The committee was constituted in 2018 but remained inoperative. The movement for recognizing Manipuri as a classical language began in 2013, yet there has been a gap in the follow up actions.

However, now, the state government appears hopeful of a renewed push towards Manipuri language achieving the status of classical language of India.

Responding to a query by the Imphal Free Press on the sidelines of a programme held at Babupara in Imphal on Friday, the minister exuded confidence that Manipuri language (Meetei Mayek) will definitely get the classical language status, as Manipuri dance has been recognised as among the classical dances of India.

He said that the government has prepared a roadmap to collect and prepare all necessary documents and submit to the Ministry concerned by September.

Presently, six languages of India, namely Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia have been granted classical language status.

According to the Ministry, the criteria for declaration of a language as a classical language are having high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; having a body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.

Besides, it is also said that the classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.