English was legally banned from all state legislatures after 15 years.

The clause only removes English automatically if the state doesn't pass its own law to keep it. Most states have continued allowing English through such laws.

Any member can freely choose to speak in any language they like in the legislature.

Normally, only the state's official language(s), Hindi, or English are allowed; speaking in a mother tongue requires special permission from the Speaker or Chairman, granted only when the member cannot adequately use the permitted languages.

The Constitution of India

Article 210

Language to be used in the Legislature

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in the Legislature of a State shall be transacted in the official language or languages of the State or in Hindi or in English: Provided that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or Chairman of the Legislative Council, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in any of the languages aforesaid to address the House in his mothertongue.§

(2) Unless the Legislature of the State by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the words “or in English” were omitted therefrom:§

Provided that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura this clause shall have effect as if for the words “fifteen years” occurring therein, the words “twenty-five years” were substituted:§

Provided further that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram, this clause shall have effect as if for the words “fifteen years” occurring therein, the words “forty years” were substituted.§

Why this exists

When the Constitution was framed, India had many regional languages, and English was the language of colonial administration and elite education. The framers wanted state legislatures to eventually function in local languages or Hindi, reflecting linguistic identity and accessibility for ordinary elected representatives who might not know English. But they recognized the transition needed time, so they built in a 'sunset clause' for English, with longer transition periods for northeastern and smaller states where administrative and linguistic infrastructure in local languages or Hindi took longer to develop. States were given power to extend English's use by their own law, recognizing continuing practical necessity.

Common misconceptions

Myth: English was legally banned from all state legislatures after 15 years.
Fact: The clause only removes English automatically if the state doesn't pass its own law to keep it. Most states have continued allowing English through such laws.
Myth: Any member can freely choose to speak in any language they like in the legislature.
Fact: Normally, only the state's official language(s), Hindi, or English are allowed; speaking in a mother tongue requires special permission from the Speaker or Chairman, granted only when the member cannot adequately use the permitted languages.