Recently, The Union Cabinet has approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages. Now this is the question what is the meaning of Classical Language’s status?

Classical languages are regarded as the custodians of India’s ancient and profound cultural legacy, preserving the rich history, literature, and traditions of their respective communities.

By conferring this status, the government seeks to honour and protect the linguistic milestones of Bharat's diverse cultural landscape, ensuring that future generations can access and appreciate the deep historical roots of these languages.

This move not only reinforces the importance of linguistic diversity but also acknowledges the vital role these languages play in shaping the nation's cultural identity.

The designation of a language as classical is intended to recognize its historical significance and its role as a guardian of Bharat’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

These languages have been essential in preserving and transmitting India's ancient knowledge systems, philosophies, and values across generations for thousands of years. By recognizing these languages as classical, the government acknowledges their deep-rooted antiquity, vast literary traditions, and their invaluable contribution to the cultural fabric of the nation.

This recognition highlights the significant cultural and linguistic contributions these languages have made to India’s heritage. It will not only elevate their stature but will also facilitate efforts toward the promotion, preservation, and further research of these languages, ensuring their continued relevance in the modern world.

If we look at the history of this criteria, we way back to the year 2004. Then, the Government of India, for the first time, created a new category of languages known as Classical Languages. Later, it was revised in 2005 and 2024 based on the recommendations of Linguistic Experts Committees under Sahitya Akademi to examine the proposed languages for the status of Classical Language.

In November 2005, Sanskrit was declared a Classical Language. In 2024, six Indian languages namely Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia accorded the status of Classical Languages.

The Ministry of Education has taken various steps to advance Classical Languages. In 2020, three Central Universities were established through an Act of Parliament to promote Sanskrit. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil was created to facilitate translating ancient Tamil texts, promoting research, and offering courses for university students and language scholars. To further enhance the study and preservation of Classical Languages, the Centres for Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia were established under the auspices of the Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysuru.

Additionally, several national and international awards have been introduced to recognize and encourage achievements in the field of Classical Languages. Other benefits provided by the Ministry of Education include National Awards for Classical Languages, university chairs, and centres dedicated to promoting Classical Languages.

The inclusion of languages as Classical Languages creates significant employment opportunities, especially in the academic and research sectors. Additionally, the preservation, documentation, and digitization of ancient texts in these languages will generate jobs in areas such as archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media.

Recognizing the languages as classical encourages scholarly research, preservation, and the revitalization of ancient texts and knowledge systems, which are essential to India's intellectual and cultural identity.

Furthermore, it instils a sense of pride and ownership among the speakers of these languages, promoting national integration and aligning with the broader vision of a self-reliant and culturally rooted India.

The decision to confer Classical Language status to various languages reflects a deep recognition of the invaluable role these languages have played in shaping India's cultural and intellectual heritage.

This step not only acknowledges their historical and literary significance but also underscores the government's commitment to preserving and promoting India's linguistic diversity.

The initiative is expected to foster academic and research opportunities, enhance global collaborations, and contribute to the nation’s cultural and economic growth.