Part XVII: Official Language
Article 346: Official Language for Communication Between States
Original Article:
The language for the time being authorised for use in the Union for official purposes shall be the official language for communication between one State and another State and between a State and the Union:
Provided that, if two or more States agree that the Hindi language should be the official language for communication between such States, that language may be used for such communication.
Explanations:
Article 346 establishes the official language policy for inter-state and state-to-union communication. It recognizes Hindi and English as default languages while permitting flexibility for mutual agreements between states.
Clause-by-Clause Explanation:
Default Language for Communication
The official language authorized for Union purposes is used for inter-state and state-to-union communication. This ensures clarity and uniformity across linguistic boundaries.
Real-Life Example: Government documents shared between Karnataka and Maharashtra are commonly issued in English for mutual comprehension.
Proviso: Agreement to Use Hindi
Two or more States may mutually agree to use Hindi for communication between them, reflecting their shared linguistic preferences.
Real-Life Example: Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh often use Hindi for inter-state communication due to their linguistic alignment.
Amendments:
While Article 346 has not been directly amended, the Official Languages Act, 1963, reinforced its provisions by endorsing both Hindi and English for Union purposes, influencing inter-state communication.
Historical Significance:
Article 346 reflects India’s linguistic diversity and federal structure, ensuring effective governance while respecting regional language preferences.
Real-Life Examples:
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu: English is often used for official communication to bridge linguistic differences between these states.
Northern States: Hindi is commonly preferred for inter-state communication in regions with a shared linguistic heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
The official language authorized for Union purposes, typically Hindi and English, is used for inter-state communication.
Yes, two or more states can mutually agree to use Hindi for communication between them.
By defaulting to Union-approved languages, Article 346 ensures mutual comprehension and administrative efficiency.