The status of Urdu in Pakistan versus the status of Hindi in India
<p>This is a critical question because it caused the 1952 language movement in Pakistan.</p>
<p>The Internet says that Urdu is the national language of Pakistan, but that Hindi is not the national language of India. However, practically, both of them are the lingua franca in their respective countries.</p>
<p>How are they dissimilar according to the constitutions of their respective countries?</p>
<p>.</p>
<p><strong>Note:</strong> I am comparing Pakistan and India. I am comparing Urdu in Pakistan with Hindi in India.</p>
<p>I am not comparing Urdu and Hindi in India. I am not comparing Urdu and Hindi in Pakistan.</p>
<p>.</p>
<p><strong>Note2:</strong>  I am seeking an explanation of an article of the constitution. That is what Supreme Courts do. Therefore, it should be a legal question.</p>

<p>The difference is mainly terminological. <a href="https://www.infopakistan.pk/constitution-of-pakistan/article/251-National-language" rel="noreferrer">Article 251</a> of the Constitution of Pakistan says</p>
<blockquote>
<p>1.The National language of Pakistan is Urdu, and arrangements shall be made for its being used for official and other purposes within fifteen
years from the commencing day.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><p>Subject to clause (1), the English language may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by
Urdu.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Without prejudice to the status of the National language, a Provincial Assembly may by law prescribe measures for the teaching,
promotion and use of a Provincial language in addition to the National
language.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://indiankanoon.org/doc/379861/" rel="noreferrer">Article 343</a> says</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1) The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari
script The form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of
the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals (2)
Notwithstanding anything in clause ( 1 ), for a period of fifteen
years from the commencement of this Constitution, the English language
shall continue to be used for all the official purposes of the Union
for which it was being used immediately before such commencement:
Provided that the president may, during the said period, by order
authorise the use of the Hindi language in addition to the English
language and of the Devanagari form of numerals in addition to the
international form of Indian numerals for any of the official purposes
of the Union (3) Notwithstanding anything in this article, Parliament
may by law provide for the use, after the said period of fifteen
years, of (a) the English language, or (b) the Devanagari form of
numerals, for such purposes as may be specified in the law</p>
</blockquote>
<p>In other words, in one case the term employed is &quot;national language&quot; and in the other case it is &quot;official language&quot;. In either case, national government business is to be carried out in the official / national language, and not in a regional language.</p>

india language pakistan