What governments did, and what it cost the country

What was done

Parliament amended the Official Languages Act, 1963 in 1967. The amendment continued English, in addition to Hindi, for all Union official purposes and Parliament; made English the language for communications between the Union and a State which had not adopted Hindi; required an English translation when Hindi was used between a Hindi-speaking State and a non-Hindi-speaking State; and allowed English to be discontinued only after every State that had not adopted Hindi passed a resolution and both Houses of Parliament then passed a discontinuance resolution.

What it meant for the country

The 1967 amendment protected non-Hindi-speaking States and employees from being forced into Hindi by keeping English in official use and requiring their consent before English could be discontinued.

• English remained available for all Union official purposes and for business in Parliament after 26 January 1965; the Union was required to use English when communicating with a State that had not adopted Hindi as its official language. [1]
• When Hindi was used between a State that had adopted Hindi and one that had not, the Hindi communication had to be accompanied by an English translation, so the non-Hindi State was not shut out. [1]
• The English language could not be discontinued for Union official purposes or inter-State communication unless the legislatures of all States that had not adopted Hindi, and then each House of Parliament, passed resolutions for discontinuance. [1][3]
• Rules under the Act had to ensure that Central government employees proficient only in English or only in Hindi could function effectively and were not put at a disadvantage for lacking the other language. [1][3]

Step by step

1. 1949-09-13
   The Constituent Assembly debated the official language question. Members agreed on Hindi in Devanagari script as the Union's official language with an interim fifteen-year continuation of English, over objections from non-Hindi members. [8][10]
2. 1955
   A Presidential order, the Constitution (Hindi Language for Official Purposes) Order, 1955, specified the Union official purposes for which Hindi could be used in addition to English. [3]
3. 1963-05-10
   The Official Languages Act, 1963 came into operation. Section 3 provided that, after 26 January 1965, English might continue to be used in addition to Hindi for Union official purposes and in Parliament. [1][3]
4. 1965-01-26
   The fifteen-year period from the commencement of the Constitution ended, and the appointed day under the 1963 Act began; English could continue for official purposes. [1][3]
5. 1967
   After further agitation by non-Hindi-speaking people, Parliament passed the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967. [3]
6. 1968-01-08
   The Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967 came into force. [3]
7. 1971-01-29
   A court order in Murasoli Maran v Union of India recorded the history of the official language orders and the 1963 Act as amended in 1967, including the safeguards for non-Hindi States and employees. [3]

The documents

1. [1] The Official Languages Act, 1963 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] The Punjab Official Languages Act, 1967 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Murasoli Maran vs Union Of India And Ors. on 29 January, 1971 Court, indiankanoon.org
4. [4] THE CONSTITUTION (TWENTY-FIRST AMENDMENT) ACT, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
5. [5] The Karnataka Official Language Act, 1963 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
6. [6] Law Commission Report - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] Need To Amend The Official Languages Act, 1963 -Laid. on 22 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] Constituent Assembly Debates On 13 September, 1949 Part Ii Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Section 5 in The Punjab Official Languages Act, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] Constituent Assembly Debates On 13 September, 1949 Part I Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] Article 345 in Constitution of India - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
12. [12] Section 3 (1) in The Official Languages Act, 1963 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org

Compiled from the documents cited, 1 Oct 2026

What was done

Parliament enacted the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on 30 December 1967 as Act No. 37 of 1967. Under section 3, the Central Government may declare an association unlawful by notification in the Official Gazette. The Act punishes taking part in, committing, advocating, abetting, advising or inciting an unlawful activity with up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine, and assisting an unlawful activity with up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. It also makes every offence under the Act cognizable, meaning the police can arrest without a warrant.

What it meant for the country

The Act itself records powers that curtail freedom of association: the government can ban an association and punish membership and support with up to seven years' imprisonment, and every offence under it is arrestable by the police without a warrant.

• The Act empowers the Central Government to declare an association unlawful by notification in the Official Gazette, and in urgent cases the declaration can take effect immediately before the Tribunal confirms it (section 3). [1]
• The Act punishes taking part in, committing, advocating, abetting, advising or inciting any unlawful activity with imprisonment up to seven years and a fine, and assisting an unlawful activity with up to five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. [1]
• The Act states that every offence punishable under it shall be cognizable, overriding the Code of Criminal Procedure, so the police may arrest without a warrant. [1]
• The Act applies to Indian citizens outside India, persons in government service wherever they may be, and persons on Indian-registered ships and aircraft wherever they may be (section 1(5)). [1]
• In the Lok Sabha on 8 July 2019, member N.K. Premachandran said the 2019 Amendment Bill gave the government 'unfettered discretionary authority' that would take away the right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. [8]

Step by step

1. 1967-12-30
   The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 was enacted as Act No. 37 of 1967, dated 30 December 1967, 'to provide for the more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for matters connected therewith'. [11]
2. 2004
   As stated by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in the Lok Sabha on 29 November 2012, the scope of the Act was widened in 2004 and terrorist activities were criminalised. [7]
3. 2008
   As stated by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, all political parties joined together and unanimously passed Act 35 of 2008 to amend the Act. [7]
4. 2011-12-29
   The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 29 December 2011, as stated by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. [7]
5. 2012-11-29
   The Lok Sabha debated the motion for consideration of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2011; the discussion was not concluded. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde moved the motion. The Bill proposed, among other things, increasing the period of declaration of an association as unlawful from two years to five years. [7]
6. 2019-07-08
   The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8 July 2019. Members N.K. Premachandran and Shashi Tharoor opposed its introduction. In the debate, a member recalled that 'in 1967, when the UAPA was first adopted' a distinguished Member, later identified by Shashi Tharoor as Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had said the Bill should not be agreed to because 'any activity, which is not tolerable to the Government could be called to account'. [8]
7. 2019-07-24
   The Lok Sabha passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019. [10]

The documents

1. [1] The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] Section 35 in The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Section 31 in The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
4. [4] Section 25 in The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
5. [5] Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
6. [6] Section 4 in The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] Discussion On The Motion For Consideration Of The Unlawful ... Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] Introduction Of The Unlawful Activities (Prevention ... Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Section 15 (a) (iii) in The Unlawful Activities (Prevention ... Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] Discussion On Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill ... Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
12. [12] Chandra Mohan vs State Of U.P. And Ors. on 24 November, 1967 Court, indiankanoon.org

Compiled from the documents cited, 1 Oct 2026

What was done

The Election Commission of India, applying a majority test at the organisational level and in the legislative wings, recognised the Indira Gandhi-backed Congress group (then called Congress (J)) as the Indian National Congress for all purposes, by order dated 11 January 1971. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals against that order in Sadiq Ali v. Election Commission of India, upholding the recognition.

What it meant for the country

The documents establish that the Election Commission and the Supreme Court definitively resolved which faction inherited the Indian National Congress name and reserved symbol after the 1969 split, but the wider national consequences are not documented in the sources.

• The Indira Gandhi-backed group secured the legal right to call itself the Indian National Congress and to use its reserved election symbol, while the rival Congress (O) group lost that identity, as held by the Election Commission and affirmed by the Supreme Court. [2][15]
• The Supreme Court's dismissal of the appeals in Sadiq Ali affirmed the Election Commission's authority to decide which rival faction of a political party should be recognised, establishing a precedent for resolving intra-party splits in electoral matters. [7]
• The properties and funds of the Indian National Congress before the 1969 split were held by the trial court, as recorded in the Janatha Dal Party judgment, to belong to the Congress (J) group led by Jagjivan Ram and Indira Gandhi, not to Congress (O). [2][15]

Step by step

1. 1969
   The Indian National Congress split into two groups: one led by Jagjivan Ram and backed by Indira Gandhi, called the Indian National Congress (J), and another led by Nijalingappa, called the Indian National Congress (O). Each group claimed to be the real Indian National Congress. [2][15][16]
2. 1969-11-12
   According to Wikipedia, the Indian National Congress (Requisitionists), or INC(R), was founded on 12 November 1969 as the Indira Gandhi-led faction formed after her expulsion in 1969. [3]
3. 1971-01-11
   The Election Commission of India, by order dated 11 January 1971, held that the Congress (J) group, applying the test of majority at the organisational level and in the legislative wings, was the Indian National Congress. [2][15][16]
4. 1971-01-25
   The Election Commission allotted the symbol 'Calf and Cow' to Congress (R) and 'Charkha being Plied by Woman' to Congress (O), according to the Unacademy account. The Commission is also recorded in the Sadiq Ali appeal as having held that the party presided over by Jagjivan Ram was entitled to the reserved symbol 'Two Bullocks with Yoke on'. [6][7]
5. 1972
   In Sadiq Ali v. Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals and upheld the Election Commission's order recognising the Jagjivan Ram-led Congress group as the Indian National Congress entitled to the reserved symbol. One source records the judgment date as 11 November 1971 in Civil Appeal No. 70 of 1971. [2][7][15][16]
6. 1978-02-02
   After a further split in the Congress, the Election Commission recognised Indira Gandhi's faction as the Indian National Congress (I) and allotted it the 'Hand' symbol. [6]
7. 1979
   The Election Commission froze the 'Calf and Cow' symbol and recognised the Devraj Urs faction as Indian National Congress (U), allotting it the 'Charkha' symbol. [6]

The documents

1. [1] Maganbhai Ishwarbhai Patel vs Union Of India And Anr on 9 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] Janatha Dal Party vs The Indian National Congress on 21 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Indian National Congress (Requisitionists) - Wikipedia Web, en.wikipedia.org
4. [4] The Congress that Rahul Gandhi controls: Born of a split ... Press, economictimes.indiatimes.com
5. [5] The Wire: The Wire News India, Latest News,News from India ... Press, thewire.in
6. [6] Evolution of Election Symbols of INC and BJP: 15 April 2024 Web, unacademy.com
7. [7] Sadiq Ali And Anr. Etc. v. Election Commission of India and ... Web, juris-codex.com
8. [8] Discussion Regarding Resolution Passed By Jammu And Kashmir ... Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Discussion On The Special Economic Zones Bill, 2005. ( Bill ... Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] Discussion On The Trade Marks Bill, 1999. on 22 December, 1999 Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] Section 16A in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org
12. [12] Section 1 in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org
13. [13] Section 4 in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org
14. [14] Section 2 (1) in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org
15. [15] Janatha Dal Party vs The Indian National Congress & Ors on 21 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
16. [16] Janata Dal Party Rep By Karnataka ... vs The Indian National ... Court, indiankanoon.org
17. [17] Tej Kiran Jain And Ors. vs N. Sanjiva Reddy And Ors. on 4 ... Court, indiankanoon.org
18. [18] U.N. R. Rao vs Smt. Indira Gandhi on 17 March, 1971 Court, indiankanoon.org
19. [19] Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 Court, indiankanoon.org
20. [20] Election Symbols Reservation and Allotment Order, 1996 Court, indiankanoon.org
21. [21] Section 7 in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org
22. [22] Section 12 in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment ... Court, indiankanoon.org

Compiled from the documents cited, 1 Oct 2026

What was done

Parliament passed the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 (Act 53 of 1970) on 25 December 1970. The Act established the State of Himachal Pradesh comprising the territory of the former union territory, provided for a Legislative Assembly of 60 directly elected seats (of which 14 were reserved for Scheduled Castes and 3 for Scheduled Tribes), created a separate High Court of Himachal Pradesh with its principal seat at Simla, and transferred the former union territory's property, assets and liabilities to the new state government except for Union purposes.

What it meant for the country

Himachal Pradesh gained full statehood with its own elected Legislative Assembly and a separate High Court.

• The residents of the former union territory gained a state Legislative Assembly with 60 directly elected seats, of which 14 were reserved for Scheduled Castes and 3 for Scheduled Tribes. [1]
• A separate High Court of Himachal Pradesh was established, with its principal seat at Simla. [1]
• Property, assets, rights and liabilities of the former union territory passed to the State of Himachal Pradesh, except those relating to Union purposes or certain projects met from the Consolidated Fund of India. [1]

Step by step

1. 1970-07-31
   It was announced in the Lok Sabha that the Government had decided to grant statehood to Himachal Pradesh and that a Bill would be introduced in Parliament as early as possible. [2]
2. 1970-09-03
   The Lok Sabha was informed that the necessary Bill for statehood would be brought forward in the next session of Parliament. [2]
3. 1970-12-11
   The State of Himachal Pradesh Bill, 1970 was published in the Gazette of India. [1][2]
4. 1970-12-25
   Parliament enacted the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 (Act 53 of 1970). The Act established the State of Himachal Pradesh comprising the territories of the existing Union territory of Himachal Pradesh, with a Legislative Assembly of 60 seats (14 reserved for Scheduled Castes and 3 for Scheduled Tribes), and created a separate High Court for Himachal Pradesh with its principal seat at Simla. [1][2]

The documents

1. [1] The State Of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 - Indian Kanoon Court, indiankanoon.org
2. [2] Section 1293 in The State Of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 Court, indiankanoon.org
3. [3] Section 1 in The State Of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 Court, indiankanoon.org
4. [4] Section 1 in The State Of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 Court, indiankanoon.org
5. [5] Section 11 in The State Of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 Court, indiankanoon.org
6. [6] Section 17 (2) (f) in Himachal Pradesh Public Records Act, 2006 Court, indiankanoon.org
7. [7] Section 13 (1) in Himachal Pradesh Public Records Act, 2006 Court, indiankanoon.org
8. [8] Section 17 (1) in Himachal Pradesh Public Records Act, 2006 Court, indiankanoon.org
9. [9] Section 17 in Himachal Pradesh Public Records Act, 2006 Court, indiankanoon.org
10. [10] Ram Parkash vs The State Of Himachal Pradesh on 14 March, 1972 Court, indiankanoon.org
11. [11] The State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 Keyword(s ... Research, prsindia.org
12. [12] The State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 : Free Download ... Web, archive.org

Compiled from the documents cited, 1 Oct 2026