The language row in Karnataka took a fresh turn on Saturday with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah insisting that the use of English and Hindi was “weakening talent of our children”. The senior politician also called for laws to ensure that the mother tongue was used as the primary medium of instruction at educational institutions.
“Children of developed nations think, learn, dream in mother tongue but here situation is against it. English, Hindi are weakening talent of our children. A law needed to make the mother tongue the medium of instruction. Centre should ensure education through mother tongue,” Siddaramaiah reiterated during his Rajyotsava address.
He also accused the BJP-led central government of meting out a “step-motherly treatment to Karnataka” and imposing the Hindi language on its residents. He also noted that grants were given for the development of Hindi and Sanskrit while other languages of the country were neglected.
“Injustice is being done to classical language Kannada by denying adequate funds for its growth…We have to oppose all those who are anti-Kannada,” he added.
What is Rajyotsava?
November 1 is celebrated every year as Karnataka Rajyotsava or Karnataka Foundation Day — marking the unification of all Kannada-speaking regions in 1956. The southern state was formed after the States Reorganisation Act based on linguistic lines— incorporating different parts of South India such as Mysore, Bombay, Hyderabad, and Madras. It was originally named Mysore State and later renamed as Karnataka in 1973 to reflect the state identity more accurately.
“Karnataka Rajyotsava is not just a festival. It is a sacred day that unites Kannadigas, who are spread across various states, through the umbilical cord of Kannada. On this day, let us proudly remember the labor, sacrifices, and offerings of millions of Kannada enthusiasts who selflessly toiled to make the dream of such a Kannada state a reality. All those who have settled here and built their lives for reasons such as education, employment, and others, coming from other states and foreign countries, are Kannadigas, they are one of us. Let us all–you and we together–embrace the resolve on this day to use and nurture Kannada. May the language of the land become the language of the heart, may the sprout of Kannada burst forth in everyone’s chest. Greetings of Karnataka Rajyotsava to our fellow countrymen,” Siddaramaiah had said while extending greetings earlier in the day.