The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the inclusion of Rajasthani as an official language under the Constitution of India. A Bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice Manoj Misra asserted that such a decision falls within the purview of the government rather than the judiciary.

“Supreme Court cannot issue directions here. The government has to take a call in this regard,” the top court said.

The plea sought the inclusion of Rajasthani under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

“Relief being sought is to include Rajasthani language in the Eighth Schedule. The advocate for the respondent has placed on record our judgement in the Kanhaiya Lal Sethia 1997 case. We are in agreement with the view. Whether a language should be included is a policy decision. We decline to entertain the petition,” the apex court said.

Advocate Ripudaman Singh for the petitioners contended that the judgement was not applicable to this case.