MK shocked over Centre's nay on Tamil in HC

Chennai, Mar 11 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has expressed shock and surprise over the Centre's letter disagreeing with the proposal of the Tamil Nadu Government for introduction of Tamil in Madras High Court.

In his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Home, Law and Justice Ministers, a copy of which was made available to press here tonight, Mr Karunanidhi pointed out that on December 6 last, the State Assembly passed a resolution for introduction of Tamil in Madras High Court. It was then sent to the Union Government for obtaining the consent of the President.

The Union Government, in its letter, stated the matter was examined in consultation with the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India had opined that for the present it was not proper to introduce regional language in the orders, decrees and other proceedings of the High Court.

''All concerned were surprised and shocked over the contents of this letter, when the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the Law made by Parliament remain unchanged,'' Mr Karunanidhi wrote.

The import of Article 348(2) of the Constitution of India and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, was very clear. That cannot be interpreted or applied differently to different States,he added.

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