Santhali Joins the Constitutional Languages as President Launches New Edition

Honorable President of India Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language at a special function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 25, 2025. The Constitution has been published in Ol Chiki script, enabling Santhali speaking citizens to read, understand, and connect with India’s supreme law in their mother tongue. This initiative reflects India’s constitutional commitment for inclusive governance, cultural respect and accessibility of democratic institutions to all communities especially tribal populations.

Releasing the Constitution in Santhali

• Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu described the release as a moment of pride and joy for the Santhali community.
• She emphasized that language plays a crucial role in shaping identity, participation, and constitutional awareness.
• By making the Constitution available in Santhali, millions of tribal citizens can now engage more deeply with their rights, duties, and democratic values.
• This step strengthens the idea that the Constitution is not merely a legal document, but a living guide accessible to every Indian, regardless of linguistic background.

Ol Chiki Script and Its Cultural Importance

• A special highlight of the event was that the Constitution has been published in the Ol Chiki script, the traditional writing system of the Santhali language.
• The year 2025 marks the centenary of the Ol Chiki script, making the release even more symbolic.
• President Murmu appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Law and Justice for completing this work during the script’s 100th anniversary underlining the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous scripts and knowledge systems.

Background of the Santhali Language

• The Santhali language is one of the most ancient living tribal languages of India.
• It is widely spoken by tribal communities across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar.
• Recognising its cultural and demographic significance Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule grants official recognition and promotes the development, preservation and use of the language in education, administration, and public life.

Constitutional and Political Relevance

• Making the Constitution available in Santhali aligns with the spirit of Article 350A and Article 29, which emphasize protection of linguistic minorities and promotion of cultural heritage.
• It also strengthens constitutional literacy, a key pillar of participatory democracy.

Key Takeaways

• Constitution of India released in Santhali language on December 25, 2025
• Script used: Ol Chiki, whose centenary is celebrated in 2025
• Released by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan
• Santhali included in Eighth Schedule via 92nd Amendment Act, 2003
• Important for topics on tribal rights, language policy, and constitutional literacy

Question

Q. The Santhali version of the Constitution is written in which script?

A. Devanagari
B. Roman
C. Bengali
D. Ol Chiki