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Khaira demands withdrawal of draconian orders of mandatory use of English in lower judiciary of Punjab

Chandigarh, July 10, 2019 (Yes Punjab News)

Sukhpal Singh Khaira President of Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) today strongly condemned the Capt Amarinder Singh Government for issuing the draconian notification, making it mandatory for lower judiciary in Punjab to use English as official language.

Khaira in a statement issued here said that the notification printed in Punjab Government Gazzette on May 8, 2019 contained amendment in rule 1, Part A of the Chapter of the Rules and Orders of Punjab and Haryana High Court (Practice and Procedure)-IV of the original notification dated October 29, 2018. The amended rule however has become operational from July 8, 2019.

Khaira said that amendment in the rules to make use of English language in lower judiciary was in gross violation of a resolution passed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which mandated use of Punjabi language in official work.

Khaira stated that the said erroneous notification issued by Capt. Amarinder Singh government has undermined the autonomous authority of the house of elected representatives, besides lowering the dignity of our mother tongue Punjabi language.

Punjab had promulgated two laws namely ‘Learning of Punjabi Language and other Languages Act-2008’ and ‘Punjabi Language (Amendment) Act-2008’ to make Punjabi official language and lower judiciary was not excluded. Khaira said Capt Amarinder Singh should have placed the matter before the Vidhan Sabha before arbitrarily issuing the said faulty notification.

Khaira said that in many states the lower judiciary was using local language for all official work for the convenience of litigants and lawyers. He said that the amended in rule has stated,” The abstract of the case, deposition of witnesses and judgments shall be in English language duly typed on both side of superior quality legal size paper of 80GSM”. He said that documents in Punjabi could be translated in English for cases submitted in the Hon’ble High Court.

Khaira said that while keeping the judiciary in high esteem, he wanted to question Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on killing the spirit of Punjab Language (Amendment) Act of 2008.

He said that on one hand people of Punjab were demanding to make Punjabi first language in state capital and UT of Chandigarh and seeking second language status of Punjabi in our neighbouring states, while on the other hand Punjabi is being denied its recognition and importance in our home state, why would other states give due recognition to Punjabi?

Khaira said that it was duty of the Chief Minister to either take up the matter with the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court for use of Punjabi language in lower judiciary, as mandated by Punjab Vidhan Sabha or he should challenge the arbitrary order of the High Court in the higher appellant court.

He said that majority of litigants didn’t understand English and they are dependent on lawyers. Even lawyers feel convenient working in Punjabi language that has been a practice for many many decades.

Khaira demanded that the erroneous and draconian notification must be withdrawn without any further delay.

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