NewzVille Desk
Mizoram state legislative assembly on today unanimously adopted an official resolution moved by state Education Minister Vanlalthlana seeking inclusion on Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed gratitude to the Mizo Language Development Board (MLDB) which had initiated the official resolution after holding consultations with all the stakeholders in the state for the inclusion of Mizo language in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution of India.
Allaying fear expressed by some members that inclusion of Mizo language in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution may adversely affected the Schedule Tribe status of the Mizos, Lalduhoma said that Mizos are including as Schedule Tribe in the Schedule Tribe Order 1950 and the order remains till date.
He, however, suggested unanimity among all the political parties to make the entire state as scheduled area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution as has been done in the case of Meghalaya. “Mizo language can be studied up to doctorate level in the Mizoram University and is being studied at different levels in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Manipur,” the Chief Minister said.
He stated that a private resolution seeking inclusion of Mizo language in the 8th Schedule was already adopted unanimously by the state legislature in 1991 and expressed confidence that adoption of the same in the form of official resolution would give stronger signal.
He said Mizo language is recognised as regional language by the Sahitya Akademi and it is being used by 2.3 million people around the globe.
A commission has been constituted by the President of India under Article 344 of the Constitution and 38 applications have already been submitted to the commission, he said, adding that leaders of the central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), who raised the issue with the Union Home Secretary was advised by the latter to submit application expeditiously as the matter will soon be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee by the Commission.
