Mamata Writes To PM Modi, Seeks MHA Nod To Giving 'Classical Language' Tag To Bengali

In a letter to PM Modi, Banerjee has as asked him to issue necessary instructions to the MHA so that the claim of the Bengali language as a classical language is accepted. 

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked him to issue necessary instructions to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) "so that the claim of Bengali language as a classical language is accepted at the earliest," as reported by news agency ANI.

In the letter to PM Modi, Banerjee highlighted that the Government of India has already officially recognized six languages as having such classical status. 

"Government of India has already officially recognized six languages as having such classical status: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu and Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and_Odia (2014). While presenting the research papers establishing the antiquity of the Bengali language for your kind perusal, | will very briefly state the substance of our contention and submit how Bengali eminently qualifies to be classified as a Classical Language by the Ministry of Home Affairs. MHA may study our 4- volume documentation to appreciate the vali of aur claim," the letter stated.

"In consideration Of the fact that 6 Indian languages have already been notified as Classical Languages, | would be grateful if you kindly issue necessary instructions to the Ministry of Home Affairs so that the claim of Bengali language as a Classical Language is accepted at the earliest," the letter further read.

In her letter, the West Bengal CM also presented a research document that claimed to fulfil all the four criteria set by the Ministry of Home Affairs. "I take this opportunity to present before you a summary (kindly see enclosure) of a scholarly work undertaken by us in 4 volumes, which dates the origin of `Bangla' and Bengali language to the 3rd-4th BCE. In sum, the research shows that our is a classical language with roots in antiquity, and we seek its recognition as such," the West Bengal CM said.

She further stated that apart from being the national language of a country (Bangladesh), an official language of our State and the second most spoken language in India, is also the 7th most spoken language in the world.

"The Bengali people have a rich heritage and culture dating back to pre-historic times. There had always been claims about the antiquity of the Bengali language, but concrete research was not present to scientifically substantiate the claim. Now, I am happy to present concrete evidence-based research to prove that Bengali as a language existed, even in writing, as early as, 3rd-4th BCE," the letter read.