Introduction
Language in India is not just a way to talk but also a strong sign of identity, culture and regional pride. With more than 121 languages and over 270 mother tongues spoken across the country, India’s diversity in speech is both a strength and a challenge. Since independence, the question of language has often led to debates and conflicts. The Constitution of India tried to handle this issue by protecting diversity instead of forcing one language on everyone. However, language is still a contentious and sensitive issue today.
The Constitutional Position
The Constitution of India does not declare any specific language as a national language. Article 343 recognises Hindi in the Devanagari script as the Official Language of the Union, while English also continues to be used for official work under Article 343(2) and the Official Languages Act, 1963. At the state level, Article 345 allows every state to choose its own official language. That is why Tamil is used in Tamil Nadu, Marathi in Maharashtra, Bengali in West Bengal and so on.This system maintains a common framework for national unity while ensuring that regional identities are maintained and that no single language dominates the nation. Linguistic federalism thus serves as a vehicle for integration and inclusion, preserving diversity without hindering the Union’s integrity.
Recognition of Languages
When the Constitution came into force, only 14 languages were listed in the Eighth Schedule. Today, there are 22 Scheduled Languages that together cover about 97 percent of India’s population. However, there are still about 99 other languages that do not have the same recognition, showing how large and diverse the linguistic landscape really is.
Cultural and Linguistic Rights
The Constitution protects the rights of citizens to preserve their own language and culture. Article 29 allows every community to conserve its distinct language, script and culture, while Article 30 gives minorities the right to run their own educational institutions. Articles 350A and 350B further ensure that children can study in their mother tongue at the primary level, and they create the office of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities to protect these rights. These provisions show that the Constitution promotes “Linguistic Secularism,” meaning no one language is placed above another.
Regional Challenges
Despite these protections, disputes continue. In Maharashtra, making Hindi compulsory in schools along with Marathi and English sparked debates about cultural dominance. In Karnataka, activists protested against English billboards, demanding more space for Kannada. Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed any attempt to impose Hindi, seeing it as a threat to regional identity. Similarly, states in the Northeast fear that promoting Hindi might weaken local tribal languages. These examples show how language continues to shape politics, education and daily life in different parts of the country.
National Integration
India’s decision not to impose a national language has helped in holding the Union together. On the positive side, it allows people in different states to feel proud of their regional identity while still being part of one nation. On the negative side, language has also been used as a political weapon, creating division and even violence, as seen in attacks on Non-Marathi speakers in Maharashtra. The challenge lies in celebrating diversity while also ensuring unity.
Role of the Supreme Court
In linguistic disagreements, the Supreme Court has served as a moderating influence. It has determined that no group should be denied the opportunity to get an education in their mother tongue and has supported communities’ rights to do so. The Court has acknowledged the value of Hindi and English for official and administrative tasks at the same time. The judiciary’s overarching message has been that all languages should coexist and that no one language should be given precedence over another. In the September 2014 case of U.P. Hindi Sahittya Sammelan vs. State of U.P., the supreme court noted that the nation’s legal and linguistic developments were “organic.” In order to ensure linguistic secularism, the court stated that Indian language rules were “not rigid but accommodative.” The judiciary’s overarching message has been that all languages should coexist and that no one language should be given precedence over another
Conclusion
The linguistic diversity of India presents both opportunities and difficulties. The Constitution promoted linguistic federalism and forbade any language from being designated as a “national language” in an effort to lessen conflict. Official recognition, the medium of education, and the political usage of language are still contentious problems. Language policies that support majoritarian politics should be avoided, inclusive ideals that celebrate variety should be promoted, and organizations like the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities should be strengthened. India’s capacity to accept numerous languages together, rather than relying solely on one standard language, is its real strength.
Sakshi Chakrawati Waghmare (V B.A.LL.B student of ILS Law College Pune)
