The Supreme Court Today (April 28) dismissed a plea against Telangana’s rule making Telugu mandatory for judges. The Court said, “Not excluded,” confirming Telugu’s importance in the State judiciary.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India refused to accept a petition that challenged the Telangana government’s decision to make knowledge of the Telugu language compulsory for those who want to become judges in the Telangana State judiciary.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih heard the matter. The petitioner, Mohd Shujath Hussain, argued that Urdu had been unfairly left out by the Telangana Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2023.
But the Supreme Court did not agree with him.
The Court clearly said-
“Not excluded. (Rule) only states that Telugu is also needed. Sorry. cannot entertain.”
Because of this, the Court dismissed the petition and refused to interfere with the Telangana government’s decision.
Before coming to the Supreme Court, Hussain had already approached the Telangana High Court. However, the High Court had also rejected his plea. After that, he decided to move the Supreme Court.
The Telangana Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2023, came into effect in June 2023. According to these rules, it became mandatory that candidates who want to join the judiciary must know Telugu well. The examination scheme also made it necessary for candidates to do translations between English and Telugu.
Hussain told the Court that he had studied throughout his life in Urdu medium. He argued that the rules should have also given an option for candidates who know Urdu, as a qualification for appointment to judicial service.
He stressed that Urdu is an important part of Telangana’s culture and history.
He also pointed out that under the Telangana Official Languages Act, 1966, Urdu had been officially recognized as the second official language of the State.
However, the Telangana High Court did not accept his arguments. The High Court said that the decision made by the State government was a “policy call” and it was based on the fact that Telugu is the most spoken language among the people of Telangana.
Because of this, the High Court found no fault in the rule and rejected Hussain’s challenge.
Thus, the Supreme Court also agreed with the High Court’s decision and refused to entertain the petition.
CASE TITLE:
Mohd. Shujath Hussain vs State of Telangana and others.
Diary No. 15801-2025.
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