Classical Languages
At present (2023) 6 languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status in India. These are:
- 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.
- The guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ by Ministry of Culture are:
- High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.
- A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
- The literary tradition is original and not borrowed from another speech community.
- 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.
After a language is recognised as a Classical language, the Human Resource and Development Ministry provides some benefits for the promotion of the language. These benefits can be:
- Academic Support: Centre of Excellence for studies and research in Classical Languages is established.
- International Recognition: Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.
- Inclusion in Educational Curriculum
- Gets Government Grants and Funding
- Promote Study and Research
Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the 22 official languages of India. The languages are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri. These languages were included in the schedule to preserve linguistic diversity and grant special status and protection under the Constitution. The provision can be amended by the parliament to adapt to evolving linguistic considerations. The schedule strengthens the constitutional commitment to unity in diversity.
Table of Content
- List of Language in the Eighth Schedule
- Chronology of Addition of Languages to the Eighth Schedule
- Constitutional Provision Related to the 8th Schedule
- Criteria to Include Language under Eighth Schedule
- Classical Languages
- Benefits of inclusion of Language under the Eighth Schedule
- Steps that Should be Taken to protect the Linguistic Diversity of India
- Demands of languages for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule