Language is considered most significant part of culture. Indian leadership before independence was convened that India is a Multilingual Country And therefore, India not have a national language but, there is a need to choose language for three purposes: -

1. For official work of union.

2. Inter-state communications.

3. Center-state communications.

4. English is a foreign language and people can not express themselves completely in a foreign language. Although, English language has its own advantages: -

·  It’s a global language.

· It’s a language of trade and diplomacy.

· English is rich in literature, science and philosophy.

Before independence Hindustani was considered as potential official language. Here Hindustani language means the mixture of Hindi with Urdu and Persian influence. It has simple grammar and can be written in both Urdu and Devanagari script. This language was acceptable to both Hindus and Muslim .

With communal politics there was a communalization of Urdu where Muslims claimed that Urdu to be their language. This led to a demand by Hindu radicals for purification of Hindi in the name of Sanskritisation  ( Led by Purushottam Das Tandon ) .after partition the chances of Hindustani language as India’s official language were more or less over.

Both Hindi and non Hindi leaders in constituent assembly agree to make Hindi as official language but, Hindi leader wanted immediate adoption of Hindi whereas, non Hindi leaders wanted a gradual transition.

What are the arguments in favor of Hindi?

1.  It is largest spoken language in India.

2.  Hindi was understood in urban centers of non Hindi areas. For example: - Kolkata, Bombay.

And what are the arguments against Hindi?

1.Hindi is not a majority language.

2.Hindi was not developed in literature, science And philosophy.

3.A fear of non Hindi leaders that Hindi as official language can become a disadvantage for non Hindi people in higher education, politics and government jobs etc.

Article 343 of Indian constitution was added three provisions:-

1.Hindi in Devanagari script  shall be official language of union.

2. For 15 year English to be continued for official work of union.

3. On expire of 15 years parliament by law may provide for continued use of English.

**  In 1963, parliament enacted official language act Which allows use of English by central government after 15 years of commencement of constitution.

Note: - Hindi is not national language of India.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

1.  Article 345  Allows state legislature to adopt any one or more languages spoken In India.

2.  Article 346 says that the language for time being authorized for use in union Shall be used for union-state and state-state communication provided if two states agreed  that Hindi should be used for official communication between such states. Hindi may be used between such states.