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Maharashtra becomes first State to translate the revised Indian laws

Commendable work by the Directorate of Marathi Language

1. Translator Mrs Rohini Hande, 2. Maharashtra State Language Director Mrs Vijaya Donikar, 3. Marathi Language Legislative Consultant at the Center Ms Bindia Tamboli, 4. Joint Secretary to Central Government Mr Ashwani Kumar, 5. Deputy Director of Language (Law) Mr Arun Geete, 6. Assistant Language Deputy Director Mr Santosh Gosavi
Correspondent – Mr Pritam Nachankar, Mumbai

Mumbai, October 27 (News) – In 1860, the British implemented the Indian Penal Code in India. Even after independence in 1947, British laws continue to be in force in India for several years. In August 2023, the Union Government made amendments to the Indian Penal Code. With a focus on ‘justice’, the Union Government has reformed British era laws which gave priority to the penal system. Maharashtra has become the first State in the country to translate these laws into regional languages. This has been made possible by the tireless efforts of the officials of the Directorate of Marathi Language. The translation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly the Indian Penal Code) and the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (formerly the Indian Evidence Act, 1872) has been submitted to the Union Government by the Directorate of Marathi Language. The Executive Committee of the Union Government has approved this Marathi translation on 23rd October. Thus, the revised Indian laws will soon be available in Marathi.

Officials from the Directorate of Marathi Language presented the revised translation of the laws to the expert committee of the Union Government. After addressing the experts’ queries, the Union Government granted approval for this translation. Under the guidance of the Director of the Marathi Language Directorate, Mrs. Vijaya Donikar, Deputy Director of Language Arun Gite, Assistant Language Director Santosh Gosavi, Translator Rohini Hande, and other officials completed the Marathi translation of these laws.

Supreme Court insists on translation of laws

The translation of these revised laws into regional languages is intended to ensure that ordinary citizens can understand them. This work is carried out by the language departments of the respective states. Once the translation of these revised laws is completed, they are used as references in the High Courts of the respective states with the approval of the President. To expedite this process, the Supreme Court is insistent on completing this work promptly.

Translation of Third Law to be submitted soon : Directorate of Marathi Language

Due to the old laws being printed at a traditional printing press, their digital versions were not available. As a result, the initial step involved typing the old laws using voice typing (dictation). Following this, it had to be revised. The translation work for the Indian Civil Protection Code Bill is still pending. Assistant Director of Marathi Language Santosh Gosavi informed that the translation of this third revised law will soon be submitted to the Union Government by the Directorate of Marathi Language.

Procedure for translating laws into regional languages

All laws related to states are translated into regional languages. In Maharashtra this work is done by Directorate of Marathi Language. The translations undergo three rounds of verification before being sent to Delhi. There, the translation is meticulously reviewed by the law department. Afterward, the translation is presented to a committee of experts from 15 different regional languages across the country. These experts analyse the translation and raise any queries. The translation is finalised only after the language department of the respective State resolves these queries. The committee of language experts raised 22-23 queries regarding the translation presented by the Directorate of Marathi Language, but all were satisfactorily addressed by the officials, leading to the committee’s approval.

Next course of action

After the approval of the language expert committee of the Union Government, the translation of these laws in Marathi will be sent to the President for signature. Following the President’s approval, this translation will be sent back to the State. Only then will it be converted into a gazette. This gazette of the revised laws will be disseminated through the websites of the Courts, Law and Justice Department, as well as Directorate of Marathi Language. Only then the Marathi translation of these revised laws can be used as a reference in Courts, Police stations, law colleges, and other locations.

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