New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging the Telangana High Court order that upheld a state rule mandating proficiency in the Telugu language for appointment as Civil Judges, without providing an alternative option for Urdu speakers.
A Bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih heard an appeal filed by petitioner Mohd Shujath Hussain against the Telangana High Court’s verdict, which had dismissed his challenge to the constitutionality of certain provisions in the Telangana Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2023.
Senior Advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for the petitioner, argued that excluding Urdu, which has historical and official significance in Telangana, was discriminatory. However, the Bench was not persuaded.
"Not excluded. (The rule) only states that Telugu is also needed. Sorry, cannot entertain," Justice Gavai remarked, refusing to entertain the petition.
The Supreme Court thus upheld the Telangana government’s decision to require Telugu proficiency for candidates seeking judicial appointments.
The Court reiterated that the rule did not exclude Urdu speakers but merely imposed an additional requirement of Telugu proficiency.
Earlier, the Telangana High Court had rejected Hussain's plea, observing that the decision to mandate Telugu knowledge was a policy decision by the State, taking into account that Telugu is the most widely spoken language in Telangana.
The Telangana Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2023, which came into effect in June last year, require judicial service aspirants to be conversant in Telugu. The exam scheme also includes a translation component between English and Telugu.
The petitioner had contended that since Urdu has been recognized as the second official language under the Telangana Official Languages Act, 1966, candidates proficient in Urdu should also have been accommodated.
However, both the High Court and the Supreme Court concluded that the State’s language policy decision could not be interfered with in this context.
UNI SNG CS