Can Hindi be declared as an official language by a State without the President's direction?
No, Hindi cannot be declared as an official language by a State without the President's direction. According to Chapter II of the context provided, "On a demand being made in that behalf the President may, if he is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a State desire the use of any language spoken by them to be recognized by that State, direct that such language shall also be officially recognized throughout that State or any part thereof for such purpose as he may specify."