Maithili Language and the Movement, Part–II

This chapter examines the unfolding of the Maithili movement in post-independent India. One of the major characteristics of the movement in this period has been its gradual shift from a predominantly literary and cultural movement to a more politicized movement. A number of political parties and leaders joined in and have played critical roles in the expansion of the movement. One can divide the Maithili movement in this era into four phases. In the first phase, separate statehood demand for Mithila became the central mobilizing factor immediately after Independence of India in 1950s. Demands for separate statehood extended further to claim Mithila as a union republic. The second phase of the movement was highlighted by the issues regarding the recognition of Maithili as a Modern Indian language in Sahitya Akademi and correct enumeration of Maithili speakers in the census. It also includes other demands like opening of a Mithila University, a radio station at Darbhanga. The third phase was about the demand for inclusion of Maithili in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution. This phase also witnessed many protests and demonstrations due to removal of Maithili from BPSC (Bihar Public Service Commission) and for its re-inclusion; for the inclusion of Maithili in secondary school examinations; for implementation of decision regarding the use of Maithili as a medium of instruction at the primary level; for publication of textbooks in Maithili and recruitment of Maithili teachers; for the recognition of Maithili as an administrative language in the state of Bihar, especially when Urdu was made second official language in the state by a Maithili-speaking chief minister, Jagannath Mishra. The fourth and contemporary phase of the Maithili movement has been witnessing reassertion of separate statehood demands particularly after the creation of Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Chhatisgarh in 2001 and the recognition of Maithili in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution in 2004.