In a ground breaking decision, the Union Cabinet has officially approved the status of Marathi as a classical language, a move that has been eagerly anticipated by the people of Maharashtra for decades. This announcement comes as a significant recognition of the rich literary heritage and cultural importance of the Marathi language, alongside four other languages. Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali also receiving classical status. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav made the announcement, marking a milestone in the long-standing demand for the recognition of Marathi.
Various state governments over the years have echoed this sentiment, reflecting the deep-rooted desire of the 12 crore residents of Maharashtra to see their language acknowledged on a national scale. In response to the announcement, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took to the microblogging platform X, expressing his elation: "Today is a historic day in the history of May Marathi!" He highlighted the importance of the decision, stating, "It became easy to prove that Marathi language is classical on the basis of Leela Charitra, Dnyaneshwari, and Vivek Sindhu."
Fadnavis extended his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Cabinet for this significant recognition. He emphasized his commitment to advocating for the status of Marathi, noting his efforts while serving as Chief Minister, and his ongoing initiatives under the leadership of the current Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. The Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the contributions of various scholars and literary figures who have worked tirelessly to establish the classical identity of the Marathi language through their works.
"Today, we celebrate their achievements and the recognition that our language truly deserves," he said. As Maharashtra rejoices in this significant achievement, the designation of Marathi as a classical language not only honors its profound historical impact but also paves the way for further cultural and educational initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the language for future generations.