Approach Competent Authority: HC On Plea Seeking Recognition Of Hindi Language As Official Language In J&K, Ladakh

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation seeking recognition of Hindi language as the official language in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The bench of Chief Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul disposed of the PIL with a direction to the Petitioner to approach the competent authority/ forum for seeking relief.

DSGI Vishal Sharma and AAG Monika Kohli appeared for the Respondent. No one appeared on behalf of the Petitioner.

Petitioner Jagdev Singh had approached the High Court seeking recognition of Hindi as the official language in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the Union Territory of Ladakh in tune with the mandate of Articles 343 and 251 of the Constitution of India.

The Court held that the subject of the instant PIL comes within the domain of the executive.

"Having regard to the fact that the subject of the PIL squarely comes within the domain and powers of the executive, therefore, we dispose of this PIL with direction to the Petitioner to approach the competent authority/ forum for seeking the relief as claimed.", the Court held.

Accordingly, the PIL was disposed of.

Cause Title- Jagdev Singh v. Union of India & Ors.

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