SPECIAL OFFICER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES
The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities, established under Article 350B of the Indian Constitution, is a constitutional position in India aimed at safeguarding the interests of linguistic minorities. Also known as the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, this officer plays a crucial role in ensuring that the linguistic rights of minority communities are respected and promoted across various states and union territories.
Linguistic minorities in India refer to groups of individuals residing within the country who have a distinct language or script different from the principal language spoken in the state, district, or taluka/tehsil they live in. The term "linguistic minorities" is not explicitly defined in the Constitution of India, and the minority language need not be one of the twenty-two languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
In 1956, the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) recognized the need to address the grievances of linguistic minorities. Based on SRC's recommendations, the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1957 was enacted, incorporating Articles 350A and 350B into the Constitution:
Article 350A: Mandates that every state and local authority provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
Article 350B: Establishes the position of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities, known as the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities (CLM), tasked with investigating matters related to safeguards for linguistic minorities and reporting to the President of India.