Govt scores in KV case by barring Sanskrit exams

The Supreme Court on Friday found as “acceptable” the Centre’s proposition that class VI to VIII students of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), who were asked to study Sanskrit as a third language in place of German in the middle of academic session, would not have to undergo any examination on the subject.

A bench of Justices Anil R Dave and Kurian Joseph indicated to put to an end to the controversy on the Centre’s decision to introduce Sanskrit in October this year for those students under the three-language formula.

The government had earlier claimed that introducing German under the three-language formula was illegal as students have to study any Indian modern language.

The court, however, put the matter for consideration to December 15 after a counsel representing PIL petitioner V S Ramanathan sought time to respond to the fresh stand taken by the Union government.

Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi submitted that a decision has been taken at the highest level that no examination would take place for the students for the current academic session.

He produced a letter sent to him by joint secretary of Human Resource Development Ministry on Thursday stating, “In view of the concern expressed by the court, and to ensure that no stress is caused to the students, there will be no examinations in this academic session for those students studying Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language as the third Indian language, in place of German as the third language for the remaining part of the academic year”.

The court, which had earlier asked the AG to find a solution to the problem, concurred with the concession made by the government. “It is a good solution. As a father, I would have no objection. I would love my child studying Sanskrit,” Justice Dave said, taking submission of the AG into account.

Justice Joseph, however, asked the AG what would happen to those students still willing to study German. Rohatgi responded by saying that they could continue with German as an additional subject.

Advocate Reena Singh, appearing for the petitioner, contended as a mother of a 12-year-old kid, she would require time to consider the proposal. “If the child learns Sanskrit without stress, what is the problem,” the court asked, adding, “The child would become brighter by studying Sanskrit.”