The Union Cabinet recently sanctioned the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020 to be presented during the monsoon session of Parliament. This move has been politically significant for the newly established Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, especially considering the region’s bifurcation from Ladakh on August 5th, 2019.
Key Points of the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020
The central feature of this Bill is the inclusion of three additional official languages: Kashmiri, Dogri, and Hindi. Before this provision, only English and Urdu served as the official languages for the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dogri, in particular, has had recent recognition in the national context. The 92nd Amendment Act of 2003 incorporated it — along with Bodo, Maithili, and Santhali — into the Eighth Schedule’s list of scheduled languages. This schedule comprises a total of 22 languages. Initially, the Indian Constitution included only 14 of these languages. The later additions to the roster were Sindhi (included by the 21st Amendment Act of 1967), Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali (all three included by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992).
Amidst these language-related changes, the Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Bill 2020 also signifies a broader societal impact. It aligns with a longstanding public demand, embodying the democratic spirit of equality.
The Constitutional Provisions on Official Languages
The relevance of official languages in India finds its basis in Part XVII of the Indian Constitution, detailed through Articles 343 to 351. Specifically, Article 345 allows any Indian state to designate one or more official languages, provided it doesn’t conflict with Articles 346 and 347.
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution also plays a significant role in shaping India’s linguistic landscape. Article 344(1) allows the President to form a Commission every five or ten years from the time the Constitution comes into effect. This Commission includes a Chairperson and multiple members representing the Eighth Schedule languages. Together, they suggest measures to promote Hindi as the Union’s official language progressively.
Additionally, Article 351 outlines a vision for the Hindi language. It underscores the need for its promotion and development so that it can become a medium of expression capturing the diversity of India’s composite culture.
