According to a study by Ethnologue, India has the world’s fourth highest number of languages. Some of the languages are extinct because the upcoming generations refuse to recognize the language. Article 343 of the Indian Constitution states that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. Article 344 provides for the setting up of a language commission by the President after 5 years of commencement of the Constitution. Article 351 provides for the spread of the Hindi language to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.
The Indian Constitution was formed between 1946 to 1950. The aim of the constitution makers was to unify India while that of the British Empire was to point out the differences and create strife between Indians. The constitution makers saw that people who spoke German joined together and formed Germany. With a similar idea, they emphasized to promote the language spoken by many people at that time and decided to make some provisions for the promotion of Hindi language throughout India as seen in Article 351. Thus, Article 343 was formed with a good aim to enhance the spirit of unity among Indians.
14 languages were originally included in the 8th Schedule. 8 more languages were added through amendments and now the 8th Schedule includes Assamese, Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odiya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.
The legislature of a State may adopt any one or more of the languages used in that State as the official language. If two or more states speak the same language then they can come into an agreement that all communication that involves only those states can be made in the common language. If the Legislature of the state has not accepted such an official language, then English language shall be used for all the official purposes.
Members of the Parliament can choose to speak in any of the 22 languages in the 8th Schedule during the Parliament sessions. However, the members will have to give notice of a reasonable period to arrange for an interpreter.
Article 348 (1) states that all proceedings in the High Courts of states and in the Supreme Court shall be done in English language and all Acts, Bills, orders, rules, regulations and bye laws shall be made in English. Article 348 (2) states that after getting consent from the President, the Governor of the State may authorize the use of Hindi language or any other language for the proceedings of the High Court provided that decrees, judgements or orders passed by such High Courts shall be in English.
In 2016, a Supreme Court bench comprising the then Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice U U Lalit dismissed a Public Interest Litigation filed by an advocate seeking Hindi to be made the language used in the Supreme Court. A Union minister can take the oath only in the official language of the Union, i.e., Hindi. Indian rupee currencies contain languages such as Hindi, English and 15 other languages used in the states like Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
Hindi Divas is celebrated on September 14 every year to promote and commemorate Hindi language. There has been debates whether the official language must be made the National Language of India but it is to be noted that Hindi is spoken only by 43.63% of the total population of India. Hence, if Hindi is made the national language, then it will affect the local languages and it may be against the interests of Article 350 (A) which states that every state must provide primary education in its mother tongue. Hence, India should not have a national language or a national religion because our nation must show to the rest of the world that we are the best example of unity in diversity.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com
We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.
You may also like to read: