Marathi Joins Elite Linguistic League: A Victory for Maharashtra

Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha applauds the decision to elevate Marathi to classical language status, calling it overdue justice. The Union Cabinet's move, praised by NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, signifies progress for all five newly recognized languages and marks a milestone in cultural preservation.

Maharashtra's Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has lauded the central government's decision to recognize Marathi as a classical language, calling it a moment of 'justice served' for the state. Welcoming the move, Lodha expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing the longstanding demand of Maharashtra's populace.

Announced on Thursday, the Union Cabinet's decision also conferred classical status upon Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Sharad Pawar, NCP-SCP chief, acknowledged the central government's initiative, envisioning significant benefits for Marathi's expansion and promotion. He emphasized the essentiality of officially recognizing these languages as elite for their cultural and developmental growth.

Pawar, addressing media on Friday, acknowledged activists and organizations like the Marathi Sahitya Parishad who have advocated for this recognition over many years. Reflecting on the announcement, Pawar noted a slight delay in the decision but stressed its timeliness and importance nonetheless. The move adds Marathi to the distinguished list of Indian languages previously accorded classical status.

(With inputs from agencies.)