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Tamil Nadu Assembly Seeks Tamil as Madras High Court Language
Tamil Nadu’s lawmakers want people to be able to use Tamil in the Madras High Court.
They passed this request unanimously.
The plan would allow court papers, arguments and decisions to be made in Tamil.
English would still be used and English translations would accompany decisions.
The chief minister said this could make courts easier for ordinary people to understand.
The resolution asks the Union government and the President to approve the change.
It also proposes training judges, lawyers and court workers in legal Tamil.
The final decision depends on the constitutional approval process.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution seeking recognition of Tamil as the Madras High Court’s principal language.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said the proposal would supplement, not replace, English in the High Court.
The resolution seeks permission to file petitions, documents and arguments in Tamil and issue judgments, decrees and orders in Tamil.
It also calls for Tamil legal-language training, translation facilities and English translations accompanying rulings.
The proposal requires approval from the Union government and President under constitutional and statutory provisions, with legislators citing Tamil’s long literary history and legal vocabulary.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, adopted the resolution; legislators from major parties supported it.
- What
- The Assembly urged recognition of Tamil as the principal language of the Madras High Court, alongside English, and requested procedures for using Tamil in court proceedings and rulings.
- Where
- The resolution was adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and concerns the Madras High Court.
- When
- Thursday, September 3; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- Supporters said Tamil is Tamil Nadu’s official language and that its use in the High Court would improve access to justice for ordinary citizens.
Key facts
- Resolution status
- Adopted unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- Proposed language
- Tamil as the Madras High Court’s principal language, alongside English.
- Constitutional route
- The proposal refers to Article 348(2) and requires approval involving the Union government and President.
- Proposed court use
- Petitions, documents, arguments, judgments, decrees and orders could be made available in Tamil.
- Translation requirement
- English translations would accompany rulings, according to the proposal.
- Additional measures
- Training for judges, lawyers and court staff in legal Tamil and translation facilities.
- Existing legal framework
- Article 348(1)(a) provides that High Court proceedings are generally in English, while allowing another language with required approval.
Quotes
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay
Tamil Nadu chief minister who moved the Assembly resolution
“The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously urges the union government to take immediate and necessary action to facilitate the use of Tamil as the principal language of the High Court of Madras.”
theprint.in
Sources
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