Part XVII: Official Language

Article 345: Official Language or Languages of a State

Original Article:

Article 345: Subject to the provisions of articles 346 and 347, the Legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State:

Provided that, until the Legislature of the State otherwise provides by law, the English language shall continue to be used for those official purposes within the State for which it was being used immediately before the commencement of this Constitution.

Explanations:

Article 345 empowers each State to determine its official language(s) for governance. It recognizes linguistic diversity while ensuring administrative flexibility for the State Legislatures to serve their populations effectively.

Clause-by-Clause Explanation:

Authority of State Legislatures

The Legislature of a State can adopt one or more languages in use within the State or Hindi for official purposes. This clause ensures that States can reflect their unique linguistic demographics.

Real-Life Example: Tamil Nadu has adopted Tamil as its official language, while Maharashtra uses Marathi, aligning governance with regional language preferences.

Proviso: Continuation of English

The proviso allows the continued use of English for official purposes in States that have not adopted a new official language, ensuring administrative continuity.

Real-Life Example: In Nagaland and Mizoram, English is extensively used for official purposes due to its widespread acceptance and practical utility.

Amendments:

While Article 345 has not been directly amended, the States Reorganization Act, 1956, played a significant role in shaping the language policies of states by aligning boundaries with linguistic communities.

Historical Significance:

Article 345 reflects India’s federal nature, allowing States to honor their linguistic heritage while addressing practical governance needs. It ensures that language choices respect local cultures and administrative realities.

Real-Life Examples:

Tamil Nadu: Tamil has been adopted as the official language to reflect its linguistic identity and cultural heritage.

Maharashtra: Marathi is the official language, ensuring governance aligns with the linguistic majority.