Campaign to include “Koya” language in Eighth Schedule

The online campaign to include Gondi (Koya) language in the Eighth Schedule of constitution has become long standing. The campaign is gaining prominence especially in the states of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Highlights

The online campaign intends to mobilize Adivasis to observe Koya Language Day or Vishwa Koya Basha Dinotsavam. The campaign is to be intensified during the International Day of World Indigenous People that is celebrated on August 9.

About Gondi or Koya Language

Gondi is the language of the tribal community called the Gonds. They are the scheduled tribes living in parts of peninsular India. The community is the second largest tribal group in the country with a population of more than 1 crore.

The language is classified as Dravidian language and is closely related to Kannda, Telugu and Tamil.

Indian Government

The GoI has only recognized Bodo and Santhali languages of the 176 extant tribal and Adivasi languages. In 2014, the Ministry of Human Resource Development identified 42 endangered languages with less than 10,000 speakers.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020