Kolkata, Dec 2 (IANS): The Mithila Vikash Parishad on Monday demanded the re-introduction of Maithili as a subject in Calcutta University.
Raising the demand before West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhavan, a seven-member MVP delegation pointed out that Maithili was a subject in the Calcutta University as early as 1917. However, it was "unreasonably discontinued" in 1971-72.
According to a Raj Bhvana media release, the delegation, led by MVP President Ashok Jha, emphasised that there are 10,00,000 Maithili-speaking people in the state. Of them, three lakh stay in Kolkata.
Maithili was included as a language in Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution in 2003.
Dhankhar indicated to the MVP representatives it is in the spirit of the Indian Constitution to promote languages that are in the Schedule 8 and that, at his level, he would look into the issue carefully and then take it forward.