The Union Ministry of Law and Justice on Friday told the Rajya Sabha that no further action was taken on the issue of making Tamil the official language of the Madras High Court since the Full Court (a body comprising all judges) of the Supreme Court decided not to accept a proposal forwarded by the State Government in 2006.
Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P. Chaudhary made the statement in reply to queries raised by Member of Parliament Sasikala Pushpa, who wanted to know the action taken by the Centre pursuant to a resolution passed by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2006 to get Presidential assent for making Tamil as the official language of the High Court.
Replying to it, Mr. Chaudhary said: “The Government of India had received a proposal from the State government of Tamil Nadu in 2006 requesting permission to use Tamil language in the proceedings of the High Court of Madras. This proposal was referred to the Chief Justice of India for advice.
The Chief Justice of India through his letter dated October 16, 2012 intimated that the Supreme Court, after due deliberations held on October 11, 2012 decided not to accept the proposal.
The Full Court of Supreme Court had adopted similar resolutions earlier on May 7, 1997 and October 15, 1999. In view of the Full Court decision of the Supreme Court, no further action has been taken in the matter.”
