'Nothing Illegal': Madras HC Allows Hunger Strike by Lawyer Demanding Tamil as Official Court Language

While directing the Chennai Police to grant permission to a lawyer for an indefinite fast over his demand to make Tamil the official language for all court communications and pleadings, the Madras High Court observed that there was nothing illegal about this ask.

“The petitioner wants to express himself strongly demanding Tamil to be used as official language in the proceedings in the High Court. There is nothing illegal in this objective,” said Justice N Anand Venkatesh while opining that the permission for an indefinite fast could be granted subject to certain conditions.

Justice Venkatesh directed the petitioner-lawyer Advocate G Bhagavath Singh to give an undertaking that he would not initiate violence while organising meetings in connection with his indefinite fasting and he would cooperate with the police to ensure law and order.

Singh has also been asked to provide the names and addresses of other members of his organisation in case they participate in the indefinite fast.

While clarifying that it will be open to the commissioner of police to impose any other reasonable conditions to ensure law and order, the court stressed that the police will have the liberty to take appropriate action against anyone for any illegal activity under the guise of supporting Singh’s cause.

The lawyer had moved a writ petition before the high court challenging the order passed by the commissioner of police, Chennai City, and seeking a consequential direction to the officer to grant permission to conduct indefinite fasting.

The court was informed that the petitioner-lawyer would be joined by about 25 people in the indefinite fasting and considering the object behind the protest, there was no scope for any law and order problem.

However, the request was opposed by the additional public prosecutor who argued that indefinite fasting could not go on endlessly as the suggested venue near the Rajarathinam Stadium at Marshalls Road was available only on February 28, 2024.

Last month, during court proceedings, Justice Venkatesh humorously remarked on his inability to speak Hindi fluently. He had said that he would continue using the “original” English terminologies for the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, despite the introduction of new laws with Hindi names.