Govt downplays order on official language

The Centre on Tuesday described as “unfounded and devoid of facts” the reports that it plans to impose Hindi on non-Hindi speaking areas.

A home ministry statement said the recommendation No.105 of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language is as follows, “All dignitaries, including President and all the Ministers, especially who can read and speak Hindi may be requested to give their speech/statement in Hindi only.”

The recommendation by the panel is amply clear as it is in the form of a request and does not entail any form of order or instruction, the statement said.

Also, it said, the recommendation is in pursuance with the Constitutional and Statutory provisions regarding the progressive use of Hindi as official language. “Also, the recommendation is based on the policy of propagation, promotion of official language through motivation and inspiration, which is in line with the government’s policy.”