A petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court challenging the use of Hindi and Sanskrit names for recently enacted central laws.

The laws in question, namely Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, are set to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, Indian Penal Code, and the Indian Evidence Act starting July 1, 2024.

P.V. Jeevesh, the petitioner, has argued that the majority of legal professionals in south India are not proficient in Hindi or Sanskrit. He contends that using Hindi and Sanskrit nomenclature for these laws will lead to confusion, ambiguity, and difficulty for those who are not fluent in these languages.

Jeevesh further asserts that naming the laws in Hindi and Sanskrit contravenes the constitutional provision stipulating that all Bills introduced in legislative bodies and the Acts passed by them must be in English. He argues that this provision aims to overcome linguistic barriers and foster unity and understanding among the country's diverse linguistic communities.

According to Jeevesh, the naming of these Acts represents linguistic imperialism and undermines democratic principles and federalism.