Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

EXPRESSIONS OF INDIA

Enactments relating to linguistic states and official languages (Chronology)

1950 - Indian Constitution Article 343, adopts Hindi script (Devanagari) as the official language; allows continu- ing use of English for 15 years; 8th Schedule under. Articles 344 (1) and 351 grants recognition to 14 major languages : Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Andhra, first state on a linguistic basis, formed on October 1. 1953 -

Pondicherry (formerly French territory of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahi, Yanam) created as a separate Union Territory). -Languages Act enacts continuance of English for offi- cial purposes beyond the originally prescribed 15-year term (beyond 1965). -Punjab split up; Haryana-State set up under Punjab Reorganisation Bill on linguistic grounds. 1967 -Sindhi becomes 15th major official language in 8th Schedule by virtue of a constitutional amendment; Language (Amendment Bill) enacts usage of English for communication between the centre and states, permits use of both languages for official documenta- tion; Government accepts in principle usage of regional 1963 1966 languages for education in all stages and subjects. 1969 - New state of Meghalaya carved out of Assam. 1972 - Mizoram established as Union Territory. 1975 - Sikkim becomes 22nd State; Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh. 1986 - Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh granted Statehood. 1987 - Goa granted Statehood; Daman and Diu delinked to form a Union Territory. -77th Constitution amendment adds Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali taking the list of official languages to 18. 1992

Government

appoints

SRC

(States

Reorganisation

1953

-

Commission) to consider creation of linguistic states. SRC report recommends vital changes.

1955 -

1956 - Linguistic reorganisation of states; 27 reduced to 14 States and 6 Union Territories.

1957 - Official Languages Commission advocates greater

use of Hindi for official purposes.

1960 - Bombay State split on linguistic grounds into Gujarat and Maharashtra. 1961 - Chief Ministers' Conference adapts "3 - Language Formula" - provides for study of Hindi, another Indian Language (regional) and English in secondary schools - National Integration Conference ratifies the "For- mula". -12th Amendment enacted - Goa, Daman and Diu become a Union Territory in the First Schedule to the Constitution; Nagaland created as 16th State; 1962