Context: Amid a demand for classical status for many languages, the Central government has decided to tweak the criteria for giving this special tag.

Background

• There are ongoing debates and demands from various linguistic communities to grant classical status to additional languages like Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, etc.

• The demand for Marathi has been pending for over a decade despite multiple assurances from the Central government. In 2014, a committee chaired by Ranganath Pathare concluded that Marathi meets all criteria for classical language status.

• The union government had constituted the Linguistics Expert Committee comprising representatives of the Union Ministries of Home, Culture and four to five linguistic experts at any given time. It is chaired by the president of the Sahitya Akademi.

• The Linguistics Expert Committee of the Union Culture Ministry submitted a report in October last year, suggesting some changes in the criteria for according classical status to any language.

Classical Languages

• Indian classical languages are those that meet specific criteria of antiquity, originality of literary tradition, and distinctiveness from their modern forms.

• Currently, India recognizes six languages as classical: Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).

• All the Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Criteria for Classification

• A language must have a recorded history of at least 1,500-2,000 years.

• It should possess a substantial body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage.

• The literary tradition should be original and not borrowed from another community.

• There should be a discernible continuity or discontinuity between the classical form and its modern counterpart.

Benefits of Classical Language Status

• Special Recognition and Government Support

• Languages granted classical status receive special recognition and support from the government.

• Educational Benefits

• Educational benefits include funding for research, establishment of centres of excellence, and creation of professorial chairs in universities.

• International Awards for Scholars:

• International awards for scholars specialising in these languages are also promoted.

Preservation of Cultural Identity and Heritage

• Classical languages play a crucial role in preserving cultural identity and heritage.

Repositories of Ancient Wisdom and Literature

• They serve as repositories of ancient wisdom, literature, and religious texts. Example: Sanskrit literature includes ancient texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, which are importantl to understanding Indian philosophy, spirituality, and ethics.

Understanding Linguistic and Cultural Diversity

• They are essential for understanding India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.Ex. Sangam Literature composed between 300 BCE to 300 CE, covering diverse themes including love, war, and ethics.