Supreme Court criticised Tamil Nadu’s rigid language policy stance, urging cooperation with the Centre instead of escalating tensions publicly. The Bench asked the State to assess required land for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in every district.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court criticized the Tamil Nadu government for its inflexible stance regarding the state’s language policy.
The court urged the state to collaborate with the Centre on its two-language policy rather than escalating tensions publicly.
A bench consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan instructed the authorities to determine the amount of land necessary for establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in each district of Tamil Nadu.
Justice BV Nagarathna remarked that the “my state-my state attitude should be avoided.”
Justice Nagarathna stated,
“Don’t make it into a language issue. We are a federal society. You are part of the Republic. If you come one step forward, they (the Centre) will also come one step forward… the ‘my state-my state’ attitude must be avoided,”
These comments were made during a hearing about land allocation for new Central schools that would adhere to the Centre’s three-language formula.
The court’s observations followed state counsel P. Wilson’s reiteration of the government’s opposition to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas implementing a three-language policy, contrasting with the state’s two-language approach.
Justice Nagarathna emphasized that engaging with the Centre would enable the state to present its conditions.
She noted,
“After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu has gotten all the glory. It is the largest industrialized state in south India. You grab this opportunity. Don’t take it as imposition, it is an opportunity for your students.”
She further added,
“You can say this is our language policy. They will look into it. They cannot discredit your policy. Bring to the notice of the secretaries of the Central Government about your Act and how you are going about it. Please have a positive attitude.”
Advocates G Priyadharshni and Rahul Shyam Bhandari represented Kumari Mahasabha, the NGO that filed the petition leading to the High Court’s directive.
Additionally, Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj appeared on behalf of the Union.
Case Title: State of Tamil Nadu v. Kumari Maha Sabha