Context:
In a significant step towards inclusive governance and cultural empowerment, President Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The initiative seeks to enhance constitutional literacy and legal awareness among Santhali-speaking tribal communities, reinforcing the values of social justice, inclusion, and linguistic diversity.
Key Highlights:
Historic Release
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The Constitution of India has been made available in Santhali language.
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Released by President Droupadi Murmu.
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The Santhali version uses the Ol Chiki script, the indigenous script of the language.
About the Santhali Language
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Santhali is spoken predominantly by tribal communities in:
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Jharkhand
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Odisha
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West Bengal
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Bihar
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It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family.
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Recognised as a Scheduled Language in 2003 through inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Objectives of the Initiative
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To make the Constitution accessible to Santhali-speaking citizens in their mother tongue.
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To promote:
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Legal awareness
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Constitutional values
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Democratic participation
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Strengthens the idea of empowerment through language.
Cultural and Social Significance
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Supports the preservation and promotion of tribal languages.
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Reinforces India’s commitment to linguistic pluralism.
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Enhances the sense of belonging and citizenship among marginalized tribal communities.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Issue: Accessibility of the Constitution in regional and tribal languages.
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Key Facts:
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Santhali added to the Eighth Schedule in 2003.
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Written in Ol Chiki script.
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Important Personalities:
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President Droupadi Murmu
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Pandit Raghunath Murmu (creator of Ol Chiki script).
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Significance:
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Promotes constitutional literacy.
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Empowers tribal populations.
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Relevant Mains Points:
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Polity Dimension:
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Constitution as a living document accessible to all citizens.
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Role of language in deepening democracy.
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Indian Society Aspect:
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Recognition of tribal languages as instruments of social inclusion.
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Language as a medium of empowerment and identity.
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Governance Perspective:
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Inclusive initiatives strengthen trust in institutions.
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Aligns with constitutional ideals of equality and justice.
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Way Forward:
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Translate constitutional and legal texts into more tribal and regional languages.
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Promote legal literacy campaigns in local languages.
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Digitise multilingual constitutional resources for wider reach.
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UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS Paper II – Polity: Constitution, Eighth Schedule, inclusive governance.
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GS Paper I – Indian Society: Tribal communities, language and culture.
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Prelims: Santhali language, Ol Chiki script, Scheduled Languages.