CJI gave negative opinion on use of Hindi in courts: Govt

The Chief Justice of India has given a negative opinion on use of Hindi in higher judiciary, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in Lok Sabha.
Rijiju said for use of Hindi and other regional languages, there is a provision in the Constitution and government wants that Hindu and other languages should be expanded and they should be promoted.
"There is a decision of the Cabinet in 1965 which said that before taking a decision on how to use Hindi in courts, High Courts and Supreme Courts, opinion of the Chief Justice of India should be taken.
"Government has taken his (CJI) opinion and his opinion was negative and the matter did not move forward. The matter stands there," he said during Question Hour.

The Minister, however, said there are four states where Hindi is used extensively in courts. Hindi is used alongwith English in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar.
"There is a proposal to use in other states too. With the consent of Governor and President, such a step can be taken," he said.

Replying to a supplementary that Hindi is not used in Patna High Court, Rijiju said if that was the case, it was a serious matter and the MPs of the state should take up the issue with the Governor and the Chief Minister of Bihar.
The Minister said government is in favour of promotion and expansion of Hindi and all other regional languages.

He said the Department of Official Languages receives complaints regarding reply given in English to communications received in Hindi off and on by central government organisations.
As per the received data, 99.4 per cent letters were received in Hindi and have been replied to in Hindi only.
Therefore, the cases of violation are negligible. Similarly some complaints have been received in the department regarding issuance of press release in English only, he said.
Rijiju said such complaints are forwarded to the administrative head of the concerned organisation for action as per rules.