Parliamentary Panel Dismisses Criticism Against Hindi Names for Proposed Criminal Laws

Parliamentary Panel Dismisses Criticism Against Hindi Names for Proposed Criminal Laws

VoM News Desk | November 21, 2023 | 01:53 PM IST | Politics | Follow on Google News

Parliamentary Panel Dismisses Criticism Against Hindi Names for Proposed Criminal Laws

Parliamentary Panel Dismisses Criticism Against Hindi Names for Proposed Criminal Laws

A parliamentary panel, led by BJP MP Brijlal, has concluded that the Hindi names assigned to three proposed criminal laws are constitutional. This decision comes amid criticism from some political parties and leaders who questioned the rationale behind giving Hindi names to bills primarily drafted in English.

Constitutional Provisions and Committee’s Findings

The committee referenced Article 348 of the Constitution, which mandates the use of the English language in the Supreme Court, high courts, and legal documents including Acts and Bills. Since the text of the Sanhita is in English, the committee found no violation of this constitutional provision and was satisfied with the Ministry of Home Affairs’ response.

Proposed Laws and Opposition Concerns

The laws in question – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS-2023), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS-2023), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA-2023) – aim to replace the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Act, and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively. Opposition figures like Congress leader P. Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin raised objections, citing linguistic imperialism and potential violations of the Constitution.

Political Debate over Language Use

The DMK and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister have been vocal against the use of Hindi names, perceiving it as an attempt at linguistic imperialism and a form of recolonisation. Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed these objections as “petty politics.”

Home Secretary’s Clarification

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla addressed the objections, assuring that there was no constitutional breach as the bills and their texts are in English, in line with Article 348. This clarification was part of the panel’s deliberations, which included input from opposition MPs.

VoM News Desk

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