President of India Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language at a special function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 December 2025. Published in the Ol Chiki script, the initiative enables Santhali-speaking citizens to read and understand the country’s supreme law in their mother tongue, strengthening inclusive and participatory democracy.
Addressing the gathering, the President described the occasion as a moment of pride for the Santhali community, highlighting the role of language in shaping identity, awareness, and democratic participation. She noted that making the Constitution accessible in Santhali allows tribal citizens to connect more deeply with their constitutional rights, duties, and values.
The release is especially significant as 2025 marks the centenary of the Ol Chiki script, the traditional writing system of Santhali. President Murmu appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Law and Justice for completing the work during this milestone year, underscoring the importance of preserving indigenous languages and scripts.
Santhali, one of India’s oldest living tribal languages, is widely spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. It was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, granting it official recognition.
The initiative reflects India’s constitutional commitment to linguistic diversity, tribal rights, and constitutional literacy, reinforcing the idea that the Constitution belongs equally to every citizen.
