Important kids learn in mother tongue: SC
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court declined to stay the High Court order which quashed the Andhra Pradesh government order to make English medium mandatory in all government schools from classes I-VI. The top court noted that for foundation it is important that a child learns in the mother tongue.
Senior advocate KV Viswanathan, appearing for the Andhra government, said the High Court order affects the poor and the marginalised. "All want to study in English medium", argued Viswanathan before a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde and comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
The bench noted India is the only country where children are taught in foreign languages and there is also conflict of opinion among experts in relation to the medium of instruction. Viswanathan insisted that English language is necessary for advancement in life and opportunities and if a person is proficient in English then opportunities are not limited for that person.
Viswanathan added he knows lawyer friends from Tamil Nadu who studied in the vernacular medium, and now they are finding it difficult to argue matters in the top court, as they continue to think in vernacular.
However, the CJI said this example may not be appropriate in the matter and for foundation it is ver y important that the child learns in the mother tongue.
SC: Cops’ reluctance to arrest lawmakers is a serious matter
The SC on Tuesday voiced concern about reluctance of police to arrest and produce lawmakers against whom criminal cases are pending and termed it as “serious”. The court said number of cases are pending against MPs and MLAs as police of ten do not enforce laws due to pressure from the legislators. “We have been told sometimes the police are not enforcing the laws, in light of pressure of legislators accused. We understand this is a serious matter,” observed a bench headed by Justice NV Ramana, which also noted various HCs have been asking for video conferencing facilities for disposal of pending cases. The bench, also comprised Justices Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose.