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Fast unto death: Movement gaining strength

The septuagenarian was on a fast unto death for the cause, but after getting assurance from Home Minister Rajnath Singh that they would get to meet the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Rajpurohit ended his fast.

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The demand for recognition to Rajasthani through inclusion in the 8th schedule is steadily gaining momentum. Rajasthanis from across the country have started a protest at Ramleela Maidan in New Delhi from Monday. Leading the agitation is Devkishan Rajpurohit of Bikaner. The septuagenarian was on a fast unto death for the cause, but after getting assurance from  Home Minister Rajnath Singh that they would get to meet the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Rajpurohit ended his fast.

“I have been living in the hope that I will see my language being recognized. I am now past seventy and do not have many years. I am ready to die if my death can benefit my mother tongue,” said Rajpurohit speaking to DNA. Rajpurohit had written to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and Government of India on January 30 telling them that he would begin the fast unto death on March 19 if his demand is not met. “I have wished my family goodbye and reached Delhi for the protest,” he added.

“Only 22 languages have been included in the 8th schedule as recognised languages. Rajasthani is the only language that is not included despite being recognised by the Sahitya Akadami at the centre,” added Rajpurohit.

Suggestions made by RSS:

1. Primary education should only be in mother tongue or any Indian language.

2. Governments should formulate suitable policies.

3. Teaching, study material should be in Indian language  

4. Option of appearing in all higher education exams including technical & medical should be available in Indian languages.

5. Promote feeling of pride in mother tongue.

6. Like NEET and other UPSC exams that are now also conducted in Indian languages, all other entrance tests & competitive exams should be similarly held.

7. Preference should be given to Bharatiya languages in all governmental and judicial works.

8. Indian languages should be encouraged in government and non governmental appointments, promotions and functions.

9. The tradition of collecting and reading literature in these languages needs to be cultivated.

10. Oral traditions like plays and folk arts should also be promoted.

WHAT THE RSS RESOLUTION SAYS:

The resolution stresses on the need to protect and promote languages and dialects, prevalent in the country. Terming languages and dialects as an important constituent of identity and essential to protect culture, traditions, indigenous knowledge and literature along with promoting creative thinking.

It proposes promoting oral tradition of knowledge in the form of songs, idioms and folklores in various languages more than written literature. Expressing concern over the declining use of Indian languages and their words being replaced by English words the RSS body suggests that governments, policymakers and the society, including the voluntary organizations should endeavour to undertake all kinds of efforts to protect and promote various languages and dialects of the country.

The status: Proposal sent to Parliament

The proposal for recognition to Rajasthani as a language is pending and many scholars and writers have been campaigning for it since long. The legislative assembly of Rajasthan has sent a proposal of the same to the Parliament. Moreover, Nepal granting recognition to Rajasthani as a language also adds weight to its claim for recognition.

How will Rajasthanis be benefitted:

Once Rajasthani is recognised, all exams by the RPSC will have a mandatory component of the language. This will mean more jobs for our youth as we alone know our language. In rural areas Rajasthani is the language of expression of communication, aspirations and dreams. Recognition will give them identity and pride in their language. Our slogan all through has been -- “Mahri Jaban Ro Talo Kholo” -- Madhu Acharya, Convenor, Rajasthani Bhasha Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademy, New Delhi

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