New Delhi, 26 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the release of the Constitution of India in the Santhali language, commending President Droupadi Murmu for this historic initiative aimed at deepening constitutional literacy and democratic participation among tribal communities.

The Santhali edition of the Constitution marks a significant stride towards linguistic inclusivity and the recognition of India’s rich tribal heritage.In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister described the initiative as “a commendable effort,” adding that the Santhali version will “help deepen constitutional awareness and democratic participation.”

He further wrote:“A commendable effort! The Constitution in Santhali language will help deepen constitutional awareness and democratic participation. India is very proud of the Santhali culture and the contribution of Santhali people to national progress.”

The post was accompanied by a message in the Ol Chiki script, the writing system used by the Santhali-speaking community, symbolising the government’s commitment to linguistic preservation and cultural representation in governance.

Santhali, one of India’s 22 scheduled languages, is predominantly spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and parts of Bihar. The translation of the Constitution into Santhali, released by President Murmu—a proud member of the Santhal community—underscores the central government’s push under the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” initiative to promote inclusivity and bring India’s constitutional principles closer to its diverse populace.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the move not only celebrates the legacy of the Santhal people but also underscores their long-standing contributions to the nation’s progress, particularly their role in cultural preservation, freedom movements, and grassroots governance.

The release event at Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by senior government officials, linguists, and Santhali cultural representatives, highlighting continued efforts to make constitutional knowledge accessible to all sections of society. With this milestone, India joins a select group of nations that have published their founding documents in indigenous languages, reinforcing the Prime Minister’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar