In a significant move to democratize justice, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant revealed that the Supreme Court of India is actively translating its judgments into 16 regional languages. This initiative aims to bridge the linguistic gap and make the law more accessible to the common citizen.
Bridging the Language Gap in Judiciary
The CJI made this important announcement while addressing the 33rd Saraswat Samaroh, an event dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Hindi language, literature, and culture. The gathering was organized by Hindi Seva Nidhi at Islamia Inter College in Etawah on Saturday.
Although English remains the official language of the Supreme Court, the translation of judgments into 16 other languages is a groundbreaking step. Justice Kant emphasized that this effort is fundamentally about easing access to justice for people across the nation, who may not be proficient in English.
Honoring Linguistic Heritage and Pioneers
Justice Surya Kant used the platform to reflect on the deep connection between language, thought, and values. "Language is not just a medium for communication, but it also shapes our thinking and values," he stated, underscoring its foundational role in society.
He paid rich tribute to the legacy of the late Justice Prem Shankar Gupta, a former High Court judge renowned for his commitment to Hindi in the judiciary. Justice Gupta conducted court proceedings and delivered over 4,000 judgments exclusively in Hindi during his 15-year tenure at the Allahabad High Court. The CJI hailed him for taking significant steps to ensure the proper use of Hindi within the judicial system and noted that efforts are ongoing to promote this movement nationwide.
Etawah: A Cultural and Intellectual Hub
Praising the host city, the CJI noted that Etawah district has been a vital center for Hindi language and culture for the past three decades. He highlighted the contributions of Islamia Inter College, whose alumni have attained high positions and are guiding society and the nation.
"Etawah has been known as the city of Gangdev since ancient times and is emerging as a cultural capital," Justice Kant remarked. He stressed the moral responsibility to preserve one's linguistic and cultural heritage, calling it a "real heritage" that must be passed to future generations.
On the occasion, the Chief Justice also released three books. His visit commenced with a guard of honour upon arrival at the Saifai airstrip at 12:30 PM.
