Chapter IV: Special Directives

Article 351: Directive for development of the Hindi language

Original Article:

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.

Explanations:

Article 351 of the Indian Constitution directs the Union to actively promote and develop the Hindi language to serve as a medium of expression for India's diverse cultural heritage. This provision seeks to enrich Hindi while respecting the linguistic diversity of India, ensuring that it evolves as a language capable of expressing the nation’s composite culture.

Key Provisions:

Goals for the Development of Hindi

Promotion of Hindi as a Cultural Medium: Article 351 mandates that the Union encourage the spread of Hindi, fostering its development as a language that reflects the cultural diversity of India.

Enrichment Through Assimilation: Hindi’s growth should involve assimilation of linguistic forms, styles, and expressions found in Hindustani and other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

Vocabulary Enrichment: The Article advises enriching Hindi’s vocabulary primarily from Sanskrit and secondarily from other Indian languages.

Historical Significance:

Article 351 reflects India’s post-independence linguistic policy and the importance placed on establishing a national identity through language. While Hindi was to be promoted, the Constitution also sought to protect other regional languages, enabling Hindi to evolve in a way that reflects India’s multiculturalism.

Real-Life Example:

The Indian government has undertaken various initiatives to promote Hindi, such as establishing the Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, an organization dedicated to promoting and developing the Hindi language. Programs like "Hindi Pakhwada" encourage the use of Hindi in government offices and public institutions.

References and Related Provisions:

Article 351 aligns with the Official Languages Act, 1963, which regulates the use of Hindi and English in official capacities. It complements Article 343, which designates Hindi as the official language of the Union.