Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Assembly Seeks Tamil as Madras High Court Language
Tamil Nadu’s lawmakers want Tamil to be used in the Madras High Court.
They unanimously passed a resolution asking for this change.
People could submit court papers and arguments in Tamil.
Judges could also issue decisions, orders and decrees in Tamil.
English would not be removed, and English translations would accompany Tamil rulings.
The plan would include training for judges, lawyers and court workers.
Supporters say people should be able to understand cases affecting their lives.
The change still needs approval through the constitutional process, including the President’s consent.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s resolution seeking Tamil as the Madras High Court’s principal language alongside English.
The proposal would allow petitions, documents and arguments in Tamil and provide for judgments, decrees and orders to be issued in Tamil.
English translations would accompany rulings, while judges, lawyers and court staff would receive legal-Tamil and translation training.
The resolution asks the Government of India and President to approve the change under Article 348(2) and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
Tamil Nadu previously passed a similar resolution in 2006; the earlier proposal was declined by the Supreme Court of India’s full court in 2012, according to the current resolution.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, adopted the resolution with support from legislators including members of the DMK and other key parties.
- What
- The Assembly urged recognition of Tamil as the Madras High Court’s principal language alongside English and sought procedures for conducting proceedings and issuing rulings in Tamil.
- When
- Thursday, September 3; the articles do not specify the year. A similar resolution was passed on December 6, 2006, and the earlier proposal was declined by the Supreme Court of India’s full court in 2012.
- Where
- The resolution was adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and concerns the Madras High Court.
- Why
- Supporters said Tamil’s use would improve access to justice by allowing people to understand court proceedings in the State’s official language.
- Resolution status
- Unanimously adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- Proposed language arrangement
- Tamil would become the Madras High Court’s principal language alongside English; the proposal says it would supplement rather than remove English.
- Court uses proposed
- Petitions, documents and arguments could be submitted in Tamil, while judgments, decrees and orders could be issued in Tamil.
- Translation requirement
- An English translation would accompany a ruling delivered in Tamil.
- Approval route
- The proposal refers to Article 348(2) of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, requiring the Governor’s proposal and the President’s prior consent.
- Training and technology
- The resolution proposes legal-Tamil and translation training, translation facilities and technology-enabled translation.
- Earlier effort
- Tamil Nadu passed a similar resolution on December 6, 2006; according to the current resolution, the Supreme Court of India’s full court declined it in a letter dated October 16, 2012.
Sources
CM Vijay to Push for Tamil as HC Language
TN Assembly adopts resolution urging Centre to recognise Tamil as HC’s principal language
‘Tamil be given its entitled constitutional opportunity’: Vijay revives State’s bid to use it in High Court
