Secretary Educational and Library, FESOK N Rikesh Mangang told the media on the sidelines of the event that the campaign was launched for safeguarding the Manipuri language script which is used by a minority community.

It has been unfortunate that the Union Home Minister made an announcement to include Hindi as compulsory subject till Class X as it will only give a huge impact to the minority communities, he mentioned.

According to a UNESCO report, there are around 7,000 language scripts in the world. Out of the total, 40 per cent are in a vulnerable stage, he said. In India also, there are a total of around 1,700 languages and 40 per cent are in the vulnerable stage, he said. Culture, traditions and other values related to a community will become extinct if its languages and scripts become extinct, he added.

Most languages including scripts become extinct due to the conspiracy of respective governments of the respective countries, he alleged.

Manipuri language and script was included in 8th schedule in 1992; however, it cannot be assumed that the particular language and script has constitutional protection. The resolution of a meeting that was held recently has been submitted to the state government, he said.

He further said the state government is yet to announce its stand regarding the announcement made by the union home minister for imposition of Hindi in all the entire Northeastern states including Manipur. There is a possibility to include Manipuri as one of the Indian classical languages but no necessary steps have been undertaken by the state government, said Rikesh.

He said FESOK is targeting to collect more than 50,000 signatures in connection with the movement and after completion of the signature campaign, the student body will submit it to the state and the Central government as a demand.