Why in News ?
The inclusion of Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi as Jammu and Kashmir official languages list has received strong criticism from several quarters, including members of minority communities, activists and political leaders.
Urdu and English was the official language of the state before the reorganisation of J&K on August 5, 2019.
Why included in the list ?
- This is in line with the long-pending demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Jammu and Kashmir Official Language Bill 2020 shall be introduced in the Parliament.
- Taking the total number of official languages to five, including the already existing English and Urdu.
Criticism against the bill ?
- Inclusion of More Language
- Sikh community across J&K, which comprise 2.03% of the total population in the UT as per the 2011 Census have protested against the bill to demonstrate their resentment for not including Punjabi.
- Besides Gujjar and Bakarwals reside in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of which 810,800 Gujjar and Bakarwals live in Jammu, making around 54% of the total tribal population.
- Gujjar leaders have also strongly resented the move of Union Cabinet to neglect the Gojri language.
- The Jammu & Kashmir Re-Organisation Act empowers the J&K legislative assembly to decide on the adoption of official languages.
- Section 47 (1 ) of the Re-Organisation Act : Legislative Assembly may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir or Hindi as the official language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Sixth schedule of the constitution of the erstwhile state of J&K : Kashmiri, Dogri, Balti (Pali), Dardi, Punjabi, Pahari, Ladakhi and Gojri were regional languages of the state.
- Inclusion of Hindi : People of Jammu and Kashmir are not majorly Hindi speaking people. Earlier it was not a part of J&K which is not even a locally spoken language.
Constitutions and Laws
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 345 : Empowers the state legislature to choose one or more of the languages in the state or Hindi as the language or languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that state.
- Article 346 : Official language for communication between one State and another or between a State and the Union
- The language for the time being authorised for use in the Union for official purposes shall be the official language for communication.
- If two or more States agree Hindi language should be the official language for communication between such States, that language may be used for such communication.
- Article 347 : If President satisfies that substantial proportion of the population of a State desire the use of any language spoken by them to be recognised by that state, direct that such language shall also be officially recognised throughout that State or any part for such purpose.
- Article 351 : It provides for Hindi language to be develop so that it may serve as a medium of communication for all component of India.
Official Languages Act, 1963
Provided for the continued use of English for official purposes along with Hindi, even after 1965 for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central and State, Acts and for certain purposes in High Courts.
Source : The Hindu
Topic
Prelims
GS II : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Current Affairs Compilation : 3 September 2020