A PIL seeking directions from the Supreme Court to make Hindi compulsory for all students between classes I and VIII throughout the country was withdrawn on May 4 on the suggestion of the court. The petitioner— Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay—was asked to approach to the government instead.

The counsel for the petitioner said that that it was a public interest litigation and a constitutional obligation under Article 351.

Chief Justice JS Khehar said: “If the petitioner is from the government why can’t he ask his government? The government is already doing it, he is part of the government.”

He gave permission to withdraw.

—India Legal Bureau