Mumbai, Dt. 27
Commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the formation of the state of Maharashtra and Marathi Raj Bhasha Day, the coming Maharashtra Day ie
On May 1, the status of classical language should be announced for Marathi language. Ajit Pawar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly has written to the state government demanding that the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister should follow up with the Central Government for this.
The fight for Marathi to get the status of a classical language has been going on for more than a decade. Evidence that Marathi meets all the criteria for classical language along with a detailed interim report on the same was sent to the Union Ministry of Culture in 2013 on behalf of Maharashtra and to the Central Government for final decision in 2014. A delegation led by the then Marathi Language Minister Subhash Desai met Union Culture Minister Kishan Reddy on 21 February 2022. Pawar said in this letter that he had also clarified that the Pathare Committee report sent by the Maharashtra government was correct and that it had been accepted by the central government.
When Prithviraj Chavan was the Chief Minister and he was the Deputy Chief Minister, on January 10, 2012, veteran writer Dr. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Ranganath Pathare. The committee held a total of seven meetings and the draft sub-committee held 19 meetings. A 435-page report was prepared and submitted to the central government after discussing with the experts the references of ancient texts, ancient articles, inscriptions, copper plates etc. Marathi language fulfills all the criteria required to get the status of classical language. From Sahitya Akademi, Ministry of Culture, all concerned departments have given green light for it. Only the Union Cabinet has to give its seal. However, Pawar also said in this letter that the central government should give Marathi the status of classical language and visit Maharashtra on Maharashtra Day.