Jaipur: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan government to introduce Rajasthani as a subject in all government and private schools in a phased manner. The Court said mother tongue-based education is important for preserving culture, improving learning, and protecting linguistic identity.
Details of Supreme Court Rajasthani language Order
The Supreme Court instructed the Rajasthan government to:
- Introduce Rajasthani language as a subject in schools
- Apply the move to both government and private institutions
- Implement the policy in a phased and progressive manner
- Start from foundational and preparatory school levels
- Expand gradually to higher classes and colleges later
The Court also asked the state to create a comprehensive educational policy for the language.
Why Did The Court Pass This Order?
The case was filed after concerns were raised over the lack of proper recognition for Rajasthani language in school education.
Petitioners argued that:
- Rajasthani is widely spoken across the state
- Millions of people use the language in daily life
- The language already has academic recognition in universities
- Lack of school education in the language threatens its future
The Supreme Court observed that there was a “vacuum” in educational policy regarding Rajasthani language education.
Supreme Court Rajasthani language Order: Court Supports Mother Tongue-Based Education
The bench strongly supported the idea of mother tongue-based learning.
According to the Court:
- Early education in local language helps children learn better
- Regional languages are important for cultural preservation
- Educational access becomes stronger in native languages
- Constitutional values support linguistic diversity
The Court linked its observations with constitutional principles and India’s education policy framework.
Is Rajasthani An Official Language?
Currently:
- Rajasthani is not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution
- Hindi remains the official language of Rajasthan
- However, Rajasthani is recognized by several academic institutions and universities
The Rajasthan Assembly had already passed a resolution in 2003 seeking constitutional recognition for Rajasthani.
Universities Already Teaching Rajasthani
Several universities in Rajasthan already offer Rajasthani language studies, including:
- University of Rajasthan
- Jai Narain Vyas University
- Mohanlal Sukhadia University
The Supreme Court noted that academic recognition already exists, which weakens arguments against introducing the language in schools.
