Inclusion of Garhwali and Kumauni Language in the Indian Constitution

He said that India is the multi-lingual country and most of the Indian languages have got the place of honour in the 8th schedule of India Constitution, but there are some Indian languages which are not included in this 8th Schedule.



Such languages are the pride and honour of recognition. He referred to Garhwali and Kumauni languages which have been denied this place of honour so far in the 8th schedule of Indian constitution.

He said that after the formation of state of Uttarakhand, people of Uttarakhand want their native mother tongue to be also included in the 8th schedule with other Indian languages.

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He also made this request through a letter the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
It is learnt that nearly 50 lakh people speak Garhwali and Kumauni languages. It is substantiated by the survey of Indian languages that Garhwali and Kumauni are one of the ancient spoken and written languages of India.

In the 13th and 14th centuries during the kingdom of Garhwal spanning up to Himachal and Saharanpur, Garhwali was the official language of the state.

In the Devprayag Temple the Donation Box Edict of Maharaja Jagat Pal and rock inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions found in Badrinath and Maldhum are the authentic proofs of Garhwali language being the ancient one.

Similarly, in the 7th and 8th century the Kings of Kauter Dynasty ruled the kingdom containing the regions of Nepal, Garhwal and Kumaoni with absolute authority. During their rule all the edicts and dictates were issued in Mumauni language. We got such description in some of the inscriptions got from Garhwal. Nearly 400 rock inscriptions are found in west Nepal which is of 11th century AD and after that. Like this there are some other authentic proofs which substantiate that Kumaoni language like Garhwali is also old and ancient.

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According to Dr Bhatt Sailash Garhwali literature is available right from 10th AD in Garhwali language.

In the letter to the Prime Minister of India he said “I on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand and admirers of Garhwali and Kumauni language plead affirm to you for the inclusion of the above said languages in the 8th schedule of the Indian constitution for giving them the status of the state language, so that research work in these languages could also be done to enhance the importance of these languages.”

And also to say the ancient culture, this demand has been supported by more than 4 dozens of MPs including Raj Babbar, Mohd. Ahzaruddin, Priya Dutt, Dr Jyoti Mirdha, Gopal Singh Shekhawat, Mahabal Mishra, Raj Mohan Reddy, E.L. Punniya, P.K. Thomas, Sandeep Dixit, etc.

Satpal Maharaj also introduced a private member bill in the Lok Sabha for adding Garhwali and Kumauni languages in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

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