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Politics
Madras High Court Advocates Association Challenges 1965 Language Decision
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 01 Nov 2026, 06:52 AM
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The Madras High Court Advocates Association has filed a petition against the 1965 Union Cabinet decision that keeps English as the common language of the Supreme Court and all High Courts, citing that the decision only came to their attention in 2025 after an RTI request.
The Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHCAA) has formally challenged a 1965 Union Cabinet resolution that designates English as the common language for the Supreme Court and all High Courts in India. The petition, filed in the Madras High Court, argues that the decision was not known to the association until 2025, when a lawyer obtained the details through a Right to Information Act request.
The 1965 resolution, adopted during the early years of independent India, was intended to maintain continuity in the judicial system. However, the MHCAA contends that the continued use of English may impede access to justice for litigants who are more comfortable in regional languages.
Legal experts note that the petition raises questions about the transparency of historical judicial decisions and the accessibility of the legal system for non-English speakers. The challenge could prompt a review of language policies in courts across the country.
The Madras High Court has scheduled a hearing for the petition, and the outcome may influence language use in other courts if the petition is successful.
The 1965 resolution, adopted during the early years of independent India, was intended to maintain continuity in the judicial system. However, the MHCAA contends that the continued use of English may impede access to justice for litigants who are more comfortable in regional languages.
Legal experts note that the petition raises questions about the transparency of historical judicial decisions and the accessibility of the legal system for non-English speakers. The challenge could prompt a review of language policies in courts across the country.
The Madras High Court has scheduled a hearing for the petition, and the outcome may influence language use in other courts if the petition is successful.