🇮🇳 Article 347 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Special provision relating to the language spoken by a section of the population of a State
🔷 Explanation of Article 347:
✅ Main Provision:
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If the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a State desires the use of any language spoken by them to be recognized officially,
the President may direct the State Government to:-
Recognize that language, and
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Allow its use for official purposes of the State or any part thereof.
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🟢 Key Points:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who takes action? | President of India, based on public demand |
| What triggers it? | A substantial population in a State demands official use of their language |
| What is allowed? | The language may be authorized for official use within the State or a part of it |
| Purpose | To protect linguistic minorities and ensure inclusive governance |
📌 Purpose of Article 347:
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Ensures that linguistic minorities in a state can request the official use of their language.
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Promotes linguistic inclusion and cultural respect within states.
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Prevents linguistic domination by the majority language in a state.
📝 Example:
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If a large number of people in Karnataka speak Tulu, and they demand official recognition, the President may direct the Karnataka government to use Tulu for official work in those areas.
Here is a comparison chart between Article 346 and Article 347 of the Indian Constitution:
🗂️ Comparison Chart: Article 346 vs Article 347
| Aspect | Article 346 | Article 347 |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Official language for communication between States or with the Union | Special provision for language spoken by a section of the population |
| Scope | Communication between States or between a State and the Union | Internal recognition of a language within a State |
| Who decides | Default: Union Government (English); States may mutually agree on a different language | President of India, based on public demand |
| Trigger | Requirement for inter-government communication | Substantial population within a State demands use of their language |
| Main Language Used | English by default (for official communication) | Any minority/regional language spoken by a large section of the population |
| Outcome | Ensures smooth communication across different governments | Protects linguistic minorities within a State |
| Example | Tamil Nadu and Kerala communicate with the Union in English | Urdu recognized for official use in parts of Bihar where large Urdu-speaking population exists |
📝 Summary:
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🔁 Article 346 = Focuses on communication between governments.
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🗣️ Article 347 = Focuses on language rights of minority communities within a State.
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