In Pratham Kaushik & Anr v. U.O.I. & Ors., the Delhi HC directed the Bar Council of India to consider the petition to conduct CLAT in local languages. A Single Bench Judge comprising of Najmi Waziri presided over this matter.
Brief facts of the Case
Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a centralised national level entrance test. Through CLAT exam, one can secure admission in various law schools across India. Every year it’s conducted roughly in May. But unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the exam got postponed.
Mr Pratham Kaushik, the petitioner is a CLAT aspirant. He filed a petition to sought Court’s direction to conduct CLAT in local languages. An unregistered forum of parents and students also supported the petition. Moreover, they wish the conduction of CLAT exam in the Hindi Language. Senior Advocates KK. Rai, Ravindra Raizada with Advocates Gauraan Bhardwaj, Ashish Rai, represented the petitioners.
Above all, the petitioner prayed in Court to conduct all future CLAT examinations in local languages.
Petitioner’s Concerns
The petitioner submits that the absence of provisions to write the exam in local languages hinders several eligible candidates from participating in the examination.
The petitioner stated that the inclusion of local languages for writing the entrance exam would provide the highest standards of legal education. Moreover, such an action will disseminate learning and knowledge of the law and legal processes in an effective manner.
The petitioner further stated that it is unjust, unfair, improper to give primacy to English. Not only this but also that it upholds Article 343 of the Constitution of India. Article 343 provides Hindi as the National Language of India. The petitioner also pointed out the entrance exams of various government colleges. They were also conducted in vernacular languages.
Court’s Observation
The Court has observed that it is the BCI which sets the standard for admission into law schools. So they decided that it would be only fair for the BCI to take this decision.
Court’s Order
The Court has directed the BCI to treat the petition as petitioner’s representation. Further, the Court asked the BCI to take an appropriate decision in the same matter. Further, the Court asked the BCI to convey the decision within three weeks to the petitioner.
The Court further considered the dates of deposition of the forms for the exam. Since the forms are to be deposited by 30.06.2020, it would be preferable that the BCI takes a decision before this date. The petition, along with pending applications, got disposed-off.
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