Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 120 Simplified: Language to be used in Parliament

Article 120 says the main languages of Parliament are Hindi and English. However, if an MP cannot express themselves in either, the Speaker or Chairman can allow them to speak in their own Mother Tongue (regional language) (the English option was temporarily scheduled to be omitted after 15 years, but has been continued by law).

Official Text

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English: Provided that the Chairman of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the People, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in Hindi or in English to address the House in his mother-tongue. (2) Unless Parliament by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the words “or in English” were omitted therefrom.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

In Parliament, politicians speak in Hindi or English. But what if a leader from a regional state doesn't speak those well? The Speaker can let them speak in their mother tongue, like Tamil, Marathi, or Bengali!

Student Mode

Article 120 governs the languages of Parliament: (1) Business is transacted in Hindi or English. (2) The Chairman of RS or Speaker of LS can permit any member who cannot adequately express themselves in Hindi or English to address the House in their mother-tongue. (3) Clause (2) scheduled the omission of English after 15 years (by 1965), but the Official Languages Act, 1963 permitted the continued use of English indefinitely.

Example

If an MP from Tamil Nadu wants to speak in Tamil, they can do so if the Speaker gives permission under Article 120.

Key Takeaway

Hindi and English are standard, but mother tongues are allowed with permission.

FAQs

Can an MP speak in any language in Parliament?

An MP can speak in Hindi or English by default. To speak in a regional language (mother tongue), they must seek the prior permission of the Speaker (in Lok Sabha) or Chairman (in Rajya Sabha) under Article 120(1).

What happened to the 15-year limit for using English in Parliament?

Article 120(2) stated that English would cease to be used after 15 years unless Parliament provided otherwise. Parliament passed the Official Languages Act, 1963, which allowed the continued use of English alongside Hindi indefinitely.