High Court Refuses Intervention In PIL Seeking Recognition Of Hindi As Official Language Of J&K And Ladakh

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul observed that the subject of the PIL squarely comes within the domain and powers of the executive.

The PIL was filed by one Jagdev Singh seeking recognition of Hindi language in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the Union Territory of Ladakh in tune with the mandate under Articles 343 and 251 of the Constitution of India.

Declining intervention in the matter the bench directed the petitioner to approach the competent authority.

"The subject matter of the PIL squarely comes within the domain and powers of the executive, therefore, we dispose of this PIL with direction to the petitioner to approach the competent authority/forum for seeking the relief as claimed in plea," the bench observed.

Pertinent to mention that prior to the passing of the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, the official language of the erstwhile State was Urdu, and all the official records including Revenue, Police, Acts, and Rules made by the Legislative Assembly were either in Urdu or in English.

Case Title: Jagdev Singh versus Union of India & Ors.

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (JKL) 206

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