India is a multi-lingual state and different languages are being spoken in different parts of it. According to the census made in 1961 there were 1018 languages in India. According to Survey made by National Council for Educational Research and Training-NCRT made in 1982 there were 367 mother Languages and 58 educational Language in India. There is no one language in India which can be given the status of national Language. The seriousness of the problem of Language can be judged from the fact that there were wide differences among the members among of Constituent Assembly on the issue of Language and the decision to give the status of official language to Hindi was made with majority vote.
Article-343 Article-343(2) Article-343 (3) Article-344,(1) Article-345 Article-346 Article-346 Article-347 Article-348 Article-350 Article-350,(a) Article-350, (b) Article-351
1. RECOGANISATION OF STATES ON THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE: In 1948 the Government of India had appointed a commission for the reorganisation of states which gave the suggestion to reorganise states on geographical basis. But people rejected it and began to demand for the formation of states on the basis of language.therefore, Andhra Pradesh was the result of that. 2. REORGANISATION OF STATES ON LINGUISTIC BASIS: under the prime-ministership of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, a commission was appointed and on the basis of the recommendations of the commission the government passed States Reorganization Acts. And on the basis of which in October,1956, 14 Lingual states and six Union Territories were formed.
3:. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE COMMISSION AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS : On Oct22,1953: Acc. To the Article-344(1) the President appointed a 21 member Official Language Commission in 1955 under the chairmanship of Sh. G.B. Kher. The recommendations of the Commission are given below- (i) The Union Government should make use of Hindi in the place of English for official functions. (ii) Hindi should be made compulsory and should be given preference over English in government functions and in general life.
(iii) The primary education should be given in the regional language of the state but Hindi should be made compulsory in middle level of education.. 3.NATIONAL INTEGRATION CONFERENCE AND THREE LANGUAGE FORMULLA: National Integration(held in 1961)recommended the adaptation of three language formula up to secondary level of education. Acc. To this formula-in Hindi speaking state along with Hindi and English one more language included in the 8 th Schedule shall be taught. In a non-hindi states along with the state language Hindi and English will be taught. 4. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE BILL, 1963: The following provision were made by the official Language Act1967: (i) Even after January 26, 1965 the use of English will continue for all those official function for which it was used earlier along with Hindi.
(ii) Whenever the state Legislatures have provided for the use of some other language besides Hindi, there the laws shall also be translated in English and Hindi. (iii) After 1965, the Governor of the state with the approval of the President can give permission of the use of Hindi or the official language of the state in the High Court of state. But along with all the decisions and orders shall be published in English also. (iv) The provision to translate the decisions of the High Court and the state laws into Hindi shall not be applicable to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SH. MORARJI DESAI ABOUT LANGUAGE: Sh. Morarji Desai, the Minister said that as soon as possible the Hindi or regional language should be used as in courts and other official works and gave suggestion that within five to ten years all the laws made by the Parliament should be translated into major languages of India. 6.. DISTURBANCES ON LANGUAGE ISSUE AGAIN: Both the supporters and opponents of Hindi strongly opposed the language policy of the governments. 8. SUPPORT OF THREE LANGUAGE FORMULA BY GOVERNMENT: In 1970 the Education Minister Sh. V.K.R.V. Rao announced that government shall stand by the decision to implement the three language formula and will support the idea of making regional language the medium of instruction in universities. The Janata Party came in power in 1977, also Supported the three Language formula policy.
LANGUAGE AND NATIONAL UNITY: Different language divide the people into different groups. Therefore a common language is needed to promote the unity of the country. NARROW LINGUISTIC PATRIOTISM: The people living in different states seem to be more loyal to their regional language and are not prepared to accept Hindi as a national language. LANGUAGE AND REORGANIZATION OF STATES: A three member commission(1953) re commended the reorganization of the state on lingual basis and with the passing of states Reorganization Act,1956, 14 states and 6 union territories were created. But this led to serious consequences and today there are 28 states and 7 union territories of India. LANGUAGE AND REGIONALISM: The problem of language has further strengthened the feeling of regionalism among the people and has developed lingual patriotism.
LANGUAGE AND COMMUNALISM: Example: Hindu is linked with Hindus, Punjabi with Sikhs, Urdu with Muslim and English with Christians. USE OF LANGUAGE AS POLITICAL TOOL: In India, the different national and regional political parties have made use of languages to promote their political interests. DOMINANCE OF ENGLISH IN ADMINISTRATION: In India, inspire of the development and promotion of Hindi and other regional languages and their use in the transaction of official works, still English Language has maintained its dominance and the English speaking officials have more influence in the administration. DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL LANGUAGE: In India, since majority of the states were carved on the basis of the language, therefore, every state continues to make efforts for the development of its regional language.
This is the fact that India is a multi-lingual state. But along with regional language we need a link language to link the people living in various parts of India. English is a foreign language, yet the number of English speaking people has increase many fold. In case the Hindi is to take place of English, efforts need to be made for its promotion.
Badyal, J.S., Indian Government and Politics, Raj Publishers, Jalandhar,2012. kothari, Rajni, Politics in India,Sagan Publishers, 1982 Johri, J.C., Indian Government and Politics,Vishal Publications, 1976..Fadia, B.L, Indian Government and Politics, sahitya Bhawan Publications, 1999. Austin, G., Working a Democratic Constitution : A History of the Indian Experience, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 1999.. Basu, D.D, An Introduction to the Constitution of India, New Delhi, Prentice Hall, 1994.. Bhambri, C.P, The Indian State Fifty Years, New Delhi, Shipra, 1997. Brass, P., Politics of India Since Independence, Hyderabad, Orient Longman, 1990.