Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin backs CJI DY Chandrachud’s suggestion to make SC rulings available in all Indian languages

New Delhi: In what is likely to further ignite the language war in the country, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday welcomed Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandarchud’s suggestion to make Supreme Court judgments available in all Indian languages. The DMK leader took to Twitter and tweeted, “I welcome CJI's suggestion to make SC judgments available in all Indian languages. This along with our long-pending demand of allowing the use of State official languages in HCs will bring justice closer to common people of our country." 

Speaking at the Facilitation function by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, CJI Chandrachud said, "The next step in our mission is to provide translated copies of the judgements of the Supreme Court in every Indian language. What good it is to a rural litigant who does not understand the tenour and language tenacity in English. So, unless we reach out to our citizens in a language which they can understand, in a manner which they can comprehend."

 

I wholeheartedly welcome Hon'ble CJI's suggestion to make SC judgments available in all Indian languages. This along with our long-pending demand of allowing the use of State official languages in HCs will bring justice closer to the common people of our country. https://t.co/NA1G1Y4rQI — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) January 23, 2023

 

The CJI went on to say, "The work we do is not reaching out to 99 per cent of our population. Therefore, I do believe the technology...There is always a certain degree of criticism when you adopt the technology. There is a technological divide with people who do not have access to technology, we left out. But my mission for the use of technology is the technology must reach out to those who do not have access and not to therefore create further barriers to access through technology."

Justice Chandrachud later earned praise from PM Narendra Modi who shared a video of the CJI speaking at an event where he advocated translation of the apex court`s judgments in every Indian language and leveraging technology for the purpose.

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister said, "At a recent function, the CJI Justice DY Chandrachud spoke of the need to work towards making SC judgments available in regional languages. He also suggested the use of technology for it. This is a laudatory thought, which will help many people, particularly youngsters." 

PM said the government is making efforts to make technical education like medicine and engineering also available in regional languages. "India has several languages, which add to our cultural vibrancy. The Central government is undertaking numerous efforts to encourage Indian languages including giving the option of studying subjects like engineering and medicine in one`s Matru Bhasha," he added.