Savvy Thakur
Published on: 23 November 2022 at 21:59 IST
The Gujarat High Court said on Wednesday that it would look into a request to make Gujarati an additional language for court proceedings.
However, a Division Bench composed of Chief Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Ashutosh J. Shastri declined to serve notice on the State government and stated that it would take the matter into consideration on the following hearing date.
The bench led by Chief Justice remarked, “We will need to investigate all aspects because what you seek will have a large impact.”
Rohit Patel had brought a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to the Bench, asking for a directive to the State government to implement the Governor’s authorization to include Gujarati in court proceedings.
In support of the petitioner, Senior Advocate Asim Pandya noted that a resolution had been approved by the State Legislative Assembly to include Gujarati in court proceedings. He conveyed that, “The state council of ministers conveyed this resolution to the Governor through the Assembly.”
Pandya argued that the Supreme Court and the High Court have no authority, even on an administrative level, because India is a democratic nation and the Governor granted the authorization in accordance with the Constitution. While advocating the significance of the use of “mother tongue”.
“I rely on the observations of great persons like Swami Vivekananda, who have advocated use of mother tongue and were against the thrusting of English,” he further added. said, advocating for the use of “mother tongue.”
In addition, Pandya asserted that the Law Minister, the President, the Governor, and the Prime Minister have all advocated for the use of regional languages in court proceedings.
“Even the former Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana had said it is high time for the High Courts to use regional languages in court proceedings,” he stated.
On December 1, the matter will be heard again.
Case Title: Rohit Jayantilal Patel v. State of Gujarat