A video from May 2023 resurfaced showing a heated argument in Patna High Court where a judge dismissed a case citing difficulty with Hindi, while the lawyer protested his own struggle with English. The incident highlights language barriers and sparks calls for judicial reforms in India.
A video from May 2023 has resurfaced amid the recent CJI shoe-throwing incident, gaining viral attention on social media. The video shows a heated argument between a Patna High Court judge and a lawyer over the use of Hindi and English in court proceedings.
The argument highlights the ongoing challenges faced by regional language speakers in the Indian legal system and has sparked discussions on language reforms in courts.
According to reports, the dispute began when a lawyer refused to submit his petition in English. The judge, appearing frustrated, told the lawyer,
“You have again filed your petition in Hindi. I do not understand Hindi.”
In response, the advocate explained,
“This is the cry, sir, that even I could not understand English.”
The judge then dismissed the petition, stating,
“I dismiss your petition. I’ll do it.”
The lawyer protested, saying,
“Sir, the full bench is in my favour.”
He argued that the full bench supported the use of Hindi in legal proceedings.
Unfazed, the judge replied,
“Your case is over; I have called the next case.”
The advocate persisted, saying,
“Sir, the rule is to proceed after listening.”
The judge countered,
“There is no rule that says you can’t move forward without listening.”
The lawyer further added,
“Even today, all of the judges in the Patna High Court are listening. Huzoor is now requesting the translation. The translation department has been here since before the country’s independence. We and our client split the salary they receive. What is the point of asking Huzoor for translation? I am speaking truthfully. We are unable to provide English translation because Huzoor has requested it.”
This incident, which went viral again in October 2025, brings attention to the language challenges in Indian courts.
Article 348 of the Indian Constitution mandates that the Supreme Court and High Courts use English in official proceedings.
This rule often creates difficulties for lawyers and litigants who are more comfortable with Hindi or other regional languages, especially in states like Bihar where Hindi is widely spoken.
Legal experts have pointed out that incidents like this highlight the urgent need for reforms to allow regional languages in High Courts and reduce reliance on English, which can restrict access to justice for many citizens.
Social media users have also expressed concern, noting that while translation departments exist in courts, practical implementation and accessibility remain inconsistent.
The video clearly shows the frustration and communication gap between the judge and the lawyer, sparking debates over language inclusivity in India’s judicial system.
In the video, the judge repeatedly expresses his inability to understand Hindi, while the lawyer emphasizes his own difficulty with English, creating a clash that reflects larger systemic issues in legal language policy.
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On social media, Rakesh Kishore 🇮🇳 commented on the viral clip, highlighting the tense exchange:
“Heated argument between Judge and Lawyer. Judge says he cannot understand Hindi. Lawyer says he cannot understand English. Judge says your case is over and he is on to next case. Lawyer says you cannot pass my case without hearing it, it’s not the rule.”
This viral moment not only underlines language barriers in Indian courts but also revives the debate on making the judicial system more accessible to regional language speakers, ensuring that justice is not hampered by linguistic hurdles.
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