Article 21: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' This has been interpreted to include a wide array of rights, including the right to live with human dignity, right to speedy trial, right to legal aid, and right to a fair trial.

A fair trial implies that the accused must understand the charges against them, the evidence presented, and the legal process in a language they comprehend, to effectively defend themselves.

The ability to understand proceedings in one's mother tongue is critical for effective participation in a trial, thus upholding the spirit and practical realization of Article 21.

Article 20 provides protection in respect of conviction for offences, including protection against ex-post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

Article 22 provides protection against arrest and detention in certain cases, including the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest and the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of one's choice.

The Right to Legal Aid (derived from Article 21 and explicitly stated in Article 39A) ensures that financial or other disabilities do not impede access to justice, which implicitly includes the right to understand the legal process through translation or interpretation.

The news argues that the language barrier effectively denies these fundamental protections and the essence of a fair trial to a large segment of the population.

The judiciary acts as the guardian of Fundamental Rights, and any impediment to their exercise, such as a language barrier, falls under its purview for remedial action.

The principle of natural justice, which includes the right to be heard (audi alteram partem), is deeply intertwined with the ability to understand and respond to legal arguments.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), to which India is a signatory, also emphasizes the right to a fair hearing.

Article 21: 'No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.' This has been interpreted to include a wide array of rights, including the right to live with human dignity, right to speedy trial, right to legal aid, and right to a fair trial.

A fair trial implies that the accused must understand the charges against them, the evidence presented, and the legal process in a language they comprehend, to effectively defend themselves.

The ability to understand proceedings in one's mother tongue is critical for effective participation in a trial, thus upholding the spirit and practical realization of Article 21.

Article 20 provides protection in respect of conviction for offences, including protection against ex-post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

Article 22 provides protection against arrest and detention in certain cases, including the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest and the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of one's choice.

The Right to Legal Aid (derived from Article 21 and explicitly stated in Article 39A) ensures that financial or other disabilities do not impede access to justice, which implicitly includes the right to understand the legal process through translation or interpretation.

The news argues that the language barrier effectively denies these fundamental protections and the essence of a fair trial to a large segment of the population.

The judiciary acts as the guardian of Fundamental Rights, and any impediment to their exercise, such as a language barrier, falls under its purview for remedial action.

The principle of natural justice, which includes the right to be heard (audi alteram partem), is deeply intertwined with the ability to understand and respond to legal arguments.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), to which India is a signatory, also emphasizes the right to a fair hearing.