Six student organisations have strongly condemned the Government of India for its decision to make Hindi as a compulsory school subject in North Eastern states.
A release jointly issued by the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Singpanglup (AIMS), Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) on Sunday stated that they would never accept the recent decision of Union Minister of Home of "imposing" Hindi as compliment subject in school till class X.
India is inhabited by different communities and hence, it is known for its 'Unity in Diversity'. However, taking the move to impose Hindi as a compulsory subject demeans the democratic values of the country as it is almost similar to adopting the policy of colonial domination, the student bodies stated.
While stating that Manipur has its own language and script and other tribes their own dialects too, it said that people of the state have been launching various movements and steps to preserve and promote their mother languages and dialects. Despite this, Manipuri language is in a critical situation and amid this situation, imposing Hindi language as mandatory subject is a direct attack to endanger it after some years, they stated.
The release further said that like Hindi, Manipuri language is also recognised as an official language under Eighth schedule. As such, the standard of Manipuri language is almost equivalent to Hindi language. There is no point in making this language (Hindi) compulsory, they stated.
"Will the government of India accept if we demand to make Manipuri a compulsory subject as it got recognition as an official language?" the release asked.
UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day and the day has been observed throughout the world with an objective to promote and preserve the mother language or dialect of their respective states, the students said. Thus, imposing Hindi language as compulsory subject in North East states, including Manipur, is going against this declaration, they asserted.
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