New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Monday gave strict advice to the Tamil Nadu government, saying that it should not adopt the attitude of ‘My State – My State’ and should not turn the issue of establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas into a language dispute. Justice B. V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan’s bench directed the Central Government and Tamil Nadu Government to hold joint consultation regarding the establishment of Navodaya Vidyalayas in the state and file its report in the court.
The bench also directed that the land required for setting up Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in each district of Tamil Nadu be identified. Senior Vakis P, appearing for Tamil Nadu during the hearing. Wilson reiterated the state’s objection, saying that Navodaya Vidyalayas follow a three-language formula, while Tamil Nadu has a legally enforceable two-language policy.
On this, Justice Nagarathna said that do not make it an issue of language. We are a federal society and you are part of the republic. If you move one step forward, the Center will also move one step forward. He said that this is a matter of federal discussion and there is no point in imposing anything on the state. We are not asking you to lay the foundation stone today. This is just an exercise.