Mumbai, October 03, 2024: The long-standing demand of the people of Maharashtra for granting classical status to the Marathi language has finally been fulfilled. The demand was raised in the Lok Sabha by Ravindra Waikar, Member of Parliament from the Mumbai North-West constituency. Marathi is not just a language of Maharashtra; it represents the state’s identity, cultural heritage, and pride. The rich traditions here encompass literary masterpieces, from Sant Dnyaneshwar’s ‘Dnyaneshwari’ to Sant Eknath’s ‘Bharuds,’ which have given Marathi a unique identity.
Drawing the attention of the Minister of Culture in the Lok Sabha, Waikar pointed out that while the central government has granted classical status to six other regional languages, Marathi, despite meeting all criteria, has been left out. He appealed to the central government to fulfill the people’s demand, as the classical status would preserve Marathi’s historical significance and identity. Celebrating Marathi Language Day on February 27 serves to acknowledge its importance. Following the central government’s decision, people in the Shamnagar area of Jogeshwari gathered to celebrate the recognition of Marathi as a classical language.