Bishnupriya people explained

Group:	Bishnupriya Manipuri (Bishnupriya Meitei)
Population:	119,646
Regions:	India Bangladesh
Pop1:	79,646 (2011)^[1]
Region2:	Bangladesh
Pop2:	40,000 (2003)^[2]
Religions:	Hinduism (Vaishnavism)
Languages:	Bishnupriya Manipuri (L1) Meitei (L2)^[3] Bengali (significantly used)
Related:	Other Bengali–Assamese-speaking peoples, Meiteis

The Bishnupriyas, also known as the Bishnupriya Manipuris or Bishnupriya Meiteis,^{[4] [5]} is an ethnic group found in the parts of Northeast Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Manipur and in northeastern Bangladesh. They speak the Bishnupriya Manipuri language, which is a creole of Bengali language and Meitei language, which retains its pre-Bengali features.^{[6] [7] [8]} The most distinctive feature of the language is it is replete with Tibeto-Burman elements. The culture of the Bishnupriya people is strongly influenced by that of the Meitei people.^[9]

In the 2020s, the Bishnupriya asked be given the status of an indigenous people of Assam and treated like other indigenous communities of the state.^[10] The Government of Assam categorises them as an Other Backward Class, but otherwise, they have no legal recognition or official status. The Tripura Government categorised their language under the Tribal Language Cell of the State Council of Educational Research and Training.^[11]

The Meitei language in Bangladesh is used as a second language by the Bishnupriya people.^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Abstract of Speakers' Strength of Languages and Mother Tongues - 2011 . censusindia.gov.in . 12 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220220172325/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf . 20 February 2022.
2. Web site: Bishnupuriya . Ethnologue . 12 June 2022 . en.
3. Web site: Meitei Ethnologue . 3 May 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190724203234/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/ . 24 July 2019 . en . Used as L2 by Bishnupuriya [bpy]..
4. Book: Sahoo, Ajaya K. . Routledge Handbook of Asian Diaspora and Development . 30 March 2021 . . 978-1-000-36686-0 . 109 . en . The Bishnupriya Meiteis from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tripura and Assam used the Bengali script and speak their own language, which is influenced by Meiteilon (Manipuri)..
5. Web site: FAMILY-WISE GROUPING OF THE 122 SCHEDULED AND NON-SCHEDULED LANGUAGES – 2001. censusindia.gov.in. 5 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20071124150415/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_Data_Online/Language/statement9.htm. 24 November 2007. dead.
6. Book: Frawley, William . International Encyclopedia of Linguistics: 4-Volume Set . 2003 . Oxford University Press, USA . 978-0-19-513977-8 . 481 . en.
7. Book: Haokip, Pauthang . Socio-linguistic Situation in North-East India . 2011 . Concept Publishing Company . 978-81-8069-760-9 . 8 . en.
8. Book: Asher . R. E. . Atlas of the World's Languages . Moseley . Christopher . 19 April 2018 . Routledge . 978-1-317-85108-0 . 97 . en.
9. Book: Sahoo, Ajaya K. . Routledge Handbook of Asian Diaspora and Development . 30 March 2021 . . 978-1-000-36686-0 . 109 . en . The Bishnupriya Meiteis from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tripura and Assam used the Bengali script and speak their own language, which is influenced by Meiteilon (Manipuri)..
10. Web site: Plea for indigenous status . 3 November 2022 . www.telegraphindia.com.
11. News: 24 November 2020 . Bishnupriya Manipuris demand satellite autonomous council . . 19 July 2022 . The Tripura government has categorized and placed the Bishnupriya Manipuri language under the Tribal Language Cell of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, while in Assam they are considered among Other Backward Classes (OBC), whereas in Manipur from where these people originated remains status-less.
12. Web site: Meitei Ethnologue . 3 May 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190724203234/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/ . 24 July 2019 . en . Used as L2 by Bishnupuriya [bpy]..