This refers to the editorial "English Vinglish" (August 6). As it stands, the Constitution of India recognises English as the only language for authentic understanding and interpretation of its provisions and various laws/rules framed under it. There is no abiding Hindi version of the Constitution that can legitimately be taken cognisance of in the country. A civil servant has to understand and apply the laws of the land in letter and spirit and, therefore, must possess adequate comprehension of the English language to be effective in the delivery of services expected of them.
The agitation launched by a cross section of students against the inclusion of questions carrying 22 out of a total 400 marks for the English comprehension test in the Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT), while they have no difficulties in writing, among others, a full English paper test in the next phase of the selection process, is unreasonable and untenable. The government should not succumb to this demand from a section of students who do not constitute a representative sample of the aspirant student community of India at large.
Biplab Chakraborty Kolkata
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