Student bodies against ‘Hindi imposition’

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 26 : At least six student organisations have resolved to steadfastly oppose any move to make Hindi a compulsory subject in North East India during the people's convention held at GM Hall, today.
The convention jointly organised by All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU),  Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpanglup (AIMS), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA), Manipuri Students Federation (MSF) and Students Union of Kangleipak (SUK) was held under the theme "Hindi subject compulsory upto Class X; A boon or a curse for indigenous minorities."  
Five resolutions were taken during the convention and the organisations agreed to oppose any move to make Hindi a mandatory subject, team up to promote  the varied indigenous languages of the State and urge the Government to incorporate "our mother tongue" in NEP 2020, unrestrict the students on learning additional language as an optional subject as per their choice.
Further, the convention resolved to urge the Government to translate the books being taught in schools to Manipuri language and to discuss the State Language Policy as an agenda in the next Assembly session.
The convention was moderated by veteran journalist Leihaothabam Sharat-chandra while DESAM president Leishangthem Lamyanba was the rapporteur.
Associate Professor Chinglen Maisnam of Manipur University, Dean of Directorate of Regional Indian Language and Research of MIU Thokchom Chandra-mani, Asst Professor Dr N Sanatomba of MU, retd IAS  officer RK Nimai, IPSA vice president Khuraijam Athouba, CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba, HERI- COUN president Longjam Ratan, UPF president Nongthombam Rupachandra, LIPUL president Thokchom Somorendro, COHR Chairman  Phulindro Konsam were the speakers.
At the function, AMSU president Haobijam Chalam-ba Meitei recalled that the Manipur language was added in the eighth schedule of Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992 following a series of movements by the people of Manipur to protect the language.
Even today, many organisations have been working tirelessly to declare Manipuri as a classical language, Chalamba said.
Saying that India is a diverse Nation formed by integrating over 500 princely States, the AMSU president continued that the Nation which is considered as the largest democracy in the world seems to be focusing more on "One Nation, One  Language, One Religion" idea today.
Claiming that the statement given by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make Hindi compulsory upto Class X has elicited mixed response from the people of the country but the same is being condemned widely in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and North East States, Chalamba maintained that any move to replace Hindi as the official language of India will be wrong as it is clearly written in Article 343 that "the official language of the Union shall be Hindi written in Devanagari script, along with English."
Further stating that the people of North East India should oppose any move to impose Hindi on the region collectively as it is detrimental "to our culture  and identity", the AMSU president maintained that it would be more proper for the Central Government to make Hindi an optional language so that students who prefer the language can learn it and focus more on promoting the indigenous languages of the region.
The student organisations don't oppose Hindi as the language is being taught upto Class VIII as a compulsory subject, he said and added that there are also different courses for those who want to learn the language furthermore.
He then urged the Union Home Minister to take back his words as a token of respect to the people of North East India.