Meitei associate official language movement

The social movement of Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) to be included as an associate official language of the Government of Assam is advocated by several literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Northeast India (predominantly from Assam, Manipur and Tripura).[22]

Not to be confused with Meitei classical language movement.
Further information: Meitei Language Day and Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation

Movement of Meitei language to be included as an associate official language of Assam
"Meitei Lon" (literally meaning "Meitei language"), written in Meitei script
English nameMovement of Meitei language to be included as an associate official language of Assam[lower-alpha 1]
Time2020 - 2021
Duration2020 - 2021
VenueNortheast India (predominantly from Assam, Manipur and Tripura)
LocationNortheast India (predominantly from Assam, Manipur and Tripura)
Also known as
  • Associate official language movement of Meitei language
  • Associate official language movement of Manipuri language
  • Meitei associate official language movement
  • Manipuri associate official language movement
  • Meitei language movement in Assam
  • Manipuri language movement in Assam
Typesocial movement
Theme
CauseExemption of all the candidates who do not appear the exams in either of the three mandatory languages, Assamese, Bodo or Bengali, without provisions of any alternative language, in job recruitments conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) of the Government of Assam (Assam Public Services Competitive Examination (Amendment) Rules, 2019)
Target
Patron(s)
Organised by
  • Government of Manipur
  • All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU)[1]
  • Assam Manipuri Meira Paibi Lup[2]
  • Assam Manipuri Sahitya Parishad[3]
  • All Assam Manipuri Muslim Youth Front[4]
  • All Assam Manipuri Students Union (AAMSU)[5][6][7][8]
  • Guwahati Manipuri Coordination Committee (GMCC)[9]
  • Manipuri Youth Front of Assam (MYFA)[10][11][12]
  • Union of Association of Manipuri Writers[13]
  • Youth's Action Committee for Protection of Indigenous People (YACPIP)[14]
Participants
Part of a series on
Meitei people
History
Culture
People
Religion
Politics

During November 2021, the Government of Assam declared the removal of mandatoriness of any particular language in the job recruitment exams conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).[23][24]

Background

On 8 October 2020, Sarbananda Sonowal, the then Chief Minister of Assam, declared an announcement that the aspirants of the civil services from the Barak Valley who do not study either Assamese, Bodo or Bengali languages will not be allowed to appear in the qualifying language paper in the exams conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) CEE.[25][26]

The job recruitments conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) of the Government of Assam has made it mandatory for all the candidates to appear job exams only in Assamese, Bodo or Bengali without providing any alternative language for people who studied in other languages like Meitei language in Assam, starting from primary level to above.[27]

As some languages are made mandatory in the academics of Assam while Meitei language is not, in the near future, the disappearance of Meitei language in Assam will be the nearest possible outcome because students who do not choose the option for the mandatory languages in their educational careers are not allowed to appear in many Assam state government jobs. Due to such a law imposed by the Government of Assam, many students have hesitantly denied Meitei language medium in Assam.[28][29][30][31]

Efforts of socio-political leaders

During September 2020, Leishemba Sanajaoba, a Rajya Sabha MP of Manipur, urged Sarbananda Sonowal, the then Chief Minister of Assam, for the recognition of Meitei language as an 'associate' official language of Assam. According to him, with the recognition of Meitei language as an associate official language, the identity, history, culture and tradition of Manipuris residing in Assam could be protected and preserved. Earlier, Nongthombam Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, had discussed with the Chief Minister of Assam, about the matter on the inclusion of Meitei language in the list of subjects in the examinations conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).[32][33][34][35]

During December 2020, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, a Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha, sought attention of the House for the recognition of Meitei language as an associate official language of Assam. Highlighting about the bill passed by the Assam Legislative Assembly introducing Assamese language as a mandatory subject in all the educational institutions in Assam from Class I to X, Ranjan said that Meitei language should be declared as an associate official language of Assam in accordance to the "Article 347" of the Indian Constitution, which is a special provision for the recognition of a language spoken by a section of the population of a State to be officially recognised entirely or partially of the state.[36]

Public grievances and protests

During July 2020, the "Youth's Action Committee for Protection of Indigenous People" (YACPIP) and the "Manipuri Youth Front of Assam" (MYFA), Silchar, demanded the recognition of Meitei language as associate official language of Assam so as the Manipuri people can apply for jobs in their mother language.[37] The association sent a memorandum to the President of India through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar. In the memorandum, they have stated that Meitei language is legitimate to be an associate official language in Assam, as there are 102 Meitei language medium schools recognised by Government of Assam and Meitei language is being taught in the schools since 1956 till present.[38][39][40]

During September 2020, the Guwahati Manipuri Coordination Committee (GMCC) submitted a memorandum to Sarbananda Sonowal regarding the inclusion of Meitei language in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) examinations.[41]

During October 2020, in reaction to the announcement of Assam Chief Minister, regarding the exemption of people, who do not study in either of the mandatory languages, from government job exams, various associations and organisations led by the "Manipuri Youths Front of Assam" (MYFA) burnt the effigy of Sarbananda Sonowal (the then Chief Minister) and Himanta Biswa Sarma (the then Education Minister). They demanded Meitei language to be declared as an associate official language in Assam.[42][43][44]

During September 2021, the Central Committee of the "All Assam Manipuri Students Union" (AAMSU) demanded that Meitei language should be included as one of the associate official languages of Assam in order to protect the language from getting disappeared.[45][46][47][48]

See also

Notes
  1. The word "associate" is used instead of "associated" in most sources. So, the title of this article about the event is also named using the word "associate".

References
  1. "'Make Manipuri an associate official language of Assam' campaign continues; AMSU backs MYFA : 25th jul20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022. All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has endorsed the movement carried out by Manipuris in Assam, demanding the recognition of Manipuri language as an associate official language of Assam.
  2. Staff Correspondent (15 September 2010). "Stir to include Manipuri as associate official language in Assam". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  3. "Demands to Include Manipuri Language in APSC Exams Raised". www.guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  4. Staff Correspondent (15 September 2010). "Stir to include Manipuri as associate official language in Assam". assamtribune.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  5. "Make Manipuri associate official language of Assam: AAMSU : 22nd sep21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  6. "Manipuri language should be one of Assam's associate official languages: AAMSU". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  7. Webdesk, Time8 (22 September 2021). "AAMSU demands Associate Official Language status to Manipuri language". TIME8. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  8. "AAMSU for Associate Official Language status : 22nd sep21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  9. "Demands to Include Manipuri Language in APSC Exams Raised". www.guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  10. "Assam: Youth body demands recognition of Manipuri as associate official language". India Today NE (in Hindi). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  11. "Make Manipuri language official: MYFA : 14th jul20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  12. "Recognise Manipuri language as Assam's associate official language : MYFA". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  13. "Union of Association of Manipuri Writers backs MYFA's movement : 03rd aug20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  14. "YACPIP appeals Assam Govt to include Manipuri Language as Associate official Language : 15th jul20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  15. "Manipuri as associate official language in Assam Sanajaoba approaches Sonowal". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  16. S, Vangamla Salle K. (24 September 2020). "Manipur titular king writes to CM Sonowal to recognise Manipuri language in Assam". EastMojo. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  17. Desk, Sentinel Digital (25 September 2020). "Manipur's titular king Leishemba urges Assam CM to include Manipuri as an associate official language - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  18. "MP Sanajaoba urges Assam CM to include Manipuri language as associate language of Assam | Pothashang News". Pothashang. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  19. "Manipuri as associate official language in Assam Sanajaoba approaches Sonowal (About Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh)". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had discussed with his Assam counterpart on the inclusion of Manipuri language in the list of subjects in the examinations conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).
  20. S, Vangamla Salle K. (24 September 2020). "Manipur titular king writes to CM Sonowal to recognise Manipuri language in Assam (About Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh)". EastMojo. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Earlier, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh had discussed with his Assam counterpart for the inclusion of Manipuri language to the list of subjects in the examinations conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).
  21. "List Manipuri as associate official language in Assam: Ranjan in LS : 21st dec20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  22. Laithangbam, Iboyaima (27 September 2020). "Assam to look into demand to include Manipuri in list of associate languages". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  23. Mukut Das (27 November 2021). "Stir over withdrawal of mandatory Assamese paper from APSC exam | Guwahati News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after the cabinet meeting in Bongaigaon district on Wednesday, said earlier, knowledge of Assamese was mandatory for candidates to appear in the APSC exam. But this rule created confusion in the minds of students, who have studied in English medium schools. "The cabinet has taken the decision to withdraw the language paper for the test," he said.
  24. "Assamese, Language Paper not Compulsory for APSC: CM Sarma - News Live". 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2022. Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting, Sarma said that earlier knowing Assamese was mandatory for the candidates to appear in the APSC and ACS exams but it seems to create some confusion for the students of Assam who studied in English medium. Therefore, the state cabinet has taken the decision to withdraw the language paper for the test conducted for APSC and ACS, he said.
  25. Today, North East (9 October 2020). "Manipuri Bodies Burn Effigies of CM Sonowal, Himanta Biswa; Demands Manipuri as Associate Official Language". Northeast Today. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  26. "Manipuri Bodies Demand Manipuri As Associate Official Language In Assam | East Turn News". East Turn. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  27. "List Manipuri as associate official language in Assam: Ranjan in LS : 21st dec20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  28. "Make Manipuri associate official language of Assam: AAMSU : 22nd sep21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  29. "Manipuri language should be one of Assam's associate official languages: AAMSU". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  30. Webdesk, Time8 (22 September 2021). "AAMSU demands Associate Official Language status to Manipuri language". TIME8. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  31. "Assam: Youth body demands recognition of Manipuri as associate official language". India Today NE (in Hindi). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  32. "Manipuri as associate official language in Assam Sanajaoba approaches Sonowal". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  33. S, Vangamla Salle K (24 September 2020). "Manipur titular king writes to CM Sonowal to recognise Manipuri language in Assam". EastMojo. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  34. Desk, Sentinel Digital (25 September 2020). "Manipur's titular king Leishemba urges Assam CM to include Manipuri as an associate official language - Sentinelassam". www.sentinelassam.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  35. "MP Sanajaoba urges Assam CM to include Manipuri language as associate language of Assam | Pothashang News". Pothashang. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  36. "List Manipuri as associate official language in Assam: Ranjan in LS : 21st dec20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  37. "YACPIP appeals Assam Govt to include Manipuri Language as Associate official Language : 15th jul20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  38. "Assam: Youth body demands recognition of Manipuri as associate official language". India Today NE (in Hindi). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  39. "Make Manipuri language official: MYFA : 14th jul20 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  40. "Recognise Manipuri language as Assam's associate official language : MYFA". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  41. "Demands to Include Manipuri Language in APSC Exams Raised". www.guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  42. "Manipuri Bodies in Assam Burn Effigies of Sarbananda Sonowal and Himanta Biswa". www.guwahatiplus.com. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  43. Today, North East (9 October 2020). "Manipuri Bodies Burn Effigies of CM Sonowal, Himanta Biswa; Demands Manipuri as Associate Official Language". Northeast Today. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  44. "Manipuri Bodies Demand Manipuri As Associate Official Language In Assam | East Turn News". East Turn. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
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  46. "Manipuri language should be one of Assam's associate official languages: AAMSU". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
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