Linguistic Secularism

Why in the News?

Recently the National Education Policy (NEP) has sparked controversy over alleged Hindi imposition.

• Linguistic secularism – It refers to the principle of equal treatment and accommodation of all languages within a multilingual society.

Indian language laws are designed to be accommodative, aiming to secure “linguistic secularism” by respecting the aspirations of speakers of different languages.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 343 – Declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
• Article 29(1) – Grants both majority and minority, the right to conserve its distinct language, script or culture.
• Article 19 – Includes the right to choose the medium of instruction at the primary level.

Judicial rulings on Linguistic Secularism

• U.P. Hindi Sahittya Sammelan vs State of U.P. (2014) – The mode of development or evolution of language in the country should be organic.
• Indian language laws were not rigid but accommodative – that aims to secure linguistic secularism.
• Sunil K.R. Sahastrabudhey vs Director, IIT Kanpur (1982) – Article 351 lays down a duty on the Union to promote the spread of 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,
• Yet there is no right conferred on any citizen to compel an institution to impart education in that particular language.
• State of Karnataka vs Associated Management of Primary & Secondary Schools – The fundamental right to speech and expression under Article 19 included the freedom of a primary class student to choose the language of instruction.
• The state cannot impose control over such a choice.
• Pierce v. Society of Sisters of Holy Names in 1924 – The supreme court had taken a leaf from the U.S. Supreme Court’s conclusion that a child is not a mere creature of the State.
• Those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right coupled with the high duty to recognise and prepare him for additional obligations”.

Reference

The Hindu| Supreme Court Stance on Linguistic Secularism