President Droupadi Murmu Releases Constitution of India in Santhali Language

New Delhi witnessed a moment of deep constitutional and cultural significance as President Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The initiative marks a major step in making India’s supreme legal document accessible to millions of Santhali-speaking citizens, particularly among tribal communities spread across eastern India. The release reflects the spirit of inclusion enshrined in the Constitution itself, reinforcing the idea that democratic knowledge must be available to all citizens in a language they understand.

The ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries, including Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with representatives of the Santhali community. The event underscored the government’s continued efforts to bridge linguistic gaps and strengthen constitutional awareness at the grassroots level.

The President said that this year, we are celebrating the centenary of the Ol Chiki script. | NDTV

President Murmu’s Message: Constitution Belongs to Every Citizen

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu described the occasion as a moment of pride for the Santhali community. She emphasized that the Constitution is not merely a legal document but a living guide that shapes the rights, duties, and democratic values of the nation. By making it available in Santhali, she noted, millions of people would now be able to read and understand the Constitution in their mother tongue, fostering a deeper connection with its principles.

President Murmu also highlighted that true democracy thrives when citizens can directly engage with constitutional ideas without linguistic barriers. The translation, she said, would empower Santhali speakers by enhancing legal awareness and encouraging informed participation in democratic processes.

Ol Chiki Script and Its Cultural Importance

The Santhali version of the Constitution has been published in Ol Chiki, the traditional script of the Santhali language. Developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, Ol Chiki was designed specifically to reflect the phonetic structure of Santhali and has played a crucial role in preserving tribal identity and literature.

The release of the Constitution coincides with the centenary year of the Ol Chiki script, adding cultural depth to the initiative. The timing highlights a renewed focus on indigenous knowledge systems and the importance of safeguarding tribal languages as part of India’s civilizational heritage.

Santhali Language and Constitutional Recognition

Santhali is one of India’s most widely spoken tribal languages, used by millions of people across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and parts of neighboring countries. Its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003 through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment was a turning point, granting the language official recognition and opening doors for its use in education, administration, and competitive examinations.

The release of the Constitution in Santhali builds upon that recognition, translating symbolic inclusion into meaningful access. It ensures that constitutional values reach communities that have historically remained on the margins of formal legal discourse.

Why This Release Matters Beyond Symbolism

Making the Constitution available in Santhali is not merely a ceremonial gesture. For many tribal citizens, language remains a major barrier to understanding legal rights and state institutions. Access to the Constitution in one’s own language strengthens constitutional literacy, promotes social justice, and reinforces trust in democratic institutions.

Experts believe this move will help deepen awareness of fundamental rights, directive principles, and civic duties among Santhali-speaking populations, enabling more informed engagement with governance and law.

The MGMM Outlook

The release of the Constitution of India in the Santhali language marks a meaningful step toward deepening democratic access and constitutional awareness among tribal communities. By making the country’s supreme legal document available in Santhali, written in the Ol Chiki script, this initiative strengthens the bond between constitutional values and millions of citizens who have long faced linguistic barriers. It reinforces the idea that the Constitution is not an abstract text but a living guide meant to be understood, owned, and practiced by every Indian, regardless of language or background.

This move also carries strong cultural and civilizational significance. Coming during the centenary year of the Ol Chiki script and building upon Santhali’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, it transforms constitutional recognition into practical empowerment. Greater access to the Constitution in one’s mother tongue can enhance legal literacy, encourage informed civic participation, and foster trust in democratic institutions. Such steps reaffirm India’s commitment to inclusive governance, where linguistic diversity is seen not as a challenge but as a foundational strength of the nation.

(Sources: ANI, Press Information Bureau, NDTV)