Keywords: CLAT, PIL, National Law University
After the Delhi High Court instructed the Consortium of National Law Universities to conduct CLAT 2024 in regional languages in an order dated March 2023, the Consortium responding to the Delhi High Court said it is nearly impossible to conduct CLAT 2024 in regional languages. However, it further added that it will prepare a well-considered roadmap for an “eventual and smooth introduction” of the examination after due deliberations.
The petition was filed as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by Sudhanshu Pathak, a law student at Delhi University, represented by Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta. The plea seeks a direction to the Consortium to conduct CLAT 2024 in regional languages mentioned in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution along with English, as the conventional conduct of the exam is violative of Article 14C(Right to Equality) and Article 29(2) (Equality in Educational Institutions) of the Constitution.
The petitioner also stressed a recent survey conducted by IDIA Charitable Trust which showed that over 95% of the students come from English medium schools. Responding to the court, the Consortium said that as CLAT 2024 is already near (to be held on December 2023) any sudden judicial order to conduct it in regional languages will cause grave prejudice to the consortium, adding that it will not provide a level playing field due to advanced preparedness of the examination.
It also added that its Advisory Board, along with Executive Committee and Governing Body will prepare a detailed and effective roadmap after details are debated and resolutions are met. The division bench hearing the matter consisted of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma who directed the consortium to consider the issue and take a decision at the next meeting. The matter will now be heard on 01 September.
Written by – Kartik Sharma University name – Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla Semester – First An intern under Legal Vidhiya
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