38 languages seek a place in Constitution: Centre

Demands by various organisations and state governments for inclusion of 38 languages, including English, in the Constitution are pending with the government.

"A number of representations or requests from different organisations and state governments have been received in this (Home) Ministry for inclusion of more languages in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution, including Tulu.

At present, the demand of 38 languages is pending for inclusion in the Eight Schedule to the Constitution," Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken told Lok Sabha in reply to a written question.

The languages pending approval are Angika, Banjara, Bazika, Bhojpuri, Bhoti, Bhotia, Bundelkhandi, Chhattisgarhi, Dhatki, English, Garhwali (Pahari), Gondi, Gujjar or Gujjari, Ho, Kaachachhi, Kamtapuri, Karbi, Khasi, Kodava (Coorg), Kok Barak, Kumaoni (Pahari) and Kurak.

Other languages like Kurmali, Lepcha, Limbu, Mizo (Lushai), Magahi, Mundari, Nagpuri, Nicobarese, Pahari (Himachali), Pali, Rajasthani, Sambalpuri or Kosali, Shaurseni (Prakrit), Siraiki, Tenyidi and Tulu, the Minister said.

 "A decision on pending demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eight Schedule including Tulu will be taken in the light of the recommendations of the Sitakant Mohapatra Committee and the decision of the government thereon.

"No time frame can be fixed for consideration of the demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eight Schedule," Maken said.