"The creation of the linguistic state …

Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any language. Hindi was identified as the official language. According to the Constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965. However, many non-Hindi speaking states demanded that the use of English must continue. So, the Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes.

All the states have their own official languages besides Hindi. After independence, the boundaries of several old states of India were changed in order to create new states. It ensured that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state. The Central Government resisted linguistic states for some time. States like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab were created on the basis of languages. When the demand for the formation of states on the basis of language was raised, some national leaders feared that it would lead to the disintegration of the country. The Central government resisted linguistic states for some time. But the experience has shown that the formation of linguistic states has actually made the country more united. It has also made the administration easier. The ‘language policy’ has strengthened the unity and integrity of India. Thus, it is justified that the creation of a linguistic state was the first and major test for democratic politics in our country.