Language in Parliament

The Lok Sabha recently witnessed a heated debate between the Speaker and an MP over adding Sanskrit to the list of languages with simultaneous interpretation in Parliament.

• About Language in Parliament: Business shall be conducted in Hindi or English as per Article 120.

o Exception: The Chairman or Speaker may allow a member to speak in their mother tongue if they cannot express themselves in Hindi or English.

• Historical Context:

o Original Proposal: Hindi and English as the official languages in Parliament, with exceptions for those unable to speak in either.

o Drafting Committee Proposed Change: A member suggested adding Bengali or any regional language as an option along with Hindi and English.

o Concern: The Speaker had discretion to allow regional languages, which might limit members from speaking in their mother tongue.

o Withdrawal: The member withdrew his amendment from consideration.

o Adoption: The Assembly accepted the amendment and adopted Draft Article 99 on 17 September 1949.

• About the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagari script, as per Article 343(1) of the Constitution.

o Section 3 of the Official Language Act, 1963 provides for the continuance of English for official purposes of the Union and for use in Parliament.

o The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution enumerates the official languages of India.

• About the Official Languages Commission:Established by the President in accordance with Article 344 of the Indian Constitution, was constituted in 1955 via a notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs.