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Synopsis

On Wednesday, the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) informed the Bombay High Court that it has commenced the process of increasing the font size of signboards in the Marathi and Hindi language to match those in English at the airport.

The statement was made by MIAL before the division bench of the Bombay High Court, presided over by Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Arif Doctor.

The high court was hearing a public interest litigation that demanded an enlargement of the font size on signboards in Marathi at the Mumbai Airport.

In response to the developments, the division bench noted in its order that substantial progress is expected to be accomplished by the next hearing.

"The respondent, MIAL, has stated it is correct that the font size was small and all efforts are being made to bring the font signage on par.  The work will have to be carried out in the Mumbai airport area as soon as possible. We defer hearing to Nov 8, 2023, by which time we expect substantial work will be completed," the bench recorded

The said PIL was filed by a trust called Gujarati Vichar Manch, seeking the implementation of circulars issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Official Language. These circulars stipulate that the use of Hindi and regional languages should be on par with English on signage boards and indicators at public places.

Notably, the high court, in January 2023 had asked the petitioner to deposit a sum of Rs. 1 Lakh to prove its bonafide.

The trust had previously approached the Airport Authority, requesting compliance with the Home Ministry's circulars. However, their request was rejected on the grounds that the Airport's design already considered all aspects of travel and adhered to global standards, rendering modifications to the signage boards unnecessary.

In their plea, the trust emphasizes that they fully recognize the significance of English in the global context but assert that they are simply seeking acknowledgement of the official and regional languages, which hold an emotional significance for the citizens of any nation. 

“It language has a great unifying force and is a powerful instrument for national integration. The proliferating usage of the English language should indeed not be synonymous towards undermining of our official and regional languages," the plea states

The plea further stated that the display of the English language on all sign boards at the airport is an act to foist the English language on indigenous people. 

“Therefore, while the State may use any language of its choice of official language, it cannot force or foist that language on citizens. Hence, the prominent display of the English Language on the indications on the signage boards and all the other boards at the Airports in Mumbai is nothing but a mere act to foist the English language on the indigenous people," the plea reads.

Case Title: Gujarati Vichar Manch vs Adani Airport Holding Ltd & Ors.