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Compulsory teaching of regional language not a violation: Court

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, JUNE 5 . The Supreme Court has held that a policy decision of a State that all schools must compulsorily teach the regional language of the State is not violative of the minority rights.

A Bench, consisting of the Chief Justice S. Rajendra Babu (since retired), Justice A.R. Lakshmanan and Justice G.P. Mathur, in a recent ruling said that "while living in a different State, it is only appropriate for the linguistic minority to learn the regional language. The resistance to learn the regional language will lead to alienation from the mainstream of life resulting in linguistic fragmentation within the State, which is an anathema to national integration."

Learning of different languages would bridge the cultural barriers and contribute to cultural integration. "It is not possible to accept the proposition that the people living in a particular State cannot be asked to study the regional language," the Bench said dismissing a petition. The writ petition filed by Usha Mehta stems from a policy decision of the Maharashtra Government whereby the study of Marati language was made compulsory in schools in the State. As a result, the English medium schools run by Gujarati linguistic minorities were compelled to teach four languages — Hindi, English, Marati and the mother tongue Gujarati — as against the accepted "three language formula."

The petitioner questioned the constitutional validity of the imposition of Marati language as compulsory study in the minority schools on the ground that it violated Articles 29 (1) and 30 (1) (rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions).

Rejecting the contention, the judges said the State could impose reasonable regulations on the institutions covering Article 30 for protecting the larger interest of the State and the nation. "The `choice' that could be exercised by the minority community or group is subject to such reasonable regulations imposed by the State. While imposing the regulations, the State shall be cautious not to destroy the minority character of institutions."

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