LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN EDUCATION: LEGAL PROTECTION OF TRIBAL LANGUAGES IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INDIA

AUTHORS: KAJAL RANA* & KHALEEQ AHMAD**

* STUDENT AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, FACULTY OF UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY. EMAIL KAJALRANA0149@GMAIL.COM

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, FACULTY OF UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY. EMAIL – KHALEEQAHMAD@UTTARANCHALUNIVERSITY.AC.IN

BEST CITATION -KAJAL RANA & KHALEEQ AHMAD, LANGUAGE RIGHTS IN EDUCATION: LEGAL PROTECTION OF TRIBAL LANGUAGES IN SCHOOL SYSTEMS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 968-975, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

Abstract

“The purpose of this research study is to investigate the legal preservation of tribal languages in educational institutions, with a particular emphasis on the framework that exists in India. The constitutional and statutory provisions for the protection of tribal languages are analysed in conjunction with international norms and judicial interpretations. Tribal languages in India are confronted with structural obstacles, such as insufficient implementation, resource limits, and pedagogical impediments, despite the fact that progressive legislation has been passed. The purpose of this article is to identify important gaps in the legal protection of tribal language rights and to suggest changes to enhance mother tongue-based multilingual education policy. This is accomplished via a review of pivotal case laws, legislative initiatives, and comparative methods which are presented in this paper. For the purpose of maintaining India’s endangered tribal languages and promoting educational fairness for indigenous groups, the findings imply that positive legal interventions, community engagement, and integrated language planning are crucial components.”

Keywords: Tribal Languages, Language Rights, Education Law, Indigenous Rights, Linguistic Diversity, Mother Tongue Education, Constitutional Protection, Indian law