Parliament Question: Inclusion of Bhojpuri Language in Eighth Schedule

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1584 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28TH JULY, 2026/ SHRAVANA 6, 1948 (SAKA) INCLUSION OF BHOJPURI LANGUAGE IN EIGHTH SCHEDULE †1584. SHRI RAMASHANKAR VIDHARTHI RAJBHAR: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposed contemplate on the proposal to include Bhojpuri language in the Eighth schedule of the Constitution; (b) if so, the present status of the said proposal and the time by which Bhojpuri language is likely to be included in the Eighth schedule; and (c) if not, the reason therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI) (a) to (c): There have been demands from time to time for inclusion of several languages, including Bhojpuri, in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. However, there are no fixed criteria for consideration of any language for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. As the evolution of dialects and languages is a dynamic process, influenced by socio-cultural, economic and political developments, it is difficult to fix any criterion for languages for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. The earlier attempts, through the Pahwa (1996) and Sitakant-2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 1584 FOR 28.07.2026 Mohapatra (2003) Committees, to evolve such fixed criteria have been inconclusive. The Government is conscious of the sentiments and requirements for inclusion of other languages in the Eighth Schedule. Such requests have to be considered keeping in mind these sentiments, and the other relevant considerations. Since at present, there are no fixed criteria for any language to be considered for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, no time-frame can be fixed for consideration of the demands for inclusion of more languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. *****