The Union Cabinet made a notable decision by awarding classical language status to Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit. Marathi’s elevation comes just ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, a politically savvy gesture, while the timing of Bengali’s recognition coincides with Durga Puja, West Bengal’s biggest festival.
While this step in acknowledging the rich literary traditions that have flourished in the subcontinent is commendable, the significance of Sanskrit as the bedrock of Indian classical languages must not be overlooked, nor should it be relegated in this race to recognise regional pride. India has now officially recognized eleven classical languages, but while each of these has its own literary and cultural importance, Sanskrit remains unparalleled in its historical, intellectual and unifying influence.
The indiscriminate elevation of regional languages to ‘classical’ status risks diminishing Sanskrit’s unique role as their source. This could even fuel an anti-Sanskrit sentiment, as seen in Tamil Nadu, where promotion of regional languages has sidelined Sanskrit.
To appreciate Sanskrit’s vital place in not just India’s cultural heritage but the world’s, one must look back to the 18th century when British philologist Sir William Jones discovered the startling resemblance between Sanskrit and classical European languages like Greek and Latin. His declaration in 1786 that Sanskrit was a common root of many Indo-European languages forever altered the study of India’s antiquity.
Sanskrit has long been a vehicle of civilisational discourse, being the language in which the Vedas were composed. It is the scriptural language of Buddhism and Jainism, whose texts travelled as far as Southeast Asia and Central Asia, shaping cultures beyond India’s borders. From Panini to Kalidas, Indian litterateurs have considered Sanskrit the crown jewel of their intellectual tradition.
It is undeniable that languages like Marathi, Bengali, and Odia have their own rich histories, producing luminaries like Tukaram, Tagore, and Sarala Das. But to elevate these languages without reaffirming the primacy of Sanskrit risks losing sight of the broader legacy that binds them together. Sanskrit is the foundational language from which many of these languages borrow not only words but entire conceptual frameworks.
While the Modi government has introduced measures to integrate Sanskrit into education, these lack a comprehensive strategy to restore the language’s prominence. Political sensitivities may play a role, as Sanskrit is often, though mistakenly, viewed as a Brahminical language, entangled in caste dynamics.
At a time when India’s cultural politics are more inward-looking than ever, with an emphasis on vernacular pride, Sanskrit’s universality must be upheld. It is, after all, the thread that runs through the fabric of India’s civilisational history, connecting north and south, past and present, regional and national.
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