Linguistic Minority in India

A linguistic minority is a class of people whose mother tongue is different from that of the majority in the state or part of a state. the constitution provides for the protection of the interests of linguistic minorities.

Article 350-A imposes a duty on the states to Endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority. The president is authorized to issue such directions to any state, as he considers necessary or proper for securing the provisions of such facilities.

Article 347 provides for the use of majority language in the administration. If a demand is made in this behalf and the president is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a state desire the use any language spoken by them to be recognized by the state, the president may direct that such language shall also be officially recognized throughout the state or any part of tire state for such purposes as he may specify.

Article 350 gives right to every person to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the union or a state in any of the language used in the union or a state, as the case may be.

Article 350-B empowers the president to appoint a special officer for linguistic minorities. It is the duty of the special officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided  for linguistic minorities under this constitution and report to the president  upon those matters at such intervals as the president may direct. The president shall cause reports to be laid before each house of parliament and send to the government of the state concerned.