Classical language

Current Context : Recently, Union Cabinet approved classical language status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.

• The primary states involved are Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese).
• With this, the number of classical languages will nearly double from 6 to 11.
• Existing Classical Languages: Before this, six languages held the status—Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu, Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
• Criteria for Classical Status: To qualify, a language must have:
• A documented history of 1,500-2,000 years.
• A body of ancient literature considered valuable by generations of speakers.
• Significance: This status aids in the preservation and promotion of these languages through academic research, digitization, and documentation.