In the year 2004, the Government of India set up an official elite category named "Classical languages of India".
According to Jaipal Reddy, the then Minister of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India, an expert committee had suggested strict criteria for languages to qualify, like that the language should have been in existence for 1,000 years.[37]
In the later years, the Government of India reformed and announced some criteria for a language to be recognized as a "classical language".[38][39] As of now, there are four criteria:
(i) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;[40][41][42]
(ii) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;[43][44][45]
(iii) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;[46][47][48]
(iv) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.[49][50][51]
For the languages which are declared as classical languages, 3 benefits are availed by the Government of India.[52]
Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the concerned language.[53]
A 'Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages' can be set up.[54]
The University Grants Commission (UGC) can be requested to create, to start with at least in Central Universities, a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages, for scholars of eminence in the concerned language.[55]
2013
Since the year 2013, after learning about the criteria and the benefits of the officially recognised classical languages of India, many people started talking about classical language status for Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) in various book released functions as well as in various cultural events.[56]
Notably during July 2013, A. Balkrishna Sharma, the then Vice-President of "Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti", said "We are also proud to claim Manipuri as a classical language because of the rich tradition of writing maintained by our forefathers".[57]
2014
In the year 2014, as a part of the social effort, Chungkham Yashawanta, a Professor of the "Department of Linguistics", Manipur University wrote that to fulfill the four criteria for a classical language, there is a need for the scientific analysis of Meitei language and Meitei script, the prehistory and the unbroken history of Manipur, Meitei culture (including religious, philosophical, ideological and artistic traditions), origin and development of Meitei literature, and others.[58]
Fulfilling of the Criteria and subsequent social efforts
2014
During June 2014, Vinod Kumar Duggal, the then Governor of Manipur, announced that the Government of Manipur had already taken initial steps for getting Meitei language declared as a "classical language" of India. He added that he will request M Okendrajit, the then Education Minister of the Government of Manipur, and through him to the State Government, for the acceleration of the process and the provision of sufficient funds to the experts and the scholars who can contribute towards reaching the goal of achieving the status of a "classical language".[59][60]
During August 2014, Chungkham Yashobanta, a Professor of the "Department of Linguistics", Manipur University gave a public lecture on the topic "Manipuri Lol Na Classical Language Oinabagi Potchang" (transl. Essential ingredients of transforming Manipuri into a classical language) as part of the Meitei Language Day (Manipuri Language Day) of the year.[61]
On the same Meitei Language Day, Moirangthem Nara, a Member of Manipur Legislative Assembly, while delivering a public speech, stated that no demands could be met in India and Manipur without any agitation and so the ongoing agitations needed to be continued, in relation to the demand of Meitei language to be improved to a "classical language" status.[62]
On the Meitei Language Day of the year, the "Sahitya Seva Samiti, Manipur-Kakching" celebrated the event on the theme "Manipuri Language should be enlisted in classical language category", at the Library and Information Centre, Kakching Phousupat Leikai, Kakching.[67]
On the same day, "Manipur Language Day Celebration Committee" organised the similar event at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal, in which Paonam Gunindro, a Professor of the Manipur University, gave a public lecture on the theme "Manipuri Lol Bharatki Classical Lol Oihansi" (transl. Let's make Manipuri language an Indian classical language) as a resource person of the event.[68]
In the upcoming years, 2017 and 2018, many scholars started giving more opinions of Meitei language fulfilling, satisfying or touching all the four criteria laid down by the Government of India for a "classical language".[71][72][73]
During August 2017, Thongam Biswajit Singh, the then Works, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Commerce and Industries and Information and Public Relations Minister of the Government of Manipur, urged the people for a collective effort for the upgradation of Meitei language to the status of a "classical language", by stressing out the significance of the language.[74]
2018
Notably, on 21 February 2018, at an event of the International Mother Language Day in Imphal, Paonam Gunindro, a Professor of the "Department of Manipuri" of Manipur University, while delivering a lecture on "Manipuri Lol and Classical language"[d], said that all the four criteria for the declaration of a language as a "classical language" is touched by Meitei language.[75]
During June 2018, on the occasion of World Music Day held at Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Music College, Palace Compound, Imphal, Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar Singh, the then Minister of Art & Culture Department of the Government of Manipur, as a Chief Guest of the event, while delivering a speech on music, took the opportunity to announce that steps to include Meitei language in the list of Indian classical languages had already been taken up.[77]
During July 2018, on the occasion of the 30th annual meeting of "Writers Forum Manipur", a meeting resolved to urge the Central Government of India to recognise Meitei language as a "classical language". The event was held at the Manipur Hindi Parishad, Imphal.[78]
During August 2018, Dr. Laishram Mahabir Singh, the Director of the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation, announced that a comprehensively planned proposal was set up to urge the authority concerned to include Meitei language in the classical language of India, for which a high level committee would be formed for the very purpose and a proposal would be sent to the Ministry of Culture, India within that year.[79]
Sanajaoba informed Manipur's chief minister regarding the central government's response and a committee comprising officials from the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation and also Directorate of Art and Culture was formed in the very year. In the later years, he was the spearheading leader of the classical language movement.[86]
During June 2022, at the opening session of two-day 88th foundation celebration of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal cum 87th annual meet of the Parishad at JN Manipur Dance Academy auditorium, Leisemba Sanajaoba confidently announced that 70 percent of the process for enlisting Meitei language as the 7th classical language of India have already been completed and the language will surely get the "classical language" status.
He also announced that an empowered committee, constituted by the state Government of Manipur, along with experts, would be forwarded to the Central Government of India and the very committee would be formed soon to send the recommendation.[92][93]
At the same occasion, he said:
"Process for inclusion of Manipuri language among classical languages of the country got delayed due to inaction on the part of state government"[94]
July 2022
During July 2022, while talking to the Imphal Free Press during a programme held at Babupara in Imphal, Th Basantakumar, Minister of Education Department of the Government of Manipur, said that the government had planned a roadmap to collect and prepare all necessary documents and submit them to the Ministry of Culture (India) by September of the very year.[95]
September 2022
During the first week of September 2022, the annual general body meeting of the "Writer's Forum, Manipur", organised at Manipur Hindi Parishad, Imphal, issued a statement appealing to the Central Government of India, to take up the essential steps to include Meitei language as an Indian classical language.[96]
During a January 2022 meeting with the Wakhallon Mannaba Apunba (WAMA), Leishemba Sanajaoba expressed that he was deeply unsatisfied with the Department of Language Planning and Implementation's negligence in the documentation works for inclusion of Meitei language among the classical languages. The WAMA expressed that these negligences of the Language Department will make the efforts of Sanajaoba, of raising his voice in the Rajya Sabha, go unsuccessful.[98]
The WAMA asked the state Government of Manipur for the change of the present Director of Department of Language Planning and Implementation. According to the WAMA, Chitra, the present director, is unfit to hold her official position due to her neglecting and irresponsible acts.[99] The WAMA demanded the DLPI director either to resign the official position or to show the proofs of the progress regarding the efforts to include Meitei language as an Indian classical language. They stated that they would launch an agitation to appoint another director of the committee if the present director failed to show proofs of progress within seven days.[100]
^"Meetei" and "Meitei" are used synonymously but for particular associations and organizations, specific terms are used.
^The word "Yashobanta" is also spelled as "Yashawanta". So, the name of this person is available in either of the two spellings in different sources.
^The word "Yashobanta" is also spelled as "Yashawanta". So, the name of this person is available in either of the two spellings in different sources.
^In Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language), the term "Lol" (a free variation of the word "Lon") literally means "Language" and is not related to the English acronym "laughing out loud".
^Correspondent (15 September 2010). "Centre sets rider for classical status to Manipuri language". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 23 August 2022. Manipur's titular king and Rajya Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba today stated that the Government of India has agreed to recognise Manipuri as one of the classical languages of India on condition that it fulfils four eligibility criteria. Speaking at a felicitation function here, MP Sanajaoba stated that the Manipur Government has already constituted a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to fulfil the criteria stipulated for attaining the classical language status.
^"Manipur CM Biren urges people to protect identity & language". 20 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022. The Minister further stated that under the leadership and advice of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, efforts are on seeking recognition of the Manipuri language as the 7th Classical Language of India.
^"Manipur steps up to renew push for inclusion of Manipuri among India's classical languages". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 23 August 2022. The development came after Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren chaired a meeting with the Committee for Declaration of Manipuri Language as a classical language to chalk out a roadmap and timeline for initiating necessary steps in this regard on Thursday. State Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar has been made the chairman of the committee.
^"Manipur steps up to renew push for inclusion of Manipuri among India's classical languages". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 23 August 2022. The development came after Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren chaired a meeting with the Committee for Declaration of Manipuri Language as a classical language to chalk out a roadmap and timeline for initiating necessary steps in this regard on Thursday. State Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar has been made the chairman of the committee.
^"RS MP informs : 21st aug21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 23 August 2022. MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering inclusion of Manipuri language in the list of 'Indian Classical Language' and inclusion of Meetei Mayek on currency notes.
^"Ibobi assures aid to Manipuri literature : 11th may15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 25 August 2022. On their part, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad functionaries urged the State Government to put in necessary efforts so that Manipuri is recognised as a classical language and Lai Haraoba is included in the UNESCO's world heritage list.
^"Sahitya Parishad holds annual meeting : 10th may15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 25 August 2022. Speaking at the meeting, Gaikhangam asserted that literature not only reflects but also guides a society. He promised that he would put in his best efforts so that Lai Haraoba is included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list and Manipuri language gets the classical language tag.
^"RS MP informs : 21st aug21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 23 August 2022. MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering inclusion of Manipuri language in the list of 'Indian Classical Language' and inclusion of Meetei Mayek on currency notes.