Jawaharlal Nehru's Assurance

Jawaharlal Nehru's Assurance:

Though the Constitution of India came into effect from 26, January 1950, to defuse the tension and overcome the protests against Hindi, the framers of the constitution incorporated Article 343 which was to come into effect only after 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution. However DMK kept the powder dry and organised conferences and demonstrations to mobilise the masses against the impending implimentation of Article 343.

To appease the non-Hindi speaking people, on August 7, 1959, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave a solemn assurance on the floor of the Parliament, that "English would continue until and as long as the non-Hindi speaking people desire it." He reiterated this promise to the nation, in 1959 when DMK organised a massive Black Flag Demonstration against Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India and in 1962, during the Chinese aggression.

Only the struggles and sacrifices of DMK were responsible for this historic achievement – a commitment from the Prime Minister himself, in the face of heavy odds. from the Hindi chauvinists.