Lok Sabha Question No. 1154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-24
Subject: Classical Status of South Indian Languages
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

- (a): No, Madam.
- (b): Question does not arise.

(c),(d)&(e): In  the  recent  years,  no  such  representation  has  been  received  in  the  Ministry. However, earlier Shri R. Gandhi, Advocate, Chennai at different times had filed five Writ Petitions in the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Madras. Details of the same are given as under :-

- (i) Writ Petition No. 18810 of 2008 seeking reconstitution of the Committee of Linguistic Experts.
- (ii) Writ Petition No. 28334 of 2008 challenging the notification of Telugu and Kannada as classical languages.
- (iii) Writ Petition No. 27405/2014 seeking strict adherence to the criteria laid down for classification of a language as classical one.
- (iv) Writ Petition No. 5813 of 2015 and Writ Petition No. 5814 of 2015 challenging the notification of Malayalam and Odia as classical languages respectively.

Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Judicature  at  Madras  heard  all  the  five  Writ  Petitions  together  in number of sittings/hearings. Finally Hon'ble High Court vide its order/judgment dated 8.8.2016 disposed of all these writ petitions and also ordered that all concerned miscellaneous petitions are closed.

In  its  detailed  judgment,  the  Hon'ble  High  Court  has  inter-alia  stated  that  it  is  for  the experts to verify whether the languages satisfy the norms and recommend for the declaration. Having satisfied, they have recommended for the declaration of the languages in consideration to be 'classical'.  The  facts  which  made  the  expert  body  to  recommend  the  promulgation  of  such declaration has also been placed before us and a copy has also been furnished to the petitioner. As such we do not find any reason to interfere with the impugned declaration. This Court cannot convert  itself  into  a  forum  for  debate  on  such  matters.  If  the  Petitioner  still  feels  that  the particulars furnished by the respective states would not satisfy the criteria, it is open to him to approach the authorities. Similarly he can also give his suggestions for determination of the type of  literature,  that  can  be  benchmark  for  qualification  for  consideration  to  the  concerned authorities.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1154 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.07.2017

## CLASSICAL STATUS OF SOUTH INDIAN LANGUAGES

## 1154. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is contemplating about stripping off the classical status accorded to various South Indian languages including that of Malayalam;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has received any representation in this regard;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
- (e) whether  the  Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Chennai  has  recently  issued  any  directive  on  the aforesaid matter and if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR CULTURE & TOURISM

## (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

## ANSWER