The Supreme Court directed Rajasthan to recognise Rajasthani for educational purposes and promote mother tongue-based instruction in primary education.
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About Rajasthani Language
- Rajasthani is an Indo-Aryan language group primarily spoken in Rajasthan and adjoining regions, with major dialects including Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati and Harauti.
- Cultural Importance: Rajasthani represents a rich literary and folk tradition reflected in ballads, devotional poetry, theatre, oral narratives and regional cultural heritage.
- Linguistic Identity: Although often administratively grouped under Hindi, many scholars and linguistic bodies recognise Rajasthani as a distinct language with multiple dialects.
- Recognition as a Language
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- State-Level Recognition: The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in 2003 recommending inclusion of Rajasthani in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
- Educational Recognition: Rajasthani is taught as a subject in several universities and educational institutions across Rajasthan.
- Constitutional Debate: Rajasthani is presently not included in the Eighth Schedule, which has led to continuing demands for formal constitutional recognition.
- Sahitya Akademi Recognition: The Sahitya Akademi recognises Rajasthani as an independent literary language and provides awards for Rajasthani literature.
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Background of the Case
- Petition Demand: The petition sought inclusion of Rajasthani in REET examinations and introduction of mother tongue-based primary education in Rajasthan.
- State’s Stand: Rajasthan argued that Rajasthani is not listed in the Eighth Schedule and therefore lacked a policy framework for instruction.
- Court’s Response: The Court criticised the State’s “lackadaisical approach” and held that absence of policy cannot justify denial of constitutional rights.
Supreme Court Directions
- Policy Formulation: The Court directed Rajasthan to frame a comprehensive policy on mother tongue-based education in line with NEP 2020.
- Recognition of Rajasthani: Rajasthani was directed to be recognised as a local and regional language for educational purposes.
- Progressive Introduction: The State was asked to gradually introduce Rajasthani as both a subject and medium of instruction at the foundational stage.
Judicial Observations
- Language and Identity: The Court stated that language is central to expression, identity and cultural belonging.
- Quality Education: Instruction delivered in an unfamiliar language was held inconsistent with the idea of meaningful and quality education.
- Paper Rights vs Real Rights: The Court observed that constitutional rights lose significance if not supported by administrative implementation and policy action.
About Mother Tongue Education
- Constitutional Recognition: The Supreme Court held that education in a language understood by children is linked to dignity, identity and meaningful participation in society.
- Constitutional Provisions
- Article 21A: The Court interpreted the Right to Education under Article 21A as including access to quality education through a comprehensible medium of instruction.
- Article 19(1)(a): The freedom of speech and expression was expanded to include the right to receive information in a language meaningful to the learner.
- Article 350A: Article 350A obligates States to provide adequate facilities for primary education in the mother tongue of linguistic minority children.
- Article 14: The Court observed that excluding Rajasthani while permitting other regional languages in schools could amount to arbitrary discrimination.
- Role of NEP 2020
- Multilingual Education: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends teaching in the home or regional language at least up to Grade V and preferably till Grade VIII.
- Learning Outcomes: The policy recognises that children grasp foundational concepts better in familiar languages, improving comprehension and cognitive development.
- Judicial Precedence
- State of Karnataka v. Associated Management of English Medium Primary and Secondary Schools (2014): The Court recognised the right of parents and children to choose the medium of instruction at the primary stage as part of the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- English Medium Students Parents Association v. State of Karnataka (1993): The Court held that compelling students to study in their mother tongue against the wishes of parents is unreasonable and violative of constitutional freedoms.
- Ahmedabad St. Xavier’s College v. State of Gujarat (1974): The Supreme Court upheld the rights of linguistic and religious minorities under Article 30 to establish educational institutions and determine their own medium of instruction.
- RTE Act Provision: Section 29(2)(f) of the Right to Education Act, 2009 states that the medium of instruction should, as far as practicable, be in the child’s mother tongue.
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Conclusion
Mother tongue-based education strengthens constitutional values of equality, dignity and inclusivity while improving learning outcomes, cultural preservation and meaningful access to quality education.
14 May 2026
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