Article 351 in The Constitution Of India 1949 :- Directive for development of the Hindi language
It shall be the duty of the Union to promote 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 and to secure its enrichment by assimilating without interfering with its genius, the forms, style and expressions used in Hindustani and in the other languages of India specified in the Eighth Schedule, and by drawing, wherever necessary or desirable, for its vocabulary, primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages.
Article 351 of the Constitution of India, 1949, deals with the directive principles for the promotion of the Hindi language. It is an important provision that lays down the duty of the Union to promote the spread and development of the Hindi language, which is the official language of India.
The article states that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India. The Union is also required to take appropriate steps to ensure that the language is enriched by assimilating the forms, style, and expressions used in the other languages of India.
The provision recognizes the importance of the Hindi language in promoting national unity and integration and directs the Union to take necessary measures for its growth and development. The article also states that the Union may, by law, provide for the use of the Hindi language in addition to the English language for the official purposes of the Union.
It is important to note that while Article 351 makes it the duty of the Union to promote Hindi, it does not impose any obligation on the States to adopt Hindi as their official language. Each State has the freedom to choose its official language or languages as per the provisions of the Constitution.
The Roots of Article 351: Nurturing the Hindi Language in a Multilingual Nation
The inception of Article 351 can be traced back to the linguistic diversity of India and the need for a unifying language post-independence. This section delves into the debates and decisions during the Constituent Assembly discussions, highlighting the vision of India’s founding fathers for a linguistically inclusive nation. It further explores the balancing act between promoting Hindi and respecting the multitude of regional languages.
Language Policies Across Borders: India in a Global Context
This part compares India’s language policy, particularly Article 351’s emphasis on Hindi, with the language promotion policies in other multilingual countries like Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium. It highlights the similarities and differences in approaches to language promotion and preservation in diverse linguistic environments.
In conclusion, Article 351 of the Constitution of India, 1949, lays down the directive principles for the promotion and development of the Hindi language, recognizing its importance in promoting national unity and integration. The article directs the Union to take necessary measures to ensure the growth and development of the language and provides for the use of Hindi in addition to English for the official purposes of the Union.
FAQs on Article 351 of the Indian Constitution:
- What is Article 351 of the Indian Constitution?
- Article 351 mandates the Union government to promote the spread and development of the Hindi language. It outlines the duty to enrich Hindi by assimilating elements from other Indian languages and scripts.
- Why was Article 351 included in the Indian Constitution?
- Article 351 was included to foster Hindi as a common language for all Indians, promoting national unity and effective communication across the country’s diverse linguistic landscape.
- Does Article 351 impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking regions?
- Article 351 does not impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking regions. It is a directive for the development of Hindi as a lingua franca, while respecting the linguistic diversity of India.
- How does Article 351 impact India’s linguistic diversity?
- Article 351 aims to develop Hindi as a unifying language while preserving linguistic diversity. It encourages the incorporation of words from regional languages into Hindi, promoting a sense of inclusiveness.
- What are the implications of Article 351 for education and government communication?
- In education and government communication, Article 351 influences the use of Hindi for official purposes, alongside English and other regional languages, depending on the state’s linguistic context.
- How has Article 351 influenced the linguistic policies in India?
- Article 351 has significantly influenced India’s linguistic policy by emphasizing the development of Hindi alongside the protection and encouragement of regional languages.
- Is there any conflict between Article 351 and the protection of regional languages?
- While Article 351 promotes Hindi, it does so with an understanding of India’s linguistic diversity. The article has occasionally been a point of debate regarding language dominance, but its intent is to develop Hindi while respecting other languages.
- Has Article 351 been successful in achieving its objectives?
- The success of Article 351 can be seen in the widespread use of Hindi as a common language in many parts of India, although opinions on its overall effectiveness in achieving national linguistic unity may vary.
