India, Nov. 24 -- It is language that gives life to law. Language holds a mirror to society; it is both a repository of social prejudices and an instrument that can help reshape perceptions. Which is why the Supreme Court's effort to reform its administrative language deserves appreciation.

A recent report, Reforming Administrative Nomenclature in the Indian Judiciary, by Centre for Research and Planning (CRP), the Court's in-house think tank, has cited numerous examples to state that "while the Constitution guarantees equality, dignity, and fraternity, the very institutions meant to uphold these values continue to operate with an administrative lexicon that perpetuates inequality and reinforces servitude and exclusion". The report calls...