Delhi MLA Urges Bihar CM to Revive Maithili Academy Established in 1976
Delhi MLA Sanjeev Jha has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, calling for the revival of the Maithili Academy, established in 1976. He highlights the importance of the Maithili language as a key aspect of Mithila's identity and criticizes the academy's long-standing inactivity. Jha emphasizes the rich intellectual heritage of Maithili and urges the Bihar government to take immediate action to restore the academy, which he believes is crucial for the preservation of the language and culture. His emotional connection to Bihar and Mithila drives his advocacy for this cause.
Jan 6, 2026, 13:27 IST
Call for Revival of Maithili Academy
On Tuesday, Sanjeev Jha, a legislator from the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, reached out to Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, advocating for the reactivation of the Maithili Academy, which was founded in Patna in 1976. Sharing this development on X, Jha emphasized that the Maithili language is a vital part of Mithila's identity and criticized the prolonged inactivity of the academy, labeling it a disregard for millions of Maithili speakers.
In a post on his official X account, Jha stated, "I have written to the honorable Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, requesting the revival of the Maithili Academy. Established in 1976, this academy has been a crucial platform for the preservation of Maithili language, literature, and culture. Maithili is not merely a language; it embodies the identity of Mithila. The academy's dormancy signifies the neglect of millions of Maithili speakers. The Bihar government must make an immediate decision on this matter to honor the Maithili identity."
In his letter to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he highlighted the rich and illustrious intellectual tradition of the Maithili language. He referenced the ancient poet Vidyapati, a pioneer of Hindi literature, who composed works in Maithili, showcasing the cultural significance of the language. He also mentioned Jyotirishwar Thakur, the first creator of prose poetry.
Jha further noted that Mithila is the birthplace of renowned scholars in philosophical literature. He stressed the academy's role in the preservation and promotion of the language. He expressed regret over the academy's closure, stating that despite being a legislator in Delhi, this issue is very close to his heart due to his emotional and cultural ties to Bihar and Mithila's language and culture. Therefore, he urged the Bihar government to restart the Maithili Academy and ensure its smooth operation.
In his letter, he wrote, "This is to inform you that the Bihar government established the Maithili Academy in 1976 to promote and propagate the Maithili language, literature, and culture. The Maithili language boasts a rich and glorious intellectual tradition. The ancient poet Vidyapati, a pioneer of Hindi literature, composed in Maithili. Similarly, Jyotirishwar Thakur, the first creator of prose poetry, was also a resident of Mithila."