Question : USE OF HINDI IN COURTS

(a) whether any steps have been taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in order to promote the use of Hindi in hearings of court cases in various courts in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; State-wise;

(c) the use of Hindi, English and other languages in the courts in each of the State, in terms of percentage;

(d) whether a provision in Article 19A in the Constitution lays down that the lawyers and the clients are free to present their cases before the court in any language according to their convenience; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF LAW & JUSTICE (DR. M. VEERAPPA MOILY)

(a) to (c) : Article 348(1) of the Constitution of India provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides. Under Article 348(2) the Governor of the State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of the Hindi language or any other language used for any official purpose of the State, in the proceedings of the High Court having its principal seat in that State provided that decrees, judgements or orders passed by such High Courts shall be in English.

Under Section 7 of the Official Language Act, 1963, the use of Hindi or official language of a State in addition to the English language may be authorized, with the consent of the President of India, by the Governor of the State for the purpose of judgments etc. made by the High Court for that State. The matter regarding promotion of use of Hindi in hearing of court cases rests with the respective State Government in consultation with the High Court of the State.

So far the Governors of four States namely; Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have authorized the use of Hindi in addition to English language in the proceedings as well as the judgments, decrees etc. of the High Courts in their States. Data regarding percentage of use of Hindi and English in the High Courts of these States is not maintained.

(d) & (e): Article 19A does not figure in the Constitution of India.