Meitei classical language movement

The Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri) movement seeks to achieve recognition of Meitei as a Classical language of India. It was supported by various literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northeast India (prominently Assam, Manipur and Tripura).

Chungkham Yashawanta, professor of the Department of Linguistics at Manipur University, is of the opinion that the very social movement is not an easy task, having no room for agitation, and is of purely academic work, needing linguists, historians, archeologists, anthropologists and literary persons. However, Dr. Moirangthem Nara, a former cabinet minister for Arts and Culture and Sericulture of the government of Manipur and a member of Manipur Legislative Assembly, is of the opinion that no demands could be met in India and Manipur without agitation.

In the year 2004, the government of India set up an official category of Classical languages of India. An expert committee had suggested strict criteria for languages to qualify, for example, that the language should have been in existence for 1,000 years.

The government of India announced some requiremfor a language to ge considered Classical.

For the languages which are declared as classical languages, three benefits are granted by the government of India.

In 2013, after learning, the possibility of classical language status for Meitei began to be discussed at various book released and cultural events.

July 2013, A. Balkrishna Sharma, the then vice-president of Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti, said "We are also proud to claim Manipuri as a classical language because of the rich tradition of writing maintained by our forefathers".

Chungkham Yashawanta, a professor of the Department of Linguistics, Manipur University wrote that to fulfill the four criteria for a classical language, there is a need for the scientific analysis of Meitei language and Meitei script, the prehistory and the unbroken history of Manipur, Meitei culture (including religious, philosophical, ideological and artistic traditions), origin and development of Meitei literature, and others.