The question raised in this petition is as to the constitutional validity of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, Madras Act XIV of 1957. The petitioners, who are accused 6 and 7, stand charged before the Court of District Magistrate, Madura:, with having committed offences under section 5 of that Act read with sections 120-B and 109 of the Indian Penal Code. The 6th accused is said to be the Organising Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and a member of Anti Hindi Agitation Committee and the 7th accused is the Treasurer of the Kazhagam and Chairman of that Committee, besides being the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Madras Legislative Assembly. The Parliament passed the Official Languages Act, XIX. of 1963, which received the assent of the President on 19th May, 1963. The object of the Act is to provide, with reference to Article 343 (3) in P?rt XVII of the Constitution of India, for the languages which may be used for the official purposes of the Union of India, for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central and State Acts ana for certain purposes in High Courts. Section 3 of this Act enacts that notwithstanding the expiration of