No interim stay on Telugu language mandate, Telangana HC directs Govt to respond

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the Telangana government’s decision to impose Telugu as a mandatory second language for students in national and international boards was heard by the High Court. The bench refused to grant interim relief and instructed the state to submit a comprehensive action plan within two weeks

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Thursday heard a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the State government’s decision to impose Telugu as a mandatory second language for students studying under national and international educational boards. The bench declined to grant any interim relief and directed the State to submit a comprehensive action plan within two weeks.

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The PIL, filed by Pramila Pathak and argued by advocate B. Vamshidhar Reddy, questioned the legality and abrupt enforcement of Telugu as a compulsory subject from Classes II to IX for students of CBSE, ICSE, IB, Cambridge, and other national boards. The challenge was directed against the government’s orders issued through a Memo dated 07.12.2024 and proceedings dated 19.12.2024.

The petitioner submitted that the action is arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 19, 21, 29, and 30 of the Constitution of India, in addition to being contrary to Act No.10 of 2018, which mandates the implementation of Telugu in a phased manner. It was also argued that Rule 9 of the Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Rules, 2018, should be struck down as it fails to extend exemption to students who enroll in the State from higher classes, particularly from Class VII onwards.

Appearing for the State, the Government Pleader for School Education submitted that the government’s implementation of Telugu language instruction is indeed being carried out in a phased manner, in accordance with the Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Rules, 2018. After hearing both sides, the bench refused to issue interim directions and instead directed the respondents to place on record the official action plan and the government’s stand within two weeks. The matter has been adjourned for two weeks.