1

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE – CONSTITUTIONAL DEBACLE

Constitutional mandate:

PART XVII of the Constitution of India deals with Official Language. In the said Part
Articles 343 and 344 deals with Language of the Union, Articles 345 to 347 with
Regional Languages, Articles 348 and 349 with Language of the Supreme Court, High
Court and for Acts, Bills Etc. and Articles 350 to 351 with special Directives with regard
to usage of language and for the development of Hindi. Apart from Part XVII, Articles
120 and 210 of the Constitution also deals with languages to be used in Parliament and
State Legislatures.

Article 343(1) of the Constitution categorically declares that 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. The
said provision is categorical and unambiguous. However as a transitory measure Article
343(2) and (3) provides for usage of English for a period of fifteen years and even during
the said period, the president may, 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 .As
per Article 343(3), after the said period of fifteen years, Parliament may by law provide
for the use of the English language and the Devanagari form of numerals, for such
purposes as may be specified in the law.The above Article does not give choice but to use
Hindi as Official Language of the Union after fifteen years from the commencement of
the Constitution.

There is no provision in the Constitution, which declares English as Official Language,

transitory or otherwise. Article 343(2) simply says that for a period of fifteen years,
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. It is not even said in
the above said Article that English language shall be the Official Language for fifteen
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years. Further as per Article 343(3)(a), after fifteen years Parliament may by law provide
for the use of English language. Here also English language is not referred as Official
Language, to be continued as such. It means while using Hindi as Official Language,
after fifteen years, Parliament can provide for the use of English for purposed specified,
not necessarily for all purposes for which Hindi Language is to be used. The use of the
words “for such purposes as may be specified in the law” itself makes it clear that
English is not Official Language of the Union and it cannot be used after fifteen years
except on passing law by the Parliament and for the purpose specified in such law. Non-
use of Hindi as Official Language of the Union and continuous use of English language
for all purposes of Union is clear violation of the Constitution.

Article 343 declares that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari
script. The Union includes the Union Judiciary i.e. Supreme Court of India. Part V of the
Constitution deals with ‘The Union’ and it includes The Union judiciary dealt under
Chapter IV of the said Part. Thus what applies for the Union Executive and Legislature
with regard to Official Language Hindi applies to Union Judiciary also. Thus for
Supreme Court also the Official Language is Hindi and there is no ambiguity in it.

There is again Article 348, a transitory provision and it states:

Language to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts and for Acts, Bills,
etc.- (1) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, until
Parliament by law otherwise provides-
(a) all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court,
(b) the authoritative texts-
(i) of all Bills to be introduced or amendments thereto to be moved in either House of
Parliament or in the House or either House of the Legislature of a State,
(ii) of all Acts passed by Parliament or the Legislature of a State and of all Ordinances
promulgated by the President or the Governor of a State, and
(iii) of all orders, rules, regulations and bye- laws issued under this Constitution or under
any law made by Parliament or the Legislature of a State,
shall be in the English language

Having made Hindi in Devanagari script as Official Language of the Union, which
includes Union judiciary by Article 343, the inclusion of Article 348 which applies to all
proceedings of the Supreme Court and High courts and also to all legislative and
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subordinate legislative acts of Union and State legislatures, requires construction in view
of apparent contradiction between the said Articles 343 and 348.

Article 343 on the one hand unambiguously declares Hindi as official language and for a
period of fifteen years only English language can be used and Article 348 on the other
hand states that the proceedings Supreme Court and the authoritative Bills, Acts of
Parliament and all orders of Union shall be in English for indefinite period, till
Parliament makes law. There is apparent overriding/destructive effect of Article 343 by
Article 348. Again there is one more Article 120 deals with the subject.

Article 120 states that:. Language to be used in Parliament.

Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348,
business in Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English:

Provided that the Chairman of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the
People, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot
adequately express himself in Hindi or in English to address the House in his mother-
tongue.

(2) Unless Parliament 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 there from.

Article 120 is subject to Article 348. This Article 120(1) states that the business in
Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English. Here the word used is ‘or’. More
importantly it is stated at Article 120(2) that, the words “or in English” stands omitted
automatically, from Article 120(1), after fifteen years, unless Parliament by law
otherwise provides. It means after fifteen years the business in Parliament shall be only in
Hindi, unless Parliament, by law provides to continue the words “or in English” in Article
120(1).

Law by Parliament:
In Articles 120(2), 343 and 348, the language used, is ‘Unless Parliament by law
otherwise provides’, ‘Parliament may by law provide’, ‘until Parliament by law otherwise
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provides’ respectively. Now that Parliament enacted the Official language Act, 1963.
Section 3 of the said Act deals Crux of the issue.

Sub-Section (1) of the said Section 3, states :

(1) Nothwithstanding the expiration of the period of fifteen years from the
commencement of the Constitution, the English language may, as from the appointed
day, continue to be used in addition to Hindi,

(a) for all the official purposes of the Union for which it was being used immediately
before that day; and

(b) for the transaction of business in Parliament:

Provided that the English language shall be used for purposes of communication between
the Union and a State which has not adopted Hindi as its Official Language:

Provided further that where Hindi is used for purposes of communication between one
State which has adopted Hindi as its official language and another State which has not
adopted Hindi as its Official Language, such communication in Hindi shall be
accompanied by a translation of the same in the English language:

Provided also that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed as preventing a State
which has not adopted Hindi as its official language from using Hindi for purposes of
communication with the Union or with a State which has adopted Hindi as its official
language, or by agreement with any other State, and in such a case, it shall not be
obligatory to use the English language for purposes of communication with that State.

As per the said Section “the English language may, as from the appointed day, continue
to be used in addition to Hindi” for all the official purposed of the union and for the
transaction of business in Parliament. Here again the word ‘Union’ is used, which
naturally includes Union Judiciary. Further it says that English language ‘may’ continue
to be used in ‘addition’ to Hindi. It simply means, English at its option can continue to be
used in addition to Hindi by the Union. Use of Hindi is compulsory and use of English, in
addition to it is optional. The said Section conveys no other meaning. Since this is the law
provided by Parliament, and as Article 348 can survive only ‘until Parliament by law
otherwise provides’, it ceases to have any effect and factually stands ceases to exist. As
stated as it applies to the Union and Union Judiciary is being part of the Union, from 26th
day of January 1965, Supreme Court must have its proceedings in Hindi and may, in
addition to Hindi, not instead of Hindi, can have English.
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Presidential Orders for use of Hindi by Supreme Court:

Apart from the above, President of India, exercising powers under Section 4(4) of
Official languages Act, 1963, passed orders dt. 24 November, 1998 (copy Appended
below), inter-alia making Hindi text as original and naturally for the matters relating to
Acts, Bills etc., after the said order, the above said judgements of the Supreme Court will
not apply.

With regard to use of Hindi in the Supreme Court, the above said Order states:
“4. Compliance of official Language Policy in the Office of the Registrar General,
Supreme Court.
Recommendation No.12
Office of the Registrar General, Supreme Court should comply with the provisions
regarding Official Language Policy of the Union of India in its administrative work.
Basic infrastructure for doing work in Hindi should be set up and officers and employees
should be given incentives for this purpose.
“The recommendation has been found worthy of acceptance. Ministry of Law,
Justice and Company Affairs may in consultation with the Supreme Court, consider
preparing a feasible work-plan for introducing an Official Language Policy in a
phased manner in the internal administrative working of the Supreme Court and
may consider implementing the same.”
5. Use of language in judgements of the Supreme Court.
Recommendation No.13
The use of Hindi simultaneously with English should be authorised in the Supreme Court.
Every judgement should be made available in both the languages. The judgement can be
delivered by the Supreme Court in Hindi or English. This may be done in such a manner
that a judgement, if delivered in Hindi, should be translated in English and if the
judgement is delivered in English, the same should be translated in Hindi.
“This recommendation has been found worthy of acceptance. In the context of this
recommendation, Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs may, in
consultation with the Supreme Court, assess the additional arrangements and
resources and financial outlays, necessary for accepting the recommendation. In
tandem, a long term action plan may be prepared and considered for
implementation.”
6. Use of Hindi in the administrative work by the Judges of the Supreme Court/High
Courts.
Recommendation No.14
A scheme should be initiated to encourage judges and other officers of the Supreme
Court and various High Courts for use of Hindi in their administrative and judicial work.
Seminars, workshops, refresher courses, training programmes etc. should be organised
for this purpose.
“This recommendation is accepted to the extent that the recommendation may be
forwarded to concerned State Governments for necessary consideration and action
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in the context of the High Courts located in Region ‘A’. In the context of other High
Courts and the Supreme Court, the concerned State Government and the Ministry
of Law, Justice and Company Affairs should consider taking action in this regard at
an appropriate time.”

Recommendation 13 and its acceptance is note worthy in the context of use of Hindi by
the Supreme Court in its proceedings. In spite of such clear law laid by the Parliament
and as per Section 4(4), the orders passed by the President of India , it is surprising as
why the matter is brought to square one and reference is made to Law Commission for its
recommendations, and such reference to a settled issue unwarranted and not legal and it
should be ignored.

This being the legal position, there is blatant violation of the Constitutional mandate by
no less than Union Judiciary. In spite of such clear position, surprisingly, there is talk
that, unless Constitution is amended, Hindi cannot be made language of Union Judiciary!

The issue also has be discussed in another angle. The issue is how to fit in Articles 343
and 120 vis-à-vis Article 348 . The word ‘shall’ used in Article 348 has to be read as
‘may’, other wise the said Article is destructive of the other provisions Part XVII of the
Constitution. There cannot be such deception with in the Constitutional framework. In
which case its meaning is that after fifteen years Hindi shall be used and also English
may also be used till Parliament makes law for non use of English completely. Article
120(2) goes to the extent that after fifteen years, the words “or in English” used in Article
120(1) deemed to have been omitted. Such is the thrust and un-ambiguity for the use of
Hindi in the Constitution. This is the only possible construction of provisions of the
Constitution dealing with Language of the Union. Thus the Constitutional mandate is that
Hindi shall be used after fifteen years by all wings of the Union consisting of Parliament,
Executive and Judiciary along with and in addition to Hindi, English also could be used if
Parliament makes a Law. But it is irony that those who swore to uphold Constitution are
acting blatantly contra! The argument advanced is that Hindi cannot be used even after
fifteen years; with out amendment to the Constitution and till such time English should
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continue, is mind baffling.. If the Union, including Union judiciary, blatantly disregards
the Constitutional mandate, who else can implement Constitution of India.

Union Judiciary should have switched over to Hindi on the expiry of fifteen years i.e. by
26th January 1965, as per Constitutional mandate. Instead the Honourable Supreme Court
of India continues its proceedings in English, not even in addition to Hindi, but in
exclusion to Hindi- thus Constitution of India is betrayed.

Law commission spokes:

Adding insult to the Constitution it is debated as to whether to have Constitutional
amendment to switch over to Hindi by the Supreme Court. If the Constitution does not
enjoin for Hindi, English can continue and none can find fault with the use of English by
the Supreme Court. But the Constitution and the law made by Parliament, as per
Constitutional provision, did enjoin for use of Hindi, after fifteen years of the
Constitution, for the Union, which includes Union Judiciary I.e Supreme Court of India.
The Law Commission received a reference from Govt. of India, the Department of Legal
Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice along with a copy of the recommendations of the
Committee of Parliament on Official Language to obtain the views of the Law
Commission of India. As per the recommendations of the said Committee Report, it is
envisaged that Article 348 of the Constitution may be amended to enable the Legislative
Department to undertake original drafting in Hindi. After the amendment of Article 348
of the Constitution, High Courts/Supreme Court should be asked to start delivering their
judgments and decrees etc. in Hindi so that large number of Government Departments,
who are carrying out judicial/ quasi-judicial functions, could be able to deliver orders in
Hindi. At present, these departments are unable to pass orders in Hindi, because the
appeal against their orders in High Courts/Supreme Court would have to be conducted in
English. In view of the legal position under the Constitution and as per law of Parliament,
no such amendment is required, as discussed above.

However Law Commission of India submitted its Report No. 216 dated 14th September
2008 on “NON-FEASIBILITY OF INTRODUCTION OF HINDI AS COMPULSORY
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LANGUAGE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA” to the Honourable Minister for

Law & Justice, Government of India and it said”

“The Commission has deeply gone into the views so obtained and has unanimously
recommended that –

i) Language is a highly emotional issue for the citizens of any nation. It has a great
unifying force and is a powerful instrument for national integration. No language should
be thrust on any section of the people against their will since it is likely to become
counterproductive.

ii) It is not merely a vehicle of thought and expression, but for Judges at the higher level,
it is an integral part of their decision-making process. Judges have to hear and understand
the submissions of both the sides, apply the law to adjust equities. Arguments are
generally made in higher courts in English and the basic literature under the Indian
system is primarily based on English and American textbooks and case laws. Thus,
Judges at the higher level should be left free to evolve their own pattern of delivering
judgments.

iii) It is particularly important to note that in view of the national transfer policy in
respect of the High Court Judges, if any such Judge is compelled to deliver judgments in
a language with which he is not well versed, it might become extremely difficult for him
to work judicially. On transfer from one part of the country to another, a High Court
Judge is not expected to learn a new language at his age and to apply the same in
delivering judgments.

iv) At any rate no language should be thrust upon the Judges of the higher judiciary and
they should be left free to deliver their judgments in the language they prefer. It is
important to remember that every citizen, every Court has the right to understand the law
laid down finally by the Apex Court and at present one should appreciate that such a
language is only English.

v) The use of English language also facilitates the movement of lawyers from High
Courts to the Apex Court since they are not confronted with any linguistic problems and
English remains the language at both the levels. Any survey of the society in general or
its cross-sections will clearly substantiate the above proposition which does not admit of
much debate, particularly in the present political, social and economic scenario.

vi) It may, however, be admitted that in so far as legislative drafting is concerned, every
legislation although authoritatively enacted in English may have a Hindi authoritative
translation along with the same at the central level. Same analogy may be applied even in
respect of executive actions at the central level, but the higher judiciary should not be
subjected to any kind of even persuasive change in the present societal context.” Any
way, on receipt of such Report, Law Commission says that they have addressed letters to
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the Judges, Senor Advocates, Bar Associations and responses are received from the
following viz:

Judges
(1) Hon’ble Mr. Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, Former Chief Justice of
India.
(2) Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. Natarajan
(3) Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.T. Thomas
(4) Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer
(5) Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.N. Srikrishna
(6) Hon’ble Mr. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
(7) Hon’ble Mr. Justice K. Jagannatha Shetty
(8) Hon’ble Mr. Justice B.P. Jeevan Reddy
(9) Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.M. Ahmadi
(10) Hon’ble Mr. Justice N. Santosh Hegde
(11) Hon’ble Mr. Justice SSM Quadri
(12) Hon’ble Mr. Justice K.S. Paripoornan
(13) Dr. Justice V.S. Malimath
Senior Advocates
(1) Mr. P.P. Rao
(2) Mr. T.L. Viswanatha Iyer
(3) Mr. Vijay Hansaria
(4) Mr. K.K. Venugopal
(5) Mr. Aravind Datar
(6) Mr. C. Lakshmi Narayanan
(7) Dr. R.G. Padia
(8) Mr. T.P. Kelu Nambiar

High Court Advocates’ Associations

(1) A.P. High Court Advocates’ Association

(2) Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association
(3) Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

President, Bar Association of India

Mr. Fali S. Nariman – The Bar Association of India

A glance at the above names, shows that the reference is not spread geographically or
professionally, across the country,. Why not the reference is geographically spread.
Further why only people of Law profession is selected and not of various avocations. The
matter is concerned with effective dispensation of justice and the language used for the
same. The whole of judicial system is for the people and not for the judges or who live on
the profession. On this count itself the Report of Law Commission is bad and biased.
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Factual matrix:.
Hindi is language of more than 40% people of India, and considerable number of the rest
of the non-Hindi area people knows Hindi. All Indian languages are sister
languages/dialects It is known fact that that there are more than 40% common words in
almost all Indian languages. It makes Hindi homely even to non-Hindi common man of
India. Law and Judiciary are not for the benefit of elite English legal professional. It is for
the benefit of the people at large. System is for the people and not vice. System should be
equipped for the benefit of people.. Judiciary is not created to benefit legal professionals
and for their convenience. It is to dispense justice for the people of India. Legal
professional, including Judiciary at highest level should strain to equip Hindi and show
example to the others to emulate.

Law Commission of India had strongly come in defense of English. Law Commission
talks of difficulty of judges only and not of people. For Indians as a whole, the whole of
judicial proceedings in English has reached ridiculous proportions and they are aghast.
People are made dumb and deaf and helpless at the judicial proceedings, They cannot
explain facts, cannot understand laws, appreciate or criticise the same as they are not in
the understandable language of the people. People could only be passive spectators.

English in England answers:

Answer to the Advocates of English as language of law lies in the classic example of
English experience it self. When Anglo, Saxon, Jutes tribes invaded sporadically the then
Briton, in course of time they annihilated native Celts and every thing of them including
their languages. As time passes these tribes slowly developed English by picking bits and
peaces, from Latin, Greek, French, Scottish, Norse and several other languages. By about
1000 AD English became language of masses (invader occupants) of Briton. Then came
Norman Conquest of 1066 of England. C. L. Barber, celebrated English writer, in his
Book, ‘The Story of Language’ at page 151, writes as to what happened for English:
 11

“These (English) people did not need William Normandy and his adventurers to bring
them civilisation. French became the language of upper classes in England, not because
of any cultural superiority in the conquerors, but simply because they were conquerors,
and spoke French. What happened, in fact, was that the native aristocracy were very
largely destroyed, and their lands were distributed by William’s Norman followers, who
became the new ruling class. Many key positions, such as bishoprics and abbacies, were
also given to Normans in the years following the Conquest, so that the Church and
education were dominated by them. French, therefore, was the language of the upper
classes and the court, and it remained so for a full two centuries. So any body whose
native tongue was English, and who wanted to get on in the world, would have to learn
French, and many many people did so. The following comment on the situation was
made in the late thirteenth century in a long history of England written in verse, usually
known as the chronicle of Robert of Gloucester:

(Author C. L. Barber’s own translation from old English to modern English)

“Thus came, lo, England into Normandy’s hand: and the Normans then knew how to
speak only their own language, and spoke French as they did at home, and also had their
children taught (it), so that nobleman of this land, that come of their stock, all keep to the
same speech that they received from them; for unless a man knows French, people make
little account of him, but low men keep to English, and to their own language still. I think
that in the whole world there are no countries that do not keep to their own language,
except England alone. But people know well that it is good to master both, because the
more a man knows the more honored he is”

At page 156: “In the thirteenth century, French was still being spoken at the English
court, and literature was being written in French for the nobility of England; but it is in
his century that sees the tipping of the balance away from French and back to English.
Although French was for a long time the prestige language in England, it was never the
mother tongue of the majority of the population; a considerable number of Normans
settled in England after the Conquest, but they never outnumbered the English the way
the Anglo-Saxon settlers had outnumbered the Britons; and ultimately French died out in
England.
…………….
“National feeling was beginning to arise in England, as in other countries of western
Europe, and this must have railed the prestige of the English language…In 1362 the
king’s speech at the opening of Parliament was made in English the official language of
the law courts instead French, though their records were to be kept in Latin’

Excuses for English:

The above speaks volumes. No further elucidation is required to make Hindi official
language of India and to implement Constitutional dictum. Lame excuses by English
proponents are not only un-Constitutional but also unjust and does immense harm to the
 12

people, more so to the down trodden common man. Any way there are three major
arguments for English.

First one is that India is of several languages and it is difficult to choose any one
language as official language of nation Constitution of India and makers’ of the
Constitution had already answered the question and choosen Hindi as official language.
Constitutional bodies cannot raise this issue as they are under oath to protect and
implement Constitution. Further India, unlike other countries is having family of one
language. 40 to 50 percent of the terminology is common in all Indian languages. Indian
feels homely with all other Indian languages, since same pushpa, pavitra, mutra words are
used in all Indian languages. Just like geographical variation in the same language, the
difference between one language to the other Indian language. In fact calling that India is
of several languages is the injustice and self-denial policy adopted by Indians, falling
prey to Englishman’s divide and rule policy. The fact is that all the languages of India
belongs to one family. Just like in one family there will be old, youth and children, but all
constitute one family, similar is the situation of Indian language family. Whether Tamil
is ancient or Telugu is classical and more ancient, than Samskritam is a duel amongst
Indian languages and it is a healthy duel among languages of high stature and family.
Like banyan tree, all branches (Languages) are of antiquity and grown to greater depths,
it makes difficult or even impossible to say which is mother trunk and which is branch
trunk, but the fact is that all are of same phonetic structure, rhyme, sequential letters etc.
and older than all known languages of the world. Constitutional framers has rightly
chosen, Hindi, a language directly spoken by more than 40% people of India, and since
there are 40 to 50 percent common words in all languages. Hence the argument that India
is of several languages is half truth and blasphemy, should be rejected and the fact of the
matter is that India is of one language family.

Second is a) South India opposition and b) other’s language cannot be rubbed on the
India as a whole. It is a fact that in South India several people opposed implementation of
Hindi, when Constitution was completing 15 years of age. The result, English is imposed.
It is like, in the fight between agnates, third empire, an alien, is brought, who swallowed
 13

both. Today the fact of the matter is Tamil, Telugu and all other Indian languages are
dying languages, and it is born out by the fact that in TV discussions of regional
channels, panel discussions are made under the same caption. In fact, in one Telugu TV
channel there was panel discussion, on the topic ‘whether Telugu is a dying language’.
When all others were echoing that it is a dying language, one of the panelists observed
that Telugu would not die as long as there are considerable number of illiterates and semi
illiterates. It is a fact and it gives wakeup call. Opposing to Hindi is a suicidal policy and
the causality is Tamil, Telugu and all other great Indian languages. Hindi is not foreign
(other’s) language like English. All the features of Hindi, unlike English are same or
similar to Tamil, Telugu and all other Indian languages. With Hindi, all Indian languages
will flourish, and vice-versa. English eats into Tamil, Telugu and all other regional
languages and makes them sick ultimately would result in natural death. Where as with
Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and all other Indian languages will flourish, as they are
supplementary and complementary to each other and gets strengthened further and
further. This is apart from doing justice to the people of India. Triumph of regional
languages will be triumph of Hindi and vice-versa.

Third factor to be noted is that English has international stature. There were several
languages which were used for international communication. Latin and Greek had their
hey days. When nation becomes stronger their language rules the day. Our Nation has a
strong position for the same. We are a nation of one-fifth population. If we have one
common language like Hindi for the Union as our Constitutional fore fathers have
decided, we can command for the same at international level. More over it is told that
being phonetics and does not require special effort for spelling and pronunciation like
English, all Indian languages are tech friendly. Above all large Indian NRI continent can
contribute to make Hindi as language of international community. Only thing is we
should come out of defeatist and inferiority complex, injected by the Englishman. We
look for the justice for our people and not to sacrifice their interest with false prestige,
for the benefit of smaller section. Even in advanced and powerful countries like France,
Japan, China etc. their official languages are their native language and possibly in no
other country in the whole of the world this animosity to native languages and affinity to
 14

foreign languages, prevails. In fact the continuance of English language justifies the long
advocated justification of English people to rule India, that to civilized the uncivilised
and superiority of every thing of English. Consequently it makes the whole lot of
freedom struggle meaningless and mockery.

Plea:
Hindi is the official language of India. English is to continue for fifteen years. Now that
Constitution has completed 59 years and we are where we were in 1950. Let highest
Judiciary set example, to emulate by others in following, implementing and protecting the
Constitution of India and there by giving sanctity to the oath taken. A small group of
Judges and of legal fraternity can bear the inconvenience, if any at all; it will do immense
good to the nation as whole. Similarly all High Courts and lower judiciary should have its
proceedings in State official language. Constitution of India, enjoins that.

In Tamilnadu there is genuine and rightful demand for use of Tamil in the Madras High
Court proceedings and it should be conceded, similarly at national level Supreme Court
should switch over to Hindi, in tune with Constitutional mandate

In view of the above it is most respectably prayed that the Honourable Supreme Court,
forthwith, may have its proceedings both administrative and judicial, in Hindi, Official
Language of the Union and render justice

M. Sundara Rami Reddy

16/850, Shriramnagar Colony
Srikalahasti, Chittoor Dt,
A.P.- Pin: 517 644
Email: redyms@redifmail.com
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Appendix:

No.I/20012/4/92-O.L.(Policy-1)
Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs
Department of Official Language
*****
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New Delhi-110 003. Date:- 24 November, 1998.
RESOLUTION
The Committee of Parliament on Official Language was constituted under
Section 4(1) of the Official Languages Act, 1963. The Committee submitted
fifth part of its Report, relating to language(s) of the legislation and
languages to be used in various courts and tribunals to the President . In
accordance with Section 4(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, the
Report was laid on the table of Lok Sabha and on the table of Rajya Sabha.
Copies of the Report were sent to all the Ministries/Departments of
Government of India and to all States /Union Territories. After considering
the views expressed by the State/Union Territory Governments and various
Ministries/Departments/Institutions besides the Supreme Court of India and
the legal position and practical possibilities, decision has been taken to
accept some recommendations of the Committee in their original form, some
in principle, some partially, while some have been found acceptable and
some others have not been accepted. Accordingly, the undersigned is
directed to convey the Orders of the President made under Section 4(4) of
the Official Languages Act, 1963 on the recommendations made in the
Report of the Committee, as follows:-
(1) Strengthening of the Department of Official
Language and monitoring the implementation of the
Official Language Policy.
Recommendation No.1
Action should be taken urgently by reorganising the Department of Official
Language of the Ministry of Home Affairs and giving it the status of a full-
fledged Ministry in order to make it more strong and competent.
“It may not be pragmatic to give the Department of
Official Language the status of a full-fledged Ministry
in view of the work allocated to it at present.”
Recommendation No.2
 16

A Division should be set up in the Department of Official Language

immediately for monitoring the follow-up action and ensuring
implementation of the Presidential Orders on the recommendations of this
Committee.
“ This recommendation of the Committee has been
accepted in principle. The Department of Official
Language shall formulate and take up the proposal
with the Department of Expenditure for strengthening
of its implementation set-up including the Regional
Implementation Offices and ensure action thereon.”
Recommendation No.3
In other Ministries/Departments and in their related offices,
undertakings, institutions etc. also, action to create posts required for
monitoring, implementation and translation arrangements for compliance of
official language policy and to implement orders of the President on the
recommendations of this Committee, and, action for making appointments
on these posts should be taken without delay.
“This recommendation of the Committee has been
accepted. The Department of Official Language shall
request all the Ministries/Departments to take
necessary action.”
Recommendation No.4
In accordance with the recommendations made in para 41.21 of Part-IV of
the Report of this Committee, the Committee should monitor the compliance
of the Presidential Orders made on the recommendations of the Committee
until the Department of Official Language is given the status of a full-
fledged Ministry.
“The Department of Official Language may monitor
the compliance of the Presidential Orders made on
the recommendations of the Committee. For this
purpose, the Department should be suitably
strengthened.”
Recommendation No.5
Stringent action may be taken against those officers who in spite of being
proficient in Hindi are violating Presidential Orders.
“The Department of Official Language may issue
directions to all the Ministries/Departments that they
should motivate and encourage their senior officers,
especially Deputy Secretaries and officers of
 17

equivalent rank and other officers senior to them to

do their work in the Official Language Hindi.”
2. The Language of the original draft of Bills etc. to be
introduced in Parliament.
Recommendation No.6
The original drafting of Bills to be introduced in either House of Parliament
or Notifications, Orders, Rules, Resolutions, Regulations or Bye-laws issued
under the Constitution or any Central Act, should be in Hindi. Hindi text
introduced in either House of Parliament should be the original text and
English version of the text should be prepared as authenticated text till the
English language continues to be used in the Supreme Court. Section 5(2) of
the Official Languages Act, 1963 should be amended accordingly.
“This recommendation has been accepted in
principle. As a first step towards achieving this
target, the Legislative Department should make
arrangements for imparting training to the legal
experts/draftsmen for drafting legal documents in
Hindi.”
Recommendation No.7
Similarly, original drafting of Bills etc. should be done in Hindi in the Hindi
speaking States and their translation in English should continue to be made.
While both the versions should be introduced in State Legislative
simultaneously, the Hindi version should be considered as the authoritative
text.
“This recommendation has been accepted in
principle. Therefore, it may be forwarded to all the
State Governments located in Region ‘A’, for further
consideration and action.”
Recommendation No.8
As regards the non-Hindi speaking States, original drafting of Bills etc.
should be done in the Official Language of the State and its translation
should be done in Hindi and English both. A minor amendment to this effect
may be carried out in Section 6 of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
“This recommendation has been accepted in
principle. It may be forwarded to State Governments
of Regions “B” and “C” for further consideration and
action.”
Recommendation No.9
Hindi is the Official Language of the Union and for making legislative
drafting of the non-Hindi speaking States originally in the official language
 18

of the State or in Hindi, the Union Government should provide assistance for
Hindi translation of the Acts of State Governments or grant financial
assistance to non-Hindi speaking States for this purpose.
“ For preparing Hindi version of legislative draft, the
State Governments located in non-Hindi speaking
regions may consider formulating training
programmes for their employees and the Legislative
Department of the Central Government may formulate
a project to provide financial assistance for such
training.”
Recommendation No.10
Legislative Department of the Government of India should make adequate
arrangements for imparting training to its draftsmen to enable them to draft
Bills etc. originally in Hindi. For this purpose, it is necessary that a separate
Department is set up for doing legal work in Hindi. In order to attract
efficient and experienced persons, the draftsmen of Hindi and other Indian
languages should be inducted in the Indian Legal Service as a separate body.
“ This recommendation is accepted to the extent that
Legislative Department of the Government of India
should make arrangements for imparting training to
legal experts/draftsmen for drafting legal material
originally in Hindi.”
3. Compliance of Official Language Policy of the Union
by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats.
Recommendation No.11
The position regarding action on administrative matters relating to service
conditions of the employees of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats
is similar to that of any Central Government Office. Therefore, these
Secretariats should also prepare their annual programmes for progressive use
of Hindi in their day-to-day work on the pattern of annual programme issued
by the Department of Official Language, Government of India and should
set up their own mechanism for monitoring the implementation thereof.
“This recommendation of the Committee has been
found acceptable. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and
the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are requested to
consider this recommendation for implementation.”
4. Compliance of official Language Policy in the Office
of the Registrar General, Supreme Court.
Recommendation No.12
 19

Office of the Registrar General, Supreme Court should comply with the
provisions regarding Official Language Policy of the Union of India in its
administrative work. Basic infrastructure for doing work in Hindi should be
set up and officers and employees should be given incentives for this
purpose.
“The recommendation has been found worthy of
acceptance. Ministry of Law, Justice and Company
Affairs may in consultation with the Supreme Court,
consider preparing a feasible work-plan for
introducing an Official Language Policy in a phased
manner in the internal administrative working of the
Supreme Court and may consider implementing the
same.”
5. Use of language in judgements of the Supreme
Court.
Recommendation No.13
The use of Hindi simultaneously with English should be authorised in the
Supreme Court. Every judgement should be made available in both the
languages. The judgement can be delivered by the Supreme Court in Hindi
or English. This may be done in such a manner that a judgement, if delivered
in Hindi, should be translated in English and if the judgement is delivered in
English, the same should be translated in Hindi.
“This recommendation has been found worthy of
acceptance. In the context of this recommendation,
Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs may, in
consultation with the Supreme Court, assess the
additional arrangements and resources and financial
outlays, necessary for accepting the recommendation.
In tandem, a long term action plan may be prepared
and considered for implementation.”
6. Use of Hindi in the administrative work by the
Judges of the Supreme Court/High Courts.
Recommendation No.14
A scheme should be initiated to encourage judges and other officers of the
Supreme Court and various High Courts for use of Hindi in their
administrative and judicial work. Seminars, workshops, refresher courses,
training programmes etc. should be organised for this purpose.
“This recommendation is accepted to the extent that
the recommendation may be forwarded to concerned
 20

State Governments for necessary consideration and

action in the context of the High Courts located in
Region ‘A’. In the context of other High Courts and
the Supreme Court, the concerned State Government
and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Company Affairs
should consider taking action in this regard at an
appropriate time.”
Recommendation No.15 An institution or organisation should be set up to
impart training for the use of Hindi language in the field of law namely,
legislation, judicial functioning and teaching of law to the officers of
judiciary, lawyers and law teachers.
“This recommendation is accepted in principle. The
Legislative Department of Government of India may
take appropriate initiative in this regard.”
7. Use of languages in the judgements/proceedings of
High Courts.
Recommendation No.16
The official language of the concerned State or Hindi should be used in the
judgements, decrees and orders of High Courts. But arrangements should
also be made so that the authoritative translation of each judgement is made
available in both the languages. As long as English continues to be in vogue,
arrangements for providing their authoritative translation in English may be
made. However, the proceedings of the High Courts may be conducted in
the official language of the States or in Hindi or in English.
“For the purpose of this recommendation, the present
policy to act within the frame-work of the available
provisions of the Constitution and the Official
Languages Act, 1963, is adequate.”
Recommendation No.17
For providing authoritative Hindi translation of judgements delivered in the
Official Language of the concerned State, the Union Government may
provide special financial assistance to the concerned State Governments of
non-Hindi speaking States.
“For making available authenticated Hindi translation
of judgements delivered in the State Official
Languages of non-Hindi speaking States, the
concerned State Governments may themselves take
action in this behalf by optimally utilizing their own
financial resources.”
 21

8. Compliance of the Official Language Policy in the

Quasi-Judicial Organisations, Administrative Tribunals
etc. of the Union.
Recommendation No.18
The quasi-judicial organisations, administrative tribunals etc. of the Union
are the organs of the Central Government and are under the control of
Central Government. Therefore, like other Central Government Offices, they
should also do their official work in accordance with the Official Languages
Act, 1963 and the rules framed thereunder. Some of the rules of the quasi-
judicial bodies or all the Acts and Rules relating to them should be amended
immediately and a provision should be made therein for the use of Hindi, the
Official Language of the Union.
“This recommendation has been found worthy of
acceptance. Every Ministry/Department should always
make the necessary provisions required for ensuring
compliance of Official Language Policy of the Union at
the time of establishing new quasi-judicial
establishments/bodies, administrative authorities etc.
within its jurisdiction. Every Ministry/Department of
the Government should also take steps for having the
necessary provisions in keeping with the official
language policy in the quasi-judicial bodies etc.,
existing under their control.”
9. Education of Law through Hindi medium.
Recommendation No.19
All the Universities and other Institutions in the field of law should make
arrangements for imparting education in law at graduate and post-graduate
levels in Hindi in the whole country. Even at present, education in law is
being imparted in Hindi in many Universities which needs to be extended.
“On this recommendation, the Department of
Education may take necessary action in a phased
manner.”
Recommendation No.20 The task of translating legal classics, available in
other languages, into Hindi, may be accelerated.
“This recommendation of the Committee has been
accepted. The Department of legal Affairs should take
necessary steps in this regard.”
Recommendation No.21
 22

It is also necessary that all the reportable judgements of the Supreme Court
should be published in the journal of Department of Law after getting them
translated in Hindi. Likewise all the reportable judgements of various High
Courts, should also be published in as large a number as possible after
getting them translated into Hindi.
“This recommendation of the Committee has been
accepted in principle. The Legislative Department
may take steps necessary for initiating efforts in this
regard.”
Recommendation No.22
A library should be set up in Delhi in which maximum number of latest
books pertaining to law in various Indian Languages should be available.
“This recommendation has been found worthy of
acceptance. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Company
Affairs may prepare a time-bound plan for setting up
the proposed library in consultation with the
concerned organisations and take action thereon.”
(DEV SWARUP)
JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

M. Sundara Rami Reddy

Shanthi Towers
Block – V, 1 – D
 23

88 Arcot Road
Vadapalani
Chennai – 600 026
E-mail – redyms@rediffmail.com

To
The Registrar Hon’le Prime Minister
Supreme Court of India Government of India
Tilak Marg Prime Ministers Office
New Delhi – 110 001 New Delhi

The Member Secretary Dr. Veerappa Moily

Law Commission of India Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice
2nd Floor, The Indian Law Institute Builng. 4th Floor, A-Wing
(Opp. To Supreme Court) Shastry Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 011
Bhgwandass Road,New Delhi – 100 001

Hon’ble P. Chidambaram Hon’ble L.K. Advani

Ministry of Home Affairs Leader of Opposition, BJP Office
Dept. of Official Languages 11 Ashoka Road,
Lik Nayak Bhawan,Khan Market, New Delhi – 110 001
New Delhi – 110 003

Hon’ble Mulayam Singh Yadav Hon’ble Sharad Yadav

2, Krishna Menon Marg, Janata Dal (U)
New Delhi – 110 011 No.7, Jantar Mantar Road,
New Delhi – 100 001

Most Respected Sirs,

Sub: Request for proceedings before Supreme Court of India in Official Language-Reg

In view of the Constitutional mandate and Law made by Parliament, as per submissions
enclosed, I request to have proceedings before the Honourable Supreme Court of India in
the Official Language, Hindi, and render justice.

Yours faithfully

(M. Sundara Rami Reddy)