SC junks plea against Telangana rule mandating proficiency in Telugu for civil judge post
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea challenging an order upholding a 2023 rule mandating proficiency in Telugu language to qualify for the civil judge's post in Telangana.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih told the petitioner's counsel, "It (rule) only says you need to know Telugu."
The petitioner, a practising advocate, applied for the post of civil judge pursuant to a April 2024 notification.
Before the high court, he challenged the constitutionality of Rules 5.3 and 7(i) of the Telangana State Judicial (Service and Cadre) Rules, 2023 over the requirement of the language.
The petitioner also sought a direction to provide the option of being proficient either in Telugu or Urdu as a qualification for being a civil judge aside from providing the option of translating from English to Telugu or Urdu and vice versa in written examination conducted under the 2023 Rules.
Before the top court bench, the petitioner's counsel said 15 per cent population in Telangana was Urdu speaking.
The counsel said his client cleared the qualifying examination.
The bench, however, refused to examine the plea and dismissed it.
In the Telangana High Court, the petitioner's counsel argued since Urdu was given the status of second official language in the state, it was arbitrary and unjust that an option of being conversant with Urdu or Telugu in the rules for recruitment for civil judges was not provided.
"This is trite that it is in the province of the employer to decide about the conditions of service, eligibility and qualification etc. Employer is the best judge to decide about these aspects. The scope of judicial review on these aspects is very limited," the high court said in its order of November last year.
It cannot be said that the provision of recruitment rules called in question were arbitrary, discriminatory or violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, the high court added.
While dismissing the plea, the high court said since the decision of the authorities was in the province of "policy decision" for betterment of judicial administration, it couldn't be struck down only because another view was possible.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind backs Operation Sindoor, urges unity, restraint to counter terror threat
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has extended its unequivocal support to the ongoing anti-terror initiative, Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian security forces. Emphasising the grave threat posed by terrorism, JIH President Syed Sadatullah Hussaini described it as a heinous crime against humanity and called for its complete eradication to ensure the nation's peace and security.
In a statement issued on Monday, Hussaini lauded the efforts of the armed forces and security agencies, stating that their actions are receiving widespread support from citizens across religious and community lines. He noted that the people of India stand in solidarity with the forces in their pursuit to eliminate terror threats.
While welcoming the spirit of national unity evident during the operation, the JIH president also issued a word of caution against the misuse of the situation for communal polarisation. "Attempts to exploit such sensitive moments to stoke divisions or incite communal tensions are deeply harmful to the nation’s interests and must be firmly rejected," Hussaini said.
He appealed to political parties, religious leaders, and civil society organisations to uphold communal harmony and demonstrate restraint. "This is a time for national unity, mutual respect, and responsible conduct," he added, urging all sections of society to resist divisive narratives.
_vb_58.jpeg)
_vb_24.jpeg)