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.”
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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.”
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