Tamil Nadu Assembly passes resolution to make Tamil principal language of Madras High Court

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a Government Resolution on September 3, 2026, seeking the use of Tamil as the principal language of the High Court of Madras. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, invokes constitutional and statutory provisions that permit states to use their official language in high court proceedings.

The resolution cites Article 348(2) of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, which allow the Governor, with presidential consent, to authorise the use of a state's official language alongside English in judicial proceedings. It notes that Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu under the Tamil Nadu Official Language Act, 1956, and was recognised as a Classical Language by the Union Government in 2004.

The resolution highlights Tamil's linguistic heritage and its status as a language spoken by approximately 9 crore people worldwide, with 8 crore speakers in India. It references existing legal provisions enabling the recording of evidence and issuance of judgments in Tamil in lower courts functioning under the High Court.