Inclusion of Languages in Eighth Schedule
There is no established set of objective criteria for the inclusion of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
At present there are demands for 38 more languages including Tulu for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule. These are Angika, Banjara, Bazika, Bhojpuri, Bhoti, Bhotia, Bundelkhandi, Chhattisgarhi, Dhatki, English, Garhwali (Pahari), Gondi, Gujjar/Gujjari, Ho, Kachachhi, Kamtapuri, Karbi, Khasi, Kodava (Coorg), Kok Barak, Kumaoni (Pahari), Kurukh, Kurmali, Lepcha, Limbu, Mizo (Lushai), Magahi, Mundari, Nagpuri, Nicobarese, Pahari (Himachali), Pali, Rajasthani, Sambalpuri/Kosali, Shaurseni (Prakrit), Siraiki, Tenyidi and Tulu.
The criteria for inclusion of languages into the Eighth Schedule are being evolved in consultation with the concerned Ministries/Departments of the Government of India. The pending representations for inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule could be considered after a set of objective criteria are evolved and finally approved.
Shri Kiren Rijiju MoS (Home) gave this information in Lok Sabha today in a written reply to a question by Shri P. Karunakaran.
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KSD/BK/ASY