to be approved at the earliest as Marathi is the pride of the people of Maharashtra.

“As per the report of the expert committee set up by the Maharashtra government regarding giving the status of classical language to Marathi language, it has submitted a detailed proposal to the Centre on November 16, 2013. The expert committee has concluded that Marathi language is fulfilling the necessary criteria and therefore it should be granted classical status,’’ said Shinde, adding the state government has been rigorously following it up with the Centre.

“Marathi speaking citizens of the state have sent more than 1.20 lakh signed letters to the President of India in this regard. Besides, the MPs from Maharashtra have also raised questions in Parliament from time to time,’’ noted CM.

Shinde quoted Union cultural affairs minister G Kishan Reddy’s reply in the Rajya Sabha given on February 3 in which the minister had said that the proposal to give classical status to Marathi language was under the Centre’s consideration. “I have therefore urged the PM to grant classical status to Marathi language at the earliest,’’ he said.

During the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in their communications had urged the Centre for an early grant of classical status to the Marathi language. Before the collapse of the MVA government in June, former minister of Marathi language Subhash Desai had met Reddy and submitted a fresh representation.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to name Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv while naming the Navi Mumbai international airport after leading farmers' leader DB Patil. It has been forwarded to the Centre for its consent

Published on: Thursday, August 25, 2022, 04:06 PM IST