The Constitution of India provides for the promotion of Hindi. In particular, Article 351 mandates the active promotion of Hindi. Notably, the Official Languages Act was passed in 1963, further highlighting the significance of Hindi in governmental procedures. This commitment to promote Hindi has been a recurring theme in Indian legislation, particularly within education.
The Official Language Committee Report
The latest report of the Official Language Committee, submitted to the President of India, has stirred controversy, particularly in the Southern states of India. The 11th volume of the report is seen by some as an attempt to impose Hindi on them. Recommendations of the committee include using Hindi as the medium of instruction in educational institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and central universities in Hindi-speaking states.
Suggested Changes in Legal Administration
The report also advised that court proceedings, currently recorded in English or regional languages, be translated into Hindi. This suggestion is inspired by the fact that judgments from High Courts often cite verdicts from other states. Lower courts in several states already use Hindi.
Affect on Government Employees
The committee advised that the usage of Hindi by central government officers and employees, especially in Hindi-speaking states, would reflect in their Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR). The committee’s main role is to promote the use of the Hindi language in official communication, hence the recommendation.
Exceptions to Implementation
Certain states, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are exempt from these regulations as per the Official Languages Act, 1963, and the accompanying Rules and Regulations of 1976. The law is only implemented in ‘A’ category states where Hindi is the official language. These include Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and others. It is suggested that Hindi should be used “100%” in these states.
Committee of Parliament on Official Language
Established under Section 4 of the Official Language Act, 1963, the Committee of Parliament on Official Language was formed to review and promote the use of Hindi in official communications. The committee submits its reports to the President who then lays them before each House of Parliament and sends them to all State Governments.
Government Efforts to Promote Hindi and Other Regional Languages
The government has made significant efforts to promote Hindi and other regional languages, most notably through the Three-Language Formula proposed in 1968 by the Kothari Commission. The formula includes the use of the mother tongue or regional language, English or another modern Indian language, and Hindi or a modern Indian language, dependent on the state’s primary spoken language.
Status of Hindi in Relation to Other Regional Languages
According to the 2011 Linguistic Census, Hindi is the mother tongue of around 43.6 per cent of the population. Additionally, 11 per cent of the population reported Hindi as their second language. This places Hindi as the dominant language, followed by Bengali. Interestingly, the number of speakers of Hindi has almost tripled from 20.2 Crore in 1971 to 52.8 Crores in 2011.
Constitutional Status of Hindi
Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution lists Hindi among the country’s 22 Official Languages. Under Article 343(1), Hindi in Devanagari script is recognized as the official language of the Union. Moreover, the Official Language Act, 1963, allows for the use of Hindi or the official language of a State for judgments and decrees in the High Court, with the consent of the President of India. This affirms the significant place Hindi holds in India’s constitutional framework.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
In a previous UPSC Civil Services Examination, candidates were asked to consider statements related to language policy. The answers demonstrated the importance of understanding the detailed history and complexities of language legislation in India. This includes knowledge of significant events like the language movement in East Bengal, leading to Bengali being granted official language status, contributing to the rich linguistic diversity of the nation.
