B. V. Nagarathna, judge at the Supreme Court of India, has voiced concerns over language-based exclusion. She said many South Indians feel left out because they do not know Hindi. Nagarathna stressed that India is like a subcontinent, rich in many languages. In southern India alone, people speak several different languages.
She pointed out that English works as a common link among different states. In many courts — especially district-level — regional languages such as Tamil or Kannada are used. For pan-Indian courts, English remains the standard. This helps judges and lawyers move across High Courts without language barriers.
Nagarathna asked the judiciary and lawmakers to keep balance. “No one should be forced to know Hindi,” she said. Instead, legal proceedings should respect linguistic diversity and ensure no citizen feels excluded. She clarified her remarks have no political motive.
Her comments come amid ongoing debates over use of Hindi in courts. Her message: India’s unity lies in accepting many languages — not insisting on one.
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