Bengali Language Receives Long Overdue Classical Status Recognition from Centre

The recent decision by the Centre to grant classical language status to Bengali has been met with enthusiasm at a literary gathering in the city. This recognition was discussed during a session at the three-day Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob (ABSU). Swati Guha, Director of the Institute for Language Studies and Research (ILSR), noted that this acknowledgment was long overdue.

Guha highlighted that many believe the 1,000-year-old Charyapada scripts, which promote Buddhism, signify the origins of the Bengali language. "We gave the proposal to undertake research. We were of the view that if other languages like Odia and Assamese can be granted classical status despite showing the same Charyapada as the benchmark why should Bengali be left out?" she stated.

Efforts to Recognise Bengali's Classical Status

Guha recalled how they, along with Education Minister Bratya Basu, consistently raised this issue on International Mother Language Day. The ILSR played a significant role in advocating for Bengali's classical status. Many global researchers and academics joined this effort to demonstrate Bengal's historical use as a language.

Amitava Das, another researcher from ILSR, explained that some Charyapada writers were from the 8th century. He added that even conversational forms of Bengali have existed for over 1,000 years, showcasing its ancient roots. This evidence supported their case for classical recognition.

Celebrating Bengali's Rich Heritage

Popular Bengali author Pracheta Gupta expressed pride in this achievement. He remarked on how Bengali now stands with one foot in classical tradition while remaining contemporary. The 10th edition of ABSU, organised by Oxford Bookstores, took place from November 15 to 17.

This event celebrated Bengali literature and culture while acknowledging its historical significance. The recognition of Bengali as a classical language marks an important milestone for its speakers and enthusiasts worldwide.