WMC questions classical language stand of RS MP

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 25 : The World Meetei Council (WMC) has said that the recent statement given by Rajya Sabha MP Leisemba Sanajaoba on inclusion of Manipuri in the group of classical languages goes against his endeavour to enlist the Meeteis in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution.
Notably, Leisemba Sanajaoba had on June 23 claimed that the process of enlisting Manipuri in the elite group of classical languages has been completed by 70 per cent.
In a statement, WMC asked how the language of an ethnic group of Manipur which fulfils the criteria to be recognised as a Scheduled Tribe would be classified as classical.
As per WMC, Leisemba Sanajaoba raised the demand for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the ST list of the Indian Constitution in the Parliament in April 2022.
Continuing that the title of classical languages is given to the language of advanced communities, WMC maintained that even Bengali is not classified as a classical language.
The Council then urged the lone Rajya Sabha member from the State to not mislead the people but strive to enlist the Meeteis in the ST list.
The Rajya Sabha MP had on June 23 announced during the 88th foundation day of the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad and its 87 annual meeting that Manipuri language is likely to get the status of a classical language soon.