NEW DELHI: Renowned Bhojpuri superstar and BJP MP Ravi Kishan introduced a private member bill in the Lok Sabha to include Bhojpuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, granting it the status of an official language. Kishan pointed out that Bhojpuri is not merely about crass songs but possesses a rich cultural history and literature that deserves promotion.
“So many people speak and understand this language.It is our mother tongue. I wanted to promote this language as a film industry is also being run in this language and lakhs are getting employment. The music industry is also very big,” BJP MP said.
The bill aims to promote Bhojpuri literature, which Kishan describes as very rich and full of cultural heritage.
“People will take the language seriously. The language is not about crass songs. The language is so rich, it also has literature,” Kishan said.
The bill’s statement of objects and reasons highlights that Bhojpuri, originating from the Gangetic plains of India, is an ancient and rich language derived from Sanskrit. It is the mother tongue of a significant population in Uttar Pradesh, Western Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as in several other countries. In Mauritius, Bhojpuri is spoken by a large number of people, with an estimated 140 million speakers worldwide.
The bill acknowledges the popularity and impact of Bhojpuri films on the Hindi film industry. It also recognizes the contributions of eminent Bhojpuri writers such as Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Viveki Rai, and Bhikhari Thakur, known as the “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri.” The bill notes that renowned Hindi writers like Bhartendu Harishchandra, Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, and Munshi Premchand were deeply influenced by Bhojpuri literature.
Despite the efforts made by scholars to promote Bhojpuri language and literature, Bhojpuri has not yet found a place in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The bill asserts that for the promotion of literacy and the development of this language, it is necessary to include it in the Eighth Schedule.
The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 official languages of the country, up from the original 14.
“So many people speak and understand this language.It is our mother tongue. I wanted to promote this language as a film industry is also being run in this language and lakhs are getting employment. The music industry is also very big,” BJP MP said.
The bill aims to promote Bhojpuri literature, which Kishan describes as very rich and full of cultural heritage.
“People will take the language seriously. The language is not about crass songs. The language is so rich, it also has literature,” Kishan said.
The bill’s statement of objects and reasons highlights that Bhojpuri, originating from the Gangetic plains of India, is an ancient and rich language derived from Sanskrit. It is the mother tongue of a significant population in Uttar Pradesh, Western Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as in several other countries. In Mauritius, Bhojpuri is spoken by a large number of people, with an estimated 140 million speakers worldwide.
The bill acknowledges the popularity and impact of Bhojpuri films on the Hindi film industry. It also recognizes the contributions of eminent Bhojpuri writers such as Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, Viveki Rai, and Bhikhari Thakur, known as the “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri.” The bill notes that renowned Hindi writers like Bhartendu Harishchandra, Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, and Munshi Premchand were deeply influenced by Bhojpuri literature.
Despite the efforts made by scholars to promote Bhojpuri language and literature, Bhojpuri has not yet found a place in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The bill asserts that for the promotion of literacy and the development of this language, it is necessary to include it in the Eighth Schedule.
The Eighth Schedule currently lists 22 official languages of the country, up from the original 14.