Lakhipuronline Digital Desk : The Manipuri Youths’ Front of Assam (MYFA) has submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Sri Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, requesting the inclusion of Manipuri as one of the Associate Official Languages of Assam under Article 347 of the Constitution of India.
MYFA, in its memorandum, stated that Manipuri language has been recognized and has flourished in Assam since the 1950s. With nearly 5 lakh Manipuri people inhabiting 13 different districts of Assam since the 15th century, the language has been taught up to graduate level in universities such as Gauhati University, Guwahati, and Assam University, Silchar. Manipuri was also included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 1992, which recognizes 22 languages in India.
The memorandum further highlights the development of Manipuri language in Assam in a chronological order:
- Manipuri medium was introduced as a medium of instruction in Assam in 1956.
- Currently, 121 Manipuri medium schools exist in Assam.
- Manipuri is being taught in H.S., B.A., B.A. (honours) as MIL/MSL in Gauhati University, Guwahati since 1980.
- Manipuri has been taught at the M.A., M.Phil, and Ph.D. levels in Assam University, Silchar, since 1997.
- Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 1992.
- Manipuri language was recognized by the Sahitya Academy, New Delhi in 1972.
- Manipuri program has been broadcasting on All India Radio, Silchar since 1/1/1978.
- Manipuri language has been one of the optional subjects in the Civil Services Examination of the Union Public Service Commission since 2000.
- The Manipuri community has been demanding that the Central Government give Classical language status to the Manipuri language.
MYFA expressed concerns for the future of Manipuri language, given that it is not currently recognized as an official language. They hope that the inclusion of Manipuri as one of the Associate Official Languages of Assam will contribute greatly to protecting, preserving, and promoting the cultural, social, linguistic identity, and heritage of the Manipuri people of Assam.
The memorandum was submitted through Cachar Additional Deputy Commissioner Dipak Jidung ACS on 11th April 2023, with MYFA’s President, Thangjam Brojen Singha, Secretary General, Tampakmayum Salaw Uddin, V P Tampakmayum Rehan Uddin, Joint Secretary Wahengbam Surendra and Chief Advisor Seram Herajit, present at the time of submission.
MYFA urged the Chief Minister to consider their request and take necessary steps in this regard, citing the recent resolution in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council that recognizes Karbi as an Associate Official Language in Assam as an indication of the current government’s acknowledgement of the importance of developing indigenous languages. The New Education Policy’s plan to educate children in their mother tongue also exhibits the government’s encouragement to protect and promote the mother tongue of every community in India.
MYFA believes that the inclusion of Manipuri as an Associate Official Language of Assam will contribute greatly to protecting, preserving, and promoting the cultural, social, linguistic identity, and heritage of the Manipuri people of Assam. The organization is hopeful that their request will be considered by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, and necessary steps will be taken in this regard.
After the submission of the memorandum, the Chief Advisor of MYFA, Seram Herajit spoke to reporters and expressed his concerns regarding the recognition of Manipuri language in government exams and job interviews. He stated that while the Assam government provides opportunities for Manipuri language education up to university level, it is not included in government job interviews. He added that Manipuri language should be given the same recognition as Bengali, Bodo, and Assamese in official documents. “If our demand is not fulfilled, we will further go for strong protest,” he added.
