Directive for development of the Hindi language
Article 351 — Directive for development of the Hindi language
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.
EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
Plain English Summary
This article directs the central government (the Union) to actively promote and develop the Hindi language. The goal is to make Hindi a medium for expressing all parts of India's diverse culture while enriching it by incorporating elements from other Indian languages, primarily using Sanskrit for vocabulary.
Key Points
- The Union has a duty to promote the spread of the Hindi language.
- Hindi should be developed to serve as a medium for expressing the composite culture of India.
- It must enrich Hindi by taking forms and styles from Hindustani and other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
- Vocabulary for Hindi should primarily be drawn from Sanskrit, with secondary sources from other Indian languages.
Why It Matters
This article establishes a constitutional mandate for the government to foster linguistic unity and cultural expression across India through the promotion of Hindi.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.