Tamil in Madras High Court
If you want to file a writ in Madras High Court, first get a copy of the Central Excise Act in Tamil and then catch hold of a lawyer who knows Tamil and pray to God that the judges know Tamil. Language chauvinism expressed by politicians takes strange forms and the latest victim of this mindless publicity game is the judiciary itself. The Tamil Nadu government wants Tamil to be the language of the High Court. For what? May be just for fun and to be seen as a champion of the great ancient language. But is it possible? Acts have to be translated and judges have to be taught Tamil.
In any case the government cannot force the High Court to use Tamil.
As per the Constitution
Article 348 (1) - all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English language.
However as per
Article 348(2) - the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of the Hindi language, or any other language used for any official purposes of the State, in proceedings in the High Court having its principal seat in that State: Provided that nothing in this clause shall apply to any judgment, decree or order passed or made by such High Court.
So English shall be the language of the Court. Hindi and Tamil can also be permitted. But judgements shall still be in English.
Then what is the Tamil Nadu government trying to do? Will they make Tamil mandatory in the central tribunals too in Tamil Nadu?
When will politicians realize that English is a blessing to us not a curse? The Englishmen don’t lose anything if we don’t use Engilis! Thousands of our youngsters have been getting jobs because of English. There should be a provision somewhere that politicians campaigning for regional languages and against English should furnish details of the schools their children and grand children go to. And there will be no surprises!.