On the occasion of the 68th Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced free power and water supply for all government schools in Karnataka, asserting that the move was part of initiatives to improve infrastructure at Kannada-medium schools.
While addressing the public at Kanteerava Stadium, he also expressed his opposition to the central government’s decision to hold competitive exams only in Hindi and English.
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The CM said, “I have urged the central government to hold such exams in Kannada also. If required, I will write to the Centre again.”
There are many living in Karnataka who do not speak Kannada, the chief minister said. “The administrative language is Kannada. Therefore, we should communicate in Kannada itself. Though we should respect all languages, we should use Kannada in Karnataka. All officials should follow this,” he added.
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CM Siddaramaiah to centre: Hold competitive exams in Kannada as well
Siddaramaiah advocated for conducting competitive exams in their language, Kannada, and expressed his intent to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a reconsideration of the language medium for these exams.
He mentioned that Shivaji Nagar MLA Rizwan Arshad rightly pointed out that the Centre conducts exams exclusively in Hindi and English, which he believes should be opposed. According to Siddaramaiah, it’s not feasible to conduct competitive exams solely in Hindi and English.
“Our children should be allowed to take the exams in the language they are familiar with. I will request our Prime Minister to review the language policy,” Siddaramaiah stated.
He mentioned that only government schools use Kannada as the medium of instruction, and there is a misconception that students from private English medium schools are more talented and secure better jobs. Siddaramaiah pointed out that the state has produced many eminent scientists who studied in Kannada medium schools.
He referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling that parents have the right to choose the medium of instruction for their children’s education.”The Supreme Court has said that parents have the right to get their child educated in the medium of instruction of their choice…,” he added.
Siddaramaiah stressed the need to improve government schools to ensure students receive quality education. In this context, he proposed making Kannada compulsory until the 10th standard in Karnataka.
He noted that the state is celebrating its 68th year of formation and 50 years with the name ‘Karnataka,’ previously known as ‘Mysore’. Various events will take place throughout the year to celebrate the golden jubilee of the name ‘Karnataka.’
These events will be organized with the slogan ‘Hesarayitu Karnataka, Usiragali Kannada’ (Christened as Karnataka, may Kannada be its breath) to inform people about the state’s history, language, art, music, culture, heritage, and traditions.
These programmes will be conducted to spread awareness among people about Kannada language and culture, the Chief Minister said.
Siddaramaiah appealed to people to commit to integrating Kannada into their daily lives. He stressed the importance of conversing in Kannada, expressing pride in their language and culture so that newcomers to Karnataka feel the necessity to learn the language.
(With PTI Inputs)