The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) has welcomed the Rajasthan government’s decision to establish dedicated Rajasthani Language Study Centres at state universities, describing the initiative as a major advancement in preserving and promoting the region’s linguistic heritage. Members of the Rajasthani community in North America said the move reflects growing institutional support for a language that has long been central to the state’s cultural identity.
Prem Bhandari, President of RANA and International Convener of the Akhil Bhartiya Rajasthani Bhasha Manyata Sangharsh Samiti, praised the directive issued by Rajasthan Governor and Chancellor Haribhau Bagde. He described the decision as a landmark achievement that could strengthen ongoing efforts to secure wider recognition for the Rajasthani language both in India and among overseas communities.
According to Bhandari, the establishment of language study centres has renewed optimism among Rajasthani-speaking people around the world. He said the initiative demonstrates that meaningful institutional steps are finally being taken to protect, promote, and encourage the use of the language through higher education and academic research.
Bhandari noted that the latest development builds on a campaign spanning more than two decades that seeks the inclusion of Rajasthani in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a move that would grant it official constitutional recognition. He recalled that the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution supporting the proposal in 2003 after receiving a memorandum advocating for the language’s inclusion. A subsequent memorandum was submitted to then-President Pratibha Patil in 2011, but the proposal has yet to receive approval from the central government.
While constitutional recognition remains pending, Bhandari urged the Rajasthan government to designate Rajasthani as the state’s second official language, pointing out that several Indian states have already granted similar recognition to their regional languages. He said such a step would further strengthen efforts to preserve the language and encourage its wider use in education and public life.
Highlighting the richness of Rajasthani, Bhandari referred to the comprehensive Rajasthani Dictionary compiled by Dr. Sitaram Lalas, which contains more than 210,000 words, illustrating the language’s depth and literary significance.
The announcement follows a directive from Governor Haribhau Bagde instructing 11 state-funded universities, including institutions in Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, to establish Rajasthani Language Study Centres as soon as possible. Vice-chancellors have also been asked to submit regular progress reports, reinforcing the government’s commitment to preserving the language through academic institutions.
