The Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, HC Legal Services Authority and State Prisons department have jointly organised Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations in Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara, Bangalore on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph said various cultural programmes offering legal awareness, motivating prisoners’ reformation and showing society’s concern would be part of the celebrations. The event’s theme is, ‘We Care for You’. Advocates, staff, students and prisoners will present cultural programmes, he said.

Kannada in courts
The Chief Justice said the High Court had long back issued circulars directing all judicial officers of subordinate courts in the State to hold proceedings and pass orders in Kannada, as far as possible. He said though using mother tongue in orders of lower courts is necessary, it could not be made mandatory. Due to complexities of legal terms, it requires a lot of training which is not available for many, he said. However, the Court stands by its resolution in favour of Kannada usage in all subordinate courts, so litigants can understand what happens in court, he said.

Justice V Gopala Gowda, Justice K L Manjunath and Registrar General R B Budihal were present. They said evidence was recorded only in Kannada in all lower courts and most judicial officers were passing orders in Kannada. However, in High Court, the official language is English, they added.