The All Assam Manipuri Students Union (AAMSU), Central Committee demanded that Manipuri language must be included as one of the associate official languages of Assam in order to protect the language.
A release by AAMSU has expressed discontentment over the recent statement made by Assam Himanta chief minister, Biswa Sarma in Silchar where he stated that inclusion of Manipuri language as the associate official language is not favourable or appropriate considering the population of the Manipuris.
If Assamese, Bengali and Bodo languages are made mandatory in the academics of Assam, Manipuri language will soon disappear in the state as students who do not opt for the said three languages in their educational career are prohibited to appear in many state government jobs in Assam. Due to such a mandate imposed in Assam, many students have neglected Manipuri medium, it added.
The release further stated that Manipuri language has been included in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution and since 1956, the language is included as one of the learning mediums in the educational institutions.
Besides, Manipuri language is also recognised by the Sahitya Akademi and prohibition of inclusion of Manipuri language as one of the associate official languages of Assam is an act of undermining the language, it added.
The status of a language cannot be determined by the population of the people. The same treatment given to Assamese, Bengali and Bodo languages should also be given to Manipuri language, the release stated.
