Delhi High Court Dismisses Plea to Conduct DU Law Entrance Exam in Hindi

High Court of Delhi has dismissed a plea that sought DU to hold LLB Entrance Exam in the Hindi language. Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar pointed out that a similar plea was dismissed by the court in 2014.

The bench further explained that the Article 348 of Indian Constitution states that the language to be used in the Supreme Court and high courts, as well as the acts and bills, shall be in English. The bench further clarified that if the court grants relief to the petitioner, it would be a violation as per the constitutional provisions since DU is an autonomous varsity. The varsity has the authority to choose the mode, medium and pattern of the entrance test, the court observed.

Delhi HC Previous Proceedings on the Issue:

Earlier, Delhi High Court has asked Delhi University for a provision to conduct entrance test of law faculty in Hindi as well. Since various students across the country pursue their higher education in Hindi, it is unfair for them to give the test in the English language. Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar stated that this is one of the critical issues that has been brought to our notice. Taking that into account, the bench issued a notice to the Centre and other concerned parties to look into the matter and make amendments.

They have also issued a notice to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Bar Council of India , Delhi University, Ministry of Law and Justice. The court has asked them to file their counter-affidavits regarding the entrance test to be conducted in Hindi within three weeks. The next hearing is due on 17 May 2018.

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Union Public Service Commission and various other renowned universities are conducting the examination in Hindi. The same way there has been a plea to conduct the entrance examination of LLB in Hindi as well. However, the court dismissed the PIL in 2014 when a student from Allahabad stated that he should be allowed to take the DU LLB entrance exam in Hindi.

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According to him, he had all his education in Hindi medium and it would be unfair to him and other students who have studied in Hindi medium to take the entrance exam in English. However the same was dismissed on the grounds that the language of court particularly Delhi is English and all the judgments are reported and given in the English language. The bench said that the use of English language is necessary as per the policies and transfer of judges and Chief Justice to other states which may not be versed in the Hindi language.