Validity of attaching the name 'Manipuri' to 'Bishnupriya'
by Ashim Kumar Singha
In recent years some controversy has arisen as to the validity of the name Manipuri attached to the Bishnupriya speech. According to Constitution Act 1956, Article 350A and 350B, the speakers of Bishnupriya Manipuri language have been demanding since 1963 for implementation of "Bishnupriya Manipuri" language in the primary level of education in Assam and Tripura. Though the Assam and Tripura Govt. agreed to the same and issued the order in October 25, 1983 to introduce the Language at the Primary stage of education. But the order was withheld for many times following protests from the Govt. of Manipur and pressure from Meitei organizations operating in both Assam and Manipur. There have been suggestions that Bishnupriya was never the language of Manipur and Meitei is the "Real" Manipuri language.
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