Iqbal Jakati
No Compromise on Kannada Language, Land, Water and Jobs: Siddaramaiah
Creation of a Kannada-friendly environment is a collective responsibility; special meeting announced to protect Kannada-medium schools.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday asserted that the state government would not compromise under any circumstances on the issues of Kannada language, land, water, borders, and employment of Kannadigas. He said creating a strong Kannada-friendly environment in the state is a collective responsibility of all citizens.
He was speaking while inaugurating the Jan Rajyotsava–2025 programme organised by the Kannada activists’ committee at Gayatri Vihar, Palace Grounds.
The Chief Minister said that an atmosphere has developed in the state where one can live without learning Kannada, which is not a healthy trend. “We have no objection to learning other languages, but one must live as a Kannadiga. In Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, people communicate primarily in their own languages. Then why shouldn’t Kannadigas speak Kannada in Karnataka?” he asked. He said other languages may be used when necessary, but Kannada must remain the primary language.
Siddaramaiah stressed the need to inculcate a spirit of struggle to protect Kannada language, land, water and state borders. Recalling the words of poet Kuvempu—“Wherever you live, however you live, live as a Kannadiga”—he spoke about his own days of struggle, noting that he served as president of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti in 1983 and took practical steps to make Kannada an administrative language.
The Chief Minister said every village should have a Kannada-medium school. Due to the growing attraction towards English, Kannada schools are suffering, and parental support is essential for their survival and growth. Without parents’ cooperation, the existence and development of Kannada schools is not possible, he said.
He announced that a special meeting would be convened soon to take concrete decisions for the protection of Kannada-medium schools. Personally, he said, he supports a bilingual policy, and the matter would be placed before the Cabinet for a decision.
Siddaramaiah also stated that a sub-committee, headed by the Home Minister, has been formed to examine the withdrawal of cases registered against Kannada activists, and a decision would be taken after due consultations.
Clarifying the government’s stand on language, the Chief Minister said the state government is not opposed to the Hindi language, but Hindi is not the national language of the country. “Kannada is the authoritative language of the state,” he said. He added that Kannadigas pay a substantial amount of taxes every year, but receive a disproportionately lower share from the Centre, which is unjust.
Referring to regional development, Siddaramaiah said substantial funds have been allocated for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, and regional imbalance would be eliminated in the coming years. He criticised the alleged discriminatory attitude of the central government and called upon Kannadigas to unite and raise their voice against it.
He further announced that the issue of giving priority to Kannadigas in employment would be discussed in the Cabinet and a pro-Kannada decision would be taken. Creating a Kannada-friendly environment in the state and protecting the rights of Kannadigas remain the government’s top priorities, he said.
The event was attended by Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, noted academic Dr Baraguru Ramachandrappa, Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushottam Bilimale, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike President Narayan Gowda, Jan Rajyotsava awardees, and other dignitaries.
