Constitution of India · Section Article 349
Special procedure for enactment of certain laws relating to language
Article 349 — Special procedure for enactment of certain laws relating to language
- Special procedure for enactment of certain laws relating to language.—During the period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, no Bill or amendment making provision for the language to be used for any of the purposes mentioned in clause (1) of article 348 shall be introduced or moved in either House of Parliament without the previous sanction of the President, and the President shall not give his sanction to the introduction of any such Bill or the moving of any such amendment except after he has taken into consideration the recommendations of the Commission constituted under clause (1) of article 344 and the report of the Committee constituted under clause (4) of that article. CHAPTER IV.—SPECIAL DIRECTIVES
Plain English Summary
This article sets up a special procedure for introducing any law or amendment that deals with the language to be used for specific purposes in India. For the first fifteen years after the Constitution began, Parliament cannot introduce such a law without the President's prior approval, which depends on reports from specific commissions.
Key Points
- During the initial fifteen years of the Constitution, Parliament needs the President's sanction before introducing any Bill or amendment related to the language used for specified purposes.
- The President can only grant this sanction after considering the recommendations of a Commission set up under Article 344 and the report of a Committee set up under Article 344.
- This procedure ensures careful consideration regarding language issues during the early phase of the Constitution's life.
Why It Matters
It establishes a constitutional safeguard to ensure that decisions about official languages are made with due consideration, involving expert recommendations before being enacted into law.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.