This is an archive article published on October 4, 2024
As Marathi gets classical language status, Pune literary community lauds decision
Sabnis said because of the classical language status, funds worth crores will be made available by the Centre. "Political leaders should ensure that these funds are used in the interest of Marathi language and are not misused," he said.
Welcoming the move, Milind Joshi, working president, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune, said, "This is a historic decision. It will help in betterment of the language. The classical language status concerned shows the self-respect as well as pride of Maharashtrians. It will infuse new energy among the Marathi speaking people."
As the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accorded the Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages, the literary community in Pune has hailed the move while pointing out that there long pending demand has been fullfilled.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “The Centre’s decision to confer the classical language status of Marathi language is historical. It will gladden the hearts of Marathi speaking people and Marathi fans all over the world. The demand for conferring Marathi with the classical language status has been voiced for years. Because of this decision, the glorious history and rich cultural heritage of Marathi language will now go worldwide. The decision is a moment of pride for Maharashtra and I want to thank the Union Cabinet for this move.”
Popular Marathi author Shripal Sabnis, who is the former president of Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, said, “I congratulate 12 crore people of Maharashtra. I want to congratulate those who held dharnas, demonstrations and agitations in pursuance of their demand to grant Marathi the classical language status.”
Sabnis said though the Modi government has taken the decision with an eye on election, he still wanted to congratulate the government. “It is a selfish decision taken with an eye on election. But it has brought cheer to the people of Maharashtra and therefore I want to thank the Union Government,” he said.
Sabnis said leaders from political parties who were openly using foul language should at least now stop from stooping low. ”Now they should behave properly. They should not try to lower the status of Marathi language by using abusing each other publicly,” he said.
Sabnis said because of the classical language status, funds worth crores will be made available by the Centre. “Political leaders should ensure that these funds are used in the interest of Marathi language and are not misused,” he said.
Welcoming the move, Milind Joshi, working president, Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad, Pune, said, “This is a historic decision. It will help in betterment of the language. The classical language status concerned shows the self-respect as well as pride of Maharashtrians. It will infuse new energy among the Marathi speaking people.”
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Stating that the Parishad has been at the forefront of the demand, Joshi said, “Over 10 years ago, professor Rangnath Pathare was appointed by then the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to collect all details, documents and submit a report to the Centre to press for Marathi’s classical language statute. After that Marathi Sahitya Parishad first started the movement to get Marathi classical language status in 2016. Parishad president Dr Raosaheb Kasbe organised a meeting of authors where 40 prominent authors were present. After that the Marathi Sahitya Parishad wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office several times to press for Marathi classical language status.”
Joshi said the Parishad treasurer Vinod Kulkarni from Satara took the initiative to send one lakh letters to the Prime Minister. ”The Prime Minister’s Office then took cognisance of the demand. The PMO wrote back saying since the Madras High Court has decided on a petition concerning the language status, the Union Cultural Ministry has started the process for granting Marathi the classical language status,” Joshi said.
The Parishad had also pursued the matter with then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “In 2018, the Parishad had also threatened to stage a sit-in in Delhi if its demand was not met. Subsequently, it held an agitation which was the first of its kind,” he said.
Marathi author Shrimant Kokate said, “Though the decision has been delayed, it is a welcome one. While other languages like Tamil and Kannada were given classical language status years ago, Marathi people had to fight hard to get the language the status it deserved. ‘Shila lekh’ or rock inscriptions in Marathi have been found dating back more than 1,000 years, showing the antiquity of the language. Yet, it took years for Marathi to get the classical language status.”
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More
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