Hindi Text of the Indian Constitution
Background
- The original Constitution of
India (1950) was written in English.
- No official Hindi version existed until
the 58th Constitutional Amendment Act (1987) introduced Article
394-A, authorizing an authoritative Hindi text.
Key Provisions of Article
394-A
- President’s Role:
- The President publishes the official
Hindi translation of the Constitution.
- The Hindi text must align with:
- Legal terminology used in Central Acts
(laws) written in Hindi.
- All Constitutional amendments passed
before the translation.
- Legal Status:
- The Hindi version has the same
legal authority as the English original.
- If there’s a conflict in interpretation,
the English text prevails, and the President can revise the
Hindi version to resolve discrepancies.
- Amendments:
- Every Constitutional amendment passed in
English must also be translated into Hindi and published under the
President’s authority.
Why This Matters
- Accessibility:
Makes the Constitution accessible to Hindi-speaking citizens.
- Uniformity:
Ensures legal terms in Hindi match those used in other Central laws,
avoiding confusion.
- Cultural Significance:
Promotes Hindi as an official language while respecting India’s
multilingual diversity.
Fun Fact
- The original Hindi version of
the Constitution was beautifully calligraphed by Vasant Krishan
Vaidya and decorated by artists like Nand Lal Bose.
Takeaway:
The 58th Amendment ensured the Constitution is both a legal and cultural
document, bridging India’s linguistic diversity while maintaining legal
precision. 🌟