'What Harm In Teaching Hindi As A Third Language?' Madras High Court Asks Tamil Nadu Government In Plea For NEP Implementation

The first bench of Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari and Justice PD Audikesavalu has ordered notice in the matter returnable by four weeks.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Arjunan ELayaraja seeking directions for the implementation of NEP, 2020 in educational institutions across Tamil Nadu. He contended that the state cannot opt out from promoting Hindi and Sanskrit in the State in light of NEP, 2020. The bench opined that the state has the discretion to decide on such issues. However, the court noted that the people of Tamil Nadu will be at a disadvantage when they go outside the State without knowing Hindi language.

Acting Chief Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari observed that many candidates have lost job opportunities, including Central Government jobs, since they weren't comfortable with Hindi. Therefore, the ACJ opined that it will be helpful if Hindi is taught in schools across the state.

Advocate General R Shunmugasundaram submitted that Tamil Nadu Government follows two language policy and not the three-language policy. It is the discretion of the state government to take a suitable call. When Advocate General also commented that everyone is free to learn the language of their choice, the bench clarified that there is a clear difference between 'learning' and 'teaching'.

This can be possible only when the students are given an option to choose out of the three languages, be it Tamil, English or Hindi. The bench also clarified that such an option would be beneficial for the citizens of Tamil Nadu who go out of the state seeking employment.

Case Title: Arjunan Elayaraja v. The Secretary & Ors.

Case No: WP/818/2022 (PIL)