Back to original question.
I really don't understand why people constantly ask "Do I need to learn some other language ( mostly c or c++ ) if I want to learn mel". It's like asking "Do I need mel for leaning c++".
Thing is, you don't need any language if you want to learn any other language. Just learn any language - it can do you no harm if you gain the knowledge - be that c++ or mel or knowing how to make premium pancakes.
Learn to think like a programmer. You can do this by using any programming language. Some languages will force you to think like elitist-smartass-design-pattern programmer ( c++ ), others ( like perl or mel ) will teach you to think like more pragmatic programmer.
It all depends on your apetites. If you have problems with intuitively learning mel I suggest you don't mess with something like c++. It will just cause you chronic headache.
On the other hand, if you feel comfortable with programming or think you have talent for it just go for the highest point, learn as many languages as you like. After first one, learning any other will be much easier.
Mind you, there is a lot more to general pogramming than knowing the language ( math, algorithms, architecture, patterns etc ).
Computing science, as we call it, is a very broad field.